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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 4 July 2011
Scotland
Departmental Advertising
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on placing advertisements in newspapers in Scotland in each year since 2005. [63390]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has spent the following on placing advertisements in newspapers in Scotland in each year since 2005:
|
|
Expenditure (£) |
Departmental Billing
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by his Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [63557]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office endeavours to pay all suppliers within five days and does not differentiate between small, medium-sized or large businesses. Between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2011 the Scotland Office paid 99.1% of invoices within five days.
Departmental Official Cars
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost to his Department was of the provision of ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of ministerial cars since his appointment. [63000]
David Mundell: Information relating to the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in an annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses. Details of the costs for 2010-11 are currently being compiled and are due for release in July 2011. Information prior to 2005 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Links to the details for the available years are shown as follows:
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http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/80722m0008.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a
As of January 2011, the Scotland Office no longer has a contract with the Government Car Service.
Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data. Information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the 'on-demand' Ministerial Car Service on 6 September 2010 and up until 31 March 2011 is detailed in the following table:
|
|
Number of journeys |
Drugs
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers on (a) cocaine and (b) other drug usage in Scotland. [62921]
Michael Moore: Responsibility for drugs health, education and enforcement has been devolved to the Scottish Government.
Mortgages
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of banks operating in Scotland to discuss (a) domestic mortgage lending and (b) lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. [62919]
Michael Moore: I meet regularly representatives of the Scottish financial sector, including banks operating in Scotland, to discuss issues of importance to the Scottish and wider UK economy. Those issues include mortgage lending and lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are vital to creating an environment in which Scottish businesses and families can prosper.
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My most recent engagements with representatives of banks operating in Scotland were last week. I have further relevant engagements planned for this month.
Scottish Power
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of Scottish Power; and what matters were discussed. [62920]
Michael Moore: I meet frequently Scottish Power as well as other utility companies. I last met Scottish Power on 18 May 2011 at which we discussed a range of issues. There has also been recent and ongoing contact with officials regarding news on pricing, electricity market reform and other issues.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: International Co-operation
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures were agreed at the G20 agriculture summit on 22 June 2011 on (a) investment in research and innovation in agriculture and (b) steps to tackle rising global food prices. [62764]
Mr Paice: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement laid before the House by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the recent meeting of G20 Agriculture Ministers.
Agriculture: Subsidies
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Rural Payments Agency has paid out under each level of the single payment scheme in each year since 2005. [62850]
Mr Paice [holding answer 29 July 2011]: The amounts paid out by the Rural Payments Agency in respect of the single payment scheme for England since 2005 are as shown. There are no levels of the scheme.
| Single payment scheme year | £ billion |
The payment window for 2010 closes on 30 June. The amount paid out by 17 June was £1.71 billion.
Animal Welfare
Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to bring forward proposals to increase the sentencing powers provided for in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. [62803]
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Mr Paice: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 was reviewed in 2010 and the findings of the review were presented to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. Officials worked closely with a wide range of groups involved with animal welfare and the need to increase sentencing powers was not identified as a matter that required attention. A copy of the review can be found on:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/act/documents/aw-act-2006-memo-101220.pdf
Cats: Electric Shock Equipment
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the use of electronic collars on domestic cats; and whether she has plans to commission any further such research; [63033]
(2) what her policy is on prohibiting the use of electronic collars on domestic cats. [63034]
Mr Paice: No specific research has been carried out, or is proposed, on the use of electronic collars for cats.
We are currently reviewing the recently completed research on the use of electronic collars for dogs. No decisions on the use of such devices will be made until we have completed the peer review of the research.
Environment
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has assessed the merits of including the Teme Valley, Worcestershire, in the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. [62844]
Richard Benyon: It is ordinarily for Natural England to propose boundary changes to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and it has not assessed the suitability of the Teme Valley, Worcestershire as a possible extension of the Malvern Hills AONB.
Natural England is currently developing a strategy to guide future work on landscape and biodiversity designations. Until this is in place it will not be undertaking further work on new designations or boundary variations beyond its current project affecting the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Farming: Private Sector
Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to enter partnerships with (a) the UK Food Chain Alliance and (b) other private sector-led groups to deliver its policies on farming. [62924]
Mr Paice: DEFRA is committed to working with farmers and food chain businesses to ensure we deliver our aim of supporting British farming and sustainable food production. Officials have met the UK Food Chain Alliance on its discussion paper “Working together to safeguard and enhance UK farming” and we are following its progress with interest.
Many parts of our food and farming industries are showing leadership in delivering a sustainable future, and the Government are supporting these efforts through,
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for example, the delivery of product roadmaps by our livestock sectors, and the important work of the industry to meet emission reduction targets in its Greenhouse Gas Action Plan.
Fisheries: Safety
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had discussions with (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the Ministry of Defence on potential implications for safety of the home fishing fleet of reductions in expenditure on the Royal Navy; and if she will make a statement. [63130]
Richard Benyon: I have had discussions with the Minister for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey), about the future provision of surface surveillance for fisheries protection purposes, which is currently provided by the Royal Navy.
As I told him, responsibility for surface and aerial surveillance rests not with DEFRA but with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), a non-departmental public body. I understand that the MMO is currently considering the level and composition of surface surveillance services it requires beyond 2013. In order to ensure the MMO delivers its remit at the best possible value for money to the public purse, it expects to begin a procurement exercise later this year.
Whatever decision the MMO takes, I am confident that this will not have any implications for the safety of the home fishing fleet.
Fishing Catches
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on overfishing (a) in European waters and (b) globally. [62956]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 30 June 2011]:Whether in EU waters, or elsewhere in the world, overfishing should not occur. Fisheries should be properly managed on a sustainable basis. Regrettably overfishing has occurred in the past and it is something we wish to avoid in the future. As a result, the UK will argue that a reformed common fisheries policy must be better suited to ensure the rational exploitation of fisheries resources and that sustainability is paramount in the future.
