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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Education
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms are participating in agri-environment scheme agreements; what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of such agreements in delivering her Department's agri-environmental objectives; and if she will make a statement. [63347]
Mr Paice: As at 23 May 2011, in England there were 56,186 participants in our agri-environment schemes, covering 6.3 million ha (67.4% of Utilisable Agricultural Area). Agri-environment schemes include Environmental Stewardship (ES) and its predecessor schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship.
The Government believe that agri-environment schemes are the key tool for delivering their objectives for the natural environment. Our schemes are supported by a £1.4 million/year monitoring and evaluation programme and a £2.1 million/year research programme.
Both these programmes contribute to the growing evidence base relating to the scheme objectives for wildlife, landscape, the historic environment, resource protection and access. The programmes include work to assess 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.
The following link sets out further detail on effectiveness of the schemes:
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/aesiereport.aspx
Angling
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the effect on angling of river conditions in chalk streams; and if she will make a statement. [63340]
Richard Benyon: Healthy chalk streams need enough water of the right quality together with suitable habitats to ensure productive angling.
Across England there is a lot to do as only a quarter of chalk streams are currently regarded as-healthy according to the water framework directive (WFD). Making the required improvements to address the impacts of land use, abstraction, urbanisation and diffuse pollution will require concerted action by statutory organisations and others including water companies and fishery owners.
In the long-term, Restoring Sustainable Abstraction (RSA) and the Periodic Review of Water Companies are some of the programmes that the Environment Agency (EA) and Ofwat are implementing. Additionally,
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the WFD is driving extensive work programs to deliver sustainable river restoration which will directly benefit our lakes and rivers. In the Water White Paper, due in the autumn, we are looking to make some changes which will improve the efficiency of the RSA programme. We will also provide more details on our plans to reform the abstraction management system to provide clearer signals to abstractors to make the necessary investments to meet water needs and protect ecosystem functioning.
2011 has been an exceptionally dry year so far; the EA is watching the situation carefully to ensure there is enough water for people and the environment.
Eggs: Imports
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the potential effects on the egg industry of imports of (a) products manufactured from shell eggs produced in non-compliant systems in the EU and (b) egg product manufactured from conventional cage production systems outside the EU. [62119]
Mr Paice: The Government are totally committed to the 2012 deadline to have phased out the keeping of laying hens in conventional cages in the UK.
From 1 January 2012 it will be illegal to market eggs in this country from hens still in conventional cages.
We are not able unilaterally to prevent egg products produced from eggs in conventional cages being imported from Third Countries. World Trade Organisation rules do not allow members to ban imports on the grounds of the welfare standards applied in third countries.
We have, however, been at the forefront of efforts to convince the Commission that simply relying on infraction proceedings against non-compliant member states will not be enough to deal with the negative impact that non-compliance would cause and that additional measures would need to be put in place to prevent market disturbance and to protect compliant producers. We will continue to keep up the pressure on the Commission to act and act quickly.
Rivers: Hertfordshire
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will visit the Rivers Beane and Mimram in North East Hertfordshire constituency to assess their condition. [63007]
Richard Benyon: I would be happy to visit my hon. Friend's constituency and consider the current issues facing the Rivers Beane and Mimram.
Sea Bass
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on increasing to 48cm the minimum landing size of sea bass for the purposes of ensuring that all sea bass taken have had at least one chance to spawn; and if she will make a statement. [63694]
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Richard Benyon [holding answer 4 July 2011]: I confirm that there is a long standing history of representation from UK angling interests to increase the current minimum landing size (MLS) for sea bass, to achieve a better match to the size at which bass reach sexual maturity. A significant proportion of the commercial bass fishery, however, features vessels using trawled gear in a mixed fishery, which means the issue of raising the MLS is complex. To prevent a large increase in discards of bass in commercial fisheries using the most commonly applied mesh size range, the vessels would need to alter their fishing gear design or fishing practices to avoid catching or retaining under-sized bass.
The current MLS is set out in EU legislation, and there will be a review and update of the overall package of technical measures, including MLSs where still applied following the Common Fisheries Policy reform process. This is the best means to determine agreed standards needed for any fishing gear and MLS which would apply to all member states involved in the fishery.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the potential effects on the proposed extension of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the areas proposed to be included; [63532]
(2) for what reason it is proposed to extend the Yorkshire Dales National Park into northern Lancashire. [63533]
Richard Benyon: Natural England is currently assessing proposed extensions to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including Leek Fell in Lancashire.
For designation to proceed, the areas must satisfy the criteria set out in Section 5(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The Act defines a National Park as: an extensive tract of country in England which it appears to Natural England that, by reason of its natural beauty and the opportunities it affords for open-air recreation, having regard to both its character and its position in relation to centres of population, it is especially desirable that it is designated for the purposes of conserving and enhancing its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and promoting understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public.
Once a decision has been made by Natural England, it will be for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to determine whether to confirm the designation.
House of Commons Commission
Equal Pay
Jo Swinson: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1057W, on equal pay, when he expects the final version of the most recent equal pay audit of employees of the House of Commons Service to be available. [64145]
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John Thurso: The House has consulted the trade unions on the draft equal pay report and a number of minor amendments have been agreed with them. A final summary version for publication has been prepared and it is expected that it will be made available before the summer recess.
