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Fire Services: Procurement
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the future of fire service procurement; and if he will make a statement. [63228]
Robert Neill: Firebuy Ltd, which helped deliver procurement efficiencies and collaboration for local fire and rescue authorities in England through nationally negotiated contracts, is closing in summer 2011 as part of the Government review of arm’s length bodies. It was not a function that needed to be undertaken by central Government.
All of Firebuy's procurement functions have been transferred to alternative organisations. The 17 framework contracts were formally novated to Wiltshire county council with The Consortium for Purchasing and Distribution Ltd managing these on Wiltshire's behalf. This ensures that there is continuity of the existing arrangements. Fire and rescue authorities have been encouraged to continue to use these contracts to maintain the benefits of collaborative procurement though procurement is a matter for them to decide on based on their operational requirements.
Procurement arrangements have also been considered as part of the consultation on the future of fire and rescue control services in England. The fire sector is best placed to develop procurement models that ensure standards are adopted where necessary, so that the benefits of interoperability and collaborative procurement can be realised.
Fire Services: Standards
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to facilitate the sharing of best operational practice in responding to (a) local and (b) national emergencies between fire and rescue services. [63790]
Robert Neill: The Government's expectation was laid out in the national framework (2008-11) where fire authorities must:
“Have in place systematic arrangements to ensure incident and safety event outcomes inform the ongoing development of safe systems of work and training and development of staff. This should include the sharing of risk critical information on a regional/national basis when appropriate.”
For national emergencies that directly or indirectly involve fire and rescue services the National Co-ordination and Advisory Framework provides a live mechanism to support and advise local decision makers in affected areas. This arrangement has been provided by a partnership between the Office of the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser and the Chief Fire Officers Association.
The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser has responsibility for the production of national operational guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service. Systems are in place to gather information from operational incidents to determine and refresh such guidance where appropriate.
Chris Williamson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent progress he has made in developing a National Framework document for the Fire and Rescue Service;
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when he expects to produce a draft document; and what recent meetings he has had with officials in his Department to discuss this matter. [63791]
Robert Neill: Work on the next Fire and Rescue Service National Framework is under way, and a National Framework Partner Working Group will be meeting shortly. I expect the draft National Framework will be out for public consultation later in the year. I meet regularly with my officials in the course of business.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of his policies on localism on the development of a National Framework document for the Fire and Rescue Service. [63792]
Robert Neill: Localism will be reflected in the development of the National Framework. I expect there to be a public consultation on the draft National Framework later in the year.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of his policies on localism on the capacity of fire and rescue services to discharge their statutory duties. [63793]
Robert Neill: The provisions in the Localism Bill, currently going through Parliament, were subject to impact assessments. These assessments were published by my Department in January and placed in the Library of the House following introduction.
For fire and rescue authorities the proposed legislation will provide additional freedoms and flexibilities. These are enabling powers, intended to enhance the capacity of the fire and rescue service in discharging their statutory duties.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the oral answer of 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 10, on fire and rescue services, whether the integrated resource management plan places a requirement on fire authorities to plan for (a) risk and (b) cost; and if he will make a statement. [63797]
Robert Neill: The reference in Hansard dated 20 June 2011 should have been to local authorities’ integrated risk management plans, not integrated resource management plans.
The Government are committed to enabling local authorities and local communities to make appropriate decisions at the local level. Fire and rescue authorities are required by the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to have in place and maintain an integrated risk management plan which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. Each fire and rescue authority's plan enables that individual authority to decide how best to provide fire and rescue-related services, including prevention and protection as well as response, with resources being allocated on the basis of the evaluation of risk and where the risks are greatest.
Local requirements are thus determined by local people according to local circumstances.
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Fire Services: Surveys
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress his Department has made in surveying fire and rescue authorities' budgetary plans for 2012-13; whether he plans to publish the findings of the survey; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the survey. [63795]
Robert Neill: The Department has not surveyed fire and rescue authorities' budgetary plans and has no plans to do so.
Fire Services: Training
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the privatisation of firefighter training. [63781]
Robert Neill: Firefighter training is a matter for fire and rescue authorities as they are the employers. It is for them to decide the appropriate training provision.
Hedges
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on matters relating to high hedges; and whether he plans to review that guidance. [63412]
Robert Neill: There is guidance on matters relating to high hedges on my Department's website. As with other guidance, we will continue to keep this under review.
Homelessness
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the cross-departmental Homelessness Working Group has made of the effects of the implementation of the big society initiative on the provision of local services for homeless people. [63892]
Grant Shapps: My ministerial colleagues and I are well aware of the significant contribution made by volunteers up and down the country in supporting the voluntary and community sector and other agencies to help vulnerable people. Their contribution is integral in ensuring they receive the appropriate support they need to enhance their well-being.
This Government take homelessness very seriously. We are maintaining investment in homelessness grant at £100 million a year for each of the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to prevent homelessness. We have also secured £6.5 billion investment for Supporting People over the next four years.
