Railway Stations: Access
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department is making in ensuring that railway stations are more accessible. [55643]
Norman Baker: We are committed to improving access to rail travel and have continued with the Access for All programme. This will provide accessible, step-free routes to 148 priority stations by 2015 and is in addition to the upgrades being delivered through franchise commitments and major programmes of investment such as Crossrail and Thameslink. Good progress is being made, with work complete at 51 stations and in progress on site at 27.
In addition, we have introduced a new ‘Medium Tier' fund for access improvements at intermediate-sized stations, for which we are currently inviting applications and will continue to set aside around £5 million per year over the spending review period for train operators to use for smaller access enhancements.
Railways: North West
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from transport groups in the North West on links between west coast rail services and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [55797]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has not received any responses from transport user groups regarding future links between the west coast main line and the High Speed 1 line.
18 May 2011 : Column 230W
Railways: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on future rail franchise agreements involving Welsh and cross-border rail lines. [56142]
Mrs Villiers: As part of the intercity west coast franchise consultation, which ended on 21 April, departmental officials have met with officials from the Welsh Assembly Government and received a written response to the consultation, which will be included within the summary of the stakeholder briefing document. This summary of consultation responses will be published in due course. There have been no recent discussions about other future rail franchises.
Shipping
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to bring forward the Marine Navigation Bill proposed by the previous Administration. [55795]
Mike Penning: We continue to look at opportunities for taking forward the measures that were contained in the draft Marine Navigation Bill. An example of this approach includes the progress of implementing the wreck removal convention by means of a private Member's Bill.
Communities and Local Government
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56055]
Robert Neill: The suppliers of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to the Department are Vodafone and Orange.
The Department has placed a strict approvals process (approval only by directors) on ordering new handsets and commencing new contracts. Due to the restructuring of the Department, many handsets are being returned either by those leaving or as a result of role changes where the devices are no longer needed. Any phones given to staff will be from the existing DCLG mobile phone estate. New devices will be ordered only where telephones are broken or lost and where there are no replacement handsets held in stock.
Faith Communities: Places of Worship
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward proposals to identify the requirements of faith communities and places of worship within the national planning policy framework. [56155]
Robert Neill
[holding answer 17 May 2011]: All proposals for changes to the wording of planning policy in England on the provision of community and social infrastructure will receive careful consideration as we
18 May 2011 : Column 231W
continue to work to create the national planning policy framework. At this stage I cannot say what exactly will appear in the draft framework, but we are committed to full public consultation in the summer and we will welcome responses from faith communities as part of that public engagement.
Greater Manchester
Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what payments his Department and its agencies have made to (a) the Manchester college, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City college, Manchester since 1997; and for what purpose in each case. [55749]
Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government and the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were created following the machinery of government changes on 5 May 2006 and 29 May 2002 respectively.
There are no records of any payments to the Manchester College for Arts and Technology or the City college, Manchester since May 2002. Details of payments to the Manchester college are given in the following table, for both the central Department and the Government offices. Payments were in relation to human resources training, predominantly in relation to Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualifications.
Details of payments prior to May 2002 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
| £ | ||
| Financial year | Central Department | Government offices |
Multiple Occupation
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assistance his Department makes available to local authorities seeking to return houses in multiple occupation to single units. [55793]
Grant Shapps: The overwhelming majority of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are privately owned—particularly those which might be suitable for conversion to family housing. It is for the owner of a privately rented HMO to decide whether to convert their property back into a single unit suitable for a family. If the property is well maintained, well managed, and has any necessary planning consents, then the local authority has no powers to seek a change of use.
Generally, a change of use from a small HMO to a family house does not require an application for planning permission unless there are local concerns about such development and the local authority have made an article 4 direction requiring planning applications for
18 May 2011 : Column 232W
such development. Should a landlord wish to convert a larger HMO to a family house, this will require a planning application if the local authority considers this would be a material change of use.
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to review the changes in permitted development rights for small-scale houses in multiple occupation (C4 use class); and if he will make a statement. [56017]
Robert Neill: In October 2010, we introduced a permitted development right to allow changes of use from family houses to small houses in multiple occupation to take place without the need to submit planning applications. We are committed to reviewing the impact of those legislative changes in 2013.
