Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what due diligence process his Department followed in respect of the companies it recently appointed as debt collection agents; and if he will make a statement. [59644]
Mr Gauke: HMRC undertook a formal tender process in compliance with the public contract regulations.
Tender responses were examined on a range of criteria by a team of evaluators and site visits were also made to the appointed debt collection agencies as part of the process.
Tax Evasion: Tax Avoidance
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent discussions he has had with his G20 counterparts on the adoption of country-by-country reporting on levels of tax evasion and avoidance; [58897]
(2) what his policy is on the adoption by the G20 of country-by-country reporting on levels of tax evasion and avoidance. [58898]
Mr Gauke: The Chancellor has engaged with G20 counterparts on a range of issues related to tax and development, including issues around tax evasion and avoidance, and international rules on transparency in the extractives industry.
Work by the OECD tax and development task force on the costs and benefits of country-by-country reporting is ongoing. The Government support this work and hope it will provide solid, practical evidence which Governments—including those in the G20—can use to assess different approaches to transparency.
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his policy is on sharing of information between national tax authorities for the purposes of tackling tax avoidance and evasion across national frontiers; [58981]
(2) what discussions he has had with his G20 counterparts on the sharing of information between national tax authorities for the purposes of tackling tax avoidance and evasion across national frontiers. [58982]
Mr Gauke: The UK Government are strongly committed to exchange of information to combat tax avoidance and evasion. We have agreements in place with over 100 countries to meet this aim. Discussions in the G20 have focused on ensuring that all jurisdictions implement the internationally agreed standard on exchange of information for tax purposes.
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Welfare Tax Credits: Warrington
Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Warrington North constituency were in receipt of tax credits in financial years (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and what the average amount received per family was in each year. [59342]
Mr Gauke: Statistics for the financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 are not yet available. The latest information on the number of families receiving tax credits is for the tax year 2009-2010 in an HMRC publication called ‘Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics, Finalised annual awards 2009-10, Geographical analysis’. This provides data on tax credit uptake by each parliamentary constituency and also gives the average amount received per family that year. This can be found at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-final-awards-may11.pdf
The total number of families in receipt of tax credits in Warrington North in 2009-2010 was 5,500 and the average value that was received per family was £4,128.
Home Department
General Register Office: Birth Certificates
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to restrict access to copies of birth certificates held at the General Register Office. [58860]
Damian Green: The General Register Office (GRO) is obliged under statute to provide certified copies of birth entries (certificates) provided that sufficient information has been given to identify the birth entry.
GRO is committed to modernisation and continues to look for opportunities to make improvements.
In the meantime, GRO continues to work with a number of Government Departments and law enforcement agencies (including the National Fraud Authority) to combat identity fraud.
Asylum: Grants
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2011, Official Report, column 1216W, on asylum: grants, how much has been allocated to each charity and non-governmental organisation listed in 2011-12. [59222]
Damian Green [holding answer 10 June 2011]: The amount of funding allocated in grants to charities and non-governmental bodies involved in asylum matters for 2011-12 is shown in the following table. Some of the assisted voluntary returns schemes whose costs are included in these figures apply to other migrants as well as asylum-seekers.
| PQ 59222-Annex | ||
| Grant Recipients | Nature of Grant/Project | 2011-12 (£) |
14 Jun 2011 : Column 705W
| Notes: (i) figures for 2011-12 are taken from the expenditure budget of the UK Border Agency. | ||
Departmental Contracts
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with which companies her Department has contracts; what the monetary value is of each such contract; what the (a) commencement and (b) expiry dates are of each contract; how many unsuccessful bidders there were for each such contract; and how much has been paid in penalties for any under-performance in respect of each such contract. [58851]
Damian Green: In the financial year 2010-11, the Home Department, inclusive of Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), spent £2.9 billion with over 3,500 suppliers. Information to answer each other part of the question is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
All tender opportunities above Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) level are placed on the Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) portal. Since April 2009, tender opportunities, irrelevant of value, have been published via our procurement and commercial toolkit (PCT) e-sourcing portal on the Home Office website. In addition, all opportunities and tender documents for tenders over £10,000 have been placed on the Cabinet Office's contracts finder portal since November 2010, together with placed contracts over £10,000 since January 2011.
All expenditure over £25,000 is published on a monthly basis within the Transparency section on the Home Office website. This is linked to the “Opening Up Government” data.gov.uk website, containing all Government departmental spend data.
Drugs: Crime
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 19 May 2011, Official Report, column 301W, on drugs, when the terms of the Government's annual review of the 2010 drugs strategy will be finalised; if she will place a copy of the terms in the Library when finalised; and when she expects to publish the findings of that review. [58355]
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James Brokenshire: The inter-ministerial group on drugs agreed on 23 May that the annual review for 2010-11 of the drugs strategy would:
Review the strategy a full year after implementation with a view to publication by the end of March 2012;
Involve the voluntary and community sector in the review process as appropriate; and
Be a status update on year one on progress across the strategy supported by appropriate evidence.
There are no terms of reference for the review beyond those established above and in ongoing discussions with partners across Government. The terms of reference for future years will be agreed on an annual basis.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings the Minister of State for Immigration has had with interested parties on the operation of tier-4 visa students. [59448]
Damian Green: I have regular meetings with a wide range of interested parties about the policy and operation of tier-4 visas. Over the last six months, these include meetings with various governmental and parliamentary colleagues, as well as with Universities UK, the Association of Colleges (AoC), the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the Hansard Society, Professor Edward Acton, Lord Boswell, the all-party parliamentary group of universities, Sir James Dyson, Sir Andrew Likierman and Migration Watch.
Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what separate arrangements apply to colleges and schools which have been designated as highly trusted sponsors rating for tier-4 visas which do not apply to colleges and schools which have not been so designated; and if she will make a statement. [59449]
Damian Green: As set out in the statement of intent published on 31 March 2011, all educational institutions must obtain both highly trusted status (HTS) by April 2012 and a current and satisfactory full inspection or audit by one of the eight listed bodies or their equivalents in the devolved Administrations by December 2012 in order to sponsor new international students. As a transitional measure, all sponsors that do not meet new educational oversight requirements and/or do not have highly trusted sponsor status from 21 April 2011 are subject to a limit on the number of confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) they can issue to international students.
Frontex: Greece
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance the UK has provided to Frontex operations in Greece in the last three years. [59351]
Damian Green: The information is as follows:
In 2010, the UK participated in:
Joint Operation Poseidon Land, which targets illegal migration on the land borders from Turkey to Greece; by deploying a debriefing expert with an interpreter for two months.
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Joint Operation Poseidon Sea, which targets irregular migration by sea from Turkey to Greece; by deploying a debriefing expert with an interpreter for one month.
Pilot Project Attica, to increase the Greek authorities’ capabilities to return third country nationals with no right of stay in the EU; by deploying a returns liaison expert to Pilot Project Attica for two weeks.
In 2009, the UK participated in:
Joint Operation Poseidon, which targets illegal and irregular migration by land and sea from Turkey to Greece; by deploying a debriefing expert with an interpreter for 10 months.