In addition, I established a cross-Government Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness to address the complex causes of homelessness and improve support for homeless people. The first report from the Ministerial Working Group will be published on 6 July and will be available at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/
The report sets out the Government's intention to roll out ‘No Second Night Out’ nationally, the approach being taken by the Mayor of London to quickly identify new rough sleepers. To deliver the pledge and ensure
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that the voluntary sector continues to play a central role in tackling rough sleeping, I have also announced a new £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund to be administered by Homeless Link. The report includes commitments from Government Departments, local government and voluntary sector partners to end rough sleeping and help ensure that nobody spends a second night sleeping rough on Britain's streets.
Local Government Finance
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to his Department's guidance for Government Departments on the New Burdens Doctrine, how the guidance is to be applied to the reduction in the financial settlement for local authorities in 2012-13; and whether such guidance is to apply to additional powers sought by local authorities or provided for in the Localism Bill. [63298]
Robert Neill: The provisional Local Government Finance settlement for 2012-13 fully reflects at national level transfers of function and new burdens. The spending review delivered a challenging but fair settlement for local government. Reductions are matched by a radical reform programme that gives councils unprecedented freedoms and flexibilities and far more control over their budgets.
In broad terms, the ‘New Burdens Doctrine: Guidance for Departments’ applies in all cases where central Government require local authorities to undertake a new activity that incurs additional costs.
Local Government: Social Enterprises
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to encourage local authorities to award service contracts to social enterprises. [62741]
Robert Neill: Procurement in local government is a matter for local discretion but Government are committed to encouraging a more open and level playing field for small and medium enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to bid for contracts. In February, the Prime Minister launched a new, free-to-use, online Contracts Finder portal and a simplified pre-qualification questionnaire to make it easier and cheaper for small and medium enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to bid for public sector opportunities.
DCLG has also recently consulted on new statutory guidance on Best Value (the consultation closed on 14 June). It makes clear that councils need to avoid making disproportionate reductions to the voluntary and community sector and sets out what voluntary and community organisations should expect from working with local government.
Local Government: Translation Services
Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost to local authorities of the provision of translation of information about their services from English into other languages. [63832]
Andrew Stunell: I have made no estimate of the cost of translation to local authorities. This information is not held centrally.
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Public Sector: Pensions
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of (a) the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, (b) changes to the annual uprating of public sector pensions, (c) a 3.2 per cent. increase in employee contributions to public sector pension schemes and (d) a 2.5 per cent. increase in VAT on staff (i) retention and (ii) morale in the fire and rescue service; and when he last discussed fire service (A) pensions and (B) pay with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [63765]
Robert Neill: The Government intend to respond to the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission's recommendations later in the year. Scheme specific discussions will develop the appropriate reforms to the firefighters' pension schemes, in full consultation with the Firefighters' Pension Committee and other sector partners.
Discussions are proceeding with the Trades Union Congress and trade unions to establish the principles to apply to new levels of employee contributions in public service pension schemes from 1 April 2012. The Government are committed to protecting low earners, ensuring that any changes will be sustainable and progressive, and remaining fair to both public sector workers and to the taxpayer.
The Department meets employer and trade union representatives at the Firefighters' Pensions Committee and elsewhere to discuss pension reforms, their interaction with pay and work force issues and their impact on the fire service.
I and my fellow Ministers meet regularly with colleagues from Her Majesty's Treasury to discuss a range of matters.
Regional Growth Fund
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations he has received from representatives of local enterprise partnerships on the application process for the Regional Growth Fund. [59474]
Greg Clark [holding answer 13 June 2011]: Local enterprise partnerships may submit bids that meet the regional growth fund objective:
‘to stimulate private sector investment by providing support for projects that offer significant potential for long term economic growth and the creation of additional sustainable private sector jobs’.
Departmental officials have worked closely with local enterprise partnerships to encourage high quality regional growth fund bids.
All bids will be judged on their own merits.
Rented Housing
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of shared rooms available in (a) London, (b) Leeds, (c) Manchester, (d) Liverpool and (e) Birmingham in the (i) social housing and (ii) private rented sector in the most recent year for which figures are available. [63333]
Andrew Stunell: The Department does not hold this information.
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Social Rented Housing
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assistance his Department is providing for the re-housing of residents who are under-occupying their homes. [63840]
Andrew Stunell: This Department has allocated £13 million over the next four years to help local authorities support under-occupying social tenants who wish to move, as well as funding an action team within the Chartered Institute of Housing to work with all social landlords to help them promote moves.
We are also making it easier for landlords to address under-occupation by increasing mobility, through changes to the allocation rules contained in the Localism Bill and the introduction of a national home swap scheme.
Social Services: Finance
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the potential effects of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on the provision of social care services by local authorities. [62466]
Robert Neill [holding answer 27 June 2011]: Ministers within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from the Department of Health to discuss a range of matters.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the effects of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review on social care spending by local authorities. [62467]
Robert Neill [holding answer 5 July 2011]: In recognition of the importance of social care in communities throughout the country, the Government are giving local authorities significantly greater freedom and control over budgets to be able to move resources to priority services. This includes rolling more than £2 billion of social care resources, including an additional £1 billion on top of existing grants by 2014-15, and £1.6 billion of Supporting People funding into formula grant.