In areas where there is a need to control houses in multiple occupation, local authorities can use an article 4 direction to remove these permitted development rights and require planning applications for such changes of use. This gives councils the flexibility to tackle problems where they occur without imposing red tape on the wider rental market.
Culture, Media and Sport
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier-1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55872]
John Penrose: The Department received 4106 invoices between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011 in respect of goods or services provided by its tier-1 suppliers. Of these invoices, 19 were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56056]
John Penrose: The information is as follows:
(a) Vodafone and Nokia supply mobile telephone services and
(b) Blackberry, Vodafone and O2 supply mobile data services to the Department.
Government Art Collection
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the merits of maintaining spending on the Government art collection at current levels. [53270]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Government art collection's (GAC) budget for 2010-11 was £540,000. This included £194,000 for capital acquisitions. I have now agreed the GAC's budget for the spending review period, which is as follows:
18 May 2011 : Column 233W
| £000 | |||
|
|
Total | Revenue | Capital |
In the first two years the GAC will not be making acquisitions, but will be focussing instead on making the collection more accessible to the public through five exhibitions at the Whitechapel Gallery and subsequent tour.
Olympic Games 2012: Smoking
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with (a) the London Organising Committee of the Olympic games and (b) the Secretary of State for Health on making the London 2012 Olympics tobacco-free; [56010]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure the London 2012 Olympics are tobacco free; whether the Olympic athletes' village will be a designated no smoking area; and whether ticketed venues for the London 2012 Olympics will be designated no smoking areas. [56042]
Hugh Robertson: Officials in the Department and the Department of Health have discussed our aspiration for a tobacco-free games with the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) on a number of occasions.
LOCOG has confirmed that it will not be appointing a tobacco sponsor and that tobacco and cigarettes will not be sold at any of the Olympic or Paralympic venues. Smoking will also be prohibited in all ticketed sports competition, venues for the games (for example the Olympic stadium and the velodrome), as well as the athletes' village.
School Sports
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to assess the outcomes of the School Olympics; and what criteria he will use to conduct that assessment. [55652]
Hugh Robertson: The outcomes of the School Games will be assessed in two ways. The School Games website will record the number of schools taking part; the number of sports being played; and the number of young people taking part in intra-and interschool competition. Secondly, Sport England will be carrying out a full impact evaluation of the School Games over four years. An independent research organisation will be commissioned to carry out the evaluation (managed by Sport England). Further details will be announced in the autumn.
Sports: Young People
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to encourage young people to join sports clubs. [55718]
18 May 2011 : Column 234W
Hugh Robertson: Sport England currently funds 34 national governing bodies of sport to establish and develop links with local schools in order to increase the number of young people participating in community club-based sport. They will be providing £4.1 million per annum in exchequer funding until 2012-13 to continue this work.
In addition, the School Games and the Change 4 Life sports clubs will support young people to make the transition between school and community-based sports clubs.
Deputy Prime Minister
Elections: Armed Forces
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many armed forces personnel serving (a) abroad and (b) in Afghanistan were registered to vote in (i) total and (ii) each parliamentary constituency in (A) the 2010 general election and (B) the 2011 referendum on the voting system; [55972]
(2) how many armed forces personnel serving (a) abroad and (b) in Afghanistan (i) were registered for postal voting and (ii) voted using a postal ballot in (A) the 2010 general election and (B) the 2011 referendum on the voting system; [55973]
(3) how many armed forces personnel serving (a) abroad and (b) in Afghanistan (i) were registered for proxy voting and (ii) voted using a proxy in (A) the 2010 general election and (B) the 2011 referendum on the voting system. [55974]
Mr Harper: No central record is kept of the number of armed forces personnel who registered and voted at either the 2010 UK parliamentary election or the referendum on the voting system earlier this month. Armed services personnel may register to vote as ordinary electors, as service electors or, where appropriate, as overseas electors and therefore it is not possible to readily identify all of them.
