Women and Equalities
EU Law
Julian Smith: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities for what European directives in force on 1 April 2010 the Government Equalities Office is responsible; and what European directives for which the Government Equalities Office is responsible have come into force since 1 April 2010. [60693]
Lynne Featherstone: As of 1 April 2011, the Government Equalities Office has been part of the Home Office and is no longer a separate Government Department. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer from the Minister for Crime and Security, the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (James Brokenshire), on 27 June 2011, Official Report, columns 579-81W.
Parental Leave
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the effects on women workers of implementation of proposed reforms of parental leave. [61797]
Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply.
The Modern Workplaces consultation sets out proposals for a new system of flexible parental leave which will protect mothers' rights while giving families more choice and flexibility over how they can share their work and caring responsibilities. The proposals mean that working mothers will be better able to keep in touch with their employer, and we believe they will also aid career progression for working mothers and help to tackle pregnancy discrimination.
Deputy Prime Minister
Departmental Public Expenditure
John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost to the public purse was of his private office in May (a) 2010 and (b) 2011. [62661]
The Deputy Prime Minister: My private office consisting of private secretaries, special advisers and support staff, was formed following the creation of the Government in May 2010. Since this was partway through the month, figures for the month of May 2010 are not available.
The total cost of my private office in May 2011 is estimated to be £111,568.93.
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Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will withdraw RAF fixed wing aircraft and associated RAF manpower from Afghanistan. [61974]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 27 June 2011]: RAF fixed wing aircraft and their crews make an important contribution to the international effort in Afghanistan. We will continue to keep our force levels and deployed capabilities under review.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF fixed wing aircraft are in Afghanistan; and how many personnel by rank and duty are deployed on the operation. [61975]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 27 June 2011]:The UK fixed-wing manned aircraft currently based in Afghanistan are the GR4 Tornado and the C-130 Hercules. There are currently eight UK Tornado GR4 aircraft and three UK C-130 Hercules deployed in Afghanistan.
The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, the roulement of forces, and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.
Air Force
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent representations he has received from the Commander in Chief Air Command on the RAF's capacity to meet its operational tasks now and in the future; [62295]
(2) what recent representations he has received from the First Sea Lord on the Royal Navy's capacity to meet its operational tasks now and in the future. [62297]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The Secretary of State for Defence and I have frequent dialogue with senior armed forces personnel regarding the services’ capacity to meet current and future tasks.
Air Force Board: Public Appointments
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who the members are of the Air Force Board. [61936]
Mr Robathan: The Air Force Board comprises:
Secretary of State for Defence (Chairman)
Minister of State for the Armed Forces
Minister for International Security Strategy
Minister of State for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology
Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)
2nd Permanent Secretary (2nd PUS) (Secretary)
Commander-in-Chief Air Command
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Air Member for Personnel (Deputy Commander-in-Chief Personnel)
Air Member for Materiel (Chief of Materiel (Air))
Air Member for Equipment Capability (Director (Information Superiority))
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.
Meetings of the Air Force Board also include two non-executive directors drawn from outside the Department and will take place as required, but with at least one meeting annually.
Future Combat Air Capability
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the purpose is of the Future Combat Air Capability study; and when he expects it to report. [62282]
Peter Luff: The Future Combat Air Capability study is a rolling programme of analysis that will be used to inform both current planning activity and future strategic defence reviews. Its purpose is to explore, within the current policy context, the most cost-effective mix of current and future airborne platforms to meet the Department's future force requirements. For example, output from the study was used to inform the strategic defence and security review in 2010.
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of (a) the task of recovering carrier aviation capability to support non-short take off and vertical landing fixed-wing aircraft and (b) the complexity of forming a joint Royal Navy and RAF force for this purpose. [62457]
Peter Luff [holding answer 27 June 2011]: We plan to regenerate a carrier strike capability from around 2020, based upon an operational Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier fitted with catapults and arrester gear and the F35C joint strike fighter.
The joint strike fighter fleet will be jointly manned by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in a similar way to the jointly manned Harrier Force. Navy and Air Commands are developing plans to sustain and then re-grow the skills and experience required to regenerate carrier strike capability. The transition plan includes a full analysis of all of the roles involved in delivering the new capability and a plan to deliver trained personnel to fill those posts in time to meet the introduction to service schedule.
The move to the F35-C (carrier variant) joint combat aircraft and the associated modifications to the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier will provide the UK with a world class capability in the decades to come.
Air Force: Ammunition
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Royal Air Force's level of munitions reserves; and if he will make a statement. [61932]
Nick Harvey: Royal Air Force munitions reserves are kept under constant review by a stock-pile steering group to ensure continuing security of supply; there are sufficient stockholdings to meet anticipated operational demand.
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Air Force: Manpower
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the duties of an Aerospace Battle Manager are; how many people are serving in such posts; at what ranks; and how many are deployed on operations. [62285]
Nick Harvey: The duties of the Aerospace Battle Manager encompass the provision of air surveillance, air weapons control and space surveillance tasks. These include the monitoring of airspace to determine the identify of unknown aircraft, control and co-ordination of air defence and support aircraft for air policing and combat missions, detection and warning of ballistic missile launches and the provision of air and space surveillance data to Navy and Army commanders.
The number of Aerospace Battle Managers by rank in the branch as at 1 May 2011 is as follows:
| Rank | Number of Aerospace Battle Managers |
The number of Aerospace Battle Managers currently deployed on operations in the UK is 165 personnel and those outside of the UK, including the Falkland Islands, is 27 personnel.
Air Force: Recruitment
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding was allocated to the RAF for recruitment purposes in each category of expenditure in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [62341]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 27 June 2011]: Funding for RAF recruitment in the years requested is as follows:
Costs shown for financial year 2011-12 are forecast expenditure and can change during the year. While it is planned to reduce the RAF in size, trained personnel in the right areas are still required and targeted recruitment needs to be maintained.
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior aircraftmen were recruited to their posts in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; and how many he expects to be recruited in 2011-12. [62343]
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Mr Robathan [holding answer 27 June 2011]: Personnel are recruited into the RAF at the rank of Aircraftman (AC) and then as they progress through training and service attain the rank of Senior Aircraftman (SAC).
