The changes in the reporting periods given in the tables reflect the requirements of the Service Complaints Commissioner, who has instigated a data gathering policy based on the calendar year.
Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 16 May 2011, Official Report, columns 25-42, on armed forces covenant, what estimate he has made of the total cost of the veterans card; and if his Department will meet that cost. [56649]
Peter Luff: In the Government response to the report of the Taskforce on the Military Covenant, we accepted the recommendation for a veterans' card for all former service personnel. It is estimated that a single card will cost in the region of £10.
We are currently considering a range of internal and external options on how this should be funded before introducing the card to coincide with the relaunch of the defence discount directory scheme next year.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 16 May 2011, Official Report, columns 25-42, on armed forces covenant, whether the external reference group is a permanent body. [56652]
Peter Luff: We will continue to call upon and welcome the input of the external reference group in our work to support the armed forces covenant. This will include drafting and commenting on the armed forces covenant report, the requirement for which is placed on the Defence Secretary in clause 2 of the Armed Forces Bill currently going through Parliament.
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We are working with the external reference group to update its terms of reference in line with its significant new role.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the merits of (a) adding bed linen as a permitted item to the clothing allowance claim of war pension allowances and (b) creating an additional allowance for bed linen; and if he will make a statement. [56937]
Peter Luff: The War Pension Scheme is open to those who were injured or disabled through serving in the armed forces before 6 April 2005. Within this scheme supplementary allowances are available to cover additional costs that fall to war pensioners as a result of the condition for which they receive a pension, such as the clothing allowance. No claims for bed linen have met the required criteria under which supplementary allowances are given, and therefore, there are no plans to add such an allowance to the War Pension Scheme.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the public purse arising from the time taken to complete the capability sustainment programmes for (a) the Warrior infantry vehicle and (b) Challenger 2 main battle tank. [55522]
Peter Luff: The Warrior capability sustainment programme is currently in the assessment phase. The total cost of the programme will be determined when the main investment decision point is made. I am withholding the estimated costs as their disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. At 31 March 2011, total expenditure for the concept and assessment phases was £50.7 million.
The Challenger 2 capability sustainment programme is in the very early stages of the concept phase and no expenditure has yet been incurred.
Departmental CCTV
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [56833]
Peter Luff: The requested information is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Community Covenant
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the projects to which his Department has allocated funding as part of the Community Covenant to date; and in each such case (a) how much funding his Department is expecting to allocate in each of the next three financial years and (b) which other Government Departments are allocating funding to the project. [56780]
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Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 16 May 2011, Official Report, columns 25-42, on the armed forces covenant, (1) what upper limit he plans to set for applications made by a single veterans' charity to the community covenant grant scheme; [57183]
(2) how many applications a single veterans' charity will be able to make to the community covenant grant scheme; [57184]
(3) whether veterans' charities based in Wales will be able to bid for funding from the proposed community covenant grant scheme on the same basis as those charities registered in England; [57185]
(4) when he plans to publish details of the criteria for his Community Covenant Grant scheme; [57186]
(5) what procedure he plans to establish for veterans' charities wishing to access funding from the Community Covenant Grant scheme. [57187]
Peter Luff [holding answer 23 May 2011]: The Community Covenant will be launched shortly. Some £30 million has been allocated over the next four years to an associated grant scheme. Details on how communities can access this funding will be announced in due course, but it is expected to be UK wide.
Defence: Exports
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to support aviation defence exports. [55596]
Mr Gerald Howarth: The United Kingdom Trade and Industry Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) is responsible for promoting British defence industry overseas. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) supports defence exports through an active and innovative defence diplomacy initiative. All Government Ministers travelling overseas are encouraged to promote the best that Britain has to offer, including in defence and security. MOD Ministers are actively promoting defence aviation exports to international partners. Last year, I and my ministerial colleagues attended the Farnborough International Air Show which showcases the UK aviation industry, and a number of exhibitions around the world.
We recognise the important contribution defence exports can make in supporting our key strategic relationships. Exports can also help to maintain the UK’s defence and aerospace industry, which employs about 300,000 people, many of whom are highly skilled and are based in north west England. Defence exports can help to reduce the cost to the taxpayer of MOD acquisition programmes through longer production runs, sharing of overheads on defence industrial facilities and contributing to development costs.
The MOD also provides international defence training to overseas pilots as part of defence diplomacy initiatives and often as part of export packages. The MOD is supporting a number of Hawk and Typhoon campaigns, including the Typhoon bid to India where we are delighted that the aircraft has been short-listed. Last year, 13 international students were trained on Hawk and Typhoon aircraft.
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Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government’s fair payment guidance. [55871]
Peter Luff: In the period between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) received 9,365 invoices from tier 1 suppliers related to construction contracts covered by the fair payment guidance. Separate records are not kept for the number of these invoices paid within 14 days, but 26 of the invoices mentioned above were not paid within 30 days.
The MOD already aims to pay at least 80% of all invoices within five days in accordance with its prompt payment target. Over the period in question, the MOD paid 95.2% of all invoices within five days.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government’s fair payment guidance. [55894]
Peter Luff: The principles of fair payment are set out in a charter signed by all the former Defence Estates (now Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)) key suppliers agreeing to hasten payment to supply chain members once paid by the Ministry of Defence.
In addition, project bank accounts (PBAs) have been included in those DIO contracts with a total value exceeding £500 million as the primary vehicle to implement fair payment, and our next generation estate contracts programme will see PBAs used as a matter of course.