Further funding, totalling £800 million in 2011-12 and rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, has been allocated within the NHS to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. The new NHS Operating Framework sets out specific primary care trust allocations that transfer to councils for spending on social care services to benefit health, and to improve overall health gain.
Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of reductions to local authority budgets on social care services. [62797]
Robert Neill
[holding answer 4 July 2011]: In recognition of the importance of social care in communities throughout the country, the Government are giving local authorities significantly greater freedom and control over budgets to be able to move resources to priority services. This includes rolling more than £2 billion of social care
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resources, including an additional £1 billion on top of existing grants by 2014-15, and £1.6 billion of Supporting People funding into formula grant.
Further funding, totalling £800 million in 2011-12 and rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, has been allocated within the NHS to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. The new NHS Operating Framework sets out specific primary care trust allocations that transfer to councils for spending on social care services to benefit health, and to improve overall health gain.
Travellers: Caravan Sites
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with chief executives and officials of local authorities on the role of regional cooperation in planning for Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites. [62754]
Robert Neill: As is routinely the case with all policy development, Ministers and officials have had discussions with a range of people with an interest in planning policy for Traveller sites while drafting their proposed policy. This has included local authority officials and Members. Many of these discussions have covered joint working between local authorities on provision of Traveller sites.
We published our draft new planning policy for Traveller sites for public consultation on 13 April and Members, and local authorities, are welcome to submit their views.
Travelling People: Regional Planning and Development
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has devised mechanisms to replace the function of regional spatial strategies for the purposes of ensuring regional co-operation in planning for Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites; and if he will make a statement. [63617]
Robert Neill: We are introducing a duty to co-operate through the Localism Bill to ensure that local authorities continue to work together after regional strategies are abolished. This will require local planning authorities, county councils and other public bodies to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis in the planning process.
The duty will apply to the preparation of policies on strategic matters in local plans. It will also apply to activities that support the preparation of these policies.
Local authorities will be required to demonstrate compliance with the duty to co-operate as part of the examination of local plans. If an authority cannot demonstrate that they have complied with the duty, their local plan will not pass the independent examination.
Deputy Prime Minister
West Lothian Question
9. Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on the establishment of a commission on the West Lothian question. [63495]
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Mr Harper: I have received a number of such representations from Members of the House of Commons on both their own behalf and that of constituents.
Act of Settlement
11. Mr Reid: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with Commonwealth Governments on reform of the Act of Settlement. [63497]
Mr Harper: Both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have made it clear that they think Government should look at the rules which allow younger sons to inherit the Throne over their elder sisters. But this is a complex issue and not one which the UK can proceed with unilaterally. Discussions are continuing with the other Commonwealth countries who would be affected but it would not be appropriate to reveal the details.
Prisoner Enfranchisement
12. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the enfranchisement of prisoners. [63498]
Mr Harper: The Government are considering the next steps and will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.
Recall of Members of Parliament
13. Ian Murray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to enable the recall of hon. Members. [63499]
The Deputy Prime Minister: The Government are committed to bringing forward legislation to introduce a power to recall Members of Parliament where they have engaged in serious wrongdoing. We plan to publish our proposals in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny.
City Status Competition
14. Mr Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what process he plans to follow to assess entries to the diamond jubilee city status competition. [63500]
Mr Harper: The process of assessing the entries will begin shortly. Careful consideration will be given to all applications, after which Ministers will formally provide their advice to Her Majesty, as such honours are awarded under the royal prerogative. The results are expected to be announced early in 2012.
Departmental Staff
15. Mr Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff were employed in his office on (a) 5 July 2010 and (b) the most recent date for which figures are available. [63501] [Official Report, 14 July 2011, Vol. 531, c. 5-6MC.]
The Deputy Prime Minister: There were 14 members of staff employed in my private office on 31 July 2010. The precise figures for 5 July 2010 are not available. There were 17 members of staff employed in my private office on 30 June 2011.
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Electoral Commission
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the methodologies used by the Electoral Commission for the collection of data as set out in the First Report, 2011, HC 916, from the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, on Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General. [63364]
Mr Harper: Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (Schedule 1, paragraph 16) the Comptroller and Auditor General has the responsibility for carrying out an examination into the economy, efficiency and/or effectiveness with which the Electoral Commission have used their resources in discharging their functions.
The First Report, 2011, from the Speaker's Committee welcomed the National Audit Office report on the Electoral Commission's spending to support the running of elections. The National Audit Office assessed the effectiveness of the methodologies used by the Electoral Commission for the collection of data and set out its conclusions in the report. The Speaker's Committee noted those areas in which the Comptroller and Auditor General recommends further development and will keep its recommendations under review. The Government believe that it is important that all public bodies provide best value for money and will look at any recommendations for changes.
Prisoners: Voting Rights
Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with which Ministers he has discussed prisoner voting rights since 10 February 2011. [62928]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues.
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consideration he is giving to the decision of the House reached in Division No. 199 on 10 February 2011, Official Report, columns 584-6, on formulating his response to the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on prisoner voting rights. [63979]
Mr Harper: The Government are considering the next steps and will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.
