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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 23 June 2011
House of Commons Commission
Parliament’s Education Service
Simon Hart: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many schools from (a) Carmarthenshire and (b) Pembrokeshire visited the Palace of Westminster through the Parliamentary Education Service in each year since 2009. [61549]
John Thurso: The number of schools from Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire visiting the Palace of Westminster through Parliament's Education Service in each year since 2009 is as follows:
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Carmarthenshire | Pembrokeshire |
The total number of students visiting the Palace of Westminster on these visits (including future bookings for 2011) is 513.
Attorney-General
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Attorney-General how many invoices the Law Officers' Departments received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55875]
The Attorney-General: The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol) does not keep separate records for payment performance related to construction industry suppliers, and such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total number of invoices received from all “tier 1 suppliers” (ie organisations supplying goods or services directly to the Department) from 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 was 34,692. The Department paid 87% in 30 days.
TSol data includes procurement for the Attorney-General's Office and the HM Crown Prosecution Services Inspectorate.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a limited requirement for construction services and between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011 has not undertaken a project requiring a “Fair Payment Charter”, Subsequently no
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invoices have been received for payment for such services. It is not possible separately to identify invoices that may involve a Tier 1 supplier without incurring disproportionate cost but during the period in question the CPS processed a total of 229,088 payments to suppliers and service providers, 85% of which were paid within 30 days.
The SFO does not have any contracts that fall within the terms of the Fair Payment guidance and the majority of their suppliers do not sub contract the work to others. It is not possible to separately identify which invoices may involve a Tier 1 supplier without incurring disproportionate cost. During the period in question, the SFO processed a total of 7,126 payments to general suppliers and service providers, 93% of which were paid within 30 days.
Education
Children: Day Care
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's policy is on providing support for childcare costs for parents aged under 20 to allow them to undertake (a) full or (b) part-time study. [59417]
Mr Gibb: In 2011/12 the Care to Learn scheme will provide assistance for child care and related transport costs to enable young parents under 20 with responsibility for caring for their child to attend education or training. The scheme provides support of up to £160 a week (£175 in London). Child care costs are paid direct to the provider of child care.
The Department for Education (DfE) is committed to continuing the Care to Learn scheme for young parents. Learner support for young people aged 19 and over at the start of their course is generally provided by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and officials from the two Departments are working together to consider how best to support parents aged 19 and over beyond the 2011/12 academic year.
Secondary Education: Kingston upon Thames
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to determine the capital allocation for a new secondary school in North Kingston for the period from 2012-13 to 2014-15. [58619]
Mr Gibb: In December, the Secretary of State for Education informed every relevant local authority of its full share of DfE capital funding for 2011-12. The Department has not retained any reserves for responding to individual applications from schools or local authorities.
It is the responsibility of each local authority to manage the supply for primary and secondary school places in their area and ensure there are sufficient schools to meet the local need. The Department will continue to provide capital funding and monitor the situation with local authorities to secure sufficient school places.
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Culture, Media and Sport
Arts
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress he has made on plans to increase philanthropic support for the arts. [61578]
Mr Vaizey: We have made good progress in our work to boost philanthropy in the arts. Having set out a 10-point action plan which will guide our work over the next four years, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), will shortly be launching an £80 million match funding programme in partnership with Arts Council England. This will help cultural organisations, large and small, across the country to build their supporter base and to fundraise more effectively, including through the development of endowments. The Government have published a White Paper on Giving which contained a range of measures which will boost charitable giving and volunteering across society. In his Budget the Chancellor announced a strong package of tax measures which will further incentivise philanthropy, in particular through legacy giving. We have also taken steps to strengthen public recognition for those who give their time and money to support the cultural life of the nation.
Departmental Redundancy
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancies in its non-departmental bodies (a) in 2011-12 and (b) over the comprehensive spending review period. [61720]
Mr Vaizey: The Department has not made an estimate of the number of redundancies within its non-departmental public bodies, either in 2011-12 or over the spending review period. Any such decisions will need to be taken by the bodies themselves in the light of their spending review settlement.
Diamond Jubilee 2012
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what events his Department has planned to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee in 2012. [61581]
Hugh Robertson: My Department has worked closely with colleagues across Government to launch two civic honours competitions and create a special diamond jubilee bank holiday on 5 June next year. A medal will also be issued to mark the diamond jubilee and the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, will make an announcement shortly. In addition, my Department continues to work in support of the wider programme of events for 2012, further details of which are available at:
www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee
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Olympic Games 2012: Smoking
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on the provision of technical support by the World Health Organisation for implementation of a tobacco-free policy at the London 2012 Olympics. [61415]
Hugh Robertson: Officials in this Department and the Department of Health have discussed our aspiration for a tobacco-free Games with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) on a number of occasions. At this stage, the role of the World Health Organisation in supporting this aspiration has not been considered.
Olympic Games 2012: Tickets
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics he expects to be taken up by non-UK residents. [60720]
Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are global events. Of the 8.8 million tickets available for the Olympic Games, 75% are being made available through the UK application process. 12% of tickets are being made available to 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to sell to international sports fans in their countries. Due to EU law, UK residents are entitled to apply for tickets from NOCs within the EU, just as EU residents are entitled to apply for tickets from the UK application. However, over 95% of all applications in the first round of the UK public sales process—and of those who were successful—are from the UK.
