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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 16 June 2011
Prime Minister
Children and Families Taskforce
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Prime Minister what progress the Children and Families Taskforce has made since its establishment. [60129]
The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) on Tuesday 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 696W.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Prime Minister from whom he has (a) requested and (b) received legal advice relating to actions which can be undertaken under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973; and if he will publish any such advice received. [59798]
The Prime Minister: The Attorney-General and departmental legal advisers provide advice to the Government on legal issues. A Government note on the legal basis for deployment of UK forces and military assets following adoption of UNSCR 1973 was deposited in the House Libraries on 21 March 2011. The Government do not comment on ongoing advice, nor publish it, as to do so would impinge on its ability to seek such advice.
Sir Brian Souter
Mr MacShane: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Honours and Appointments Secretariat received any communication from the Scottish National Party in support of the nomination for an award of Sir Brian Souter. [60044]
The Prime Minister: Confidentiality is fundamental to the integrity of the honours system. Nominations for any award are handled in complete confidence. The Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office does not comment on individual cases.
Culture, Media and Sport
Heritage Lottery Fund
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many charities in Brighton, Kemptown constituency have (a) applied for and (b) received awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund in each year since its establishment. [59058]
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John Penrose: Since the Heritage Lottery Fund was established 28 applications have been received from, and 20 awards made to, charities in the Brighton, Kempton constituency. A breakdown can be found in the following table:
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Applications | Awards |
The data cover the period 1 April 1994 to 31 March 2011 and relate only to awards where the applicant organisation identified itself as having charitable status. It therefore may not include all awards that benefited local community/voluntary organisations.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many charities in St Albans constituency have (a) applied for and (b) received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in each year since its establishment. [59195]
John Penrose: Since the Heritage Lottery Fund was established 15 applications have been received from, and 11 awards made to, charities in the St Albans constituency. A breakdown can be found in the following table:
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Applications | Awards |
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The data cover the period 1 April 1994 to 31 March 2011 and relate only to awards where the applicant organisation identified itself as having charitable status. They therefore may not include all awards that benefited local community/voluntary organisations.
Languages: EU Law
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he next plans to publish a periodical report on the UK's responsibilities under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. [57148]
Mr Lidington: I have been asked to reply.
The report is due for submission to the Council of Europe (CoE) in May 2012. It will be published on the CoE website.
Libraries
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what legislation governs the provision of local library services; and if he will make a statement. [59046]
Mr Vaizey: Local authorities have the primary duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a library service which is based on local need and which addresses that need in a “comprehensive and efficient” manner.
The Secretary of State has a duty under the same Act to superintend and promote the improvement of public library services provided by local authorities, and to secure that local authorities properly discharge their duties.
There are no proposals to remove the duty on local authorities to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service.
Listed Buildings
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has considered the merits of introducing a right for property owners to appeal against decisions regarding listing buildings. [58979]
John Penrose: In England property owners and interested parties already have this right. They may seek a review of a listing decision within 28 days of the decision being made. Guidance including criteria is available on the Department's website:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/historic_environment/3330.aspx
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has assessed the merits of introducing a right for property owners to be consulted before the awarding of listed building status. [58980]
John Penrose:
Property owners are already consulted before a listing decision is made, except occasionally when there is an urgent or immediate threat to the building. This Department and English Heritage regard
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consultation as very important in ensuring that listed building decisions are based on the best evidence available as to the building's historic and architectural interest.
Local Broadcasting: Radio
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what support he is providing for local radio stations. [59860]
Mr Vaizey: The Media Ownership (Radio and Cross Media) Order 2011, which came into force on 15 June 2011, reduces regulation on the ownership of local stations to promote a more viable sector. We also intend to examine the regulatory regime for local radio in the forthcoming Communications Review.
Members: Correspondence
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Warrington North of 18 May 2011. [60121]
John Penrose: On 7 June my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and I wrote to all hon. Members on the sale of the Tote. This letter covered the issue raised in the hon. Member for Warrington North's letter of 18 May.
Museums and Galleries
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on the proportion of public (a) museums and (b) art galleries which are open on Sundays. [59875]
Mr Vaizey: The 21 DCMS sponsored museums and galleries have a total of 51 branches. Of these 33 out of 38, or 87% of museums and 10 out of 12, or 83% of art galleries are open on Sundays. One museum is only open seasonally during the summer.
The Department does not keep a log of opening times for other art galleries and museums. All institutions have operational independence from central Government on matters such as opening hours.
Royal Parks
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has any plans to review the prohibition of cycling in parts of London's Royal Parks. [58854]
John Penrose: The Royal Parks provides designated areas across its estate for cycling and continues to do all it can to support considerate cycling. In providing facilities it seeks to balance the wishes of cyclists with those of pedestrians and other park users.
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Leader of the House
Westminster Hall Sittings
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Leader of the House what steps he plans to take to enhance the profile and status of debates in Westminster Hall. [60134]
Sir George Young: The Government consider Westminster Hall to be an important forum in which Members of the House can hold the Government to account. In June 2010, the Government established the Backbench Business Committee to give individual Members greater access to the parliamentary agenda. Since that point, the Government no longer play any role in selecting topics for debate in Westminster Hall. It is now for the Backbench Business Committee, the Liaison Committee and individual Back-Bench Members to ensure that Westminster Hall continues to accommodate topical and well subscribed debates.
House of Commons Commission
ICT
Stephen Mosley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what consideration the House of Commons Commission has given to the merits of redistributing used IT equipment to charitable organisations. [59640]
John Thurso: This matter was last considered shortly before the 2005 general election. The House received advice that accounting regulations required the recovery of the residual value of publicly-funded assets when they were disposed of. For that reason the possibility of charitable donation was not pursued and the IT equipment was resold after having any data and software removed.
Printing Machinery
Duncan Hames: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the House of Commons Commission has made of the whole life value for money of arrangements for procurement of desktop printers for hon. Members' offices and the House of Commons Service. [59848]
John Thurso: Before the last election PICT was asked to select a range of printers from which Members could choose. The printers had to be capable of using the House's relatively heavy embossed paper and envelopes. The assessment included evaluation of the full-life cost of the printers. Six printers were selected, including black and white, colour and multi-function devices. Members and their staff were invited to view and test the models before a final decision was made. The printers are procured through contracts that have been subject to full EU competitive tenders, thereby ensuring their pricing is competitive. The House also uses these contracts to meet its requirements for printers for the House Service.
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Treasury
EU Economic Policy
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has made to the European Commission on the sovereignty of EU member states in matters of taxation. [59808]
Mr Gauke: The UK Government engage with the European Commission on a regular basis and has consistently emphasised our commitment to upholding member states' tax sovereignty.
Income Tax: Oxfordshire
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in (a) Oxfordshire and (b) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency will (i) have their income tax payments reduced and (ii) cease to pay income tax in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-13. [59664]
Mr Gauke: The June 2010 Budget announced a £1,000 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £7,475 in 2011-12 (£820 above the previous Government's plans), with the benefits focussed on individuals on low and middle incomes through accompanying changes to the basic rate limit and national insurance upper earnings and profit limits.