Transport
A46
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which sections of the A46 are classified as trunk road; and what responsibility the Highways Agency has for the (a) maintenance and (b) improvement of such sections. [64085]
Mike Penning:
The A46 runs from the outskirts of Bath in Somerset to near Grimsby in North-East Lincolnshire. The trunk road sections are from the A57 Carholme Roundabout near Lincoln to Junction 21a of the M1 near Leicester; Junction 2 of the M6 near
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Coventry to Junction 9 of the M5 in Gloucestershire; and Junction 18 of the M4 east of Bristol to its junction with the A4 near Bath.
The Secretary of State for Transport is the highway and traffic authority for the Strategic Road Network of England. As an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency's responsibilities for maintaining and improving the Strategic Road Network are defined in the Highways Act 1980.
A46: Lincoln
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for improvements to the A46 (a) within and (b) bordering Lincoln constituency. [64080] [Official Report, 5 September 2011, Vol. 532, c. 1-2MC.]
Mike Penning: Within the Lincoln constituency, the Highways Agency is responsible for the stretch of the A46 between the A1434 Hykeham Roundabout and the A57 Carholme Roundabout. Beyond Carholme Roundabout, the A46 is the responsibility of Lincolnshire county council.
The only improvement currently programmed on this section is adjacent to the A46 at Teal Park. The site between Whisby Roundabout and Hykeham Roundabout is being jointly developed by Lincoln city council and Lincolnshire county council. It will necessitate improvements to the A46 to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic. The development is due for completion in July 2012.
Biggin Hill Airport: Olympic Games 2012
Joseph Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the adequacy of the surface access strategy of Biggin Hill airport to handle traffic arising from any time-limited waiver to the terms of its lease with Bromley council during the period of the London 2012 Olympics. [62925]
Mrs Villiers: That would be a matter for agreement between the airport and the local authority.
Joseph Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution his Department expects Biggin Hill airport to make in meeting demand for air travel during the London 2012 Olympics. [62927]
Mrs Villiers: Studies commissioned by the Department for Transport suggest that large numbers of additional private aircraft flights can be expected during the Games period, and that both airport and airspace capacity across south-east England will be in high demand, especially during peak periods. Biggin Hill airport, along with a number of other airports across the south-east, is expected to play an important part in accommodating this additional demand.
Bus Services: Kent
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of recent trends in the level of bus services in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent. [63282]
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Norman Baker: The latest information on bus statistics in Great Britain can be found on the Department website at the following address:
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/public/bus/index.html
The charts found at the following addresses may be of particular interest:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/worksheets/bus0103.xls
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/worksheets/bus0109.xls
Channel Tunnel Railway Line
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of (a) Stratford, (b) Ebbsfleet and (c) Ashford of the High Speed 1 rail line. [62600]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State has not made any recent economic assessment of the High Speed one rail line in respect of Stratford, Ebbsfleet and Ashford. However, London and Continental Railways had commissioned an independent study carried out by Colin Buchanan and Voleterra on the economic impact of HS1 in 2009. A web link of the final copy of the report can be found at:
http://www.colinbuchanan.com/uploads/cms/files/147e7dfc-2a53-4267-83d7-72bdde92062e.pdf
In addition, cost-benefit ratios were also calculated during the construction stages of the project using the methodology of the time. Information on these is available in National Audit Office reports dated 28 March 2001 and 21 July 2005. Both reports are available from the NAO.
Channel Tunnel Railway Line: Freight
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the compliance of ordinary freight trains using the channel tunnel with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Commission of 30 March 2011 that ordinary freight trains should meet the provisions of Article 7.4.1 of the Technical Specification for Inter-operability: Safety in Rail Tunnels. [62609]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the compliance of ordinary freight trains using the channel tunnel since no additional requirements are necessary for Technical Specification for Interoperability-conforming freight wagons to be used in the channel tunnel.
The UK and French Governments notified, on 5 January 2009, a number of existing technical compatibility and safety requirements for both passenger and freight trains for the channel tunnel under article 7.4.1, which pre-date the introduction of the Technical Specification for Interoperability: Safety in Railway Tunnels.
That notification was subject to a Technical Opinion from the European Railway Agency delivered in July 2010. The UK and French Governments' response to that opinion included a commitment to develop these rules and the Intergovernmental Commission is currently progressing that project. A consultation on the specific requirements of freight trains has recently been completed as part of this ongoing work.
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Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case. [60326]
Norman Baker: Between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 the Department for Transport made the statutory instruments listed in the following table.
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Costs and benefits, concluding with a net benefit figure, have been provided only for those measures where an impact assessment has been produced. They are total figures (transitional and annual average).
Not included in the table are temporary and local instruments, 157 of which were made by the Department in March, 64 in April and 135 in May. Of these, 324 were temporary local highways orders, 29 were temporary local flying orders, two were local highways orders and one was a local railway order. Further information about these temporary and local orders could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Gatwick Express Railway Line
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from train operating companies on the use of the Class 460 Gatwick Express electrical multiple units which had been expected to be without an operator from 22 May 2011. [61255]
Mrs Villiers: Southern Railway continues to operate a number of Class 460 electric multiple units beyond the previously intended end date.