However, the defence analytical services and advice survey conducted by the Ministry of Defence in 2009 showed that an estimated 69% of service personnel were registered to vote. The report of that survey is available from the Library of the House. The latest survey is currently being analysed, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House upon completion by the Minister responsible for defence personnel, welfare and veterans.
Under targeted initiatives implemented for service personnel who were in Afghanistan during the May 2010 and 2011 polls, service voters were able to register for a proxy or postal vote and specific processes were put in place to support their participation. I understand that for the 2010 UK parliamentary election, 217 postal votes were successfully returned and distributed out to returning officers. In addition to this, 294 applications to vote by proxy were received and forwarded to electoral registration officers. The corresponding figures for the referendum on the voting system in 2011 were 40 postal votes and 281 proxies. The use of proxies in such circumstances is recommended by both the Electoral Commission and MoD.
18 May 2011 : Column 235W
However, it is not possible to know the overall totals of service personnel registered for postal or proxy votes whilst based in Afghanistan as they could have signed up outside the initiative—either as a service voter or as an 'ordinary' elector.
Electoral Register: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities in Scotland participated in the data-matching pilot scheme aimed at increasing the number of people eligible to vote. [55651]
Mr Harper: Three local authorities in Scotland will be participating in the data-matching pilot schemes—the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian; the City of Glasgow and Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
I expect to make a full announcement on the data-matching pilots in June before the schemes are launched in the summer.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what changes have been made to the carbon reduction commitment levy, in respect of energy which is also covered by a climate change agreement (CCA) where the CCA holder purchases energy from a landlord, since the October 2010 comprehensive spending review. [55842]
Gregory Barker: No changes have been made to the CRC energy efficiency scheme requirements where a climate change agreement (CCA) holder purchases energy from their landlord. It remains the policy intent that there should be no double counting of energy use under CRC and CCAs.
Where a CCA facility draws energy from landlord, the energy use will be counted to establish the CRC qualification of the landlord and that landlord will need to include the energy use from a tenant's CCA facilities as part of their once-per-phase footprint reporting obligations. However, the landlord does not need to report energy use covered by a CCA facility in its annual report and does not need to purchase CRC allowances for this energy use.
Climate Change: Developing Countries
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much of the Government's contribution of £1.5 billion to Fast Start finance for climate change from 2010 to 2012 will be provided as loans. [56497]
Gregory Barker:
Of the £568 million Fast Start finance committed by the UK in 2010, £500 million was allocated to the climate investment funds (CIFs), the forest carbon partnership facility and the Congo basin forest fund as a capital grant used to make highly concessional loans, and with a small proportion available as grants. £68
18 May 2011 : Column 236W
million was allocated as grants to the global environment facility and to bilateral country programmes. There is an important role for both grants and loans in climate finance. Climate finance loans are offered on highly concessional terms and can maximise the total amounts of money available for developing countries.
The UK's 2011 and 2012 Fast Start contributions will be drawn from the £2.9 billion International climate fund. We will report on this when it has been disbursed.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56060]
Gregory Barker: DECC's supplier of (a) mobile telephone, and (b) mobile data services is Vodafone Ltd.
Energy Performance Certificates
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward legislative proposals for the roll-out of display energy certificates to commercial properties. [56199]
Gregory Barker: Better provision of energy usage information will be key to delivering our ambition of considerably higher levels of energy efficiency across the economy. However, we do not believe it appropriate to extend mandatory DECs to the private sector before fully understanding how the potential benefits can be achieved without placing undue burdens on business. We are continuing to explore the evidence.
Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs
James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much he plans to spend on feed-in tariffs; and how much was planned for expenditure on the scheme under the previous Administration. [55983]
Gregory Barker: In last year's spending review, the Government committed to improving the efficiency of the feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme to deliver £40 million of savings in 2014-15. This would be equivalent to approximately a 10% saving in 2014-15, compared with original projections, reducing costs to consumers to approximately £360 million (in nominal undiscounted prices).
Part of the aim of both the fast-track review and the comprehensive review of the FITs scheme being carried out this year will be to consider how best to deliver the savings committed to as part of the spending review while ensuring maximum deployment at or above the levels anticipated in the FITs model inherited from the previous Administration.