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what powers the Government has to restrict the use or onward sale by officials of the government of (a) Libya and (b) Syria of tickets to the London 2012 Olympics allocated to their National Olympic Committee. [61137]
Hugh Robertson: Section 31 of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 makes it a criminal offence to sell a Games ticket in public or in the course of a business, without LOCOG's authorisation. “In the course of business” includes anyone who makes a profit or aims to make a profit from the sale.
Overseas, tickets are allocated to a country's National Olympic Committee which is responsible for distributing them within their country. However, every international visitor is subject to the UK's immigration controls.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 140W, on the Olympic Games 2012, how many tickets for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have been allocated to schools in Scotland to date. [61317]
Hugh Robertson: Through a levy on high-end prestige ticket packages, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is funding 200,000 “Ticketshare” tickets, which will see 50,000 tickets donated to schools across the UK.
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These tickets will be distributed via schools and colleges that have signed up to LOCOG's Get Set Network, part of the official London 2012 Get Set Education Programme. Therefore the numbers allocated to Scotland will depend on the number of schools and colleges that apply by the deadline of Friday 16 December 2011. Tickets will be allocated after this point.
Tourism: Diamond Jubilee 2012
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the potential effect on the economy of levels of tourism during the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations in 2012. [61577]
Hugh Robertson: Through VisitBritain, we are creating the best ever overseas tourism marketing campaign for Britain, taking advantage of the unique opportunities in 2012 afforded by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Her Majesty's diamond jubilee celebrations and other major events. The campaign is aiming to deliver an additional 4 million visitors to the UK and £2 billion extra spend over the next four years.
Defence
Armed Forces: Languages
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the average cost per individual is to his Department of providing French language lessons for (a) RAF, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army pilots; and if he will make a statement; [61083]
(2) how many (a) RAF, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army pilots are receiving French language lessons; and if he will make a statement. [61084]
Nick Harvey: Currently four pilots are receiving French language lessons within the Defence intelligence and security centre. The breakdown by service is as follows:
RAF: One
Royal Navy: Three
Army: Nil.
The cost per individual to the Ministry of Defence for the provision of French language lessons for the RAF, Royal Navy and Army pilots is £7,761 per student.
Belize: Military Aid
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what helicopter support is available to support British military training in Belize. [60884]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 22 June 2011]: 25 Flight Army Air Corps (25 Flight AAC) currently operates three Bell 212 helicopters in support of the British Army Training Support Unit, Belize (BATSUB). This is however, due to cease this summer. The helicopters are operated by the Army Air Corps under a ‘military registered contractor owned’ basis, and are painted in the Army Air Corps military markings.
In 2010 the UK Ministry of Defence looked at its use of all military bases overseas and, after consultation with the Government of Belize, concluded that BATSUB
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would remain open but that we will, from 2011, temporarily suspend our routine training activities in Belize. As a consequence, there is currently no requirement for helicopter support and UK aviation support will, therefore, cease after the last Infantry exercise scheduled for mid-July. 25 Flight AAC will transfer to the UK, to provide helicopter support to other military collective training activities.
Defence Equipment
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure his Department will incur in relation to the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition between 13 and 16 September 2011; and which Ministers from his Department plan to attend the event. [60761]
Mr Gerald Howarth: The Defence and Security Equipment International 2011 (DSEi '11) will be held at the ExCel centre in London from 13 - 16 September 2011. UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) is the Government lead for this event. The event provides an excellent medium through which to promote UK manufacturing and technological excellence in these sectors and, by inviting overseas customers, offers a valuable opportunity to support economic growth through exports. Costs associated with hosting official overseas delegations invited by Government to attend DSEi '11 will be met by the organisers. In support of this event the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will be providing two Royal Navy ships which will participate as part of the Royal Navy's routine military tasking. The MOD will provide a small team of military personnel to support UKTI DSO with the administrative arrangements for the event, for which we will meet the staff costs. Programmes of UK Government Ministers are decided nearer to the date of the event and will not be published in advance of its taking place.
Defence: Research
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions he has put in place to limit the transfer of UK military research and development to other countries. [61464]
Peter Luff: The British Government actively support the drive for commercial exports with a licensing system that ensures such activity is responsible. Information exchanges between governments are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Memoranda of Understanding. The Ministry of Defence only enters into such arrangements after extensive scrutiny.
Defence: USA
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to improve defence technology co-operation between the UK and US. [61465]
Peter Luff:
The Strategic Defence and Security Review published on 19 October 2010 emphasised that the US remains the UK's primary strategic collaborator. We are currently strengthening our collaborative engagement
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with the US by increasing the proportion of our research programme undertaken on a collaborative basis in a number of key areas and refocusing activity that would have been undertaken with other nations. We are also working with the US on the detailed arrangements required to implement the US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty. The treaty aims to simplify transfer arrangements between the US and UK for certain categories of technology, when destined for UK and US Government end-use, and seeks to improve interoperability and the delivery of capability to our armed forces.
US-UK co-operation on nuclear technology continues to be enhanced through the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.
