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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Energy and Climate Change
Biofuels
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential for the waste-derived biodiesel industry to contribute to the development of green skills and green jobs. [56537]
Norman Baker: I have been asked to reply as the Department for Transport leads on biofuels policy.
The Department for Transport has made no specific assessment of the potential contribution from waste-derived biofuels to the development of the green economy or green jobs. However, the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) and the Department for Transport have published information on the supply of biofuels, including listing all biofuels producers who have claimed renewable transport fuels certificates. The RFA also published assessments of the impact of the renewable transport fuels obligation in the UK following the first two years of the obligation. This information is available at:
www.renewablefuelsagency.gov.uk
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/biofuels/
Carbon Emissions: Ceramics
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to tackle carbon leakage in the ceramics sector. [57055]
Gregory Barker: The coalition Government are committed to safeguarding the UK's strong manufacturing base whilst reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy security. In recognition of this, and with the support of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, officials are working in the UK and in Europe to look at the impact of carbon reduction policies on energy intensive industries in the UK, including the ceramics sector. With the exception of ceramic bricks, all ceramic sectors were deemed at risk of carbon leakage in the European Commission's assessment under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) Directive. However, on Thursday 18 May, with support from the UK delegation, the European Climate Change Committee voted to add ceramic bricks, roof tiles and clay pipes to the list of sectors at risk of carbon leakage. Ceramic bricks will now receive 100% of their allocated EU ETS allowances for free thereby reducing operational costs and supporting the sector to stay internationally competitive in the face of increased action on climate change.
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Departmental CCTV
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 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. [56835]
Gregory Barker: Staff in the Department are located in 3 Whitehall Place and 55 Whitehall, London and on two floors of Atholl House, Aberdeen.
The number of CCTV cameras installed in the above premises are as follows:
Seven external
44 internal
51 total
12 external
One internal
13 total
Four external
Three internal
Seven total
All but one of the CCTV cameras were installed prior to DECC's creation and the costs are not available. One internal camera was installed in 3 Whitehall Place in February 2011 at a cost of £876.00.
The cost to operate the CCTV cameras for all locations are included in the overall security and maintenance contracts. Therefore specific operating costs are not available.
Departmental Charitable Donations
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department. [57124]
Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 March 2011, Official Report, column 620W.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 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. [56103]
Gregory Barker: The use of all forms of travel undertaken by civil servants, including special advisers, is governed by the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.
The costs for special advisers' travel between May 2010 and April 2011 are as follows:
Government car—0
Private aircraft—0
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Information on costs associated with overseas travel by Ministers, including accompanying special advisers, is published annually by the Cabinet Office.
Information on the other modes of transport could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Taxis
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on private vehicle hire for Ministerial travel (a) in total and (b) in respect of each Minister in his Department since 11 May 2010. [56121]
Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 5 April 2011, Official Report, column 881W.
Between 11 May 2010 and 2 September 2010, DECC had contracts with the Government Car and Despatch Agency for four ministerial cars. These contracts were subject to a three month notice period, which DECC invoked on 1 June 2010. Between that same period of 11 May 2010 and 2 September, the costs to the Department of the contract with the Government Car and Despatch Agency were £108,698. The total spent on private vehicle hire, including vehicles provided through these contracts, between 11 May 2010 and 30 April 2011 is broken down as follows:
|
|
£ |
This compares with £303,129 which DECC spent on GCDA ministerial cars during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
Electricity Generation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of demand-side measures to electricity market reform. [57361]
Charles Hendry: The Government are committed to encouraging and incentivising energy efficiency within the home, and in the public and private sectors, and has a range of policies in place to achieve this including current measures such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), and future measures such as the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
DECC is currently developing a White Paper which will set out proposals for Electricity Market Reform (EMR). We recognise that demand-side measures have an important contribution to make in supporting the transition to a low-carbon generating mix and ensuring security of supply. We are considering views raised in response to the EMR consultation on demand-side issues in development of the White Paper.
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Energy: Meters
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to ensure those with pre-payment meters are not disadvantaged compared to those using other payment methods; and if he will make a statement. [57211]
Charles Hendry: Energy tariffs are a matter for Ofgem, who have put in place rules to protect consumers on pricing, including licence condition changes to prevent unfair price differentials, such as those between different payment methods.
Ofgem has reported on the effectiveness of these changes and, as part of their retail market review, found that prepayment meter (PPM) customers now pay, on average, £20 less than standard credit customers for their gas and electricity. They have also found that direct debit customers now pay, on average, £70 less than PPM for gas and electricity, which is within the £88 indicative cost difference between providing and servicing a PPM compared to a direct debit account, identified by Ofgem. A copy of the full Ofgem ‘Retail Market Review—Findings and Proposals’ is available online at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/rmr/Documents1/RMR_FINAL.pdf
We support Ofgem's actions in tackling unjustified tariff premiums to ensure consumers do not lose out.
Energy: Prices
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to support vulnerable people to participate in the Green Deal scheme; and whether such people will be prioritised [57262]
Gregory Barker: In recognition that some households may need additional support to benefit from energy efficiency improvements available through the Green Deal, we are developing an Energy Company Obligation that will focus in particular on the needs of the poor and vulnerable. We will consult on detailed proposals for the ECO later this year.