The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.
As a result of these measures, the Government estimate that 22.6 million basic rate taxpayers will benefit in 2011-12, among which 830,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether.
In 2012-13 the Government estimate that 25 million taxpayers will benefit, among which 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether.
These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.
Reliable estimates are not available at county or parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.
Railways: East Midlands
Chris Williamson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the (a) direct and (b) indirect contribution to (i) the economy and (ii) the public finances of the rail technology industry in (A) the east midlands and (B) Derby. [58773]
Danny Alexander: HM Treasury has not made an assessment of the direct or indirect contribution to the economy or public finances of the rail technology industry in the east midlands and Derby as it does not have micro-economic data to this sectorial and regional level.
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Government policy and decisions on railway investment are the responsibility of the Department for Transport.
Revenue and Customs: Manpower
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2011, Official Report, column 493W, on HM Revenue and Customs: manpower, what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) change plan for 2011 on levels of employment at HMRC Cumbernauld. [60056]
Mr Gauke: HMRC's change plan has focused on projected staffing levels across its lines of business and not across individual office locations such as Cumbernauld. HMRC is confident that the staffing reductions required can be met through natural wastage and by the redeployment of people into new roles or different business streams. As always, HMRC will do everything it possibly can to avoid compulsory redundancies.
Energy and Climate Change
Civil Nuclear Constabulary: Manpower
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of (a) police officers and (b) staff in the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014. [60172]
Charles Hendry: On 31 March 2010 the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) employed 832 police officers and 140 police staff—which includes firearms training instructors plus training and armoury personnel. On 31 March 2011 this was 826 and 156, respectively. Details on the roles, responsibilities and composition of CNC are contained in the Civil Nuclear Police Authority's (CNPA) annual reports and strategic plans which are available on
http://www.cnpa.police.uk/
Security arrangements at all civil nuclear sites are kept under constant review as part of a continuous process to ensure existing arrangements are robust and effective. There is an ongoing uplift in the operational capacity of the CNC which will see an increase in CNC police numbers by 31 March 2012. The CNC uplift is addressing the range of priorities articulated by the Government in order to meet the risks faced by the UK that were contained in the strategic defence and security review, and this is expected to lead to ongoing increases in CNC police officers beyond 2012.
Electricity
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what steps he has taken in relation to skills, organisational capacity and supply chain barriers to investment in the new energy market; [58390]
(2) what plans he to discuss skills, organisational capacity and supply chain barriers to investment in the new energy market capacity with ministerial colleagues. [58391]
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Charles Hendry: My colleagues and I recognise the potential benefits to the UK economy of the new energy market and the contribution that skills will make to this. My officials are working with BIS and DEFRA on a project, Skills for a Green Economy, to consider the demand for, and supply of, green skills across the economy with a view to determining the need for additional actions. The project findings are due to be published before the autumn. Alongside this, reforms to make the skills system more flexible and responsive to demand will help the skills system to react appropriately to new and changing skills needs.
Where supply chains and skills are a barrier to particular projects, individual policy teams are taking bespoke action with input from a diverse set of stakeholders, including several other Government Departments, academia and industry, in order to mitigate and resolve these.
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has issued guidance on the application of the Holford rules for overhead electricity connection and transmission schemes; and if he will make a statement. [60086]
Charles Hendry: The Government consider that the Holford rules are an important part of the framework for routeing new overhead electricity lines and taking mitigating actions. As such the rules are directly quoted in the revised draft National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5). Inclusion in EN-5 means that, for planning applications, the Infrastructure Planning Commission must take them into account. The Government are currently finalising the energy National Policy Statements.
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward proposals to increase competition in the energy market by limiting the market share of any one company to not more than 10 per cent. [60128]
Charles Hendry: We have no plans to take the steps the right hon. Member mentions.
The energy regulator Ofgem already monitors the market closely to ensure market transparency, including reporting quarterly on retail prices and requiring suppliers to publish segmental financial reports. Ofgem has recently consulted on proposals to improve the consistency of these reports.
Ofgem has also put forward proposals to tackle barriers to effective competition (such as tariff complexity and low wholesale market liquidity). In addition Government are cutting red tape for smaller suppliers to boost competition in retail markets.
Energy: Housing
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what requirements there will be for installers who wish to participate in (a) the Green Deal and (b) the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme to join an accreditation scheme; and if he will make a statement. [59962]
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Gregory Barker: We have appointed the British Standards Institute (BSI) to develop an overarching standard by the beginning of next year which all installers will have to meet if they wish to participate in the Green Deal. This will include any relevant standards required under the RHI. We have appointed the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to then accredit the existing trade certification bodies to ensure their members wishing to install Green Deal measures meet this standard from April 2012.
To be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, all non-domestic biomass, ground and water source heat pumps and solar thermal installations of 45 kWth capacity or less, will need to be installed by installers certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) scheme or equivalent schemes such as Solar Keymark for solar thermal.
The Government believe owners of larger installations are more likely and able to obtain the necessary expertise to guide their choices to ensure high quality installations and value for money, so we will not be requiring the same standards for installations larger than 45 kWth in the RHI.
We will introduce support for domestic installations from autumn 2012 and are currently considering what eligibility criteria should apply. No final decisions have been taken and the criteria, including whether installers will be required to have MCS certification, will be published for consultation at the end of the year.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many officials in his Department at each grade have responsibility for the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy on the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000; what the job objectives of each such official are; what objectives they have been set for the next six months; and if he will make a statement. [60625]
Gregory Barker: The Department has three officials, supported by senior management, working specifically on the Fuel Poverty Strategy and the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act. A further six officials manage the delivery of the Warm Front scheme.
In addition, other officials work on a range of policies within the Department that impact on fuel poverty, including domestic energy efficiency, Warm Home Discount and data sharing. The fuel poverty review, being carried out by Professor John Hills, is supported by a small secretariat staffed by officials.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the operation of (a) section 1 and (b) section 2 of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 since August 2010; what recent representations he has received on the operation of the Act; and whether he has considered the merits of (i) amending and (ii) repealing the Act. [60660]
Gregory Barker: The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000, defines the term and those experiencing fuel poverty.
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Professor Hills is chairing an independent Review of fuel poverty assessing fuel poverty from first principles, looking at its causes, its effects and how best to measure it. The Review will publish interim findings in the autumn and a final response in January 2012.
Fuel Poverty
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many and what proportion of households in (a) Southend West constituency, (b) Essex and (c) England are in fuel poverty; what recent representations he has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [60661]
Gregory Barker: In the year 2008, the latest year for which data are available, the number of households living in fuel poverty in the Southend West constituency was estimated to be 4,500. This is equivalent to around 12% of households in Southend West.
The respective figures for Essex were 82,000 households (12%) and 3.3 million households (16%) in England.
The Annual Report on Fuel Poverty, including the figures for 2009, will be published on 14 July.