Departmental Data Protection
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote visual data security in his Department; and what training his Department provides to its officials in respect of the management of visual data security. [60906]
Nick Harvey: The Department's information security policy and guidance makes clear that, protectively marked information or personal data are not to be handled in circumstances where such information may be overlooked by unauthorised persons, particularly in public locations.
Staff are advised of technical procedures which can help to protect data security and are required to undertake the appropriate training courses on the protection of information.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish the first report on the
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projects considered by his Department's Major Projects Review Board on 13 June 2011. [61300]
Peter Luff: The Secretary of State for Defence has previously stated his intention to publish a list of “projects of concern” as an outcome of the Major Projects Review Board meetings. The purpose of the Board is to incentivise better performance in the management and delivery of major projects that are delayed or experiencing serious cost growth. Projects will be placed on the list of concern if once reviewed by the Board they continue to slip or increase in cost and fail to provide sufficient confidence in their recovery plan. It is not possible, therefore, to identify any specific “projects of concern” at this early stage in the process or to predict when such a report becomes appropriate.
Departmental Visits Abroad
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what overseas visits he undertook in the last six months; what the (a) country and place visited, (b) date, (c) meetings attended during the visit, (d) names of other individuals attending such meetings and (e) purpose of each meeting was in each case; and if he will make a statement. [37793]
Dr Fox: The information is being collated. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
Substantive answer from Liam Fox to Stephen Gilbert:
I write in reply to your written Parliamentary Question. (37793)
I answered on 2 February that the information was being collated and I would write to you as soon as it was available.
A full response is as follows.
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Falkland Islands: Military Aircraft
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many quick reaction alert activations which have taken place on the Falkland Islands since May 2010 (a) only one aircraft and (b) no aircraft became airborne. [61161]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 21 June 2011]: A single Typhoon has been launched in every quick reaction alert activation over the last 12 months.
HMS Endurance
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of repairs to HMS Endurance in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [61291]
Peter Luff: The amounts spent by the Ministry of Defence in maintaining or repairing HMS Endurance during the last five years are shown in the following table:
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| Financial year | Amount (£ million) |
| (1) Cost of routine maintenance which includes refits and repairing worn or damaged equipment. (2) Cost of routine maintenance plus repair costs following the accident. (3) Cost of removing equipment, cleaning and conducting a survey. | |
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of Predator drones. [61128]
Nick Harvey: MQ-9 Reaper (also known as Predator B) is the UK's only armed remotely piloted aircraft system. It plays a vital role supporting military operations in Afghanistan where it is operated under the command of the NATO International Security and Assistance Force. Reaper crews comply fully with the air traffic procedures in force within their designated Afghan airspace; operate under the principles of International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Law of Armed Conflict); and any release of weapons is in accordance with the same UK rules of engagement as conventionally piloted UK combat aircraft operating in Afghanistan.
Warships: Deployment
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ships by type are deployed on current operations or exercises. [60531]
Nick Harvey: As of 16 June 2011, the ships of each type deployed on operations are as follows.
HMS Iron Duke
HMS Monmouth
Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMV)
HMS Grimsby
HMS Chiddingfold
HMS Pembroke
HMS Middleton
Royal Fleet Auxiliaries (RFAs)
RFA Lyme Bay—Landing ship dock
RFA Diligence—Forward repair ship
RFA Fort Victoria—Replenishment ship
HMS Echo
EU counter-piracy and counter-smuggling operations within the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.
HMS Richmond
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The UK's contribution to NATO forces enforcing UN Resolution 1973 to protect civilians in Libya.
HMS Ocean
RFA Fort Rosalie—Replenishment ship
NATO forces enforcing UN Resolution 1973 to protect civilians in Libya.
HMS Liverpool
HMS Brocklesby
Capacity building and support to operations East of Suez.
Landing platform dock and Fleet flagship
HMS Albion
HMS Sutherland
RFA Cardigan Bay—Landing ship dock
RFA Wave Knight—Fleet tanker
The security of Gibraltar territorial seas.
HMS Sabre
HMS Scimitar
Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North)
The UK's maritime contribution to the Caribbean and North Atlantic area. Protection of UK interests, humanitarian role in response to the natural disasters, especially hurricanes, which are prevalent in this region.
RFA Wave Ruler—Fleet tanker
Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South
The standing naval commitment to the South Atlantic and West African regions. Provide a maritime presence to protect the British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and UK's interests in the region.
HMS Edinburgh
RFA Black Rover—Small fleet tanker
Permanently stationed in the region, responsible for maintaining British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Offshore patrol vessel (helicopter)
HMS Clyde
Patrolling UK's extended Fisheries Zone.
River Class offshore patrol vessel
HMS Tyne
HMS Severn
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HMS Mersey
Survey operations throughout the world using the latest techniques to provide information for Admiralty charts and nautical publications and in particular updating the charts covering the waters around the United Kingdom.
Her Majesty's Survey Motor Launch
HMS Gleaner
Royal Navy maritime security units at readiness to react to any possible threat to the integrity of UK territorial seas and security of the UK.
HMS Portland
HMS Westminster
HMS Montrose
HMS Daring
HMS Hurworth
RFA Orangeleaf—Support tanker.
In addition Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless is exercising with French, US and Russian naval units as part of an annual exercise.