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure open competition within the Green Deal scheme to enable independent traders to compete with major utilities companies. [57267]
Gregory Barker: The Energy Bill will create a Green Deal framework that enables a wide range of companies to act as Green Deal providers, installers and assessors. The legislation is designed to be as open and inclusive as possible with no bias towards any particular industry. Green Deal finance and the new Energy Company Obligation, should encourage a diverse range of partnerships and innovative delivery arrangements to flourish, providing many opportunities for companies of all types and sizes.
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Fossil Fuels
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will request the World Bank to reduce its investment in fossil fuels as part of its energy strategy review. [57390]
Charles Hendry: Throughout the review, the UK has emphasised to the World Bank the need to ensure that the Energy Strategy meets the twin goals of sustainable energy production and increasing the access of poor people to energy. We support the inclusion of a target to increase the percentage of lending for clean energy, and a shift away from lending for coal fired power stations toward cleaner energy sources, where we believe the financing challenges to be greatest.
Fuel: Households
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much funding he expects to be made available to fuel poor households in London through the Energy Company Obligation in each of the next four years. [56218]
Gregory Barker: The ECO will be more focused than its predecessors on targeting support at low income and vulnerable households and hard to treat homes. ECO will therefore be key to delivering on this Government's commitment to tackling fuel poverty, and London, along with other regions where there is a high proportion of hard to treat housing, will be well-placed to benefit.
The Government are keen for an ambitious ECO. It is too early to determine the precise outcomes we will require energy suppliers to deliver. We will consult on the scale of ECO in the autumn.
Natural Gas
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for how many days’ supply of gas the UK has storage capacity; and if he will make a statement. [57212]
Charles Hendry: On a simple calculation (total storage capacity divided by average daily UK gas consumption in 2010) we have around 16.5 days of supply available. However this does not take account of:
(i) deliverability constraints which mean we could not meet full daily demand from storage alone, nor would we need to as we have diverse gas supply from North sea production and a variety of import sources;
(ii) maximum possible flow rates from gas storage which differ depending on the storage site. Some storage facilities would be emptied faster than 16 days in a hypothetical situation where they were providing gas to the grid at maximum capacity and were not replenishing at any point (unlikely in reality), whereas long range storage could provide gas for much longer than 16 days.
Nuclear Power
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) whether he plans to lay before Parliament the nuclear National Policy Statement at the same time as the other national policy statement relating to energy; [57448]
(2) when he expects the nuclear National Policy Statement to be laid before Parliament. [57449]
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Charles Hendry: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out in a written statement given on 18 May 2011, Official Report, column 21WS, that subject to careful consideration of the detail of Dr Weightman's interim report, the Government intend to bring forward the energy national policy statements for ratification as soon as possible. This includes the nuclear national policy statement.
River Severn: Tidal Power
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent meetings he had had with the Welsh Government on plans to harness tidal power in the Severn Estuary. [57345]
Gregory Barker: I have not had any meetings with my counterparts in the Welsh Government on this topic since the recent election. However, officials from the two Governments are in regular contact about various plans to develop tidal power schemes in the Severn estuary.
Welsh Assembly Government
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government since May 2010; and what the subject was of each meeting. [57265]
Gregory Barker: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and other Ministers from his department have regular meetings with Ministers from the devolved Administrations, including with Ministers from the Welsh Government. Ministers meet bilaterally as well as at Joint Ministerial Committee, European Council and the British-Irish Council.
Wind Power: Planning Permission
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will issue guidance to planning authorities recommending that onshore wind turbines be installed no closer than 10 rotor diameters from the nearest domestic property. [57391]
Charles Hendry: The Government are keen to avoid a ‘one size fits all’ approach to setting distances between wind turbines and nearby properties and consider that impacts are best assessed on a case by case basis so that local factors can be taken fully into account, regardless of whether applications are dealt with at national or local level. Where applications are dealt with at local level (the large majority of applications in England), we believe that local councils should have the opportunity to assess these matters on behalf of their local community.
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts: Ethnic Groups
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has made an assessment of the potential effects on black and minority ethnic communities of reductions in his Department's funding for the arts. [57374]
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Mr Jeremy Hunt: My Department published an equalities impact statement in October 2010 concerning our spending review settlement. In addition to this, Arts Council England produced its own comprehensive equality impact assessment, which is available on its website and which considered the equality impact of its arts funding decisions in terms of race and ethnicity, but also gender and disability.
Broadband: Sunderland
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of people in Sunderland who live in areas with low-speed broadband. [57314]
Mr Vaizey: We estimate that there are 9,423 premises in the local authority Sunderland District with less than 2 Mbit/s out of a total of 127,735 premises.
Copyright: Internet
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to enforce the online copyright infringement sections of the Digital Economy Act 2010. [56617]
Mr Vaizey: Implementation of the online copyright infringement measures in the Digital Economy Act requires a number of steps to be taken. Implementation of the initial measures cannot happen until Ofcom has approved a code of practice, incorporating provisions relating to the sharing of costs which must be approved by Parliament. The judgment from the recent judicial review will require changes to our original proposal on how costs are shared and we are currently considering the changes which will need to be made to the cost-sharing Statutory Instrument in light of this. Once we are clear on what changes need to be made both the Statutory Instrument and the draft code will need to be notified to the European Commission under the Technical Standards Directive. Separately, the Government commissioned a report by Ofcom into the workability of sections 17 and 18 of the Act. That report is due to be delivered shortly. I will set out what action we plan to take as soon as we have had an opportunity to consider the report and all other relevant factors.
