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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 7 July 2011
Attorney-General
Crown Prosecution Service
Mr David Davis: To ask the Attorney-General in how many cases the Crown Prosecution Service has (a) given an individual immunity from prosecution and (b) sought a reduced sentence for an offender in return for co-operation and assistance to the prosecution since 2006. [58757]
The Solicitor-General [holding answer 9 June 2011]: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains information for its own internal management purposes on the number of agreements made under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA) to provide immunity or seek a reduced sentence since 2006. The information should be treated with caution as it was intended for internal use only, and in the earlier years it may not have captured every agreement made under SOCPA. However, it gives a good indication of the general level of use of such agreements.
The information available from the CPS is as follows:
| SOCPA Section | Number of Agreements |
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts: Finance
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what criteria the Endowment Fund Panel 2011 will apply when deciding on the organisations which are to receive endowments; [64405]
(2) who is to sit on the Endowment Fund advisory panel; [64490]
(3) whether Michael Portillo is to be remunerated for his work as chair of the Endowment Fund panel. [64491]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The criteria to be applied by the Endowment Fund panel will be published later in the year, together with other material relevant to the applications process. The right hon. Michael Portillo will chair the advisory panel and not be remunerated for this work. Other members of the panel will be announced in September.
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Arts: Licensing
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Coventry South of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 480W, on performing arts: licensing, whether he plans to issue the public consultation on proposals related to live entertainment licensing before the summer adjournment. [64510]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I hope to issue the public consultation on proposals related to live entertainment by the end of this month.
BSkyB: News Corporation
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he plans to make a decision on News Corporation's acquisition of BSkyB before the summer adjournment; and if he will make an oral statement to the House on his decision on the date of its announcement. [64404]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The current consultation period concludes at midday on 8 July. After that, I will consider all the responses to that consultation and will make my decision once I have done so.
Football
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of standards of governance in football. [62233]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I am on record as saying I believe there must be more independence and greater diversity in the football authorities' boards than there is now; much clearer evidence of joint working between those authorities; and that any obstacles to supporter involvement in their clubs should be removed.
The inquiry by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee is looking into the wide range of football governance issues. I look forward to their report after which I will set out the Government's view in our subsequent response.
Mobile Phones: Radio Frequencies
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to revising the licence fees for the 900 MHz spectrum for fourth generation mobile communications technology; and if he will make a statement. [64406]
Mr Vaizey: Ofcom sets the level of the licence fees payable for this spectrum, following due process. Part of the Direction from Government to Ofcom in December 2010 was to liberalise this spectrum for 3G services and to revise the fees payable for spectrum at 900MHz and 1800MHz, following the combined auction of the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands. Ofcom are obliged to take into account the value of the spectrum auctioned when setting the revised fees for the former bands.
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Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what consideration he has given to stipulating coverage obligations across the nations and regions of the UK as part of the auction of fourth generation mobile communications spectrum; [64407]
(2) what timetable the Government has set for the auction of fourth generation mobile communications spectrum; [64408]
(3) what plans he has made to (a) reduce the likelihood of and (b) avoid any delay to the auction of fourth generation mobile communications spectrum arising from any legal challenge. [64409]
Mr Vaizey: The design and timing of the auction is a matter for Ofcom. Ofcom has consulted on this recently, proposing a 95% coverage obligation on one of the licences and are considering the responses calling for changes to their proposals. Ofcom is aiming to carry out an auction in the first half of 2012. If there is any legal challenge to the auction then that would be made to Ofcom. Given the benefits to the economy and to citizens and consumers, it is in the national interest that this spectrum is released as soon as possible. We would not welcome any further delay to the release of this spectrum. We would hope that any organisation that might consider legal action recognises the importance of carrying out the auction as soon as possible.