Departmental Data Protection
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract. [55736]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence holds eight contracts where personal data of UK citizens are held overseas. The following table provides the name of the contract, the country in which the data are held and the approximate number of records stored.
| Contract | Country in which data are held | Approximate number of personal records held |
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Fitlinxx, which provides fitness training programmes for service personnel, also hold a contract that allows for personal data of UK citizens to be held in the US. I will write to my hon. Friend with details of the number of records held once this information is available, and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [56088]
Peter Luff: The use of official cars and taxis by civil servants, and special advisers, is governed by the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.
We have taken Government car pool to mean the Government Car and Despatch Agency.
Special advisers have not made any use of these cars either for official travel or travel home.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [56101]
Peter Luff: To keep costs as low as possible, the Ministry of Defence uses an electronic booking system together with Hogg Robinson Group that searches for and provides the cheapest and most competitive prices available through their travel search engine.
Costs cover all travel undertaken by the Department’s special advisers over a 12-month period as part of their duties in support of ministerial visits around the UK and overseas. This includes, but is not limited to, visits to armed forces personnel deployed on operations and attendance at key defence diplomacy engagements.
The use of official cars and taxis by civil servants and special advisers is governed by the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.
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Data are provided in the following table:
| Amount spent from May 2010 to 13 May 2011 | |
| Form of transport | £ |
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56057]
Peter Luff: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Under-Secretary of State my right hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), gave on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 68W.
The Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) provides most of our mobile communications requirements. Under the DFTS agreement with BT, mobile communications devices including mobile telephones, BlackBerrys, 3G data cards and associated data services are supplied by Vodafone.
Departmental Rail Travel
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many first class rail journeys were undertaken by staff in his Department between April 2010 and April 2011; and what the total cost was of such journeys. [53165]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence service and civilian staff made a total of 3,356 rail journeys first class in 2010-11 at a total cost of £226,177. This represents a reduction in the cost of first-class rail travel of 96% compared to 2009-10. These statistics reflect ticket bookings made through the defence travel contract. Our staff may also arrange rail travel outside the central contract in certain circumstances but we do not hold a breakdown of such travel by class of travel.
While some staff have an entitlement to first-class rail travel, standard-class travel using the cheapest possible tickets is now the norm and significant savings have been achieved.
Further work is being undertaken to ensure our governance arrangements are robust and examine whether they need to be further tightened.
Departmental Work Experience
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice his Department provides to those wishing to (a) work as an intern, (b) undertake a work experience placement and (c) work as a volunteer in his Department. [52817]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a number of summer diversity internships for undergraduates each year. Full information on this scheme is available on the following website:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/faststream.
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This year we are offering five places. Work experience placements are generally short-term, most commonly during half term and other holidays, for year 10 and 11 students, college students (17 to 19 years) and undergraduates. We advise anyone who wants to undertake a work experience placement to contact their nearest MOD establishment. The MOD does not offer opportunities to volunteer in the Department.
Guided Weapons
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Brimstone missiles have been used in Afghanistan in each month since January 2010. [56779]
Nick Harvey: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Hawk Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects the T1 Hawk training aircraft to be retired. [55484]
Peter Luff: The Hawk T1 current planned out of service date is 2020. The aircraft is scheduled to cease its fast jet pilot training role at RAF Valley by December 2012, by which time it will have been replaced in this role by the Hawk T2 Advanced Jet Trainer. The Hawk T1 will continue to operate in other roles, including as part of the Royal Air Force aerobatic team.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) T1 and (b) T2 Hawk aircraft were (i) in service, (ii) in the forward fleet and (iii) fit for purpose on the most recent date for which figures are available. [55485]
Peter Luff: The available information is provided in the following table.
|
|
In service fleet | Forward fleet | Fit for purpose |
In service aircraft include those undergoing planned depth maintenance but exclude those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal. The forward fleet comprises aircraft which are serviceable or short-term unserviceable. Fit for purpose aircraft include only serviceable aircraft available to the front-line commands for operational and training purposes. The number of aircraft available in each category varies according to normal fleet management activities including requirements for mandated maintenance and upgrade programmes. Figures for forward fleet and fit for purpose are the monthly average for April 2011.
Two Hawk T1s involved in an accident in March 2010 have been disposed of and this has reduced the total T1 in service fleet from 129 to 127. The Hawk T2 in service fleet has increased by three to 20 due to aircraft deliveries. This answer therefore updates the figures for Hawk T1 and T2 given in previous answers on 18 January 2011, Official Report, column 748W, and 27 January 2011, Official Report, column 478W.
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Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative assessment he undertook on an airframe basis of the long-term support and ownership costs of the Joint Combat Aircraft with the (a) F-18E Super Hornet, (b) Dassault Rafale and (c) naval variant of the Eurofighter. [56562]
Peter Luff: Previous studies, which included comparisons with F-18, Dassault Rafale and a “navalised” variant of the Eurofighter, have consistently concluded that the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) provided the best value for money in light of our future capability requirements.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate what proportion of the long-term support and maintenance for the Joint Combat Aircraft can be completed in the UK under the current United States classification regime for that aircraft; and what proportion of the total amount of the projected annual maintenance cost such support and maintenance represents. [56563]
Peter Luff: In signing the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme's Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) Memorandum of Understanding in 2006 the UK secured a bilateral agreement with the US concerning our requirements for operational sovereignty on the UK Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA). This includes a requirement that all long-term support and maintenance for the JCA will be carried out in the UK, using the economies of scale of the JSF global supply chain to deliver an efficient support solution to the UK and its partners. We have yet to estimate what percentage of the annual support costs will be expended in the UK as the details of the JSF global support solution will not be finalised for several years.