Cultural Heritage: Qualifications
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps (a) his Department and (b) English Heritage is taking to promote the Heritage Skills national vocational qualification. [57027]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recognises that the repair and maintenance of historic buildings requires craftspeople with specialist skills and knowledge. The Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 demonstrates competency to carry out a variety of heritage restoration skills to a high standard. DCMS supports the work of Construction Skills—which is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills—and that of the National Heritage Training Group, which includes English Heritage, in developing and assessing this qualification.
24 May 2011 : Column 506W
In respect of English Heritage's involvement, I have asked the chief executive of English Heritage to write direct to my hon. Friend. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Departmental CCTV
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 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. [56832]
John Penrose: There are 35 cameras around the Department for Culture, Media and Sport premises. They were installed in 2007 at a cost of £72,353.93. The operations cost for 2010-11 was £2,714.
Heritage Lottery Fund: Reading
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many charities in Reading West constituency have (a) applied for and (b) received awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund in each year since its establishment. [57025]
John Penrose: Since the Heritage Lottery Fund was established nine applications have been received from, and eight awards made to, charities in the Reading West constituency. A breakdown can be found in the following table:
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|
Applications | Awards |
Heritage: Repairs and Maintenance
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what (a) urgent works and (b) urgent repairs notices were issued by English Heritage or served by the Secretary of State between 2000 and 2011; whether each heritage asset in respect of which a notice was issued was on the English Heritage at risk register at the time of notice being issued; and what the status is of each asset in 2011. [57276]
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John Penrose: The Secretary of State served one Repairs Notice, under s.48 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, in the period 2000 to 2011. The Repairs Notice was served on the owner of Apethorpe Hall in Northamptonshire prior to the Secretary of State's compulsory purchase of the building in 2004. Apethorpe Hall was on the English Heritage Heritage at Risk Register at the time the Notice was served. The building is currently owned by English Heritage and remains on the Heritage at Risk Register.
Further information relating to this issue is held by English Heritage.
Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of English Heritage to write direct to the hon. Member on the matters that fall within his responsibility.
Intellectual Property
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport in which Department officials working on intellectual property policy are located. [57204]
Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply.
The officials who lead on intellectual property policy within the Government are in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), which is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. In addition officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have specific responsibility for implementing the online copyright infringement provisions of the 2010 Digital Economy Act. The Intellectual Property Office works closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and with other Government Departments who have an interest in intellectual property policy.
Local Broadcasting: Television
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in (a) the Scottish Executive, (b) the Welsh Assembly Government and (c) the Northern Ireland Assembly on the creation of a national spine for local television. [56811]
Mr Vaizey: The Department routinely discusses a range of media policy matters which includes local TV with the Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Assembly.
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects to publish a summary of the bids received by his Department for the operation of local television stations. [56812]
Mr Vaizey: The Local Media Action Plan published in January 2010 invited informal expressions of interest as part of a two stage consultation process. This was not a bidding process. A summary of responses will be published on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website by the end of May:
www.culture.gov.uk
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects the new national television spine for local television to be in place. [56813]
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Mr Vaizey: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 19 May 2011, Official Report, column 276W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Clacton (Mr Carswell).
National Lottery
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what approach the (a) Big Lottery Fund and (b) National Lottery Fund adopts in assessing funding bids from organisations linked to (i) churches and (ii) other religious groups. [57028]
John Penrose: Decisions on funding bids are made by each of the National Lottery distributors independently of Government.
Olympic Games 2012
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects the final timetable for the route of the London 2012 Olympics torch relay to be published. [57141]
Hugh Robertson: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the Olympic torch relay. On 18 May LOCOG announced the 66 evening celebrations and six of the island visits. They will now proceed with the detailed planning of the route, which will be announced later this year.
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how the locations of the overnight stops for the London 2012 Olympics torch relay were determined. [57142]
Hugh Robertson: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the Olympic torch relay. Over the last 16 months LOCOG has conducted a UK-wide consultation on the torch relay route, including through workshops involving local authorities and local representatives of the tourism, heritage, sustainability, culture, education and sport sectors. LOCOG set up Advisory Groups in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in every English region to develop the route and identify overnight celebration locations. Factors that were taken into account when selecting overnight stops included population centres, logistical and operational requirements and the aim to take the Olympic flame within an hour's journey time of 95% of the UK population.
Olympic Games 2012: Contracts
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what information has been collected by the Olympic Delivery Authority on (a) the distribution of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Olympic construction contracts by country and region and (b) the monetary value of these contracts. [57146]
Hugh Robertson: Information on the full distribution and value of contracts won across the UK is not held as these are not public procurements run by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
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In 2009 the ODA undertook research into its supply chain and mapped out over 1,500 companies from across the UK that are helping to build the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The map can be viewed at the following link:
www.london2012.com/get-involved/business-network/oda-suppliers/map.php
This represents only a fraction of the number of companies the ODA expects to benefit from the £6 billion of investment. The ODA estimates that overall up to 50,000 contracts will be generated throughout its supply chains with a value that runs into hundreds of millions of pounds.