Nuclear Power Stations: Construction
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) training and (b) expertise of engineers to (i) design, (ii) commission and (iii) operate the range of pressurised water reactor nuclear power plants proposed for construction in the UK. [60062]
Charles Hendry: Last year the Government commissioned Cogent, the Sector Skills Council for Nuclear, to produce the ‘Next Generation: Skills for New Build Nuclear’ report looking at the impact of industry's plans to develop new build nuclear on the nuclear workforce.
The report identified that there were some skills that were at particularly high risk of not being available to meet the needs of industry plans to deliver 16GW by 2025. These included design and manufacturing engineers.
The report identified a series of mitigating actions to address these gaps and DECC co-ordinates the Nuclear Energy Skills Alliance (made up of the chief executives of the key skills bodies responsible for delivery) to monitor and review progress in addressing these issues.
As part of the licensing and permitting regime for UK Nuclear sites, operators are required to demonstrate to the Regulators that only suitably qualified and experienced persons perform duties which may affect the safety of operations.
Nuclear Power Stations: Flood Control
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate sea defences for nuclear reactors at sea level. [59612]
Charles Hendry:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, asked the UK Chief Nuclear Inspector Dr Mike Weightman to provide
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a report to the Government on the implications of the unprecedented events in Japan and the lessons to be learned for the UK nuclear industry. This interim report was presented on 18 May.
Dr Weightman's interim report gives a clear indication that the UK's current safety regime remains robust and therefore, so far as is reasonably practicable, the levels of protection currently in place, including sea defences, are appropriate compared to the level of risk to ensure safety at the UK's nuclear power plants.
The Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) ensures that nuclear operators comply with the UK's robust regulatory requirements so that the risks are reduced as low as is reasonably practicable. Part of the regulatory regime establishes a licensing regime which is the most restrictive regulatory approach available other than prohibition. As part of the licensing regime licensees are required to re-view and re-assess the safety of their plants periodically and systematically. Periodic safety reviews (PSRs) which are normally carried out on a 10 yearly cycle, are normally placed in the public domain once the regulator agrees that the findings have met the safety requirements.
Peak Oil
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans his Department has to address the challenges posed by peak oil. [60100]
Charles Hendry: Although we do not subscribe to a particular view on when oil production is likely to peak, we recognise that there are significant challenges for investment in future oil production and that there is a role for governments to play in working towards enhancing energy supplies and reducing demand for fossil fuels.
On investment, we are working domestically and with international partners to reduce barriers to timely and adequate investment in the oil sector. We also work on enhancing oil price stability and ensuring that market participants have the confidence to make the necessary and timely investments by working internationally to improve transparency in the physical and financial oil markets.
Furthermore, our climate change, energy efficiency and energy security policies will not only reduce the UK's carbon emissions, but will also reduce security risks associated with our use of fossil fuels and will help to ease our demand for oil.
Renewable Energy: Finance
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has considered the merits of (a) reducing the level of public subsidy for onshore wind energy production and (b) increasing the level of such subsidy for other renewables. [59819]
Charles Hendry: A banding review of Renewables Obligation support for all technologies began in October last year and any change to the support levels, including for onshore wind, will be considered as part of this process. Banding reviews ensure that as market conditions and innovation within sectors change and evolve, developers continue to receive the correct level of support necessary to maintaining investment in the renewables industry.
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We will consult on the new bands this summer, with the Government response published in late autumn. Any changes in support levels will come into effect on 1 April 2013 (1 April 2014 for offshore wind).
Solar Power
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to policies to support solar photovoltaic schemes above 50 kilowatts; and if he will make a statement. [60216]
Gregory Barker: The recent fast-track review of Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) considered the level of support available to solar photovoltaic (PV) projects of more than 50 kilowatts (kW). The outcome of the review was announced on 9 June 2011 and confirmed that FITs support for solar PV of more than 50kW would be reduced from 1 August 2011. Further details on this are available at
www.decc.gov.uk/fits
A comprehensive review of FITs is also currently under way which is considering all aspects of the scheme.
Solar PV projects of more than 50kW are also eligible for support under the renewables obligation (RO), and currently receive two renewable obligation certificates per megawatt hour of electricity generated. A scheduled banding review of RO support for all technologies began in October last year and any change to the support levels will be considered as part of this process. RO banding reviews ensure that as market conditions and innovation within sectors change and evolve, developers continue to receive the appropriate level of support necessary to maintaining investment in the renewables industry. Any changes in support levels will come into effect on 1 April 2013 (1 April 2014 for offshore wind).
Undergrounding Transmission Lines
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the KEMA and Institution of Engineering and Technology report on the cost of undergrounding transmission lines to be published; and what the reasons are for the time taken to publish the report. [60085]
Charles Hendry: I expect the final analysis on the costs of undergrounding transmission lines to be published later this year. Insufficient data was provided to KEMA during the course of the study to enable them to produce a report that KEMA was satisfied with or that the Institution of Engineering and Technology, in its quality assurance role, could endorse. Further work will therefore be required to gather more data in order to produce an authoritative analysis of this complex technical topic. It has been agreed that KEMA's work on the study has concluded, and an announcement will be made once the process and time scales for this next stage of the work are established.
Wind Power: Subsidies
Nicholas Soames:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of subsidies paid for electricity generated by wind power in the last
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12 months for which figures are available; and what estimates his Department has made of the cost for each of the next 10 years. [58877]
Charles Hendry: The renewables obligation (RO) is currently the Government's main mechanism for incentivising large scale renewables deployment. Under this mechanism the subsidy awarded to wind power in 2009-10 was approximately £522 million(1).
Since April 2010, small-scale wind generation has been eligible for subsidy under the Feed-in Tariff (FITs) scheme. Ofgem, who administers the scheme, is due to report on expenditure under the scheme later in the year.
We are currently reviewing the level of support for all renewable technologies, and will consult on any changes to the renewables obligation (RO) bands this summer. We are also undertaking a comprehensive review of FITs, and a consultation on this is due to be published later this year.
The recent Electricity Market Reform (EMR) consultation set out proposals for a new scheme to support all low carbon technologies. As part of this consultation we consulted on the best means to transition from the RO to the new scheme. We will include further details on the transition and assessments of the options for reform in the White Paper to be published later this year.
DECC calculations suggest that the level of wind needed to meet the UK 2020 renewable energy target through the RO, FITs and the Climate Change Levy Exemption (estimates in 2010 prices undiscounted) imply a subsidy of over £5 billion in 2020. The Government do not set targets for individual energy generation technologies but takes a market-based approach to generation.
(1) This figure uses the nominal value (equal to the buyout price plus recycle value) of a renewable obligation certificate (ROC) for 2009-10. The nominal value represents the maximum worth of a ROC to a generator but is not necessarily the amount paid by a supplier, which is dependent on bi-lateral negotiations between supplier and generator.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Sewage
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) the practice of treating productive agricultural land with powdered human effluent and (b) its potential impact on human health; and if she will make a statement. [59699]
Mr Paice: Biosolids (also known as sewage sludge, and which can include treated human effluent) are an important means of improving soil and have been used in agriculture for many years. Current EU legislative limits on metals in sludge-treated soils are designed not only to protect human health, but crop growth and livestock health as well. In addition, the water industry and producers using sludge follow The Safe Sludge Matrix guidance developed by scientists, retailers and producers, which prevents the transfer of pathogens to food crops. It is worth noting that sludge is not used in powdered form but is applied as granules or cake.