Scotland
Access to Work Programme
Mrs McGuire: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many employees with disabilities in his Department are receiving support from the Access to Work programme; and what proportion of the workforce of his Department this figure represents. [64392]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. All its staff are on secondment from other public bodies, mainly the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government. Detailed information relating to staff who have declared disabilities is retained by the individual staff member's parent body.
Wales
Departmental Buildings
Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on (a) new furniture, (b) decoration and (c) structural alterations during the recent refurbishment of Gwydyr House. [63537]
Mr David Jones:
On (a), nothing was spent on new furniture. In terms of (b) and (c), in May 2010, on the change of Government, it was apparent that Gwydyr House, a grade 2* listed building, was in need of a significant amount of work to make it structurally sound. A large office on the ground floor was unusable and most of the staff who had previously occupied the room had been temporarily evacuated to another building,
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as the room was occupied by acro props that were supporting a first floor office. The acro props had been installed following advice from a structural engineer that the condition of the building was unsafe, and work was subsequently carried out over the summer of 2010 to complete all the structural repairs, including the installation of steel beams to stabilise the floor that was at risk of collapse. Work also took place to address various health and safety and DDA compliance issues within Gwydyr House. Work was carried out after consultation with English Heritage, given the listed status of the building. The overall cost was £185,000. Some redecoration was necessary as a consequence of the structural and other remedial work but it is not possible to separate out those costs as the redecoration was an integral part of much wider projects.
Departmental Freedom of Information
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 her 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. [63590]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office does not record Freedom of Information Act requests in the format requested. It does, however, record how many requests were received in total, which is given in the following table. Data on requests before 2002-03, and for 2005-06 and 2006-07, are not held centrally and could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.
|
|
Number |
House of Commons Commission
Direct Selling
Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment he has made of the availability of measures which would bar cold calls to telephones on the House of Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate. [63894]
John Thurso: Parliamentary ICT has investigated the options for reducing unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls to lines on the Parliamentary Estate via the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) and registers Members' telephone numbers with the TPS upon request. This helps to reduce cold calls to these numbers by companies either based in the UK or acting on behalf of companies based in the UK.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation for those affected were in each case. [60333]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office introduced no regulations between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 but it introduced the following Orders in Council:
The Tunisia (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2011;
The European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Cooperation Agreement) (Republic of Indonesia) Order 2011;
The European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Republic of Serbia) Order 2011;
The Libya (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2011;
The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011;
The Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act (Dissolution) Order 2011;
The Consular Fees Order 2011.
The estimated cost of implementation for those affected was minimal. The Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act (Dissolution) Order 2011 dissolved a charity, but the first five Orders were considered to have no impact on business, charities or voluntary bodies and a negligible impact on the public sector. These five Orders are all related to implementing international obligations of the United Kingdom. The Consular Fees Order 2011 amends the fees set by the Consular Fees Order 2010 (as amended). The detail of these changes was set out in a written ministerial statement on 22 March 2011, Official Report, columns 50-51WS.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by his Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation. [60493]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not been responsible for the revocation of any regulatory measures between 1 March and 31 May 2011 but it revoked the following Orders in Council between 1 March and 31 May 2011:
The Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Conventions) (Amendment) Order 2011;
The Consular Fees Order 2010 and Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2010.
The estimated potential annual saving resulting from the revocation of the Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Conventions) (Amendment) Order 2011 is negligible because the Order was to do with substituting a schedule of States Parties to The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980 in the Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Conventions) Order 1986. The revocation of the Consular Fees Order 2010 and the Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2010 will make minimal annual savings because
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the fees set out in these Orders have in general been replaced by the fees set out in the Consular Fees 2011 Order which envisaged no impact on the private or voluntary sectors. The changes to fees are set out in the Explanatory Note to the Consular Fees Order 2011.
Mongolia: EU External Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on ratification of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between Mongolia and the EU; and if he will make a statement. [63467]
Alistair Burt: The Government are supportive of the provisions in the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) which has been concluded between the European Union and its member states, and Mongolia. However, the PCA has not yet been signed by the European Union or Mongolia. Ratification of the PCA can only take place in the UK (and other EU member states) once the agreement is signed by the EU and Mongolia. Signature by the EU can only take place once the European Council Decision on signing the agreement is agreed by all 27 member states.