In 2008, the UK participated in:
Joint Operation Poseidon, which targets illegal and irregular migration by land and sea from Turkey to Greece; by deploying an intelligence expert for one month, a detection technology expert for one month and a debriefing expert with an interpreter for one month.
G4S
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts her Department holds with G4S; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value is of each such contract. [58668]
Damian Green: The Home Department, inclusive of its Executive agencies, holds the following seven contracts with G4S:
Harassment
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of prevention of harassment letters issued by police forces. [59481]
James Brokenshire:
No assessment of the effectiveness of prevention of harassment letters issued by police forces has been made by the Home Office. However, tackling violence against women and girls, which includes stalking and harassment, is a key priority for the Government. The Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) held the first joint national stalking conference in December 2010 to promote the sharing of best practice between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. We have also committed to review the impact of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and we continue to fund the national stalking helpline and lead a monthly national stalking strategy group to support the quarterly ACPO stalking working
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group. We also strongly supported the recent national stalking awareness week held from 11 April, which was jointly organised by the three main charities that work to prevent stalking, Protection Against Stalking, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Network for Surviving Stalking.
Human Trafficking
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the inter-departmental ministerial group on human trafficking has met since 6 May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [58951]
Damian Green: The Government recognises the importance of monitoring the progress of anti-trafficking efforts in the UK and our international obligations.
The inter-departmental ministerial group on trafficking met in February 2011 and will meet twice a year. An officials group will also meet twice a year. Discussions at the group will reflect ongoing developments in trafficking policy.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in each police authority area of England and Wales are trained to deal with cases involving allegations of human trafficking. [58954]
Damian Green: Combating human trafficking is part of core police business. All new police officers receive mandatory training on trafficking and existing officers have access to training material.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who have been identified as victims of trafficking have been deported from the UK in each of the last five years. [58956]
Damian Green: Since April 2009 the UK has had in place a multi-agency framework for identifying and protecting victims of trafficking—the national referral mechanism (NRM).
There is currently no record of any enforced return of individuals conclusively found to be victims of trafficking under the NRM. However, being a victim does not automatically entitle someone to remain in the UK indefinitely. Where a recognised victim of trafficking does not meet established criteria the expectation must be that they return to their own country. In all cases voluntary departure is the preferred option and repatriation would only be enforced where it was deemed safe and appropriate to do so in accordance with the UK's domestic and international obligations.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the merits of establishing an independent rapporteur on human trafficking; and if she will make a statement. [58958]
Damian Green: The UK is already compliant with this measure through equivalent mechanisms in the form of the UK Human Trafficking Centre as the central repository for data and the inter-departmental ministerial group for oversight.
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As I made clear in the House of Commons debate on the EU directive on human trafficking on 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 978, the Government recognise that there are concerns that the function should be carried out by an independent body and will keep these arguments under consideration.
Human Trafficking: Children
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the merits of establishing a system of guardianship for children identified as victims of human trafficking; and if she will make a statement. [58957]
Damian Green: Combating child trafficking and ensuring the protection and safeguarding of victims of this crime is a key priority for this Government. We have therefore considered the introduction of a system of guardianship, but believe that the current system is appropriate and that corporate responsibility for child trafficking victims should remain with the relevant local authority.
Under Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children regardless of their immigration status or nationality. Under these arrangements, looked-after children are provided with access to the services necessary to meet all their needs, be they in relation to education, accommodation, psychological or health needs. In addition to a social worker who will set a care plan for each child and independent reviewing officer, a looked after child will also have access to an independent advocate.
We believe that this responsibility should remain with the local authorities and that the addition of a further ‘guardian’ to this framework risks adding another level of unhelpful complexity to existing arrangements.
Human Trafficking: Children in Care
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has considered the merits of requiring local authorities to publish figures for (a) the number of trafficked children they have in their care and (b) how long they remain in their care. [58727]
Damian Green: Local authorities are required to record the numbers of looked-after children within their area. These figures are sent to the Department for Education annually for publication. These national figures do not include the detail of those children who may have been trafficked although local authorities have processes in place to identify the numbers of trafficked children within their area.
While the Government do not require individual local authorities to publish this detailed information locally at a national level, we are building up our intelligence on numbers of trafficked children through the national referral mechanism, the work of the UK Human Trafficking Centre and the Child Exploitation and Online Protections Centre's yearly strategic threat assessments.
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The forthcoming human trafficking strategy will include a range of measures aimed at strengthening our ability to combat child trafficking and support those who have been trafficked.
IBM
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts her Department holds with IBM; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value is of each such contract. [58686]
Damian Green: The Home Department, inclusive of its Executive agencies, holds the following five contracts with IBM:
Immigrants: Offenders
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted indefinite leave to remain under the terms of paragraph 289A of the Immigration Rules in each year since 2005; and how many such people were identified as having a criminal record at the time indefinite leave to remain was granted in each such year. [58204]
Damian Green: Figures from official statistics, obtained from the report ‘Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom 2009’ (published 26 August 2010) provide information for the period 2006-09 only.
The following table shows the most recent published data for applicants granted settlement due to domestic violence after having leave to remain granted as a spouse or partner of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom.
| P ersons granted settlement due to domestic violence after leave to remain granted as a spouse/partner of a person present and settled in the UK | |
|
|
Number |
| Note: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/hosb1510/hosb1510?view=Binary | |
Unfortunately, it is not possible to obtain statistical data to identify how many of the applicants who were granted indefinite leave to remain between 2005 and 2011 had a criminal record at the time when indefinite leave to remain (ILR) was granted.
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Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who applied for indefinite leave to remain under the terms of paragraph 289A of the Immigration Rules had their application rejected because they had a criminal record in each year since 2005. [58205]
Damian Green: It is not possible to obtain statistical data to identify how many people who applied for indefinite leave to remain under paragraph 289A of the Immigration Rules had their application rejected because they had a criminal record.
Immigration
John Pugh:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in her Department dealt with immigration cases in each of the last 10 years; what the average caseload for each immigration officer was in each of those years; and
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what the average time taken to process a case was in each of those years. [58853]
Damian Green: A complete response to this question is not possible as much of the required information is not readily available or held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Therefore, the response is limited to information about: UK Border Agency staff numbers (employed by the Home Office immigration and nationality directorate until 31 March 2007; and the Border and Immigration Agency until 31 March 2008); applications and cases; and service standards.
The following table provides details of agency staff numbers from 2003 to 2011. For 2007 onwards, the table splits staff between front-line and corporate services. Front-line staff deal with immigration cases overseas (visas); at the border (arriving passengers); and in the UK (permission to stay). This distinction cannot be made for the period before 2007.
| Number | |||||||||
| As at March | |||||||||
|
|
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Note: The increase between 2008-09 is the result of HMRC detection staff joining the UK Border Agency. | |||||||||
In the period 2005-06 to 2010-11, agency staff decided an average of around 2.5 million visa cases per year. Figures are not available before this date.
Data about the number of passenger arrivals for the period 2001 to 2010 are available from the Office for National Statistics (international passenger survey). Over 100 million passengers travel to the UK each year, of which approximately 12.3 million are non-EU/EEA nationals. These cases are subject to control and are therefore interviewed and formally granted permission to enter by agency staff.