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate the Olympic Delivery Authority has made of the number of contracts remaining to be let in respect of the London 2012 Olympics; and what estimate has been made of the monetary value of those contracts. [57147]
Hugh Robertson: As of May 2011, the Olympic Delivery Authority estimate there are 35 contracts remaining, with an estimated monetary value of £150 million. This may be in the form of new contracts or amendments to existing contracts. These direct procurements will in turn generate hundreds more business opportunities in the supply chains.
Prince William: Marriage
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much public funding was allocated to activities relating to the recent royal wedding. [56672]
John Penrose [holding answer 23 May 2011]:No additional funding was allocated to meet the costs associated with the royal wedding. Government support was funded within existing budgets. In addition, some services, such as the media facilities, were provided on a cost recovery basis. We do not have the final figures yet but we estimate the cost to this Department was around £1 million.
Public Holidays
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to publish the submissions to his Department's (a) pre-consultation and (b) consultation on moving the May Day bank holiday. [57375]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: Publication procedures will be conducted in line with the Government Code of Practice on Consultation. The code of practice can be found at the following link:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file47158.pdf
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what criteria he plans to apply to his determination of the future of the May Day bank holiday. [57376]
Mr Jeremy Hunt:
The pre-consultation will arrive at criteria for the main consultation by inviting ideas on a date and occasion to replace the May Day bank holiday
24 May 2011 : Column 510W
and will seek further evidence to support an impact assessment. The exercise will also include the option of leaving the early May Day bank holiday date where it is.
Sports: VAT
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations his Department has received on the charging of value added tax on the provision of sports league services; and if he will make a statement. [56718]
Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ view is that the provision of sports league services is liable to VAT at the standard rate. As a number of providers have been treating these supplies as exempt from VAT, HMRC issued further guidance in February 2011, confirming their view that the provision of sports league services is liable to VAT.
Television: Local Broadcasting
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his Department's policy is on creation of a national spine for local television. [57172]
Mr Vaizey: The Local Media Action Plan invited responses to help inform the model for local TV. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently analysing these and the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport will be making a statement in due course.
Trade Unions
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many staff of (a) his Department and (b) the Royal Parks Agency 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. [56437]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) employs one full-time staff member as a trade union representative. Five members of staff work on trade union activities on a part time basis.
The Royal Parks Agency (TRP) employs one staff member on a part-time basis for trade union activities.
There are no trade union representatives paid more than £25,900 in DCMS or the TRP.
The annual cost of employing trade union representatives for DCMS and TRP is up to £77,000 for the 2010-11 financial year.
Prime Minister
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Bob Russell: To ask the Prime Minister on what dates in the last 12 months he has met representatives of circuses to discuss the continued use of wild animals in public performances. [57372]
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The Prime Minister: I have had no such meetings. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has set out Government policy on the continued use of wild animals in public performances.
Mark Britnell
Helen Jones: To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether he consulted (a) the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) the Secretary of State for Health before appointing Mr Mark Britnell to advise him on health policy; [56707]
(2) for what reason Mr Mark Britnell was asked to join the group of experts advising him on health policy; [56708]
(3) on what date he was first notified of the content of comments on the NHS made by Mr Mark Britnell at a conference organised by Apax Partners. [56905]
Ian Lavery: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) senior officials and (ii) special advisors in his Office have had with Mark Britnell since May 2010; [57013]
(2) whether Mark Britnell has been invited to 10 Downing street since May 2010. [57014]
The Prime Minister: I have not appointed Mr Mark Britnell to be my adviser on health matters.
The first time I was aware of his comments was after they appeared in the weekend press on 14-15 May 2011.
Officials and special advisers have meetings and discussions with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects.
Leader of the House
St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust
Helen Jones: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for St Helens North (Mr Watts) of 12 May 2011, Official Report, column 527, on Business of the House, when he first learned that a merger of St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust with another trust was being considered; and whether he was advised by the Department of Health of the trusts which were being considered for such a merger. [57174]
Sir George Young: I have nothing further to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for St Helens North (Mr Watts) on 12 May 2011, Official Report, column 527.
Northern Ireland
Personal Income
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account he has taken of the effects of income inequality in the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy. [57151]
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Mr Paterson: The majority of relevant social and economic policies in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Government are however committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to rebalance the Northern Ireland economy and to boost private sector growth. The Government worked in close co-operation with the Executive on their recent ‘Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy' consultation paper. The consultation paper is clear that Northern Ireland is one of the UK's most disadvantaged regions and consequently puts forward radical proposals to grow the private sector and increase prosperity in some of the most deprived areas of the country.
Home Department
Antisocial Behaviour Orders
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for antisocial behaviour orders have been made to Coventry magistrates in each of the last three years; how many have been granted; and how many of those granted have been breached. [57279]
James Brokenshire: Data on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are collected at Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level, and Coventry is part of the west midlands CJS area. The following table shows the numbers of ASBOs issued on application, and following conviction, as well as the number breached for the first time in the west midlands CJS area in each year between 2007 and 2009 (the latest year for which figures are available). No ASBO applications made to magistrates courts in the west midlands CJS area between 2007 and 2009 have been reported to the Ministry of Justice as being refused.