18 May 2011 : Column 237W
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
al-Qaeda
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. [55170]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has regular discussions with the US Secretary of State where they discuss a range of issues including counter-terrorism.
Senior officials across Government are in close contact with their US counterparts on Yemen, including on countering the threat from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Government's engagement with the US, and other international partners, goes wider than just counter-terrorism and includes discussions on much-needed political and development reform in Yemen.
British Nationals Abroad: Sexual Offences
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that consular staff receive adequate training on legislation for prosecuting travelling sex offenders. [55924]
Mr Lidington: Consular staff in our embassies around the world are there to support British nationals in difficulty abroad. When consular staff are notified of the arrest of a British national for certain serious offences, including child sex abuse, they are required to notify other relevant UK authorities. This is made clear in our publication “Support for British nationals abroad: a Guide” and is addressed in our consular training courses for staff.
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier-1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55866]
Mr Lidington: Fair Payment guidance refers to construction contracts only. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold a central record of all construction contracts signed between posts in more than 170 countries and local, tier-1 suppliers. Similarly on the number and timing of invoices and payments to those suppliers, this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55889]
18 May 2011 : Column 238W
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ensures that construction contracts between itself and tier-1 contractors include a provision for payment between the contractor and sub-contractor in accordance with the prompt payment provisions. The standard wording is used:
“Where the Contractor enters into a sub-contract with a supplier or contractor for the purpose of performing its obligations under the Contract, It shall ensure that a provision is included in such a sub-contract which requires payment to be made of all sums due by the Contractor to the sub-contractor within a specified period not exceeding 30 days from the receipt of a valid invoice.”
Israel: Terrorism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received of terrorist incidents in Israel since January 2011; how many British citizens were (a) killed, (b) seriously injured and (c) slightly injured in each incident; and if he will make a statement; [55248]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Arab League on terrorist incidents in Israel; and if he will make a statement. [55249]
Alistair Burt: Since January 2011, there have been two terrorist incidents involving British citizens. On 23 March 2011 a bomb exploded at a bus station in west Jerusalem: one British national was killed and one dual British-Israeli national was treated for shock. On 7 April 2011 an anti-tank missile hit a school bus in southern Israel injuring one dual British-Israeli national who later died of his injuries.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made clear our concerns about the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel.
We have made it clear to the Government of Israel that while Israel has every right to protect its people, it is also important that in so doing it also shows restraint and makes every effort to avoid causing civilian casualties.
We continue to call on all parties to act with restraint and do all they can to prevent loss of innocent life, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to reduce current tensions. We renew our calls on all sides to commit to peace talks.
We continue to have regular dialogue with the Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab League at both ministerial and official level. A wide range of issues are discussed at these various meetings, including terrorist attacks and violence.
Malaysia: Burma
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Malaysian counterpart on (a) the right of refugees from Burma to live and work in Malaysia, (b) attendance by children of such refugees in government schools and (c) conditions in immigration centres. [55717]
Mr Jeremy Browne [holding answer 17 May 2011]: Malaysia is not a state party to the convention and protocol relating to the status of refugees. Malaysia therefore classifies all undocumented migrants as illegal immigrants under their Immigration Act.
18 May 2011 : Column 239W
Officials at our high commission in Kuala Lumpur maintain contact with Malaysian officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs, raising issues of refugees and migration. Our high commission staff are also in regular contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur and other domestic and international non-governmental organisations.
In October 2010 the EU delegation discussed the rights of refugees from Burma to live and work in Malaysia with the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs during the visit of a UNHCR team. The issue of refugees will be discussed at the negotiations of an EU-Malaysia partnership and co-operation agreement.
United Arab Emirates: AssetCo
John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the use of (a) military and (b) other equipment sold to the Government of the United Arab Emirates by AssetCo plc in recent actions in (i) Manama, Bahrain and (ii) other cities or towns in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [54888]
Alistair Burt: We have seen no evidence that military or other equipment sold by AssetCo plc has been used in Bahrain. We have not seen Emirati forces on the streets in Bahrain and we have seen no evidence that Gulf Co-operation forces have done anything other than safeguard installations. The Government take their arms export responsibilities very seriously, and operate one of the most rigorous arms export control regimes in the world. We do not export equipment where there is a clear risk it could be used for internal repression.
