Table 2: Number of reported personal injury road accidents involving children (1) , Greater London: 2000-10
  Number of reported personal injury accidents
London borough 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

City of London

7

7

3

4

4

0

2

4

4

6

3

Barking and Dagenham

120

118

105

77

99

86

74

55

65

65

72

Barnet

163

156

134

121

124

89

75

93

77

78

93

Bexley

119

139

105

89

90

66

63

64

72

53

65

Brent

170

142

132

109

125

93

73

64

57

65

64

Bromley

114

128

144

98

90

85

67

78

69

57

62

Camden

95

83

77

61

70

50

36

36

26

39

42

Croydon

231

209

165

142

145

138

117

97

90

101

109

Ealing

158

139

127

134

113

96

79

73

63

78

68

Enfield

170

152

168

127

113

94

69

71

63

87

85

Greenwich

175

170

144

116

105

97

96

82

85

67

72

Hackney

166

154

121

104

81

80

62

62

79

46

61

Hammersmith and Fulham

77

92

62

51

64

51

33

40

31

44

31

Haringey

152

137

132

103

109

83

77

53

56

80

82

Harrow

92

83

54

61

56

53

56

44

39

43

43

Havering

117

124

96

114

71

79

80

60

64

71

64

Hillingdon

144

171

121

104

123

96

82

77

73

79

81

Hounslow

122

131

93'

108

84

76

67

58

76

64

71

Islington

110

100

95

87

53

48

43

32

34

38

41

Kensington and Chelsea

60

45

45

47

30

31

28

25

28

38

24

Kingston upon Thames

61

54

54

39

33

36

38

33

37

39

32

Lambeth

182

154

132

136

104

102

66

71

76

81

87

Lewisham

194

170

147

150

145

104

92

68

76

75

80

Merton

81

85

74

60

64

41

51

44

35

32

30

Newham

186

176

165

138

129

99

87

89

87

92

85

Redbridge

127

133

108

99

94

78

78

49

74

67

84

Richmond upon Thames

52

55

44

47

36

33

23

41

28

20

41

Southwark

187

170

160

143

105

108

84

67

71

89

79

Sutton

87

91

62

68

67

53

50

50

45

34

33

Tower Hamlets

138

105

81

82

75

70

49

51

70

57

46

Waltham Forest

136

128

119

113

94

103

74

69

90

72

60

Wandsworth

106

120

99

76

68

59

55

62

49

57

58

Westminster

96

103

96

95

89

72

61

65

49

40

50

Heathrow airport

2

1

3

1

0

2

0

2

0

1

1

                       

Greater London(2)

4,197

4,025

3,467

3,104

2,852

2,451

2,087

1,929

1,938

1,955

1,999

(1) Aged 0 to 15 years (2) Includes figures for accidents on roads in Heathrow airport which are not counted by the London borough of Hillingdon. Source: Transport for London

6 July 2011 : Column 1241W

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the report commissioned by his Department into potential sources of risk to strategic transport networks from activities below roads and railways and on adjacent sites. [63296]

Mike Penning: The recommendations within the reports compiled by both the Highways Agency and Network Rail are currently being considered by the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond).

Treasury

Board for Actuarial Standards

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many applicants there were for appointment to the Board for Actuarial Standards; and which such applicants were interviewed; [53048]

(2) what criteria were used in making the appointment of Sir Derek Wanless to the Board for Actuarial Standards. [53049]

(3) where the opportunities for appointment to the Board for Actuarial Standards were advertised. [53050]

Mr Hoban: The Financial Reporting Council is a private body. Appointments to the operating bodies of the FRC (of which the Board for Actuarial Standards is one) are a matter for the FRC.

Banks: Regulation

Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether under the Project Merlin agreement chief executive remuneration will reflect banks' performance against (a) stretch and (b) capacity lending targets. [60668]

Mr Hoban: The Merlin statement commits the banks to give the expectations, capacity and willingness relating to lending to small and medium sized businesses more weight in the performance metrics of the chief executives of each bank for 2011, as well as the leaders responsible for the relevant business areas, than the SME lending share of each bank's profits might otherwise imply.

Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are in place to monitor the progress of the Project Merlin agreement with banks. [64450]

Mr Hoban: The Government are closely monitoring the banks' progress in meeting the commitments made under Project Merlin, and will provide further information at the appropriate time.

Bilderberg Group

Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to his Department was of (a) travel and (b) accommodation in connection with his attendance at the Bilderberg conference 2011. [62437]

6 July 2011 : Column 1242W

Justine Greening: The Department has committed to publish details of all Ministers’ meetings, hospitality and overseas travel, including that of the Chancellor. This data is published on the HM Treasury website and can be found in the following link:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

Cheques

Mr Buckland: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with major banks about the possibility of retaining cheque books beyond 2018. [59545]

Mr Hoban: The Payments Council have made a commitment not to close the cheque clearing system unless alternatives are put in place, including a paper based system.

The Government are clear that any alternative system will need to replicate the flexibility and ease of use of cheques, while improving processing times, and be cost effective. An alternative will need to have been tested in practice, and be widely available, widely acceptable and widely adopted by users who do not currently have a suitable alternative. Until this is demonstrated, there is not a credible and coherent case for abolishing cheques. The Government are keenly monitoring the progress of the cheque replacement programme and are considering whether they may need to intervene to protect vulnerable individuals and businesses if there is any threat that cheques may be withdrawn without suitable alternatives being put in place.

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the decision of the Payments Council to phase out of the use of cheques. [60058]

Mr Hoban: The Payments Council have made a commitment not to close the cheque clearing system unless alternatives are put in place, including a paper based system.