An ASBO can be issued in one CJS area and breached in another. ASBOs may also be breached more than once and in more than one year. The figures shown represent instances when an ASBO was breached for the first time in each year between 2007 and 2009. Some of these breaches will be of ASBOs issued in previous years, or of ASBOs issued following conviction.
| Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) applied for and issued at on application and conviction at all courts and the number proved at all courts to have been breached in the west midlands Criminal Justice System (CJS) area, 2007 - 09 | |||
| West midlands CJS area | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| (1) Includes ASBOs issued on application by magistrates courts acting in their civil capacity and county courts, which became available on 1 April 1999. Prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice on 9 May 2007, numbers of ASBOs issued were reported to the Home Office by the Court Service. (2) Includes ASBOs made following conviction for a relevant criminal offence at the Crown court and at magistrates courts (acting in their criminal capacity), which became available on 2 December 2002. (3) ASBOs may be breached more than once and in more than one year. This table presents instances when an ASBO was breached for the first time in the years shown. Many of these breaches will be as a result of an ASBO that was issued in an earlier year and many of these will also be as a result of an ASBO issued following conviction. For this reason breach rates cannot be computed from the figures presented in this table. Breaches are counted in this table by area of issue. Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services within the Ministry of Justice | |||
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Aviation: Security
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to report on the outcome of (a) investigations into the bomb package found at East Midlands Airport in October 2010 and (b) its review of air freight security. [57008]
James Brokenshire: The police investigation into the events surrounding the improvised explosive device found at East Midlands airport is ongoing. The Home Office and the Department for Transport have reviewed aviation cargo security. For security reasons it is not appropriate to publish this work. However the Government work closely with the aviation industry and international partners to ensure security arrangements are maintained and enhanced where necessary.
Departmental Research
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data her 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. [56754]
Damian Green: The Home Office runs no surveys that are longitudinal in the sense of tracking responses from the same respondents over time, although some surveys are regularly repeated.
The British Crime Survey and the annual data requirement for collecting data from the police have continued in 2010-11. The content of each is reviewed and changed each year in consultation with key stakeholders and with regard to costs, need and burden.
The data collection for statistics on scientific procedures on animals is regularly reviewed, including data collection methods, although it remains unchanged in the last year.
Responsibility for the collection of statistics on alcohol and late night refreshment licensing transferred to the Home Office from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in 2010. This collection from local authorities is not run every year and a decision not to collect the data in 2010-11 was taken within the year from May 2010.
Other statistics, including those on migration and the operation of police powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 are largely based on management information and require no specific additional data collections. Migration statistics are continually reviewed, including through consultations with external users such as the one launched on 24 February 2011.
Other management information on a wide range of issues is collected by delivery bodies for their own purposes and collated by the Home Office. These collections are regularly reviewed to ensure the data remain relevant, and that submitting data does not impose a burden on local areas. None have been altered, added or removed during the year from May 2010.
Details of external social science research projects relating to crime and policing or migration which were commissioned, altered, completed, or continued unchanged during the year (including those completed as planned) from May 2010 are given in List 1.
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Details of external physical science research projects relating to crime and policing or migration which were commissioned, altered, completed or continued unchanged during the year (including those completed as planned) from May 2010 are given in List 2.
The Home Office also commissions research in support of the United Kingdom’s strategy for countering international terrorism (CONTEST). The details of this research are classified on the grounds of national security, but our broad research strategy is available on the Home Office website, at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/counter-terrorism/science-and-technology/science-and-technology-strategy?view=Binary
Where possible, details of less sensitive projects are included in Tables 1 and 2, and in addition details of some research spend are given at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/transparency/transparency-spend/
List 1: External social research begun, amended, terminated, or continued without change during the year beginning in May 2010.
(i) Social Research Contracts awarded since May 2010
Drug Data Warehouse—contract extension
Review of small projects under EC funding
Satisfying labour demand through migration
Impact of financial investigation on organised crime groups
Integrated Offender Management/Voluntary and Community Sector Project
Multi-agency risk assessment conference review
Facilitated Return Scheme
Building the Voluntary and Community Sector's involvement in Integrated Offender Management approaches: a process evaluation
Early Legal Advice Pilot (for asylum seekers) evaluation
(ii) Social Research Contracts Terminated since May 2010
Evaluation of serious organised crime task force programme
(iii) Social Research Contracts amended since May 2010
Drug Data Warehouse—contract extension
‘Links between homicide and organised crime'
Vulnerability and resilience to Al-Qaeda influenced violent extremism—Learning from the gang, cult, political activism and violent extremism literature
Engaged Communities
Al-Qaeda influenced radicalisation: Applying Situational Action Theory
Reducing youth crime: assessing the set-up, delivery and impact of triage, reparation and street-based teams
Study of Key interventions into terrorism using Bayesian Networks
Neighbourhood Agreements
Individual disengagement from violent extremist groups—A Rapid Evidence Assessment to inform policy and practice in preventing violent extremism
British Crime Survey—Extension
An Exploration of Staff-Prisoner Relationships at HMP Whitemoor: Twelve Years On.