International Development
Africa: Overseas Aid
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what management and accounting mechanisms are in place to audit the utilisation of financial aid provided by his Department to (a) Sierra Leone, (b) Niger, (c) Liberia and (d) Mozambique and delivered through the (i) World Bank, (ii) UN and (iii) African Development Bank. [55923]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government have rigorous systems and procedures to ensure effective financial oversight of funding and to ensure that aid achieves maximum value for money and delivers results for its intended recipients.
We subject all UK aid to rigorous financial auditing, monitoring and evaluation processes. For all grants provided by the Department for International Development (DFID), we require evidence about the use of funds from the partners' own audited accounts, or other audited arrangements as agreed. DFID requirements are built into the funding agreement, which details: the annual audit requirements; the monitoring and review requirements; and the option for the Government to take any reasonable and necessary steps to address the situation in the event that there is any significant failure in the commitments set out in the agreement.
18 May 2011 : Column 240W
For all new UK aid programmes approved from January this year, the Government have also modified the way DFID programmes are designed so that they are based on rigorous evidence of what works and what maximises value for money and results, through the introduction of a business case model. All DFID projects are scored annually against expected results. Under the new aid transparency guarantee we will ensure business cases for all projects as well as annual reviews and project completion reports are published on the DFID website so they can be scrutinised by the British taxpayer.
The National Audit Office audits my Department's accounts and scrutinises our systems for ensuring effective management and proper use of the development budget. I have also created a new Independent Commission for Aid Impact, the first of its kind, which is able to scrutinise any area of UK bilateral and multilateral aid spending.
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier-1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55863]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is not able to disaggregate tier-1, suppliers’ invoices from other payment types without incurring a disproportionate cost. DFID UK made 19,244 payments between 1 May and 31 March 2011, of which 15,113 were paid within the period of time specified in the Government's five-day prompt payment guidance.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55886]
Mr Duncan: In accordance with the Government's five- day prompt payment guidance, the Department for International Development (DFID) aims to pay all lead suppliers within five days of receiving a valid invoice.
The Department contracts under the central Government framework arrangement for managed service contracts in relation to construction. We are currently reviewing our terms and conditions for construction contracts to ensure they align with central Government policy, including the Government's Fair Payment guidance.
Health
Abortion
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of (a) abortions and (b) repeat abortions. [55990]
18 May 2011 : Column 241W
Anne Milton: Reducing the number of abortions and repeat abortions is very important. In 2009, the number of abortions fell by 3% from 195,296 in 2008 to 189,100.
Contraception plays a vital role in preventing unintended pregnancy and repeat abortions. Since 1 April 2009, any woman having an abortion on the national health service must be given advice about and supplies of contraception before they leave the clinic. In addition, a specification for abortion services has been issued to support implementation of this requirement.
The Department invested £11.5 million in 2010-11 to improve access to contraception. Abortion should not be seen in isolation, but in the context of wider public health issues as the public health White Paper ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England’ highlights and the forthcoming sexual health document to be published in autumn 2011 will make clear.
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier-1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55865]
Mr Simon Burns: The quantity of invoices received and the number not paid within 30 days are shown in the following table.
| Month | Number of invoices | Total number of invoices paid over 30 days |
| Note: The Department does not differentiate between Tier-1 suppliers and other creditors. The figures in the table therefore reflect invoice payments made to all commercial creditors. | ||
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55888]
18 May 2011 : Column 242W
Mr Simon Burns: Where the contractor enters into a sub-contract with a supplier or contractor for the purpose of performing its obligations under the contract, it shall ensure that a provision is included in such a sub-contract which requires payment to be made of all sums due by the contractor to the sub-contractor within a specified period not exceeding 30 days from the receipt of a valid invoice.