Scotland
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate. [63253]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not have any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate, which consists of two listed buildings, one in Edinburgh and one in London. However, a significant reduction in carbon emissions from its estate has been achieved by the Scotland Office over the past year.
Departmental Freedom of Information
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force. [63589]
David Mundell: The Department does not collect statistics about the background of individual requesters. This is because the Freedom of Information Act is applicant and motive blind and therefore it is not necessary to record or determine whether a requester is a Member of Parliament or a member of the public.
The earliest calendar year for which the Scotland Office holds searchable records of the names of individual requesters is 2010. During 2010, we have identified 23 requests as having been received from MPs however this figure may not represent all Freedom of Information requests from MPs as we can only identify those that are clearly stated as being from an MP.
The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the volume, timeliness and outcome of information requests received by over 40 central Government bodies.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Advertising
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much his Department has spent on placing advertisements in newspapers in Northern Ireland in each year since 2005; [63387]
(2) how much his Department spent on advertising in each newspaper in Northern Ireland in each year since 2005. [63388]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010.
Since 12 April 2010, all advertising for the Northern Ireland Office has been contracted out to third party media agencies. This advertising has been in connection
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with the recruitment and appointment of commissioners to the Parades Commission, the Equality Commission and the NIHRC by the NIO, and by the Chief Electoral Officer in connection with the recent Assembly elections. The total spend on such agencies was £64,404.
My Department does not hold information on advertising spend for each individual newspaper in Northern Ireland.
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on advertising on (a) local radio and (b) local television in Northern Ireland in each year since 2005. [63389]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010.
Since 12 April 2010 my Department has had a nil spend for advertising on (a) local radio and (b) local television in Northern Ireland.
Departmental Billing
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [63558]
Mr Paterson: The Department does not currently record and publish information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. For example, many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.
During the 12 months to the end of May 2011 a total of 10,449 invoices were received by the Department. 40% of these were paid within five working days of receipt, and 97.5% were paid within 10 working days of receipt.
Victim Support
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has had recent discussions with the Irish Government on joint steps by the British and Irish Governments to address the needs of victims; and if he will make a statement. [63421]
Mr Paterson: I have met with the Irish Foreign Minister twice in the past three months to discuss a range of issues, including dealing with the past.
Responsibility for providing practical services and support to victims rests with the devolved administration. For its part, the UK Government are committed to considering what contribution they can make to dealing with the contentious legacy of the Troubles in a way that helps bring a measure of closure to victims and wider society.
Welfare State: Reform
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill. [64141]
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Mr Paterson: I have had no such discussions, though my Department is in contact with the Executive about securing the Assembly's consent for certain provisions of the Bill.
Wales
Departmental Advertising
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department has spent on placing advertisements in newspapers in Wales in each year since 2005. [63391]
Mr David Jones: In 2006 recruitment advertisements were placed in national and Welsh newspapers to recruit the Head of Communications. The total spent on the advertising in Welsh newspapers was £3,950.
Departmental Billing
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by her Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [63555]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office paid 94.63% of all invoices within five days over the last 12 months. Our records are not kept in a form that enables us to differentiate between the sizes of businesses.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether her Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate. [63254]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has a small estate, consisting of a listed building in London and leased office space in Cardiff, and it is not practicable to generate low-carbon energy on this estate. My Department has, however, put in place initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, such as:
increasing recycling;
encouraging staff to switch off unused electrical equipment; and
more use of video conferencing to reduce the need to travel to and from meetings.
Departmental Official Cars
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost to her 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 her Department in each such year; what the average cost to her Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps her Department has taken to reduce the cost of ministerial cars since her appointment. [63003]
Mr David Jones: The Department for Transport publish the cost and numbers of ministerial cars each year in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses.
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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
Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and due for release in July 2011.
Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data. The Wales Office has reduced the number of ministerial cars from three to one.
In September 2010 we reduced the cars in London from two to one and in May 2011 we returned the car used in Cardiff at the end of its contract.
Enterprise Zones
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential to establish enterprise zones in Wales similar to those in England; and if she will make a statement. [61122]
Mrs Gillan: I had initial discussions with the First Minister on the day of the Budget, following the announcement of the introduction of enterprise zones in England, which should result in consequential payments of £10 million to the Welsh Government.
I have also written on a number of occasions making clear my commitment to work with the Welsh Government to establish enterprise zones in Wales.
I am pleased that the First Minister has now confirmed that Wales will benefit from enterprise zones. This will provide a much needed boost to businesses, and make Wales more attractive to investors.
Electoral Commission Committee
Elections
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how much was spent on electoral administrative costs in each local authority area in each year since 2007. [63430]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that all the information is available by local authority on their website at:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/financial-information
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The information covers the financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09. Data relating to 2009-10 will be published in summer 2011.
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which local authorities did not provide routine electoral administrative cost data returns in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09. [63431]
Mr Streeter: The local authorities who did not provide routine electoral administrative cost data returns in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09 can be found in the following lists. This information is also available on the Commission's website at:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/financial-information
Data relating to 2009-10 will be published this summer. The Commission has contacted all local authorities that did not provide information to remind them of the importance of doing this, and requested that information is provided for inclusion in our report on 2009-10 costs.