The Government are clear that any alternative system will need to replicate the flexibility and ease of use of cheques, while improving processing times, and be cost effective. An alternative will need to have been tested in practice, and be widely available, widely acceptable and widely adopted by users who do not currently have a suitable alternative. Until this is demonstrated, there is not a credible and coherent case for abolishing cheques. The Government are keenly monitoring the progress of the cheque replacement programme and are considering whether they may need to intervene to protect vulnerable individuals and businesses if there is any threat that cheques may be withdrawn without suitable alternatives being put in place.

Commodity Markets

Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the findings of the report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development on the effects of financial investors on commodity prices. [63836]

Mr Hoban: The report entitled “Price Formation in Financialized Commodity Markets” is UNCTAD's latest contribution to the debate on the impact of financial

6 July 2011 : Column 1243W

investors on commodity prices. It has a particular focus on the importance of market information and the scope that might exist for herding in commodity derivative markets. The Government strongly support the G20 commitment to improve the regulation, functioning, and transparency of financial and commodity markets.

The report concludes by floating a number of ideas as options for a possible regulatory response by the international community. They are an interesting contribution to the debate. But given the scope that exists for rules in this area to have counter-productive impacts, a clear understanding of the associated costs and benefits of all proposals is important. The Government would need to see a more detailed assessment of the specific proposals before we would comment on them.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [63570]

Justine Greening: The Department's aim is to pay all valid goods and services invoices within five working days and this applies to all suppliers of goods and services.

Details of the Treasury Group's performance against this five working day aim since May 2010 can be found on the department's website at:

www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/group_payment_performance.htm

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [62986]

Justine Greening: Information on the cost and number of ministerial cars has been published in annual written ministerial statements since 2005, available in the Libraries of both Houses. Details of the costs for 2010-11 are in the process of being compiled and are due for release in July 2011. Information prior to 2005 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Statistics

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistical data his Department has ceased to collect in the last year; and what the (a) reasons for and (b) savings arising from each such cessation were. [63671]

Justine Greening: HM Treasury has not ceased to collect any statistical data in the last year.

6 July 2011 : Column 1244W

European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of the sums committed to EU financial stabilisation mechanisms which will revert to the Exchequer. [57339]

Mr Hoban: The European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM) is financed by the European Commission raising funds on capital markets, guaranteed by the EU Budget. There is no direct impact on the EU Budget and therefore on the Exchequer from any such borrowing by the Commission. Only in the event that a beneficiary member state defaults on loan repayments would the EU Budget be adversely affected.

Any repayments or other revenue arising from the EFSM would be returned to the EU Budget, where it would contribute to any budgetary surplus and thereby help to lower member states' future contributions. This revenue would not be returned directly to member states.

The December European Council agreed that a permanent mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area as a whole (European Stability Mechanism—ESM) will be established by ‘the member states of the euro area’ from 2013. The Government have ensured that the UK will not be part of the permanent European Stability Mechanism. In addition, once the ESM comes into existence, it will replace both the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM) and the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). Therefore the EFSM will cease to exist in July 2013, at the latest.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Richard Fuller: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to introduce a scheme for the repayment of excise duty on fuel for disabled drivers. [63914]

Justine Greening: We are committed to supporting disabled people to ensure that they can live full and active lives. The mobility component of disability living allowance is currently available to help disabled people who face extra costs when getting around. In 2013 we will replace disability living allowance with personal independence payment, which will include a mobility component. The new benefit will be focused on individuals whose health condition or impairment has the most impact on their lives.

Financial Services

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the financial services industry on steps to ensure transparency in the description of financial products for consumers; and if he will make a statement; [64583]

(2) what steps he is taking to facilitate UK bank account holders switching personal current accounts between banks; and if he will make a statement. [64518]

Mr Hoban: The Government have an ongoing dialogue with the banking and financial services community.

6 July 2011 : Column 1245W

The Government established an Independent Commission on Banking to examine a range of issues, including competition in the retail banking and personal current account markets. The Government welcome the progress that the Commission has made and look forward to receiving its final report in September 2011.

Financial Services: Advisory Services

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the contribution of the voluntary sector to providing advice to the public on savings and loans. [30440]

Mr Hoban: The Money Advice Service was established in April 2010 to promote understanding of the financial system and raise levels of financial capability across the UK. MAS is operationally independent and funded by a levy on the financial services industry. MAS regularly engages with the voluntary sector.

International Monetary Fund

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to require the International Monetary Fund to apply as a condition for a loan that any applicant country with identifiable poor performance in its administration of asylum claims demonstrates improvement in such administration. [64033]

Mr Hoban: When a member country requests assistance from the IMF, IMF staff discuss with the country the economic policies that may be expected to address the problems most effectively. The IMF then aims to ensure that conditions linked to IMF loan disbursements are focused and adequately tailored to the varying strengths of members' policies and fundamentals.

The UK supports this approach, and considers that the conditions attached to any IMF programme should be focused on restoring macro-economic stability to the country in difficulty. For this reason, we do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to IMF conditionality.

Further details of IMF lending and conditionality policy can be found at:

http://www.imf.org/external/about/lending.htm

Loans: Republic of Ireland

Mark Reckless: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the bilateral Irish loan still ranks above private sector debt, including private holdings of Irish gilts, in line with that of Eurozone credit extended under the European Financial Stability Facility, following the Eurozone agreement of 20 June 2011. [63630]

Mr Hoban: Article 13.3 of the bilateral loan agreement with Ireland states that

‘the Borrower [Ireland] must ensure that its payment obligations under this Agreement at all times rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured indebtedness.'