National Security Council
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the remit is of the Emerging Powers Sub-Committee of the National Security Council. [63607]
Mr Hague: The Emerging Powers Sub-Committee of the National Security Council considers matters relating to the UK's relationship with emerging international powers.
Palestinians: Politics and Government
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to determine his policy on whether to support UN recognition of a Palestinian state; and whether he plans to make an oral statement before the summer adjournment. [64588]
Alistair Burt: The unprecedented changes of the Arab Spring make progress on the peace process more urgent than ever. President Obama has called for the parties to return to the table for negotiations based on 1967 borders with agreed swaps and security arrangements that protect Israel and respect Palestinian sovereignty. The UK backs this call.
We urge all parties to seize this moment of opportunity and return as soon as possible to direct negotiations. As I told all sides during my visit to the region on 27 June to 1 July, we do not even know if there will be a resolution in September, or what it will look like—so we have not made any decisions. Instead we urge both sides to look towards the things that are necessary to get a negotiated settlement and to return to talks as soon as possible.
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Home Department
Deportation: Offenders
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her response is to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Sufi and Elmi vs the United Kingdom; and whether she plans to appeal. [63852]
Damian Green: The European Court of Human rights handed down judgment on 28 June 2011 in the case of Sufi and Elmi v. The United Kingdom (Applications nos. 8319/07 and 11449/07) which concerned safety of returning failed asylum seekers to Somalia.
We are disappointed with the European Court's decision and are considering our legal position.
This judgment does not mean that all Somalis are in need of international protection. We will continue to pursue the removal of those with no right to be in the UK, including the removal of Somali criminals who have committed a serious crime.
Entry Clearances: English Language
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entry clearance applications were rejected as a result of the applicant having taken an English language test through a provider not approved by her Department in the latest period for which figures are available. [64399]
Damian Green: A breakdown of the number of rejections based on non-approved test providers is not available. Only the total number of rejections is available. Between November 2010 and May 2011 there have been 113 ‘Refusals—English language Requirement Not Met’ events recorded on the Proviso case working system.
These data are based on management information. It is provisional and subject to change.
Helicopters: City of Westminster
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who owns the helicopter which hovered above Westminster on 30 June 2011; what authorisation was given for the flight; what the average noise level was at street level; and what the (a) purpose and (b) expected benefits were of the flight. [63925]
Mrs Villiers: I have been asked to reply.
At least four helicopters—two Metropolitan Police Service helicopters and two providing outside broadcast facilities—were monitoring a demonstration in Westminster on 30 June. It is therefore difficult to ascertain the specific helicopter referred to.
The noise level of helicopters at street level is not monitored. However, helicopter pilots are encouraged to minimise noise disturbance by maintaining the maximum altitude possible consistent with their air traffic control clearance, or their specific operational requirements, and the prevailing weather conditions.
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Human Trafficking
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what persons and organisations are entitled to refer cases to the National Referral Mechanism for assessment of whether a person has been trafficked. [63381]
Damian Green: A formal referral into the National Referral Mechanism is made by a designated “first responder”. The following organisations are designated first responders:
Local authorities
Police
UK Border Agency
Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA)
Eaves Housing for Women POPPY project
TARA project
Migrant Help
Kalayaan
Gangmasters Licensing Agency
Medaille Trust
Salvation Army
Barnardos
NSPCC
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will announce the Government's policy on human trafficking prior to the summer adjournment. [64321]
Damian Green: The Government intend to publish its strategy on human trafficking prior to the summer recess.
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) average length of time was taken to reach (i) a reasonable grounds decision and (ii) a conclusive decision on a referral to the National Referral Mechanism of a person claiming to be trafficked in the most recently available six month period. [63382]
Damian Green: For cases referred between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2010 the shortest time taken to reach a reasonable grounds decision was one working day and the longest time was 119 working days. The median length of time taken to reach a reasonable grounds decision was nine working days for cases referred and concluded between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2010.