Amber Valley
Barnet
Bedford
Blaenau Gwent
Bolsover
Boston
Breckland
Brentwood
Castle Morpeth
Ceredigion
Cherwell
Chiltern
Colchester
Copeland
Crawley
Durham City
East Hampshire
East Lindsey
Enfield
Gateshead
Halton
Haringey
Harlow
Hastings
Herefordshire
Hillingdon
Ipswich
Isles of Scilly
Kensington and Chelsea
Lambeth
Lewisham
Luton
Maidstone
Melton
Merthyr Tydfil
Mid Sussex
Monmouthshire
North Kesteven
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North Lincolnshire
North West Leicestershire
Oldham
Powys
Redditch
Rugby
Rutland
Selby
South Bucks
South Derbyshire
South Lakeland
Southampton
Southend-on-Sea
St Edmundsbury
Stoke-on-Trent
Suffolk Coastal
Sunderland
Swansea
Tewkesbury
Thanet
Vale of Glamorgan
Winchester
Babergh
Barking and Dagenham
Barnet
Basildon
Bedford
Breckland
Brentwood
Brighton and Hove
Broadland
Bromsgrove
Castle Point
Central Bedfordshire
Ceredigion
Chiltern
City of London
Copeland
Corby
Dudley
East Hampshire
East Lindsey
East Riding of Yorkshire
Erewash
Fenland
Greenwich
Harrogate
Hertsmere
Ipswich
Kensington and Chelsea
Lambeth
Leeds
Lewes
Lewisham
Luton
Manchester
Mid Sussex
Monmouthshire
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Newham
Newport
North Hertfordshire
North Lincolnshire
Northumberland
Norwich
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Oxford
Peterborough
Portsmouth
Powys
Preston
Redditch
Ribble Valley
Richmondshire
Rochford
Rugby
Rutland
Sefton
Selby
Shepway
Shropshire
South Derbyshire
Southampton
Southend-on-Sea
Spelthorne
Suffolk Coastal
Sunderland
Tandridge
Thanet
Warrington
Warwick
Waverley
Wiltshire
Winchester
Woking
Wokingham
Wrexham
Wyre Forest
York
Electoral Commission
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral Commission is taking to improve the quality of data collected by the Commission on the interventions it carries out. [63429]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission will be revising the performance standards framework over the coming year in order to focus on the delivery of quality outcomes and the monitoring of performance in real-time. As part of this review the Electoral Commission will consider recommendations provided by internal and external audits over the past year and will consult widely on the proposed revisions.
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Electoral Register
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which electoral registration officers rated themselves too highly in their self-assessment and had their ratings reduced in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010. [63427]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that in 2008 14 electoral registration officers rated themselves too highly, and had their assessment reduced. Three electoral registration officers assessments were reduced in 2009 and none in 2010. The following lists show the electoral registration officers in question.
Bournemouth
Caradon
Carrick
Cheltenham
East Devon
Forest of Dean
North Cornwall
North Devon
North Dorset
Purbeck
Sedgemoor
Swindon
West Devon
West Somerset
Bournemouth
Lambeth
Newcastle.
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which regions of the UK did not achieve the required verification size for electoral registration officers self-assessment in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010. [63428]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that all regions in the UK achieved the required verification sample sizes of 25% in each region for 2008 (the first year of performance standards), and 10% in each region for 2009 and 2010.
Electoral Register: Standards
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, when the Electoral Commission plans to move towards outcome-focused measures for electoral registration performance standards. [63426]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission is currently developing a revised set of performance standards for electoral registration officers (EROs) and will consult formally on these in early 2012 with view to implementing the new approach in time for the September 2012 annual canvass of electors. The new standards will focus on the activities EROs will need to consider in order to move successfully towards a system of individual registration.
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Prime Minister
Railways: China
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed China's recent development of high speed rail travel and lessons that the UK might learn from this experience during the recent visit to the UK of the Chinese Premier. [63549]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave during the press conference with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday 27 June 2011. A transcript of the press conference is available on the Number 10 website
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/speeches-and-transcripts/2011/06/press-conference-with-premier-wen-jiabao-65285
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts: China
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has met representatives of the Chinese Government to discuss the creative industries. [63053]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I met with representatives of the Chinese Government on 26 June. A range of issues relating to my Department's many areas of responsibility were discussed, including the creative industries.
Arts: Tax Allowances
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he last discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the provision of tax incentives for arts philanthropy. [63032]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I regularly discuss a broad range of issues with Treasury colleagues. On 29 June my Department, HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs jointly published a consultation document on gifts of pre-eminent objects and works of art to the nation. This is a significant new incentive to arts philanthropy which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the Budget.
Broadband: Hertfordshire
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2011, Official Report, column 164W, on broadband, by what date he expects the households with low-speed broadband in North East Hertfordshire constituency to have access to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement. [63006]
Mr Vaizey: Broadband Delivery UK is working with Hertfordshire county council on their local broadband plan, which will inform the delivery of broadband in Hertfordshire up to 2015.