The following table provides information relating to the number of airmen/airwomen recruited into posts in the RAF:
|
|
Number of individuals recruited |
As at 23 June 2011, the forecasted number of individuals expected to enter phase one training at AC rank in 2011-12 is 1,701.
Air Force: Training
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost to the public purse was of training an individual senior aircraftman in the latest period for which figures are available. [62342]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 27 June 2011]:Senior aircraftmen receive training packages tailored to their particular trade, and there are 60 different trade groups. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Aircraft Carriers
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision has been made for (a) carrier-borne air-to-air refuelling capability and (b) fixed-wing carrier on-board delivery for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier; and what the in-service date is for each capability. [62458]
Peter Luff [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The strategic defence and security review announced the decision to procure the carrier variant of the joint strike fighter to operate from the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier from around 2020. We are currently studying the most cost-effective way to provide an embarked air-to-air refuelling capability and assessing potential solutions for the Queen Elizabeth class on-board delivery requirement.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had on the pension rights of veterans who retired before 5 April 1975; and if he will make a statement. [61369]
Mr Robathan: Prior to 1975 there were no rights to preserved pensions in any public or private pension schemes. Most schemes had very restricted qualifying criteria for the award of pensions. For instance, armed forces occupational pensions were awarded only if a member had completed at least 16 years reckonable service as an officer or 22 years reckonable service as an other rank. Reckonable service is paid service after age 21 for officers or after age 18 for other ranks.
Armed Forces: Retirement
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-servicemen and women who served for three or more years and fewer than 22 years retired before 5 April 1975. [61413]
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Mr Robathan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Armed Forces: Uniforms
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what allowances his Department provides to new entrant officers in each of the services for (a) No. 2 Dress Uniform and (b) Dress Kit. [60503]
Mr Robathan: All officer cadets are issued with No. 2 dress uniforms. Naval service and RAF personnel are also issued with dress kit, while in the army, due to the variety of regimental uniforms, it is more cost effective for personnel to be provided with an allowance to cover the cost of their dress kit. This one off allowance ranges from £1,900 to £2,122.
Armed Services
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the present establishment of the RAF to undertake its tasks; [61930]
(2) with reference to the recent remarks of the First Sea Lord, if he will take urgent steps to reduce the workload of the Royal Navy; [61931]
(3) what plans he has to reduce the workload of the Royal Air Force. [61976]
Dr Fox [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The Strategic Defence and Security Review set out the adaptable posture that determines the structure of the armed forces. It distinguishes between different types of commitments for planning purposes. This allows our forces to be flexible enough to deal with unforeseen events, as well as maintaining other long-standing commitments.
Conditions of Employment
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with (a) officials in his Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment law on matters within his Department's responsibilities. [60717]
Mr Robathan: The review of employment-related laws being co-ordinated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is a cross-Government initiative.
All departments with a responsibility for employment-related law are engaged in the process, and relevant Ministers and officials are in contact with BIS on a regular basis in taking forward the review.
Departments are engaging with their stakeholders on issues relating to the employment law review in accordance with their standard procedures for consulting formally and informally on policy development.
Crown Relocations
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds with Crown Relocations; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of each such contract is. [58647]
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Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence's financial management shared service centre contracts database does not show any contracts as having been placed with Crown Relocations.
Defence Equipment: Costs
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the near cash projected spending on the Equipment Plan and Equipment Support Plan is for each year to 2015. [62105]
Peter Luff: The planned near cash spending for the Equipment Procurement Plan and the Equipment Support Plan is as follows:
| £ billion | ||||
| Financial year | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
Planned spending in financial year 2012-13 and beyond will be reviewed as part of the Ministry of Defence's routine planning process. This will take into account the outcome of a range of work currently under way, including the three month exercise.
Defence: Reform
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he plans to make a statement on Defence Reform following the publication of the report of Lord Levene; [60528]
(2) what his timetable is for the implementation of the recommendations of Lord Levene's report on Defence Reform; [60530]
(3) when he plans to announce the results of the Defence Reform Review led by Lord Levene. [62283]
Dr Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 27 June 2011, Official Report, columns 634-36.
Departmental Internet
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on its website since May 2010. [59538]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the armed forces collectively maintain four corporate websites.
From 2009-10, the costs of the MOD corporate websites have been published centrally in an annual report on central Government websites. The annual report for 2009-10 is available as a House of Commons paper (HC367). The report for 2010-11 is due to be published at the end of June 2011.
The Ministry of Defence is progressively reducing the number of departmental websites in accordance with the Cabinet Office website review in order to achieve cost and efficiency savings. To date the Department has closed a total of 115 websites/URLs, as listed on The National Archives' UK Government Website Database, the official listing of the Government's web estate, with
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eight more sites committed to close by 30 June 2011. We continue to monitor the Department's web presence and to seek opportunities to reduce costs in line with the Government's digital strategy.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of employees of his Department's agencies, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy. [61709]
Mr Robathan: The Government are committed to transparency and the availability of data, and are currently exploring options for the more frequent publication of this type of work force management information across the civil service.
The Defence Analytical Services and Advice organisation (DASA) already publishes periodic reports on Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel numbers on its internet site at:
www.dasa.mod.uk
The DASA site contains the civilian personnel statistics quarterly return. Although this report does not currently contain all the information requested for civilian employees, its content has recently been reviewed and changes will be introduced for future editions. Those changes will include numbers of staff leaving MOD Trading Funds and their reasons for doing so.
Departmental Procurement
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010. [61672]
Dr Fox: The Ministry of Defence expects all suppliers to maintain high standards of integrity and professionalism in their business dealings adhering to the laws of the countries where they operate. The Department's standard contractual terms reflect this. There are no specific terms relating to ‘behavioural standards’.
Departmental Responsibilities
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department is making in (a) financial management (i) in-year and (ii) long-term, (b) restructuring its headquarters and other major headquarters and (c) restructuring Defence Equipment and Support. [60525]
Dr Fox: These issues are addressed by Lord Levene's work on Defence Reform, which I announced in my statement on 27 June 2011, Official Report, columns 634-36. We have already made significant progress in some areas. In particular, as part of the changes to corporate services I announced we are strengthening the role of the Director General Finance and his staff; I have established the Major Projects Review Board, which met for the first time on 13 June 2011; and the Chief of Defence Materiel has initiated a fundamental review of the effectiveness of Defence Materiel acquisition and support to produce The Materiel Strategy.