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Angling
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2011, Official Report, columns 540-1W, on angling, whether the Sea Angling 2012 research project will take account of the findings of the report by Drew Associates entitled Research into the Economic Contribution of Sea Angling, commissioned by her Department in 2003. [60249]
Richard Benyon: The Sea Angling 2012 project will include a study of the economic value of recreational sea angling in England, and one of the intentions is to determine if the economic value has changed compared to the figures for the early 2000s given in the Drew report commissioned almost a decade earlier. The new economic survey will be designed using a generally similar approach to that adopted in the Drew report, so that direct comparisons can be made.
Animal Welfare
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the principal Government web pages are that cover (a) welfare for food and farm animals, domestic pets and wildlife and (b) scientific animal research; what steps the Government takes to co-ordinate policy on animal welfare; and if she will make a statement. [59681]
Mr Paice: The main Government web pages that cover welfare for food and farm animals, domestic pets and wildlife, and scientific animal research are:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/animals/welfare/
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicld=1083732033
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Smallholders/index.htm
http://www.defra.gov.uk/fawc/
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/cruelty/
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/AnimalsAndPets/index.htm
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicld=1083731993
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Protectingwildlife/DG_180360
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/zoos/circuses/
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/animalwelfare/?lang=en
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/AnimalWelfare
http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/animal-health.htm
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/animal-research/
In relation to co-ordination of policy on animal welfare, DEFRA Ministers and officials have appropriate meetings and discussions with colleagues across Government where the welfare of animals is a concern.
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Circuses: Animal Welfare
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions officials of her Department have had with officials of the European Commission on wild animals in circuses since her appointment; and on what dates. [57643]
Mr Paice: There has been one substantive discussion with the Commission and opportunities to keep in touch on the issue in the context of other regular meetings.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategic framework her Department has developed for the delivery of its core functions during the comprehensive spending review period. [59729]
Richard Benyon: I refer the right hon. Member to DEFRA's Business Plan for 2011-15, published in May 2011.
E. coli: Germany
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether UK farmers will receive EU compensation as a result of the E. coli outbreak in Germany. [59737]
Mr Paice: 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 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. We are also discussing this with the NFU and other relevant trade associations.
Fisheries
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the information her Department holds on (a) the individuals or bodies who hold UK fisheries quota and (b) those who hold UK quota who are not actively involved in fisheries. [60122]
Richard Benyon: Information in terms of the holdings of Fixed Quota Allocation (FQA) units by members of each UK fishermen's producer organisations is available as part of the information released each year as part of the process of allocating the overall UK quota out to various parts of the industry. The latest information available is on holdings as at 1 January 2010 used to distribute quotas for 2010, and it is available from the Marine Management Organisation's internet site at:
http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/fisheries/management/quotas.htm
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Similar information for the position as at 1 January 2011 is currently being finalised as part of final allocations of quotas for 2011.
These reports do not include details of holdings by individuals. Such information would include personal data as defined in Section 1(1) of the Data Protection Act 1998 as information relating to living persons, and thus disclosure would breach the principles within the Act. In addition, the information requested is effectively details of a commercial (or personal) asset held by the owner and is thus regarded as commercially sensitive, in that if others gain knowledge of their quota ownership (or possibly lack of ownership), it may potentially affect business agreements they might enter into.
The commercial sensitivity and personal nature of the information also prevents the provision of information on those who hold UK quota who are not actively involved in fisheries. In addition, a significant proportion of quota is held by producer organisations themselves on behalf of their members or other individuals. The actual beneficial holder of the quota is known by the producer organisation involved but this information is not routinely collected by fisheries administrations. As such it is not possible to determine to what extent these holdings may be held by those who are not actively involved in fishing.
An exercise was carried out in 2007 to look at the details on the ownership of the quota allocation units held by producer organisations on behalf of others. This indicated that for the total holdings of FQA units in the UK, the proportion held by producer organisations (PO) themselves rather than linked to individual vessels was 18.6%. Of this, 3.1% was being held by the PO itself on behalf of its members as a collective asset, 5.5% on behalf of individual active members of the PO, 4.4% held on behalf of vessels’ agents or salesmen, 2.0% held as part of Community Quota Schemes and 3.5% on behalf of other types of owner.
National Policy Statement
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to issue a draft National Policy Statement for waste management. [58825]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA intends to publish a draft National Policy Statement on hazardous waste for public consultation this summer. We have no plans to publish a more general National Policy Statement on waste management.
Ports: Morecambe
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions apply to proposals to develop an inshore locked boating marina in Morecambe. [59232]
Richard Benyon: Following a thorough search of systems, we are unable to find any information on proposals to develop an inshore locked boating marina in Morecambe. We therefore cannot confirm what restrictions would apply to such proposals.
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Radioactive Materials
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the results are of monitoring measurements carried out by or notified to the Health Protection Agency of (a) concentrations and (b) activities of (i) plutonium, (ii) uranium and (iii) other actinides (A) since 20 March 2011 and (B) between 1 January 2011 and 19 March 2011. [59531]
Richard Benyon: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) runs a small environmental radioactivity surveillance programme in the UK. The most recent published results are for 2007 and 2008 and can be found on the HPA website. The results for 2009 will be published shortly. The main objective of the HPA programme is to provide data typical of the UK against which site specific data can be compared and to provide independent evidence that can be used in support of queries about the impact of radioactivity in the environment. Some limited monitoring of plutonium levels in air is carried out but no analyses are routinely done for uranium or actinides other than plutonium. No measurement data are currently available for the period 1 January 2011 to 19 March 2011.
The sites used by the HPA across the UK for its surveillance programme were used to monitor activity concentrations in air following the release of radioactivity to atmosphere from the Fukushima plant in Japan. The frequency of collection of air samples was increased and a very high volume air sampler at HPA's Chilton site in Oxfordshire was also deployed. The air samples collected were analysed for a wide range of radionuclides. All the results from the air samples taken from 20 March 2011 onwards have been published in the Fukushima updates on the HPA website. No other radionuclides have been measured using the very sensitive monitoring equipment which can pick up trace levels of radionuclides in air and other environmental materials. Some air filters were further analysed using radiochemical techniques for isotopes of plutonium and strontium-90. Only background levels of plutonium were found, which are consistent with levels routinely measured by HPA at Seascale in Cumbria; strontium-90 was not detected.
The Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Northern Ireland Environment Agency also deploy High Volume Air samplers at locations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. Results of the routine monitoring carried out using the samplers are reported in “Radioactivity in Food and the Environment” publications. During the Fukushima event, filters were collected and analysed weekly and the results sent to HPA for collation and publication on its website.