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Capita
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) monetary value and (b) net worth was of each contract. [62729]
John Penrose: The Department has not awarded any contracts to Capita since May 2010.
Creative Industries Council
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what sub-groups are proposed to be established as part of the Creative Industries Council. [63048]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Creative Industries Council will establish two 'task and finish' working groups in order to take forward actions in the areas of skills and access to finance. A third working group will look at issues which impact on businesses' ability to achieve growth including innovation, infrastructure, intellectual property and exports.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate. [63251]
John Penrose: The Department has no plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.
Departmental Official Cars
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 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. [62998]
John Penrose: The information relating to the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses.
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
5 July 2011 : Column 1106W
Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and are due for release in July 2011. The Department has cancelled its contract with the Government Car Service and no cars or drivers are allocated to its Ministers.
Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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 set out in the following table:
|
|
Number of journeys |
Historic Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps are available to communities in cases where heritage buildings owned by (a) public authorities and (b) private individuals or companies are allowed to fall into disrepair. [63051]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: Communities can put pressure on their public authorities to maintain appropriate standards of care for local authority owned heritage buildings, or where the conditions are right they can seek to have ownership of buildings transferred to them so they can take direct responsibility. English Heritage has produced guidance on both looking after local authority assets—‘Managing Local Authority Heritage Assets: some guiding principles for decision-makers’ and transferring assets into community ownership—‘Pillars of the Community’.
Communities can encourage their local authorities to serve amenity notices, urgent works notices, repairs notices and ultimately compulsory purchase orders on owners who let their historic buildings fall into disrepair.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the cost of reducing the rate of VAT on repairs on listed buildings and heritage assets other than places of worship. [63101]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss a wide range of issues. However, VAT is a matter for Her Majesty's Treasury.
5 July 2011 : Column 1107W
Internet: Children
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to facilitate the blocking of (a) adult and (b) age-restricted internet material by parents; what recent discussions he has had with internet providers on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [63114]
Mr Vaizey: The Government are committed to ensuring children can use the internet safely. I have already had a number of roundtables with internet service providers (ISPs) to look at creating a voluntary code of practice to protect children from viewing potentially harmful content such as that found on adult and age-restricted websites.
Government chair the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) which is responsible for ensuring children are protected from harmful and inappropriate content when online.
Through UKCCIS, we are working with industry to ensure that all consumers are able to make an active choice at point of sale, or when they first switch on their internet-enabled technologies, if they want parental control filters to be activated. This approach was also recommended in the recently published Bailey review.
Internet: Copyright
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with (a) copyright holders, (b) internet service providers and (c) internet companies on websites alleged to facilitate copyright infringement. [62835]
Mr Vaizey: The Government are regularly in discussion with all relevant parts of industry about ways to reduce online copyright infringement. As a part of that wider dialogue, Government have hosted discussions between copyright owners, internet service providers, search engines and consumer representation on issues around blocking access to websites that are focussed primarily on infringing copyright.
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the introduction of a website blocking scheme to prevent copyright infringement. [62836]
Mr Vaizey: The Government do not have any in-principle objections to blocking access to websites which are set up primarily to infringe copyright. We recognise that there are technical issues which need to be addressed in order for a site blocking scheme to be effective, and appreciate that any such scheme should take due consideration of consumer rights and be compatible with both UK and European legislation.
We have received Ofcom's report, which Government commissioned, on the practical workability of the site blocking measures in the Digital Economy Act (sections 17 and 18). We are considering it carefully and will publish the report and the Government's response in due course. In the meantime, Government have hosted discussions between copyright owners, internet service providers, search engines and consumer representation
5 July 2011 : Column 1108W
on issues around blocking access to websites that are focused primarily on infringing copyright. These are industry proposals which Government are observing with interest.
Lytham Hall
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the future of Lytham Hall. [63909]
John Penrose: The Department has not received representations on the future of Lytham Hall, however the building is on English Heritage's At Risk Register and is Grade I listed. English Heritage have provided specialist support and advice to the Heritage Trust for the North West who are the custodians of the Hall, and recently commissioned a programme of dendrochronological dating for the Hall to assist the Trust in better understanding the development of the site.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to reply to the letter of 19 May 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr M.E. Haworth. [64069]
John Penrose: A reply from the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport was e-mailed to the right hon. Member's parliamentary office on 25 May within 48 hours of receipt of his correspondence. We will e-mail another copy immediately in case the original cannot be found.
Museums and Galleries: Charitable Trusts
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to agree with national museums a framework for the creation of charitable trusts. [63046]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: A framework and way forward was agreed at the end of May 2011 when national museum directors and I met.
Music: Video Recordings
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to introduce an age rating classification system for music videos; and if he will make a statement. [63120]
Mr Vaizey: Ministers have already made a commitment to carrying out a consultation on the exemptions in the Video Recordings Act. That consultation will be published in the summer.
Olympic Games 2012
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on the route to be followed by the Olympic torch. [63035]
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Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State met the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 27 April to be briefed on the overnight stops for the London 2012 torch relay.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of free passes to attend London 2012 Olympics events which will be allocated to (a) members of the International Olympic Committee and (b) the Olympic family. [63673]
Hugh Robertson: There are no free passes or tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) are responsible for ticketing and accreditation for the games. LOCOG will accredit those that will be working at the games, including the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic family, but at this stage the numbers of accreditations have not been finalised.