Church Commissioners
Bishops: Public Appointments
Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the average length of time between announcing the retirement or resignation of a bishop and announcing the successor was in the latest period for which figures are available; what the period was in respect of the two provincial episcopal visitors who were recently appointed; and if he will make a statement. [61012]
Tony Baldry: There are several factors which affect the period taken to fill an episcopal vacancy, the principal ones being the amount of notice, if any, that a bishop gives of his intention to leave office and, in the case of diocesan sees, the number of vacancies with which the Crown Nominations Commission is already dealing. Because of a peak of diocesan vacancies over the past three years the length of diocesan vacancies has been unusually long.
The following table contains data in respect of eight recent vacancies for diocesan sees, 10 for suffragan sees, and two (which occurred at the same time as each other) for the suffragan sees occupied by provincial episcopal visitors. All answers are in days and are for the period between the announcement of the intention to leave office and the announcement of the appointment.
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Average time taken | Actual time taken |
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Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what average time elapsed between the announcement of the appointment and the consecration of suffragan bishops in the latest period for which figures are available; what the period was in respect of the two provincial episcopal visitors who were recently appointed; and if he will make a statement. [61013]
Tony Baldry: The table gives the period, in days, between the announcement of the appointments and the consecration dates in relation to 10 recent vacancies in suffragan sees and the two recent provincial episcopal visitor appointments:
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Average time taken | Actual time taken |
Church of England
Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the ratio is of Church of England parishes which have passed Resolution C to provincial episcopal visitors. [61014]
Tony Baldry: The 2010 figures show that out of 12,614 parishes 363 parishes had petitioned for extended episcopal oversight, 802 had passed resolution A (under which a woman may not preside at Holy Communion) and 966 resolution B (under which a woman may not be incumbent of the parish). Under the Act of Synod the three provincial episcopal visitors have a spokesman and advisory role in relation to all those unable to receive the ministry of women priests as well as a direct oversight role for many of the 363 parishes who have petitioned for extended Episcopal oversight. For some of the 363 parishes oversight is provided by diocesan or other suffragan bishops who do not ordain women.
Church of England: Bishops
Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the ratio is of Church of England parishes to serving bishops. [61015]
Tony Baldry: The most recent figures (2009) show that in the 43 dioceses of England and the Isle of Man there were 12,614 parishes and 110 bishops, of whom 43 were diocesan bishops. This gives a ratio of 115 parishes per bishop, though the actual ratio varies significantly between dioceses.
Churches: Visits
Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what limits there are on any structures that provincial episcopal visitors are permitted to establish. [61016]
Tony Baldry: Provincial episcopal visitors are suffragan bishops within the dioceses of Canterbury and York and have no authority to establish any structures separate from those of their dioceses.
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Cabinet Office
Crown Relocations
Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many contracts his Department holds with Crown Relocations; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is. [58634]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office does not hold any contracts with Crown Relocations according to the records available.
My Civil Service Pension
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what consultation he had with staff employed in My Civil Service Pension (MyCSP) on the proposed mutualisation of MyCSP; and if he will publish the outcome of the consultation; [61632]
(2) what representations he has received from Civil Service staff on the proposed reform of My Civil Service Pension; [61633]
(3) what governance arrangements for My Civil Service Pension have been drafted ahead of its planned mutualisation; and whether (a) the public, (b) MyCSP staff and (c) trade unions are to be consulted on such governance arrangements. [61755]
Mr Maude: MyCSP is keen to transform its business into an innovative mutual joint venture that offers extensive benefits to employees, customers and the Government. The Government support this endeavour.
Extensive consultation with the employees of MyCSP has been carried out, led by the CEO, including face to face, written and telephone communications. Trade unions have been consulted and I have met with them personally.
There has been very strong interest from employees; naturally some have concerns and are eager to find out more about what the changes will mean in practice, but there is a great deal of recognition among employees of the fact that mutualisation offers substantial benefits.
Elections are already under way for employees to sit on the Employee Partnership Council. This body will strengthen the voice of employees and involve them directly in the running of the company.
Public Sector: Manpower
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the working population in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland was employed by the public sector in the latest period for which figures are available. [61803]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the working population in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland were employed by the public sector in the latest period for which figures are available (61803).
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Estimates of regional employment for the UK public sector are published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics. The latest date for which information is available is March 2011.
The requested data are as follows:
| Table 1: Regional public sector employment rates: by country of workplace (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) | ||||
| Percentage of total employment | ||||
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England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland |
| (1) Rates based on total employment that includes overseas employees, those who did not state their region of workplace when surveyed as part of the Labour Force Survey and approximately 40,000 public sector employees that could not be assigned to a region. (2) Estimates are based on where people are employed. (3) Public Sector employment estimates for Scotland Q1 2011 will be revised on 28 June and included in the Scottish Government publication: Public Sector Employment in Scotland. This revision will take account of revised NHS headcount figures (based on a new improved methodology). Further details can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/PublicSectorEmployment (4) Estimates for Northern Ireland will differ to those published by DFPNI. The ONS figures include HM Forces Personnel. (5) Estimates of employment for Q1 2011 include 15,000 temporary staff employed to undertake the 2011 Census. Source: Office for National Statistics | ||||
Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he received a request from (a) Members of the Welsh Government or (b) the Secretary of State for Wales between 6 May and 20 May 2011 to meet to discuss issues relating to affairs in Wales that are within his responsibilities. [57465]
Mr Maude: I received no such requests.