Data for the number of “in-country” cases are available from 2007. The Home Office publishes statistics on asylum and settlement cases, including extensions of stay and citizenship cases, on a quarterly and annual basis, which are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website. The most recent available data are as follows:
| Applications | |
|
|
Number |
Information on the average time taken to process a decision is not available. From July 2011, the agency will publish information on the percentage of migration applications decided within published standards. This will be published in the agency's annual report and accounts and quarterly updates will be available on the Home Office and No.10 websites.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 18 April 2011 with regard to Mrs S. Shafique. [58829]
Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman on 9 June 2011.
Serco
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts her Department holds with Serco; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value is of each such contract. [58666]
Damian Green: The Home Department, inclusive of its Executive agencies, holds the following five contracts with Serco:
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Shoplifting
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects of shoplifting on retail stores; and what steps she is taking to reduce levels of shoplifting. [58438]
James Brokenshire: The latest police recorded crime figures, in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin “Crime in England and Wales 2009/10”, show that there were 306,602 shoplifting offences in the 12 months to December 2010. This is a 3% reduction on the 316,297 offences in the 12 months to December 2009. The British Retail Consortium's Annual Crime Survey 2010 estimated the cost to the industry from all retail crime at £1.1 billion per annum.
The Home Office co-chairs the national retail crime steering group, the national partnership to tackle retail crime. Tackling shoplifting forms one aspect of the work plan and work is under way on a number of strands to tackle shoplifting, including more effective design, crime prevention, enforcement, and strengthening partnership working between businesses, law enforcement agencies and the voluntary sector.
UK Border Agency
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons (a) the Union flag and (b) a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen is not displayed at entry points to the UK in premises administered by the UK Border Agency; and if she will make a statement. [59397]
Damian Green: United Kingdom Government Departments have the freedom to fly the Union flag on their buildings in line with guidelines set out by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Ports of entry are not Government buildings. The premises from which the UK Border Agency (UKBA) operates are all leased from privately owned UK port authorities. In the interests of consistency across the UKBA estate, the agreement of all the companies concerned would need to be obtained in order to display the Union flag and the portrait of the Queen in an agreed location within the terminals and arrival concourses of each port.
Victim Support Schemes
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department provides any funds for schemes to support victims and witnesses of crime which exclude victims of domestic violence. [58414]
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James Brokenshire: The Home Office has not excluded services for victims of domestic violence from funding streams. As well as the stable four-year funding for independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs) and multi-agency risk assessment (MARAC) posts, Home Office funding has also been made available to support victims of crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB), including victims of sexual violence and serious youth violence.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has met the Prime Minister to discuss a prohibition on the use of wild animals in circuses. [58209]
Mr Paice: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, meets the Prime Minister from time to time on various issues relating to her Department.
Beer: Industry
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to support micro-breweries. [59443]
Mr Paice: The Government are committed to working with the food and drink industry to help it take full advantage of the potential for growth through overseas trade, including by identifying global market opportunities and tackling barriers to exports. DEFRA has met with the Brewing, Food and Beverage Industry Suppliers Association (BFBi) to discuss the extent to which micro-breweries might be able to take advantage of this potential.
Micro-breweries already qualify for small brewers relief, which provides up to 50% relief on beer duty payable, will now also benefit from the Government's moratorium to exempt small firms with fewer than 10 employees from domestic regulation announced in this Budget. The Government's aim is to ensure that, as far as possible, micro-businesses should be subject to no new domestic regulation after 1 April 2011.
Micro-breweries are also likely to benefit from the-Government's support for employment generally and manufacturing in particular, through the introducing of more predictable and lower corporate taxes; cutting through the unnecessary red tape and regulation; increasing access to finance; and focusing on training and apprenticeships to ensure specialist skills are in good supply.
Bovine Tuberculosis
Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many instances of bovine tuberculosis were reported in east Sussex in each of the last five years. [59057]
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Mr Paice: Incidents of bovine TB reported for east Sussex in each of the last five years are as follows:
| N ew TB incidents reported in the year | |
|
|
Number (1) |
| (1) 1 January to 31 December. Source: Vetnet—Animal Health Database (downloaded 8 June 2011) | |
Charitable Donations
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in her Department. [57127]
Richard Benyon: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge' with a charity or community group of their choice. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.
Compost: Licensing
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requirements community groups, schools and small businesses wishing to register for an exemption from the requirement for a compost heap licence are required to fulfil. [56633]
Richard Benyon: The requirements for the registration of a waste operation that is exempt from the need for an environmental permit are set out in paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 and transposes the requirements of the EU waste framework directive. The system of registration of exempt waste operations has been in place since 1994. Any establishment or undertaking, which includes community groups, schools and businesses, must notify the Environment Agency of: their name and address; a description of the waste operation; and the place where the operation is being carried out (by post code or ordnance survey national grid reference point).
Registration of the exemption for ‘aerobic composting and associated prior treatment' is free and is valid for three years.
Droughts: Agriculture
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect of levels of rainfall in the south and east of England on (a) crop production and (b) the prices of (i) grain and (ii) other crops; [58740]
(2) what estimate she has made of the effects on crop yields in the agricultural sector as a result of water shortages in the (a) south and (b) east of England. [59787]
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Mr Paice: It has been the driest spring on record in south-east and central-southern England and the driest across England and Wales since 1990.
While the dry spell is continuing to have a variety of effects on crops with some, particularly on light land, showing the effects of water stress, it remains too early to predict with any certainty what the eventual impact of this particular period of dry weather will be on crop yields. Many factors will continue to combine to affect production and we are working closely with the industry to help farmers in managing and adapting to the changing circumstances.
Ministers have taken a close and hands-on interest in the impacts of the dry spell. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, held a drought summit on 16 May with water companies, farming groups and environment agencies to make sure the country was prepared for drought conditions and to hear first-hand of the impacts being felt. At that summit she asked the Environment Agency to report on the likelihood of a drought in the longer term, and how it might affect our farmers, our food industry and consumers. The Environment Agency now produces weekly drought management bulletins and will report back to the Secretary of State later this month, assessing the likely impacts of prolonged dry weather, including the plans in place to manage drought.
The summit is scheduled to reconvene later this month but, in the interim, the Secretary of State has arranged a meeting of those who get their water from rivers to find immediate steps they can take to make that water go further—not just to deal with the current dry weather, but also to help inform longer-term reliance issues for the future.
Prices of agricultural commodities such as grains are determined on international agricultural markets. As such, any final impact on crop prices will be determined by global weather conditions and their impact on global production, rather than by the impact of drought on UK crop production.
E. coli: Germany
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) her Department's agencies on measures to support the horticulture industry following the recent E. coli outbreak in Germany. [59475]
Mr Paice
[holding answer 13 June 2011]: DEFRA officials are keeping in close contact with colleagues in the Department of Health, the Food Standards Agency and other Departments as the situation with regard to the E. coli outbreak develops. The outbreak has had a disruptive economic impact on growers and others within the supply chain for fruit and vegetables across the EU, including our domestic industry. Because of this, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 7 June discussed the need for exceptional measures to address the market situation and to provide financial support for growers affected. Proposals were discussed by Ministers at Council level and considered by officials at the EU Fruit and
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Vegetables Management Committee, but no package has yet been agreed for implementation. Discussions will continue on 14 June.
