Written Answers to Questions
Monday 23 May 2011
House of Commons Commission
Internet
Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what historical material the House of Commons Commission is planning to make available on the parliamentary (a) intranet and (b) website in the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [56609]
John Thurso: There is currently a project under way to digitise House of Commons Journals between the years 1836 and 1997. Scanning is in progress. Publishing to the website is yet to be scheduled and resourced.
There are plans to put up new content on the Living Heritage section of the parliamentary website on the themes of Parliament and Belief, Parliament and Empire, and Parliament and Ireland in the financial year 2011-12.
Portcullis House: Clocks
Mr Ellwood: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Commission will arrange to place a large clock in the Atrium of Portcullis House. [57179]
John Thurso: Clocks are already provided on the TV screens around the perimeter of the Atrium of Portcullis House but the Department of Facilities has been asked to consider what an additional clock would cost and whether such expenditure could be justified.
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department plans to take to assess the contribution to the economy of arts and culture. [56344]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Department, alongside Arts Council England, is currently undertaking a project aimed at providing a framework for quantifying the economic contribution of the Department's sectors, including the arts and cultural sector. The project is expected to include an analysis of our sectors and guidance on conducting and commissioning analysis in this area. The Department also publishes economic estimates of the creative industries for turnover, employment, number of businesses and exports, which includes estimates for the music, visual and performing arts, arts and antiques and architecture sectors. The latest release can be found at the following link:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7634.aspx
The estimates are updated annually and the next release is scheduled for autumn of this year.
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Bingo
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) when he plans to announce changes to regulations on the use of B3 machines in bingo clubs; [55979]
(2) what his policy is on measures to support the bingo industry; and if he will make a statement. [55981]
John Penrose: The Government are looking to support all sectors of the gambling industry, including bingo, through identifying and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. That is why I have been reviewing the maximum stake limit and premises entitlements for category B3 gaming machines and I hope to make an announcement soon on the outcome of that review.
Bingo: Taxation
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on bingo taxation. [55980]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their counterparts at Her Majesty's Treasury on a range of issues which affect our sectors. Treasury colleagues are well aware of the concerns that have been raised with them by the bingo industry.
Bowling
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the adequacy of planning regulations in protecting crown green and lawn bowling facilities. [56624]
Hugh Robertson: I have regular discussions with colleagues. The Department for Communities and Local Government expects to consult on a new National Planning Policy Framework in July.
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the adequacy of the provision of crown green and lawn bowling facilities in relation to levels of demand in England. [56625]
Hugh Robertson: It is for local councils to assess the need for such facilities in their areas.
Broadband
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what objectives have been set which define his aim to ensure that the UK has the best superfast broadband in Europe by the end of the present Parliament. [56358]
Mr Jeremy Hunt
[holding answer 19 May 2011]:To determine whether the UK has the best superfast broadband network in Europe, we will be publishing a balanced scorecard which will include speed, price, choice and
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coverage, as well as take up. In addition, on 12 May, I announced the ambition that 90% of the UK population should have access to a superfast broadband connection by 2015, with the rest having access to a service of at least 2 Mbps.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of households in each parliamentary constituency which have access to broadband services and do not subscribe to them; [56826]
(2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of households in each parliamentary constituency which do not have access to broadband services; [56827]
(3) what estimate he has made of the proportion of households in each parliamentary constituency with access to broadband services of (a) 2 mbps or fewer and (b) more than 2 Mbps. [56828]
Mr Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have not made an estimate of the number of households that do not subscribe to broadband, but use independent analysis for reference purposes.
Broadband Delivery UK has estimated that the total number of premises with a sub 2 Mbps connection in all UK constituencies is 1.58 million and the total number of premises with above 2 Mbps is 25.8 million.
The Ofcom Communications Market Report 2010 (August) contains further data on broadband accessibility in the UK. It can be found using the link:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/market-data/communications-market-reports/
In addition, the Office for National Statistics published their ‘Internet Access Quarterly Update’ on 18 May 2011 which provides data on the number of people who have “never used” the internet, broken down by geographical region. The report can be found using the link:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/nojournal/internet-access-q1-2011.pdf
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will request that Ofcom investigate BT's pricing of ducts and poles in deployment of superfast broadband to third party providers. [56954]
Mr Vaizey: Industry consultation on the draft reference offers for access to BT's ducts and poles, which were published in January 2011, is ongoing. If commercial terms cannot be agreed by the end of the consultation period, it will be for Ofcom, who have the powers to investigate, to determine whether to intervene to set prices.
Broadband: Scotland
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2011, Official Report, column 611W, on broadband: public expenditure, what assessment he has made of the effect on the pilot project in Scotland of restrictions on the use of ducts and poles for (a) fixed wireless access broadband, (b) mobile broadband, (c) satellite, (d) leased lines and (e) single or one-off connections. [56514]
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Mr Vaizey: The Department has not made any assessment of the restrictions in regard to any of the points raised. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are responsible for this aspect of the project; however we are keen to learn from their experiences in due course.
BSkyB: News Corporation
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the reasons are for the time taken to announce his decision on the proposed News Corporation acquisition of BSkyB. [57206]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I am currently considering all the responses to the consultation and will make my decision, followed by a statement to this House, as soon as I am able.
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on what date special advisers in his Department last used the Government car pool to travel in an official capacity; and on how many occasions a special adviser in his Department has travelled to their home address using the Government car pool since May 2010. [56084]
John Penrose: The Department does not offer the use of Government pool cars to special advisers.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on special advisers’ travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010. [56100]
John Penrose: The following amount have been spent by the Department on current special advisers’ travel from 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011:
| Form of transport | Cost (£) |
The Department does not offer the use of Government pool cars or private aircraft to special advisers. No cost has been incurred from travel on buses.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department’s Executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010. [56187]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has only one Executive agency—the Royal Parks (TRP). The agency’s accounting system does not separate travel and subsistence. The figure for spend since May 2010 is as follows:
(a) TRP has spent £14,133.27 on travel and subsistence since May 2010;
(b) There have been no travel and subsistence claims from the chief executive of TRP during this period.
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Film
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 635W, on UK Film Council, when he plans to launch a review of film policy; and who he expects to lead that review. [56343]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: Details of the film policy review and those undertaking it will be announced shortly.
Gambling
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 741W, on gambling, what representations he has received from external interest groups on the outcomes of the 2010 Gambling Prevalence Survey since 1 March 2011. [56368]
John Penrose: According to our records, since 1 March 2011, the Department has received a written representation from one external interest group, the Association of British Bookmakers, about the 2010 Gambling Prevalence Survey. In addition, the results of the Prevalence Survey have been discussed as part of my officials' regular meetings with trade bodies and with faith and community groups.