Olympic Games 2012: Tickets
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the arrangements put in place by the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics to keep applicants for tickets to the Olympics informed of the progress of their applications. [63393]
Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has regularly and directly communicated with applicants for tickets to the Olympic Games. In addition, LOCOG has placed considerable information about the ticketing process on:
http://www.tickets.london2012.com
LOCOG will continue to communicate with applicants and ticketholders over the next 13 months until the Games themselves.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the distribution of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics (a) overall and (b) by region. [63394]
Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is a private company operating independently of Government, responsible for the ticketing arrangements for the 2012 Games.
Overall at the close of the first application window in April 2011, 1.9 million applications were made for 22 million Olympic tickets. Over 95% of applications—and successful applications—were from UK residents. 700,000 applicants were successful in obtaining some or all of the tickets they applied for, securing a total of 3 million tickets. Successful applicants were, on average, allocated between four and five tickets, totalling around £275.
LOCOG has not broken down applications by region. Ticket applications were split approximately equally between London, the wider South-East and the rest of the UK.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the number of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics allocated to disabled people. [63396]
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Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has made no such assessment. The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) aims to make the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games the most accessible and inclusive possible. As part of this commitment, it has ensured that disabled people have the same level of access to tickets the Games as non-disabled people.
LOCOG integrated its ticketing website to allow visually-impaired people to buy tickets like everyone else, using a screen reader or other assistive technology and without needing to make a phone call. LOCOG is providing a high number of wheelchair spaces (with a free companion seat) at each venue with accessible ticketed seats all around the new venues rather than in segregated areas. Ticket applicants were also enabled to select seats up fewest stairs or at the end of a row.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the arrangements for (a) returning tickets for the London 2012 Olympics and (b) reselling returned tickets. [63397]
Hugh Robertson: For those that have purchased tickets but are no longer able to use them, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) will be putting in place an official London 2012 ticket resale programme in 2012 through which tickets can be resold to others at face value. This will be the only authorised way to resell London 2012 tickets.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with sponsors of the London 2012 Olympics on the use of their ticket allocation. [63398]
Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has had no discussions with sponsors about their tickets. 75% of tickets are available through the UK public application process. Only 8% of tickets are allocated for sponsors and stakeholders to purchase, many of which will be available for their staff or public competitions.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he plans to discuss the arrangements for applying for tickets with the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics. [63399]
Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has regular meetings with the London 2012 Organising Committee to be updated about arrangements for the staging of the Games (including ticketing) and will continue to do so.
Olympic Games 2012: Tobacco
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will encourage the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games to request technical support from the World Health Organisation for the implementation of a tobacco-free policy at the London 2012 Olympics. [63024]
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Hugh Robertson: Officials in this Department and the Department of Health have discussed our aspiration for a tobacco free games with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).
LOCOG will finalise its approach on smoking closer to the time of the games, and will draw on relevant expertise and experience, such as that from previous games.
Public Libraries
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to publish guidance to local authorities on local community involvement in the delivery of public library services. [63047]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: On 16 June 2011 I wrote to leaders of local authorities making them aware of a study published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council on models of local community involvement in the delivery of public library services. The study can be found at the following link:
http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/policy_development/communities/Community_management_and_community_ ownership
Royal Parks: Cycling
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 888W, on the Royal Parks, if he will review the prohibition on cycling in Royal Parks. [62735]
John Penrose: There are no current plans to review the designated cycling facilities in the Royal Parks.
Sport England: Finance
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding Sport England has given to national governing bodies for whole sport plans in each year since 2009. [63305]
Hugh Robertson: Sport England provide funding awards (capital and revenue) for the national governing bodies to support delivery of their 2009-13 Whole Sport Plans. These are set out in the following table:
| Financial year | £ |
Television: Licensing
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has considered the merits of exempting Ministry of Defence bases and accommodation from television licensing laws. [63379]
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Mr Vaizey: The Government have no plans to change the way in which Ministry of Defence bases and accommodation are covered by television licensing legislation.
Tourism
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport with reference to his Department's March 2011 publication, Government tourism policy, when he plans to set up the industry taskforce to identify sector specific rules, regulation, inspection and forms holding back the tourism industry. [63049]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The industry taskforce was set up on 21 June under the chairmanship of Alan Parker. Regular updates will be provided to the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), culminating in a full report by the end of the year.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when the Government plans to launch its cross-departmental campaign to market Britain internationally. [63050]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: VisitBritain launched a global television campaign on 20 June, featuring a number of British celebrities, to mark the start of the £100 million international marketing campaign supported by the Government and the private sector. Full details can be found at the following link:
http://www.visitbritain.org/mediaroom/pressreleases/advertlaunch.aspx
International Development
Democratic Republic of Congo: Females
Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking in relation to violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [63185]
Mr O'Brien: The UK provides support to victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through our contribution to the UN Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which provides medical care and psycho-social support to thousands of affected people each year. We are also working to make the DRC a safer place for women through a police reform programme which aims to improve the police response to gender violence. The project is being piloted in three provinces and aims to achieve a 30% increase over the next two years in the proportion of women who report feeling safe. The UK Government are also working with the UN peace support mission (MONUSCO) and the Government of the DRC to step up efforts through the security services and justice system to protect women and to end impunity.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate. [63250]
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Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently taking forward the installation of a Biomass Boiler at our East Kilbride site, which should be completed by December 2011. This will reduce our carbon emissions from gas usage at this site by more than 50% as all emissions from the Biomass are carbon neutral. We have already significantly reduced our carbon emissions from gas usage by installing a green roof.