We are discussing with the Rural Payments Agency the implications of the proposed €210 million EU measures, and how a scheme would be implemented.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the financial effects on the horticulture industry of the recent E. coli outbreak in Germany. [59477]
Mr Paice [holding answer 13 June 2011]: The outbreak has had a disruptive economic impact on growers and others within the supply chain for fruit and vegetables across the EU, including our domestic industry.
At retail level, prices for domestically produced salad (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers and courgettes), have remained relatively stable, although demand has declined, with the result that more produce is being sent to the wholesale market, which is experiencing movement in prices. I welcome the support for UK producers shown by the big retailers who have in some cases increased their offering of UK salad produce, in response to consumer demand for our home crop.
One impact of the decision by the Russian Federation to impose a ban on EU fruit and vegetable produce is that surplus produce has been directed to alternative EU markets, including our own. The consequence has been to depress values in the wholesale market, with volumes down, although here again I understand that prices for English produce are faring better than those for imported produce. But the situation continues to develop and the latest indications from our trade organisations are that the market remains depressed.
The impacts of the overall situation are being felt across the EU, and because of this the Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed on 7 June the need for exceptional measures to address the market situation and to provide financial support for growers affected. Proposals were discussed by Ministers at Council level and considered by officials at the EU Fruit and Vegetables Management Committee, but no package has yet been agreed for implementation. Discussions will continue on 14 June.
We are discussing the implications of the proposed €210 million EU measures with Government Departments and with the key trade organisations and looking with the Rural Payments Agency at how a scheme would be implemented.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on the agricultural sector of trade bans on fruit and vegetables by (a) other EU member states and (b) Russia following the recent E. coli outbreak in Germany. [59529]
Mr Paice: UK exports of fruit and vegetables are minimal, with most UK produce sold domestically. The direct impact of a third-country trade ban is therefore minimal. Other member states trade within the single market.
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The Russian ban on imports of EU fresh fruit and vegetables has caused market disruption with produce being directed to alternative EU markets, including our own. This has affected values in the wholesale market, but prices for English produce are reported to have fared better than those for imported produce. The market situation continues to develop and the most recent indications from trade organisations point to the market remaining depressed.
Environmental Stewardship Scheme
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which activities will qualify for higher level stewardship payments in years (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; and if she will make a statement. [54392]
Mr Paice: Higher level stewardship (HLS) will continue to be a discretionary multi-objective scheme targeted at areas that have the potential to deliver high priority environmental benefits. The activities that can be funded by HLS are set out in the scheme handbook. Total spending on HLS will increase by at least 80% over the next three years, and the Department is working to make schemes more effective and better targeted so that farmers can continue to deliver the greatest possible benefits for biodiversity and the natural environment.
Agreements will continue to be selected that meet primary scheme objectives to conserve wildlife, maintain and enhance landscape quality and character, protect the historic environment and natural resources (including water quality and soil) and promote public access to and understanding of the countryside (through educational visits to farms for school children up to age 16 and care farming activities for vulnerable groups). HLS will also continue to have secondary objectives for genetic conservation and flood management, which will support adaptation of the natural environment to climate change and help mitigate its effects.
Forests
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Forestry Commission has allocated for the acquisition of forestry land in each of the next four financial years. [58207]
Mr Paice: The independent panel on forestry will be advising my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the role of the public forest estate in England. The Government look forward to receiving the panel's advice, which will inform our future approach to the acquisition of forestry land. No specific resources have been allocated for the acquisition of forestry land in 2011-12, but should a suitable opportunity arise, the Forestry Commission could consider reallocation of any available funds.
Nature Conservation
Nicky Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions she has had with representatives of Natural England on its role in promoting standards of
14 Jun 2011 : Column 719W
professional conduct among ecological consultants and habitat surveyors; and whether she has assessed the merits of establishing a regulatory body to oversee the work of consultants providing biological information services; [58826]
(2) what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) ecological consultants and (b) environmental managers adhere to a code of professional conduct. [58827]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has had no recent discussions with Natural England on this. Standards for this type of work are currently a matter for the professional bodies and associations. Both DEFRA and Natural England support their efforts to promote standards through codes of conduct and the use of independently produced standards such as the British Standards Institution’s publicly available specification on planning and biodiversity. We have no plans to regulate.
We believe it is up to those who use ecological consultants and environmental managers to assess their competence. We would hope they would see experience, qualifications and, where appropriate, membership of a professional body promoting robust standards of professional conduct as being important indicators of competence.
Pesticides: Food
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 414W, on pesticides, when the staffing levels and funding for the monitoring of pesticides in the food chain in each of the next four years will be finalised. [58358]
Mr Paice: Spending plans for pesticides monitoring are confirmed at the start of each financial year. The budget for 2011-12 has been set at £1.9 million for the monitoring of pesticides, with staff resources of 3.5 full-time equivalent staff.
Pets: Cremation
Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on regulation of the pet cremation industry; and if she will consider the merits of reviewing the regulation of that industry with a view to improving its effectiveness. [58837]
Mr Paice: We have not received any representations on the regulation of pet crematoria under current arrangements, which have been recently revised. We would consider reviewing the regulation of that industry in light of experience of operation under the recent revisions to the EU waste framework directive (2008/98/EC) which excluded animal carcases from the controls of the revised Directive where they are disposed of in accordance with the EU Animal By-Products Regulation ((EC) No 1069/2009).
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Transport
Cycling: Training
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding for Bikeability cycle training his Department (a) provided in 2010-11 and (b) has made budgetary provision for in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15. [59703]
Norman Baker: In 2010-11 the Department for Transport made available £11 million in grant funding to local authorities and school sports partnerships to deliver level 2 Bikeability cycle training to children. For 2011-12 £11 million has been made available. The Government will continue to support Bikeability in 2012-13 to 2014-15. Total grant allocations for those years will be announced in due course.
Driving Tests: Workington
Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons it is proposed to close the driving test centre in Workington. [59619]
Mike Penning: The driving theory test centre in Workington has the capacity to deliver over 15,000 tests a year. In 2010-11, just over 3,000 theory tests were conducted. As the theory test centres in Carlisle and Barrow in Furness have spare capacity, it is not cost effective to keep the Workington centre open. It is scheduled to close on 31 August 2011.
The delivery of practical driving tests remains unaffected.
East Coast Railway Line: Contracts
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with (a) trade union representatives and (b) hon. Members at which East Coast Main Line's decision to award the East Coast Main Line customer contact centre contract to Intelenet and Atos Origin was discussed. [58780]
Norman Baker [holding answer 10 June 2011]: DfT Ministers have not held any meetings with either trade union representatives or hon. Members to discuss this decision. However, the matter was discussed on the Floor of the House on 19 May 2011, Official Report, columns 602-10, at the Adjournment debate secured by the hon. Gentleman.