Food: Exports
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the amount of food exported in each of the last 10 years. [62694]
Mr Paice [holding answer given 28 June 2011]: The following table shows the value and volume of total food, feed and drink exported from the UK as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics for the period 2001-10.
| UK exports of food, feed and drink, 2001-10 | ||
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|
£ billion (1) | Million tonnes |
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| (1) ( )At 2010 prices. Note: 2010 data are subject to amendments. Source: H M Revenue and Customs Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Economics and Statistics Programme, DEFRA. | ||
Food: Imports
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the amount of food imported in each of the last 10 years. [62695]
Mr Paice [holding answer given 28 June 2011]: The following table shows the value and volume of total food, feed and drink imported into the UK as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics for the period 2001-10.
| UK imports of food, feed and drink, 2001-10 | ||
|
|
£ billion (1) | Million tonnes |
| (1) At 2010 prices. Note: 2010 data are subject to amendments Source: H M Revenue and Customs Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Economics and Statistics Programme, DEFRA. | ||
Hill Farming
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what land area in square miles (a) previously attracted claims under hill farm allowance and (b) is now eligible for uplands entry level stewardship or uplands transitional payment. [62124]
Mr Paice: Claims for Hill Farm Allowance 2010 covered 4,250 square miles. Land in the Severely Disadvantaged Areas is eligible for Uplands Entry Level Stewardship or Uplands Transitional Payment and covers 5,020 square miles.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers have received payments under the uplands entry level stewardship scheme in each month since its inception. [62665]
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Mr Paice [holding answer 28 June 2011]: The first agreements for Uplands Entry Level Stewardship commenced on 1 July 2010. During the first year of the scheme, payments are being made six monthly in arrears, as set out in the following table:
| Payment date (2011) | Payments made |
From 1 July 2011, the six-monthly payments will move to an autumn/spring payment cycle. The size of the payment and the total amount farmers are due to receive during the life of their agreements will however be unaffected.
Nature Conservation: EU Action
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the effects on the environment of the operation of EU agri-environment funds aiming to maintain populations of declining species. [62120]
Mr Paice: The Government believe that agri-environment schemes play a vital role in maintaining farmland biodiversity. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is the major agri-environment scheme operating in England and is supported by a £1.4 million/year monitoring and evaluation programme and a £2.1 million/year research programme.
Both these programmes make contributions to the growing evidence base relating to biodiversity and include projects that look at the impact of ES across a range of species, assess the success of ES habitat management and examine alternative management techniques with a view to improving the environmental delivery of the scheme.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on the future operation of EU agri-environment funds aiming to maintain populations of declining species. [62121]
Mr Paice: The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy provides a crucial opportunity to refocus spend towards agri-environment schemes, such as Environmental Stewardship, where the role of agri-environment schemes in preserving biodiversity is recognised.
Nutrient Run-off
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on nutrient run-off; and if she will make a statement. [62972]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 30 June 2011]: Nutrient run-off, whether from agricultural or other sources, represents a serious risk to the health of our waters and the oceans.
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The Government are committed to ensuring that farmers have access to the best available advice on good nutrient management. This will make sure that nutrients—from both mineral and organic fertilisers—are managed in a way that optimises their uptake by crops, and minimises their loss to the environment. The trend over the last 14 years shows an overall reduction in the amount of mineral nitrogen and phosphorus applied to land. However, the standard of nutrient management in the UK needs to continue to improve if farming is to become more competitive and profitable, and produce more food in a way that protects the environment and biodiversity and uses natural resources sustainably.
We are acting to implement the requirements under EU and UK laws to achieve good ecological status in our waters, and ensure that the UK's drinking water supply is of a consistently high quality. We are constantly reviewing policy on this area; nutrient runoff was identified as an issue in the Natural Environment White Paper, published on 7 June. We committed to
“develop a strategy to identify and address the most significant diffuse sources of water pollution from non-agricultural sources.”
As I announced on 23 March, the Government intend to use a new catchment-based approach to implementing the River Basin Management Plans that are required under the water framework directive. The Environment Agency has established 10 pilot test catchments to validate this approach. Measures to help control nutrient runoff from farms are included in the £110 million funding announced on 13 April. This includes some capital grants for farmers in certain areas under the Catchment Sensitive Farming project.
Water Charges
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department holds on changes in the level of annual water charges in each region in each year since 1989. [62935]
Richard Benyon: Information on the water companies' charges since 1989 is not held by DEFRA; it is available from Ofwat.
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee
Members: Allowances
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what assessment the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made of the effectiveness of its schemes in restoring public confidence and trust in (a) hon. Members first elected in May 2010, (b) other hon. Members and (c) Parliament. [62444]
Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.
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Substantive answer from Charles Walker to Adam Afriyie:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated June 2011:
As acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what assessment the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made of the effectiveness of its schemes in restoring public confidence and trust in (a) hon. Members first elected in May 2010, (b) other hon. Members and (c) Parliament.
We haven’t made an assessment broken down in this way. We commissioned a survey of 2,599 adults from YouGov in November 2010, the results of which suggested that 59% agreed that IPSA will make sure MPs are paid only for legitimate expenses, compared to 13% who did not. 16% neither agreed nor disagreed and a further 12% stated that they did not know.
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made an assessment of the extent to which hon. Members are funding their parliamentary duties from personal resources. [62445]
Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.
Substantive answer from Charles Walker to Adam Afriyie:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Scott Woolveridge, dated June 2011:
As acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question whether IPSA has made an assessment of the extent to which MPs are funding parliamentary duties from their personal resources.
IPSA has not made such an assessment. We would expect MPs to claim for expenses incurred whilst carrying out their Parliamentary functions whilst they have sufficient budget to do so. Where MPs necessarily incurs liability for expenditure for their parliamentary functions which cannot be met from an existing budget, they may apply for contingency funding.