Rivers
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to preserve river and stream flows in the summer of 2011; and if she will make a statement. [60130]
Richard Benyon:
The Environment Agency monitors and reports river flows throughout England and Wales. Where rivers are at risk during dry weather, the Environment
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Agency can support their flows using augmentation schemes—it currently operates a number of such schemes. It can also protect rivers, and the wildlife they support, by restricting abstractions during a drought. Under Section 57 of the Water Resource Act 1991, it has the power to alter the right to abstract on some agricultural licences under specific predefined conditions to protect the environment. The Environment Agency manages the use of Section 57 powers carefully, taking into consideration local circumstances, along with consultation with those potentially affected.
Water Power
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure that micro-hydro schemes do not adversely affect (a) stream courses and (b) the upward and downward migration of fish. [60132]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency regulates the installation of hydropower schemes in England and Wales. Its Good Practice Guidelines set standards to protect the environment, including maintaining adequate stream flows and screening turbines to prevent fish from entering them. The guidelines require the inclusion or improvement of fish and eel passes where necessary.
The Good Practice Guidelines are being reviewed by the Environment Agency. As part of that review it will be launching a public consultation in July 2011, which will be available on its website at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Water: South East England
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the merits of the introduction of hosepipe bans as a response to drought conditions in the south-east. [59786]
Richard Benyon: No water companies in England currently have restrictions in place. Most water companies are reporting that they have sufficient reserves of water and do not predict the need for restrictions on use this summer.
Restrictions on non-essential uses of water due to a shortage, commonly known as hosepipe bans, enable companies to save water at an early stage. In doing so they help to defer or avoid the need for more stringent restrictions that would have a greater impact on customers, businesses and the environment.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Peace Negotiations
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has contributed (a) funding and (b) staff to the development of the Afghan High Council for Peace. [60118]
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Alistair Burt: The international community provides support to the work of the High Peace Council (HPC) through the UN's Salaam Support Group and ISAF's Force Reintegration Cell. The FCO has donated £5 million to the Peace and Reintegration Fund—established to support the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme. Of this donation, £1 million has been used to support the HPC's budget. The FCO has not contributed staff to the HPC.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress in tackling inter-ethnic tension in Afghanistan since 2005. [60119]
Alistair Burt: We are in close contact with the UN and the Afghan Human Rights Commission who have pressed the Government of Afghanistan to find a long-term solution to the problem of inter-ethnic tension.
In response to annual clashes between Hazaras and Kuchis over grazing rights, UK officials met with representatives of both communities to encourage them to engage in dialogue and find a solution to this issue.
We have not carried out a specific assessment of inter-ethnic tensions, but the UK Human Rights Report covers a range of relevant human rights concerns in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the timetable for drawing down US forces in Afghanistan. [56323]
Mr Hague: 1 am in regular contact with Secretary Clinton about the situation in Afghanistan. I met her most recently during her visit to the UK on 23 May 2011.
Australia: Indigenous Peoples
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assistance his Department has given for the repatriation of Australian indigenous human remains. [59034]
Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply.
The repatriation of Australian indigenous human remains from UK collections is an issue for those holding the remains to consider. However, I am strongly of the view that Australian indigenous remains should be returned wherever possible. I recently met the Australian High Commissioner and representatives of the Torres Strait Islands to discuss the repatriation of human remains. I have also met representatives of several UK collections with major holdings of human remains, including the Director of the Natural History Museum to congratulate him and his museum colleagues on their decision to return 138 human remains to the Torres Strait Islands.
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Bahrain: Motor Sports
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the FIA on proposals to stage a Formula 1 race in Bahrain in 2011. [59328]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 13 June 2011]:The decision on whether to hold the Grand Prix in Bahrain in 2011 is one entirely for the FIA. This is not a decision for HM Government and we have not made representations to the FIA regarding their decision.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, observed in this House that Formula 1 had failed to account for public opinion when it announced that the Grand Prix would go ahead. This reflects the attention which the world has been paying to recent events in Bahrain. It is clear that the world is watching Bahrain, and expects further progress on political reform and on the National Dialogue recently announced by the King.
British Council
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of people in (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China who are aware of the work of the British Council in each country. [56394]
Mr Hague: In the financial year 2010-11, the British Council estimates the number of people made aware of its work in each of the following countries was as follows:
China—163 million
India—113 million
The Russian Federation—25 million.
They were made aware of the British Council via the following channels:
Active involvement in programmes and services
Digital means
Publications and broadcast on TV and radio
Media and press coverage of their work.
Publication and broadcast coverage for Brazil is not currently available. The estimated total made aware of British Council work by other means in Brazil is 85 million.
Caribbean: Cultural Relations
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to build closer cultural ties with states in the Caribbean. [59765]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
We have strong cultural ties with the Caribbean which this Government are committed to maintaining and developing further. We have missions in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, St Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Cuba and Belize. We also have a British Council presence in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Our decision not to close any of our missions in the region during this Government
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reflects our commitment to a maintaining a close engagement with the Caribbean states.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also provides academic scholarships for individuals in the Caribbean as part of the Chevening Scholarship programme. This programme helps the UK maintain its academic ties with the region and develop our cultural links. The 2012 Olympics will provide further opportunities to build on our cultural and sporting links. Our high commission in Kingston has already had some initial contact with the Jamaican authorities about plans for a 'Jamaica Village' in London during the 2012 Olympics. We expect these and other contacts to increase during the coming year.
Caribbean: Overseas Trade
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support trade and investment into British overseas territories in the Caribbean. [59766]
Mr Bellingham: The Government take their responsibilities towards the Overseas Territories (OT) very seriously and all Government Departments have a role to play according to their policy expertise. The importance of trade to the Overseas Territories is referred to in the Government's Trade and Investment White Paper published in February this year.
Trade promotion and investment is one of the areas of responsibility devolved to the Overseas Territories. OT Governors do not promote UK exports because of their constitutional role as Head of the OT Government. However, they and the FCO work with elected Territory Governments to encourage good governance and financial industry regulation in order to make them more attractive for inward investors.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the parliamentary election process in Egypt. [59533]
Alistair Burt: There has been sustained high-level British Government engagement in support of the democratic transition process in Egypt, including visits from the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and myself. Our embassy has on-going discussions with the Egyptian Government about the process.
The UK has committed £1.2 million bilaterally under the Arab Partnership to support the political transition through a range of programmes, including to strengthen political participation and the public voice. In this context, we have organised a series of seminars in Egypt targeting young political activists and a number of visits to the UK, including for officials from the Ministry of Interior to observe the UK 5 May referendum; for a delegation of senior judges and the head of the Judicial Committee for Political Parties; and for prominent revolutionary activists planning to establish their own political parties.
The EU has offered a package of short-term assistance, which includes support for elections and civil society and political capacity building. EU direct assistance requires a formal Government request which has not
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yet been received. But the European Action Service is working up measures to support civil society.
Israel: OECD
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 830W, on Israel: OECD, on what dates the OECD study team quantifying the effects on Israeli macroeconomic statistics of the inclusion of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank has met in 2011; what input the UK representative has provided to the team; and what sources of economic data independent of the Israeli Government have been used. [58031]
Alistair Burt: The OECD Study Team comprises national experts from Australia, Norway and the UK, together with OECD officials in Paris, and has been holding regular conference calls on the review since December 2010. A fact-finding visit was made to Israel by OECD officials in January 2011 and the Study Team has recently visited Israel to discuss its findings with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The Study Team will be reporting to OECD's Committee on Statistics later in June. The UK representative has played a full and active part in the review process, advising on issues arising and contributing to production of the final report. The Study Team has utilised data provided by the CBS for the review: it would not have been practicable to draw on extraneous data.
Middle East: Peace Negotiations
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the implications of the Hamas Charter for the Middle East peace process; [60174]
(2) what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to press Hamas to accept the Quartet principles and to participate in the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement; [60175]
(3) what steps he is taking to press Hamas to renounce violence, recognise the state of Israel and accept previous diplomatic agreements. [60176]
Alistair Burt: As I have consistently made clear, most recently to the House on 9 June, Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades remains a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and the whole of Hamas is listed on the EU's Asset Freeze Regime. Hamas must abandon violence and commit to a two state solution, and we call again for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit.
As Hamas seeks to agree with President Abbas the composition of an interim Palestinian Authority I have also made it clear that the UK will judge a future Palestinian Government by its actions and its readiness to work for peace. The new Palestinian Authority should be composed of independent figures on the basis that President Abbas set out on 4 May. As was the case with the outgoing Authority, it should uphold the principle of non-violence, be committed to a negotiated two-state solution, and accept previous agreements of the PLO.
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Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the Government's recent discussions with the government of the Russian Federation on the position of Tamils in Sri Lanka. [57324]
Mr Lidington: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not held such discussions with Foreign Minister Lavrov nor have there been any recent discussions with the Government of the Russia Federation on the position of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Ministers and officials regularly engage with the Government of Sri Lanka and international partners about supporting reconciliation between Sri Lanka's communities.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on negotiations between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil National Alliance; and if he will make a statement. [59630]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 15 June 2011]: The UK supports the dialogue between the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and we have encouraged both sides to engage constructively. During my visit to Sri Lanka in February, I met members of the TNA and discussed progress with them and separately with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. The most recent talks were held on 12 May and we understand a further round of talks will take place on 23 June.
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of (a) shooting by forces aligned to Sudanese armed forces in Kadui, (b) northward movements of Sudan People's Liberation Army soldiers, (c) flights of Antonov planes over Kadulli and (d) other violent incidents in South Kordofan. [59685]
Mr Bellingham: We are very concerned at the latest reports of violence in South Kordofan, which include continued fighting in Kadugli and aerial bombardments in several locations across the state. The British embassy in Khartoum and the consulate general in Juba remain in daily contact with their UN colleagues to ensure they are kept abreast of the most up to date reports. We have seen unconfirmed reports of the Sudan People's Liberation Army moving north. These reports are very worrying, and we urge both parties to de-escalate the situation and return to the negotiating table.
Uganda: Human Rights
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Government of Uganda on alleged human rights abuses by Ugandan security forces. [60240]
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Mr Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar) on 24 May 2011, Official Report, column 588W.
Transport
British Transport Police: Manpower
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of (a) police officers and (b) staff in the British Transport Police in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014. [60246]
Mrs Villiers: Responsibility for setting staff numbers and budgets for the British Transport police rests with the British Transport police authority.
The figures for 2009-10 to 2011-12 are shown as follows.
| BTP—staff numbers | |||
|
|
2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
The headcount figures beyond that date are not known as the budgets have not yet been agreed.
Community Budgets
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues about Government plans for community budgets; and if he will make a statement. [59713]
Norman Baker [holding answer 15 June 2011]:No specific discussions have been held with ministerial colleagues about the proposals for community budgets and their relationship with transport policy.
Railways: Theft
Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of cable theft on the number of train delay minutes on the railway network in (a) each of the last five years and (b) the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [58007]
Norman Baker: My Department has not made such an assessment as this is in the first instance a matter for Network Rail the infrastructure owner. However I recognise that cable theft can affect the smooth operation of the railway and am presently discussing the issue with relevant parties. The hon. Member may wish to contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for further information:
David Higgins
Chief Executive
Network Rail
Kings Place
90 York Way
London, N1 9AG
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Health
Care Quality Commission
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish a public inquiry into the operation of the Care Quality Commission including the adequacy of its resources for the functions it is required to undertake and the role of its chief executive following recent incidents in Mid-Staffordshire Hospital and Winterbourne View Care Home. [60126]
Mr Simon Burns: A number of inquiries are under way following the abuse exposed at Winterbourne View. The Government are clear that any failings in care are unacceptable. These inquiries include both an independently-chaired Serious Case Review led by South Gloucestershire council which will examine all the agencies involved and reviews by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the national health service and the safeguarding boards.
The Department, assisted by Mark Goldring, chief executive of Mencap, will then draw together the key lessons from these reviews. Once we have all the facts and have examined the results of the various inquiries, we will report further to Parliament.
The CQC has a budget settlement for 2011-12 that has been agreed with the Department. The CQC's financial position is kept under constant review during the year.
The CQC itself is responsible for appointing the chief executive and setting the chief executive's performance objectives.
E. coli
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with the British Retail Consortium and its members measures to ensure that the UK horticulture industry is not undercut by the export to the UK of cheap surplus stocks from (a) Spain and (b) other EU member states arising from the recent E. coli outbreak in Germany. [59478]
Mr Paice [holding answer 13 June 2011]: I have been asked to reply.
We regularly keep in touch with industry organisations who have valuable insight into the current market and supply chain.
The E. coli 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 continues to decline. As a result more produce is being sent to the wholesale market, which is experiencing consequential price movements. Surplus EU produce has been directed to alternative EU markets, including our own, with similar consequences for prices, although 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 continues to remain depressed, which is not helped by retail demand for salad crops in particular being sensitive to the weather.
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However, the welcome news that the Russian Federation has lifted its ban on imports of fruit and vegetables from the European Union is an important development, which should start to alleviate the pressure on volumes and prices being experienced on the domestic market.
General Practitioners: Rural Areas
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason a GP in a rural area may not dispense drugs for patients resident within a mile of the GP practice. [59657]
Mr Simon Burns: Under the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005, if a pharmacy opens in a rural area, or if an area is no longer considered rural, general practitioners (GPs) are required to reduce their dispensing unless the area is designated as a “reserved location” (where both the pharmacy and the doctors can dispense). Specifically, doctors can no longer dispense to patients who live within 1.6 kilometres of the new pharmacy or who live in a non-rural area. This change can take effect immediately, but can also be phased in if the primary care trust considers that would benefit patients more (“gradualisation”).
Without these rules, it would rarely be viable for new pharmacies to open in rural areas. That would deprive people living in rural areas of the opportunity to benefit from the more comprehensive health service that a combination of a GP practice and a pharmacy offers.
Genetically Modified Organisms
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the potential health risk to humans of genetically-modified crops and animal feed. [59778]
Anne Milton: All genetically-modified (GM) foods to be marketed in the European Union, as well as animal feed, are subject to a mandatory pre-market safety assessment under the GM food and feed Regulation (EC) No.1829/2003 before they can be permitted to enter the food chain. This safety assessment is carried out on a case by case basis and is the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority.