The use of these units, once they are no longer needed on this route, is a matter for the rolling stock company to agree with train operating companies.
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InterCity West Coast: Franchises
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has met representatives of the Rail Freight Group to discuss the InterCity West Coast franchise; and what provision for rail freight he has made in the invitation to tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise. [62385]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport has not met representatives of the Rail Freight Group to discuss the InterCity West Coast franchise. The draft Invitation to Tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise contains a specification for passenger train services based on track access rights granted by the Office of Rail Regulation. The Office of Rail Regulation also grant freight operators track access rights and takes the interests of all operators into account in deciding on track access applications.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of transferring the Intercity West Coast franchise to Directly Operated Railways. [62386]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport is currently in commercial negotiations in relation to the operation of the InterCity West Coast franchise from 1 April to 9 December 2012. Contingency plans and costs for any possible transfer of the franchise to Directly Operated Railways are therefore commercially confidential.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on preparing the invitation to tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise; and what the cost to the Department is of moving the start date for the franchise to 1 January 2013. [62608]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has spent £206,000 to date (April 2011) on technical and legal advice in the preparation of the draft Invitation to Tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise. The Department is currently in commercial negotiations to secure interim operations for the InterCity West Coast franchise from 1 April to 9 December 2012 (the planned start date of the new franchise). Any anticipated costs from moving the start date are therefore commercially confidential.
The West Coast franchise agreement gives the Department the option to extend the contract by 28 weeks (or seven railway periods). However, negotiations are taking place to secure a slightly longer extension (for nine railway periods, or 36 weeks) so that preparations for the new franchise do not have to take place during the Olympics.
Large Goods Vehicles
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles in each weight category are recorded on the most recent vehicle registration database. [62381]
Mike Penning: The following table gives the number of heavy goods vehicles registered in Great Britain that were either licensed or with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) as at 31 March 2011.
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| Gross weight (tonnes) | Licensed | With a SORN | Total |
These figures will differ slightly to statistics produced by the Department on road freight. This is because there are some vehicles registered as heavy goods vehicles that do not carry freight, including, for instance, cranes, cement mixers and some vehicles used in the building trade. These vehicles are excluded from the road freight surveys.
Motor Vehicles: Insurance
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number of uninsured drivers in Winchester constituency. [63409]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport does not hold any information on the number of uninsured drivers in the Winchester constituency.
The estimated number of uninsured vehicles in Great Britain is 1.4 million (4% of vehicles).
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has considered the merits of introducing a requirement of a mandatory insurance disc for motor vehicles. [63410]
Mike Penning: The merits of an insurance windscreen disc have been considered. However, it would only show that the vehicle was insured at the point the disc was issued and not prove that it was continuously insured.
The continuous insurance enforcement scheme introduced in June allows us to identify uninsured vehicles by comparing existing information held on record, and take action, without relying on spotting the vehicle on the road.
Motor Vehicles: Testing
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals to review the MOT test scheme. [63414]
Mike Penning: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 17 May 2011, Official Report, column 141W, to the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick).
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the failure rate was for candidates taking the driving test for the first time in each driving test centre in the latest period for which figures are available. [63434]
Mike Penning: A table providing information on the failure rates for candidates taking the driving test for the first time, in each driving test centre, in the financial year 2010-11 has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
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Motorways: Death
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many deaths have occurred on motorways in each year since 1981; [63778]
(2) what the causes were of fatal automobile accidents on motorways in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [63820]
Mike Penning: The number of fatalities as a result of reported personal injury road accidents on motorways in Great Britain since 1981 is shown on Table 1.
The time series on road accident fatalities since 1981 may not be a true like-for-like comparison due to growth in motorway length and associated growth in traffic. The motorway length in Great Britain increased from 2,647 km in 1981 to 3,560 km in 2010.
It is not possible to identify the cause of road accidents from data collected through STATS19. However, the Department for Transport collects statistics on contributory factors in accidents reported by the attending police officer. The reported contributory factors for fatal road accidents on motorways in Great Britain for 2005 to 2009 are shown on Table 2.
Contributory factor data for 2010 will be available at the end of September 2011.
| Table 1: Reported fatalities in personal injury accidents on motorways (1) —GB—1981-2010 | |
|
|
Number of fatalities |
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National Express East Coast
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on (a) legal advice and (b) consultation on the National Express franchise since May 2010. [61502]
Mrs Villiers
[holding answer 22 June 2011]: Since May 2010 we have entered into an agreement for external
5 July 2011 : Column 1171W
legal advice to be provided in relation to the National Express East Anglia contract to a maximum value of £30,000. The Department has not carried out a public consultation in relation to this franchise.
Railways: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on work in respect of train operating companies and the rail franchises they currently hold or for which they are bidding since May 2010; and what estimate he has made of likely further expenditure in the remainder of the comprehensive spending review period. [61393]
Mrs Villiers: The Department does not hold the information in the form requested. Data on all external departmental spending, including those in connection with rail franchises are published regularly on the Department's website at
www.dft.gov.uk/transparency
In addition to this spending, the Department employs a number of staff to manage and advise on train operating companies and rail franchising as part of their duties. The Department does not maintain records of the internal costs associated with rail franchising or rail contact management as a separate line item in its overall staff cost base.