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Departmental Visits Abroad
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what overseas visits he has undertaken since May 2010. [62294]
Dr Fox [holding answer 27 June 2011]: Details of overseas travel undertaken by Defence Ministers are published on a quarterly basis at the following address:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/
The period May to December 2010 has been published and copies of the details will be placed in the Library of the House. Information covering the period January to March 2011 will be published in due course at the website address given above.
Devonport Dockyard
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work his Department has undertaken to identify any cost differential entailed in moving submarines from Devonport to Faslane for maintenance. [61819]
Peter Luff: Work is ongoing to implement the decision to make HM Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde the main operating base for all of the UK's submarines. The deep maintenance of all submarines will continue to be conducted in Devonport. As the engineering support for submarines at HMNB Clyde will be delivered by the same contractor using similar materials and man hours, we have assessed that the cost of submarine maintenance will remain broadly the same.
European Fighter Aircraft
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the marinisation of the Typhoon fighter plane. [61123]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 201W. The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter to meet the carrier strike capability in the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.
European Fighter Aircraft: Repairs and Maintenance
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many spares for the Typhoon aircraft have been purchased beyond those already ordered as part of the Typhoon Availability Service since 19 March 2011; what the cost was to the public purse of the purchase of such spares; and whether the purchase cost was met by the Treasury Contingency Reserve. [62180]
Peter Luff: No additional Typhoon spares have been purchased since 19 March 2011 above those already ordered for planned flying operations. The Typhoon Availability Service contract is not a spares purchasing contract but an availability service contract.
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Ex-servicemen: Prisoners
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of prisoners in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland who had previously served in the armed forces. [61411]
Mr Robathan: With regards to estimates of the number of prisoners in England and Wales who had previously served in the armed forces, I refer the hon. Member to the joint statement I made with the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), on 15 September 2010, Official Report, column 40WS.
Work continues to investigate ways of identifying ex-service personnel in prison in Scotland. However, there are no immediate plans to conduct a similar exercise in Northern Ireland.
HMS Endurance
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects the replacement for HMS Endurance to be fully operational. [62449]
Peter Luff: HMS Protector, the interim replacement ship for HMS Endurance, was commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet on 23 June. On current projections, it will depart Portsmouth towards the end of this year to conduct its first deployment to the Antarctic.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of refitting the replacement for HMS Endurance. [62450]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) on 10 June 2011, Official Report, columns 537-38W.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the through life costs of (a) 138 and (b) 60 Joint Combat Aircraft. [62179]
Peter Luff: No final decision has yet been taken on the overall numbers of Joint Strike Fighter aircraft we intend to order, which will not be made before the next strategic defence review. The through life costs of the programme will be determined as main investment decision points are reached. The Ministry of Defence does not publish estimates prior to such decision points as to do so could prejudice commercial interests.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the basic combat radius is of the F-35 Lightning-11 C-model. [62281]
Peter Luff: The threshold performance of the Carrier Variant (CV) JSF F35C is 600 nautical miles.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) F-35A and (b) F-35C aircraft his Department proposes to purchase between 2018 and 2025; [61903]
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(2) what estimate he has made of the lifetime maintenance costs of his Department's complement of (a) F-35A and (b) F-35C aircraft. [61904]
Peter Luff [holding answer 27 June 2011]: As announced in the strategic defence and security review we plan to acquire the carrier variant of joint strike fighter, the F-35C, to meet our operational requirements. We do not plan to purchase the F-35A.
We have yet to make final decisions on the timing and overall numbers of F-35C aircraft we intend to order and will not do so before the next planned strategic defence review. The costs of the programme will be determined prior to its main investment decision points. The Ministry of Defence does not publish estimates prior to such decision points as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the reserve allocated to the military campaign in pursuance of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 is available to be spent. [61928]
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the contribution of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 21 June 2011, Official Report, column 145, on what date he plans to provide an update to the House on the full costs of operations in Libya; and if he will make a statement to this House on the matter on that date. [62443]
Dr Fox [holding answer 27 June 2011]: I refer the hon. Members to the statement I made on 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 24WS.
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the potential for proliferation of portable anti-aircraft missiles from looted arms depots in Libya. [61951]
Nick Harvey: We continue to assess the situation in Libya closely, including the potential proliferation of man-portable anti-aircraft missiles. The threat from these weapons is taken into account before undertaking any military missions over Libya.
Libya: Harrier Aircraft
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the sale of Harrier aircraft on the UK's participation in military operations in Libya. [61949]
Nick Harvey: The Harrier fleet was retired from service on 15 December 2010 and is currently in storage. Disposal options are currently being considered for the Harrier airframes.
The decision to retire our Harrier fleet has had no significant effect on the UK's participation in military operations over Libya.
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Military Decorations
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has had discussions on introducing a National Defence Medal to recognise those who served during the Cold War period. [61551]
Mr Robathan: There have been various discussions regarding the institution of a National Defence Medal including a short debate on 8 February 2011, Official Report, columns 50-58WH. The Minister for the Armed Forces met a representative of the National Defence Medal Campaign in April.
The Ministry of Defence recognises that some former service personnel, including those who served during the Cold War period, feel that their service has not been appropriately recognised, and that the institution of such a medal would address this. However, it would be inappropriate to comment further until the current review of the rules governing the award of medals has been concluded.
Nimrod Aircraft: USA
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Navy on the use of the P-8 Poseidon as a replacement for the (a) Nimrod MR2 and (b) Nimrod MR4A. [62104]
Peter Luff: Discussions have taken place with the US Government regarding maritime patrol aircraft capability. However, the Department currently has no plans to lease or buy Poseidon-8 aircraft.
Office of Chief Coroner
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with (i) the Secretary of State for Justice and (ii) the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the decision not to establish the Office of Chief Coroner. [62148]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 27 June 2011]: Ministers have engaged with the Ministry of Justice and Cabinet Office on this matter. I refer the right hon. Member to the statement made by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice on 12 June 2011, Official Report, columns 64-66WS, in which he details the Government’s plans for coroner reform, including the inclusion of the office of Chief Coroner in Schedule 5 of the Public Bodies Bill.