DFID has also worked closely with the Carbon Trust to carry out initial feasibility reports for low carbon technologies such as a wind turbine, solar panels and tri-generation boilers. We are currently working with them to identify appropriate new technologies as part of our long term strategy to minimise the carbon emissions from our estate.
Developing Countries: Climate Change
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to secure funds to support climate finance after 2014. [63301]
Mr O'Brien: The UK Government are committed to helping developing countries carry out the urgent work needed to adapt to climate change and develop in a low carbon way, including reducing emissions from deforestation. The UK is seeking an ambitious legally binding, global deal on climate change, including provisions for the carbon market which will drive funding for low carbon, resilient development. The UK is also working with partners in the G20 to identify long-term sources of climate finance towards meeting the Copenhagen Summit target of providing $100 billion annually from 2020 for developing countries.
The UK is actively taking part in negotiations to design and establish the Green Climate Fund, which was agreed at the Cancun Summit in December 2010.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to use monies allocated for international climate finance for the Green Climate Fund. [63302]
Mr O'Brien: The UK Government believe the Green Fund could make an important contribution to improving the effectiveness and impact of climate finance and serve as one of the key vehicles for delivering scaled-up finance, alongside other bilateral and multilateral channels. Discussions about pledging will not begin until the design process is much further advanced, when we can assess the extent to which the fund will be capable of delivering results and securing value for money.
Developing Countries: Females
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the development results framework contained in the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women strategic plan for 2011 to 2013. [64072]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
The UK has strongly supported the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN Women, since
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its creation. UN Women's strategic plan was formally adopted on 30 June 2011. The UK supports the priority areas outlined in the plan. For example, tackling violence against girls and women and increasing women's economic empowerment and leadership will prove vital in improving the lives of millions. We will continue to work closely with UN Women to ensure its work will deliver results to improve the lives of girls and women across the world.
Developing Countries: Tuberculosis
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential effects of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics on the levels of tuberculosis in developing countries. [64147]
Mr O'Brien: The contribution of new drugs and technologies on the levels of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries could be significant, but there are limitations. While most TB patients can be cured with present drug regimens, the 2050 elimination target is far more likely to be achieved with a combination of improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines that can detect and treat both latent TB infection and active disease. Recent modelling for the World Health Organisation has suggested that a combination of a neonatal pre-exposure TB vaccine, a two-month treatment regimen effective against drug-susceptible and resistant strains of TB, and a novel point-of-care diagnostic test could potentially reduce the incidence of TB by 71%. There are, however, questions remaining about the effect of these in high HIV prevalent areas.
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department provided to research and development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, reduce and prevent tuberculosis in each of the last five years. [64148]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a range of research programmes to promote the development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis (TB). These include: the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Global Alliance for TB Drugs, and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, Funding amounts for the last five years are provided in the following table.
| DFID funding | ||||
| £ | ||||
|
|
FIND | Aeras | Global Alliance forTB Drugs | Total |
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on the implementation and delivery of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, prevent and treat tuberculosis. [64149]
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Mr O'Brien: The coalition Government are committed to supporting global efforts to halve tuberculosis (TB) deaths by 2015 through the delivery of the revised Global Plan to Stop TB 2011-15, as highlighted in ‘UK aid: Changing lives, delivering results’. In support of this objective, and to help to drive progress towards zero HIV infections and deaths by 2015, scaling up access to TB diagnosis, treatment care and support is a strategic priority in the coalition Government's recently launched ‘Towards zero infections: The UK's position paper on HIV in the developing world’.
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to support the development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, prevent and treat tuberculosis; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such steps. [64150]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a number of product development partnerships to encourage industrial development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis. This includes support to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND); the Global Alliance for TB Drugs; and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. These initiatives are making progress. For instance, FIND has helped develop a new diagnostic for rapid detection of TB (‘GeneXpert'). This may help shorten the time to diagnosis and cut transmission, thus preventing new cases in future. FIND is also working on how it can adapt these tools for use in more peripheral settings.
India: Overseas Aid
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that the value of the UK's aid programme in India is recognised by the government of India. [63307]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The British and Indian Governments work in partnership to deliver shared goals on poverty reduction in India and globally. During my visit to India last November several Government Ministers, as well as experts outside Government, confirmed to me that the UK's development co-operation programme is highly valued.
Private Sector Expertise
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to improve private sector expertise among officials of his Department. [63306]
Mr O'Brien: DFID established a new private sector department at the beginning of January this year. An objective of this new department is to help DFID work more closely with the private sector across a broad range of issues. This will allow DFID to engage more effectively with private enterprise to deliver our objectives more effectively.