Prime Minister
Legal Advice: Armed Forces
Mr Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish in full the legal advice he obtained before the commencement of military action in Libya. [61690]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) on 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 885W.
Women and Equalities
Females: Mass Media
Claire Perry: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking in relation to the representation of body images of women in the media. [61544]
Lynne Featherstone: I have established an expert group to work with me, and representatives from relevant industries and the voluntary sector, to help reduce the pressure the media places on an individual's body image. People are being set an impossible standard by the images they see.
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I am also working with Media Smart, a not-for-profit media literacy provider to create a lesson for primary schools that will give children the tools and techniques to understand and critically appraise what they see in the media.
Northern Ireland
Charities: VAT
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the payment of value added tax by charities in Northern Ireland. [62215]
Mr Paterson: I have had no such discussions as I have no ministerial responsibility for these areas. Tax is the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and charities policy and legislation in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Development.
Royal Irish Regiment: Parades
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) 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; [60629]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on homecoming parades for the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland. [60659]
Mr Paterson: I have received a number of both written and verbal representations and as such have had a number of conversations with the Secretary of State for Defence.
Secondment
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were seconded from his Department to the Northern Ireland civil service in each year since 2007. [62214]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010 are not available.
There are currently eight staff seconded from my Department to the Northern Ireland civil service.
Work and Pensions
Employment and Support Allowance
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for contributory Employment and Support Allowance he expects for each financial year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. [58461]
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Chris Grayling [holding answer 9 June 2011]: The information requested is not available. The Department does not produce forecasts of claims received by payment type.
The following table provides the forecast total number of claims received for employment and support allowance.
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ESA claims received forecast (thousand) |
Hewlett Packard
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) Hewlett Packard and (b) trade unions on the application of Hewlett Packard to offshore elements of the Adams 2 contract it holds with his Department; and when he expects to reach a decision on this application. [61582]
Chris Grayling: The Department's existing contract for IT services with HP already makes provision for the delivery of services from non-UK locations. Ministers are reviewing existing plans to increase the amount of work delivered this way.
Jobcentre Plus: Travel
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he took into consideration the ability of employees of the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Office within Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus to travel to other Jobcentre Plus offices by public transport prior to his decision to close that office. [61701]
Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether he took into consideration the ability of employees of the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) Office within Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus to travel to other Jobcentre Plus offices by public transport prior to his decision to close that office. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
In deciding which sites to close in rationalising our estate, Jobcentre Plus used a balance of criteria of: performance; cost; size (sites under 200 seats being less cost effective) ; staff redeployment opportunities and impact on the local economy/community (including seeking to avoid areas where other public sector staff reductions may take place). In addition a full Equality Impact Assessment was conducted and a site specific one for each site selected. Disability, gender, race, age, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation and pregnancy and maternity were all considered. This ensured that all of the issues and potential impacts were exposed and mitigated. The results of the Hartlepool IIDB office Equality Impact Assessment were included within the equally weighted and balanced set of criteria that was used by Jobcentre Plus to inform decision making.
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Therefore I can confirm that the redeployment potential of the Hartlepool staff was one of the factors considered when deciding whether to close the site.
Every member of staff at Hartlepool IIDB centre will be offered a job elsewhere in Jobcentre Plus. There may also be additional opportunities for redeployment into other Civil Service posts outside of this Department. Help with travel to get to an alternative workplace will be given. Redeployment to Stockton and Sunderland Benefit Centres, Middlesbrough Contact Centre and the Jobcentres at Hartlepool, Billingham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Eston, Redcar, Darlington and Middlesbrough East are being given due consideration.
All staff at Hartlepool are being engaged by their managers in frequent one to one discussions. This is the opportunity for staff to explore their options and access the full range of support offered by Jobcentre Plus under departmental workforce management and equality policies. All available options will be considered, including relocation, redeployment and reasonable adjustments. Trade Union representatives are being kept informed and are available for staff to consult about their particular circumstances.
Maternity Pay
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy for staff is in respect of (a) eligibility criteria and (b) rates of pay for (i) maternity and (ii) adoption leave. [61792]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions offers all employees access to enhanced provisions on maternity and adoption leave. For those employees with the appropriate level of qualifying service it also exceeds statutory minimum payments.
Regardless of length of service or hours worked, employees are entitled to unpaid Departmental Maternity Leave of 52 weeks.
Employees who have completed 26 weeks continuous service by the 15(th) week before the Expected Week of Childbirth are entitled to 39 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay, which is six weeks at 90% of pay, followed by 33 weeks at Statutory Maternity Pay level.
Employees who have completed more than one year's paid service (including temporary service) within the Civil Service when their maternity leave starts may be eligible, for 26 weeks Departmental Maternity Pay (DMP) paid at their normal rate of pay, followed by 13 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay and a further 13 weeks Unpaid Maternity Leave.
Regardless of length of service or hours worked, employees are entitled to unpaid Departmental Adoption Leave of 52 weeks, provided employees adopt through an approved adoption agency.
Employees who have completed 26 weeks of service by the placement date and have average weekly earnings of at least £97 per week before tax, are entitled to 39 weeks of Statutory Adoption Pay, at whichever is the lower of:
£124.88 or
90% of their average weekly earnings.