Royal Military Academy: Admissions
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the nationality was of each student enrolled at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2011. [62452]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The nationalities of Officer Cadets enrolled at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2011 are shown in the following table:
28 Jun 2011 : Column 674W
| Country | Count |
Strategic Defence and Security Review
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to produce his Defence and Security Industrial and Technology Policy. [62279]
Peter Luff: We plan to publish a White Paper on our approach to equipment, support, and technology for UK Defence and Security later this year.
Tornado Aircraft: Repairs and Maintenance
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many spares for the Tornado aircraft have been purchased above those already ordered as part of the Availability Transformation Tornado Aircraft contract since 19 March 2011; what the cost was to the public purse for the purchase of such spares; and whether the purchase cost was met by the Treasury Contingency Reserve. [62181]
Peter Luff:
The RAF Tornado GR4 fleet is supported by an Availability Transformation Tornado Aircraft contract (ATTAC) with BAE Systems which includes aircraft maintenance, spares and technical support. The
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contract is designed to ensure that the RAF has the required number of aircraft available to carry out its operational and training commitments; this includes the current flying operations in Libya.
The contract does not however, require BAE Systems to separately identify any additional spares that might have been required in support of specific operations.
Trident
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the study to review the costs, feasibility and credibility of alternative systems and postures to the Trident missile delivery system will include the use of deterrents such as the intelligence services, Special Forces, or other capabilities available in the defence and security economy. [60883]
Dr Fox [holding answer 22 June 2011]: No. The purpose of the study is to examine alternative forms of nuclear deterrence, including alternative delivery systems and platforms, and to analyse their potential risks, benefits, and feasibility.
WE. 177 Nuclear Bomb
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse of the WE.177 missile programme was (a) in cash terms and (b) in 2011 prices up to the date of its withdrawal from service; and what the cost of procurement of each missile was. [46277]
Peter Luff: I will write to the hon. Member, as the information requested may take some time to retrieve from archive.
Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Tessa Munt:
I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 17 March 2011 (Official Report, column 516W) about the cost details of the WE.177 nuclear weapon programme. I apologise for the delay in writing to you; this has been due to the need for The National Archives (TNA) to review their file holdings.
The WE.177 free-fall bombs were in service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy for over 30 years, and were finally retired in 1998. Due to the length of time that this weapon has been out of service, many files have been placed in TNA, although a considerable number are retained within the Ministry of Defence's own archives, as well as those of the Atomic Weapons Establishment. It would be necessary to retrieve and examine all of these files to identify whether they hold relevant information. If the information was located - which is by no means certain - we would then need to extract and collate the information and update historic costs going back over 30 years to a 2011 price base to answer your question. This would require significant effort and could therefore only be done at disproportionate cost.
I know that this response will be disappointing to you but I do hope that you will appreciate why I feel that it would be inappropriate to ask for such a significant amount of work to be undertaken in the circumstances described.
Home Department
Arts: Immigration Control
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people entered the UK under each approved Tier 5 Government-authorised exchange scheme in each year between 2000 and 2010. [60023]
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Damian Green: The Government Authorised Exchange sub-category of Tier 5 of the Points Based System was introduced in November 2008. The available statistics relate to the number of journeys made by passengers given leave to enter the UK in 2008, 2009 and January to June 2010 in the Points Based System Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange sub-category. Figures for July to December 2010 will be published on 25 August 2011.
The statistics are given in the following table. It is not possible to separately identify data relating to individual schemes nor are such data available for previous periods.
| Passengers (1) given leave to enter the United Kingdom under the PBS (2) Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange (3) category, excluding EEA and Swiss nationals, 2008-10 | |
|
|
Number of journeys |
| (1) Figures rounded to five. (2 )Points Based System(PBS) (3) The Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange category was introduced in November 2008. (4 )Provisional figures Source: Migration Statistics, Home Office Statistics. | |
Statistics on journeys made by passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom by purpose of journey are published half yearly in the quarterly Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary. These publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Asylum: Deportation
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportations of failed asylum seekers formerly resident in Sunderland Central constituency there have been in the last 12 months. [61898]
Damian Green: There were 14 failed asylum seekers formerly resident in Sunderland Central constituency removed between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011.
All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.
Crime: Diplomatic Service
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures police forces follow to request a waiver of immunity in cases where they are investigating a crime suspected to have been committed by a foreign diplomat; how many police officers have received training on this procedure; and in how many cases this procedure has been followed to its conclusion in relation to trafficking of migrant domestic workers by foreign diplomats in the latest period for which figures are available. [60842]
Nick Herbert:
The UK demands a high standard of behaviour of its diplomats, and we expect the same of diplomats from other countries here in the UK. Under
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the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations those entitled to immunity are expected to respect the laws of the UK.
The police investigate any allegation that the law has been broken by diplomats entitled to immunity and report the results to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Full account is taken of the nature and seriousness of the offence and appropriate action is taken. This can include a request for immunity to be waived to allow the police to investigate further, or a request for the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat concerned.
We do not have a record of the number of police officers who have received training on this procedure.
During 2010, 15 offences deemed serious (attracting a penalty of 12 months' or more imprisonment, including certain driving offences) were reported to the FCO, one of which was an alleged case of human trafficking.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is to table information on waivers of diplomatic immunity this month, as part of the annual written ministerial statement on offences and debts.
Departmental Billing
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many invoices received by her Department have been paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value is of the invoices paid late. [62485]
Damian Green: For the period from May 2010 to May 2011 the Home Department paid 68,114 of compliant invoices on time, and 10,663 late. The monetary value of invoices paid late was £223,787,312.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of employees of her Department's agencies, categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy. [61713]
Damian Green: I can confirm information on changes in the number of the Department's employees is published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of its Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES). Published ACSES data are available on the ONS website, at the following address:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899
The latest available data, as at 31st March 2010, can be found under ‘civil service 2010 tables’ in table 9 (giving information on the whole civil service) and table 40 (giving information on the Home Office and its agencies).