In his statement to the press following the Eurogroup meeting of 20 June, Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) will not claim preferred creditor status as regards loans to countries that already have a support programme.

6 July 2011 : Column 1246W

The treaty establishing the ESM will be signed and presented to euro area Parliaments for ratification in the coming weeks.

Minimum Wage

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs HM Revenue and Customs identified as being paid below the rate of national minimum wage in each region in each year since its inception. [63665]

Mr Gauke: Estimates of the number of people in low paid jobs, and specifically those paid less than the national minimum wage, are published by the Office for National Statistics annually in October.

The ONS publishes tables on the National Statistics website showing the number of UK jobs from 1998 onwards paid below the minimum wage for those aged 18-21 and those aged 22 and over, by age, gender, full-time or part-time work, by industry sector, by Government Office Region and by occupation. From 2005, estimates of the number of 16-17 year olds paid below the national minimum wage have also been published.

Ms Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the sum identified as national minimum wage underpayments to employees in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11 has now been paid. [63756]

Mr Gauke: HMRC has identified minimum wage arrears of almost £9 million between April 2009 and the end of June 2011. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs does not keep separate statistics on the amount of arrears paid or not paid to workers.

HMRC will pursue any known non-payment of arrears through civil recovery action.

Ms Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effects of labour market conditions on the workload of national minimum wage compliance officers. [63757]

Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the House on 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 471W.

National Insurance Contributions: New Businesses

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic effects on the South East of the exclusion of that region from the regional employer national insurance contributions holiday. [63841]

Mr Gauke: No specific assessment has been made of the economic effects of the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) Holiday on the South East.

The policy is designed to support new businesses in parts of the country that are most reliant on the public sector. The Government have considered the case for extending the NICs Holiday to all regions but believes the best use of public funds at this time is to keep the NICs Holiday as a targeted scheme for those areas in most need of employment support.

6 July 2011 : Column 1247W

Pensions: Taxation

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to question 57259, on pension tax relief, tabled on 19 May 2011 for answer on 23 May. [62977]

Mr Gauke [holding answer 30 June 2011]:I have now replied to the hon. Member.

Personal Savings

Steve Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to support existing savers; and what steps he is taking to encourage people to save. [61574]

Mr Hoban: The Government's savings strategy is based on the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility and aims to work with the grain of saving habits. In particular, the Government aim to encourage more lower and middle income households to start to save and save more, especially for the long-term and retirement.

The Government have taken steps to support existing savers and encourage new savers, including:

1. Promoting choice, by providing flexibility to consumers in a competitive market including introducing a Junior ISA, removing the effective requirement to annuitise at age 75 and ensuring transfer on cash ISAs is no more than 15 working days.

2. Promoting fairness by ensuring that saving is appropriately incentivised and rewarded, including introducing automatic enrolment of employees into a pension scheme from next year, reforming the way pensions tax relief is restricted and indexing ISA contribution limits.

3. Promoting personal responsibility within the saving, debt and protection system; so individuals are equipped to exercise effective choice and plan for expected and unexpected events, industry introducing a free and impartial national financial advice service, which includes a Financial Healthcheck delivered by the Money Advice Service, the development of simple financial products, and ensuring reforms to the state pension system provide clear incentives for people to save for their retirement.

Tax Allowances: Pensions

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of pensions tax relief in each year since 1990 (a) in total, (b) in respect of standard rate taxpayers, (c) in respect of higher rate taxpayers and (d) by income decile; and what change in cost would have been achieved by limiting tax relief to standard rate taxpayers. [57259]

Mr Gauke: The information requested is as follows:

(a) The estimated total cost of the various tax reliefs relating to pensions are published by HM Revenue and Customs on their website and can be found at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/pensions/table7-9.pdf

The published table shows each year since 1999-2000. Figures for 1998-99 are also available and are as follows:

Registered pension schemes: Cost of tax relief 1998-99

£ million

Relief for

 

Occupational scheme contributions:

 

By employees

2,500

6 July 2011 : Column 1248W

By employers

5,500

Personal pension scheme contributions:

 

By employees

1,000

By employers

440

PP and RAC contributions by self-employed

1,100

National insurance rebates to PPs(1)

180

Investment income of funds(2)

4,300

Lump sum payments from unfunded schemes(3)

350

   

Less tax liable on

 

Pension payments(4)

6,100

Refunds by funds to employers in connection with pension fund surpluses

29

   

Total (rounded to nearest £100 million)

8,300

   

Memorandum item

 

National insurance relief on employer contributions(5)

2,800

PP = personal pension RAC = retirement annuity contract (1) Basic rate of tax relief paid to scheme administrators in respect of the employees’ part of the national insurance rebate. (2) The cost of relief on investment income is for both occupational and personal pension schemes funds; it is not possible to provide reliable estimates distinctly. The estimate assumes relief at the basic rate of tax. Estimates of relief for capital gains realised by pension funds are not included because of estimation difficulties. (3) Assuming that lump sum payments in unfunded schemes represent the same proportion of total benefit as that observed for funded schemes, and assuming relief at the basic rate of tax. On the same assumption the cost of all lump sums would be around £2.5 billion for 2008-09. (4) Assuming that pension payments represent the top slice of taxable income. (5) On the basis that under present arrangements, employer contributions are not subject to a national insurance charge.

The breakdowns of the relief requested in (b), (c) and (d) for each year are not readily available. However, the following estimates have been made for the tax year 2009-10:

(b) The relief in respect of standard rate taxpayers is estimated to be one third of the total.

(c) The relief in respect of higher rate taxpayers is estimated to be two thirds of the total.