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what proportion of the savings to the public purse achieved by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in its first 10 months of operation is attributable to (a) resettlement grants, (b) parliamentary pensions, (c) winding-up allowances and (d) other exceptional payments made to retiring hon. Members in the final year of the previous House of Commons scheme. [62446]
Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.
Substantive answer from Charles Walker to Adam Afriyie:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
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Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated June 2011:
As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the savings to the public purse achieved by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in its first 10 months of operation is attributable to (a) resettlement grants, (b) parliamentary pensions, (c) winding-up allowances and (d) other exceptional payments made to retiring hon. Members in the final year of the previous House of Commons scheme.
We estimate that a total of £58,000 may be attributable to the items referred to, but note the following details:
a) IPSA does not pay resettlement grants and the Members' Expenses accounts for 2009-10 confirm that the House did not pay any such grants either.
b) MPs' pay and pensions were not included in the calculation of any savings.
c) The Members' Expenses accounts paid £134,000 for winding up expenses in 2009-10. In 2010-11, IPSA has paid a total of £76,000 for winding up expenses, a difference of £58,000.
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what estimate the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made of the likely savings to the public purse it will achieve in respect of the salaries, staffing and expenses budgets of hon. Members in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11 [62447]
Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.
Substantive answer from Charles Walker to Adam Afriyie:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated June 2011:
As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made of the likely level of savings to the public purse it will achieve in respect of hon. Members salaries, staffing and expenses budgets in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11.
We have made no such estimate. We hold the view that the current MPs' expenses scheme has been running for too short a time for us accurately to predict expenditure in 2011-12. We therefore submitted our Estimate on the basis that Members will claim their full budgets. Our Estimate for 2011-12 was recently approved by the Speaker's Committee for the IPSA, although the Committee put £16.572m of the Estimate in reserve in anticipation that demand will fall short of the full budgetary provision available.
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made an assessment of the effects of its schemes on the mental health and well-being of hon. Members. [62448]
Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.
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Substantive answer from Charles Walker to Adam Afriyie:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Scott Woolveridge, dated June 2011:
As acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question whether IPSA has made an assessment of the effect of its Schemes on the mental health and wellbeing of MPs.
IPSA has not made such an assessment.
Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what assessment the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has made of the effects on public confidence in Parliament of the bi-monthly frequency of its publication of claims; and which other publication schedules were considered by IPSA when formulating its schemes. [62623]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated June 2011:
As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what assessment the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has made of the effects of the bi-monthly frequency of its publication of claims on public confidence in Parliament; and which other publication schedules were considered by IPSA when formulating its schemes.
We have to date made no assessment of the effects of the bi-monthly frequency of its publication of claims on public confidence in Parliament.
We have considered both more frequent (monthly and rolling) publication and less frequent (quarterly, four and six-monthly) publication. More frequent publication would prove to be considerably more costly, whereas we believed that less frequent publication would not be in the interest of either the public or of MPs.
We have also considered routinely publishing images of invoices and receipts submitted in support of expense claims, but ruled this out on costs grounds and on the grounds that with the majority of claims this documentation provides little additional information.
Attorney-General
Council of Europe: Meetings
Oliver Heald: To ask the Attorney-General what meetings he had during his recent visit to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on that visit. [63338]
The Attorney-General: On Thursday 23 June I addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on the role of Parliaments as guarantors of human rights. I had meetings with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjorn Jagland and Deputy Secretary General, Ms Maud de Boer Buquicchio ahead of UK chairmanship commencing in November 2011. I also met the President of the Council of Europe, Mr Mevlut Cavusoglu.
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While visiting the European Court of Human Rights, I met the President of the Court, Mr Jean-Paul Costa, Sir Nicolas Bratza and senior members of the Registry.
Prosecutions
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of those prosecuted by Northamptonshire Crown Prosecution Service had previously been prosecuted for another imprisonable offence, including those who did not serve time in prison as a result, in each of the last three years. [63697]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Case Management System (CMS) does not collect information relating to the number of prosecutions where the defendant had previously been prosecuted for another imprisonable offence (whether or not they served a prison sentence). Such data could not be reasonably obtained locally or nationally other than by a manual exercise at disproportionate cost.
Witnesses: Allowances
Mrs Moon: To ask the Attorney-General if he will review the level of allowances paid by the Crown Prosecution Service to witnesses called by the Crown Prosecution Service to give evidence in court. [62936]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will be undertaking a review of the level of witness expenses and allowances in 2011. Any recommended amendments to the current levels would then be subject to approval by the Attorney-General.
The payment of witness expenses and allowances to prosecution witnesses, where the CPS is the prosecuting authority, is governed by the Crown Prosecution Service (Witnesses' etc. Allowances) Regulations 1988.
Witness attendance at court is a public duty but expenses and allowances are paid to facilitate witnesses' attendance by assisting with costs. The rates that are payable are designed to provide compensation to witnesses attending court but not necessarily full reimbursement of all the costs incurred. The aim is to strike a balance between providing a reasonable level of compensation to witnesses and ensuring that public money is spent appropriately.
It is important that the allowances are set at a level that does not discourage the public from coming forward to give evidence and the rates are, therefore, subject to regular review. Nevertheless, limits on the amounts payable are necessary if the Government are to maintain control over public spending in order to direct resources to the areas of greatest need.
House of Commons Commission
Schools: Visits
Gareth Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many schools in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent were involved in visits to the Palace of Westminster arranged through the Parliamentary Education Service in each year since 2009. [63284]
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John Thurso: The number of schools from (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent that have visited the Palace of Westminster through Parliament's Education Service in each year since 2009 is as follows:
| Number | ||
|
|
Kent | Dartford |
The total number of students visiting the Palace of Westminster on these visits, including future bookings for 2011, is 4,389; of these, 65 are from the Dartford constituency.