ONS collects data from across the civil service on reason for leaving (for those employees who left the civil service in the 12 months up to the survey date, usually 31 March each year). ONS is currently working closely with Departments to improve the quality of information that is supplied. However, this is an annual survey and there are currently no plans to change the frequency of collection.
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The Home Office is fully committed to meeting the Government's transparency agenda and is actively considering ways to make more of its key HR data more readily available. However, the Department has clear obligations to its employees to ensure that personal data are not released, and that they are not published at a level that could lead to the inappropriate identification of individual employees. In addition, and in line with the Statistics Authority code of practice, the Department has a responsibility to ensure that any data released are reliable and of a good quality, and any change in reporting frequency and content needs to be agreed with ONS and the Chief Statistician.
Departmental Procurement
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by her Department since May 2010. [61671]
Damian Green: The Home Department uses standard terms and conditions similar to those used across Government to procure a wide range of goods and services. These contracts do not contain specific provisions in respect of behavioural standards. Contracts for more complex requirements let prior to and since May 2010 contain provisions to promote industry best practice but not specifically behavioural standards.
Departmental Redundancy
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate her 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. [61727]
Damian Green: The Home Office is currently in consultation with its arm’s length bodies to establish work force plans for the spending review period. These are not yet finalised. We are committed to active redeployment for colleagues who become surplus and have developed policies to ensure surplus staff get preferential access to vacancies. Our policy is to avoid compulsory redundancy wherever possible.
Departmental Termination of Employment
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many managers at grade C or above have left the employment of her Department in the last two financial years; and how many of those managers have subsequently been employed by (a) Serco, (b) G4S and (c) any other private sector company holding contracts with her Department. [59780]
Damian Green: In the financial year 2009-10, 1,144 managers at grade C or above left the Department. In the financial year 2010-11, 1,404 managers at grade C or above left the Department. (Figures are provided as per Office for National Statistics headcount definition—paid civil servants only).
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The Department fully complies with the rules and guidance set out by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments regarding employment of ex-civil servants—see:
http://acoba.independent.gov.uk/rules_and_guidance_civil_servants.aspx
We are unable to provide data on the number of managers who have subsequently been employed by (a) Serco, (b) G4S and (c) any other private sector company holding contracts with the Department. Individuals at Director General and Permanent Secretary level who are given permission under the Rules and Guidance on Business Appointments must inform the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments if they take up employment following approval. Individuals below this level are not required to notify the Department that they have taken up employment following approval.
Deportation: Tamils
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of citizens of Commonwealth countries of Tamil ethnicity who have (a) been held for removal to Sri Lanka by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), (b) been booked by the UKBA onto flights for removal to Sri Lanka, (c) attempted acts of self-harm while awaiting removal to Sri Lanka, (d) committed suicide while awaiting removal to Sri Lanka and (e) been removed to Sri Lanka since May 2009. [61820]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency records details of individuals on the basis of nationality only, rather than ethnicity.
(a) There are currently 95 Sri Lankan nationals in detention.
(b) 10 Sri Lankan nationals currently have arrangements in place for their return to Sri Lanka
(c) It is not possible to establish the total numbers of attempted acts of self-harm from May 2009 without reviewing each and every case record
(d) No individuals have committed suicide while awaiting return to Sri Lanka
(e) Between 1 May 2009 and 31 March 2011, 1,025 Sri Lankan nationals were removed.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of Commonwealth countries of Tamil ethnicity who have been removed to Sri Lanka by the UK Border Agency have returned to the UK and subsequently been granted leave to remain; whether she has received any reports of the torture or maltreatment of such persons while in Sri Lanka; and if she will make a statement. [61821]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency records details of individuals on the basis of nationality only, rather than ethnicity.
Since May 2009, the UK Border Agency records indicate that two Sri Lankans who have previously been removed by the UK Border Agency have subsequently returned and made applications to remain in the UK. One application was unsuccessful and one is still under consideration.
The UK Border Agency carefully considers all applications, including asylum claims on their individual merits, in accordance with UK international obligations and against the background of the latest available country
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information. It is open to an individual applicant to submit any evidence in support of that application, including allegations of mistreatment.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any citizen of Commonwealth countries of Tamil ethnicity booked on a chartered flight to Sri Lanka by the UK Border Agency on 16 June 2011 attempted acts of self-harm before take-off of the flight; and if she will make a statement. [61822]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency records details of individuals on the basis of nationality only, rather than ethnicity.
One subject attempted an act of self-harm prior to the flight. He was confirmed by a medical practitioner as being fit to travel.
Entry Clearances: Pay
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account her Department takes of regional variations in salary in establishing minimum salary requirements for the issue of visas. [62454]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency's codes of practice specifying the minimum salary requirements for employers seeking to sponsor non-EEA workers under Tier 2 of the points based system are drawn from the most appropriate and robust sources of national salary data for particular occupations. In general, these sources do not specify different minimum salary levels for different parts of the United Kingdom.
Foreign Workers
Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many intra-company transfer visas the UK Borders Agency has issued to (a) Indian and (b) other non-EU nationals employed by (i) Intelenet Global Services, (ii) Atos Origin and (iii) Hewlett Packard in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available. [62045]
Damian Green: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Visas issued financial year 2010-11 PBS Tier 2—intra company transfers | ||||
| Sponsor | ||||
| Month | Nationality | Intelenet Global Services | Atos Origin | Hewlett Packard |
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| (1) Represents nil. (2) Represents one or two Note: All figures have been rounded to the nearest five. | ||||
Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 June 2011, Official Report, columns 36-8WS, on immigration, what her policy is on the intra-company transfer visa process; and whether she plans to conduct a public consultation on intra-company transfer visas. [62046]
Damian Green: The Government carried out a public consultation on the economic migration routes between 28 June and 17 September last year, including specific questions on intra-company transfers (ICTs). The results were incorporated into new rules applying to ICTs from 6 April.
The ICT route does not give migrants a pathway to permanent residence in the UK and they must leave after a maximum of five years. Therefore they are not relevant to the proposals in the consultation document referred to in the written ministerial statement of 9 June.