Railways: Franchises
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what savings to the public purse he estimates will arise from the letting of longer rail franchises. [62465]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The Secretary of State does not publish estimated costs of franchises as they are subject to commercial competitions.
Railways: Passengers
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to Network Rail's Route Utilisation Strategy, what plans his Department has to make provision for projected increases in passenger numbers to Birmingham up to 2020. [62387]
Mrs Villiers: 106 new Pendolino vehicles will be introduced on the Intercity West Coast franchise during the next 18 months and negotiations are currently taking place with London Midland regarding the additional capacity to be provided in the period up to 2014 on local services.
Our plans beyond 2014 will be set out in 2012 and will take account of the Initial Industry Plan the rail industry intends to publish later this year.
Railways: Pennines
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 545W, on railways: rolling stock, whether the carriages for Trans Pennine Express are new or cascaded. [61315]
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Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport's intention is that the trains referred to in this answer operating on the Manchester-Scotland services will be new trains, although this is subject to reaching an acceptable commercial agreement with the parties concerned.
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he has received any representations on the effects of the renewable transport fuel obligation on the sustainable biodiesel industry; [62838]
(2) whether he has considered the merits of extending the price differential for the sustainable biodiesel sector as a transitional measure in implementing the renewable transport fuel obligation; [62839]
(3) whether he has made an assessment of the effects of the renewable transport fuel obligation on the sustainable biodiesel industry; [62840]
(4) what steps he plans to take to provide stability for the sustainable biodiesel industry after the end of the duty differential; [62854]
(5) what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of the 20 pence duty differential for biodiesel to meeting the UK's renewable energy targets. [62842]
Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 459W, to the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), by my right hon. Friend my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), for the Government's position on the duty differential.
Department for Transport Ministers have received representations from the sustainable biodiesel industry and officials meet regularly with a number of organisations to discuss a range of transport matters including the operation of the RTFO.
As part of the Government's measures to address climate change, the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) ensures a growing proportion of UK road transport fuels are from sustainable renewable sources. The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase efficiency of compliance. The value of individual renewable transport fuel certificates is determined by the market and depends upon the relative cost of supplying biofuel and fossil fuels. We continue to monitor and report on the impact of the RTFO and consider that to date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK.
We are currently considering responses to a consultation proposing amendments to the RTFO to implement the transport elements of the renewable energy directive. These proposals include providing twice the financial support to waste-derived biofuels as will be provided to conventional biofuels, through the award of two renewable transport certificates per litre of waste-derived biofuel. Crop-derived biofuels will continue to receive one certificate per litre and no support will be awarded to biofuels that do not meet required sustainability standards.
There is no plan to have the 20p duty differential for used cooking oil-derived biodiesel in 2020. However, research undertaken on behalf of the Department of
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Energy and Climate Change suggests that there is a potential UK-sourced used cooking oil resource of around 250,000 tonnes per year. If all of this resource were to be used as biodiesel in the transport sector, this would contribute roughly 10% of the effort required to meet the renewable energy directive transport sector sub-target.
Rescue Services
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sea rescues from each coastguard station took place in each of the last three years. [63425]
Mike Penning: Although no specific category of “sea rescues” is recorded, a detailed breakdown of the type of incident co-ordinated by each maritime rescue co-ordination centre in the years 2006-10 is available on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/shipsandcargoes/consultations/mcga-consultations-archive/hm_coastguard_proposals_for_modernisation_consultation_ 2010/statistics_requested.htm
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account his Department took of the number of rescues made from each lifeboat station operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in drawing up its proposals for the future of coastguard stations; and if he will make a statement. [63529]
Mike Penning: The consultation document published on 16 December 2010 proposes the re-organisation of how HM Coastguard delivers the co-ordination of civil maritime search and rescue (SAR) in the UK. As these proposals do not affect the day to day operational interface with partners such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), it was not appropriate for RNLI launches to have been a factor in their detailed development. These proposals envisage a national SAR co-ordination network which will enable Coastguards to co-ordinate incidents around the UK from any location.
The RNLI is one of the key partners of Her Majesty's Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will continue to work in the closest co-operation with them to provide an excellent service dedicated to the saving of life at sea.
Roads: Accidents
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have died due to dangerous driving incidents since 2009; and if he will make a statement. [63288]
Mike Penning: The number of deaths in reported road accidents, attributed to a driver convicted of dangerous driving, is not held by the Department for Transport.