(iv) Social Research Contracts Live and not amended May 2010 to May 2011
AAR Assessment
Neighbourhood Policing—Exemplar Sites
Early Leavers from the Police Force
Partnership Peer Support Program (PPSS) Evaluation
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Valuing the security/privacy/inconvenience trade off
A Rapid Evidence Assessment: What works in reducing alcohol related crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the night-time economy and in public spaced
Drugs Advisory Panel
Review of small projects under EC funding
Polling on threat levels from international terrorism
Polling on public attitudes to UK involvement in Libya
Exploring public confidence in the police and local councils in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour
Retention of female and BME police officers
List 2: Physical sciences external research continued and completed by the Home Office scientific development branch (now the Centre for Applied Science and Technology)
Data collections initiated by HOSDB (Now CAST) May 2010 to May 2011
Creation of i-LIDS New Technologies data set for evaluation of video analytic systems
Physical Sciences external research continued and completed by HOSDB (Now CAST) May 2010 to May 2011.
Continued collation of data on police Taser usage
Research on body armour (“Behind Armour Blunt Trauma”) project jointly with USA.
Student research projects in the area of fingerprint forensics
Research and development for roadside and police station screening of drug drivers
Literature reviews on facial comparison
Research into audio processing for law enforcement
Development of tool supporting covert surveillance of serious and organised criminals
Development of signal processing for covert surveillance of serious and organised criminals
Development of technique in support of covert surveillance of serious and organised criminals
Physical sciences external research provided in support of CONTEST and referenced in other published material which has been continued or completed May 2010 - May 2011
Research into CCTV operator performance
Innovative Research Call on Explosives and Weapons Detection
Project with CCD Design & Ergonomics
Project with Synergy Consultants
Project with Cranfield University
Project with Exchem defence systems Ltd
Project with University of Leeds
Project with Kings College
Project with CCD Design and Ergonomics Ltd
Project with Nottingham Trent University
Project with REACT Engineering Ltd
Project with Cobalt Light Systems Ltd
Project with University College London
Project with Smiths Detection—Watford
Project with Thruvision Systems Ltd
Project with University of Birmingham
Project with SFTC—RAL Space
Departmental Responsibilities
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what definition of (a) back office, (b) middle office and (c) front line her Department uses in the formulation and development of policy; and when such definitions were established. [45119]
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Nick Herbert [holding answer 8 March 2011]: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's (HMIC's) report ‘Demanding Times’, published on 30 March, provides a definition of frontline, middle office and back office police functions. A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/THM_20110330.pdf
Full details of policing roles and their categorisation by frontline, middle office and back office appear on page 19 of the report.
Drugs: Technology
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date she plans to issue a specification to manufacturers for drugs testing technology for use by police at the roadside. [57229]
James Brokenshire: We expect to receive a draft specification very shortly and will then consider the best way to proceed.
Entry Clearances: Appeals
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals there have been against refusal for family visitor visas in each year since 2002. [56676]
Damian Green [holding answer 23 May 2011]:There have been the following number of appeals against the refusal of visit visas for family members in each year since 2002:
|
|
Number of appeals |
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations her Department has received on its decision to introduce a temporary limit on confirmations of acceptance for studies allocations for colleges which do not meet accreditation and inspection criteria prior to finalising the definition of those criteria; and if she will make a statement. [57049]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has received nine pre-action protocols in relation to the Tier 4 interim limit. The agency does not centrally record all forms of representations received. To provide the information requested against the criteria required could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many colleges or schools in (a) the UK, (b) Surrey and (c) Woking constituency have been given Highly Trusted Sponsor status in respect of Tier 4 student visas. [57052]
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Damian Green: There are currently 1,326 educational establishments in the UK that have been granted Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status. The number of HTS sponsors in Surrey and the Woking constituency can not be determined as sponsor licence holders may have a different address and postcode to that of the institution.
Forensic Science Service
Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that expertise in strategy, examination and interpretation held by employees of the Forensic Science Service will be transferred to the forensic science market. [56808]
James Brokenshire: Private companies already provide approximately 35% of forensics services to the Criminal Justice System. These providers have a significant amount of expertise and impressive records in handling many high profile and complex criminal cases.
The Association of Chief Police Officers have been clear that the forensics market can cope with the managed wind-down of the Forensic Science Service (FSS). An orderly wind-down will enable adequate time for the restructuring of the current forensics framework, re-tendering of existing FSS contracts and to enable other forensics suppliers to develop the necessary capacity and expertise to meet any additional requirements.
Greater Manchester Police
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the proportion of time spent on frontline policing duties by officers in the Greater Manchester Police force in the latest period for which figures are available. [49598]
Nick Herbert: Latest information on frontline policing is provided in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary report, ‘Demanding Times’, published on 30 March. A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/THM_20110330.pdf
Human Trafficking
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to publish a strategy on human trafficking; and which organisations she has consulted in its preparation. [56886]
Damian Green: The Government intend to publish their strategy on human trafficking before the summer recess.
We have consulted a range of organisations in the development of the strategy including the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC), the UK Border Agency (UKBA), other Government Departments and non-Government organisations including Medaille Trust, Barnardos, Care, Migrant Helpline, International Organisation for Migration, Antislavery, Stop-UK, Dalit Freedom Network, Salvation Army, ECPAT, Eaves Housing, Red Cross, Soroptimist, TARA, Stop the Traffik, Human Trafficking Foundation, AFRUCA, Kalayaan, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Asylum Aid.