Joint Strike Fighter Programme
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) service personnel, (b) civil personnel and (c) contractors there are in each of the integrated product teams working on the Joint Strike Fighter programme; [56862]
(2) what the financial contribution of his Department is expected to be in respect of each integrated product team within the Joint Strike Fighter programme (a) in the current financial year and (b) in each of the next four financial years. [56863]
Peter Luff: The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) is the UK requirement within the overall Joint Strike Fighter programme. We do not retain information on the number of staff, their functions or cost to the over-arching JSF programme. Currently there are 36 UK civilian personnel, 34 UK service personnel and 13 contractor personnel working on the JCA programme, at an expected total running cost, including salaries, of approximately £9 million in the current financial year. We expect these numbers to grow slightly over the next four financial years, however, numbers have not been finalised due to ongoing restrictions on departmental employment.
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Libya: Armed Conflict
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on weapons deployed on operations over Libya since the commencement of military action. [54515]
Peter Luff: The gross book value, inclusive of VAT, of precision guided weapons fired in support of Operation Ellamy between 19 March and 8 May this year is £43.77 million.
Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has sought any legal opinion on the compatibility with UN Security Council Resolution 1973 of any changes to directions on the targeting of personnel in Libya. [57099]
Nick Harvey: Our military objective remains unchanged: to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorises the enforcement of “all necessary measures” to protect civilians under threat of attack.
Departmental officials have worked closely with Ministry of Defence legal advisers on Libya including in relation to the targeting process.
Nuclear Submarines
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the research, development and production of Pressurised Water Reactor 3 for the four Vanguard replacement submarines; [56558]
(2) how much of the expenditure on developing and building the PWR3 reactor he expects to be incurred with suppliers in the United States; [56559]
(3) how much has been spent by his Department on research and development of the PRW2b reactor. [56560]
Peter Luff [holding answer 23 May 2011]: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), announced to the House on 18 May 2011, Official Report, columns 351-363, the approval of the “Initial Gate” investment decision for the programme to replace the Vanguard submarines and the selection of a broad design option that included PWR3 to be taken forward into full design. A decision on the number of submarines will not be taken until main gate in 2016.
As detailed in ‘The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Submarine Initial Gate Parliamentary Report’, the Ministry of Defence has spent around £900 million on the submarine concept phase, which included an analysis of the different reactor options. Additional research and development of PWR3 will take place as part of the assessment phase. Overall, this phase is expected to total some £3 billion. No further research or development of PWR2b will take place.
I am withholding more detailed costs of the submarine components as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Although further work needs to be done between now and main gate to refine our estimates, we expect the cost of the overall successor deterrent system to
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remain within the White Paper cost envelope of £15 billion to £20 billion at 2006-07 prices, of which £11 billion to £14 billion would be attributed to the cost of the replacement platform system.
A full copy of ‘The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Submarine Initial Gate Parliamentary Report’ can be found at the following website:
http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7F9F5815-C67B-47B1-B5C4-168E8AB50DC3/O/submarine_initial_gate.pdf
Copies have been placed in the Vote Office and Library of the House.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of suitable sites for a prototype Pressurised Water Reactor 3; and if he will make a statement; [57094]
(2) if he will estimate the cost of building a prototype Pressurised Water Reactor 3; [57095]
(3) whether he has any plans to build a prototype Pressurised Water Reactor 3. [57096]
Peter Luff [holding answer 23 May 2011]: I will make an announcement in due course.
Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of awarding the Operational Allowance to members of the armed forces deployed on operations in Libya. [56690]
Peter Luff: The value of the operational allowance was doubled in May 2010 to its current level of £29.02 per day and there are in the region of 1,400 personnel participating in Operation Ellamy overseas. If the operational allowance were extended to include this deployment the estimated cost would be in the region of £1.2 million per calendar month.
The aim of the operational allowance is to recognise the significantly increased and enduring nature of the danger in specified operational locations. Libya is not considered such at this time as we are not conducting land base operations, and air patrols are being conducted from airfields elsewhere. But we are keeping this position on the operational allowance under constant review.
Public Expenditure
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the level of funding (a) required and (b) allocated in order to meet his Department's commitments. [56781]
Peter Luff: Prior to the strategic defence and security review (SDSR) a gap of £38 billion was calculated between the cost of the defence programme and the Ministry of Defence budget under an assumption that it rises in line with inflation over the 10 years 2011-12 to 2020-21,
The SDSR and the departmental planning round 2011 have made significant steps in closing that gap. However, we have always been clear that more would need to be done.
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The Department has committed to producing an assessment of the costs and affordability of the equipment programme, accompanied by an independent audit from the National Audit Office. This will be published later this year. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the size of any remaining gap in the meantime.