(d) The following table shows the approximate percentage of total tax relief by income decile of all tax payers:

For all taxpayers
2009-10 tax year
Income decile
Percentage of total relief

Bottom decile

1

1

 

2

1

 

3

1

 

4

2

 

5

3

 

6

4

 

7

6

 

8

8

 

9

17

Top decile

10

58

6 July 2011 : Column 1249W

If relief on pension contributions were limited to the basic rate of tax, the amount of this relief would fall by approximately one third. This estimate does not take account of behavioural effects, which are likely to be large.

The reductions in the annual allowance and lifetime allowance from 2011-12 will reduce the cost of relief by around £4 billion per annum, almost all of which will relate to the top income decile.

Culture, Media and Sport

Advertising: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of trends in the level of advertising aimed at children in the last 30 years; and what assessment he has made of the effects of such advertising on children. [63604]

Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has made no such assessments himself, but the effects of certain advertising on children is considered by the Committee of Advertising Practice and its broadcasting equivalent in establishing their codes and by Ofcom and was also recently examined by Reg Bailey in his review of the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.

Broadband: Hertfordshire

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his broadband objectives include completing the full roll-out of superfast broadband in North East Hertfordshire constituency. [63339]

Mr Vaizey: The Government aim to ensure that 90% of UK premises have access to superfast broadband and the remainder have access to at least 2Mbps broadband by 2015, including in Hertfordshire and have made available £530 million to assist the delivery of these objectives.

Cultural Heritage: Kent

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to preserve heritage sites in Kent. [63283]

John Penrose: English Heritage has recently launched the National Heritage Protection Plan, which sets out why, what and how England's vulnerable historic environment is to be safeguarded in the next four years. Developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, it shows where the threats are the greatest and will help English Heritage to prioritise its work. It will also help other heritage professionals and volunteers to contribute to the business of managing England's heritage. This Department and English Heritage are also considering various measures to tackle the problem of buildings which have been on the Heritage At Risk Register for an extended period of time.

6 July 2011 : Column 1250W

English Heritage offered over £400,000 to projects in Kent in 2009-10 under its two main grant programmes. English Heritage grant-aid has helped preserve important heritage sites at Shurland Hall, Sheppey, the No 1 Smithery at Chatham Historic Dockyard and at Westenhanger Castle in Folkestone. Survey work on the Hoo Peninsula undertaken by English Heritage is extending understanding and protection to a little-studied landscape under considerable pressure for change. In Margate, Dover, Gravesend and the Medway towns, a number of heritage assets have been assessed for statutory designation in a series of Defined Area Surveys (some of which are ongoing), resulting in a number of newly listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 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 is available. [63566]

John Penrose: The Department's payment systems do not currently distinguish between payments to large and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Both are given equal priority.

During the period June 2010 to May 2011, the Department's overall performance against the Government's target of paying 80% of valid invoices within five working days was 74.1%.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 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. [63584]

John Penrose: The Department does not record details of FOI requests in this way. All requests received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 are treated the same, irrespective of the professional or political position of the applicant.

Since the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force in January 2005 the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) have published statistics, including the number of FOI cases received by this Department, on their website

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm

Digital Broadcasting

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what steps his Department is taking in respect of technical standards and frequency allocations to minimise the likelihood of future switchovers; [63312]

(2) what consideration his Department has given to the use of coverage characteristics of Band I for digital broadcasting. [63313]

6 July 2011 : Column 1251W

Mr Vaizey: Ofcom are responsible for managing the radio spectrum to ensure its most optimal use in delivering benefits to UK consumers and citizens. The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), meets regularly with Ofcom to discuss specific or general spectrum management issues and this includes possible future uses of particular bands. The Secretary of State has had no such discussion on the possible use of Band I for digital broadcasting.

Digital Economy Act 2010

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he plans to respond to the report from the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression on the Digital Economy Act 2010; and if he will make a statement. [63405]

Mr Vaizey: The Government have responded to the Human Rights Council, welcoming the Special Rapporteur's report and supporting the general thrust of his conclusions and recommendations. The Government share the view that access to the internet is extremely important. However, it is also important to seek to safeguard intellectual property, and Government must set the balance in a fair and proportionate way. The Government's response was published on 3 June 2011 on the website for the UK Mission to the UN:

http://ukungeneva.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/our-work/human-rights

Internet: Copyright

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had with (a) internet service providers and (b) copyright holders on proposals to introduce website blocking; and if he will make a statement. [63821]

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 two discussions between copyright owners, internet service providers, search engines and consumer representation on issues around blocking access to websites that are focused primarily on infringing copyright. These took place on 4 April and 15 June 2011, at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Museums and Galleries

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to increase the autonomy of museums. [64168]

Mr Jeremy Hunt: My officials are in ongoing discussions with the museums and other Government Departments to determine how national museums can be given greater administrative freedoms.

Olympic and Paralympic Transport Plan

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what role his Department is playing in preparation of the final Olympic and Paralympic Transport Plan. [63534]

6 July 2011 : Column 1252W

Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Department for Transport (DFT) is the Government Department leading on transport for the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012. Both DFT and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have worked closely with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) on the delivery of the Olympic Transport Plans that have been published to date.

Following publication of the First Edition of the Olympic Transport Plan in October 2007, and the consultation version of the Second Edition in December 2009, the final version of the Second Edition of the ODA's Transport Plan for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games was published on 1 June 2011. At this time, there is no intention to issue a third edition unless there is a material change.