Exhaust Emissions: Olympic Games 2012
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to respond to the findings of the Olympic Delivery Authority in respect of likely air quality in London during the London 2012 Olympics. [58268]
Mrs Villiers: The Government are committed to working towards EU air quality standards. While it is for the Mayor of London to decide what local transport policies are appropriate in London, the Department for Transport has recently made an extra £5 million available to help tackle some of London's worst pollution hotspots.
14 Jun 2011 : Column 721W
Our ambition is for a public transport Games with 100% of spectators travelling to London venues by public transport, cycling or on foot (with a very limited exception for disabled spectators). To help achieve this, ticketed spectators for London events will receive a Games Travelcard for London's public transport system on that day. There will be no private car parking for spectators at any venue, except for limited Blue Badge parking.
Transport for London is working with businesses to consider alternative ways of working and travelling, including home and flexible working, travelling into work at different times and encouraging their staff to walk or cycle into work. These and other measures should help reduce traffic levels and vehicle emissions, minimising the risk of exceeding air quality levels across London.
Great Western Railway Line: Electrification
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department undertook on the cost of (a) hybrid and (b) electric trains in determining the method of electrification of the Great Western mainline. [58766]
Mrs Villiers: The choice of the method of electrification was determined by Network Rail and was not dependent on an assessment of the relative costs of different passenger train types.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether HS2 Ltd will be required to mitigate any impact of railway building on sites of biological importance in (a) Staffordshire and (b) England. [58326]
Mr Philip Hammond: The proposed route is subject to the outcome of the consultation exercise. Should the Government decide to proceed with high-speed rail, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be prepared to accompany a Hybrid Bill. The preparation of the EIA will be undertaken with input from Natural England, Environment Agency and others and would be subject to a formal consultation process. Results of that assessment would help inform any requirements for mitigation.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to permit freight traffic on the High Speed 2 route. [58327]
Mr Philip Hammond: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond), on 23 November 2010, Official Report, column 189W.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effect on wildlife populations of construction of High Speed 2. [58615]
Mr Philip Hammond:
The appraisal of sustainability outlines how the preferred route has managed to avoid most potential impacts on designated habitats and sites. No sites of international significance would be adversely
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affected and impacts to nationally protected sites would be restricted to just a few locations. Should the Government decide to proceed with high-speed rail, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be prepared to accompany a Hybrid Bill. It is at this stage that detailed assessments would be made regarding wildlife populations. Results of the assessment and proposed mitigation would be consulted upon before the Hybrid Bill goes before Parliament.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has estimated the proportion of the High Speed 2 route which will render agricultural land unusable. [58763]
Mr Philip Hammond: The HS2 London to the west midlands appraisal of sustainability, which was published on 28 February as part of the consultation on high- speed rail, estimates that no Grade 1 agricultural land would be affected in order to construct a new high- speed line between London and the west-midlands, and that the proposed route would pass across Grade 2 land for some 20 km. At this stage the Government have not appraised the impact on lower-grade agricultural land.
The impact on best and most versatile land (land at Grades 1, 2 and 3a) would be considered in more detail in the next stage of the project as part of an environmental impact assessment.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to provide for compensation to sports facilities rendered unusable as a result of the construction of High Speed 2. [59250]
Mr Philip Hammond: Details of the statutory provisions on blight and compensation that would apply to residential and business properties for any new high-speed line, and a range of options for possible additional discretionary arrangements to help those whose properties would not be compulsorily purchased in order to build a new line, but who may still experience a significant loss in the value of their property as a result of it, are set out in Annex A of the Government's consultation document, “High Speed Rail: Investing in Britain's Future”, which is available at:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/consultation-document
Following the current consultation, decisions will be taken on the high-speed rail proposals, including any discretionary arrangements for compensation. This is expected to be before the end of 2011.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what types of (a) agricultural land and (b) livestock currently using land that will be rendered unusable by the High Speed 2 route. [59251]
Mr Philip Hammond: The HS2 London to the west- midlands appraisal of sustainability, which was published on 28 February as part of the consultation on high- speed rail, estimates that no Grade 1 agricultural land would be affected in order to construct a new high- speed line between London and the west-midlands, and that the proposed route would pass across Grade 2 land for some 20 km. At this stage the Government have not appraised the impact on lower grade agricultural land.
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The impact on best and most versatile land (land at Grades 1, 2 and 3a) would be considered in more detail in the next stage of the project as part of an environmental impact assessment.
We have not made an estimate of current usage of any of this land for livestock grazing.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many homeowners compensated by the HS2 exceptional hardship scheme are renting back their property. [59489]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Government have purchased one property under the Exceptional Hardship scheme which has subsequently been rented by the previous owner.
It should be made clear, however, that this is not a specific feature offered by the scheme. The operation of the scheme is designed in such a way that the Government take the place of the buyer as in a private sale. Applicants who accept an offer for their property from the Government are expected to vacate the property on or before the agreed purchase completion date, as with any normal house sale.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether communities where all property values are adversely affected by proximity to the proposed High Speed 2 line will be eligible to apply for all properties to be considered for potential compensation under the HS2 exceptional hardship scheme. [59490]
Mr Philip Hammond: The exceptional hardship scheme is available to anyone who fulfils the five scheme criteria, which are set out in the EHS guidance available at:
http://www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme?pageid=1
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what distance criteria from the proposed High Speed 2 route are used to evaluate properties for compensation under the HS2 exceptional hardship scheme. [59491]
Mr Philip Hammond: The exceptional hardship scheme guidance sets out the criteria for the scheme, including that of property location and is available at:
http://www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme?paqeid=1
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what method is used to ensure that those granted compensation under the HS2 exceptional hardship scheme are offered a pre-blight rather than a post-blight value for their home. [59493]
Mr Philip Hammond: The exceptional hardship scheme guidance sets out how property valuations are made under the scheme and is available at:
http://www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme?pageid=1
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects to bring forward legislative proposals to establish a compensation scheme for HS2 as part of the Bill to make provision for the line. [59501]
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Mr Philip Hammond: Existing legislation already includes statutory provision for blight and compensation. No decisions have yet been taken on additional discretionary blight arrangements, but details of a range of possible options to help those whose properties would not be compulsorily purchased in order to build a new line, but who may still experience a significant loss in the value of their property as a result of it, are set out in Annex A of the Government's consultation document, “High Speed Rail: Investing in Britain's Future”, available at:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/consultation-document
Until a decision is taken on the form of any such arrangements, it is not known whether additional legislation would be required.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition his Department has established for provision over and above statutory blight for homes affected by HS2; and if he will make a statement. [59502]
Mr Philip Hammond: No decisions have yet been, taken on additional discretionary blight arrangements, but details of a range of possible options to help those whose properties would not be compulsorily purchased in order to build a new line, but who may still experience a significant loss in the value of their property as a result of it, are set out in Annex A of the Government's consultation document, “High Speed Rail: Investing in Britain's Future”, available at:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/consultation-document
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the names are of the members of the HS2 exceptional hardship scheme panel; and what the professional (a) background and (b) qualifications are of each member. [59504]
Mr Philip Hammond: The details of all panel members can be found at:
http://www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme/EHS-Panel-Members-66193
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of the number of domestic properties located within (a) 50, (b) 100, (c) 200, (d) 300 and (e) 500 metres of an entrance to or an exit from a proposed HS2 line tunnel. [59505]
Mr Philip Hammond: The appraisal of sustainability, available at:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/appraisal-sustainability
contains information about the number of domestic properties that would potentially be affected by the proposed route. However, such estimates have not been made with specific reference to the distance from tunnel portals on the proposed route.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future use of homes purchased under the HS2 exceptional hardship Scheme. [59507]
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Mr Philip Hammond: In the short term, properties purchased by the Government under the exceptional hardship scheme are rented out as soon as possible.