Research
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's research and technology budget was in each financial year since 2000-01. [56650]
Peter Luff: The most recently published figures for net Ministry of Defence (MOD) research spending in “UK Defence Statistics 2010”, which includes the research programme controlled by the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), and other activity reported as “research” in the accounts across the MOD, are shown in the following table (figures are inclusive of non-recoverable VAT at current prices):
|
|
£ million |
MOD research expenditure statistics are designated national statistics status and as such the release of the figures for 2009-10 and 2010-11 are embargoed until their publication by the Office for National Statistics in September 2011 and 2012, respectively. However, the organisation within the MOD charged with management and procurement of research for the CSA, the largest part of the reported expenditure, recorded a net resource out-turn of some £466 million for 2009-10 and was allocated a budget of £439 million for 2010-11.
As I have informed the House in the answer I gave on 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 6, to my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Hampshire (Mr Arbuthnot), the science and technology budget will rise in cash terms over the comprehensive spending review period.
A complete time series detailing MOD research expenditure is published in UK Defence Statistics (Table 1.8), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
RFA Largs Bay
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recorded as having been assisted by RFA Largs Bay after the earthquake in Haiti. [56706]
Nick Harvey:
There are no records relating to the numbers of people assisted by the involvement of RFA Largs Bays in the relief operations following the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. I refer the hon. Member to the
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answer I gave on 26 April 2011,
Official Report
, column 78W, where I made clear that the vessel's role was to provide much needed supplies and equipment, but as none of the ship's personnel landed beyond the beach and no direct medical treatment was given on board the ship, it was not possible to identify how many people benefited from their contribution to the relief effort.
However, RFA Largs Bay played a critical role in delivering relief supplies as part of a wider UK and international effort. Following the initial delivery of 595 linear metres of relief supplies, corrugated sheeting and logistics equipment, including fork lift trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles, Largs Bay remained on station delivering essential supplies on behalf of international aid agencies to stricken communities around Haiti. This task could only be undertaken by sea due to extensive road and airport infrastructure damage and Largs Bay was particularly suited to the task due to the unique beach landing capability. Largs Bay's effort was part of the wider UK £20 million contribution that helped to provide more than 380,000 people with food, clean water and medical care.
Following the strategic defence and security review, the Ministry of Defence retains a variety of Royal Navy vessels able to offer humanitarian assistance.
Trident Submarines
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's latest estimate is of the cost for the Trident submarine replacement programme's concept phase and assessment phase in (a) constant 2006 prices and (b) project outturn prices accounting for inflation. [55475]
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's most recent estimate is of the cost of the Trident submarine replacement programme's concept phase and assessment phase in (a) constant 2006 prices and (b) project outturn prices accounting for inflation. [56637]
Nick Harvey: The latest estimate of the cost of the Trident submarine replacement programme concept and assessment phases is as follows:
| Phase | 2006 constant prices | Outturn prices |
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Aarhus Convention
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who will be representing the UK at the meeting of parties to the Aarhus convention in June 2011. [56424]
Richard Benyon: The UK will be represented by DEFRA officials at the forthcoming Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus convention. The delegation will comprise three officials: two policy experts and one legal expert.
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Air Pollution: Greater London
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to reduce the risk of exceeding European Commission requirements on nitrogen dioxide air quality limits in London. [56422]
Richard Benyon: This Government are committed to working towards compliance with European air quality standards.
Although much of the UK meets the EU air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the UK, along with many other European countries, faces a significant challenge in meeting the limit values in London and other major urban areas by 2015. We are working with the Mayor of London, the devolved Administrations, other government departments and local authorities to identify actions to help the UK meet the NO2 limits in the shortest time possible, and expect to publish our plans for consultation in June. These must be submitted to the European Commission by September this year.
Government recently made an extra £5 million available to help tackle some of London's worst pollution hotspots. This money will help support a variety of measures such as traffic smoothing measures, the development of a no-idling zone, local cycling and walking schemes, and the introduction of ‘greening' (e.g. tree and vegetation planting).
I would refer my hon. Friend to the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy (see the following link), which sets out the Mayor's plans for improving London's air quality with measures aimed at reducing emissions from transport, homes, offices and new developments, as well as raising awareness of air quality issues. The Mayor's Air Quality Strategy is available at:
http://www.london.gov.uk/publication/mayors-air-quality-strategy
Angling
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the net contribution to the economy of recreational bass fishing in England; and if she will make a statement. [57378]
Richard Benyon: I recognise the importance of recreational sea angling and the social, economic and conservation benefits associated with the sport. I am also aware there is little information available on recreational activity such as how many fishing trips take place or how many people fish from our piers and beaches.
To address this lack of information, DEFRA, in conjunction with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO); the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; and the newly established Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities, has recently committed funds to the ‘Sea Angling 2012’ research project. This project will provide the most comprehensive information ever collected on recreational sea angling activity, catches and economic value in England. The recreational bass fishery will, of course, as one of England's key recreational species, be included in this wider work.
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The information gathered by this project, including the economic data, will allow better informed, evidence-based decisions to be made on issues which are of importance to sea anglers—at both local and national level.
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the average amount of time each day circus animals spend in cages. [56123]
Mr Paice: No such assessment has been made.
British Waterways Board
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings her Department has had with the Charity Commission to discuss her proposals to transfer the assets and liabilities of British Waterways into a charitable trust. [57056]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has had informal conversations with the Charity Commission. These have considered: the consultation proposal on governance for the new waterways charity; informal feedback on our consultation document on those aspects of the charity that concern the Charity Commission; and an early discussion on the process for registering the charity with the Charity Commission.