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 741W, on gambling, whether he has made an assessment of the outcomes of the Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010 including (a) recent trends in the number of problem gamblers and (b) the use of B2 terminals in betting shops. [56369]
John Penrose: There has been a slight increase in the absolute levels of problem gambling to 0.9% of the population—and while it is not possible to say whether this represents an upward trend or a temporary fluctuation, we cannot be complacent. But we must use caution when looking at problem gambling rates for individual activities; problem gamblers tend to gamble using many activities and the Prevalence Survey does not provide evidence or proof about which activities cause or exacerbate problem gambling. We will be watching closely the outcome of the current machines research which will address these questions, among other things.
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1086W, on gambling, what progress has been made on the (a) form, (b) funding and (c) timing of the next Gambling Prevalence Survey. [56370]
John Penrose:
We continue to work closely with the Gambling Commission on the future funding of prevalence surveys of this kind and the best ways in which to gather prevalence data. The Gambling Commission will announce the future arrangements in due course. The Prevalence Study is not the only research that examines this area and I am pleased that the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board's research programme continues to focus
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on projects that will, over time, help target regulatory controls, education and treatment based on a robust evidence base. We need to know much more about problem gambling if we are to target future regulation, enforcement and prevention effectively. Continued industry funding for research, education and treatment is fundamental to this.
Tote: North-west England
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the effects of any decision on the future of the Tote on levels of employment in the North West. [56048]
John Penrose: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, meets regularly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and they discuss a variety of issues.
Tote: Wigan
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 to (a) all staff and (b) staff based in Wigan employed by the Tote following its sale. [56639]
John Penrose: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has considered the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) to Tote staff. Whether TUPE applies depends on the legal employer of the employee in question. For these purposes, Tote Group employees fall into two groups: (i) employees of the Horserace Totalisator Board; and (ii) employees of the Horserace Totalisator Board's subsidiaries.
For employees employed by the Horserace Totalisator Board, TUPE will apply, together with the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004, to transfer them to the successor company.
For employees employed by subsidiaries of the Horserace Totalisator Board, such as Tote Credit Ltd and Tote Bookmakers Ltd, TUPE will not be needed. The reason for this is that their legal employer will not change at all—it will move from the Horserace Totalisator Board to the successor company along with the staff—so their existing employment contracts will be unaffected.
Intellectual Property
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to respond to the Hargreaves review of intellectual property. [57205]
Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills published ‘Digital Opportunity: A Review of Intellectual Property and Growth’, an independent report by Professor Ian
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Hargreaves, on 18 May 2011. The Government will publish their substantive response before the summer parliamentary recess.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 22 March and 26 April 2011 regarding a constituent, Mr Lanasis. [56645]
John Penrose: The letter from the hon. Member dated 22 March 2011 was transferred to the Ministry of Justice for a reply as the subject raised by the constituent falls under their areas of responsibility.
The Department has conducted a thorough check and has no record of receiving a letter from the hon. Member dated 26 April 2011. If the hon. Member could submit a copy of his letter I will ensure a timely response is sent. However, if this letter was related to the same issues raised in the letter of 22 March I recommend the hon. Member write directly to the Ministry of Justice.
Ofcom: Wi-Fi
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what ongoing assessment his Department is making of the propriety of the consultation by Ofcom on implementing geolocation in light of the recent move to a commercial mobile wireless data service provider of Ofcom's former Director of Technology Resources; and if he will make a statement; [56823]
(2) if he will review the future programme of Ofcom's consultation on implementing geolocation in light of the recent move of Ofcom's Director of Technology Resources to Neul Limited; and if he will make a statement. [56824]
Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is directly accountable to Parliament. I am not aware of any reason why it would be appropriate to review the future programme, or make an ongoing assessment of propriety of Ofcom's consultation on implementing geolocation.
Radio Frequencies
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many white space devices he expects to be in operation in 2020; and if he will make a statement. [56822]
Mr Vaizey: Given that we are in the very early stages in the development of the white space technology market I am not able to provide an accurate estimate of how many devices we expect to be used in the white spaces. A lot will depend on how the market develops and whether innovative or attractive services are developed for the technology. However experience of other technologies used for similar applications within unlicensed spectrum may provide an example. The nearest analogy to unlicensed white space devices would be Wi-Fi where there are over 4 million hot spots in the UK and many more customer devices that connect to them.
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Sports: Reading
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what financial assistance (a) his Department and (b) the National Lottery has given to (i) amateur and (ii) professional sports clubs in Reading West constituency since 2010. [57024]
Hugh Robertson: The information requested is not held by this Department and relates to matters that are the responsibility of Sport England.
Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Sport England to write direct to the hon. Member.
Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Video Games
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on implementation of the recommendations of the Livingstone-Hope skills review of video games and visual effects. [56345]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Government are currently considering the report and, as the Plan for Growth confirms, we will issue a formal response in the summer. We welcome the industry's creation of a steering committee which will meet regularly to drive forward their response to the report's recommendations. In addition we expect a ministerial engagement group to progress the Government’s follow-up to the report, liaising closely with the industry-led activity.
Treasury
Bank Cards: Young People
Claire Perry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the use of stored value cards by persons under the age of 18 years. [57310]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
Bank Services
David Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Financial Service Authority has taken to regulate (a) the speed of and (b) charges for interbank transfers by electronic means. [56656]
Mr Hoban: The Payment Services Regulations 2009 (which implemented the Payment Services Directive) require the execution time for credit transfers to be reduced to no later than the next business day. Firms have until 1 January 2012 to meet this requirement. Interbank transfers are often free for consumers and they are not subject to price controls.
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Bank Services: Interest Rates
Damian Hinds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received on the practices of banks in displaying the interest rates paid on savings accounts; [56382]
(2) what representations he has received on the level of clarity in saving account interest rate offers; and what assessment he has made of the effects of the level of clarity in such offers on the (a) transparency and (b) competitiveness of the market. [56383]
Mr Hoban: The Government receive representations from stakeholders on a wide range of banking issues. Banks’ conduct, including the information they provide on interest rates they may offer, is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
As part of the FSA’s Banking Code of Conduct Sourcebook (BCOBS), banks are obliged to provide notice to customers, where appropriate, of the expiry of an introductory, promotional or preferential rate of interest. Banks should also provide reasonable notice when they wish to make a material change to a rate of interest that will disadvantage the customer.
Following a recent consultation, the FSA amended BCOBS so that by the end of the year firms should provide interest rates on savings account statements.
Banks: Pay
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the proportion of bank bonuses paid by UK-based banks that was subject to income tax in the UK in the latest year for which information is available. [57178]
Justine Greening: The information is not available.
Business: Finance
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters of complaint he has received from the business community on the (a) removal of overdraft facilities and (b) removal of loan facilities to longstanding customers of (i) the Royal Bank of Scotland, (ii) Northern Rock and (iii) other financial institutions in which UK Financial Investments Ltd has a stake in each year since July 2007. [55905]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 16 May 2011]: HM Treasury has received approximately 1,718 letters concerning Royal Bank of Scotland, 2,559 concerning Northern Rock, 2,028 concerning Bradford and Bingley and 1,186 concerning Lloyds Banking Group since July 2007. These figures indicate the total volume of correspondence received in respect of each bank across any subject area.