For cases where a recovery and reflection period commenced between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2010 the shortest time taken to reach a conclusive decision was one calendar day and the longest time was 141 calendar days. The median length of time taken to reach a conclusive decision was 63 calendar days for cases where a recovery and reflection period commenced and was concluded between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2010.
The time taken for National Referral Mechanism decisions depend on a variety of factors including the timeframe for the potential victim to be able to talk about their experience and the amount of evidence that is available at the point the case is referred by the first responder.
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National Public Order Intelligence Unit
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the disclosure to a criminal defence of information acquired as a result of the policing of protests involving criminal activity by the National Public Order Intelligence Unit. [64413]
Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply.
It would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases. The Government's policy on disclosure in criminal proceedings is that investigators, prosecutors and defendants should adhere rigorously to the requirements of the disclosure laws (notably the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, as amended, and its accompanying codes of practice), upon which fair and efficient trials are founded. In January 2011, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) announced that it would carry out a review of the work conducted by the National Domestic Extremism Units. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (‘IPCC’) is carrying-out a separate independent investigation into disclosure issues around a number of specific cases. The Director of Public Prosecutions has also commissioned a separate independent review of the CPS decisions on a specific case. The Government will consider very carefully any recommendations which may emerge from these reviews for changes to the disclosure laws.
Foreign Nationals: Prisoners
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2011, Official Report, columns 919-22W, on foreign nationals: prisoners, how many foreign national prisoners immediately returned to their country of origin after being released from custody after serving sentences for (a) rape, (b) other sexual offences and (c) violence against the person in the latest period for which figures are available; [61749]
(2) how many foreign national offenders released from custody after serving sentences for (a) rape, (b) other sexual offences and (c) violence against the person offences (i) remain resident in the UK and (ii) have unknown residential status. [61751]
Damian Green: In order to answer these questions the UK Border Agency would need to cross reference individual records with the National Offender Management Service. This would incur a disproportionate cost.
UK Border Agency: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the acting chief executive of the UK Border Agency plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North, ref: C1166155. [64342]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency confirms that a response was issued to the hon. Member on 29 June 2011.
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Transport
Aviation
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason a national policy statement for aviation has not been produced. [64214]
Mrs Villiers: The Government have made clear their position on additional runways at London's three major airports and that their priority is therefore to create a sustainable framework for UK aviation, rather than produce a national policy statement for airports. This was set out in ‘Major infrastructure planning reform: Work plan’, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in December 2010.
The Government issued a scoping document in March 2011 to inform the development of a sustainable framework for UK aviation which will be published for consultation in March 2012.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what near-miss incidents involving (a) commercial and (b) private aircraft and UK nuclear installations have been reported to his Department in each year since May 2004; and if he will place copies of the report on each incident in the Library. [64469]
Mrs Villiers: The Air Accident Investigation Branch has not been notified of any near-miss incidents involving either commercial or private aircraft and UK nuclear installations since May 2004.
Biggin Hill Airport: Olympic Games 2012
Joseph Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the effects of a time-limited waiver to the terms of Biggin Hill airport's lease with Bromley council allowing extended hours and additional flights during the period of the London 2012 Olympics. [63303]
Mrs Villiers: This would be a matter for the local authority to consider.