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with which organisations her Department has had discussions on the transfer of the assets and liabilities of British Waterways into a charitable trust. [57057]
Richard Benyon: British Waterways championed the proposal to move to civil society with their stakeholders, when they published their ‘Twenty Twenty—a Vision for the Future of our Canals and Rivers’ in 2009.
At an early stage of Government's support for the move, we discussed emerging proposals for the charity with other Government Departments, many of our key stakeholders and a number of civil society organisations, including: those represented on DEFRA's Advisory Body on Civil Society and the Charity Commission.
We are now consulting formally on our proposals for the new waterways charity and during the consultation period, we are holding a series of meetings and workshops with key stakeholders and other interested parties. The consultation document can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/03/30/waterways-1103/
Carbon Emissions
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to assess the UK's emissions output using consumption-based inventories. [57054]
Mr Paice: In 2008 DEFRA published an evidence study that measured the UK's emissions taking a consumption-based approach. The report is titled “Embedded carbon emissions indicator—EV02033”. We are now carrying out further work to update these findings.
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Commons Councils
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for Commons Councils have been submitted since 2006; and how many such applications were approved in (a) England and (b) the south-east. [57225]
Richard Benyon: There is no provision in Part 2 of the Commons Act 2006 for applications to establish a commons council, and no commons council has yet been established. However, DEFRA and Natural England are working with three candidates to establish commons councils, in relation to Bodmin Moor, Brendon Common (Exmoor) and Cumbria. There are, at present, no candidates in relation to south-east England. We expect, in response to one or more robust proposals, to set up at least one commons council in 2011-12.
Dairy Farming
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the prospects for the dairy farming industry. [57138]
Mr Paice: In 2009-10 the average farm business income on dairy farms in England, as measured by the Farm Business Survey, amounted to around £56,000. Within this, over £24,000 was contributed by agricultural activities on the farm. The remainder came from agri-environment schemes, farm-based diversified activities and the single payment. Forecasts for 2010-11 suggest that average farm business income on dairy farms in England will fall by around 24% to some £42,500. This is in line with other types of livestock farm and reflects principally higher costs, particularly those associated with purchased feed.
A survey of farmers' intentions, carried out in 2010 by DairyCo, showed that almost a third of dairy farmers in the UK intended to increase their milk production over the following two years. The percentage of dairy farmers intending to implement a succession plan in the next decade increased to 43%, from 24% in 2009.
Within the Farm Business Survey a new project has just been initiated to assess farmer intentions, including dairy farmers. This will examine intentions for changes in business size and structure, including plans to expand, contract or quit milk production. Results will be available later this year.
We are confident that the UK dairy farming industry has a strong future but it will need to continue to respond to technological change and market opportunities so as to innovate, add greater value and improve its competitiveness.
Dairy Farming: Insolvency
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dairy farm businesses entered administration in each of the last five years. [57139]
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Mr Paice: DEFRA does not hold figures on the number of dairy farmers entering administration. DEFRA does, however, hold information on the number of dairy farmers exiting the industry each year.
The following table gives the number of registered UK dairy production holdings recorded each June for the last five years, together with the change from the previous year.
|
|
Holdings | Change From Previous |
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Departmental Buildings
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) name and (b) address is of each building owned by her Department; and what the estimated monetary value is of each such building. [53805]
Richard Benyon: The following schedule provides details of and existing use values for the freehold and long leasehold property assets currently held by DEFRA.
These valuation figures represent the monetary value of the property assets in their existing use for the furtherance of DEFRA’s business activities. In the case of specialist properties, such as laboratories and research facilities, the existing use value is often in excess of the open market value of the property with vacant possession.
The schedule contains operational assets and those owned assets which are surplus or which will be surplus to business need in the medium term.
| Romeo No. | Building | Location | Tenure | Existing use value March 2010 |
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Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to her Department. [56061]
Richard Benyon: The information requested is included in the following table.
| Executive Agencies | |||||||
|
|
DEFRA | RPA | CEFAS | FERA | VMD | AH | VLA |
| Notes: CEFAS—has one handset from Orange due to signal coverage. FERA—The main contractor/supplier of mobile telephone services is Vodafone with some additional provision by Orange. The main contractor/supplier of mobile data services is Vodafone with some additional provision by Orange. | |||||||
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of her Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010. [56176]
Richard Benyon: The information requested is included in the following table:
| Executive agencies | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
|
|
RPA | CEFAS | FERA | VMD | AH | VLA |
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24 May 2011 : Column 546W
| Notes: 1. VLA: Travel includes staff mileage payments and excludes accommodation and subsistence. The CEO travel costs also include/exclude these and both are for 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 2. VMD: Period is 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2011. Both figures exclude costs of travel recovered from EU Commission and industry. 3. AH: Period is for 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2011. The travel total includes all operational travel by the Veterinary and Technical grades. The CEO total is for the period 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011. 4. CEFAS: Period is 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011. Includes travel: air, rail, bus/coach, ferry/channel tunnel and taxis (private hire). These include journeys undertaken in the fulfilment of non-Government customer contracts. The travel cost for these non-Government contracts is reimbursed by the recipient of these services in the charges made and income received. 5. FERA: Expenditure is for the period May 2010 to March 2011. 6. RPA: Expenditure is for the period May 2010 to March 2011. | ||||||
The information is provided on the basis that the final accounts for the year 2010-11 are still being audited by the National Audit Office.