Culture, Media and Sport
Cycling: Roads
Mr Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has
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had recent discussions with British Cycling on the regulations governing road racing. [62984]
Hugh Robertson: I have regular discussions with British Cycling on a range of issues including the regulations governing road racing. The Association of Chief Police Officers have agreed new road racing guidance to ensure parity across the country, including a nominated lead, which has been welcomed by British Cycling.
Departmental Billing
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many invoices received by his Department were paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value was of invoices paid late. [62478]
John Penrose: The Department's invoice payment performance measured against the normal contractual commitment to pay all valid invoices within 30 days since May 2010 is set out in the following table:
| Month | Invoices paid within target | Invoices paid after target | Value of late payments (£) |
The Department also monitors payment performance against the Government's target of paying 80% of valid invoices within five working days.
The percentage of invoices paid on time against this target was 74.4% during the period.
Football: Lasers
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will discuss with football authorities measures to eliminate the disruptive use of laser pens during football matches; and if he will make a statement. [62587]
Hugh Robertson: I would be happy to raise this at the next appropriate opportunity. I am advised that the football authorities currently work with clubs on a case by case basis where incidents occur, and would encourage clubs and stewards to remain vigilant in their efforts to address this issue.
Historic Buildings
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps the Government are taking to protect historic buildings. [63299]
John Penrose: English Heritage has recently launched the National Heritage Protection Plan, which sets out why, what and how England's vulnerable historic environment is to be safeguarded in the next four years. Developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, it shows where the threats are the greatest and will help English Heritage to prioritise its work. It will also help other heritage professionals and volunteers to contribute to the business of managing England's heritage. This Department and English Heritage are also considering various measures to tackle the problem of buildings which have been on the Heritage At Risk Register for an extended period of time.
Horse Racing
Mr Sutcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, columns 327-8, on race course pitch tenures, what assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations at race courses where (a) no agreements are in place and (b) agreements have been reached in principle; [62303]
(2) what steps he plans to take to ensure that the dispute between race course owners and race course bookmakers is resolved quickly. [62304]
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John Penrose [holding answer 27 June 2011]: I share the hon. Member's wish for this matter to be resolved quickly. I am watching closely the progress of ongoing discussions between the various parties, but especially in those cases where no deal has yet, been agreed in principle. Although it is better for both sides to come to agreement between themselves, rather than have political interference, all options remain open to me. However, time is moving on and I am expecting significant progress in the next three months to get the remaining deals agreed.
Libraries: Reviews
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the (a) terms of reference are and (b) timetable is for his Department's review of major public lending collections. [62590]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: A review of the Government, Arts Council England and British Council Art Collections is currently being undertaken and will explore the potential for efficiencies, cost-savings and enhanced public benefit. It is expected to report later this summer.
Ofcom
Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) whether he has made a recent assessment of the remit of Ofcom; [62222]
(2) if he will assess the merits of issuing a direction to Ofcom to empower it to consider and promote economic growth in its decision-making, including on spectrum allocation and orbital filings. [62223]
John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has recently announced a communication review leading to a new communications Act. The review focuses on three main areas: growth, innovation and deregulation; a communications infrastructure that provides the foundations for growth and creating the right environment for the content industry to thrive. Ofcom's duties and responsibilities as the regulator for communications will be considered as part of this process.
Olympic Games 2012: Lasers
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to measures to prevent the potential disruptive use of laser pens during the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement. [62586]
Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is responsible for spectator arrangements within the London 2012 venues. LOCOG has already included laser pens on the list of restricted items included in the terms and conditions for ticketing, alongside other items that could disturb a sporting session. These terms and conditions are available online at the following link:
http://www.tickets.london2012.com/purchaseterms.html
Laser pens fall within the definition of “lasers” in section 19.23.
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Playing Fields
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport with reference to his Department's Business Plan 2011-15, when he plans to introduce a programme of improvement and protection for playing fields as part of the community sports legacy. [63100]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 30 June 2011]: As part of Sport England's £135 million mass participation initiative ‘Places, People, Play’, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics and Sport England recently launched Protecting Playing Fields, the £10 million fund to protect and improve sports fields across the country. The programme will fund projects that create, develop and improve playing fields for sporting and community use and offer long-term protection of the site for sport.
Public Holidays
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 480W, on public holidays, if he will hold a full consultation on bank holidays in 2011. [63693]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: We are reviewing the evidence submitted during the pre-consultation and will make an announcement shortly.
Sport England: Dartford
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what financial assistance Sport England has provided to community sports clubs and projects in Dartford constituency since May 2010. [63300]
Hugh Robertson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 17 March 2011, Official Report, column 529W.
Sports
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the relationship between levels of participation in sports at youth level and sporting performance at elite level; and if he will make a statement. [62983]
Hugh Robertson: To date the Government have not undertaken any assessment. However, through Sport England and UK Sport we are developing a world-class sporting system from the community to the elite level that strives to increase numbers participating in sport, identifies early on talented individuals and for those with talent provides a clear pathway to the very top that offers appropriate support to enable them to realise their full potential.
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of HM Revenue and Customs' VAT treatment of league block bookings since February 2011 on participation in sport. [63400]
4 July 2011 : Column 965W
Hugh Robertson: Sport England's Active People Survey measures adult participation in sport. The survey does not include any questions relating to the effects of HM Revenue and Customs' VAT treatment of league block bookings. The latest full-year data show that 4.96% of the adult population participated in football once a week for 30 minutes at moderate intensity. The next full-year data will be published in December 2011.
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with HM Revenue and Customs on the VAT treatment of league block bookings since February 2011. [63401]
Hugh Robertson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff West (Kevin Brennan), on 13 June 2011, Official Report, columns 553-54W.