Cycling: Accidents
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cyclists have been killed in road traffic accidents on (a) dual carriageways for which the Highways Agency is responsible and (b) other roads in each of the last five years. [64573]
Mike Penning: The number of pedal cyclists killed in reported personal injury road accidents on (a) dual carriageways of the 2004 Highways Agency core network and (b) other roads in England between 2005 and 2009 is shown in Table 1.
| Table 1: Pedal cyclists killed in reported personal injury road accidents by road type, England: 2005-09 | |||
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|
(a) Highways Agency dual carriageways (1) | (b) Other roads in England (2) | Total in England |
| (1) Based on the 2004 Highways Agency core network. (2 )Includes fatalities on other, non-dual carriageway, Highways Agency roads. | |||
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The Highways Agency 2004 core network is an estimate of what the 2006 network was expected to be as a result of the ongoing 10-year programme of “detrunking” which concluded in March 2009. This saw about 30% of the trunk road network (as at April 1999) transfer from Highway Agency control to local highways authority control.
As this programme was in progress during the years covered by Table 1, the table may misclassify some pedal cyclist fatalities that occurred on roads where the control has changed. The overall figures for England remain correct.
In 2010, there were 102 pedal cyclists killed in reported personal injury road accidents in England. The breakdown of these reported fatalities between Highways Agency dual carriageways and other roads is not yet available.
Departmental Allowances
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what expenses were claimed by (a) paid and (b) unpaid special advisers working in his Department in the last 12 months. [62075]
Norman Baker: Over the last 12 months, special advisers at the Department for Transport have incurred expenses of £568 for train fares, £85 hotel accommodation costs and £36 for a single use of the Government Car and Despatch Agency's low carbon taxi-style service known as the green car service. All of these items were centrally booked and no expenses were directly claimed by or reimbursed to the special advisers.
The total incurred cost of £689 in the last 12 months compares to £9,515 incurred in centrally booked expenses plus £1,958 claimed in reimbursable expenses by Special advisers at the DFT in 2009-10.
There are no unpaid special advisers working at the Department for Transport.
Driving Tests
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving test appointments at the Northwich Driving Test Centre have been cancelled in the last 12 months at the request of the Driving Standards Agency or by staff at the centre; and how many of those cancellations have been due to the centre having insufficient examiners to fulfil all the booked appointments. [64454]
Mike Penning: In the 12 months to 30 June 2011, the Driving Standards Agency has cancelled 389 practical driving tests at Northwich Driving Test Centre, of which 350 were due to driving examiners being unavailable.
Heathrow Airport: Noise
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints his Department and its predecessor received about noise pollution related to Heathrow airport in each of the last 10 years. [64367]
Mrs Villiers: While the Department for Transport receives correspondence from MPs and the public on noise issues at Heathrow, including complaints, we do not hold records on the numbers of correspondence over the last 10 years.
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Humber Bridge Board
Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what provisions of primary and secondary legislation determine the composition of the Humber Bridge Board; what the procedures are to alter the composition of the board; and whether the board has the power to amend its own composition; [62739]
(2) what changes have been made to the composition of the Humber Bridge Board since 1981; and what instruments were used to bring about those changes. [62751]
Norman Baker: I have been informed by the Humber Bridge Board that section 6 of the Humber Bridge Act 1959 set out the original membership of the board being 21 members:
12 to be appointed by the corporation (being the Lord Mayor and aldermen of the city of Hull)
1 to be appointed by East Riding council
1 to be appointed by Lindsey council
1 to be appointed by the Scunthorpe corporation
3 to be appointed by the Haltemprice urban district council
3 be appointed by Barton-upon Humber urban district council.
Section 6 of the 1959 Act was amended by the Local Government Changes for England (Miscellaneous Provision) Order 1996, (SI 1996/466) which states, at paragraph 3, that the board shall consist of 22 members to be appointed as follows:
12 members to be appointed by the district council of Kingston upon Hull
1 member to be appointed by the county council of Lincolnshire
4 members to be appointed by the district council of the East Riding of Yorkshire
5 members to be appointed by the district council of North Lincolnshire
The Bridge Board does not have the power to amend its own composition; but under section 97 of the 1959 Act, the board may apply to the Secretary of State to make an order altering the composition.