Olympic Games 2012

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of applications for tickets to the London 2012 Olympics which were received in the first application round; and how many of those applicants received tickets for (a) 20 events or more, (b) 10 to 19 events, (c) five to nine events, (d) two to four events, (e) one event and (f) no events. [63672]

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has made no such estimate. The London 2012 Organising Committee is responsible for the ticketing arrangements for the Olympic Games. They have confirmed 1.9 million applications were received in the first round. 700,000 applicants were successful, being allocated 3 million tickets. Each successful applicant, on average, secured between four and five tickets which totalled around £275. Those that were not successful were given priority in the second round of sales.

Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of public appointees to his Department's public bodies made by (a) his Department, (b) the Prime Minister, (c) the Crown and (d) the boards of those bodies since May 2010 had a known political affiliation; and what those affiliations were in each such case. [64119]

Mr Jeremy Hunt: Information on my Department's individual public appointments, including any political activity declared by those persons appointed, is published on our website, in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice:

http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/public_appointments/1006.aspx

Radio Spectrum

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of allocating more than 16 MHz of Band III to local DAB radio on local FM stations that occupy 9 MHz of Band II. [63540]

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Mr Vaizey: No specific assessment has been made of the impact of allocating Band III spectrum for local DAB on FM stations which occupy Band II. However, we note that the vast majority of FM stations are simulcast on local DAB, providing these stations with the potential for greater coverage and improved reception and functionality for listeners. In 2010 the Government launched the Digital Radio Action Plan to consider the case for a radio switchover which would, if implemented, allow for the re-allocation of much of the Band II spectrum currently used for radio for other purposes.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Beaches: Sunderland

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that beaches in the Sunderland area are (a) clean and (b) safe for bathing. [63707]

Richard Benyon: Sunderland city council is responsible for the day to day cleanliness of its beaches. The Environment Agency (EA) and Sunderland city council have completed surveys of the beaches that found very little evidence of any significant pollution. Occasionally small amounts of sewage-related debris are found from storm sewage overflows. This is a minor problem and appropriate clean-ups are carried out.

The EA monitors the quality of bathing water throughout the bathing season from May to September. Since 1995, Sunderland's designated bathing waters have always met the ‘mandatory’ bathing water quality standard under the Bathing Waters Directive. In eight of the last ten years they have also met the higher ‘excellent’ standard. These are very good results for bathing waters so close to a large urban area, and demonstrate that the sewerage systems put in place to protect the water quality are performing well.

The EA has compared the bathing water results to the tighter standards in the revised Bathing Water Directive, which comes into force in 2015. This predicts that designated bathing waters in the area will meet the ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ standards, which is over and above the ‘sufficient’ standard required. The EA will continue to monitor to ensure that this remains the case.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [63002]

Richard Benyon: The costs of ministerial cars for DEFRA is as follows:

6 July 2011 : Column 1254W

Financial year Number of ministerial cars Cost of ministerial cars (£)

2005-06

5

319,700

2006-07

5

324,500

2007-08

4

267,800

2008-09

4

262,400

2009-10

2

275,989

Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and are due for release in July 2011. Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since the introduction of the ‘on-demand' Ministerial Car Service on 6 September 2010 DEFRA Ministers have made 30 car journeys through this service up until 31 March 2011. Since my appointment we have reduced number of permanent cars used for ministerial travel to one.

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by her Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate she has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation. [60495]

Mr Paice: The Department repealed the following 18 statutory instruments between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011:

1. The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991/2839), in so far as they apply to England and Wales.

2. The Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1056), in so far as they apply to England and Wales.

3. The Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/605), in so far as they apply to England and Wales.

4. The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/63).

5. The Environmental Protection Act (Amendment of Section 57) (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3026).

6. The Animal By-Products Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/2347), so far as they apply in England.

7. The Avian Influenza (H5N1) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2007 (SI 2007/3303).

8. The Animal By-Products (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1119).

9. The Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Measures) (Penalty Notices) Order 2008 (SI 2008/984), except in so far as it applies in Wales or to the Welsh Zone.

10. The Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/2610).

11. The Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1067).

12.The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2258).

13.The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (England) (No. 2) Order 2010 (SI 2010/2173).

14. The Environment Agency (Levies) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/61).

15. The Local Fisheries Committees (Fees for Copy Byelaws) Order 1993 (SI 1993/1116).

16. The North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries District (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 (SI 2010/631).

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17. The Seed Marketing Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/2605).

18. The Poultry Meat (Water Content) Regulations 1984 (1984/1145).

Information on the equivalent annual net saving to business of DEFRA's domestic regulations repealed between 1 January and 30 June 2011 was published in the Government's ‘One-in, One-out: Statement of New Regulation’ published in April 2011 and which is available to view at:

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/o/11-p96a-one-in-one-out-new-regulation.pdf

The overall effect was an equivalent annual net saving to business of £28,000 arising from DEFRA's regulations.

Food: Reserves

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution her Department plans to make to the G20 Development Working Group on the deployment of emergency food stocks. [63829]

Mr O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.

The UK is generally supportive of G20 plans to develop strategic regional humanitarian food reserves under the leadership of the World Food Programme (WFP) as outlined in the G20 Agriculture Ministers Action Plan launched on the 23 June 2011.

I am clear, however, that the proposal for a pilot study must include a feasibility study and cost benefit analysis and must provide evidence that this kind of approach is more cost effective than other approaches to addressing acute food insecurity. Department for International Development officials will participate in the design of the pilot and will be represented on the high level stakeholder workshop in September at which WFP's draft proposal will be discussed.