Business: Regulation
Matthew Hancock:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the 2011 Budget, HC 836, page 3, what estimate he has made of the likely number of (a) businesses and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises (i) nationally, (ii) in each region, (iii) in each local authority and (iv) in each parliamentary constituency
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likely to benefit from his decision to discontinue proposals for specific regulations which would have cost business over £350 million a year. [55708]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
The regulations that contribute to the £350 million cost reduction for business include: extension of the Right to Request Time to Train to small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), extension of Right to Request Flexible Working to parents of 17-year-olds, Dual Discrimination and Third Party harassment.
Right to request time to train
All SMEs in Great Britain (approximately 1.1 million) will avoid the potential cost of administering requests from employees arising from the right to request time to train regulations which were due to commence on 1 April.
Extension of right to request flexible working to parents of 17 years olds
We also announced that we would no longer extend the right to request flexible working to parents of 17 years olds to any business regardless of size. This means that all businesses will potentially benefit from our decision not to make this interim extension to the right to request flexible working.
We have assumed all employers would familiarise themselves with the legislation and therefore all employers would benefit economically from the decision not to bring forward the dual discrimination provisions.
The Impact Assessment estimated between 15 and 60 additional cases might be brought each year; this is an appropriate proxy for the number of employers which could potentially benefit. However, it is not possible to determine whether or not they are SMEs as we cannot predict which employers would have been most liable to claims. Neither can we break this down further by region, local authority or parliamentary constituency.
Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the adequacy of the treatment of combined heat and power in the impact assessment his Department undertook in respect of a proposed carbon floor price mechanism. [57207]
Justine Greening: An assessment of the impacts of the carbon price floor is given in HMRC's Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside the Budget. This is available online at
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf
The Government continue to work with the Combined Heat and Power Association and its members, including representatives from the oil refining industry, in order to develop a simpler, direct and more effective means of support for combined heat and power stations.
Departmental CCTV
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around his Department's premises; and how much such cameras cost to (a) install and (b) operate in the latest period for which figures are available. [56842]
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Justine Greening: There are 48 CCTV cameras in the Treasury building.
The costs of the camera installation were included in the refurbishment of the building by a PFI provider in 2002. The current operating cost is £3,500 per annum.
Departmental Refreshments
Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on the contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May 2010. [48402]
Justine Greening: The Treasury does not have ministerial drinks cabinets.
All expenditure on official hospitality including alcohol is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on “Regularity & Propriety”.
Devolution
Mr Burley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the composition of the committee established to consider the future of the Barnett formula and the West Lothian question. [56618]
Danny Alexander: No committee has been established to consider the future of the Barnett formula. The Government recognise the concerns on the system devolved funding. However, at this time, the priority must be to reduce the deficit and therefore any change to the system must await the stabilisation of the public finances
The arrangement whereby MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can vote on Westminster Bills is commonly known as the West Lothian question. As part of their programme of political reform, the Government have announced that they will establish a Commission to consider the West Lothian question. This commitment is included within the Government's priorities for 2011.
Economic Policy
Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he deposited the UK's Convergence Programme with the EU on 28 April 2011 prior to its approval by the House on a deferred Division on 4 May 2011; and if he will make a statement. [55729]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 16 May 2011]: The Convergence Programme was sent to the European Commission on 28 April in order to meet an agreed deadline of 30 April for submission of both Convergence Programmes and National Reform Programmes. This was agreed as part of the new European Semester. However, the Commission was advised that the document must be regarded as a draft until parliamentary scrutiny procedures are completed. This has been established practice in recent years where parliamentary debates on the Government's economic and budgetary assessment have not taken place at the time of submitting the Convergence Programme to the EU (a debate did not take place in the other place/House until 12 May).
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All of the information contained in the Convergence Programme has already been published and made available to Members.
The UK's Convergence Programme itself does not require Parliament's approval. Due to the provisions of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 it must be based upon an assessment of the economic and budgetary position which has been reported to Parliament by the Government for its approval. This year that assessment comprised the 2011 Budget report and the OBR's ‘Economic and fiscal outlook’—as set out in the 2011 Budget report itself. These documents were deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 23 March for subsequent approval. The Budget report and associated documents are routinely debated and approved by the House of Commons.
The Government take Parliament's involvement in this process very seriously. That is why, during negotiations on the new European Semester, the Government secured an exemption from the requirement to send draft budgetary plans to the Commission. The UK will continue to send our Budget—in the form of the Convergence Programme—only once it has been presented to Parliament by the Chancellor.
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he expects Equitable Life’s with-profit annuitants to start to receive compensation from the scheme established for this purpose. [56351]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 19 May 2011]: As I announced on 16 May, the Equitable Life Payment Scheme will make its first payments by the end of June. It will aim to make first payments to all with profits annuitants eligible for a payment by June 2012, subject to the policyholder being successfully identified and traced.
European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism
Mr Carswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the advice given by his Department's legal advisers in response to the opinion of the Council of Ministers on the legality of the European Stabilisation Mechanism established under article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. [55756]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers received advice on this issue, including legal advice, as part of the normal process of policy development.
Policy development and information relating to recent policy announcements need a degree of freedom to enable the process to work effectively. The release of information so soon after discussions took place would result in less full and frank discussions in the future, harming the policy formulation and development process.
Mr Cash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) for what reasons he did not challenge the legal basis of the European Financial Stability Mechanism; [56640]
(2) whether he received legal advice on the legality of the European Financial Stability Mechanism in (a) May and (b) June 2010. [56641]
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Mr Hoban: The European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM) was created following agreement by a qualified majority of member states at the ECOFIN meeting on 9 May 2010. The meeting took place before the formation of the coalition Government and was attended by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), who consulted opposition parties. The Chancellor of the Exchequer cautioned against committing the UK to proposals that have a lasting effect on the UK's public finances. However, he made it clear that given the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West was still Chancellor of the Exchequer at that point, it was for him to reach decisions. All contact between the Treasury and the Opposition parties followed the agreed Cabinet Office guidelines for the 2010 general election.
The terms of the EFSM are set out in EU Council Regulation No. 407/2010. It is compatible with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ¦ (TFEU), Article 122(2) of which states:
“Where a Member State is in difficulties or is seriously threatened with severe difficulties caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences beyond its control, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may grant, under certain conditions, Community financial assistance to the Member State concerned.”
The Council decided that, in these circumstances, those criteria applied, as the regulation itself makes clear.
The Government have secured agreement at the December European Council that the EFSM will cease to exist in 2013 at the latest, that Article 122(2) TFEU will not be used for the purpose of ensuring the financial stability of the euro area as a whole, and that only euro area member states will be required to contribute to the permanent European Stability Mechanism.