Sports: Obesity
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of recent trends in participation in sport by children classed as obese. [62982]
Hugh Robertson: The Taking Part survey measures participation in sport by children, but does not measure participation by children classed as obese. Trend data from the survey indicate that participation among five to 15-year-olds with a long-term illness, disability or infirmity is on the increase.
World War I: Anniversaries
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what budget has been set for events to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War; and if he will make a statement. [62578]
Mr Vaizey: The Department has not allocated any budget for this purpose.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War; and if he will make a statement. [62581]
Mr Vaizey: I have discussed this important topic with my ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence. We are planning further discussions with Ministers in other Departments with an interest, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which Department is leading on arrangements to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War; and if he will make a statement. [62582]
Mr Vaizey: Planning for a wide range of events is already under way. The Imperial War Museum in particular is leading the work in this area. The role of Government and which Department will co-ordinate this, is still under discussion.
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Transport
A233: Road Traffic
Joseph Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate hourly traffic flows in both directions on the A233 in Orpington constituency (a) at peak hours and (b) at other times; and if he will make a statement. [63304]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport (DFT) produces traffic estimates using data from manual counts, where trained enumerators count traffic on a specific section of the road network over a 12 hour period.
Major roads, such as the A223, are represented by a series of links, which are unique sections of road. It is not possible to count every link every year; therefore the sections of road are surveyed on either an annual basis or on a cycle of every two, four or eight years.
A table providing the latest available 12 hourly data for each section of the A223 in the Orpington constituency has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
The Department for Transport produces an estimate of the average number of vehicles passing a point in the road network on an average day of the given year (AADF).
A table providing the estimated annual average daily flows (AADFs) between 2000 and 2010 for each section of the A223 in the Orpington constituency has been deposited in the Libraries of the House. These data are not available by hourly breakdown.
A map showing the location of the three count points on the A223 in the Orpington constituency has also been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
Channel Tunnel Railway Line
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number of passengers who have used Southeastern rail services running alongside the High Speed One rail link in each year since the link opened; and what information his Department holds on changes in the level of fares on pre-existing routes during that period. [62191]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The information is as follows:
1. The Department for Transport holds information on the average number of passengers arriving at or departing from the 'critical point' (the point where crowding is highest) on each Southeastern service on a typical weekday during the spring and autumn only. This information is commercially confidential.
The Department does not hold information on the total number of passengers using Southeastern rail services running alongside the High Speed One rail link over a whole year.
2. Southeastern services on High Speed One commenced on 13 December 2009.
The average permitted increase in Southeastern regulated fares was 1.6% in 2010 and 7.8% in 2011. The Department does not hold information on changes in unregulated fares as these are a commercial matter for train operating companies who are free to set them on a commercial basis.
Andrea Leadsom:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of passengers on the High Speed One rail route in each
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year since it opened; and how much revenue has been generated from ticket purchases for the route. [62197]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The information is as follows:
1. The Department for Transport has not made an estimate of the number of passengers on the High Speed One rail route in each year since it opened.
2. The Office of Rail Regulation publishes revenue figures for the GB rail industry including breakdowns by sectors in National Rail Trends (NRT). This is available on the ORR website:
www.rail-reg.gov.uk
Revenue figures for individual train operating companies are commercially confidential.
Crewe-Chester Railway Line: Electrification
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to announce his decision on electrification of the Crewe to Chester line. [61263]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has made no decision on electrification of the Crewe to Chester line. The recent InterCity West Coast franchise draft invitation to tender stated that should bidders propose further electrification schemes, they would be expected to provide evidence within their bids of how they would finance, plan and deliver such a scheme within the franchise term.
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the feasibility of electrification of the rail line between Crewe and Chester. [61927]
Mrs Villiers: Network Rail assessed the electrification of the rail line between Crewe and Chester as part of its Electrification Network Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), published in October 2009. Network Rail is currently reviewing this and other schemes as part of its input to the Initial Industry Plan to be published in the autumn.
The recent InterCity West Coast franchise draft Invitation to Tender stated that should bidders propose further electrification schemes, they would be expected to provide evidence within their bids of how they would finance, plan and deliver such a scheme within the franchise term.
Crossrail: Rolling Stock
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2011, Official Report, column 574W, on Crossrail: rolling stock, whether the Thameslink Project will require full train length equivalent diagrams to consist of 12 carriages each. [62461]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 27 June 2011]: On completion the Thameslink train service will be operated by a fleet consisting of a combination of 12 and eight carriage trains.
Departmental Buildings
Jesse Norman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the address is of each office property occupied by his Department outside Greater London
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which it
(a)
owns and
(b)
rents; what the level of utilisation is of each such property; what the capital value is of each such property it owns; and what the (i) annual rental cost and (ii) length of lease agreement is of each rented property. [61180]
Norman Baker: I am afraid that the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [61715]
Norman Baker: I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to his identical question of 13 June 2011, Official Report, column 591W.
Driving Instruction
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the fee levels are for driver awareness courses in the six highest charging authorities; and what assessment he has made of the compliance of such fees with the requirement to charge on a non-profit basis. [63698]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport does not hold information concerning fee levels for driver awareness courses in the six highest charging authorities or the level of fees in relation to costs. Driver awareness courses are organised by local police forces and it would be for them to respond on this. The Department strongly supports a national framework and has been keen to encourage all police forces to participate in this, which allows motorists to take courses in their local area and should also provide greater consistency of course fees.
Driving: Licensing
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether provisions are in place to prevent the purchasing of motor insurance by an individual who does not have a valid immigration status in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [60836]
Mike Penning: There is no statutory requirement on motor insurers to check the immigration status of someone seeking to insure a vehicle. Insurers underwrite the risk of those they insure and there is a statutory requirement on an insurer to meet the liability where the insured has been found at fault in an accident.