Reservoirs

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition she uses of a community for the purposes of guidance issued under the Reservoir Act 1975. [63444]

Richard Benyon: Current non-statutory guidance used by Reservoirs Act panel engineers states that, for the purposes of the guidance, a “community” is considered to be not less than about 10 persons who could be affected by a disastrous breach as a result of the under-provision of spillway capacity.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition is used to define (a) a bund or (b) a reservoir for flood defence purposes; and if she will make a statement. [63445]

Richard Benyon: Neither of these terms has a legal definition, but for practical purposes the following definitions are commonly used:

(a) a flood defence bund is an embankment designed to prevent flood water flowing from a watercourse and flooding adjacent land;

(b) a flood storage reservoir is a structure or area designed to store water from a watercourse for a period of time to reduce the risk of flooding downstream. This water is later released when the risk of flooding has receded.

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Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legislation prevents the use of a railway embankment for containment of water; and if she will make a statement. [63446]

Richard Benyon: The legislation that could prevent the use of a railway embankment for containment of water is Schedule 22 of the Water Resources Act 1991. This states that works which directly or indirectly interfere with works or property vested in or under the control of a railway company (or the use of such works or property) so as to affect injuriously those works or that property cannot be carried out without consent. Consent may be given by the railway company subject to reasonable conditions, but cannot unreasonably be withheld.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has plans to bring forward proposals to amend the Reservoirs Act 1975 and the associated guidance; and if she will make a statement. [63455]

Richard Benyon: Proposals to amend the Reservoirs Act 1975 and the associated guidance will be brought forward as part of the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Tyre Bales

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable her Department has set for research and investigation to develop a quality protocol for tyre bales to meet the end-of-waste criteria and cease to be waste. [63348]

Richard Benyon: Quality protocols identify the point at which waste has been fully recovered and may be regarded as a non-waste product or material, and supplied into markets without the need for waste management controls. Developing quality protocols to unlock such markets is a joint effort between the sector concerned, the Environment Agency and the Waste and Resources Action Programme. This involves some industry funding, which is a commercial decision for the sector involved.

There is no set timetable for the development of a quality protocol for tyre bales. Work on assessing the feasibility of such a protocol has started, but further research needs to be undertaken, with industry funding.

Water

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will instruct Thames Water to ensure there is independent monitoring of any future feasibility studies that may be required in the preparation of a revised draft Water Resources Management Plan. [63830]

Richard Benyon: Under the water resources management planning process, it is for Thames Water to undertake the work necessary to inform its revised draft plan. When determining the robustness of the work, and whether to agree that the revised draft plan should be published, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), will consider how Thames

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Water has taken into account the comments and concerns raised by third parties. The Secretary of State will also be seeking the advice of the Environment Agency.

Northern Ireland

Fuel Smuggling

12. Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with HM Revenue and Customs on revenue losses attributable to fuel smuggling and other illegal activities in border regions of Northern Ireland. [63179]

Mr Swire: My officials liaise closely with HM Revenue and Customs, which is the lead department on fuel smuggling and related activity in Northern Ireland. As the 2011 Organised Crime Task Force's Threat Assessment makes clear, smuggling remains a significant terrorist revenue source and we support HMRC in their efforts to crack down on it.

Access to Work Programme

Mrs McGuire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees with disabilities in his Department are receiving support from the Access to Work programme; and what proportion of the work force of his Department this figure represents. [64393]

Mr Paterson: No member of staff in my Department is currently receiving support from the Access to Work programme.

By-elections: West Belfast

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost to the public purse was of the June 2011 by-election for the West Belfast constituency. [63543]

Mr Swire: A total figure for the cost of holding the by-election is not yet available. However, the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer's Charges) (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 specifies that the maximum amount that may be recovered by the returning officer in respect of this election is £130,000.

Constituencies

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the work of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland in revising constituency boundaries. [63628]

Mr Swire: The proposed distribution of constituencies will be set out by the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland in a review which they hope to publish by the end of the year. It would be inappropriate to comment until then.

Corporation Tax

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales on the rate of corporation tax. [63181]

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Mr Paterson: I have had regular discussions with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland on our shared goal of rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy. This includes discussion on the potential benefits of a reduced rate of corporation tax for Northern Ireland. I have also had brief informal discussions with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales at the British-Irish Council.

Departmental Responsibilities

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member of each political party has been refused by (a) a Minister in his Department directly and (b) his Department on behalf of a Minister since May 2010. [64422]

Mr Paterson: None.

Inward Investment

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on inward investment into Northern Ireland. [63180]

Mr Paterson: The lead responsibility for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland lies with the Executive, but we co-operate closely in support of their efforts.

I have had regular discussions on inward investment with representatives of the United States Administration, including Secretary Clinton when I met her in Washington.

Parades Commission

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what (a) conferences and (b) meetings held outside Northern Ireland and paid for out of public funds have been attended by each member of the Parades Commission since their appointment; [64023]

(2) what training courses have been attended by each member of the Parades Commission since their appointment; and what the cost of attendance was at each such course; [64024]

(3) what (a) remuneration, (b) travel expenses, (c) expenses and (d) other payments have been made to each member of the Parades Commission since their appointment. [64026]

Mr Paterson: These are matters for the Parades Commission, which operates independently of Government.

The right hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the Commission directly on these matters.

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the work of the Parades Commission since the appointment of the new Commission. [64025]

Mr Paterson: I have met with the Parades Commission on a number of occasions since its appointment. I am pleased to see that the new Commission is not shying away from looking at the difficult issues which exist within parading. I would like to commend the members

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of the Commission for the review of the Commission's processes that they have instigated and look forward to seeing its outworking in the autumn.