24 May 2011 : Column 518W
Immigrants: Employment
Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) published on the performance of immigrants in the UK labour market in the last five years. [56661]
Damian Green: In the last five years the Home Office has not specifically commissioned research on the performance of migrants in the UK labour market.
However, the Government have asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise it on policy frameworks. As a part of its work the MAC has published reports that describe the performance of migrants in the UK labour market in recent years. These reports are available on its website at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/
Immigrants: Gurkhas
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) former Gurkhas and (b) dependants of former Gurkhas have settled in the UK since May 2009. [56138]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency does not collect management information on those former Gurkhas or their dependants that choose to settle in the UK having been issued with a settlement visa.
Immigration Controls
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will restore the primary purpose rule. [56675]
Damian Green [holding answer 23 May 2011]: This Government are reforming the immigration system as a whole to make it fairer and more robust. We intend to bring forward a wide ranging consultation document on the family route looking at full range of proposals to tackle sham marriages and other abuse, promoting integration and reducing burdens on the taxpayer. We will set out the firm details of these proposed changes in due course.
Khat
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on (a) the value of imports, (b) levels of use and (c) the effects on personal health and safety of khat; and what recent consideration she has given to the classification of khat. [57260]
James Brokenshire:
In February this year, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), wrote to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to set out current Government priorities for inclusion in the council's work programme in 2011-12. This reaffirmed my commission in November 2010 of a review of the available evidence relating to the harms of khat for the Advisory Council to provide both advice in relation to
24 May 2011 : Column 519W
control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and a wider response. A copy of the letter can be viewed at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-drugs/drugs/hs-acmd-priorities-2011-2012
The Home Office has also published a qualitative study which explored perceptions of the social harms associated with khat; the availability and type of treatment available to khat users via Drug Action Teams, and views on the appropriate Government response to khat. Details can be found at:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/horr44c.pdf
A second study which reviews national and international evidence on the social harms associated with khat is due to be published shortly.
The British Crime Survey report “Drug Misuse Declared 2009/10” for the first time included estimates of the prevalence of khat use in the general population. Preliminary findings (based on six months data) show that 0.2% of adults reported using khat in the last year. This information can be found in “Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2009/10 British Crime Survey (England and Wales)” available at:
http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1310.pdf
HM Revenue and Customs has classified khat under a Commodity Tariff that includes other types of plants and parts of plants. Therefore, HM Revenue and Customs are unable to supply details of import values that are specific solely to this product.
A copy of each of these documents has been placed in the Library.
Overseas Students
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to allow universities to accept students from outside the EU for the 2011-12 academic year on the basis of the English language criteria advertised prior to 20 March 2011; and if she will make a statement. [57269]
Damian Green: Changes to the student route were announced on 22 March following a public consultation. Amendments to the Immigration Rules were laid on 31 March, coming into force on 21 April. These amendments introduced some changes to the requirements in English language proficiency needed to obtain a student visa. The new rules do not apply to Certificates of Acceptance of Studies issued before 21 April. The new rules contain a number of important flexibilities for students at universities.
Police
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police time was spent on frontline duties in each police force area in each year since 1997. [45150]
Nick Herbert: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's (HMIC) report Demanding Times, published on 30 March, provides the currently accepted definition of frontline, middle office and back office police functions. A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/THM_20110330.pdf
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Full details of policing roles, their categorisation by frontline, middle office and back office, and an estimate of the percentage of resource allocated to the front line under this definition across England and Wales in 2010 appear on pages 19-21 of the report. Because the proportion of time spent on the front line by officers in different roles will have varied in earlier years and across forces, we are not able to give estimates at force level or for earlier years.
Stalking: Victims
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to improve the support available to victims of stalking; and if she will make a statement. [56685]
Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office is working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to improve the support available to victims of stalking. Recent initiatives include:
The appointment of dedicated Single Points Of Contact (SPOCs) in each force area to deal with stalking complaints.
Supporting CPS in revising official Government guidance last year on stalking and harassment to focus on the victim and emphasise the existence and widespread nature of ‘stalking’ as a particular category of harassment and to identify the various ways in which stalking occurs.
On 8 March the Home Office published its action plan for tackling violence against women and girls for the spending review period which included several actions to tackle stalking. This document includes a commitment from the Home Office to continue to fund the National Stalking Helpline over the spending review period.
Defence
Legal Arbitrator: Military Covenant
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who the legal arbitrator will be in respect of any complaints made by service personnel in respect of the principles of the military covenant. [56782]
Peter Luff: Service personnel are able to lodge any grievance with the chain of command or through the Ministry of Defence bullying and harassment complaints procedure that is overseen by the Service Complaints Commissioner.
The key principles of the Covenant, of no disadvantage and special treatment where appropriate, will be written into law for the first time. The amendments to the Armed Forces Bill will also recognise the unique nature of service life. This will not create new legally enforceable specific rights for service personnel.