Employees who have completed more than one year's paid service, including temporary service, when their adoption leave starts may be eligible for 26 weeks paid adoption leave at their normal rate of pay followed by 13 weeks Statutory Adoption Pay and a further 13 weeks of unpaid leave.
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Older Workers
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to integrate into his Department's policies the objectives of the 2012 European Year on Active Ageing. [61780]
Steve Webb: The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations challenges member states to improve opportunities for active ageing in general and for living independently, acting in areas as diverse as employment, health care, social services, adult learning, volunteering, housing, IT services or transport.
DWP is already working with other Government Departments, local government, the voluntary and community sector, other stakeholders and citizens to address these challenges, support the development of practical local solutions and promote the learning from this work.
Pathways to Work: Redundancy
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people previously employed on Pathways to Work were made redundant in each of the last 12 months; and how many such people had disabilities. [61583]
Chris Grayling: Information on the number of people who were previously employed on Pathways to Work who were made redundant is not collected.
The advent of the Work Programme has raised questions about the rights of staff working on previous employment programmes, such as Pathways to Work, to transfer to the new contractors under TUPE (the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006). This is a complex transition, with large numbers of contracts coming to an end and being replaced by a smaller number of larger contracts.
While DWP understood the concerns of people involved in the Pathways to Work contracts, the support available through Jobcentre Plus and Work Programme represents a clean break from previous work initiatives and cannot therefore be seen as a continuation of Pathways to Work. Staff working for Pathways to Work providers were therefore not eligible for TUPE transfer to Jobcentre Plus.
Official statistics are routinely published for employment programmes such as Pathways to Work. Official statistics on Pathways to Work starts and job entries are available up to October 2010, and are published at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page= ib_ref_p2w
Pensions
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to ensure that members of the public are aware of the effects on them of auto-enrolment in workplace pension schemes; and if he will make a statement. [60426]
Steve Webb: DWP will proactively communicate the reforms to individuals through the media and other channels, working in partnership with other organisations where appropriate.
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We are also developing a comprehensive set of information that will be available to individuals who want to know more about the reforms, this will be available via Directgov, supported by a call centre and though partner organisations including the Pensions Advisory Service and the Money Advice Service, where more specialist, independent information about pensions or about financial planning and budgeting is needed.
DWP, with the help of the Pensions Regulator and some large employers, is also developing an ‘information toolkit’ so that employers have information available for their employees in the workplace.
We also have a full programme of communications to employers which will explain the reforms. We will use a variety of channels such as the media and business websites. The Pensions Regulator is also rolling out a programme of communications and information so that employers understand how to comply with the legislation.
Transport
Low-carbon Vehicles
18. Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to promote low-carbon vehicles. [61524]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Government have made provision of over £400 million for measures to promote the uptake of ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies. These measures include support for consumer incentives, development of recharging infrastructure, and a programme of research, development work and demonstration work. Low emission vehicles are also supported by the tax system.
Airports
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition his Department uses of the term hub airport. [61466]
Mrs Villiers: As part of the process of developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation, the Department for Transport published a scoping document in March 2011 which provides the following broad definition of a hub airport:
“A hub airport is used by airlines as the main base for connecting traffic where a significant proportion of passengers transfer between flights.”
Car Odometer
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department provides on the legitimate circumstances for the replacement of a car odometer. [61702]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport does not publish specific guidance. While there is no legal requirement to fit an odometer to a vehicle or for a fitted odometer to be in good working order, it is an offence enforceable by trading standards officers if a recorded mileage is knowingly misrepresented to a potential purchaser.
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Crossrail Line
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a Crossrail station at (a) Kensal Green and (b) Old Oak Common. [59788]
Mrs Villiers: The Crossrail route as defined under the Crossrail Act 2008 does not include a station at Kensal Green.
The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the cost of an additional Crossrail station at Kensal Green. The Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea have outlined their view of the estimated costs to Crossrail sponsors, and Crossrail Limited is working with sponsors to test these estimates. As part of its proposals for a national high speed rail network, HS2 Ltd estimated that the base construction cost of a Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common would be £570 million (excluding risk).
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential effects on the timetable for the completion of the Crossrail project of adding further stations to the project. [59789]
Mrs Villiers: The Crossrail route as defined under the Crossrail Act 2008 does not include a station at Kensal Green. The Department for Transport has not undertaken an assessment of the impact of stations not included on the route as defined under the Act on the programme for the completion of Crossrail.
Any change to the scope of Crossrail would have to be approved by the joint sponsors, the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport. In the first instance, Crossrail Limited would need to assess the potential programme impacts were such a change to be proposed. The impact on Crossrail services would also have to be considered.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) accidents and (b) fatalities in the construction of Crossrail have been recorded. [59790]
Mrs Villiers: There have been no fatalities to date during the construction of Crossrail. There have been 12 RIDDOR-reportable accidents (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1995) since Crossrail commenced its main delivery phase in May 2009. Prior to that one reportable accident occurred in February 2008 during the preliminary works stage.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the safety record in constructing Crossrail. [59791]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport receives regular information from Crossrail Ltd regarding safety matters. In addition, arrangements are in place to ensure that the Department for Transport is advised if a serious safety incident occurs.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the merits of establishing a Crossrail station at Old Oak Common. [59792]
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Mrs Villiers: An assessment of a Crossrail interchange has been carried out by HS2 Ltd as part the development of its proposals. As set out in the current consultation on high speed rail, the Government consider that there is a strong case for a Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the merits of establishing a Crossrail station at Kensal Green. [59793]
Mrs Villiers: The Crossrail route as defined under the Crossrail Act 2008 does not include a station at Kensal Green. The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the merits of an additional Crossrail station at Kensal Green, although the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea have shared with Crossrail sponsors their view of the merits of this proposal, and sponsors are working to test these estimates.