However, the Department publishes statistics on reported road accidents in Great Britain, where driver behaviour or inexperience were reported as contributing factors to the accident by the attending police officer. The latest available statistics on fatalities occurring in such accidents can be found in Table 4h (Article 4, pages 58-59) of
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Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2009. A copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House and a link is as follows:
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221549/227755/rrcgb2009.pdf
Roads: Safety
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date he has set for the inaugural Road Safety Day; and how much funding he plans to allocate to publicise it. [61270]
Mike Penning: Road Safety Day is still under consideration and no decisions have been made. However, the Department will be considering how best to undertake this with other complementary initiatives next year.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much he estimates the private sector will contribute to the THINK! road safety advertising campaign over the course of the comprehensive spending review period; and which private sector companies have agreed to provide funding to date. [61271]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport does not receive cash sponsorship but we do receive ‘in kind' support from a range of organisations linking with the THINK! road safety campaign. This summer, Britvic is supporting THINK! Driver Friendly activity tackling drink driving and Infinity Motorcycles is supporting the motorcycle safety campaign. We have not finalised plans with other partners.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department provides on interoperability when procuring rolling stock. [62606]
Mrs Villiers: Authorisation by the Office of Rail Regulation is required before new rolling stock can be introduced on to the network. In order to obtain this authorisation rolling stock must comply with technical standards as set out in Technical Specifications for Interoperability and notified national technical rules. If requested, the Department provides advice on a case by case basis to rolling stock projects about the possible scope for derogations from standards.
Thameslink
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the announcement of the preferred bidder for Thameslink was not made in line with the target in his Department's Departmental Plan. [58627]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 9 June 2011]: The announcement of a preferred bidder for the Thameslink rolling stock has required careful consideration to ensure that the taxpayer receives best value for money and that the new trains are deliverable to support the overall Thameslink programme.
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Train Operating Companies
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates he has met representatives of each train operating company since May 2010. [61394]
Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and his ministerial team regularly meet with train operating companies'. Details of formal meetings can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/ministerial-transparency/#meetings
This list does not include additional informal contacts with train operators, for example at conferences, stakeholder events etc.
Transport: Finance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to set cost-reduction targets in the High Level Output Specification/Statement of Public Funds Available process. [61269]
Mrs Villiers: No decisions have been taken on the format of the 2012 High Level Output Specification, the Statement of Public Funds Available, nor therefore on any cost reduction target. When taken, decisions will take full account of Sir Roy McNulty's recommendations on delivering potential savings.
Health
Aortic Aneurysm: Screening
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many men screened under the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme were subsequently referred for treatment since its inception; [63292]
(2) whether his Department has assessed the merits of including indicators on abdominal aortic aneurysm in the Quality and Outcomes Framework; [63293]
(3) what proportion of men offered screening under the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme were subsequently screened in each programme area in each year since its inception. [63294]
Mr Simon Burns: Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is not a direct responsibility for general practitioners, therefore there is no merit in including abdominal aortic aneurysm screening within the Quality and Outcomes Framework, however the screening programme remains a priority and is included within the 2011-12 NHS Operating Framework for England.
Since the introduction of the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme in 2009, approximately 60,000 men aged 65 and over have been screened by the national programme and around 150 men have been referred to vascular surgeons.
The following table shows the proportion of men who were screened in their 65th year after being invited by their local programme during each of the national programme's first two years of screening:
| Programme | Year | Uptake (% of men offered screening who were tested) |
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Cancer: Medical Treatments
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to report on the treatment of very rare cancers; and if he will make a statement. [63945]
Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a number of pieces of guidance on the treatment of less common cancers. Further guidance relating to less common cancers is in development.
Information on NICE's guidance on cancers is available at:
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/Topic/Cancer
Dental Services
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the participation in the General Dental Council of the Chief Dental Officer in his official capacity; and if he will make a statement. [63235]
Mr Simon Burns: Meetings of the General Dental Council are undertaken in public and the Chief Dental Officer attends meetings as an observer. There are clear benefits in ensuring an effective dialogue between the Chief Dental Officer as head of the dental profession and the regulatory body for dentists.
The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE), which oversees the work of the regulatory bodies including the General Dental Council, has been asked to consider what constitutes good practice in terms of the process of making appointments to and the governance of the health professions' regulatory bodies. In light of CHRE's work, we will consider whether the existing arrangements continue to be appropriate.
Dental Services: Cumbria
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices which provide treatment (a) wholly and (b) partly under the NHS are operating in (i) Cumbria and (ii) the South Lakeland District Council area. [63907]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally.
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Dental Services: Standards
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the restrictions applying to the manufacture in the UK of dental devices made by untrained dental technicians registered (a) in the UK and (b) overseas. [63289]
Mr Simon Burns: The only specific representations we have received were about the robustness of the requirement under the European Medical Devices Directive for an ‘authorised representative’ to certify that a dental appliance manufactured outside the European Economic Area complies with the directive. I understand that these representations were made last March at a meeting my noble Friend, the Under-Secretary of State and Government Spokesperson, Department of Health (The Earl Howe), held with the hon. Member and a dental technician working in her constituency. Although we recognise that some dental technicians are concerned about the adequacy of the regulatory framework for the manufacture of dental appliances, we have not received any complaints from patients about their quality.
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of statements of conformity of dental devices supplied in the UK as set out in Article 11.6 and Annex VIII of 93/42/EC that correctly identified the manufacturer in the last 12 months. [63342]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally.