Saudi Arabia: Military Aid
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 393W, on Saudi Arabia: military aid, whether the British Military Mission to the Saudi Arabian National Guard trained any of the Saudi Arabian forces which were deployed in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [56809]
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Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence has extensive and wide-ranging bilateral engagement with Saudi Arabia in support of the Government's wider foreign policy goals. The Ministry of Defence's engagement with Saudi Arabia includes training provided to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, delivered through the British mission. It is possible that some members of the Saudi Arabian National Guard who were deployed in Bahrain may have undertaken some training provided by the British military mission.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) precision-guided munitions and (b) gravity bombs of each type have been dropped in Afghanistan by British (i) fixed-wing aircraft and (ii) unmanned aerial vehicles in the 12 months starting on 24 March (A) 2009 and (B) 2010. [56561]
Nick Harvey: The number of precision-guided munitions dropped in Afghanistan in the periods requested are shown in the following table. No free fall bombs have been dropped in this time. I am withholding the figures for individual munition types dropped by fixed-wing aircraft as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
| Aircraft type | Munition | 24 March 2009 to 23 March 2010 (1) | 24 March 2009 to 23 March 2011 (1) |
| (1) Inclusive. | |||
The increase over the previous 12-month period in weapons delivered by UK air assets is mainly a function of two factors: additional deployed UK reaper remotely piloted air systems; and intelligence-led targeting of military objectives as a result of enhanced coalition surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Use of force remains closely regulated and the avoidance of civilian casualties has been paramount; we carefully select the type of weapon in every engagement to ensure the most appropriate munition is used to deliver the required effect, while minimising the risk to civilians.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military capabilities deployed in Afghanistan in (a) January 2010, (b) June 2010, (c) December 2010 and (d) April 2011. [56778]
Nick Harvey: UK armed forces personnel deployed in Afghanistan possess a wide range of military capabilities, in order to effectively support the International Security Assistance Force mission to assist the Afghan Government in building a secure and stable Afghanistan. I am withholding specific detail as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
24 May 2011 : Column 522W
Armed Forces
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of joint working between his Department and the Department for Work and Pensions on support for the armed forces, their families and veterans. [56691]
Peter Luff: We work very closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and across the whole of Government to ensure that we provide the right level of support to our armed forces, their families and veterans.
The Armed Forces Bill, which the House will shortly have a further opportunity to consider, contains provision for an annual report on the Armed Forces Covenant, which is designed to strengthen this House's ability to scrutinise how we are fulfilling our obligations.
Armed Forces: Casualties
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial advice his Department provides for the family and dependents of service personnel who are killed while on operational duties overseas. [55909]
Peter Luff: The issue of financial guidance/advice was raised during the Boyce review of the armed forces compensation scheme. In his final report, published in 2010, Admiral the Lord Boyce commented that there needed to be better guidance and/or access to independent financial advice so that individuals can make informed decisions on what to do with their award once received. We are currently working with the Royal British Legion to improve the financial education and training available to service personnel throughout their career, including how to ensure compensation recipients get the appropriate guidance from independent financial advisers.
Armed Forces: Compensation
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps he plans to take to assess the method of paying compensation to members of the armed forces who are injured; and when he expects to report to the House the outcome of his assessment; [56692]
(2) if he will assess the adequacy of provision of financial advice to support members of the armed forces who have been injured and are in receipt of compensation. [56861]
Peter Luff: The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was reviewed under the independent chairmanship of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral the Lord Boyce in February 2010. Lord Boyce was supported by an Independent Scrutiny Group (ISG) made up of independent professionals, the War Widows’ Association, ex-service organisations, and families' representatives who thoroughly examined every aspect of the scheme, including the method of paying compensation to those who have been injured. Lord Boyce and the ISG unanimously concluded that the scheme was fundamentally sound, but required significant improvement in some areas.
All the improvements recommended have now been made to the scheme, creating an even more comprehensive package for those injured as a result of their service.
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We have no plans to undertake any further assessment of the method of paying compensation to members of the armed forces who are injured.
The issue of financial guidance/advice was also considered during the Boyce review. In his final report Lord Boyce commented that there needed to be better guidance and/or access to independent financial advice so that individuals could make informed decisions on what to do with their award once received. We are currently working with the Royal British Legion to improve the financial education and training available to service personnel throughout their career, including how to ensure compensation recipients get the appropriate guidance from independent financial advisers.
24 May 2011 : Column 524W
Armed Forces: Complaints
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints of (a) discrimination, (b) harassment and (c) bullying have been recorded in each of the armed forces in each of the last five years. [54657]
Peter Luff: The following tables reflect the number of discrimination, harassment and bullying complaints reported since October 2006 for each service.
Statistical data prior to October 2006 are not held centrally.
| Discrimination, b ullying and h arassment c omplaints | ||||||
| October 2006 – March 2007 | ||||||
| RN | Army | RAF | ||||
|
|
Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal |
| April 2007 –September 2007 | ||||||
| RN | Army | RAF | ||||
|
|
Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal |
| October 2007 – March 2008 | ||||||||
| RN | Army | RAF | Tri-Service t op l evel b udget h olders | |||||
|
|
Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal |
| April 2008–September 2008 | ||||||||
| RN | Army | RAF | Tri-S ervice t op l evel b udget h olders | |||||
|
|
Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal |
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24 May 2011 : Column 526W
| January 2009–December 2009 | ||||||||
| RN | Army | RAF | Tri-Service t op l evel b udget h olders | |||||
|
|
Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal |
| January 2010–December 2010 | ||||||||
| RN | Army | RAF | Tri-Service t op l evel budget h olders | |||||
|
|
Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal |