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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 20 June 2011
Northern Ireland
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case; [60328]
(2) what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by his Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation. [60485]
Mr Paterson: My Department introduced no regulations in the period 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011. My Department has not repealed any regulations during this period.
EU Law
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 his Department is responsible; and what European directives for which his Department is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010. [60698]
Wales
NHS
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the effects of the proposed changes to the NHS in England on (a) the NHS in Wales and (b) cross-border provision of health services; and if she will make a statement. [60091]
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), and I have discussed the Health and Social Care Bill with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health. The Wales Office and the Department of Health will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government on the provisions in the Bill impacting on the NHS in Wales. In agreement with the Welsh Government, the coalition Government have renewed the existing cross-border health services protocol for a further year until 31 March 2012. This will allow time for the structure of the new commissioning arrangements in England to emerge more clearly before more detailed consideration is given to cross-border provision of services.
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Prime Minister
Joint Ministerial Committee
Mr Dodds: To ask the Prime Minister what (a) issues were discussed and (b) agreements were reached at the Joint Ministerial Committee held in London on 8 June 2011. [60634]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the communiqué which was released following the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting on Wednesday 8 June 2011. This is available on the No. 10 website at:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-news/2011/06/joint-ministerial-committee-communique-64530
Members: Correspondence
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the response from the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council to the letter from himself and others of 18 March 2011, entitled Getting Europe Growing; and what reports he has received on the steps taken by the Commission in consequence. [59200]
The Prime Minister: In response to the “Getting Europe Growing” letter of 18 March, I received a supportive letter from the European Council President. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Following the letter of 18 March, the European Council of 24-25 March agreed on the importance of prioritising growth. Its conclusions agreed on the need for robust action at the European Union level to stimulate growth by: strengthening the single market, with an emphasis on services and the digital economy; reducing the overall burden of regulation; and promoting free, fair and open trade with countries outside the EU. Since then, the Commission has brought forward a number of initiatives in the areas we identified as priorities for EU growth. The Government continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states to make progress on this agenda.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Mr Dodds: To ask the Prime Minister if he will give an assessment of the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly following his recent visit and speech in the Assembly chamber. [60633]
The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. Member to the speech I gave to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Thursday 9 June 2011. A copy of the speech can be found on the No. 10 website at:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/speeches-and-transcripts/2011/06/address-to-northern-ireland-assembly-64604
Royal Irish Regiment: Parades
Mr Dodds: To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received on the decision by the Ministry of Defence not to permit a homecoming parade for the Royal Irish Regiment in Belfast. [60630]
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The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 April 2011, Official Report, columns 174-75.
Home Department
Animal Experiments
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received on the limitation of information which public authorities are required to disclose about animal experiments; and what her policy is on the introduction of any such limitation. [59076]
Lynne Featherstone: A significant amount of information is already published about the use of animals in scientific procedures in publications such as the ‘Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain’ published annually, on the Home Office website and in scientific papers published by those carrying out the research.
Where relevant, decisions on requests for disclosure of other information are made taking account of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In addition, under section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, Home Office Ministers and officials are prohibited from disclosing confidential information relating to the use of animals in scientific procedures other than in the discharge of their functions under the 1986 Act.
Section 24 creates a criminal offence and provides a maximum punishment of two years imprisonment and a fine for unauthorised disclosure of information.
I have received no representations about the application of the Freedom of Information Act to requests for information about animal experiments. Since June 2010 I have received 35 letters from individuals and organisations relating to section 24, the majority seeking its repeal.
As part of a public consultation on the options for transposition of European directive 2010/63/EU, launched on 13 June 2011, I am seeking views on how section 24 might be amended to provide flexibility in responding to requests for information while continuing to protect proprietary rights and confidential information.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to paragraph 4 of page 18 of the coalition agreement, what steps the Government have taken to reduce the use of animals in scientific research. [60447]
Lynne Featherstone:
We are currently developing a strategy to deliver the coalition commitment to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific procedures and
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will announce our plans in due course. We will be looking for genuine reductions which improve animal welfare and will avoid measures which simply drive work abroad to countries where lower standards or less stringent testing guidelines may apply.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research the Government have (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the use of beagles in scientific research. [60448]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government have not commissioned specific research on the use of beagles in scientific research. Evaluation of the use of beagles in scientific research is undertaken on a case by case basis. In order to be licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, a project must be for one of the “permissible purposes” listed in section 5(3) of the Act. These include: the prevention (whether by the testing of any product or otherwise) or the diagnosis or treatment of disease, ill-health or abnormality, or their effects, in man, animals or plants; the assessment, detection, regulation or modification of physiological conditions in man, animals or plants; and the advancement of knowledge in biological or behavioural sciences. All research using beagles would have had to satisfy one or more of these requirements.
Under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 dogs, together with some other species, are given special protection and can only be used where animals of no other species are suitable.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has (a) received and (b) reviewed any evidence in support of an increase in the breeding of beagles for experimental purposes. [60451]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government have not received or reviewed any evidence in support of an increase in the breeding of beagles for experimental purposes.
Asylum: Expenditure
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual cost to the public purse was of (a) the Asylum Support System and (b) her Department's administration costs associated with asylum in each year since 1997-98. [60577]
Damian Green [holding answer 17 June 2011]:The annual costs to the public purse for the Asylum Support System since 1999-2000 are given in Annex A. Figures for 1997-98 and 1998-99 are not available as the UK Border Agency was not responsible for meeting these costs prior to 1999-2000.
It is not possible to provide the cost of administration of the system without incurring disproportionate cost.
| Annex A: Historic asylum costs | ||||||||||||
| £ million | ||||||||||||
| Support c osts | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008 -09 | 200 9 -10 | 2010-11 |
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| (1) Pre 2000 Payments were made to DSS/DWP for asylum seekers in receipt of support. Post 2000 new applicants were supported directly by UKBA. (2) Support to failed asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute end who, face a legitimate barrier to return, can not travel because of a medical condition, or who are judicially reviewing the decision not to grant asylum (ECHR, case law). Also includes support to those who are taking steps to leave and who would otherwise be destitute, but who would not otherwise qualify for support. (3) Unaccompanied asylum seeking children, are the responsibility of the local authority in whose geographical area they seek help. However, UKBA provides a grant to assist LAs meet the costs of supporting UASCs together with a grant to assist local authorities to meet the costs of supporting previous UASC who turn 18 and are leaving care. (4) Grants to voluntary sector organisations to support asylum seekers through the application and dispersal. From 2009-10 grants also include Gateway grants to DWP (and some voluntary organisations) for targeted refugee programmes and Integration services provided by voluntary sector to support integration of those granted leave to remain in UK. (5) All figures based on audited accounts. Figures for 2010-11 are unaudited and subject to change. | ||||||||||||
Criminal Records: Voluntary Work
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects on voluntary sector organisations of the voluntary disclosure of Criminal Records Bureau checks. [60481]
Lynne Featherstone: There are no mandatory requirements for people working with vulnerable groups on behalf of a voluntary organisation to obtain a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) certificate. Volunteers who regularly work with children or vulnerable adults are eligible for an enhanced CRB certificate but it is the volunteer manager's decision whether to request a check, after they have carried out a risk assessment for the role. The Government recognise the important contribution volunteers make to society and CRB checks for volunteers are issued free of charge.
Identity and Passport Service: Aberdeen
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has considered the merits of putting in place additional passport interview services in Aberdeen before the summer holiday period. [59682]
Damian Green: The interview office in Aberdeen formally closed to the public on 11 June 2011. In future, customers in the Aberdeen area will be able to access interviews in Edinburgh, Dundee and Inverness.
There is a full-time interview office in Edinburgh and there will be flexible teams operating at Dundee and Inverness for two or three days per week from late July. The interview offices at Dundee and Inverness will remain open to the public until 23 July.
While we recognise that this will mean additional journey times and expense for some customers, only 5% of passport applicants are required to attend an interview and this is a once in a lifetime event. The changes IPS is making are to remove excess capacity from the business.
Incentives
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether bonus payments are made to UK Border Agency staff for performance in respect of cash recovery cases undertaken under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. [60141]
Damian Green: Bonus payments in the UK Border Agency (UKBA) are dependent on staff exceeding performance expectations.
Performance awards are not made to UKBA staff specifically for performance in relation to cash recovery cases undertaken under the provisions of the proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002.
Assessment of performance is typically based on a number of the following criteria:
assessment of objectives—what was delivered and how;
assessment of the skills required for the role;
overall assessment of achievement against the job description, reflecting the level of performance over the whole appraisal year;
innovation—actions or good ideas which improve efficiency or service delivery.
Overseas Workers
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on the consultation document on Employment Related Settlement, Tier 5 and Overseas Domestic Workers. [60734]
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Damian Green: The content of the consultation document was agreed collectively by interested Ministers prior to publication. The UK Border Agency continues to discuss the proposals with other Government Departments.
Police: Bureaucracy
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had on proposals to provide greater powers to policy community support officers; and if she will make a statement. [60208]
Nick Herbert: The Government recognise and value the role that police community support officers (PCSOs) play in neighbourhood policing and have committed to supporting neighbourhood policing teams and PCSOs through the dedicated neighbourhood policing fund until 2012-13. After this, it will be for the directly elected police and crime commissioners, together with their chief constables, to determine local staff resourcing and allocation.
PCSOs have 20 standard powers and a range of discretionary additional powers which may be granted by the local chief constable should he or she believe that they are required. There are no current plans to extend these powers.
Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of contracts issued by (a) her Department and (b) agencies for which she is responsible were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in (i) Scotland, (ii) South Lanarkshire and (iii) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. [60196]
Damian Green: The Home Department awarded two contracts to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland in 2006 and 2008, neither of which were in South Lanarkshire or Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency. Both of these contracts expired in 2009.
In recognition of the important contribution all small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make to the economy, the Home Department has published its plans to meet the Government's commitment to allow SMEs to compete more fairly for governmental contracts on its commercial website:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/procurement/
The Department is continuing with further work to evaluate its procurement activity to establish areas of goods and services which can be delivered by SMEs. This evaluation will inform our procurement approach and ensure we maximise opportunities for such enterprises.
Sexual Offences: Registration
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of non-registered sex offenders. [60891]
Lynne Featherstone: The data are not collected in the format requested and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
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Stalking: Crime Prevention
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward legislative proposals to give police in England and Wales additional powers to seize electronic evidence from individuals being investigated for stalking or harassment. [59937]
Lynne Featherstone: We are working with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to review the impact of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. We are also working with the police and others to examine the need for additional police powers to enable them to investigate these offences effectively.
Women and Equalities
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities (1) what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by the Government Equalities Office between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate she has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation; [60502]
(2) what regulations the Government Equalities office introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case. [60324]
Lynne Featherstone: This Government are committed to reducing regulatory burdens. Between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 the Government Equalities Office repealed the three separate public sector equality duties on race, disability and gender and supporting regulations imposing specific duties for each, with different timescales and reporting requirements. On 5 April 2011 the Government brought into force the new single Equality Duty contained in the Equality Act 2010. This brought together the previous equality duties and extended to cover age, gender reassignment in full, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
On 6 April the Government Equalities Office brought into force the positive action provisions contained in section 159 of the Equality Act 2010. These measures are voluntary and do not impose any regulatory burden.
The following table provides information on the legislation and codes of practice repealed and introduced between 1 March and 31 May 2011.
We estimate replacing the three previous public sector equality duties with the new Equality Duty and the underlying specific duties (which will be laid before Parliament shortly) will result in a net benefit to the public sector of between £4 million and £18 million (mid-point estimate £11 million) in year one, and a net benefit of between £14 million and £25 million (mid-point estimate £19 million) from year two onwards compared to the cost of complying with the three separate duties. Over a 10-year period the net benefit is expected to be in the region of around £110 million to £205 million (net present value terms) compared to the cost of the previous duties.
There are no implementation costs relating to the positive action measures as these are voluntary.
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| Regulatory measures introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 | |
| Regulation | Introduced |
|
section 159 of the Equality Act 2010—positive action provisions relating to recruitment and promotion |
| Codes of practice introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 | |
| Code of practice | Introduced |
|
the Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice Services Public Functions and Associations |
|
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent assessment she has made of the effects of the proposed closures of regional offices of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. [60768]
Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is an arm's length body. As an arm's length body, decisions on the closure of any of its office premises are operational ones which it is for the Commission to make.
Government Equalities Office: Manpower
Mr Raab: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many staff (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission employ. [59772]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 15 June 2011]: The figures requested are as follows:
(a) The total number of staff employed by Government Equalities Office as at 1 June 2011 was 108.2 full-time equivalents (FTE).
(b) The total number of staff employed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission as at 13 June 2011 was 408 FTE.
Culture, Media and Sport
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the effects of the ending of tax relief on VAT for organ repairs on levels of expenditure from the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme in (a) 2010-11 and (b) each of the next four years. [58447]
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John Penrose: The effect of removing eligibility of organ repairs, bells, clocks and pews from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will be to return it to its original scope before it was widened to include these items in 2006. We estimate that the overall effect on money claimed under the scheme will be to reduce it closer to the available budget of £12 million. We have not made an individual estimate of the specific impact on organ repairs, but it is worth noting that they took place continuously and successfully before being included in the scheme in 2006, so we do not expect a serious permanent reduction.
Local Broadcasting
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the maintenance of BBC provision of local television and radio. [59770]
Mr Vaizey: There have been no recent discussions with the BBC Trust on the maintenance of the BBC's existing provision of local television and radio.
Olympic Games 2012
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans his Department has for the future of the Olympic legacy in all parts of the UK after 2012. [60017]
Hugh Robertson: The Government published their plans for the legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in December 2010 focusing on four key areas:
Harnessing the United Kingdom's passion for sport to increase grass roots participation, particularly by young people—and to encourage the whole population to be more physically active;
Exploiting to the full opportunities for economic growth offered by hosting the Games;
Promoting community engagement and achieving participation across all groups in society through the Games; and
Ensuring that the Olympic Park can be developed after the Games as one of the principle drivers of regeneration in east London.
This plan was produced by the UK Government. However the Games' legacy is being driven across the UK by a rich variety of organisations, communities and individuals. These include the Nations and Regions Group established by the Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to ensure UK-wide engagement and to make the most of the opportunities London 2012 brings now, and to maximise the potential benefits that will be realised locally post Games. This group works directly with representatives from each of the nations and English regions to realise the sporting, economic, and cultural benefits of the 2012 Games.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the London 2012 Olympics on levels of participation in sport. [60019]
Hugh Robertson:
No recent assessment has been made of the potential effect of London 2012 on levels of participation in sport. However, we will be measuring
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the number of young people taking part in competitive sport through the Taking Part Survey, and Sport England will continue to measure participation in community sport through the Active People Survey. Both ‘Places People Play’, the Government's sports legacy from London 2012, and the School Games will be evaluated to measure the impact.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on including all parts of the UK in preparatory events for the London 2012 Olympics. [60020]
Hugh Robertson: The Nations and Regions Group, established by the Government Olympic Executive (GOE) and the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), works directly with each UK nation and region to help them realise and maximise the benefits from the economic, sporting and cultural opportunities offered by the games.
One of the most significant events taking place before the beginning of the games is the Olympic Torch Relay. The Olympic Flame will travel to within an hour of 95% of people in the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey during the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay. On 18 May LOCOG announced the 66 evening celebrations and six of the island visits and will now proceed with the detailed planning of the route for the morning and afternoons of each day. This is being done in consultation with stakeholders across the UK in every region. The route will be finalised and announced later this year,
LOCOG recently published a booklet on London 2012 which provides a summary of projects and events that have taken place across the UK. This can be found at the following link:
http://www.london2012.com/publications/london-2012-across-the-uk.php
In addition, the London 2012 cultural, educational and sporting projects the Inspire Programme, the Get Set Network and the School Games are inclusive of the whole of the UK.
Tourism
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to help regions increase the size of their tourist economy. [60018]
John Penrose: The Government's plans for promoting the growth of the visitor economy are set out in detail in the paper, “Government Tourism Policy” published in March 2011, and available at:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7896.aspx
Over the next four years VisitBritain will be running the “You're Invited” programme, which will capitalise on the international interest in the recent Royal Wedding, as well as next year's Diamond Jubilee and Olympic and Paralympic Games, and showcase Britain to the world. The programme aims to attract 4 million extra visitors, spending £2 billion in the UK economy, which will support businesses, jobs and growth. The programme is backed by a £100 million marketing fund, match funded by the public and private sectors.
VisitEngland is working closely with local areas and destinations, in line with Government's localism agenda, to grow the value of local tourism economies. This is
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co-ordinated through the National Strategic Framework for Tourism, which includes an action programme developed in consultation with the tourism sector. VisitEngland is currently working with local areas on a campaign to deliver economic growth from the domestic market, and to support employment and job creation. “The time to be in England” will maximise the impact of the unique events of 2012, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, helping to spread the benefits of the games outside London and maintain a legacy of domestic tourism growth. The campaign is the subject of a bid to the second round of the Regional Growth Fund.
Tourism policy seeks to help improve the sector's productivity and competitiveness, in particular to address the burden of regulation affecting the industry. The Government's Red Tape Challenge focused on the hospitality sector in May, inviting the industry and the public to identify regulations holding back the industry and stifling growth. Alongside this, the Government are setting up an industry task force, led by senior industry figures, to identify rules, regulations and inspections impeding the sector, and which might be cut, modified or abolished.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effects of the competitiveness of the UK tourism sector of the recent decision of the Irish Government to reduce the rate of value added tax on services related to tourism to 9%; and if he will make a statement. [60814]
John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), speaks regularly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), on a wide variety of topics. VAT rates in Ireland are a matter for the Irish Government rather than one on which we should comment, but customers choose their holidays on a wide variety of factors including the overall value for money of the various places they are considering visiting, rather than focusing solely on the rate of VAT. The Government's overall policy on tourism was made clear in the Government's Tourism Policy, which was published in March 2011.
Scotland
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case. [60327]
David Mundell: Between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 the Scotland Office introduced the following regulations:
The Scottish Parliament (Constituency Returning Officers) Order 2011;
The Scottish Parliament (Regional Returning Officers) Order 2011;
The Scottish Parliament (Returning Officers' Charges) Order 2011; and
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The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2011.
There were no implementation costs for these orders.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by his Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation. [60486]
David Mundell: Between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 the Scotland Office revoked the following regulations:
The Scottish Parliament (Constituency Returning Officers) Order 2011;
The Scottish Parliament (Regional Returning Officers) Order 2011; and
The Scottish Parliament (Returning Officers' Charges) Order 2011.
Due to the nature of these elections Orders there are no identifiable savings.
EU Law
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 his Department is responsible; and what European directives for which his Department is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010. [60699]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office was not responsible for any European directives in force on 1 April 2010, and is not responsible for any that have come into force since 1 April 2010.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Departmental Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the staff vacancy rate in her Department was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in her Department's budget for 2011-12. [51389]
Richard Benyon: The vacancy rate in the Department between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 was 342.5 which is 3.5% of the total headcount of DEFRA and its executive agencies.
For 2011-12, the Department manages its budget and resources by reviewing on a monthly and quarterly basis work force forecasts and financial targets to allow the Department to reallocate resources and funding in year to ensure we live within our means and meet our strategic objectives.
Motor Sports: Noise
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on noise nuisance issues relating to motocross sites. [60284]
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Richard Benyon: I have not received any representations regarding noise nuisance relating to motocross sites. Any complaints regarding potential noise nuisance should be made to the relevant local authority. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a duty to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to investigate any complaint of a statutory nuisance made by a person living within their areas. Where a local authority is satisfied of the existence, or of the likely occurrence or recurrence of a statutory nuisance, it must generally serve an abatement notice.
Recycling: Greater London
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to introduce greater co-ordination between waste authorities in London with regard to the recycling policies of their member authorities. [59687]
Richard Benyon: The Government have made clear that it is for individual local authorities to decide on the collection and recycling policies which are most suitable for their customers and fitting for their local circumstances. However, DEFRA supports the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB), including its work with the London Community Resource Network, its recently established subsidiary London Reuse Limited, and London boroughs to look at developing shared collection, storage and distribution facilities that can be accessed by reuse projects across London. LWARB is also assessing the feasibility of developing a London-wide web portal that provides access to reuse and recycling options for both consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Rivers
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with water companies on (a) their statutory duties to the environment and (b) preserving river and stream flows during the summer months. [60131]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 16 June 2011]: DEFRA has a programme of work to restore sustainable abstraction where abstraction licences granted historically do not adequately protect the environment. Water companies are undertaking investigations as part of their environmental responsibilities where their abstractions may be involved.
The Environment Agency sets conditions on abstraction licences to protect summer river and stream flows.
The Natural Environment White Paper, which was published on 7 June, announced that we intend to develop measures to address unsustainable abstraction more efficiently, and therefore increase protection of river and stream flows in the summer months. We are currently developing these measures to be included in the Water White Paper, which is due to be published by December. As part of this, officials are in discussion with a number of stakeholders, including the water companies.
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Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee
Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what evidence the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has received from IPSA to support the statement by the Authority that it saved the public purse £18 million in its first 10 months of operation. [60177]
Mr Charles Walker: Paragraph 9 and Annex A of the Explanatory Note on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's 2011-12 draft Estimate, submitted to the Committee by IPSA, state that IPSA have forecast an under-spend of around £30 million against their Estimate, which is about £18 million less than the final year of the previous House of Commons scheme.
The Explanatory Note and other documents relating to the draft Estimate are available on the Committee's website at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/spcomipsa/writev/contents.htm
Transport
A1: East of England
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure the installation of separated junctions at the main intersections and roundabouts on the A1 between Alconbury and the A1(M) north of Baldock. [60388]
Mike Penning: The Secretary of State announced on 26 October 2010 the Department's plans for funding road improvements on the strategic road network for the spending review period, to the end of 2014-15.
Proposals for junction improvements on the A1 between Alconbury and the A1(M) north of Baldock have not been included among the schemes identified, and there are therefore no plans to develop such a proposal at this time.
Bicycles
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responses his Department received to its consultation on electrically-assisted pedal cycles; and whether he plans to issue any regulations as a result of the consultation. [60817]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport received 79 responses to the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) consultation and the results have been analysed. Regulations pertaining to EAPC are also subject to the current ‘Red Tape Challenge’, and comments submitted as part of this initiative will also be considered before the Department publishes a statement on next steps.
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Bus Services
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the minimum statutory requirement is for the provision of (a) evening and (b) Sunday bus services in local areas in England. [59515]
Norman Baker: There is no specific statutory requirement for the provision of evening and Sunday bus services in local areas of England.
78% of local bus services are provided on a commercial basis by private operators and the routes and times that they run are a matter for the operator concerned.
There is a duty in the Transport Act 1985:
“to secure the provision of such public passenger transport services as the council considers it appropriate to secure to meet any public transport requirements within the county which would in their view not be met apart from any action taken by them for that purpose...”
It is therefore a decision for local councils to decide what further services, if any, they should be providing.
Bus Services: Fees and Charges
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has powers to require bus companies which cancel routes and services to reduce the price of season tickets. [59516]
Norman Baker: In the deregulated bus market in England outside London, bus fares and routes are a matter for commercial operators of local services, not the Secretary of State. London fares and timetables are a matter for the Mayor. Non-commercial services supported by local transport authorities are a matter for them.
The Department for Transport is considering possible remedies to address the Competition Commission's initial findings from its inquiry into the local bus market that bus fares, tickets and frequencies may be used to deter new entrants from engaging in competition with incumbent operators.
In the meantime, local transport authorities currently have powers to introduce maximum fares under a Quality Partnership Scheme, but not to reduce fares.
Bus Services: Finance
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many small and medium-sized bus operators have ceased to trade in 2011 to date. [58261]
Mike Penning: The number of surrendered licences in 2011 by Public Service Vehicle operators(1) is 98. Of these, 96 operators had held licences for 20 vehicles or less. The number of licences surrendered does not necessarily mean operators who have ceased to trade as they may hold licences in other geographical areas.
(1) PSV operators numbers will also include limousine operators, as well as hotel and taxi operators who require a licence to operate a mini-bus.
Bypasses: Lincoln
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress his Department has made on the proposal for the construction of a bypass in Lincoln. [59441]
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Norman Baker: This scheme is currently in the Department for Transport's Development Pool of local major transport schemes. We have invited Lincolnshire county council to submit a “best and final funding bid” to the Department by 9 September. We aim to announce decisions in December this year on which schemes have been successful.
East Coast Railway Line: Contracts
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the (a) costs and (b) savings of the outsourcing to locations outside the UK of East Coast Main Line's (i) customer contact centre and associated services, (ii) telesales, (iii) group travel, (iv) assisted travel and business travel, (v) ticket fulfilment, (vi) web support and (vii) customer relations work. [59004]
Norman Baker [holding answer 10 June 2011]: The outsourcing of services is an operational matter for East Coast. The Department has had no involvement in these decisions.
High Speed Two Railway Line
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many households (a) nationally, (b) in Warwickshire and (c) in North Warwickshire constituency have received assistance from the HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme; and what the total monetary value is of compensation allocated in each case. [59494]
Mr Philip Hammond: The information is as follows:
(a) 38 applications have been accepted nationally. The total value of 34 of these properties, calculated by the sum of formal offers made to applicants, is £19,920,000. HS2 Ltd is currently awaiting valuations on the other four properties that have been accepted.
(b) 11 applications have been accepted from Warwickshire. The total value of nine of these properties, calculated by the sum of formal offers made to applicants, is £5,152,500. HS2 Ltd is currently awaiting valuations on the other two properties that have been accepted in Warwickshire.
(c) Two applications have been accepted from North Warwickshire constituency. One property has been purchased and the other is currently awaiting valuation. I am not able to release the value of the purchased property as this relates to a single application, and constitutes personal data as part of that application which could potentially identify the owner as an EHS applicant. When more than one valuation is available in this area I will be content to provide the sum total.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many agricultural units and commercial properties with a rateable value not exceeding £34,800 have applied for compensation under the HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [59514]
Mr Philip Hammond: Applications to the Exceptional Hardship Scheme have been received from:
1 agricultural unit
3 combined residential/agricultural units
3 combined residential/commercial properties with a rateable value not exceeding £34,800.
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Invalid Vehicles: Regulation
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the results of his Department's consultation on proposed changes to legislation governing powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. [59452]
Norman Baker [holding answer 13 June 2011]: The findings from the consultation are currently being considered. I will be making an announcement as soon as practicable.
Motor Vehicles: Sales
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the number of used car sales in each year since 2005. [60874]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport estimates that there were 7.65 million transfers of used cars during 2010.
Some of these transfers will not have been through a sale of the vehicle. The transfer may be as a result of a gift, inheritance or the trader registering the car to their business after holding it for longer than three months. Information about what type of transfer took place is not held on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) database.
The estimate for 2010 was based on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which enables changes in the ownership of a vehicle to be tracked over time. A less accurate method was used to produce a broad estimate for 2009, of 6.44 million transfers, based on matching the registration marks of vehicles. Estimates have not been produced for years prior to 2009, and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the merits of widening the A1(M) between Welwyn and Stevenage; and if he will make a statement. [60752]
Mike Penning: The Secretary of State for Transport announced on 26 October 2010 the Department's plans for funding improvements on the strategic road network for the spending review period, to the end of 2014-15. The Department will continue to work on 18 schemes for potential construction in future spending review periods.
Widening of the A1(M) between Welwyn and Stevenage was not among the schemes identified, and the Department therefore has no plans to examine such a proposal at this time.
Roads: Tolls
Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans to promote the construction of further toll roads. [54215]
Mike Penning: We are happy to consider proposals for the construction of new roads funded by tolls.
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However, we have not received any such proposals, and are not bringing forward any tolled schemes at present.
Rolling Stock
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the average cost of operating (a) hybrid and (b) electric trains over electrified tracks; [58263]
(2) what estimate he has made of the average cost of operation and maintenance of (a) a hybrid and (b) an electric train. [58265]
Mrs Villiers: In the recent appraisal of the Intercity Express Programme, the average cost per mile of maintenance and operations of a bi-mode and electric set were assumed to be as follows:
| £ | |||
|
|
Maintenance | Fuel | Variable trac k access charge |
| (1) Indicates brace. | |||
The costs in the table are based on five-car short sets, and are given at 2009-10 prices.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
BRIC Countries
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 202W, on the BRIC summit, if he will place in the Library a copy of each of his Department's documents relevant to the Emerging Powers Initiative. [60071]
Mr Hague: The Emerging Powers Sub-Committee of the National Security Council, which I chair, oversees the Government's collective effort towards elevating our relations with the emerging powers. Papers prepared for the Sub-Committee are confidential.
Diplomatic Service: Internet
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 206W, on the Diplomatic Service: internet, how many online followers his Department has of each nationality. [60070]
Mr Hague:
It is the social media platforms the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses and not FCO itself which hold information user data. We therefore cannot tell nationality of users, and we cannot make assumptions about their nationality from the geographical
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location. Full lists of the major social media presences of embassies and posts around the world can be found on:
www.FCO.gov.uk
As set out in my answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 206W, we have over 300,000 followers in total.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 206W, on the Diplomatic Service: internet, in which countries those embassies and missions which blog in local languages are located. [60072]
Mr Hague: There are currently 56 active bloggers on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) roster, blogging on the FCO website. This figure is liable to constant change as staff move roles within the Department. There are 35 embassies and posts with a blog, and there are blogs currently ‘live’ on the FCO site in seven different languages: Arabic, Romanian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean and Japanese. A full list of the blogs hosted on the FCO's platform can be found on the FCO website.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the status of (a) secular political parties and (b) the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. [59530]
Alistair Burt: A new law on the registration of political parties was passed on 28 March. In addition to the existing opposition parties, the Al Wasat Party, the Muslim Brotherhood's new Freedom and Justice Party and another called the Nour party have officially been registered. A number of other new political parties continue to await authorisation of their official registration.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) have pressed the Egyptian authorities to ensure an open and plural election process.
Libya: Diplomatic Relations
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government maintains diplomatic relations with the government of Libya. [60048]
Alistair Burt: We maintain diplomatic relations with the Libyan Government. The Libyan People's Bureau (LPB) in London remains open and has been headed by a Charge d'Affaires following the expulsion of the Libyan ambassador on 30 April. We have used these links to make clear to the regime that it must comply in full with UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973, desist from further violence and withdraw military forces to barracks. We have made it clear to the regime that Gaddafi must go. We also use our contacts with the LPB to address issues concerning Libyan citizens resident in the UK. Apart from this we have kept our contacts with the LPB to the very minimum.
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Libya: Freezing Orders
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the international community is taking to deprive the Gaddafi government in Libya of access to funds. [56314]
Mr Hague: The UK has taken the lead in international efforts to impose and implement financial sanctions on the Gaddafi regime. We and our EU partners have implemented the sanctions elements of UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 through EU Regulations 204, 233, 272, 288, 296 and 360, which have steadily extended and updated the range of regime-linked individuals and entities subject to asset freezes. On 11 March 2011 the UN also established a Sanctions Committee to monitor the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1970, chaired by Portugal. We are offering guidance and support to the Sanctions Committee. The targeted sanctions imposed under these UN Resolutions have squeezed the regime financially, making it harder for Colonel Gaddafi and his associates to fuel the war further.
Libya: Overseas Students
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the effects of sanctions on Libya on Libyan students who are studying in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [59631]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 15 June 2011]:I have not received any representations on the effects of sanctions on Libya on Libyan students who are studying in the UK although Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have been made aware of some delays in student payments.
The UN sanctions do not prevent Libyan state-sponsored students from receiving payments. These payments are administered by the Libyan People's Bureau in London. Where the necessary funds are in place but additional authorisation is required because of the sanctions, HM Treasury has issued licences to enable payments to be made. Officials are in regular contact with all concerned to ensure that these payments continue.
Oil
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to address the challenges posed by peak oil. [60095]
Mr Bellingham: The Government do not subscribe to a particular view on when oil production is likely to peak. However, we recognise that there are significant challenges for investment in future oil production and that we have a role to play in working towards enhancing energy supplies, and reducing demand for fossil fuels.
In partnership with other Government Departments, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office works internationally to reduce barriers to investment in the oil sector. Bilaterally and multilaterally, we promote the regulatory norms and business climates that enhance confidence and investment. We also use our network of international posts to promote policies such as increased
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energy efficiency, and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, to reduce demand for oil and transition to the low carbon economy.
Saudi Arabia: Armed forces
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government in Saudi Arabia on the (a) presence and (b) timetable for withdrawal of Saudi military forces in Bahrain. [58989]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud, during his visit to the UK on 22 March 2011. Prince Saud confirmed that Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Peninsula Shield Forces would remain in Bahrain for as long as the Bahraini Government requested their presence. GCC forces had been legitimately invited by the Bahraini Government to protect the country's institutions.
The Secretary of State has not discussed a timetable for withdrawal of the GCC Peninsula Shield Forces from Bahrain with Prince Saud or the Bahraini Government.
Serbia: Kosovo
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on progress in talks between the Governments of Serbia and Kosovo on a final settlement of outstanding disputes; and if he will make a statement. [60047]
Mr Lidington: There have been four meetings of the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The most recent meeting took place on 17-18 May, in Brussels. The Dialogue has so far discussed a number of important practical issues, including registry of civil and cadastral records, freedom of movement, telecommunications and energy.
In forthcoming rounds of the Dialogue, I urge the Governments of Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively and flexibly with a view to reaching agreements on these and all other relevant issues as soon as possible. With political will on both sides, the Dialogue will build practical co-operation between Kosovo and Serbia that can improve the lives of citizens throughout Kosovo, and move both countries in a more stable manner towards EU accession.
Sri Lanka: Missing Persons
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Government of Sri Lanka, (b) the United Nations and (c) Commonwealth countries on Commonwealth citizens with Tamil ethnicity who have disappeared in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war in that country. [60958]
Alistair Burt:
We have regularly raised our concern over the whereabouts of civilians unaccounted for since the end of the war and, in particular we have pressed for the release of detainee lists. I raised this issue with the
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Sri Lankan Foreign Minister most recently when we spoke on 14 June. Disappearances have not however been limited to those with Tamil ethnicity—Sinhala journalists and opposition activists have also disappeared. The number of disappearances has fallen since the end of the war, but disappearances continue.
Officials discuss the situation in Sri Lanka with international partners, both within the Commonwealth and more widely on a regular basis. Our high commission in Colombo is also in touch with UN colleagues about protection of civilians by UN agencies.
UN World Conference Against Racism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make it his policy to withdraw from the UN Durban III anti-racism conference; what recent discussions he has had with (a) his EU counterparts, (b) the US Administration and (c) the Government of Israel on this issue; what recent representations he has received (i) supporting and (ii) opposing a withdrawal from the conference; and if he will make a statement; [60656]
(2) what reports he has received of the withdrawal of governmental delegations from the UN Durban III Conference; and if he will make a statement. [60680]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We voted against the resolution at last year's UN General Assembly which established a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly in September 2011 to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of the Adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The Government recognise that it is common practice for the UN to convene meetings at regular periodic intervals to commemorate the adoption of its various social and human rights-related agendas. For these reasons, we were ready to agree to a limited commemorative event. However, in light of the lengthy and difficult 2009 Durban Review Conference, we felt the proposed size and scope of the 2011 event was inappropriate.
We have not yet taken a final decision on our participation in the 2011 high-level meeting. We will nonetheless work closely with EU and colleagues from other countries in the run-up to the September event to try to ensure that the meeting does not become another platform for the kind of anti-Semitic rhetoric and behaviour that was evident at the 2001 World Conference against Racism and to a lesser extent at the 2009 Durban Review Conference. We will also work to make sure that the meeting addresses all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, and that any outcome from the meeting includes a clear statement on the need to combat anti-Semitism as part of wider efforts to tackle racism.
We are aware that the Government of the United States of America have recently announced their decision not to participate in the September 2011 event. Their announcement follows that of the Governments of Canada and Israel. To date, we have not received reports that any other Government have decided against participation.
The Government's participation and representation at the September meeting will remain under review in light of our efforts to achieve our objectives as set out above. We will also engage with interested British non-governmental organisations in reaching our final decision.
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International Development
Departmental Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made in encouraging small businesses to bid for Government contracts. [60191]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) launched a supplier portal at the beginning of April 2011. The portal provides an electronic platform of easy single point access to allow our all suppliers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to access opportunities to compete equally for DFID contracts.
DFID actively seeks opportunities to engage with SMEs through participation at events like the British Expertise seminars. These forums are an opportunity for SMEs to gain a greater understanding of DFID business, engage with senior procurement officials and openly discuss DFID procurement policies and procedures to identify further opportunities to improve.
In April 2011, DFID developed and published on our external website a specific action plan to assist SMEs. The document can be accessed on the DFID website at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Procurement/Actions-to-Assist-Small-and-Medium-Enterprises/
Within this document DFID commits to clearly stated key actions which we consider will encourage and reduce unnecessary barriers for SMEs to participate in competitive tenders. We are aiming to have all key actions implemented around October 2011.
Developing Countries: Vaccination
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will estimate the total amount of funding which would be available to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation programme if other nation states matched his Department's contribution on a per head of population basis. [61060]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The additional UK contribution to GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) represents c$21.5 per head of UK population over five years—this equates to £2.62 per person per year. If all existing sovereign donors to GAVI committed the same contribution per head of population, the total new contribution would be cUS$28 billion.
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will encourage governments of other nations to match his Department's funding of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation programme on a per head of population basis. [61061]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
Sovereign donors will make their own choices about how they allocate their aid. We do not match other donor contributions to other organisations on this basis; we exert choice in how we allocate our aid. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) came out very well in our root and branch review of multilateral aid so we know that
20 Jun 2011 : Column 26W
investing in GAVI offers very good value for money. I and my Cabinet colleagues, including the Prime Minister, have lobbied hard to bring other donors with us in stepping up our contributions to GAVI. Several donors have more than doubled their contributions. Australia has increased its contribution tenfold. Bill Gates has added another $1 billion.
We have brought in new donors over the last year (Korea, Japan, Brazil) and we will continue to encourage others to come on board. Our efforts to date helped GAVI raise $4.3 billion at their pledging conference on June 13. With this they will exceed their ambition of vaccinating more than a quarter of a billion children and saving four million lives. They will expand and accelerate their coverage, immunising more children with more vaccines.
Health Services: Overseas Aid
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what health programmes in what countries his Department funded in the latest period for which figures are available. [59959]
Mr O'Brien: Details of the Department for International Development's (DFID's) projects are published in the DFID Annual Report. The 2009 Report is available on the DFID website at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Finance-and-performance/Annual-report/Annual-Report-2009/#contents
In addition, DFID undertook a Health Portfolio Review in 2009 which can be seen at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2010/Health-portfolio-review-2009
Libya: Armed Conflict
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's officials are working on post-conflict planning for Libya. [60078]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: It is crucial that the international system starts planning early to help the Libyan people stabilise a future peace. The UK is also working closely with a range of partners on post-conflict planning, including NATO, the UN, the EU and the Libya Contact Group.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is working with Whitehall partners in supporting and planning for post-conflict efforts in Libya. Within DFID there are a range of departments contributing to this work; within the DFID Libya Unit there is a team of five working on stabilisation and transition issues.
There are also seven UK personnel working on post-conflict planning as part of the International Stabilisation Response Team. Stabilisation Response Teams (SRT) provide an integrated and bespoke approach to post-conflict stabilisation, reconstruction and development. The SRT, comprising UK and international staff, travelled to eastern Libya in late May to assess and set out a well coordinated and effective response to the needs of the Libyan people by the international community in co-ordination with the UN.
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Maldives
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will include the Maldives in future non-direct grant programmes relating to (a) climate change mitigation and (b) other issues. [59951]
Mr Duncan: The UK is one of 10 donors contributing to the Scaling up Renewable Energy Programme which has allocated finance to the Maldives. We will consider further support as appropriate.
The Department has recently conducted a full review of bilateral aid. Future bilateral support will be focused on 27 countries. The list excludes the Maldives.
Overseas Aid
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding classified as official development assistance his Department has provided (a) in cash terms and (b) in per capita terms to each country through (i) UK-administered aid including aid paid through the EU and (ii) aid administered by EU aid programmes in the latest period for which figures are available. [59956]
Mr O'Brien: Provisional 2010 official development assistance (ODA) figures, including country breakdowns, have recently been published on the Department for International Development (DFID) external website:
www.dfid.gov.uk
While this country list is not exhaustive, final figures will be reported later in the year in DFID's publication ‘Statistics on International Development’. This will be made available in the House Library or online at DFID's external website.
The United Kingdom's attribution of the European Commissions External Assistance budget in 2010-11 is estimated at £954 million. In 2010 DFID's core funding to the European Development Fund was £425 million. The European Union's most recent Annual Report, the Annual Report 2010 on the European Community's Development and External Assistance Policies and their Implementation in 2009, is available in the House Library.
Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in (i) Scotland, (ii) South Lanarkshire and (iii) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. [60207]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not currently hold information relating to contracts awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To collate this information would incur disproportionate costs.
In April 2011, DFID developed and published on our external website, a specific action plan to assist SMEs. The document can be accessed at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Procurement/Actions-to-Assist-Small-and-Medium-Enterprises/
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Work and Pensions
Carer’s Allowance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to adjust the carer’s allowance in line with changes to the cost of living; and if he will make a statement. [60445]
Maria Miller: The rate of carer's allowance is increased annually in line with the consumer price index (CPI). The CPI is the official, internationally recognised measure of consumer prices in the United Kingdom, and it is the most recognisable measure of price inflation. The Government have no plans to change these arrangements. The weekly rate for carer’s allowance was increased from £53.90 to £55.55 in April 2011.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on increasing the level of the carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement. [60446]
Maria Miller: The Government recognise the importance of carer’s allowance in providing an independent source of income and recognition of the important role that carers play in society. We acknowledge carers’ concerns on the level of carer’s allowance, and over the last few months have had a number of representations on this from Members of Parliament and from groups representing carers, including Carers UK.
The rate of carer’s allowance is increased every April in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). The Government keep the level of carer’s allowance under review, but carers in lower income households can receive additional help through the income-related benefits, such as income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. These benefits include a carer premium of £31.00 a week. Carers will also be supported through the universal credit from 2013.
Carers Week
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote and (b) mark Carers Week; and if he will make a statement. [59047]
Maria Miller: I am proud to support Carers Week 2011. It gives us the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the outstanding contribution that all carers make to their families and their communities, through their tireless devotion of time, energy and efforts to looking after a loved one. The Department for Work and Pensions will be supporting Carers Week in a number of ways:
actively working with advisory and representative groups to ensure that carers, and carers groups, have access to the information they need on benefits and other forms of support the Department can offer;
raising staff awareness of Carers Week to increase understanding of the issues that face carers, and encouraging participation in local activities;
seeking staff feedback on how it can better support them in the challenging role of maintaining employment and care.
In addition to this a number of staff in Jobcentre Plus and the Pensions and Disability Carers Service will be taking part in local Carers Week events.
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Departmental Procurement
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department will list on Contract Finder the confirmed sub-contracts of its prime contractors. [60953]
Chris Grayling: At this stage DWP are currently in discussions with bidders regarding which elements of their contracts under the Freedom of Information Act can be published. Once agreement has been reached then the contracts including subcontractor details will be published on Contracts Finder website:
http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?site=1000&lang=en&Noticeld=1161
Disability and Carers Service: Correspondence
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will put in place a means to deal with urgent correspondence from hon. Members within the Parliamentary Business Unit of the Disability and Carers Service. [58560]
Maria Miller: For all Members of Parliament urgent correspondence in the Pension, Disability and Carers Service Parliamentary Business Unit is cleared to an agreed target of 90% within 15 days of date of receipt. This target is as set by the Cabinet Office and Department for Work and Pensions Customer Standards Group. The current rate of success in answering correspondence within the 15 day limit is 100%. The address for urgent correspondence is:
Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Parliamentary Business Unit
Room 114
Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3TA.
A telephone hotline service is also available specifically for Members of Parliament where requests are replied to by phone within 48 hours and the service is available Monday to Friday during the hours of 9 am to 5 pm. The telephone number is 01253 333533.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new claimants for disability living allowance there have been (a) in total and (b) with cancer as a primary condition in each of the last five years. [58622]
Maria Miller: The number of new claims for DLA received during each of the previous five years is:
|
|
DLA claims received |
20 Jun 2011 : Column 30W
We are unable to answer the hon. Gentleman’s specific question regarding the number of new claims for DLA with cancer as a primary condition. This is because our management information system does not go down to the level of detail that would enable us to identify the number of new claimants for disability living allowance (DLA) with cancer as a primary condition.
Source:
DLA claims: Department for Work and Pensions—RDA60209 reports— DLA Management Information Statistics.
Employment and Support Allowance
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support he plans to provide to people moving from incapacity benefits onto employment and support allowance and jobseeker's allowance in finding employment. [45045]
Maria Miller: Moving on to more active benefits will give our customers a real opportunity to get back to work. Whether on employment and support allowance (ESA) or jobseeker's allowance (JSA), we will ensure that they receive all the support they need, tailored to their particular circumstances.
Through the groundbreaking Work programme we are giving those in the private and voluntary sector with the best expertise the freedom to design tailor-made back to work support built around the needs of the individual. In return for that freedom to innovate we will pay providers by results and we will incentivise them to focus their resources on our hardest to help customers, including those customers who claim JSA or ESA after reassessment. Following reassessment, most of those who go on to receive ESA will be able to access the Work programme immediately, while those who go on to claim JSA will be able to access the Work programme from three months into their claim, recognising the additional challenges they may face in preparing for and finding work compared with other jobseekers.
We are also modernising the way Jobcentre Plus delivers its services to customers outside of the Work programme. Jobcentre Plus advisers will have the flexibility to assess customers' individual needs and offer the support they see fit, drawing from a flexible menu of provision.
Our mainstream provision will be complemented by specialist disability employment programmes including Work Choice, which will continue to help people with more severe disabilities or complex needs to prepare for work and to undertake supported employment, with the aim of progressing into unsupported employment where possible.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to ensure support is in place for people with degenerative diseases to find work within 12 months following the implementation of his proposals to limit the payment of contributory employment support allowance to one year; and if he will make a statement. [60918]
Chris Grayling: Support to find work will be available for all employment and support allowance (ESA) customers from the outset of their claim, irrespective of their health condition. This support is available through Jobcentre Plus on a voluntary basis until the outcome of the work capability assessment (WCA) is known.
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Following the WCA, for most ESA customers placed in the Work Related Activity Group, this support will be mandatory either through Jobcentre Plus or through the Work programme.
The vast majority of ESA customers who want the more intensive support offered by the Work programme will be able to access it as soon as the outcome of the WCA is known. This includes contributory ESA customers who can remain on the programme after their benefit has come to an end, ensuring that they receive all the support they need to help them return to work. The Work programme will place customers in the best possible position to return to work once they are well enough to do so.
Alternatively those with the most severe disabilities may receive support through Work Choice.
Employment and Support Allowance: Mental Health
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with representatives of mental health charities on the potential effects of implementation of changes to employment and support allowance on the mental health of applicants. [58960]
Chris Grayling: The Department values the views of disability groups and we engage in ongoing and helpful dialogue both at ministerial and official level with group representatives. For example, since December 2010, Jobcentre Plus partnership teams have been engaging with customer representative and advisory groups at a local level. My officials have also recently met with MIND, Mencap, National Autistic Society, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People to discuss the work capability assessment.
We have also consulted with a broad range of stakeholders including independent providers of mental health services at various national forums and events. Our customer communications and awareness learning materials for staff have been developed in response to feedback received at these events.
We recognise that attending any medical assessment can be a stressful experience, and these will not be carried out if there is enough existing evidence to decide benefit entitlement. The health care professionals who carry out the examinations are trained in assessing vulnerable customers, and when people are asked to come for an assessment claimants are encouraged to bring a friend or relative with them.
We are committed to engaging with third party organisations, including mental health charities, on an ongoing basis so that they can support their customers through the incapacity benefit reassessment journey.
Employment Schemes
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department will provide training for voluntary groups who are assisting the long-term unemployed as part of his proposals for the Work programme; and if he will make a statement. [59969]
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Chris Grayling: Work programme providers will be free to design support based on individual and local need.
This means determining all their own arrangements, including assembling and managing their own supply chains. The payment model has been designed so that providers will always want to maximise performance, so it will be in their interest to ensure that their subcontractor staff are appropriately trained.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding for the Work programme he plans to allocate to the west midlands in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [59970]
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much Work programme funding he plans to allocate to Scotland in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [60585]
Chris Grayling: Work programme funding has not been allocated by country or region. Funding will ultimately come down to individual prime providers, and the amount they are awarded will very much depend on the performance they achieve. We estimate the overall spend for the Work programme to be between £3 billion to £5 billion over the life of the contracts.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of Work programme participants he expects to deal with (a) private sector, (b) voluntary sector and (c) other providers at the point of service delivery. [60949]
Chris Grayling: The Work programme will provide personalised support to an expected 2.4 million claimants over the next seven years.
We expect 630,000 people to start the Work programme in the 10 months between June 2011 and March 2012. By the end of 2012-13 the Work programme could be supporting up to 1.2 million people.
The organisations delivering the Work programme, including first and second tier subcontractors, are split as follows (a) private sector 38% (b) voluntary sector 46% and (c) public sector 16%. At this stage it is not possible to say whether participants will be dealt with by each sector in precisely the same proportions. The proportions will become clearer over time as participants are referred to the programme.
Employment Schemes: Voluntary Organisations
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2011, Official Report, column 662W, on employment schemes: voluntary organisations, how many of the voluntary sector organisations in the Work programme supply chain will operate in each of the 18 regions. [60866]
Chris Grayling: The Work programme supply chain information, including the number of voluntary sector organisations, has been published on the Supplying DWP website:
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http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/work-programme/
Incapacity Benefit
Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people moved from incapacity benefit to (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) the work related activity group found employment in the latest period for which figures are available. [59656]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
Claimants leaving incapacity benefit are not required to inform the Department of their destinations or future intentions and hence the information that is collected on this group is incomplete.
Incapacity Benefits: Appeals
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what time period he has set in which incapacity benefit claimants will be able to appeal reassessment decisions. [45021]
Chris Grayling: The time limit for appealing all benefit outcome decisions, including those on incapacity benefit reassessments, is one month after the date the notification of the decision was sent to the claimant. This can be extended by up to 12 months where there are special circumstances for not making the appeal within the one month period.