Food: Origin Marking
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Protected Destinations of Origin designations have been made in the last 10 years. [57042]
Mr Paice: Since 2001, three UK applications submitted to. the EU have been awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status under the EU Protected Food Names (PFN) scheme. These are:
Staffordshire Cheese (2007)
Isle of Man Manx Loaghtan Lamb (2008)
Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb (2010)
During the same period, a further six UK products have received Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) status and one has been registered as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG).
Further information about the scheme and the food and drink names which have been registered under it can be found on the DEFRA website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/food/protected-names/
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect of which products have applications for approval to be awarded Protected Destinations of Origin been submitted which are awaiting a decision. [57044]
Mr Paice: There are 10 UK applications currently being considered for registration as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products. These are at various stages of the process as follows:
| At EU stage | Under DEFRA assessment | Under development with ADAS (1) |
| (1) ADAS act as the delivery agent for DEFRA with respect to certain activities under the Protected Food Name Scheme. These include working with applicant groups. | ||
Further information about the scheme and the applications can be found on the DEFRA website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/food/protected-names/
Food: Waste
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much imported food was destroyed as a result of being declared unfit for human consumption in the latest period for which figures are available. [57043]
Mr Paice: Neither DEFRA nor the Food Standards Agency collects this information centrally. This means that collated data cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Origin Marking: Israel
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the guidelines on place of origin labelling issued by her Department on 10 December 2009 do not apply to all products on sale in the UK that originate in Israeli settlements. [56220]
Mr Paice: The technical advice referred to by the hon. Member only applies to fresh produce since representations made to this Department prior to its issue suggested that labelling guidance would be of particular value in relation to that category of imports from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Origin labelling of products other than food and drink is the responsibility of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Pigs: Animal Welfare
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects on domestic pig farmers of imports from countries with lower welfare standards than the UK. [57041]
Mr Paice: All pig producers in the European Union (EU) have to comply with EU pig welfare rules. UK legislation currently requires higher welfare standards for pigs, in a few respects, than in other EU countries. The most significant being that in the UK close-confinement sow stalls have been unilaterally banned since 1999. Similar requirements will not be introduced across the EU until 2013 which will help to provide a more level playing field for UK producers.
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Consumer demand for high welfare products has prompted some retailers to set an animal welfare component within their own private standards which their suppliers (UK and other suppliers) must meet. These are in addition to minimum legal standards set down in EU welfare rules.
The Government and the UK industry are watching European competitors and the Commission closely to ensure that there is no reneging on implementation of these new standards across the EU.
Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking (a) nationally and (b) with her EU counterparts to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards are met with respect to the import of pork. [56713]
Mr Paice: All pig producers in the EU have to comply with EU pig welfare rules. UK legislation currently requires higher welfare standards for pigs, in a few respects, than in other EU countries. The most significant being that in the UK close confinement sow stalls have been unilaterally banned since 1999. Similar requirements will not be introduced across the EU until 2013 which will help to provide a more level playing field for UK producers.
If any member state were to seek an extension to the 2013 sow stall ban, the UK would strongly oppose it. We recognise any extension would disadvantage UK producers who have invested heavily in converting to alternative systems.
The Government are committed to ensure that food procured by Government Departments and eventually the whole public sector, meets British or equivalent standards of production, wherever this can be achieved, without increasing overall cost. In addition, consumer demand for high welfare products has prompted some retailers to set an animal welfare component within their own private standards which their suppliers (UK and other suppliers) must meet. These are in addition to minimum legal standards set down in EU welfare rules.
The Government and the UK industry are watching European competitors and the Commission closely to ensure that there is no reneging on implementation of these new standards across the EU.
Plastic Bags
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on reducing plastic bag usage via retailers in the latest period for which figures are available. [56423]
Richard Benyon: Annual figures for the period May 2006 to May 2010 show a continuous year-on-year reduction in the numbers and in the weight of all bags.
For single use carrier bags, the reduction over the period was 43% in numbers distributed and 51% by weight.
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Poultry: Animal Welfare
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what support she expects to receive from other EU member states for her request for an intercommunity trade ban on eggs produced in conventional battery cages after 1 January 2012; [56619]
(2) whether she has received representations from any EU member state wishing to delay the introduction of the trade ban for eggs produced in conventional battery cages beyond the current deadline; [56620]
(3) what steps she is taking to ensure that eggs and egg products entering the UK after 1 January 2012 are from legal production systems. [56621]
Mr Paice: We wish to protect compliant producers from any competitive disadvantage of illegal production in other member states or indeed the UK. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has urged the European Commission to put additional enforcement measures in place at EU level to prevent market disturbance.
The introduction of a time limited intra-community trade ban on eggs produced from conventional cages was one of the enforcement options proposed at a stakeholder meeting in Brussels in January 2011 and is still under consideration by the Commission’s legal services.
As the Secretary of State made it clear at February’s Agriculture Council meeting, when Poland, Romania and Bulgaria sought more time, any delay in implementing the ban would be grossly unfair to all the egg producers in the UK who have made significant investments to convert out of battery cages ahead of the European deadline. No further representations have been received.
The UK has consistently called for the ban to be implemented in 2012 with strict enforcement by the EU and we will continue to play a full part in EU discussions on a practical enforcement solution.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of imports from countries with lower welfare standards than the UK on domestic poultry farmers. [57039]
Mr Paice: There is a large body of legislation at European Union (EU) level to improve animal welfare which all livestock producers in the EU have to comply with. EU legislation must be implemented in full across the EU so that UK producers have a level playing field and do not have to try and compete with non-compliant producers.