Departmental Data Protection
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract. [55741]
Mr Simon Burns: Neither the Department nor NHS Connecting for Health hold any contracts which allow contractors to store personal data of United Kingdom citizens overseas.
Diseases: Health Services
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he plans to implement the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer in his 2009 annual report to appoint a national clinical director for rare diseases; [55820]
(2) if he will publish an outcomes strategy for rare diseases; [55937]
(3) whether he plans to publish a consultation document on his proposed plan for rare diseases; [55938]
(4) what discussions he has had with external stakeholders on the development of his proposed plan for rare diseases. [55939]
Mr Simon Burns: We are not yet in a position to say how the recommendation of the former Chief Medical Officer regarding the appointment of a new national clinical director for rare diseases might fit with the new arrangements for specialised commissioning that are set out in the Health and Social Care Bill. The issue of such an appointment is being considered as part of the design work for the NHS Commissioning Board.
The Department is working with the devolved Administrations and key stakeholders to develop a plan for rare disease by 2013, in line with the European Council recommendation. Officials in the Department have held meetings with the devolved Administrations and several key stakeholders as part of the development of a plan for rare disease and will continue to engage with key partners.
The NHS outcomes framework sets out national outcomes goals. The NHS Commissioning Board would decide how best to deliver improvements on the ground and translate the national outcomes into outcomes and indicators that are meaningful at local level in the commissioning outcomes framework. It will be for the shadow NHS Commissioning Board to take forward work on developing the commissioning outcomes framework, with the support of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
18 May 2011 : Column 243W
Fluoride: Drinking Water
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated research on whether to mandate strategic health authorities to add fluoride to water supplies. [55763]
Anne Milton: Since 1964, the Department has commissioned a number of studies, that show that dental decay is lower in areas in which the fluoride content of the water supply has been adjusted to a level of one milligram per litre. No research has been conducted on mandation since it has been the policy of successive Governments that decisions on fluoridation should be taken locally. The Health and Social Care Bill proposes that responsibility for consultations on proposals for fluoridation schemes and the ascertainment of opinion should transfer to local authorities.
Hospitals: North East England
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) he and (b) any other Minister in his Department has visited a hospital in the north east since May 2010. [56249]
Mr Simon Burns: Since May 2010 the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), has not visited any hospitals in the north-east.
My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Earl Howe) has visited Darlington memorial hospital.
NHS: Managers
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS managers with previous experience in the private sector are recruited; what importance he places on experience in external organisations for NHS managers; and if he will make a statement. [55798]
Mr Simon Burns: There are no current initiatives designed specifically to recruit people with previous experience in the private sector or external organisations as national health service managers.
The NHS welcomes suitable employees from all backgrounds, and all NHS employers are expected to ensure that their local recruitment policies are fair, transparent and free from discrimination. In addition, all NHS trusts and primary care trusts are expected to comply with the guidelines for the process for senior appointments set out in a letter of 18 October 2006 from the NHS chief executive. Foundation trusts are required to follow Monitor's code of governance for NHS foundation trusts, published in September 2006. Copies have been placed in the Library.
NHS: Reorganisation
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies on proposed reforms to the NHS in England. [54615]
18 May 2011 : Column 244W
Mr Simon Burns: Further to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 701W, as of 12 May the Government have received 10 letters from hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies on the proposed reforms to the health service in England. The issues raised included competition, general practice commissioning, waiting times, the private income cap for national health service foundation trusts, service failure and the implementation of reforms.
In my previous answer it was stated that we had received 12 parliamentary questions from hon. Members representing constituencies in Wales. I regret that this was an error and the correct number was three. We have received no further parliamentary questions since then from hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies.
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his proposed amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill. [56248]
Mr Simon Burns: Proposals for changes to the Health and Social Care Bill will follow the conclusion of the listening exercise and the report of the NHS Future Forum. The report is expected in early June.
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to the NHS on the effect of the pause in the progress of the Health and Social Care Bill on the implementation of the proposed changes set out in the Bill. [56250]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government are currently pausing, listening and reflecting to improve plans regarding the Health and Social Care Bill. Sir David Nicholson, the NHS chief executive, wrote to the national health service on 13 April. The NHS chief executive addressed delivery of NHS services in 2011-12 and beyond, progress on modernisation to date and the effect of the listening exercise on NHS activity.