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is taking to ensure patients are offered a statement of conformity of dental devices as set out in Article 11.6 and Annex VIII of 93/42/EC. [63343]
Mr Simon Burns: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has provided guidance on its website alerting patients to their right to be supplied on request with the statement of conformity for custom-made medical devices. The guidance was produced in consultation with the relevant trade and professional associations who also undertook to make it available on their own networks and is available at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/Howweregulate/Devices/RevisionstothemedicaldevicesandAIMDDirectives/index.htm
Any allegations of non-compliance with this requirement received will be assessed by MHRA and the appropriate action taken to rectify it.
Dentists: Training
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he has assessed the level of demand for (a) a degree course in dental technology and (b) the inclusion of a technological component in dentist training courses; [63230]
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that training for dentists includes technical aspects of (a) dental restoration and (b) dental appliances. [63231]
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Mr Simon Burns: A BSc (Hons) degree in Dental Technology is already offered by Manchester Metropolitan university. We have no evidence to suggest that this course is not meeting demand for degree level training in dental technology. The degree is accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC) which is also responsible for assuring the quality of the training of dentists. The GDC is independent of government.
Food: Children
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the average daily calorie intake of children in each (a) region, (b) local authority area, (c) primary care trust and (d) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years. [63603]
Anne Milton: The Department does not hold information on the average daily calorie intake of children in each region, local authority area, primary care trust and parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.
The report of the National Diet and Nutrition survey 2008-09 contains information on average daily calorie (energy) intake of children. I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 903-4W. This is based on a representative sample of children across the United Kingdom, but is not large enough to breakdown into the areas described.
Health Services: Nottinghamshire
Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS bodies (a) operate in Nottinghamshire and (b) will operate in Nottinghamshire after the entry into force of the provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill. [64143]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally.
The Health and Social Care Bill does not dictate the number of national health service bodies in any part of the country. This will largely be a matter for the local NHS to determine.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the potential costs of NHS staff redundancies in (a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire arising from the implementation of his proposals for reform of the NHS. [64144]
Mr Simon Burns: The impact assessment, published alongside the Health and Social Care Bill in January, estimated the cost of national health service redundancies in strategic health authorities and primary care trusts across England.
The Department has not estimated a regional breakdown of these figures, as these will depend on local decisions.
The impact assessment is available at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_123583
A copy has already been placed in the Library.
A revised impact assessment will be published when the Bill is introduced into the House of Lords. This is in line with parliamentary protocol.
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Health Services: Overseas Visitors
Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was owed to the NHS in unpaid bills incurred by foreign nationals in each financial year between 1997 and 2011; what the sum was of NHS bills incurred by foreign nationals in each year between 1997 and 2011; and what the nationalities were of those who incurred the bills in each case. [63921]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the total audited losses, bad debt and claims abandoned for overseas visitors for years which data are available, for England. As well as written off debt for foreign nationals who are not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, these data include written off debt for UK nationals who are not ordinarily resident here. Further, it does not include monies owed that hospitals are still in the process of attempting to recover. The Department does not hold data on the nationality of overseas visitors treated.
| Bad debts and claims abandoned in respect of overseas patients | |
|
|
£ |
| Note: We do not collect data from national health service foundation trusts so figures exclude these sites. Source: NHS Trust Audited Summarisation Schedules. | |
HealthWatch: Freedom of Information
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 8 June 2011, Official Report, column 355W, on HealthWatch: freedom of information, whether he has made a decision on the addition of local HealthWatch organisations to the schedule of the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement. [63618]
Mr Simon Burns: Subject to parliamentary approval, it is our intention to take steps to ensure that Local HealthWatch organisations will be subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Department is currently working to establish the best way to achieve that outcome.
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Heroin: Offenders
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prisoners took a heroin overdose within two weeks of their release in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [63615]
Paul Burstow: This information is not routinely collected centrally. A multi-site study of the integrated drug treatment system is due to report at the end of 2012. It will include measurement of drug-related death upon release among 20,000 heroin users.
Mental Health Services
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on the effectiveness of (a) relational therapy and (b) dynamic counselling to treat depression and anxiety; what criteria are used to measure the effectiveness of such treatments; and what the measured level of effectiveness was for each such treatment in the latest period for which figures are available. [63344]
Paul Burstow: The Department has not funded research specifically on the effectiveness of relational therapy and dynamic counselling to treat depression and anxiety. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme produces independent research information about the effectiveness, costs and broader impact of healthcare treatments. The HTA programme has funded a range of research on psychological treatments for depression and anxiety. Details of these projects, including outcome measures and project findings, are available on the programme website at:
www.hta.ac.uk/project/htapubs.asp
Midwives: Greater London
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives there were in each NHS primary care trust in London in each of the last five years. [63680]
Anne Milton: Information is not collected in the format requested.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) do not generally employ midwives therefore the following table provides information for all national health service organisations in the London strategic health authority area who employ midwives.
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| (1) 2010 headcount totals are unlikely to equal the sum of components. The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years' data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication at: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/010_Workforce/nhsstaff0010/Census_Bulletin_March_2011_Final.pdf Note: Data Quality: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-medical Workforce Census | |||||||