Mr Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent assessment she has made of the potential effects of a free trade agreement
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between the EU and India on the number of intra-company transfer visa applications received by the UK Borders Agency; [62047]
(2) what recent assessment she has made of the potential effects on domestic immigration policy of (a) free trade agreements between the EU and non-EU countries and (b) the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and India. [62049]
Damian Green: The Government undertook a review of their labour migration routes last year in the context of their proposals to subject these routes to limits on numbers. The review took full account of the UK's existing Mode 4 commitments in those multilateral and bilateral trade agreements to which it is party.
The EU-India Free Trade Agreement remains under negotiation but it is the Government's expectation that its terms should be consistent with domestic immigration policy objectives.
Further Education: Inspections
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has received a response from HM Inspector of Education in Scotland regarding the inspection of private providers of higher and further education. [61668]
Damian Green: We remain in discussion with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education on their potential role in the establishment of an inspection system for private providers of further education in Scotland and hope to announce further information on this shortly.
Human Trafficking
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the performance of the Border Police Command in reducing the number of people illegally trafficked. [62236]
Damian Green [holding answer 27 June 2011]: As set out in ‘The National Crime Agency (NCA): a plan for the creation of a national crime-fighting capability’ when established in 2013, the new Border Policing Command will help to tackle illegal immigration by joining together all of the resources and activities of the enforcement agencies operating at the border. It is intended that this improved capability, linking to other capabilities within the NCA, will result in increases in arrests, convictions and disruption at all levels.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/nca-creation-plan
Illegal Immigrants: Havering
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were found in the London Borough of Havering in each of the last five years; and how many such immigrants have been deported. [62109]
Damian Green:
The data requested are not available as part of the UK Border Agency's standard reports. Information on illegal immigrants encountered and
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removals is recorded on two separate databases. To obtain the requested information would require data matching between these two systems which would exceed the cost threshold.
We are however able to identify those cases encountered (i.e. served papers) with a last known address in the borough who were subsequently removed. This does not mean they were necessarily encountered in the borough of Havering.
This information is as follows:
|
|
Served IS151A | Subsequently removed |
| Note: The figures in the table have been extracted from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. They have not been provided under National Statistics protocols. | ||
Illegal Immigrants: Middle East
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of former (a) Israeli, (b) Egyptian and (c) Tunisian officials and military personnel visiting the UK using false names or fake identity papers the UK Border Agency has detected in 2010 and 2011. [62395]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency does not routinely record this information. Any information that could be obtained could be done so only by detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
Immigration
Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions (a) Ministers and officials in her Department and (b) the UK Borders Agency have had with representatives of trade unions on (i) administration, (ii) operation and (iii) reform of the immigration system. [62048]
Damian Green: The reforms to the system have been the subject of public consultations, and officials have considered representations from trade union officials as part of that process.
Immigration: Detainees
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those in immigration detention have (a) an appointed legal representative, (b) a legal representative they selected and (c) no legal representative. [61441]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 June 2011]: The information requested is not held centrally and would require examination of each individual file to answer the question. Each detainee with a legal representative would also have to be asked if he or she chose their representative themselves. This would be at disproportionate cost.
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Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in immigration detention (a) have been diagnosed with serious mental health conditions, (b) are torture survivors, (c) are pregnant, (d) are children and (e) are elderly. [61442]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 June 2011]:The UK Border Agency does not hold information centrally about those who have a serious mental health condition or who are torture survivors. Specifically in relation to mental health conditions, this information is held on an individual's medical file which is confidential.
Medical practitioners who work in immigration removal centres are required to report to the UK Border Agency where they have concerns a person's health is likely to be injuriously affected by continued detention, including where a person may have been the victim of torture.
Where the UK Border Agency accepts that a person's health is likely to be injuriously affected by continued detention, they are normally released.
However, there are a number of circumstances when detention may nonetheless be appropriate. These are for reasons of public protection, where a person has been convicted of a crime, those who have persistently failed to abide by the terms of their release conditions, and in order to effect removal.
If a pregnant woman chooses to inform the UK Border Agency of her condition, the detail would be held on her medical file which is confidential between patient and doctor. The agency was holding no children and 12 people over 65 years of age on 18 June 2011. These data are taken from management information, are subject to change and do not form part of national statistics.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of people in immigration detention who are unlikely to be deported to their country of origin in the next 12 months. [61443]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 June 2011]: It is the expectation of UK Border Agency that detained individuals will be removed from the UK when their immigration case has been completed. Immigration detention powers are mainly used to secure removal and intention and ability to remove are intrinsically linked to the decision to detain.
There will inevitably be a small number of detainees who for a variety of reasons, such as having won an appeal against a decision to remove them, are granted some form of leave to remain.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in immigration detention have been detained at more than (a) one centre, (b) three centres and (c) five centres on the immigration estate. [61444]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 June 2011]: The information requested is not held centrally and would require an examination of each individual record in order to provide the answer, which would be at disproportionate cost.
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The UK Border Agency aims to keep the number of transfers between its places of detention to a minimum, but inevitably detainees are sometimes moved for a variety of different reasons, including because their behaviour requires them to be held in a more secure environment, because they are required for an interview at a particular centre, or because they are being moved close to an airport for their removal from the UK.
Immigration: EU Nationals
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the basis in law is for the requirement that an EEA national in exercise of their treaty rights of residence and a non-EEA partner who are both applying for residence documents provide proof of comprehensive medical insurance covering both of them as a condition for the issue of a residence document in respect of the non-EEA partner. [62495]
Damian Green: The legislation governing the free movement of Union citizens and their family members is laid down in Directive 2004/38/EC (the Free Movement Directive). This has been transposed into the UK's domestic law as the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations (the Regulations).
Regulation 4 of the Regulations stipulates that in order to reside in the UK as a student or self-sufficient person an EEA national must have comprehensive sickness insurance. For family members applying for a residence card on the basis that the relevant EEA national is exercising Treaty rights as a self-sufficient person, they must also submit evidence of comprehensive sickness insurance that covers all family members. This is in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Regulations.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall North will receive a reply to his letter of 31 May 2011 to the UK Border Agency, reference N1136111. [62441]
Damian Green [holding answer 21 June 2011]: The UK Border Agency confirms that a response was issued to the hon. Member on 24 June 2011.