Decisions on the longer-term use of these properties will be taken once a decision on whether or not to go ahead with the proposed HS2 route has been taken, and once it becomes clear precisely what land would be required to construct any new line.
Motorways: Accidents
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason over 14 miles of the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway was closed on 26 May 2011; what his policy is on the closure of motorways as a last resort after accidents; and if he will consider issuing guidance to highway authorities in this respect. [59461]
Mike Penning: The Highways Agency is the highway authority for motorways in England, including the M1. It was closed by the police between junction 16 and junction 17 at 14:10 hours on 26 May due to a multiple vehicle collision which involved a fatality.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 and national and incident management guidance frameworks set out the policy framework and principles under which the Highways Agency, in partnership with the police, manage incidents on motorways. These frameworks direct those responsible to conduct their incident management activities in ways that prevent the unnecessary closure of roads following an incident. Roads are only closed when critical infrastructure repairs cannot be performed while part of the carriageway remains open and/or when an incident has resulted in serious injury or a fatality where the police have a duty to conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with their road death investigation manual.
On 19 May 2011, Official Report, columns 39-40WS, I announced that the Department for Transport has completed a review into what improvements could be made to achieve the shortest timeline possible for managing incidents where a motorway closure is required. The review makes 10 recommendations, the delivery of which will ensure that there is overall improvement in the time taken to reopen motorways following an incident, reducing the economic impact of closures and minimising the delay experienced by road users. Local highway authorities will also be able to adopt the good practice identified in the review.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway was closed near Watford Gap on 26 May 2011; on whose authority the road was closed; and what steps were taken to reduce inconvenience to motorists as a result of the closure. [59462]
Mike Penning: The M1 motorway was closed between junction 16 and Junction 17 at 2.10 pm hours on 26 May due to a multiple vehicle collision. The incident resulted in a fatality which meant it was led by Northamptonshire police, who had to perform an investigation in accordance with their road death investigation manual. This required the northbound carriageway to be sterile of traffic so the police closed the motorway.
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Steps taken to reduce the inconvenience to motorists were to use agreed emergency diversion routes and to turn around traffic that had been caught between Watford Gap and the incident. Variable message signs were set to warn of the closure and local media were informed of the closure and diversion routes.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the A1(M) was closed north of its junction with the A1000 on 26 May 2011; on whose authority the road was closed; and what guidance he has issued to highway authorities on (a) steps to minimise delays from such incidents to road users and (b) closure of a road only as a last resort. [59463]
Mike Penning: The A1(M) north of its junction with the A1000 was not fully closed on 26 May. Lanes 2 and 3 were blocked due to an incident where a car collided with the central reservation. The police were the first in attendance and set out the lane closures which were then backed up by the Highways Agency traffic officers when they arrived on scene.
(a) On 19 May 2011, Official Report, columns 39-40WS, I announced that the Department for Transport has completed a review into what improvements could be made to achieve the shortest timeline possible or managing incidents where a motorway closure is required. The review makes 10 recommendations, the delivery of which will ensure that there is overall improvement in the time taken to re-open motorways following an incident, reducing the economic impact of closures and minimising the delay experienced by road users. Local highway authorities will also be able to adopt the good practice identified in the review.
(b) The Traffic Management Act 2004 and national and incident management guidance frameworks set out the policy framework and principles under which the Highways Agency, in partnership with the police, manages incidents on motorways. These frameworks direct those responsible to conduct their incident management activities in ways that prevent the unnecessary closure of roads following an incident. Roads are only closed when critical infrastructure repairs cannot be performed while part of the carriageway remains open and/or when an incident has resulted in serious injury or a fatality where the police have a duty to conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with their road death investigation manual.
Public Transport: Fares
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) train and (b) bus operating companies have reached an agreement with his Department to offer fares that are staggered incrementally in price according to times of travel. [56046]
Norman Baker: In addition to meeting the requirements relating to regulated fares set out in their franchise agreements, train operators may choose to offer fares at a lower price for travel in off-peak times.
The Department does not collate information on off-peak fares. This is a matter for individual train operators.
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Bus operators do not agree fares with central Government. In the deregulated market in England outside London these are either set commercially by private operators or agreed by operators with the local transport authority under a contract for services.
Bus fares in London are a matter for the Mayor.
Rail Delivery Group
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the name is of each (a) member of and (b) organisations represented on the Rail Delivery Group. [58588]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 13 June 2011]: The Rail Delivery Group is an independent industry body made up of the most senior figures in the rail industry—including the chief executives of the passenger and freight train operating owning groups and Network Rail. It will be chaired by Tim O’Toole, the chief executive of FirstGroup. A press release announcing the formation of the group can be found on the Network Rail website.
Decisions on the remit and composition of the group are for industry determination, but we support all efforts by the industry to deliver improved efficiency and value for money, responding to Sir Roy McNulty's report on value for money in the rail industry.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2010, Official Report, column 517W, on railways, when he plans to announce the members of the high level working group to examine options for structural reform in the rail industry; and what representations he has received on membership of that group. [58589]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 13 June 2011]: An announcement concerning the membership of the group will be made in due course. The Department for Transport has received representations from a number of groups and individuals regarding the group's composition. The Department's business plan commits it to making a statement on the future of the railway in November.
Railways: Construction
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans for (a) public consultation on and (b) primary legislation to authorise the construction of high-speed rail projects other than HS2. [58325]
Mr Philip Hammond: Our current plans are limited to the HS2 project for a high-speed line from London to Birmingham and onward to Leeds and Manchester, with a spur to Heathrow airport.
Railways: Fares
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for the fares policy review; and whether the review will include a public consultation. [R] [59101]
Mrs Villiers: The Government want the fares policy review to address the right issues and be carried out effectively. We are therefore still giving consideration to the scope of the review, including the timetable and process for engagement.