The NHS chief executive's letter is available at:
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_126060.pdf
and a copy has been placed in the Library.
Nurses: Manpower
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist nurses for (a) breast cancer, (b) haemophilia and (c) sickle cell and thalassaemia there were in the latest period for which figures are available. [56008]
Anne Milton: The information is not collected centrally through the annual national health service work force census. The annual work force census does not separately identify specialist nurses. However, the 2010 census of cancer specialist nurses in England shows that of the 2,771.1 full-time equivalent (FTE) cancer specialist nurses, 523.32 FTE worked in breast cancer care.
Nurses: West Midlands
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to protect nursing in the West Midlands from the reduction in nursing commissions planned by the West Midlands strategic health authority. [56006]
18 May 2011 : Column 245W
Anne Milton: The service level agreement between the Department and the strategic health authorities (SHAs) for the multi-professional education and training budget requires SHAs to base their education and training commissioning plans on the work force plans of providers. The West Midlands SHA has confirmed that it has finalised its plans based on work force planning information and following discussions with national health service organisations and higher education institutions providing health professional training programmes. Departmental officials will work with the SHA to review the situation and ensure that the planned level of commissions remains appropriate.
School Milk
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration the early years strategy will take of the effect on children's health of the provision of free school milk in nurseries. [55839]
Sarah Teather: I have been asked to reply.
The Government believe that the early years are crucial to the future success and well-being of all children and will publish a statement of their vision for the early years later this summer. Ensuring that children enjoy good health, including through a properly balanced diet, is an important factor in securing a strong foundation for later life chances.
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets out standards for the provision of healthy, balanced and nutritious food and drink for children in child care up to age five. Dame Clare Tickell's recent review of the framework looked at this issue, informed by the report of the Advisory Panel for Food and Nutrition in Early Years. The Government have welcomed Dame Clare's report and we intend to respond to it in full in the summer and consult on improvements to the EYFS. The report was published on 30 March and is available at:
www.education.gov.uk/tickellreview
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in each local authority area received free milk in each of the last five financial years. [55840]
Anne Milton: The Department does not collect information on how many children in each local authority area receive a free drink of milk through the nursery milk scheme. All children under five in day care for two or more hours a day receive a daily drink of milk (one third of a pint). It currently funds free milk for approximately 1.5 million children under five years old in approximately 55,000 child care settings throughout Great Britain.
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department has allocated for the provision of free milk in schools and nurseries in each of the last five financial years. [55841]
Anne Milton: The Department has allocated the funds as outlined in the following table for the provision of free milk in schools and nurseries in each of the last five financial years.
18 May 2011 : Column 246W
|
|
Funding (£ million) |
Education
Academies
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools have yet to agree a final balance with the local education authority on transferring to academy status. [55915]
Mr Gibb: There is no legal obligation for converting schools or local authorities to notify the Department that they have agreed a balance on conversion to academy status.
The Secretary of State can determine the level of deficit or surplus if there is a dispute between the local authority and the academy. So far the Secretary of State has not exercised this power.
Academies: Berkshire
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of progress on the academies programme in (a) Reading West constituency, (b) Reading and (c) Berkshire. [55719]
Mr Gibb: To date in the Reading West constituency, Churchend primary school opened as a converted academy on 1 February 2011 and the avenue school has an academy order and is aiming to convert on 1 September 2011. John Madejski academy opened as a sponsored academy on 1 September 2006. A further nine schools have expressed an interest in becoming an academy. We do not release details of these schools at this early stage in their thinking about converting to academy status.
In the rest of Reading, Highdown school and sixth form centre opened as a converted academy on 1 November 2010, Reading school and Kendrick school opened as converted academies on 1 February 2011. A further two schools have expressed an interest in becoming an academy.
In West Berkshire, Kennet school in Thatcham opened as a converted academy on 1 April 2011 and Park House school and sports college in Newbury opened as a converted academy on 1 May 2011. A further five schools have expressed an interest in becoming an academy.