Offenders: Foreign Nationals
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign national offenders released from custody after serving sentences for (a) rape, (b) other sexual offences and (c) violence against the person offences who have been returned to their country of origin have subsequently (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully applied to re-enter the UK. [61747]
Damian Green: In order to answer these questions the UK Border Agency would need to cross reference individual records with the National Offender Management Service. This would incur a disproportionate cost.
However, I can advise that the UK Border Agency makes every effort to ensure that a foreign national prisoner's removal by deportation coincides, as far as possible, with his or her release from prison on completion of sentence. Where sentence length allows, consideration of an individual's case will be commenced 18 months prior to the earliest point of release.
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All foreign nationals subject to removal and serving a determinate sentence will be considered by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) under the Early Removal Scheme (ERS), which allows for early removal up to a maximum of 270 days prior to the halfway point of the sentence, subject to the serving of a requisite period. In 2010, the UK Border Agency removed 5,235 foreign national prisoners. Approximately a third of these removals occurred within the ERS period.
I can also advise that all foreign national prisoners when removed from the UK are entered on our watch list, so checks can be made to prevent those who are barred and those who have no right from re-entering the UK. Requests to revoke a Deportation Order from outside the UK can be made at any time, but applications are likely to be refused unless at least 10 years have passed, unless the refusal to revoke would breach our obligations under the Human Rights Act or the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees or other exceptional circumstances exist. The revocation must be successful to facilitate lawful return to the UK. Even where a Deportation Order has been revoked, visa nationals still require a visa to return to the UK and non-visa nationals must satisfy the requirements of the immigration rules.
Police: Demonstrations
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has assessed the costs to police authorities of policing of protests and marches. [62174]
Nick Herbert: The Government have made no recent assessment of the cost to police authorities of policing protests and marches. For any protests or marches which require a significant police presence, the police force is able to apply for a special grant to assist them with the costs of the operation, subject to the operation meeting certain criteria.
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has considered the merits of extending the provisions of section 25 of the Police Act 1996 to allow charging for the policing of marches and protests. [62177]
Nick Herbert: The Home Secretary has regular discussions with Police colleagues on the issue of deploying their resources, during which the Home Secretary receives information about the effect of policing protests and marches on police resources. For any protests or marches which require a significant police presence, the police force is able to apply for a special grant to assist them with the costs of the operation, subject to the operation meeting certain criteria.
Police: Finance
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police staff receive funding (a) in full and (b) in part from parish councils. [61891]
Nick Herbert: We do not collect information centrally on what funding for police staff comes from parish councils.
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Phone Hacking
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the Metropolitan Police investigation into telephone hacking by the press and their associates to be completed. [61934]
Nick Herbert: The conduct of the investigation, its scope, and the time taken to complete it are operational matters for the Metropolitan Police.
Treasury
Bank Notes: Forgery
Yvette Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many counterfeit Bank of England banknotes were removed from circulation in each year since 2005. [62660]
Justine Greening: The Bank of England publishes information about the withdrawal of counterfeit Bank of England notes on its website:
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/about/counterfeits.htm
Child Care Tax Credit
Ed Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has estimated the number of parents who (a) have chosen and (b) will choose to (i) leave a job and (ii) reduce their working hours as a result of the reduction in the proportion of child care costs parents can claim through the working tax credit. [62788]
Mr Gauke: The assumptions made in the costing of changes to child tax credit and working tax credit from 2011-12 are set out in “Spending Review 2010 Policy Costings”, available here:
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_policycostings.pdf
Ed Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from non-governmental organisations on the effect of the reduction in the proportion of child care costs that parents can claim through working tax credit. [62789]
Justine Greening: The Treasury receives regular representations from non-governmental organisations on a wide range of policy issues and spending decisions. This includes the decision taken at last year's spending review to reverse the unaffordable April 2006 increase in the proportion of child care costs payable under the child care element of the working tax credit from 70% to 80%.
Companies: Disclosure of Information
Jane Ellison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on increasing corporate transparency. [62186]
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Mr Gauke: The Government are committed to improving corporate transparency.
As the Chancellor made clear following the G20 Finance Minister's meeting in February 2011, the Government believe that development of new rules to require oil, gas and mining companies to report the payments they make to governments should take place at international level.
HM Treasury officials and those in other interested Government Departments are in regular contact with their European and international counterparts on this issue.
Corporation Tax: Northern Ireland
Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with the Northern Ireland Executive to discuss corporation tax since May 2010. [62211]
Mr Gauke: Treasury Ministers have had at least six meetings with the Northern Ireland Executive since May 2010 at which corporation tax was discussed.
Departmental Allowances
Mr Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenses were claimed by (a) paid and (b) unpaid special advisers working in his Department in the last 12 months. [62067]
Justine Greening: All special advisers working for Treasury Ministers are paid employees. The total amount of reimbursable expenses for the 12 month period covering 13 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 was £1,720.49. The expenses were mainly incurred on travel and subsistence.
Departmental Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department has made in encouraging small businesses to bid for Government contracts. [60180]
Justine Greening: On 3 June 2011, the Treasury published a Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) action plan for 2011-12. The full action plan, including details of the desired outcomes and success factors, is available on the Treasury's website at the following address:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about_sme_action_plan_201112.htm
This plan is also available on the Cabinet Office's website along with other Departments' action plans at the following address:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/small-and-medium-enterprise-sme-action-plans
The Treasury is committed to implementing this plan. Progress against each action will be monitored both by the Treasury itself and the Cabinet Office.
Enterprise Zones
Mr Lammy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) pursuant to the Financial Statement of 23 March 2011, Official Report, column 959, when he expects to announce the location of the 10 remaining enterprise zones; [57171]
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(2) on what date the location of the final 10 enterprise zones will be announced. [57383]
Justine Greening: The Government intend to announce a second wave of enterprise zones following a competitive process, led by local enterprise partnerships. We expect to make announcements this summer.