As well as promoting high animal welfare standards in this country, we are keen to encourage high animal welfare standards internationally, both in other EU countries and in third countries.
Within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) multilateral framework there is little scope for the EU to enforce higher levels of production standards, including those relating to animal welfare, in countries from which the EU imports goods. However, OIE (World Organisation
24 May 2011 : Column 549W
for Animal Health) is playing a major role in developing and progressing internationally recognised standards for animal welfare.
The UK continues to work with the European Union and the WTO membership to advocate high animal welfare standards.
River Rom
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce levels of (a) nitrates and (b) eutrophication in the River Rom. [57040]
Richard Benyon: In the more urban areas of the River Rom, pollution sources of nitrates and phosphates are generally from misconnections, combined sewer overflows and surcharging sewers. The Environment Agency is working with Thames Water to address misconnections and identify improvements needed.
Part of the River Rom in the more rural areas is designated as a nitrate vulnerable zone. Farmers in the more rural areas along the River Rom will have to comply with the nitrates directive and this requires them to prepare a risk map for land on which they intend to spread nitrate rich fertilisers. The Environment Agency carries out farm visits to check compliance and deal with any identified failures on a risk-based approach.
Working with landowners, local authorities and local business in a collaborative approach, an action plan will be produced for the River Rom by the end of 2012. This will identify the additional improvements required to meet the objectives of the water framework directive.
Scallops: Dredging
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made on the effects of scallop dredging on marine ecosystems. [57038]
Richard Benyon: As part of the ongoing assessment of the effects of scallop dredging on marine ecosystems, the Government are drawing on a number of different studies, both those funded by DEFRA and those produced by other organisations.
These studies include a review which Natural England recently undertook on behalf of DEFRA on the risks from all ongoing activities within European marine sites. The review looked at the effects of scallop dredging in Special Areas of Conservation and a copy of Natural England's final report on this can be found on its website at:
http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NERR038
Additionally, ‘Lyme Bay: a case study measuring the effects of benthic species and assessing the potential spillover effects and socio-economic changes’ is currently being undertaken by the University of Plymouth for DEFRA. Information about the project is available on the DEFRA website at:
http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu& Module=More&Location=None&Completed=0&ProjectID=16366
A full report will be available when the study concludes in spring 2012.
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Finally, the Seafish Ecodredge project completed in 2003 also provides information on the direct and indirect effects of scallop dredging:
http://www.seafish.org/media/Publications/CR199_200Ecodredge_Executive_Summary.pdf
Set-aside Schemes
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the effects on biodiversity of the ending of set-aside; [57032]
(2) whether she has considered the merits of introducing an incentive similar to set-aside to promote wildlife conservation in agricultural areas. [57033]
Mr Paice: Set-aside was originally introduced as a means to control production. Its requirements also provided a range of environmental benefits that helped biodiversity by providing winter and summer nesting habitat and food sources for farmland birds, as well as supporting a range of more common plants, insects and mammals and improving the quality of soil and water. The set-aside mechanism was abolished from January 2009. Consequently, many of the recognised environmental benefits of set-aside land may have been lost.
Agri-environment schemes such as Environmental Stewardship already offer incentives to farmers to undertake wildlife conservation and other environmental management of their land. Our schemes are better attuned to delivering environmental benefits than simply taking land out of production. Nearly 60,000 farmers are signed up to our schemes.
The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE), which was launched in November 2009, gives the farming community itself the opportunity to demonstrate that through their own actions, farmers are best placed to decide on and tackle their local environmental priorities, improve biodiversity and promote wildlife conservation, without regulation. My priority is to ensure the campaign is a success. I do not believe that Government should regulate if the farming industry delivers enhanced benefits for wildlife in agricultural areas. A CFE working group has been set up to assess and measure the environmental outcomes the work being done by farmers is delivering.
Zoos: Licensing
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department takes to disseminate information to zoos on requirements in respect of the licensing of animals. [56341]
Mr Paice: Advice and guidance on the provisions of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 is published on the DEFRA website. Government Circular 02/2003 in particular contains detailed information on the inspection and licensing of zoos.
Information relating to animal health conditions for trade within the EU and import of zoo animals into the EU from third countries is provided through DEFRA's regular meetings with stakeholders. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has issued comprehensive guidance on the requirements for trade to zoos and other premises that keep exotic animals.
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Information relating to changes in EU legislation and international disease threats is available on the DEFRA website and is circulated by DEFRA through Customer Importer Information Notes and Official Veterinary Surgeon Notes. Zoos can be added to the distribution list for these notes at their request.
Licensing requirements for species listed under the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are publicised on the AHVLA website. AHVLA also sends out a CITES bulletin twice a year and holds biannual meetings with members of the Sustainable Users Network (SUN). Several zoos are SUN members and are on the CITES bulletin distribution list.
International Development
China: Overseas Aid
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 14W, on departmental manpower, what his Department's aid contribution to China is; how such aid is provided; when provision of such aid is due to conclude; and whether all his Department's staff based in China will be withdrawn from that country after such aid provision has concluded. [57197]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's bilateral aid programme to China ended in March 2011. DFID will retain a small number of staff in the British embassy in Beijing to strengthen the UK Government's partnership with China on global development issues, including climate change, peacekeeping and poverty reduction in Africa.