Financial Services: Taxation
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his G20 counterparts on the introduction of a multilateral financial transaction tax; and if he will make a statement. [56857]
Mr Hoban: The Government of France have announced that discussion of financial transactions taxes will be one of their priorities for their presidency of the G20 this year. In addition, as requested by ECOFIN, the European Commission is currently preparing an impact assessment on financial sector taxation, including financial transactions taxes.
The UK Government believe a financial transactions tax would need to be applied globally to prevent the relocation of financial services and are willing to engage in further international discussions of such taxes.
Fiscal Policy: Environment Protection
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures his Department plans to put in place to increase levels of private sector research and development in low-carbon technologies during the comprehensive spending review period. [56288]
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Justine Greening: As well as introducing the Patent Box, which will encourage investment in all patented technologies, Budget 2011 announced an increase in the SME rate of R and D tax credit to 200% from April 2011, and 225% from April 2012, subject to state aid approval; simplification of the R and D tax credit schemes; and an additional £100 million in 2011-12 in science capital development to provide facilities for the commercialisation of research, accommodation for innovative SMEs and new research capabilities.
During this spending period several Departments will invest in low-carbon innovation, for example DECC will provide £200 million supporting technologies such as offshore wind.
Food: Prices
Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on steps to address global food price inflation. [56868]
Justine Greening: The Treasury and other Departments, including the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, discuss developments in global commodity markets on a regular basis.
Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with large food producers on the effects of global food price inflation. [56869]
Justine Greening: Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet with representatives from a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including food producers. Such engagement occurs throughout policy development and implementation. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.
Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's forecast is for food price inflation for each year to 2014-15. [56879]
Justine Greening: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic and fiscal forecasts. The OBR published a full analysis on the prospects for overall inflation in their forecast at Budget, which can be found online at:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk
The OBR's forecast for commodity prices is
“broadly flat as the supply response to higher prices to be offset by a continued rise in global demand, leaving prices broadly stable at their current levels over the forecast period.”
Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the announcement in the 2011 Budget to exclude feed-in tariff-based trades from the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts applies to (a) community interest companies and industrial provident society structures and (b) other similar social enterprises. [56817]
23 May 2011 : Column 359W
Justine Greening: Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2012 providing that companies whose trade consists wholly or substantially in the receipt of feed-in tariffs will only be eligible for the Enterprise Investment Scheme or Venture Capital Trusts where commercial electricity generation commences before 6 April 2012. The change will not apply to any shares issued before 23 March 2011.
This change is designed to improve the focus of the schemes on smaller, higher risk companies. Draft legislation will be published for consultation before it is implemented.
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
Mr Spencer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the sustainable biodiesel industry on the adequacy of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) mechanism to replace the support provided by the 20 pence duty differential for biodiesel made from used cooking oil; and if he will assess the merits of extending the differential until the RTFO has been proven an adequate support mechanism for the industry. [56415]
Justine Greening: As part of the Budget process, the Treasury routinely receives representations from stakeholders on a range of issues. The duty differential will end as intended on 31 March 2012. An open consultation is currently under way at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/
and the industry is invited to respond.
Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection
John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of an employee working in its Debt Management and Banking (DMB) unit is; and what his most recent estimate is for the average amount of debt collected annually by an HMRC employee working in the DMB unit. [56244]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 19 May 2011]: In 2010-11, the average salary of an employee working in HMRC's Debt Management and Banking directorate (DMB) was £27,051.15.
The most recent published accounts and the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General showed that DMB collected £67.9 billion in 2009-10.
As at 31 March 2010 DMB had 7,101 full-time equivalent staff.
Taxation: Aviation
Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the legal advice he has received on the compatibility of a per-plane tax with international law; what steps he plans to take to seek support for such a tax among his international counterparts; what timetable he has set for such action; and what his policy is on the eventual introduction of such a tax. [56131]
Justine Greening: The Government do not routinely publish legal advice in order to safeguard openness in communications between Ministers and officials, and ensure access to full and frank advice.
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As set out at Budget 2011, the Government will not introduce a per-plane duty at the present time, given concerns over the legality and feasibility of this approach. The Government will continue working with our international partners to build consensus for a per-plane duty in the future.
Taxation: Combined Heat and Power
Michael Connarty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effects on oil refining costs of the removal of tax exemption for combined heat and power. [54002]
Justine Greening: Following the Chancellor's Budget announcement, the Government continue to work with the Combined Heat and Power Association and its members, including representatives from the oil refining industry, in order to develop a simpler, direct and more effective means of support for combined heat and power stations. From 2013, the new relief from the carbon price floor will supersede the existing relief provided through levy exemption certificates, with the intention that CHP plants will continue to receive an appropriate level of support.
Taxation: Offshore Industry
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the energy company obligation is deemed to be levy-funded spending. [56797]
Justine Greening: As with similar obligations the Energy Company Obligation will be considered levy-funded spending if it is classified by the Office for National Statistics as tax and spending for National Accounts purposes.
Terrorism: Finance
Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 4 May 2011, Official Report, columns 19-22WS, on the terrorist asset-freezing regime (17 December 2010 to 31 March 2011), with which banks were accounts frozen under the al-Qaeda and Taliban asset-freezing regime. [56299]
Mr Hoban: It would not be in the interest of the effective operation of the asset freezing regime to disclose the names of the banks which hold accounts for persons subject to the al-Qaeda and Taliban asset-freezing regime. This information is provided by the banks to the Treasury in confidence for the purposes of monitoring compliance and enforcement with sanctions.
Scotland
Charitable Donations
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department. [57131]
David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 March 2011, Official Report, column 611W.
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Conditions of Employment
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the Government's review of employment rights. [57072]
Michael Moore: I held a meeting with representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress's General Council on 21 March 2011, at which we discussed Government proposals related to the workplace.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his proposals to (a) extend his review of employment law and (b) assess the merits of (i) uncapped compensation awards in discrimination tribunal case, (ii) the 90-day consultation period rule for collective redundancies and (iii) staff transfer rules in respect of salaries and benefits of employees moved from the public to the private sector. [57080]
Michael Moore: I am in regular contact with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a range of matters.
Departmental Research
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period. [56767]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not initiated, terminated or amended in the last 12 months any longitudinal or other research or collection of data. There have been no such research or data collection exercises susceptible to amendment in that period.
Members
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 551W, on Members, what the name is of each right hon. and hon. Member whom his Department has identified as having an interest in Scottish affairs. [57011]
David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 28 March 2011, Official Report, column 31W, on Members, and on 1 April 2011, Official Report, column 515W.
In addition to MPs with a Scottish constituency, and past and present Members of the Scottish Affairs Committee with constituencies outwith Scotland, generic correspondence has been copied to the following hon. Members who have intimated a specific interest in Scottish affairs:
The hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mary Macleod)
The hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing)
The hon. Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart).
I am delighted that these hon. Members have expressed an interest in Scottish affairs and I encourage all hon. Members to take such an interest.
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Ministers
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the First Minister of Scotland. [56509]
Michael Moore: I met the First Minister recently and plan to meet him again in the near future.
Rescue Services
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on Coastguard Agency staff located in Scotland appearing before the Transport Select Committee. [57073]
Michael Moore: I can confirm that Coastguard Agency staff are able to attend the series of meetings being held across the United Kingdom by the Transport Select Committee, the most recent of which was in Stornoway on 19 May 2011. Ministers have encouraged Coastguard Agency staff across the UK to share their views on proposals for modernising Her Majesty's Coastguard with the Transport Select Committee. The Committee has received written views and a number of submissions setting out alternative proposals from serving staff. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has facilitated opportunities for the Committee to meet operational coastguards at the Coastguard Centres at Falmouth, Clyde and Stornoway, and coastguards from other centres were encouraged to attend those sessions. Ministers have also proposed that members of the PCS Union can give formal evidence to the Committee in their capacity as union representatives. The Scotland Office has offered assistance to the Committee with arranging visits in Scotland, should this be required.
Scotland Bill
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on the Scotland Bill; and if he will make a statement. [56510]
Michael Moore: I have regular discussions with the Prime Minister on a range of matters including the Scotland Bill.
Scottish Parliament
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to visit the Scottish Parliament. [56511]
Michael Moore: I have made a number of visits to the Scottish Parliament and I look forward to visiting it again in the near future.
Taxation: Aviation
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment his Department has made of the economic effects on Scotland of a reduction in the levels of aviation taxation; and if he will make a statement. [56513]
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David Mundell: Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Government are currently consulting on reform of air passenger duty with the aim of having a simple and fairer tax system for air transport services in the UK which does not hamper economic growth.
Transport
Crossrail Line: Consultants
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on consultation services for the Crossrail project in the last 12 months. [55332]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has not spent any money on consultation services for the Crossrail project in the last 12 months.
Departmental Pensions
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of his Department's budget he expects to be spent on staff pensions in each of the next five years. [54570]
Norman Baker: The Department estimates that it will spend less than 1% of its overall budget on pensions in each of the next four years. No estimate has been made for 2015-16 as this is outside the current spending review period.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to cease to fund any of its functions over the period of the comprehensive spending review. [55182]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport achieved the majority of the savings required in the spending review by reducing budgets for lower priority/lower value for money programmes, by targeting or descoping programmes and through improved procurement processes.
Funding for some minor programme functions has ceased, totalling £0.8 million in each year of the spending review. In addition funding for some minor administration functions has ended as part of the Department's overall administration budget reduction of 33% but these functions are not separately identifiable.
As part of the spending review, decisions were taken not to fund some lower priority road schemes. Total estimated costs are £1 billion of which £250 million would be required within the spending review period.
In addition, the current A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton scheme, with a total estimated cost of £1.2 billion of which £600 million would be within the spending review period, was stopped in its current form and the corridor is being re-examined to identify a viable way forward.
Furthermore, the third round of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Street Lighting programme was cancelled. Seven local authorities were seeking some £700 million in PFI credits.
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The most significant examples of changes to programmes are stated in the Transport Spending Review Press Notice, dated 20 October 2010. The link to the Central Office of Information's News Distribution Service is:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId =2&ReleaseID=416118& SubjectId=16&AdvancedSearch=true
Driving Offences: Speed Limits
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for future levels of penalties for motorists convicted of speeding offences. [56684]
Mike Penning: The Government recently published their Strategic Framework for Road Safety which sets out how they intend to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads. This can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategicframework/
Among the measures included, we propose to increase the level of fixed penalty notices for traffic offences to £80-£100 from the current level of £60.
Employment Agencies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in the last year for which figures are available. [51408]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was formed in 2002 and is made up of a central Department DfT(C) and seven Executive agencies as follows:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Highways Agency (HA)
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA).
This response includes both the central Department and the executive agencies.
(a) The last financial year for which the DfT has data is 2009-10. The recorded spend on recruitment agencies fees in terms of search and selection for this period was £6,128,339 (the following table shows the breakdown across the Department).
| Department/agency | Amount spent (£) |
(b) The Department spent £10,950 (excl. VAT) in the last financial year on outplacement fees. This was to provide outplacement support for staff at the Redeployment and Career Advice Centre at DfT(C).
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(c) The last financial year for which the DfT has data is 2009-10. The recorded spend on staff training for DfT during this period was £12,558,897 (the following table shows the breakdown across the Department).
| Department/agency | Amount spent (£) |
High Speed Two Railway Line: North-west England
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefit to the North West of High Speed Two. [55650]
Mr Philip Hammond: HS2 Ltd estimate that, based on trip origin data, the North West could experience around 23% of the £22 billion benefits of the initial London-West Midlands phase of a new high speed network. The full “Y” shaped high speed rail network, proposed by Government, which would include a direct high speed link to Manchester, has the potential to generate even more significant overall benefits worth £44 billion over the appraisal period, but no assessment has currently been made of the proportions accruing to specific regions.
In addition to these monetised benefits, a national high speed rail network would have the potential to bring significant strategic economic benefits to the North West through supporting regeneration, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
Level Crossings: Accidents
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many injuries on level crossings there have been in the last five years. [55322]
Mrs Villiers: I can confirm that there have been 332 injuries to passengers, members of the public and workforce in the last five years. 43 of these were considered major injuries.
Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage procurement of low-carbon commercial vehicles by (a) the public and (b) the private sector. [53329]
Norman Baker: The Government are committed to reducing emissions arising from road transport. To this end, we are supporting a number of measures designed to promote take-up of low carbon commercial vehicles:
The Low Carbon Vehicle Public Procurement Programme is delivering funding of £9 million to support the introduction of over 200 electric and low carbon vans into a range of different fleets.
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The Green Bus Fund is helping bus operators and local authorities purchase low carbon buses. The fund has delivered over £46 million to support purchase of 526 hybrid and all-electric buses, all of which are expected to be in service by 2012.
The Government are also supporting the installation of recharging infrastructure needed to support use of electric vehicles. £30 million has been provided through the Government's ‘Plugged-In Places’ programme, which is helping to provide electric vehicle recharging infrastructure in key locations across the UK.
Public Transport: Carbon Emissions
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions arising from public transport; and what expenditure it has incurred on such steps in the latest period for which figures are available. [55323]
Norman Baker: As outlined in the Carbon Plan, published in March 2011, the Government are committed to reducing emissions from all sectors, including transport. As part of the overall strategy, the Department for Transport is supporting a number of measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from public transport, including:
providing £46.8 million to help support the purchase of over 500 new low carbon buses, all of which will be in operation in England by March 2012;
providing an incentive through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) scheme to encourage the use of low carbon buses, on which a total of £92,000 was spent in 2009-10.
Rail electrification is also an important part of the Department's carbon reduction strategy, and we have announced schemes to electrify the routes between Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool and the Great Western Main Line.
Public Transport: Vandalism
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce vandalism on public transport services. [55317]
Mrs Villiers: We are committed to reducing crime, antisocial behaviour and the fear of crime wherever it occurs in the transport system. Crime on public transport can best be tackled by industry working together with the police and local authorities to reduce the incidence of vandalism.
Railways: Overcrowding
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with train operating companies on the deregulation of first class travel on overcrowded commuter services. [54234]
Mrs Villiers: Ministers meet with train operating companies on a frequent basis, and a wide variety of topics are discussed. However, there have been no discussions with train operators specifically to discuss the declassification of first class accommodation.
It is an operational matter for train operators to decide whether to allow holders of standard class tickets to use first class accommodation (where available), as permitted under Condition 39 of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.
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Railways: Tickets
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with Transport for London an extension of the Oyster card fare payment system to include Slough station. [55450]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 13 May 2011]: Officials have discussed the issue with Transport for London and First Group. There are a number of technical, policy and financial considerations which need to be addressed before any decision can be made on whether to extend Oyster out to Slough station.
Roads: Snow and Ice
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has established a monitoring and forecasting process for salt stocks and supplies as recommended in the Winter Resilience Review interim report. [56039]
Norman Baker [holding answer 17 May 2011]: In taking action on the recommendations from the Winter Resilience Review report which were assigned to the Department for Transport, we developed a salt stock monitoring portal system. In co-operation with local highway authorities, Transport for London, the devolved Administrations and the Highways Agency, we undertook regular audits of both local authority and highways agency salt stock levels throughout the winter.
These audits commenced weekly in early December 2010 and, following an improved weather situation, a decision was taken to suspend them in February 2011.
In order to inform preparations for next winter, we are currently undertaking a survey of highway authorities to assess their latest salt stock holdings and plans for restocking.
The Department also worked closely with the domestic salt producers throughout the winter.
Vehicle Number Plates
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to strengthen the integrity of the number plate regime. [56470]
Mike Penning [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has a register of authorised suppliers as a means of controlling the availability of number plates.
There is evidence that despite this control, number plates are obtained illegally and used for criminal activities.
Officials will continue to review the system to see what improvements could be made to strengthen the regime and tackle crime.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the level of farming incomes; and if she will make a statement. [55343]
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Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her on 3 February 2011, Official Report, column 1026. The latest forecasts of farm incomes, published in January, can be found on the DEFRA website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/files/defra-stats-fbs-farm-business-income-1101.pdf
Actual farm incomes from the Farm Business Survey for 2010-11 will be published at the end of October.
Air Pollution
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission on UK compliance with EU air quality limits. [56204]
Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met with Commissioner Potocnik on 27 January to discuss a range of issues of interest to DEFRA including progress being made towards compliance with EU air quality limits.
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration she has given to proposals to require circuses to adopt the minimum standards for keeping animals required of zoos. [56125]
Mr Paice: We have been working with representatives of animal welfare organisations and the circus industry to consider this and many other proposals on the use of wild animals in circuses to establish our policy on this issue.
On 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 48WS, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to consult on a new licensing system for the use of wild animals in circuses. The Government will consult on the welfare standards, which will be drawn up following discussion with welfare experts and other interested parties.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to announce the outcome of her Department's consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses. [55628]
Mr Paice: On 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 48WS, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to consult on a new licensing system for the use of wild animals in circuses. The Government will consult on the welfare standards, which will be drawn up following discussion with welfare experts and other interested parties.
Animal Welfare: Seized Articles
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department issues to police forces on the animal welfare considerations to be taken into account when seizing animals as part of a police action. [56342]
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Mr Paice: No specific guidance is issued to police on the welfare considerations of seized animals. However, at the time the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was introduced, police forces were provided with explanatory notes. These notes set out the responsibilities of owners and keepers of animals, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.
When animals are seized we would expect police forces to work closely with organisations such as the RSPCA to ensure that welfare needs are met.
Bees
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with professional beekeeper representative organisations on establishing the UK Apiculture Programme; [55083]
(2) how much of the funding from the EU under the UK Apiculture Programme was spent on professional beekeepers in the latest period for which figures are available; [55084]
(3) what funding the Government receive from the EU for the purposes of improving production and marketing of honey and other bee products under the UK Apiculture Programme. [55085]
Mr Paice: The UK Apiculture Programme for the period 2010-13 was submitted to the European Commission for approval in April 2010. This programme provides partial reimbursement of up to 50% of member states' own expenditure. Beekeeping stakeholders, including the Bee Farmers' Association which represents commercial beekeepers, were consulted on the 2010-13 programme before submission to the Commission.
In England, the Apiculture Programme focuses on helping beekeepers through the provision of technical advice via inspection visits and a comprehensive training and education programme for all beekeepers, both professional and amateur. The programme in England is implemented by the National Bee Unit, part of the Food and Environment Research Agency, where the expenditure on this was £252,000 in 2008, £254,000 in 2009 and £268,000 in 2010 from the UK allocations. The devolved Administrations have their own programmes.
The European Commission has increased its funding to the programme for 2010-13, and as a result member states' allocations have increased. England's allocation is around £465,000 for each year of the programme.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Berkshire
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many instances of bovine TB were reported in Berkshire in each of the last five years. [55720]
Mr Paice: The following table shows the number of new bovine TB instances in Berkshire in each of the last five years.
|
|
Total new herd incidents |
23 May 2011 : Column 370W
| Source: DEFRA’s Animal Health Database (Vetnet) | |
Departmental Responsibilities
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost of her Department’s Rural and Farming Network in each of the next four years. [55497]
Mr Paice [holding answer 13 May 2011]: After years of estrangement between the rural communities and the previous Government, we are now establishing strong relationships with people living and working in rural areas. The Rural and Farming Network is an important part of this work.
DEFRA’s Farming and Food Chain Programme and Rural Communities Policy Unit will provide a joint secretariat to support the development and operation of the Rural and Farming Network. We have not identified a separate cost as this will be part of business as usual and we do not yet know the size of the network. The individual groups which make up the network will be self-supporting and not reliant on central Government funding.
Energy: National Policy Statements
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely effects of the national policy statement framework on the expansion of renewable technologies. [56305]
Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply, as I have responsibility for the national policy statements (NPS) that apply to renewable energy technologies.
The revised draft Overarching NPS (EN-1) sets out Government’s policy and targets for renewable electricity generation, with around 33 GW of new renewable capacity needed by 2025. The NPSs will facilitate this investment by providing a planning framework that gives more certainty and clarity to developers about how their proposals will be assessed within the Planning Act 2008 regime.