We have recruited externally with the aim of attracting individuals from the private sector to work in DFID. We also intend to bring in short-term private sector secondments in order to inject new, business-savvy thinking
5 July 2011 : Column 1116W
into DFID to help us capitalise on defined opportunities. We shall also bring together time-limited groups of business men and women to work with us to find creative solutions to development challenges.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Politics and Government
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of constitutional structures in Afghanistan. [63608]
Mr Hague: The Afghan constitution of January 2004 set out a number of political and judicial structures. The constitution contains provisions to guarantee a separation of powers between these structures.
We have made no formal assessment of this kind, but we work closely with both the Afghan Government and the international community to strengthen political and judicial institutions in Afghanistan. This includes funding training for parliamentarians to provide them with the skills and expertise necessary to play a full role in the legislative process.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the 10 most expensive receptions hosted by his Department were (a) in the UK and (b) overseas since his appointment; and what the total cost was of each such event. [63023]
Mr Hague: The information for (a) is not held in the form requested. However, the most prominent events which Government Hospitality has arranged for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) since May 2010 were as follows. I hosted the diplomatic reception in honour of the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen which is traditionally held in early June. The 2010 and 2011 receptions were held at a cost of approximately £19,548 and £11,020, compared with a cost of £24,368 in 2009. I hosted a diplomatic reception on the day of the royal wedding at a cost of £12,984. The figures do not include VAT.
I hosted a Christmas reception organised by the FCO for the London diplomatic corps and other contacts which replaced two events held previously. This event at a cost of about £9,823 replaced two events held at a cost of more than £16,000 in the previous year.
All expenditure on business hospitality is incurred in accordance with HM Treasury guidelines and is rigorously scrutinised to ensure value for money and effectiveness.
No central records are held of other receptions hosted across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or at missions overseas, and to provide this information would incur disproportionate cost.
Forced Marriage Unit
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases have been dealt with by the Forced Marriage Unit in (a) 2010 and (b) the last 12 months. [63345]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: The information is as follows:
(a) In 2010, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) gave advice or support in 1,735 cases involving a possible forced marriage. Of that number, there were 469 cases where the FMU provided active assistance.
(b) From January to June 2011, the FMU gave advice or support in 738 cases involving a possible forced marriage. Of that number, there have been 126 cases where the FMU provided active assistance.
Israel: Religious Freedom
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the ability of each religious community in Israel to (a) exercise its faith, (b) to observe its (i) holidays and (ii) weekly day of rest and (c) administer its internal affairs; and if he will make a statement. [63108]
Alistair Burt: The Government strongly support the right to freedom of religion or belief. Our embassy in Tel Aviv routinely raise concerns about freedom of religion or belief with the Israelis.
We have received no evidence of any problems for religious groups within green line Israel. Most of the problems that different religious groups suffer in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories stem from the ongoing occupation and the mutual mistrust that characterises Israeli-Palestinian relations. This is one of the reasons why we lay so much emphasis on resolving the conflict. The only way to resolve the conflict is via the two state solution and we urge both parties to return to negotiations.
Israel's Declaration of Independence guarantees freedom of religion for all Israel's inhabitants. However, we remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement between the west bank and east Jerusalem. It remains difficult for Palestinians to enter east Jerusalem for work, education, medical treatment or religious worship. We have lobbied the Israelis hard on the issue of movement and access.
North Africa: Politics and Government
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his US counterpart on North Africa and the Middle East prior to President Obama's speech on that subject. [60032]
Mr Hague: I have been in regular contact with Secretary Clinton on a range of issues, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, before and since President Obama's speech.
Piracy: EU Action
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 618W, when he expects to (a) publish and (b) implement the EU operational plan to counter piracy. [62970]
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Mr Bellingham: It would not be appropriate to publish classified operational plans, nor military tactics for counter-piracy operations.
The amendments to the EU operation plan enabling a range of additional actions to be taken against pirates have entered into force, and will be implemented when military commanders judge they will have the greatest impact on pirate operations.
Prisoners
Mr Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens he estimates had been held without trial for more than 12 months in countries that are member states of the Council of Europe in the latest period for which figures are available; and what steps he is taking to expedite the trial or release of such prisoners. [63214]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We are unable to estimate the number of British citizens who have been held without trial for more than 12 months in countries that are member states of the Council of Europe. Estimating this figure would prove prohibitively expensive. Supporting British nationals in difficulty around the world is a vital part of the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We will consider approaching the local authorities if the trial of a British national does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases. This support is explained in our publication “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide”.
Somalia: Refugees
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the numbers of Somali refugees arriving at the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya; and if he will make a statement. [63418]
Mr Bellingham: According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there are now more than 394,000 Somali refugees in Kenya and new arrivals have accelerated to 1,300 a day over the last two weeks. Last year the Department for International Development provided £2 million to UNHCR to meet the basic relief needs of 20,000 refugees during 2010 and 2011. We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and have offered further support to UNHCR. Dadaab is heavily congested and the conditions for many new arrivals is unacceptable. The British Government have urged the Government of Kenya, including at ministerial level, to urgently make more space available for the camp population, and will continue to do so.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of access to humanitarian aid for refugees from South Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [63419]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I have been asked to reply.