High Speed Two Railway Line
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to publish full details of the High Speed Two Y route; and for what reason he has not made this information available. [61154]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 21 June 2011]: Details of options for the routes to Leeds and Manchester, including stations, are currently in preparation. This work is not yet complete and I am, therefore, yet to receive any advice on these routes.
The timetable we have always been working to is set out in a letter I wrote to HS2 Ltd on 4 October 2010, in which I requested that it complete its advice on routes to Leeds and Manchester by December 2011. This letter is at:
http://www.hs2.org.uk/publications/HS2-Ltds-remit-of-4-October-2010--61200
My Department's business plan clearly states that informal consultation on the options for routes to Leeds and Manchester will commence in 2012, followed by formal consultation in 2014. The business plan is at:
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/about/publications/business/plan2011-15/
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding (a) his Department and (b) other Departments have allocated to planning and preparation for High Speed Two to 2014-15; how much of this funding has been spent; and on what activities such funding has been spent. [61155]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 21 June 2011]: The information requested is provided in the following table.
| Funding allocated to planning and preparation for HS2, 2014-15 | |||||
| £ million | |||||
|
|
Pre 2011-12 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
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HS2 Ltd spent £24.1 million (excluding VAT) between January 2009, when it was established, and the end of the 2010-11 financial year. In addition, the Department spent £9.6 million on property purchases under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme up to the end of the 2010-11 financial year.
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation he plans to make available to home owners living along the proposed High Speed Two route between Manchester and Leeds. [61207]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 21 June 2011]: No decision has yet been made on discretionary blight or compensation arrangements for future proposed routes between Birmingham and Manchester, and Birmingham and Leeds. Until the options for routes to Manchester and Leeds are known, and the potential effect of blight considered, it would be premature to decide what support arrangements may need to be put in place.
Following publication of those route options the Government would consider, and consult on, the question of whether the approach taken for the first phase of the network would also be effective for lines further north, or whether an alternative approach would be more appropriate.
High Speed Two Railway Line: Lancashire
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential benefit to Ormskirk and Skelmersdale of the High Speed Two project. [61567]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Department for Transport has made no estimate specific to Ormskirk and Skelmersdale. However, Table 5 of the “Economic Case for HS2” available on the HS2 consultation website at:
www.highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case
shows that on the basis of trip origins an estimated 23% of the benefits of the initial London-West Midlands phase of HS2 would relate to the North West region. This would include benefits derived from the two high speed peak hour services that would run onto Glasgow Central and call at Wigan and Preston, as outlined in HS2 Ltd's indicative modelled service specification.
Once the proposed high speed line from Birmingham to Manchester is completed, we would expect further economic benefits to accrue to the North West region, including Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.
High Speed Two Railway Line: Liverpool
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefit of High Speed Two to the Liverpool City region. [57392]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Department for Transport has made no estimate specific to the Liverpool city region. However, Table 5 of the Economic Case for HS2, available on the HS2 consultation website at:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case
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shows that on the basis of trip origins an estimated 23% of the benefits of the initial London-West Midlands phase of HS2 would relate to the North West region. This would include benefits derived from the two high speed services per hour to Liverpool included in HS2 Ltd's modelled service specification.
Once the proposed line form Birmingham to Manchester is completed, we would expect further economic benefits to accrue to the North West region, including to the Liverpool City region.
High Speed Two
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings he has had with those with properties affected by the proposed High Speed Two rail route to Manchester and Leeds. [61703]
Mr Philip Hammond: The options for routes north of the West Midlands are currently being developed by HS2 Ltd and are planned to be published in 2012. At this stage it is too early to know what properties could potentially be affected.
I have met and had discussions with several members of the public whose properties are in the vicinity of the proposed route between London and the West Midlands as part of my visits to the line of route before and during the current consultation.
Large Goods Vehicles
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether EU Directive 96/53/EC on road vehicles will restrict use of any articulated vehicle in excess of 16.5 metres in length on UK roads to operation on a trial basis only. [61331]
Mike Penning [holding answer 21 June 2011]: Article 4.4 (b) of Directive 96/53/EC permits a member state to allow, in domestic traffic, vehicles which exceed the maximum dimensions specified in Annex I (in the case of articulated vehicles, a maximum length of 16.5m), provided that the member state also allows vehicles which comply with Annex I dimensions to be used in such combinations as to achieve at least the loading length of the longer vehicle. If this condition is fulfilled, there is no requirement to operate on a trial basis only.