Farmers: Subsidies
Mr Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many eligible claims for the Single Payment Scheme are outstanding to farmers in Crewe and Nantwich constituency; and what the combined value of such claims is. [55508]
Mr Paice: The Rural Payments Agency does not record information on payments to farmers on a constituency basis. The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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Farming
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take in response to the Foresight report on global food and farming futures; and if she will make a statement. [55526]
Mr Paice: In response to the Foresight report the Government plan to take the following actions:
Champion a more integrated approach by governments and international institutions to global food security that makes links with climate change, poverty, biodiversity, energy and other policies.
Explore further with Foresight, the United Nations (UN) High-Level Task Force on the Food Security Crisis and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the concept of a 'food system dashboard' to support this integrated approach, monitoring progress and key areas of uncertainty across the whole food system.
Continue to press for full integration of agricultural greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change process; take forward Nagoya work on international biodiversity; and promote the importance of sustainable intensification of agriculture more broadly.
Continue to press for reform of the common agricultural policy and common fisheries policy so they are better focused on long-term environmental sustainability and avoid harmful subsidies; support the EU as it seeks to negotiate a genuinely pro-poor conclusion to the Doha Development Round which includes a significant opening of agricultural markets; and plan an active role in talks in the G20, FAO and elsewhere aimed at finding ways of managing volatility.
Showcase what can be achieved on food waste reduction within the UK, working with other countries and multinational companies to share and disseminate good practice.
Work in partnership with our whole food chain, including consumers, to ensure the UK leads the way on sustainable intensification of agriculture, increasing the productivity and competitiveness of UK farming and the UK food chain while reducing GHG emissions, protecting and enhancing the natural environment and using resources more sustainably, so that agriculture and the food sector can contribute fully to the green economy.
Farms: Inspections
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps she has taken to (a) harmonise and (b) reduce the number of inspections of farms; [55418]
(2) what steps she has taken to reduce paperwork for farmers; and if she will make a statement. [55472]
Mr Paice: In July last year I set up a Task Force on Farming Regulation to identify ways to reduce regulatory burdens on farmers and to advise on how best to achieve a risk-based system of regulation. The task force has consulted widely and met with farming organisations and others to obtain their views. The recommendations of the task force were published on 17 May and we are considering them carefully.
Fishery Agreements: Morocco
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what categories of fishing were allocated to UK vessels under the terms of the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement 2007. [56814]
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Richard Benyon: The UK was allocated a quota of 2,500 tonnes of pelagic species under category 6 of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences (a) were allocated to the UK under the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement when the agreement came into force in February 2007 and (b) the UK held when the Agreement expired in February 2011. [56815]
Richard Benyon: The UK was allocated two licences under the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement when the agreement came into force in February 2007.
When the agreement expired in February 2011, the UK still held two licences.
Food: Commodity Markets
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate her Department has made of the effect of commodity speculation on food prices. [55826]
Mr Paice: We have seen no conclusive evidence that speculation is leading to increased food price volatility, which is why we do not support calls for further controls on speculation. Furthermore, farmers need liquid markets so they can hedge their price risk. We prefer to tackle food price volatility at its roots through measures to improve the flow of information to the markets, restrict export bans and invest in productivity.
Heathrow Airport: Air Pollution
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent assessment she has made of the levels of particulate matter 10 in the air at Heathrow airport and in the surrounding area; [56201]
(2) what recent assessment she has made of levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air at Heathrow airport and in the surrounding area. [56203]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA undertakes air quality monitoring of various pollutants at two sites in the area surrounding Heathrow. The sites are known as London Hillingdon:
http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/aurn-site-info?site_id=HIL
http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/aurn-site-info?site_id=HRL
Further information on these two stations and real time and historic data from the stations are available online at:
http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/
Ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) concentrations across the whole of the UK have been recently modelled in order to assess compliance with the EU ambient air quality directive. Annual mean concentrations have been calculated for urban background locations on a 1km x 1km grid and values for roadside concentrations have been calculated for over 9,000 individual urban roads. The most recent assessment for which results are available covers 2009.
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The highest modelled background PM10 concentration in the Heathrow area is in the north-east of the airport (grid reference for the centre of the 1 km x 1 km square of 508500, 176500) with an annual mean concentration of 22.0 ugm-3. The highest modelled roadside PM10 concentration in the Heathrow area is along the A4 north of the airport (censusid 16112) with an annual mean concentration of 25.4 ugm-3.
The highest modelled background NO2 concentration in the Heathrow area is in the centre of the airport (grid reference for the centre of the 1km x 1km square of 507500, 175500) with an annual mean concentration of 49.7 ugm-3. The highest modelled roadside NO2 concentration in the Heathrow area is along the A4 north of the airport (censusid 16112) with an annual mean concentration of 66.5 ugm-3.
More information on the 2009 assessment is available at:
http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/viewonline?year=2009b&jump=3
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the merits of meeting EU air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide at Heathrow airport and the surrounding area through the development of a sustainable framework for UK aviation. [56202]
Richard Benyon: The consultation document ‘Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation: scoping document’ published by the Department for Transport in March, recognises that aviation contributes to nitrogen dioxide pollution near airports through aircraft engine emissions, airport operations and road transport to and from airports. In addition, it recognises that Government, as well as airport operators and local authorities, have a role to play in working towards compliance as quickly as possible. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had no recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on the specific issue of air quality around Heathrow airport. However, she meets regularly with the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss a range of environmental matters, and officials are working together constructively on the development of the sustainable framework for UK aviation.
Lighting: Carbon Emissions
Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether she plans to review statutory requirements for advice to be printed on the packaging of low energy light bulbs on action to be taken in the event of breakage; [55175]
(2) whether she plans to review and update her Department's advice to consumers on (a) the disposal of low energy light bulbs and (b) the precautions to be taken in the event of breakage. [55176]
Mr Paice: EU regulation 244/2009 requires the provision of free access websites containing information on what to do in the event of a low energy light bulb breaking, and for the website links to be provided on packaging. This is not expected to be reviewed until 2014 when the Commission will review the regulation.
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The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006 (as amended) also place an obligation on distributors of household EEE to provide their customers with information on the arrangements through which they can dispose of WEEE, including low energy light bulbs, free of charge. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which is the lead Department for the WEEE regulations, does not have plans to review or amend these obligations. However, negotiations regarding proposals for a recast of the EU WEEE directive, the basis of the UK regulations, are ongoing in Europe.
The relevant advice to consumers on precautions to be taken in the event of a breakage is issued by the Health Protection Agency. There are no plans to update this advice.
Advice on the disposal of low energy light bulbs under the WEEE regulations is provided through a number of channels. There are no plans to review or update the advice to consumers on disposal of low energy light bulbs.
Livestock
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that consumers are able to identify whether meat produce has come from a high-intensity industrial farm. [55703]
Mr Paice: The Government are committed to honesty in food labelling and we have facilitated the development of industry owned principles(1) which provide consumers with clearer information on the origin of their food. We want clarity and transparency for those consumers who choose to buy produce based on its origin, particularly if they believe they are buying British.