Departmental CCTV
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [56838]
Mr Duncan: CCTV systems are in use at both our UK sites, however for security reasons it would not be appropriate to provide details of the number of cameras.
The original installation was undertaken during the building fit-out and the specific cost of this element is not available. Replacement and operating costs are included as part of wider contracts for the maintenance of security equipment and the provision of guarding services. There is no cost breakdown for the operating costs.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 14W, on departmental manpower, how many staff of his Department are based in (a) Belgium, (b) Italy, (c) France, (d) Switzerland and (e) the US. [57195]
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Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development has a total of 20 staff working in Belgium, Italy, France, Switzerland and the USA. Due to security reasons DFID does not release exact numbers of staff based in overseas locations.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 14W, on departmental manpower, for what reasons his Department has employees based in (a) Italy and (b) France. [57196]
Mr O'Brien: Department for International Development (DFID) officials are based in Italy serving in the UK delegation who have overall responsibility for the UK's engagement with the Rome based UN Food and Agriculture Agencies. We have staff serving in the EU delegation, advising on food security, agriculture and rural development. DFID also has staff in France serving in the UK delegation with overall responsibility for UK engagement with UNESCO.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [56096]
Mr Duncan: Overseas travel undertaken by special advisers has been to accompany the Secretary of State for International Development in order to provide advice on DFID country programmes and international meetings.
A breakdown of travel costs for DFID special advisers since May 2010 is as follows:
|
|
£ |
Departmental Procurement
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on procuring fairly traded tea and coffee for internal use; and whether there has been any change in this policy since May 2010. [56660]
Mr Duncan: All tea and coffee procured directly by DFID from our contract caterers in the UK for official meetings is fairly traded, and is Fairtrade certified. There has been no change in policy since May 2010.
Commercially available tea and coffee for sale through the catering outlets in the DFID offices are either Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
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Departmental Research
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [56764]
Mr O'Brien: The Research and Evidence division of the Department for International Development (DFID) is responsible for systematically collecting and synthesising evidence and data on international development. This is produced as a global public good available for all users including our own country offices and policy division to ensure our aid programmes are based on evidence of what works. This division has not initiated any substantial longitudinal research in the last 12 months. A number of projects, however, have been initiated (63), terminated (four), and amended (three) in the last 12 months, though the majority of our research and data collection (over 100 projects) have not been amended in that period. I have placed a list of the 63 centrally-funded research projects that have been initiated by DFID in the last 12 months in the Library of the House. Research and data collection is also funded by the regional divisions in DFID to inform their own operations.
Developing Countries: Fossil Fuels
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has discussed with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change the potential effect on developing countries of investment by the World Bank in fossil fuels in such countries. [57389]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have regular discussions on this issue. We work closely together to ensure that the World Bank meets our shared objectives of increasing access to energy for those who lack it, and of reducing the World Bank's investments in fossil fuels and increasing its investment in clean energy.
Developing Countries: Sanitation
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people his Department plans to provide with (a) access to clean water, (b) improved sanitation and (c) hygiene awareness programmes in each country under the proposals in its Bilateral Aid Review. [57248]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) aims to provide access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene awareness to developing countries as contained in the following table. These are subject to finalisation of operational plans and development of detailed business cases demonstrating the value for money to be achieved by each proposed programme.
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| Number | |||
| Countries | People with access to sustainable clean drinking water | People with sustainable access to an improved sanitation facility | People reached through hygiene promotion activities |
| (1) Details will be made available in operational plans for these countries, which be published on the DFID website in due course. | |||
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be provided with (a) access to clean water, (b) improved sanitation and (c) hygiene awareness programmes delivered through multilateral organisations and funded by his Department in 2011-12. [57249]
Mr O'Brien: We are currently working to determine whether a reliable estimate of the number of people reached through multilaterals in these areas can be readily attributed. This is a complex calculation depending on variable factors including our share of the core funding to each multilateral, how they allocate their funds within sectors and the results they are planning to achieve in 2011-12.
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much bilateral aid his Department plans to provide for (a) access to clean water, (b) improved sanitation and (c) hygiene awareness to each developing country in 2011-12. [57250]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) plans to provide bilateral aid for access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene awareness to developing countries in 2011-12 as contained in the following table. These figures are subject to finalisation of operational plans and development of detailed business cases demonstrating the value for money to be achieved by each proposed programme.
| Country/region | 2011-12 funding (£000) |
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| (1) Details will be made available in operational plans for these countries, which will be published on the DFID website in due course. Note: It is not possible to disaggregate these figures into water supply, sanitation and hygiene until programmes are designed in detail. | |
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid his Department has provided to developing countries for investment in (a) safe water and (b) sanitation and hygiene in each year since 1997. [57278]
Mr O'Brien: Details of UK aid expenditure, including the proportion directed to safe water, sanitation and hygiene are published annually in ‘Statistics on International Development’ (SID), which is available in the Library of the House and on the DFID website at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Finance-and-performance/Aid-Statistics/Statistic-on-International-Development-2010/
Specific information on this sector is only available from 2003-04. Prior to this, water, sanitation and hygiene statistics were incorporated within broader sectors such as social services, environment and health. Available water and sanitation figures are as follows (consolidated water and sanitation figures available only):
| DFID bilateral spend on water and sanitation | |
|
|
£ million |