The safety evaluation of GM food and feed is based on a rigorous scrutiny of scientific data. No GM product would be authorised if, after it was evaluated, it was considered unsafe. GM products that are authorised in the EU have been examined under these procedures, have been judged to be as safe as their non-GM counterparts and pose no additional risk to the consumer.
Health and Social Care Bill 2010-11
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to set out to the NHS the likely effect on the NHS of any amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill proposed by the Government. [60057]
Mr Simon Burns: This week, we set out our response to the NHS Future Forum report. We are taking people with us and we will carry on listening and working together for the good of the national health service.
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We will bring forward more detailed proposals on how we will implement these changes, including amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill, shortly.
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, column 430W, on the Health and Social Care Bill, whether he now plans to re-commit the Health and Social Care Bill to a Public Bill Committee. [60123]
Mr Simon Burns: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, announced in his oral statement, on 14 June 2011, Official Report, columns 644-47, the Government will ask the House to recommit the relevant parts of the Health and Social Care Bill to a Public Bill Committee shortly.
Health: Housing
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the health effects of poor housing standards. [59412]
Anne Milton: Officials in the Department have discussed the health effects of poor housing standards, in particular the annual published Heatwave Plan and draft Cold Weather Plan, with officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Infant Mortality: Research
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of the funding allocated by his Department for health research was allocated to research on (a) maternal and (b) foetal health in each of the last five years; [59760] [Official Report, 6 July 2011, Vol. 530, c. 15MC.]
(2) what proportion of the funding allocated by his Department for (a) maternal and (b) foetal health research was allocated to research into stillbirth prevention; [59761]
(3) how much his Department has spent on research into (a) the causes and prevention of stillbirth, (b) sudden infant death syndrome and (c) preventing neonatal deaths in the last 10 years for which figures are available. [59762]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department funds research through both the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Policy Research Programme (PRP).
Estimated spend by the NIHR and PRP relating to maternal and foetal health is as follows.
|
|
Estimated spend on maternal and foetal health research (£ million) | Estimated spend on maternal and foetal health research as a proportion of total NIHR revenue and PRP spend (percentage) |
16 Jun 2011 : Column 912W
The Department does not hold specific figures for the proportion of funding allocated to research into stillbirth prevention, preventing neonatal deaths or sudden infant death syndrome.
The Government fund a range of research of relevance to maternal and foetal health, including stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome.
For example, the Department's Policy Research Programme has funded a Policy Research Unit in Maternal Health and Care at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), University of Oxford. Research themes include pregnancy loss, perinatal morbidity, maternal morbidity and maternal mortality.
The Department also funds research relevant to stillbirth. For example, through an NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research, the Department is funding a study entitled “Improving Pregnancy Outcomes in Obese Women”. Running from 2008 to 2012, this study aims to develop an individually tailored “life style” programme for obese women.
Furthermore, the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre has an ongoing programme of research on women's health. A major focus of this research is understanding the determinants of stillbirth risk and using this understanding to improve clinical care of pregnant women.
In addition, the Government currently fund the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE), which publishes an annual report into perinatal mortality. CMACE monitors changes in perinatal mortality rates, and identifies causes and risk factors. In addition to providing a national overview, CMACE also provides localised information to enable maternity units to review and monitor their own rates so that action can be taken to improve services.
Medical Treatments: Innovation
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the means by which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence takes account of innovation in its health technology assessments. [59764]
Mr Simon Burns: As an independent body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is responsible for the development of its technology appraisal methods and processes which are periodically reviewed and consulted upon.
In January 2009, NICE commissioned Professor Sir Ian Kennedy to conduct an independent study into how NICE appraised the value of innovation. NICE published its response to Professor Kennedy's recommendations in June 2010 and further information is available at:
www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/researchanddevelopment/KennedyStudyNICEResponse.jsp
NHS: Private Sector
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients chose to use a private provider for an NHS funded procedure in each year from 1997 to 2010; and at what cost to the public purse in each such year. [60061]
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Mr Simon Burns: The figures in Table 1 provide a count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) where a main operative procedure or intervention was performed at independent sector providers. These include patients who may have elected or been referred to these centres between 2000-01 and 2009-10. The Department does not collect information on a patient's choice of provider. A decision on the choice of provider should be part of the patient-referrer discussion.
| Table 1: FCEs with an operative procedure c arried out by independent sector providers | |
|
|
Number |
16 Jun 2011 : Column 914W
| Note: Data qualityHospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by more than 300 national health service trusts and PCTs in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | |
The expenditure in Table 2 relates to the total health care spend in independent sector treatment sectors and other private sector providers and covers a range of services and treatments. Data were not collected on expenditure between different sector providers (including voluntary and local authority) prior to 2006-07.
| Table 2: Expenditure by primary care trusts (PCTs) on the purchase of health care from non-NHS bodies 2006-07 to 2009-10 | ||||||||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | |||||
|
|
£ million | % | £ million | % | £ million | % | £ million | % |
| Source: Audited PCT summarisation schedules 2006-07 to 2009-10. | ||||||||
NHS: Reorganisation
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many responses the NHS Future Forum received from (a) Skipton and Ripon constituency, (b) North Yorkshire and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber. [60264]
Mr Simon Burns: As part of the NHS Listening Exercise, the Government received over 25,000 emails to the NHS Future Forum inbox, and over 600 completed questionnaires.
The information that is held does not allow us to determine where in the country all of the 25,000 emails were from. Our records show that 10 of the emails at least were from the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
Of the 600 questionnaires received, 26 were from the Yorkshire and the Humber region, although many people who responded did not provide information about their location.
We do not have any record of responses being received from Skipton and Ripon, nor North Yorkshire specifically.
NHS: Standards
Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he plans to (a) consult on the 2012-13 NHS Outcomes Framework and (b) publish the 2012-13 NHS Outcomes Framework; [59620]
(2) when he plans to publish the levels of ambition for the 2012-13 NHS Outcomes Framework. [59621]
Mr Simon Burns: The “NHS Outcomes Framework 2011/12” was published in December 2010 and signals the direction of travel for the national health service in focusing on outcomes. The first NHS Outcomes Framework made clear our commitment to update the NHS Outcomes Framework annually, to ensure it can accommodate new and better indicators as they become available. In order to measure progress against the outcomes the NHS will be aiming to deliver, it will be important to maintain continuity of the indicators included in the framework. For this reason, we envisage that only a small number of indicators will change or be refined in any one year. We currently have no plans to consult on the 2012-13 NHS Outcomes Framework.
Chapter 4 of the “NHS Outcomes Framework 2011/12” provides a summary of the milestones in relation to development of the framework, which are subject to the parliamentary process. The key milestones are currently being reviewed in light of the recent pause in the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill.