In 2010, Somali refugees were generally able to access an adequate level and quality of basic humanitarian aid in Kenya and Ethiopia, although Dadaab refugee camp
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in Kenya had become very congested. However, the increased number of refugees fleeing from South Somalia in 2011 is straining the capacity of the camps, authorities and humanitarian agencies to respond adequately.
The UK Government provided £2 million in Kenya to meet the basic relief needs of 20,000 refugees in 2010-11. In Ethiopia, DFID (with other donors) is providing support to the refugee camps through a pooled humanitarian fund. In 2010-11, the fund provided around £1.5 million for water and nutrition interventions. Given the deteriorating situation, my Department is working with other donors to support humanitarian agencies in scaling up their response and ensure new refugees have greater access to basic services, including water, health, nutrition, food and shelter. We also continue to press the Government of Kenya on the need to allocate more space for refugee camps, and already have an existing and growing programme of humanitarian assistance in the areas of Somalia the refugees are fleeing from.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the renewal of public consultations on the constitutional future of the South Kordofan region in Sudan. [64066]
Mr Bellingham: The African Union High Level Implementation Panel-facilitated talks in Addis Ababa have resulted in framework agreements on Southern Kordofan, Abyei and border monitoring. I commend the parties for coming together and setting this first milestone. However, much more needs to be done. The Framework Agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile provides for the completion of the popular consultation process that formed a part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. However, for civilians to take part in consultations and talks on their own future, they must have freedom of movement and speech so they can participate fully and freely. As this is not the case at the moment, I urge all sides to create an environment where public consultations can be frank and without intimidation.
Sudan: Violence
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of violence in the South Kordofan region of Sudan; and what discussions he has had with the UN regarding the protection of residents of the South Kordofan region after 9 July 2011. [64065]
Mr Bellingham: Recent reports suggest that violence is continuing in many parts of Southern Kordofan. There are reports of aerial attacks by Sudanese armed forces; of abuses against civilians carried out by soldiers from both sides; and of civilians being caught up in the violence. The UK condemns the ongoing violence and calls on all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The recent framework agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile is a step in the right direction but must lead to a ceasefire without delay, so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need, and talks on the future of Southern Kordofan can take place without continuing violence.
We are actively involved in discussions with the UN about its future presence in Sudan and South Sudan. We are encouraging the Government of Sudan to allow
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the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to remain in Southern Kordofan after 9 July, so that it can continue to protect civilians caught up in the conflict. We are pressing the UN to ensure that, should the Government of Sudan require UNMIS to leave on 9 July, all possible arrangements are made to ensure continuity of humanitarian assistance.
Syria: Politics and Government
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his Syrian counterpart allegations of intimidation of protestors outside the Syrian embassy in London. [63090]
Mr Hague: I refer the right hon. Member to my statement to the House on 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 964-65.
Syria: Sanctions
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of sanctions on Syria. [63091]
Mr Hague: The EU restrictive measures impose an asset freeze and travel ban on 30 individuals (including President Assad) and an asset freeze on four entities. They are targeted against those persons responsible for violence and repression against the civilian population in Syria, and their associates. The EU measures also include an arms embargo and restrictions on the supply of equipment which might be used for internal repression. We judge that the sanctions have been effective in targeting key members of the Syrian regime and their associates. These measures will continue to apply so long as the individuals and entities listed continue to meet the criteria.
Work and Pensions
Atos
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) role and (b) function is of the Independent Tier dealing with individual complaints against work contracted to Atos by his Department; and which organisation carries out the work of the Independent Tier. [63220]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
(a) The role of the Independent Tier is to challenge the robustness of Atos Origin Health Care’s handling of medical service assessment complaints.
(b) The function of the Independent Tier is an impartial invigilator of Atos Origin Health Care’s processes for dealing with medical assessment complaints.
The details of the private company Atos Healthcare appointed to investigate the handling of complaints is not divulged to any third party to ensure continued independence. Atos Origin Health Care are bound by the recommendations of the Independent Tier.
Departmental Billing
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many invoices received by his 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. [62488]
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Chris Grayling: The information requested is in the following tables:
| Number of invoices paid on time | ||||
|
|
5 days | 10 days | 30 days | Total |
| Number of invoices paid late | |||
|
|
5 days | 10 days | 30 days |
| Value of late invoices | |||
| £ | |||
|
|
5 days | 10 days | 30 days |
5 July 2011 : Column 1122W
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 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. [63554]
Chris Grayling: The Department does not currently record and publish information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. We do not discriminate by size of business because many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.
The percentage of all supplier payments made within five days of receipt of an invoice for the last 12 months are:
|
|
Five days of receipt ( percentage ) |
The Department is therefore compliant with the Government's Prompt Payment Code target of 80% within five days of receipt.
The Department for Work and Pensions became a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code in March 2009 and set a target to pay 80% of correct invoices within five days of receipt. The Department also monitors payment within 10 days of receipt under the Prompt Payment Code which is as follows:
|
|
10 days of receipt (percentage) |