The Government are consulting on a proposal to allow articulated vehicles of 18.75m in total length, with a loading length of 15.65m. This is the same loading length which is currently provided by Annex I compliant rigid/drawbar combinations.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential effect on (a) road safety and (b) levels of carbon emissions of the operation on UK roads of vehicles over 16.5 metres in length. [61333]
Mike Penning [holding answer 21 June 2011]: The Department for Transport's research into the potential impacts of allowing longer semi-trailers on British roads, set out in the impact assessment on longer semi-trailers, found that while there might be a small increase in safety risk per vehicle, this is outweighed by a forecast decrease in accidents from running fewer lorries, with an overall net decrease in casualties from accidents involving articulated HGVs of around 1.6%.
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The research also found that allowing longer semi-trailers would result in around 100,000 tonnes annual reduction in CO2 emissions.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the ratio of laden to unladen heavy goods vehicles on UK roads in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the likely ratio following any introduction of vehicles over 16.5 metres to the UK. [61334]
Mike Penning [holding answer 21 June 2011]: Current load factors for heavy goods vehicles are published in the Department's "Road Freight Statistics". Figures are available for 2009 on the Department's website.
The Government are consulting on proposals to allow an increase in the length of articulated lorries. Research commissioned by the Department considered a variety of matters that influence loading factors, and sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the implications. This is summarised in the main report and the impact assessment with the full detail found in section 4 of the Economic Assessment.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents involving heavy goods vehicles there were in each of the last 10 years; how many (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries arose from such accidents in each such year; and what assessment he has made of the potential effects on the numbers of such incidents of the introduction of heavy goods vehicles over 16.5 metres long. [61335]
Mike Penning [holding answer 21 June 2011]: Reported personal injury road accidents involving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and the consequential casualties in Great Britain collated by the Department for Transport for 2000 to 2009 were as follows:
| Accidents | Casualties | ||
|
|
|
Killed | Seriously injured |
The Department's research into the potential impacts of allowing longer semi-trailers on GB roads found that while there may be an increase in safety risk per vehicle this is outweighed by a forecast decrease in accidents from running fewer lorries, with an overall net decrease in casualties from accidents involving articulated HGVs of around 1.6 per cent.
London Underground: Industrial Disputes
Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to prevent unplanned industrial action on London Underground. [60467]
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Mrs Villiers: Existing legislation already requires trade unions contemplating industrial action to ballot their membership and give due notice to the employer.
Government encourages both London Underground (LU) and the trade unions representing LU employees to resolve current disputes as quickly as possible through negotiation.
Railways
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase efficiency on the rail network. [61511]
Mrs Villiers: Sir Roy McNulty published his independent study on rail value for money last month, setting out recommendations for increasing efficiency on the rail network.
The Department for Transport is working with the rail industry and other stakeholders to reduce the cost of our railways to the taxpayer and the farepayer, taking full account of Sir Roy's study, and plans to publish a detailed policy statement on rail by the end of November 2011.
Railways: Bristol
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Bristol county council about the future of the Severn Beach Line. [58406]
Norman Baker: Bristol city council has discussed with the Department for Transport how the First Great Western franchise agreement works in order to help it better understand options for continuing financial support for additional train services on the Severn Beach line. The terms of the franchise in place require First Great Western to provide a minimum number of services on the route.
Railways: Scotland
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the proposed high speed rail link to Scotland; and what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on this subject. [61153]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 21 June 2011]: The Government's aspiration is for a truly national high speed rail network. While there are no detailed plans at this stage for any extension to Scotland, the Government would expect to work, subject to the outcome of the current consultation, with the Scottish Government and others to identify and evaluate options for developing the high speed network and reducing journey times further going forward.
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Railways: Theft
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent meetings officials of his Department have had with officials of the Home Department on measures to reduce the incidence of metal theft from the railway network. [61030]
Norman Baker: Officials from the Department for Transport met recently with Home Office officials to discuss the issue of metal theft and to explore possible options to combat it. I have also discussed the matter with representatives from Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.
Cable theft is a crime which hits the railway particularly hard and causes levels of disruption out of all proportion to the value of the material stolen. That is why the British Transport Police are in the forefront of efforts to tackle the problem, working with Network Rail, train operators, other police forces, the scrap metal industry and others with an interest.
Methods used to deter and catch the thieves include:
a dedicated BTP task force with increased patrols, intelligence led policing and additional dedicated officers;
the use of the Network Rail helicopter, CCTV, forensic marking, trembler alarms and other devices to protect the cable;
the introduction of new type of cable that is easier to identify and harder to steal; and
fast response teams to get trains on the move as quickly as possible following an incident.
Rescue Services
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings are (a) rented and (b) leased from other landlords; [61460]
(2) which Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings are in public ownership; and what the monetary value of each such building is; [61461]
(3) which rented or leased Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings have covenants or restrictions as part of the terms of the lease or rental agreement; and what the terms of the covenants or restrictions are in each case; [61462]
(4) which Coastguard Coordination Centre buildings in public ownership have covenants or restrictions applicable to any sale; and what the terms of the covenants or restrictions are in each case. [61463]
Mike Penning: The information requested is in the following table.
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| (1) This is based on the Net Book values as held in the MCA's accounts as at 31 March 2011 and is based on either a Depreciated Replacement Cost or an Existing Use Value, which ever is the more appropriate. These are updated annually and will differ from market values. | ||||||||