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Railways: Passengers
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail passengers used (a) category D and (b) category E train stations in each of the last five years. [R] [59099]
Mrs Villiers: Station usage data for the five years between 2005/06 and 2009/10 is published on the Office of Rail Regulation's website at:
www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529
Information about station categories is available as an appendix in the Network Rail annual return 2010, which is available on Network Rail's website at:
www.networkrail.co.uk/epdf/default.aspx/annual-return-2010/
Railways: Recycling
Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of waste from passenger trains was recycled in the latest period for which figures are available. [58900]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has encouraged train operators to recycle a higher proportion of waste in recently let franchises. However, the Department does not routinely monitor such data except where it constitutes a contractual obligation. Further information on waste recycling rates may be available from individual train operators or from the Association of Train Operating Companies at the following address:
ATOC Ltd
3(rd) Floor
40 Bernard Street
London
WC1N 1BY
Railways: Tickets
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tickets were issued at ticket offices at (a) category D and (b) category E stations in each of the last five years. [R] [59100]
Mrs Villiers: The Government do not hold the information as requested.
Road Traffic Act 1988
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings his Department's working party on potential changes to section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 has held in each year since 2006. [59374]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport did not convene a working party about potential changes to section 172 of the Road Safety Act 2006, although it is in the process of assembling a group.
Previously an internal police group looked at the prosecution issues associated with the use of section 172. It was necessary for the police to review how they operated and to consider any issues they wished to communicate to the Government.
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Road Works
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation governing the management of street works. [58369]
Norman Baker: In February 2011 the Department for Transport published the findings of an independent study to evaluate the effectiveness of street works legislation introduced under the Traffic Management Act 2004. The report broadly considered that the legislation was fit for purpose, and provided advice to further improve local authority practice.
The report can be found on the Department's website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/local/streetworks/tmaevaluation/
Roads: Police
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has issued on the role of the police in traffic management in urban areas. [59258]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has issued DfT Circular 1/07 “Use of Speed and Red-Light Cameras for Traffic Enforcement: Guidance on Deployment, Visibility and Signing”. This guidance is relevant to the police, among others.
However, in general the Department does not influence policing through guidance or otherwise. The role of the police in the management of urban areas is a local matter for the relevant police force and local authorities. Information on how to interpret the law is provided by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Rolling Stock
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the environment of (a) hybrid and (b) electric trains. [58264]
Mrs Villiers: In the recent appraisal of the Intercity Express Programme, when under electric power the effect on the environmental air quality of a bi-mode and electric set was assumed to be proportional to the fuel consumption rates that I have set out in my answer given today (UIN 58266).
The environmental effects will also be dependent on the electrical generation mix as it changes over time.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the fuel efficiency of (a) hybrid and (b) electric trains. [58266]
Mrs Villiers: Based on the recent appraisal work done for the Intercity Express Programme, when operating under electric power, bi-mode trains will generally consume around 2% more energy than electric trains because of the additional weight of the diesel engines.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the average costs of procurement of (a) hybrid and (b) electric trains. [58267]
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Mrs Villiers: In the recent appraisal of the Intercity Express Programme, the average capital rental costs of a bi-mode set were assumed to be around £180,000 per month and the average capital rental costs of an electric set were assumed to be around £170,000 per month. The above costs are based on five-car short sets, and are given at 2009-10 prices.
Shipping: Armed Forces
Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to enable UK-based companies to employ armed personnel on commercial ships. [59532]
Mike Penning: Recognising the specific issue of increasing piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia, the Department for Transport, in line with recent work by the International Maritime Organisation, is considering amending the current policy to recognise that engaging armed personnel is an option for UK flagged ship owners to combat piracy. Cross-departmental consideration is covering a number of complex legal and operational issues which may or may not require legislative proposals.
Transport: Exhaust Emissions
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to set targets for local transport authorities in respect of their contribution to carbon dioxide reduction. [59016]
Norman Baker [holding answer 13 June 2011]: Local authorities can contribute to carbon reduction in a variety of ways, and the Government are supporting schemes which promote growth and cut carbon, including through our £560 million local sustainable transport fund. The recently published White Paper, ‘Cutting Carbon, Creating Growth’, sets out our strategy for local transport. It is available here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/sustainabletransport/
We have no plans however, to set carbon reduction targets for local transport authorities. It is for local authorities to set their own objectives in line with the needs of the local community.
Transport: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department plans to implement its proposal to rationalise the number of its local authority funding streams. [56115]
Norman Baker: Following announcements made in the comprehensive spending review 2010, the Department rationalised the number of its local authority funding streams, from 26 to four, at the start of the 2011-12 financial year.
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to devolve capital funding for local transport schemes to sub-national bodies. [58867]
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Norman Baker [holding answer 13 June 2011]: We are currently considering the best way of devolving capital funding for local authority major schemes beyond 2014-15 and we plan to consult with relevant bodies this summer with a view to making a further statement before the end of the year.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
EU Expenditure: External Affairs
2. John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the allocation of EU expenditure on external affairs; and if he will make a statement. [59272]
Mr Lidington: We are clear that annual growth in the EU budget must be curbed. EU external spending, about 6% of the total EU budget, can complement the UK's own efforts in promoting growth and stability, tackling poverty and preventing conflict. However, there remains scope for rationalisation in this area of the budget, including administration costs. In addition, the European External Action Service must fulfil its commitment to budget neutrality over time, and as such the Council and Commission budgets for external spending also need to contribute to efficiency savings.
Sri Lanka
18. Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan Government on alleged violations of human rights during the recent conflict in that country; and if he will make a statement. [59288]
Alistair Burt: I spoke with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister yesterday and reiterated the need for an independent and credible investigation to address alleged human rights violations during the military conflict. We want the Sri Lankan Government to work with the UN and the international community. The primary responsibility for addressing accountability and achieving reconciliation lies with the Government of Sri Lanka.
Nigeria
19. Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Nigerian Government since the recent elections in that country. [59289]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, wrote a joint letter with the Secretary of State for International Development to President Goodluck Jonathan on 9 June on a range of bilateral, international and development issues. The Prime Minister and I spoke to President Jonathan on 19 April and 29 May respectively.
Syria
20. Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Arab League on the political situation in Libya. [59292]
14 Jun 2011 : Column 732W
Mr Hague: The Minister for North Africa and the Middle East, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), had detailed discussions in Abu Dhabi on 9 June with the Libya Contact Group, including the Arab League. These discussions began to plan for a post-Gaddafi future and fully established the Temporary Financial Mechanism, a critical vehicle to deliver much-needed support to the Libyan people. Regional countries and organisations such as the Arab League have an important role to play in building a positive future for Libya.
22. Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Syria; and if he will make a statement. [59294]
Mr Hague: I remain extremely concerned by ongoing violence and repression and utterly condemn the indiscriminate violence perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against peaceful demonstrators. President Assad should order his authorities to stop this brutality now. He is in danger of losing his legitimacy and should decide whether to reform or step aside.
China: Human Rights
21. Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Chinese Government on human rights. [59293]
Mr Jeremy Browne: During my recent visit to China (31 May to 3 June) I raised human rights concerns with Vice-Minister Fu Ying. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and I raised the case of detained artist, Ai Weiwei, with Chinese Vice-Minister Fu Ying when she visited London on 12 May 2011.I wrote to the Chinese ambassador on 3 May raising my concerns about recent human rights developments in China, including the case of Ai Weiwei, the recent crackdown at the Tibetan Buddhist Kirti monastery and arrests at the Shouwang Protestant church in Beijing.