The EU does not require member states to label meat with the type of farm from which it has been reared. It is incorrect to assume that animal welfare is directly linked to farm size, or system of production. The most important influence on the welfare of farm animals is the knowledge, skills and experience of the farmers who care for them. However, where there are no legal requirements, businesses are able to provide information on production systems on a voluntary basis if they choose.
UK farms operate to some of the highest welfare standards in the world.
(1) ( )http://www.brc.org.uk/downloads/principles_on_country_of _origin_information_241110.doc
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the effect on smaller farms of the introduction of factory-style farms and high-intensity industrial farming. [55704]
Mr Paice: No such assessment has been made. However, the Government believe that there is a place in UK agriculture for all sustainable production systems that meet welfare and environmental standards, so that the industry can meet varied consumer demands and be competitive on UK, EU and global markets.
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Pigs
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the effect on the welfare of pigs of high-intensity industrial farming. [55705]
Mr Paice: No such assessment has been made. However, all farm animals, in whatever system they are kept, are protected by comprehensive animal welfare legislation which requires some of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world. In England, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a duty of care to animals; this means that anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the animal's needs are met. These general requirements are supplemented by more detailed ones for pigs in the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007, which lay down requirements in respect of general welfare, inspection, housing and feeding for all farmed animals.
There is also a Code of Recommendations for Livestock: Pigs, published on the DEFRA website, which farmers are required by law to have access to, and be familiar with, which encourages high standards of husbandry.
It is also important to recognise that poor welfare may occur in both intensive and extensive systems. The most significant influence on the welfare of livestock is the stock-keeper, not the system in which is it reared.
Sustainable Development
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition of sustainable development her Department uses. [56949]
Richard Benyon: On 28 February, the Government set out their vision of sustainable development as an approach which allows us to realise our vision of stimulating economic growth, tackling the deficit, maximising well-being and protecting our environment. This should be achieved without negatively impacting on the ability of future generations to do the same.
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings she has had with ministerial colleagues to discuss the Government's Plan for Growth. [56948]
Richard Benyon: The Government's Plan for Growth was published alongside the Budget. It builds on action taken at the spending review to restore economic stability and is the result of 12 growth reviews set up to look at barriers to growth and what Government can do to address them. Ministerial discussions were had in the usual course of business in the lead up to the Budget.
Veterinary Services
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what expenditure her Department has incurred on veterinary services in each of the last five years. [55242]
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Mr Paice: The budgets of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) and Animal Health (AH), all of which provide and support veterinary services, for each of the last five years are set out in the following table.
| £ million | |||
|
|
VMD | VLA | AH |
| (1) Forecast out-turn. | |||
Water
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to publish her proposed White Paper on water industry reform. [56951]
Richard Benyon: Following the launch of DEFRA's Business Plan, we anticipate publishing the Water White Paper by December 2011.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to respond to Question 51051, on neonicotinoid pesticides tabled on 31 March 2011 for answer on 4 April 2011. [55970]
Mr Paice: I answered question 51051 on 26 April 2011, Official Report, columns 21-22W.
Attorney-General
Trade Unions
Mr Raab: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff of (a) the Law Officers' Departments, (b) the National Fraud Authority and (c) the Treasury Solicitor's Department are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available. [56434]
The Solicitor-General: There are no full-time trade union representatives in the Treasury Solicitor's Department or the Attorney-General's Office. Six members of staff work part-time on trade union activities. Of these six members of staff, four are paid more than £25,900 annually. The total cost of employing these staff on trade union duties in 2010-11 was £65,092.
During 2009-10, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had 10 full-time trade union representatives and 213 staff undertaking union activities on a part-time basis. 138 staff were paid more than £25,900 during the period 2009-10. The cost of employing these staff on trade union duties in 2009-10 was approximately £750,000.
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Seven members of staff in the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) work part-time on trade union activities. A new consultation framework and facilities agreement was signed by the SFO and the three recognised trade unions (FDA, Prospect and PCS) in January 2011. In accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice “Time off for Trades Union Duties and Activities” this agreement granted each trade union a total of 50 days per year for all trade union activity undertaken by their representatives. The estimated total annual cost of facility time is £21,000. The SFO does not hold any historical information on the cost to the public purse of trade union representatives.
All current trade union representatives are paid more than £25,900 per year.
HMCPSI has a Whitley Council which meets quarterly and is attended by FDA and PCS representatives—currently there are (a) two representatives from the FDA and one from PCS.
HMCPSI follow the ACAS Code of Practice “Time off for Trades Union Duties and Activities” and where it is necessary for union representatives to devote time to specific activities on personal cases, this is done by agreement with their line manager. No formal record is maintained. Two of the representatives have an annual salary of more than £25,900 and it is estimated that representatives spend, five days or less on union related actives each year. It is not possible to give a more accurate cost as no formal records are kept.
The National Fraud Authority (NFA) now falls under the responsibilities of the Home Office and any requests for information relating to NFA should be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Women and Equalities
Departmental Temporary Employment
John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many non-permanent staff of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission are paid a daily sum of (a) £1,000 or more, (b) between £750 and £1,000, (c) between £500 and £750 and (d) between £250 and £500 inclusive of VAT for their work with the Commission. [55582]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 13 May 2011]: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is an arm’s length body; the following is based on information it has provided.
The Commission’s daily rates of pay are set excluding VAT. The Commission does not separately hold details of VAT payments to non-permanent staff.
The daily sums for non-permanent staff, exclusive of VAT, are set out in the following table.
|
|
Number of non-permanent staff |
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Gender Recognition
Meg Hillier: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what meetings the Minister for Equalities held with transgender groups to discuss the policy of the Government Equalities Office on equality between her appointment and 28 June 2010. [11632]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government have published “Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB and T) Equality”. This ambitious work plan outlines actions Government will take to advance LGB and T equality. In particular, it commits Government to work with transgender groups to develop a programme of specific action for transgender equality and to publish this action plan in 2011.
Between my appointment and the 28 June 2010, I had a telephone conversation with the Gender Identity Research and Education Society covering various issues affecting the transgender community.
I will be meeting with transgender groups as part of the development of the Transgender Action Plan.
Trade Unions
Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many civil servants in the Government Equalities Office spent the equivalent of (a) five days or fewer, (b) five to 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 to 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days and (f) 25 days or more on trade union-related activities or duties while being paid salaries from the public purse in each year since 2007. [11666]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has had one elected trade union official in post since 2009, who is allocated a facility time allowance of up to 26 days a year.
The GEO representative has used the full allowance permitted since 2009.
Mr Raab: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many staff of the Government Equalities Office are entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available. [56451]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office has one member of staff who works part-time on trade union activities. Their annual salary is in excess of £25,900. The annual cost of employing them on trade union activities was £2,784 for the 2010-11 financial year.