EC Regulation 137/2007/EC
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the implementation of EC Regulation 137/2007/EC on rail passengers' rights and obligations. [63349]
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Norman Baker: Following consultation with the rail industry and passenger groups, the Government decided to maintain the decision taken in 2009 by the previous Administration to exempt domestic services from the non-core elements of the Rail Passengers' Rights and Obligations Regulation for a period of five years up to December 2014. We believe that the marginal benefits of fully extending the pan-European regime to domestic passengers would be outweighed by the costs to Government and industry. It would also conflict with our intention to reduce regulatory burdens and with our franchise reform agenda. The UK already has a well-established regime for protecting the rights of domestic rail passengers, including by providing assistance to persons with reduced mobility and disabilities, protecting passengers in case of delay and ensuring a convenient handling of their claims in case of an accident.
Greater Anglia Railways
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the Greater Anglia rail franchise will run for two years and seven periods from its commencement instead of the previously planned one year and seven periods with a one year optional extension. [62615]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 28 June 2011]:We have announced that the Greater Anglia franchise will start in February 2012 and run until July 2013, with an option to extend the term by up to one year. The decision to extend is at the sole discretion of the Secretary of State. Such an extension would be competitively priced as part of the competition currently being run to operate this franchise.
Great Western Railway Line: Railway Signals
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the proposed re-signalling of the Great Western Main Line with the European train control system to (a) begin and (b) be completed. [61262]
Mrs Villiers: Network rail are responsible for delivering the UK's rollout of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
ERTMS rollout on the Great Western main line from Paddington to Bristol is expected to commence in March 2016 and be completed by early 2018. These dates are subject to confirmation by Network Rail following detailed planning.
High Speed Two Railway Line
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects on the economy of (a) the West Midlands and (b) Redditch of the proposed High Speed Two route. [63241]
Mr Philip Hammond:
High Speed Two would generate benefits of around £44 billion and support the creation of around 40,000 jobs. Although no specific assessment has been made on the economic benefits to Redditch, HS2 Ltd's analysis suggests that on the basis of trip
4 July 2011 : Column 970W
origins approximately a quarter of the benefits from the first phase of HS2 would accrue to the West Midlands region.
In addition, the initial phase of HS2 could support the creation of 8,000 jobs surrounding the proposed HS2 stations in the West Midlands area, as well as helping to catalyse wider growth in the region, including towns in Worcestershire such as Redditch.
The completion of the second phase of the proposed HS2 network would be expected to deliver further benefits for the West Midlands region.
Level Crossings: Safety
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the procedures followed by (a) the Office of Rail Regulation and (b) Network Rail in implementing the safety recommendations arising from the fatalities at Elsenham level crossing in 2005. [61287]
Mrs Villiers: There are no plans to review the operational procedures followed by the independent rail safety regulator. With regard to Network Rail's implementation, it is a role of the Office of Rail Regulation to ensure that rail Accident Investigation Branch safety recommendations are duly taken into consideration, and where appropriate acted upon.
The Office of Rail Regulation re-opened the investigation into the accident in early 2011.
Motorcycles: Safety
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department plans to spend on campaigns to increase road safety for motorcyclists in each year of the comprehensive spending review period. [62379]
Mike Penning: The spending review allocated £3.5 million for THINK! road safety communications in each year of the review period. Motorcycle safety remains a priority, however all communications are subject to the controls on advertising and marketing spend governed by the Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG). In 2011-12, ERG has approved expenditure of £1.12 million on the THINK! Motorcycle safety campaign. Plans for the rest of the spending review period have yet to be submitted and approved.
National Express East Coast
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs his Department incurred following the return by National Express of the East Coast Mainline franchise. [61501]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 22 June 2011]:A full report on the termination of the National Express East Coast contract, including costs incurred by the Department, can be found on the National Audit Office website at
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/1011/east_coast _passenger_rail.aspx
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Public Transport: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Mayor of London, (b) Network Rail and (c) Southeastern Railway on public transport provision in South East London. [62938]
Mrs Villiers: Ministers have regular meetings with Network Rail and with the Mayor of London, at which a wide range of subjects are discussed.
The issue of provision of information to passengers, particularly at times when the rail service is disrupted, is discussed regularly.
In addition, officials from the Department for Transport also meet London and Southeastern Railway Ltd on a regular basis to discuss performance and a range of wider commercial issues.
Rail Delivery Group
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the name is of each member of the Rail Delivery Group; what employment experience relevant to the Group's work each has; and what the role and responsibilities of the Group are. [61266]
Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 727W, to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell), which sets out the details of the Rail Delivery Group.
Railways: Disability
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with passenger rail franchise holders on steps to be taken to meet the needs of passengers with disabilities. [63264]
Norman Baker: The Government are committed to an accessible rail system in which disabled passengers have the same opportunities to travel as other members of society, and rail franchise holders are fundamental to delivering that commitment. The Department for Transport is involved in an ongoing dialogue with the industry concerning the current situation and what further improvements may be made.
Franchise holders already have a number of specific legal obligations in relation to disabled passengers, including a requirement to produce a Disabled People's Protection Policy which states how they will protect the interests of disabled users of their trains and stations. The Department reviews and approves these documents on an annual basis.
Railways: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the potential cost benefit to (a) rolling stock operators and (b) Network Rail of the introduction of a variable component to track access charges; [61253]
(2) what progress the Office of Rail Regulation has made in setting a variable component for track access charges. [61254]
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Mrs Villiers: The structure and level of fixed and variable track access charges, paid by train operators to Network Rail, are set by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to ensure that Network Rail recovers the costs the regulator allows and to incentivise best use of the rail network.