Egypt
23. Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Egypt. [59295]
Alistair Burt: We welcome the progress made so far by the Egyptian authorities on the transition to a democratic, civilian-led Government.
There have been further demonstrations calling for faster reforms and a revised electoral timetable. We are concerned that planned parliamentary elections in September will be too early to allow political parties to organise their activity and to contest the elections.
We have pressed the Egyptian authorities to ensure an open and plural election process. We urge the authorities to make good on their commitments to oversee the transition, and safeguard the legitimate demands of the Egyptian people.
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BBC World Service
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the timetable and scope are of his Department's review of the BBC World Service. [59291]
Mr Lidington: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, has asked Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials to work intensively to review the decision to reduce the budget of the BBC World Service, paying particular attention to the issues raised by the Foreign Affairs Committee. We expect the work to be completed by early July.
British Overseas Territories
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit British overseas territories in the next year. [59023]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, has no immediate plans to visit British overseas territories.
Further to my answer of 17 March 2011, Official Report, column 649W, I remain keen to continue to visit overseas territories and plan to make further visits later this year, but it is not practice to announce these visits until they are confirmed.
British Overseas Territories: Environment Protection
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on the promotion of environmental awareness in British overseas territories in each of the last five years. [59018]
Mr Bellingham: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the overseas territories. However the British Government are aware of the challenges the overseas territories face in their responsibility to preserve their environmental assets, and we work alongside overseas territories Governments to provide support and assistance in areas where they need help.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has, for the past five years, contributed half of the annual £1 million funding to the joint FCO-Department For International Development overseas territories environment programme, which delivers projects covering a range of environmental issues across the overseas territories. Raising awareness of environmental issues is often an inevitable outcome of these projects but is not a separately funded budget line within them: therefore, exact sums cannot be enumerated.
FCO officials additionally work closely with a wide range of non-governmental organisations and other interested parties, as well as across Whitehall, to further environmental protection and sustainable development in the overseas territories.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to promote environmental awareness in British overseas territories. [59020]
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Mr Bellingham: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the overseas territories. However, the British Government are aware of the challenges the overseas territories face in their responsibility to preserve their environmental assets, and we work alongside overseas territories Governments to provide support and assistance in areas where they need help.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) works very closely with other Government Departments, in particular the Department for International Development and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), to support environmental issues, including biodiversity protection, nature conservation, recycling, sustainable energy and climate change adaptation, across the overseas territories. This includes considerable input from the staff of the Governors' Offices in the territories, the provision of dedicated funding, and involvement in the overseas territories biodiversity group, led by DEFRA and implementing the overseas territories biodiversity strategy.
In addition, the FCO liaises closely with non-governmental organisations and other interested parties, encouraging and supporting their involvement in environmental issues in the overseas territories.
British Overseas Territories: Politics and Government
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to promote good governance in British overseas territories. [59021]
Mr Bellingham: We work closely with the Governments of the British overseas territories to ensure the right controls are in place to support good governance and sound management of public finances. I have reinforced these messages during visits to Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands, at the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in November and during bilateral meetings with overseas territories' leaders. We are determined that the situation we have found in the Turks and Caicos Islands is not repeated, there or elsewhere.
The key aim of the constitutional and electoral reform process in the Turks and Caicos Islands is to prepare a new constitution to support good governance in the territory. We have agreed a new constitution with Montserrat, which the Governor hopes to bring into force in September 2011, which includes an updated catalogue of fundamental human rights and freedoms and provisions to: regulate and raise public finance; establish a complaints commission; and ensure high standards in public life. Constitutions agreed with other territories over that past few years have also been intended to support good governance in these territories.
We are discussing frameworks for fiscal responsibility with the Cayman Islands, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands in order to help these territories manage their finances better.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also funded a number of good governance projects in the territories.
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British Overseas Territories: Sustainable Development
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with officials from British overseas territories on environmental sustainability. [59022]
Mr Bellingham: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the overseas territories. However, the British Government are aware of the challenges the overseas territories face in their responsibility to preserve their environmental assets, and we work alongside overseas territories’ Governments to provide support and assistance in areas where they need help.
I led a discussion on environmental issues at the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council, to which the leaders and premiers of all the overseas territories were invited, in November last year. In addition, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have frequent discussions with their counterparts in the overseas territories on this issue.
Central America
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit central America in the next year. [59129]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not finalised his travel plans for the next year.
I visited Guatemala and Panama in November and will return to the region this year as part of the Government's re-engagement with Latin America. The re-opening of our embassy in El Salvador is another important part of this process.
Clara Gutteridge
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the high commission in Kenya holds on the deportation from Kenya of Clara Gutteridge; what representations his Department has made to the Government of Kenya on the matter; and if he will make a statement. [59413]
Mr Bellingham: Our high commission is aware of the deportation of Clara Gutteridge. At the request of her employer, and in advance of her visit, the British high commission in Nairobi wrote to the Kenyan Ministry of Immigration requesting advice on her immigration status. The information we hold consists of this letter, a reply and the records of the consular assistance we subsequently provided to Ms Gutteridge.
Our high commission has raised the deportation with the Government of Kenya but acknowledges that it is their right to deport Ms Gutteridge.
Departmental Pensions
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees of his Department at each grade have pension pots (a) currently valued and (b) projected to be valued on retirement at more than (i) £1 million and (ii) £1.5 million. [59357]
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Mr Bellingham: Staff in the principal civil service pension scheme who are in the classic, classic plus and premium schemes do not have pension pots as such, as the schemes are not defined benefit schemes. Staff in the Nuvos scheme which started in July 2007 do, but the costs of providing this information would be disproportionate.
Government Procurement Card
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many disciplinary offences have been recorded in his Department for the improper use of a Government procurement card in each of the last five years. [59029]
Mr Bellingham: There have been no disciplinary offences for the improper use of Government procurement cards in any of the last five years. No improper use has been found and we have strict controls in place to stop misuse from happening.
Henderson Island: Rodents
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to combat the rat infestation on Henderson Island. [59118]
Mr Bellingham: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the overseas territories. However, the UK Government are aware of the challenges the overseas territories face in their responsibility to preserve their biodiversity, and we work alongside their Governments to provide support and assistance in areas where they need help.
On Henderson Island, the UK Government are working closely with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Pitcairn Government and others to eradicate rats and the RSPB has announced that it will be proceeding with a rat eradication programme this August. The UK Government have so far contributed over £400,000 towards this project. In addition to this, I co-hosted with the RSPB a reception last year in support of Henderson Island World Heritage Site.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China on the situation in Libya. [56312]
Mr Hague: The UK has ongoing dialogue with these countries on a wide range of bilateral co-operation issues, including Libya.
Mauritania: Embassies
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider the merits of opening an embassy in Mauritania. [58887]
Alistair Burt:
We have a strong network of embassies in north Africa which have been under considerable pressure in recent months. While we do not consider there is a need to establish new posts in the region, we
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have frequently and substantially reinforced our staffing in recent months. We have an honorary consul in Nouakchott and expect to re-open our political office in August to bolster existing work from Rabat. We will keep the need for additional deployments under review