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has had with the Parades Commission since the new Commission was appointed. [64027]

Mr Paterson: I have met with the Parades Commission on three occasions since the current Commission was appointed on 1 January 2011.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Anguilla: Seas and Oceans

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of Anguilla's marine environment. [63464]

Mr Bellingham: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the Overseas Territories. Anguilla's Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources published in 2010 a document entitled “Status of Anguilla's Marine Resources” which contains an assessment of Anguilla's marine environment.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made on its Overseas Territories White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [63466]

Mr Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) to the House on 10 March 2011, Official Report, columns 76-77WS, in which the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said the Government planned to bring all aspects of the Government's policies on the Overseas Territories together in a new White Paper in the course of the year ahead. This remains the position.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to Lord Lee of 30 November 2010, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA429, on Commonwealth scholarships, who attended the first meeting of the working group on all government scholarships; what the outcome of the meeting was; and what further meetings are scheduled. [64140]

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in regular contact with other Government Departments which fund scholarships, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for International Development, for the purposes of sharing information and best practice across different scholarship programmes. We are also in regular contact with other partners involved in scholarships for similar purposes,

6 July 2011 : Column 1260W

including the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, and the British Council. We welcomed the contributions all these bodies made to our recent Chevening review and are collectively considering with them whether there would be merit in establishing a more formal cross-Government working group to provide a forum for our exchanges.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [63577]

Mr Bellingham: 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. The information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) today may include data on routine information requests that are not included in the Ministry of Justice's published statistics on Freedom of Information implementation in central Government, so there may be slight variations between the Ministry of Justice's figures on overall requests, and those of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office 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 requestor is a Member of Parliament or member of the public. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has checked its records and is able to provide figures for requests where the requestor has been readily identifiable as a Member of Parliament, or from the office of an MP or which have been sent by an MP on behalf of a constituent. Divided on party lines and beginning when the Act came into operation in January 2005, they are as are as follows:

From MPs :

2005

Labour: 6

Liberal Democrat: 2

Conservative: 1

2006

Labour: 2

Liberal Democrat: 4

Conservative: 11

2007

Labour: 2

Liberal Democrat: 12

Conservative: 9

Plaid Cymru: 1

2008

Labour: 4

Liberal Democrat: 3

Conservative: 12

2009

DUP: 1

6 July 2011 : Column 1261W

Labour: 3

Liberal Democrat: 5

Conservative: 9

2010

Labour: 25

Conservative: 10

Liberal Democrat: 1

2011 (until 31 March)

Labour: 1

Liberal Democrat: 0

Conservative: 1

Total number of requests received:

2005: 1,315

2006: 1,030

2007: 1,027

2008: 1,024

2009: 1,135

2010: 1,185

2011 (until 31 March): 362.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [62987]

Mr Bellingham: Written ministerial statements disclosing the cost of ministerial official cars provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) have been made each year from July 2007 and provide information for financial years from 2005-06. The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), made the most recent statement on 28 October 2010, Official Report, column 23WS, relating to the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Costs for GCDA in 2010-11 incurred by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will be published in due course.

Since October 2010 FCO Ministers have used vehicles provided by FCO Services wherever possible. The total amount paid to FCO Services between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2011 for this service which relates specifically to ministerial usage is £49,251.

Additional information on car travel is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.

Iraq: Christianity

Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the treatment of Christians in Iraq. [63478]

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Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received and continues to receive regular representations from parliamentarians and members of the public about the situation of Christians in Iraq. The number of representations rose sharply after the tragic attacks against Christian groups in Iraq in late 2010. We continue to take this issue extremely seriously. Most recently our ambassador to Iraq met Baghdad-based Canon Andrew White to discuss the current situation.

The Government are greatly concerned about those who are denied the right to freedom of religion or belief. We condemn all instances of violence and discrimination against individuals and groups because of their faith or belief, wherever they occur or whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. We, together with international partners, regularly make clear to Governments across the region the importance we place on promoting cultural and religious tolerance and on eliminating all legal provisions and policies which discriminate against different religious communities.

Libya: Politics and Government

Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department is taking steps to support the National Transitional Council in Benghazi in respect of (a) provision of currency and (b) other matters. [62805]

Alistair Burt: The UK led the process of designing and setting up the Temporary Financial Mechanism (TFM) to provide financial support on a transitional basis through the Contact Group. The TFM is now operational and funds are flowing through it.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also providing the National Transitional Council with a range of other support, including equipment to help improve their capability to protect civilians.

Mongolia

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit Mongolia. [63469]

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has not yet finalised his travel plans for the next year.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) visited Ulaanbaatar from 29-31 May. He held productive discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Education Minister, the State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and a range of British and Mongolian business leaders.

Mongolia: Foreign Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of the UK's relations with Mongolia. [63468]

Alistair Burt: The UK enjoys good relations with Mongolia. Our officials speak regularly on a range of issues and the armed forces of both our countries

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operate in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. The UK has significant commercial interests in Mongolia, which we hope to expand in the coming years.

Pakistan: 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 Pakistan to (a) exercise its faith, (b) observe its (i) holidays and (ii) weekly day of rest and (c) administer its internal affairs; and if he will make a statement. [63111]

Alistair Burt: There are many civil society groups who report on the rights of religious minority groups. We engage regularly with them on these issues, and their reports are assessed along with other information to influence how we address our efforts in this area. Reports continue to suggest that minority groups in some areas in Pakistan experience discrimination in the practice of their religion.

We are concerned about the human rights situation in Pakistan, including treatment of minority religious groups. We call on the Government of Pakistan to uphold the fundamental rights of all Pakistanis, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. We engage regularly with both the Ministry for Inter-faith Harmony and Minority Affairs, and with the Ministry of Human Rights.