NHS: Surveys
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent North, of 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 401W, on NHS: surveys, whether he has received the final report from Ipsos MORI for the survey conducted during November-December 2010. [60114]
Mr Simon Burns: The report from Ipsos MORI for the survey conducted during November-December 2010 has been received and is now on the Department's website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/PublishedSurvey/ListOfSurveySince1990/Generalsurveys/DH_4129933
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Respite Care: Tyne and Wear
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department allocated to South of Tyne and Wear primary care trusts for breaks for people who care for disabled family members in the latest period for which figures are available. [59931]
Paul Burstow: The Department is making an additional £400 million available in primary care trust (PCT) baselines for carers' breaks between 2011-15. The Department does not hold information on individual PCT allocations.
It is for PCTs to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities. There is not a weighted capitation formula specific to ‘care’ that would allow needs to be accurately identified at the local level. For these reasons, PCTs have not been advised of individual sums for breaks.
The “2011-12 NHS Operating Framework”, published on 15 December, makes it clear that:
“PCTs should pool budgets with local authorities to provide carers' breaks, as far as possible, via direct payments or personal health budgets. For 2011-12, PCTs should agree policies, plans and budgets to support carers with local authorities and local carers' organisations, and make them available to local people.”
A copy of the Framework has already been placed in the Library.
Smoking
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 71W, on smoking, what research his Department has evaluated on the contribution of the (a) display and (b) packaging of tobacco products to smoking initiation. [60145]
Anne Milton: The Department keeps research in the area of tobacco control under review. The Impact Assessment for the Health Act 2009 sets out a range of the evidence relating to the effect of the display of tobacco products on smoking rates and behaviours. The Department will undertake a consultation on options to reduce the promotional impact of tobacco packaging, including plain packaging, before the end of 2011. As part of this consultation, respondents will be asked to bring evidence relating to the impact of tobacco packaging on smoking to the Department's attention.
Transplant Surgery
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to implement his proposed ban on private transplants using organs from NHS donors. [60127]
Anne Milton: The recommended ban is included as part of our considerations of the wider implications for transplant allocation policy of the rights of European Union nationals and of the role and impact of private practice. This process is complex and ongoing. Following careful consideration of all the issues, we will make any necessary changes and publish guidance for the transplant sector.
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WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control makes for meetings between Government Ministers and representatives of tobacco companies; and if he will make a statement. [60144]
Anne Milton: The World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) does not specifically address the question of meetings between Government Ministers and representatives of tobacco companies.
The FCTC places obligations on parties to protect the development of public health policy from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. We have made our commitment to this very clear in Chapter 10 of “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: a Tobacco Control Plan for England”.
A copy of the plan has already been placed in the Library.
Justice
Coroners
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what mechanisms his Department has put in place to monitor the performance of local coroners. [59949]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice collects annual statistics on the workload of coroners under section 28 of the Coroner Act 1988. The information collected includes the number of deaths reported to each coroner in each year, post-mortem examinations and inquests held, verdicts returned at inquests, the time taken to conclude inquests, and finds reported under the Treasure Act 1996. The latest set of statistics collected relate to 2010 and were published in May 2011 on the Ministry of Justice website at
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/coroners-and-burials/deaths.htm
The Ministry also publishes quarterly written ministerial statements with details of the inquests of service personnel who have died in operations and exercises overseas, the latest of which can be found on the Parliament website at
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110512/wmstext/110512m0001.htm
and twice yearly summaries of reports issued by coroners and responses received under Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984 (as amended), the latest of which can be found on the Ministry's website at
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/policy/moj/summary-of-reports-and-responses-under-rule-43-of-the-coroners-rules/index.htm
Criminal Proceedings
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many people pleaded guilty before their case reached trial in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010; [60063]
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(2) how many people received a 33 per cent. sentence discount for an early guilty plea in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [60064]
Mr Blunt: In 2009 and 2010, the number of defendants dealt with in the Crown court who entered a guilty plea before their case reached trial was 71,442 and 76,068, respectively. Information on the number of defendants pleading guilty before their case reaches trial in the magistrates courts is not collected centrally and could be gathered from court files only at disproportionate cost.
The above figures relate to defendants dealt with in cases that had been committed or sent for trial to the Crown court. Committed for trial cases can be heard in either a magistrates court or the Crown court (a defendant can elect to be tried in the Crown court before a judge and jury or a magistrate can decide that a case is sufficiently serious that it should be dealt with in the Crown court). Sent for trial cases can only be heard by the Crown court because of the severity of the offence committed.
A guilty plea is recorded when a defendant: (i) pleads guilty to all counts; (ii) pleads guilty to some counts and not guilty to others and no jury is sworn in respect of the not guilty counts; and (iii) pleads not guilty to some or all counts but offers a guilty plea to alternatives which are accepted (providing no jury is sworn in respect of the other counts).
Information about the extent to which sentences in individual cases are reduced by reason of a guilty plea is not recorded centrally.
Departmental Lost Property
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) mobile telephones, (b) laptops and (c) hand-held IT devices issued by his Department have been recorded as lost since May 2010. [60015]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice has recorded the loss or theft of (b) 47 laptops and (c) 58 BlackBerrys from May 2010 until the end of March 2011. Information on the number of (a) mobile telephones lost is not held centrally, and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
All Ministry of Justice laptops and BlackBerrys are encrypted and protected with a complex password; and all BlackBerrys that are registered as lost or stolen are blocked remotely, making it impossible for them to be used. The Ministry also implements security incident management procedures to ensure that the impacts of incidents are risk managed and investigations are undertaken to seek, where possible, to retrieve lost/stolen assets.
The Ministry adopts Government security policy framework requirements to securely protect its assets.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent on (a) stationery, (b) ministerial hospitality, (c) taxis, (d) pot plants and cut flowers, (e) lost mobile phones, (f) IT, (g) staff training and (h) staff away days since May 2010. [60241]
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Mr Kenneth Clarke: I shall provide the right hon. Member with a reply as soon as possible.
Departmental Termination of Employment
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many managers at grade C or above have left the employment of (a) his Department and (b) the National Offender Management Service in the last two financial years; and how many of those managers have subsequently been employed by (i) Serco, (ii) G4S and (iii) any other private sector company holding contracts with his Department. [59781]
Mr Blunt: The grading structure in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) differs from the rest of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). The definition of Grade C is different in each case. Senior Manager C in NOMS refers to a more senior responsibility level than a Band C in MOJ. The equivalent of a Senior Manager C within MOJ is Band A. It is this level for which information is supplied in the answer.
The number of senior managers (Bands A and above) that left the MOJ between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2011 was 348. The number of senior managers (Senior Manager C and above) that left NOMS during the same period was 109. Of these, 38 staff were operational grades.
The MOJ and NOMS do not keep records of employment taken up by former staff after they have left. NOMS is however aware that a small number of senior managers resigned in 2010 to take up posts in the private sector, including the governors of Holloway, Whitemoor, Moorland and the Isle of Wight prisons. The former director general of NOMS also took up an appointment with G4S after he had left Crown employment in 2010. There may have been others who joined private sector providers but there is no requirement for those leaving to advise the Department or agency of their future employment plans, save for any obligations under the Business Appointment Rules.