Full details of schools that have formally applied for academy status, as well as a list of academies that have opened in the academic year 2010/11 can be found on the DFE academies website at
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting-applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011
18 May 2011 : Column 247W
Children: Day Care
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many childcare places for children under five years were provided in each local authority area (a) in total and (b) as a full-time equivalent in (i) 1997, (ii) 2003 and (iii) 2009-10. [54121]
Sarah Teather: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector of schools, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
18 May 2011 : Column 248W
Disadvantaged: Milton Kenyes
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children received free school meals in each school in the Milton Keynes local education authority area in the latest period for which figures are available. [51929]
Mr Gibb: Information on free school meal eligibility is shown in the following table.
School level information, for all schools in England, can be found at the following link:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000925/index.shtml
under the heading ‘Publication's Underlying Data’.
| Maintained nursery, maintained primary (1) , state-funded secondary (1,2) , special schools (3) and pupil referral units: Free school meal eligibility in Milton Keynes local authority (4,5) —As at January 2010 | |||||
| Establishment number | School name | School type | Number on roll (4,5) | Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4,5) | Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4,5) |
18 May 2011 : Column 249W
18 May 2011 : Column 250W
18 May 2011 : Column 251W
18 May 2011 : Column 252W
| (1)— One or two pupils, or a percentage based on one or two pupils. (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies. However, there are no city technology colleges in Milton Keynes local authority. (3) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. However, there are no non-maintained special schools in Milton Keynes local authority. Excludes general hospital schools. (4) Includes sole and dual (main) registrations. Pupil referral units include pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. (5) Includes pupils who have full-time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance and are aged between five and 15 (age as at 31 August 2009). Source: School Census | |||||
Drama: Finance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding he has allocated for the provision of dramatic arts in schools in 2011-12. [54955]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 12 May 2011]: Schools' baseline funding includes provision for them to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. No specific funding allocation has been made on top of this for the provision of dramatic arts in schools in 2011-12.
Education: Finance
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the £1,200 guaranteed bursary allocated from discretionary learner support funds for those in a vulnerable group is part of the same funding stream as the remainder of the 16 to 19 bursary fund. [53651]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 12 May 2011]: Under our proposed arrangements for the 16 to 19 bursary fund, there will be a single funding stream covering allocations to schools, colleges and training providers. The funding will allow them to award discretionary bursaries and guaranteed bursaries to those young people in vulnerable groups.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate his Department has made of the number of applications for funding in academic year 2011-12 under the proposed 16 to 19 bursary. [55038]
Mr Gibb: We have estimated that around 12,000 young people may be eligible each academic year for a guaranteed annual bursary of £1,200. Beyond this, the 16 to 19 bursary fund is discretionary and decisions as to who will be supported will be made by schools, colleges and training organisations; no central estimate has been made. We will monitor the introduction of the new arrangements, including how many young people receive support from the 16 to 19 bursary fund.
Free School Meals: Sunderland
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children in Sunderland received free school meals in the last five years. [55647]
Mr Gibb: Information on the number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in Sunderland for 2006 to 2010 is shown in the following tables. The answer includes full-time pupils aged 0 to 15 and part-time pupils aged five to 15.
18 May 2011 : Column 253W
18 May 2011 : Column 254W
| Maintained nursery, maintained primary (1) , state funded secondary (1,2) and special schools (3) : free school meal eligibility (4,5) , as at January each year, Sunderland local authority | ||||||
| Maintained nursery and maintained primary schools (1) | State-funded secondary schools (1,2) | |||||
|
|
Number on roll (4,5) | Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4,5) | Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals | Number on roll (4,5) | Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4,5) | Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals |
| Special schools (3) | Maintained nursery, maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools (1,2,3) | |||||
|
|
Number on roll (4,5) | Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4,5) | Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals | Number on roll (4,5) | Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4,5) | Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals |
| (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies. (3) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (4) Includes sole and dual (main) registrations. (5) Includes full-time pupils aged 0 to 15 and part-time pupils aged five to 15. Source: School Census | ||||||