During my visit to Pakistan in May 2011,1 met with members of the Government sponsored Interfaith Council in Pakistan. I also recently met with Paul Bhatti, Pakistan's Special Advisor for Religious Minorities, at a seminar at Wilton Park on religious freedom. Engagement at both the bilateral and the multilateral (EU) level helps to ensure that the Government of Pakistan are aware of the importance with which we hold these issues.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposed Moroccan autonomy plan; and whether it provides for self-determination for Western Sahara. [63657]

Alistair Burt: The UK supports the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, in their efforts to resolve the dispute in Western Sahara and to find a negotiated political settlement, providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. As set out in Security Council Resolution 1871, we regard the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible contribution to those efforts.

International Development

Anguilla: Environment Protection

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assistance his Department has provided to promote environmental awareness in Anguilla. [63465]

6 July 2011 : Column 1264W

Mr Duncan: Anguilla has benefited from several DFID-funded initiatives over the past few years: The Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) is jointly funded and managed by DFID and the FCO and totals £2 million over four years; the Enhancing Capacity for Adaptation to Climate Change (ECACC) project in the Caribbean, which works with a number of Caribbean governments, including Anguilla, to help them adapt to climate change; an initiative to help Overseas Territories engage in international climate change negotiations. This allowed Anguilla to have a stronger engagement in the development of a UK Government position in the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change Conference of Parties at Mexico in December 2010.

Each of these projects has promoted environmental awareness in Anguilla. They have helped to build understanding amongst Anguilla's population of the value of a sound environment to underpin economic growth.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [63560]

Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not hold payment performance information specifically relating to small and medium-sized businesses.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [63580]

Mr Duncan: The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the total number of Freedom of Information requests received by central Government Departments on its website at:

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 requires public authorities to treat each FOI request entirely on its own merits and in a manner that is both purpose and applicant blind. The Department for International Development (DFID) does not, therefore, analyse information by type of applicant.

Developing Countries: Family Planning

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department plans to allocate to (a) the United Nations Population Fund, (b) Marie Stopes International and (c) the International Planned Parenthood Federation in the comprehensive spending review period; whether his Department places restrictions on the use of such funds; and if he will make a statement. [63674]

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Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) will provide up to £80 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in core funding over the 2011-14 period. Core funding for the first two years is set at £20 million per annum. Funding for the following two years will be contingent on an assessment of UNFPA's progress in implementing priority reforms. There are no other conditionalities on the use of the core funding.

DFID will provide £8.6 million to the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) over the 2011-13 period. This funding can be used flexibly by IPPF as long as they are able to meet the objectives and measurable performance indicators that have been agreed by DFID.

We are in the late stages of negotiating a Programme Partnership Arrangement (PPA) with Marie Stopes International. This should be finalised in late July or early August.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking in preparation for the special UN meeting on health workers in September 2011. [63682]

Mr Duncan: The Secretary of State has received an invitation to participate in an event on health workers organised by Save the Children and others on 20 September in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Department for International Development (DFID) fully recognises the central importance of health workers in accelerating progress towards our health goals. Better access to health services in all countries depends on there being skilled and motivated health workers, in the right place at the right time. Preparations are under way across Her Majesty's Government (HMG), including within DFID, on policy priorities and objectives, as well as plans for ministerial attendance, over the week of UNGA in September.

Developing Countries: Primary Education

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to support international efforts to increase the number of girls in primary education in developing countries; and if he will assess the merits of making this issue one of his Department's performance indicators. [63827]

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government are placing girls and women at the centre of our aid programme. All Department for International Development (DFID) education programmes will have a focus on girls and young women. We are working with existing and new development partners to combine general support to education systems with targeted interventions to address girls' drop out rates and support their transition to lower secondary schooling. Following a comprehensive review of all UK aid programmes the Government plan to support at least 9 million children in primary school, over half of whom will be girls, and 2 million children in secondary school by 2014.

DFID will track completion of a full cycle of primary education (for girls and for boys) as a key indicator in each of our partner countries where we have education programmes.

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Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee

Complaints

Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the rationale is for the four digit reference numbering system used to record complaints registered with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Compliance Officer. [62583]

Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Compliance Officer for IPSA, who is statutorily independent of IPSA's executive branch. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Luke March, dated June 2011:

As the Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the rationale is for the four digit reference numbering system used to record complaints registered with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Compliance Officer.

The four digit numbering system is a method of allocating a unique reference number to identify individual cases.

Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the reasons were for the time taken by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Compliance Officer to investigate complaint 3058, lodged on 21 December 2010. [62584]

Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Compliance Officer for IPSA, who is statutorily independent of IPSA's executive branch. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Luke March, dated June 2011:

As the Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the reasons were for the time taken by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Compliance Officer to investigate complaint 3058 lodged on 21 December 2010.

By virtue of the powers conferred by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRAG), there is a legal requirement for the Compliance Officer to be in office in order to conduct investigations and reviews. There was no statutory Compliance Officer in post between 10 November 2010 and the appointment of the permanent Compliance Officer on 31 March 2011.

Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will estimate the costs of conducting an investigation into complaint 3058 lodged with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Compliance Officer. [62585]

Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Compliance Officer for IPSA, who is statutorily independent of IPSA's executive branch. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Luke March, dated June 2011:

As the Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking if he will estimate the cost of conducting an investigation into complaint 3058 lodged with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Compliance Officer.

6 July 2011 : Column 1267W

The Compliance Officer is as yet unable to determine the cost of the investigation which began on 13 April 2011.