Enterprise Zones: Finance
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Barnett consequential funding has been allocated to each devolved Administration as a result of the spending measures announced in the 2011 Budget in respect of enterprise zones. [59643]
Danny Alexander: The Barnett consequentials arising from the enterprise zones measure are shown in the following table:
| £ million | ||||
|
|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
Excise Duties
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will review the operation of the drawback duty regime; [61912]
(2) with which brewers officials of his Department have held meetings to discuss the introduction of a scheme of duty stamps on beer; [62033]
(3) whether he has made an assessment of the potential effects of the introduction of a scheme of duty stamps on beer. [62034]
Justine Greening: At Budget 2011 the Government announced that they would explore potential legislative measures to tackle alcohol fraud. This will include reviewing the legislation that underpins the operation of the excise duty drawback regime.
Treasury and HMRC officials hold regular meetings with the industry to discuss measures to tackle alcohol excise fraud.
No formal assessment has been made of the potential effects of introducing a fiscal mark on beer at this point.
Excise Duties: Biofuels
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his policy is on the continuation of a 20 pence duty differential in the tax treatment of biodiesel in each of the next three financial years; [61597]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of the 20 pence duty differential for biodiesel to the UK's compliance with renewable energy targets. [61598]
Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 459W.
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The differential has helped toward meeting the UK's targets alongside the inclusion of biofuel in standard road diesel. From March 2010 support for biofuels has been provided by the renewable transport fuels obligation (RTFO). The two year extension of the differential for used cooking oil biodiesel began March 2010.
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has assessed the merits of extending the 20 pence fuel duty differential for biodiesel made from used cooking oil beyond April 2012; [62527]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential effects on the sustainable biodiesel industry of abolishing the 20 pence fuel duty differential for biodiesel made from used cooking oil; and what recent representations he has received on this matter; [62528]
(3) if he will review the fuel duty derogation for those who refine less than 2,500 litres of biodiesel per year in light of recommendations by the Health and Safety Executive on amateur biodiesel production. [62535]
Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 459W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce). The Chancellor considers a range of factors in determining tax policy including the interaction with other support measures and the public finances.
The amendment of the renewable transport fuels obligation (RTFO) is expected to be made in the second half of 2011. This will provide an overlapping period before the two-year extension of the used cooking oil duty differential comes to an end.
The small producers' biofuel duty exemption continues to offer effective tax relief to low volume producers. The chemicals and processes involved in small scale biofuel production are hazardous. The Health and Safety Executive advises against home manufacture of biodiesel using domestic or other unsuitable facilities.
Excise Duties: Fuels
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the downstream oil industry on proposals to introduce a fuel price stabiliser mechanism since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [61744]
Justine Greening: The Government are informally consulting with the industry before setting the level and mechanism for the trigger price for the fair fuel stabiliser.
Treasury Ministers and officials hold regular meetings with the oil industry.
Fuels: Prices
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had on fuel price stabilisation with his counterparts in those EU member states which have introduced a fuel price stabilising mechanism; and if he will make a statement; [62657]
(2) what his policy is on a differential in duty between petrol and diesel; and if he will make a statement. [62658]
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Justine Greening: Budget 2011 abolished the previous Government's fuel duty escalator and replaced it with a fair fuel stabiliser. The Chancellor routinely discusses a range of issues with European counterparts.
The duty rate on petrol and diesel is set at the same level. A neutral excise duty treatment supports market transparency.
HM Revenue and Customs: Services
Jason McCartney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that queries to HM Revenue and Customs from taxpayers are dealt with more efficiently and helpfully. [60142]
Mr Gauke: HMRC are committed to provide an efficient and helpful service to their customers. The HMRC Charter, available at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charter/index.htm
sets out what customers can expect from HMRC and what, in turn, HMRC expects from customers.
Improving levels of service is a departmental priority and is underpinning all of HMRC’s current Business Planning.
National Insurance Contributions
Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to extending the national insurance contributions holiday to all businesses with less than four employees. [62209]
Mr Gauke: The Government have considered the case for extending the regional national insurance contributions holiday to all existing micro businesses.
The Government believe the best use of public funds at this time is to keep the holiday as a targeted scheme for those areas in most need of employment support.
Non-domestic Rates
Mr Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many reviews of national non-domestic rates were completed in each region in each month of the last three years for which figures are available; [61894]
(2) how many appeals against national non-domestic rates valuations in relation to the (a) 2005 and (b) 2010 rating exercise were outstanding on the latest date for which figures are available; [61897]
(3) how many appeals have been received by the Valuation Office Agency against national non-domestic rates valuations in relation to the 2005 ratings in each (a) region, (b) local authority area and (c) parliamentary constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many reviews in each category had been completed; [61989]
(4) how many appeals have been received by the Valuation Office Agency against national non-domestic rates valuations in relation to the 2010 ratings in each (a) region, (b) local authority area and (c) parliamentary constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many reviews in each category had been completed. [61990]
28 Jun 2011 : Column 692W
Mr Gauke: The number of proposals cleared by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in each region in each month of each of the last three complete financial years has been deposited in the Library of the House.
The number of proposals against the 2005 Local Rating List, outstanding at the end of the 2010-11 financial year, can be found in Table 7.4 on the VOA website at the following location:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/statistical_releases/May-2011-local-rating/Challenges/Table%207.4.xls
The number of proposals against the 2010 Local Rating List outstanding, at the end of the 2010-11 financial year, can be found in Table 3.4 on the VOA website at the following location:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/statistical_releases/May-2011-local-rating/Challenges/Table%203.4.xls
The number of proposals against the 2005 Local Rating List by administrative area, including regional sub-totals, received in the 2010-11 financial year can be found in Table 7.2 on the VOA website at the following location:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/statistical_releases/May-2011-local-rating/Challenges/Table%207.2.xls
The number of proposals cleared over the same period can be found in Table 7.3 on the VOA website in the following location:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/statistical_releases/May-2011-local-rating/Challenges/Table%207.3.xls
The number of proposals against the 2010 Local Rating List by administrative area, including regional sub-totals, received in the 2010-11 financial year can be found in Table 3.2 on the VOA website at the following location:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/statistical_releases/May-2011-local-rating/Challenges/Table%203.2.xls
The number of proposals cleared over the same period can be found in Table 3.3 on the VOA website in the following location:
http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/statistical_releases/May-2011-local-rating/Challenges/Table%203.3.xls
Similar statistics broken down by parliamentary constituency can be provided only at disproportionate cost.