Large Goods Vehicles
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to review its policy on service areas and other roadside facilities to reflect the conclusions of the Lorry Parking Baseline Report and the Strategy for Lorry Parking Provision in England. [64574]
Mike Penning: My written ministerial statement of 22 June 2011, Official Report, columns 17-20WS, announced a new policy of allowing dedicated truck stops on motorways.
In addition I am considering a number of other options for improving the quality and provision of lorry parking facilities in England and expect to make a further statement in due course.
National Planning Policy Framework
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he gave to the inclusion of plug-in vehicle infrastructure in the National Planning Policy Framework. [64371]
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Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply.
Consideration has been given to a wide range of issues, including plug-in vehicle infrastructure, as part of the Government's preparation for the consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation is to be launched shortly.
I also refer my hon. Friend to my Department's press notice of 3 January 2011 on the steps we are taking to allow electric car charging points to be built on streets and in outdoor car parks without the need for planning permission.
Ports: Liverpool
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to (a) undertake an impact assessment and (b) assess the potential effect on employment prior to making a decision on whether the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal can be used for turnaround calls. [64595]
Mike Penning: I announced today a consultation by my Department on a proposal to remove our objection to lifting a grant condition which precludes the use of the City Cruise Terminal for turnaround calls, in return for a partial repayment of grant. This proposal reflects my broad provisional assessment of the balance of economic benefits to the Liverpool City Region and the impact on fair competition with terminals elsewhere. The consultation provides an opportunity for respondents to express views on the economic, employment, tourism and other impacts of this proposed measure.
Deputy Prime Minister
House of Lords: Reform
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons he considers that a referendum on reform of the House of Lords is not necessary; and if he will make a statement. [64346]
Mr Harper: At the last election, all three main political parties were committed to reform of the House of Lords and the Government believe that we should move forward on this issue.
Work and Pensions
Child Maintenance
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assistance the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission gives to parents living in the UK in respect of outstanding maintenance payments owed by absent parents resident in the Irish Republic. [64596]
Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
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You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assistance the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission gives to parents living in the UK in respect of outstanding maintenance payments owed by absent parents resident in the Irish Republic. [64596]
The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (the Commission) has jurisdiction to make a maintenance calculation and collect child support maintenance only when the parent with care, the non-resident parent and the qualifying child are all habitually resident in the UK. Habitual residence is a legal concept which means more than simply 'where you live'. A person can habitually reside in more than one country or in none. Habitual residence can continue during an absence from UK.
The Commission retains the power to pursue a non-resident parent who moves overseas, including those that live in the Irish Republic, for ongoing maintenance payments, but only where the non-resident is regarded as being habitually resident in the UK. The criteria for establishing jurisdiction when a non-resident parent leaves the United Kingdom is described at Section 44 of the Child Support Act 1991. There is no distinction made between an EU state and a non-EU state.
If the non-resident parent ceases to be habitually resident, the Commission can no longer seek ongoing maintenance. We can only enforce child maintenance arrears directly if the non-resident parent holds assets within the UK, such as savings or property, which would fall within the jurisdiction of the UK courts. Since 3 August 2009, the Commission has had the power to make deductions from current or savings accounts held within the UK without the consent of the non-resident parent.
The Commission may take action to prevent the non-resident parent disposing of his assets, from which the Commission could recover the arrears. The Commission may apply to the High Court (England and Wales) or the Court of Session (Scotland) if a non-resident parent has arrears of child support; and have disposed of, or is about to dispose of, assets with the intention of avoiding child support.
From 18 June 2011, the Commission will have some ability under the new European legislation EC EU 04/2009 to enforce certain arrears of maintenance that accrued while both parents were resident in the UK where the non-resident parent now resides in another jurisdiction within the European Union (except Denmark). It can also assist parents with care in the process of obtaining a court order for ongoing maintenance which can then be enforced via an application to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (REMO) unit at the Office of the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee. The new European legislation also allows the Commission to make enquiries about assets a non-resident parent may own in another E.U member state (except Denmark) for the purposes of enforcing child maintenance arrears owed in the UK.