ORR is currently undertaking a Periodic Review consultation in advance of the next regulatory settlement that considers issues relating to track access charges among other matters, including issues relating to the existing variable usage charges. The consultation runs until 2 September 2011 and can be found on the ORR website at:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.2446
Railways: Franchises
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ticketing and settlement agreements are applicable to rail passenger services in the UK; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each agreement. [R] [61451]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 22 June 2011]:There is only one Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) and it is the agreement between train operating companies (TOCs) that sets out how fares are created, honoured, and sold, and how revenue is settled. The TSA preserves through ticketing and ticket inter-availability, and provides the mechanism by which ticket retailing is regulated.
Each TOC's franchise agreement with the Secretary of State, and passenger licence granted by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), requires it to be a party to and comply with the TSA.
The TSA can be accessed by the following links.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/66236/response/169201/attach/7/Appendix%20V.pdf
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/66236/response/169201/attach/8/Appendix%20VI.pdf
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on (a) legal advice and (b) consultation in respect of its dealings with each train operating company and the franchise each holds. [61452]
Norman Baker [holding answer 22 June 2011]:I regret that the information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Railways: Passengers
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the effect on passenger numbers of setting the cap on increases in rail fares at the retail prices index plus 3 per cent. in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014. [62389]
Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 November 2010, Official Report, column 335W, to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne).
4 July 2011 : Column 973W
Railways: Standards
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to increase the frequency of rail services in less populated areas. [63352]
Mrs Villiers: The Department's Community Rail Development Strategy, which seeks to make it easier for the rail industry and local communities to do more to ensure the long term health of local services, has aided innovative solutions which have led to increased rail services in some less populated areas. Local authorities are free to use funds allocated to them from the Government to enhance passenger facilities on rural lines and can fund additional services if they feel this is appropriate.
Rapid Transit Systems
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in his Department were engaged in work on the future role of tram-train vehicles on the latest date for which information is available. [62499]
Mrs Villiers: Tram-train is potentially an important development that can deliver better services for passengers and reduce the cost of running the railway. Four officials from the Department are currently engaged on developing the Sheffield to Rotherham and Watford to St Albans tram- train pilots and do so as part of a portfolio of projects.
Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take account of the closure of Filton airfield and the potential commercial and residential development of the site when deciding whether to provide funding to the North Fringe to Hengrove rapid transit scheme. [62738]
Norman Baker: Best and final funding bids for all schemes within the development pool need to be submitted to the Department by noon on 9 September. This is a competition and all bids will be judged in an equitable manner.
As part of their bid all promoters can detail any developments (such as housing or commercial development) that are linked with the scheme they are promoting.
Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 to allow (a) registered nurses, (b) midwives, (c) ambulance first responders and (d) official first aiders to use flashing lighting when attending urgent medical cases or assisting the police; and if he will make a statement. [63262]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has no plans to revise the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations for flashing lamps.
Allowing the wider use of any restricted lighting function needs to be carefully considered as the warning they provide will become diluted if they are used too often. Ultimately this will be to the disadvantage of those who currently use them.
4 July 2011 : Column 974W
The lighting regulations are also subject to the recent ‘Red Tape Challenge’ and comments submitted will be considered.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of reducing the variety of rolling stock designs operating on the national network. [62605]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has not recently undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of reducing the varieties of rolling stock designs on the National Network but I note that this was an important issue raised by Sir Roy McNulty in his report and we will be responding in due course.
Speed Limits
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to increase the level of support offered to rural communities wishing to lower speed limits on roads in their area. [61882]
Mike Penning: Local highway authorities already have control of local speed limits, and should take full account of local communities' views in setting these limits. A key theme in the Government's Strategic Framework for Road Safety published in May 2011 is the empowerment of local communities, including enabling the public to compare road safety performance in their local area with other similar areas. This will help communities to challenge local service providers on issues such as speed limits. Decisions on speed limits should be based upon comprehensive analysis of all the costs and benefits. The Department is intending to help local decision making through further guidance and an economic toolkit on speed limits.
Transport: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to change the benefit-cost ratios mechanism used by his Department. [61283]
Norman Baker: It is important to note that investment decisions are not made mechanistically with sole reference to benefit-cost ratios. Rather, full account is taken of all relevant considerations including those that cannot be ascribed a monetary value.
In the interests of transparency, we have set down our approach in a document titled ‘The Transport Business Case’, which may be downloaded from our website:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/transport-business-case/
We have no plans to change the way in which benefit-cost ratios are calculated.
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency: Administration
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to reduce the administrative requirements in respect of (a) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and (b) traffic commissioners. [61883]
4 July 2011 : Column 975W
Mike Penning: The potential to reduce administrative requirements on the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and traffic commissioners (who are supported administratively by the agency) is being considered actively including through the Red Tape Challenge and we will announce any proposals for change in due course.
Education
Academies
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which academies have selected a new sponsor since May 2011; who the sponsor is in each such case; and if he will make a statement. [63011]
Mr Gibb: Since May 2011, the only current academy where it has been agreed to replace a sponsor is St Michael and All Angels Church of England Academy in Southwark. The academy opened in September 2007, and is in the process of changing sponsor from the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education to Absolute Return for Kids (ARK). The academy will close in July 2013 and will re-open in September 2013, in new buildings, as a 4 form of entry ARK Schools Academy.
Academies: Finance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many academies that were subject to errors in their funding allocation in 2010-11 also experienced an adjustment to their capital funding as a result of the closure of the Building Schools for the Future programme. [61687]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 27 June 2011]: Queries have been raised about the 2010/11 funding allocations to Academies in North Yorkshire and Hampshire local authorities, and we are looking into these issues. No Academies in North Yorkshire have been allocated funding under the Building Schools for the Future programme. In Hampshire, Havant Academy had its capital allocation reviewed as part of the curtailment of BSF, and was awarded funding in December 2010.
Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Children
Mr Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on the report of the Independent Review of the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood, Letting Children be Children; what response his Department gave to each representation; if he will place in the Library a copy of
4 July 2011 : Column 976W
each such response; and if he will make a statement. [63118]
Sarah Teather: I invited a number of relevant businesses, industry associations, regulators and other non-governmental organisations to a round table meeting on 27 June to discuss the implementation of the recommendations in “Letting Children be Children”, the report of the independent review of the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood by Reg Bailey published on 6 June. It was a positive meeting which discussed a wide range of action to respond to the recommendations, some of which is already under way.
I have also received representations from the Professional Publishers Association on the display of men's lifestyle magazines in newsagents and other retail outlets; and from the Mothers' Union giving their response to the Bailey review. I will be responding to these in due course. As with other recommendations of the Bailey review, it is for the businesses concerned, their trade associations and their regulators, to decide how best to implement the recommendations in order to protect children from excessive commercialisation and premature sexualisation.
The Department has also received correspondence from members of the public on different aspects of the Bailey review, including requests for release of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. These individuals will be sent, or have already been sent, appropriate individual responses.
Departmental Billing
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many invoices received by his Department were paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value was of invoices paid late. [62483]
Tim Loughton: During the period May 2010 to the end of May 2011, a total number of 53,688 invoices were processed and paid on behalf of the Department for Education by our shared services provider. Of this number, 53,109 (98.9%) were paid within the Department’s standard payment terms (payment within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice). 579 invoices were paid late (total value of £47.9 million).
The data for each month have been presented in the following table.
During the period, 78% of all invoices were paid within the Government’s target of payment within five days and 94% within 10 days. In May 2011, we achieved 85%, 97% and 99.5% within five, 10 and 30 days respectively.
| Number of invoices paid: (1) | ||||||||
| Within 5 days | Within 10 days | Late (over 30 days) (2) | ||||||
|
|
Total invoices paid within month | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | Value of late invoices (over 30 days) (£) |
4 July 2011 : Column 977W
4 July 2011 : Column 978W
| (1) Paid into supplier bank account within five, 10 or over 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice at our shared services provider. (2) Standard terms and conditions are to pay within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice. | ||||||||
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate. [63246]
Tim Loughton: The Department is currently reviewing the feasibility of installing low carbon energy technology on one of its main buildings, as part of a forthcoming roof refurbishment project.
This would be in addition to the 123 photovoltaic panels already installed on its building in Sheffield, which generate over 16,000 kWh of renewable electricity a year. Solar thermal technology is also installed on two of its building to provide hot water.
Departmental Official Cars
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the cost to his Department and its predecessors was of the provision of ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of Ministerial cars since his appointment. [62994]
Tim Loughton: Information relating to the cost and numbers of ministerial cars for the Department for Education and its predecessors prior to 2005 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The information on the cost and numbers of ministerial cars after 2005 to 2009 can be found within the Libraries of both Houses via the following annual written ministerial statements:
FY 2005/06: 26 July 2007, Official Report, column 110WS
FY 2006/07: 26 July 2007, Official Report, column 111WS
FY 2007/08: 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 118WS
FY 2008/09: 16 July 2009, Official Report, column 80WS
FY 2009/10: published on the Department for Transport's website:
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a.html
The overall costs for FY 2010/11 are being compiled and are due for release in July 2011.
Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data.
In line with the Ministerial Code published in May 2010, the Department for Education has reduced the number of its ministerial allocated cars/drivers from five cars to one car. Other Ministers now call on the ‘on-demand’ ministerial car service when needed.
Information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the ‘on-demand’ ministerial car service on 6 September 2010 and up until 31 March 2011 for the Department for Education is as follows:
| Month | Number of ministerial car journeys |
Departmental Procurement
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what provisions in respect of behavioural standards have been included in procurement contracts issued by his Department since May 2010. [61675]
Tim Loughton:
The Department's model contracts are based on the Office of Government Commerce's terms and conditions The model terms make provision for behavioural standards under statutory obligations and regulations, timely payments to sub-contractors,
4 July 2011 : Column 979W
appropriate levels of insurance, confidentiality of information, provision of suitable staff, security, protection of data, confidentiality and discrimination.
Since January 2011, the Department has published its contracts above £10,000 on Contracts Finder where details of the conditions can be viewed.
Disability: Ethnic Groups
Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many local authorities have provided his Department with data on steps to support black and ethnic minority disabled children and their families in accessing short breaks. [63184]
Sarah Teather: 123 out of 152 local authorities in England provided the Department with some information on disabled children accessing short breaks as part of their 2009-10 Children in Need (CIN) census return.
The CIN census covers children receiving social care support. Not all children who are receiving short breaks will be included because some children receive short breaks without social care involvement.
The following table provides a breakdown of Children in Need receiving short breaks at 31 March 2010 by major ethnic group.
| Ethnic breakdown of Children in Need in receipt of short breaks in England at 31 March 2010 | |
| Ethnicity | Percentage breakdown |
| Notes: 1. Data based upon local authorities who submitted Children in Need census data at 31 August 2010. 2. Due to low numbers involved and to protect confidentiality, ethnicity is aggregated into groups. 3. White comprises of White British, White Irish, Traveller of Irish Heritage, Any Other White background and Gypsy/Roma. 4. Mixed comprises of White and Black Caribbean, White and Black African, White and Asian, Any other Mixed background. 5. Asian or Asian British comprises of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Any other Asian background. 6. Black or Black British comprises of Caribbean, African or Any other Black background. 7. Other Ethnic Groups comprises of Chinese and Any other ethnic group. 8. Short breaks includes seven different settings: overnight in child's home, overnight in carer's home, overnight in another setting, day-care in child's home, day-care in carer's home, day care in another setting, befriending service. 9. Some Children in Need may be receiving short breaks in two or more different settings. Each child is only included once in the above table. Source: 2009-10 Children in Need census | |
The CIN census was not fully completed by local authorities in 2009-10, and therefore it is not possible to provide the above information at local authority level.