I hope you find this answer helpful.
Education: Bexleyheath
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged between 16 and 64 in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency were not in education, employment or training in the latest period for which figures are available. [63887]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people aged between 16 and 64 in Bexleyheath and Crayford Constituency were not in education, employment or training in the latest period for which figures are available. (63887)
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Based on the Annual Population Survey (APS), for the period January 2010 to December 2010, 13,000 people aged 16 to 64 resident in the Bexleyheath and Crayford Constituency were not in education, employment or training.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and JSA count are available on the Nomis website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
Social Fund
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department takes to monitor and assess the extent to which money paid to claimants from the Social Fund is used for the purposes set out in their applications. [64326]
Steve Webb: The Social Fund consists of a regulated and a discretionary scheme. Funeral Payments, Sure Start Maternity Grants, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments are part of the regulatory Social Fund scheme. Community Care Grants, Crisis and Budgeting Loans are part of the discretionary Social Fund scheme.
The Social Fund does not routinely monitor or assess the extent to which money paid to claimants is used for the purposes set out in their applications because the high volume of payments made for the scheme, especially in relation to cold weather and winter fuel payments, make the cost of monitoring and assessing what payments are spent on prohibitive.
In relation to the Community Care Grant scheme, however, targeted pre-award visits based upon set risk criteria are made to confirm claimants needs prior to an award being made. In addition repeat applications will not be successful if they are made for the same need within 12 months of an earlier application.
For Crisis and Budgeting Loans, applications will only be successful if the applicant is facing a disaster or an emergency and the health and safety of the applicant or their family is at risk; or they require money for a one off expense not covered by benefits. Any award made is fully recoverable.
Social Security Benefits: Newcastle
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people his Department's modelling has indicated will be made homeless in Newcastle as a result of the total benefit cap. [64570]
Chris Grayling: The benefit cap will mean that people on benefit will face choices about housing costs similar to those faced by people in work. But it will not necessarily mean that they will need to move from their home. Even within the limits of this cap, households will still be able to receive significant amounts of financial assistance from state welfare payments and if a member of the household moves into work and becomes eligible for working tax credit they will be exempt from the impacts of the cap.
There is a range of help local authorities can offer to households who are struggling to meet their rent, including the provision of discretionary housing payments. We have already made an additional £190 million available over the spending review period for this purpose as a result of the changes we have made to housing benefit.
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The Government's estimate of the number of people who will be presenting as homeless as a result of the overall benefit cap is as contained in the Department's Impact Assessment. The information requested is available only at Great Britain level. The Impact Assessment can be found via the following link:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/household-benefit-cap-wr2011-ia.pdf
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional net cost his Department's modelling has indicated will be placed on Newcastle Council as a result of the total benefit cap. [64571]
Chris Grayling: The Government's estimate of the costs of the overall benefit cap is as contained in the Department's Impact Assessment. The information requested is available only at Great Britain level. The Impact Assessment can be found via the following link:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/household-benefit-cap-wr2011-ia.pdf
State Retirement Pensions: Uprating
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason pensioners who retire to live abroad in some countries have their pensions up rated in line with inflation whereas those retiring to certain other countries do not; and if he will make a statement. [64572]
Steve Webb: The UK state pension is payable world wide but is only up-rated abroad where there is a legal requirement or reciprocal agreement to do so. A well known court case challenging the UK's position was heard by the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber in September 2009 and the Court's judgment of March 2010 was in the UK's favour. We continue to take our obligations under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights seriously and are satisfied that we are complying. We therefore have no plans to make any changes to the current arrangements that allow for the exportability and up rating of UK state pensions.
Universal Credit
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether all new applications for in- work and out-of-work benefits will be treated as applications for universal credit from October 2013. [64401]
Chris Grayling: Our provisional timetable states that from October 2013 all new applications for out-of-work support will be treated as claims to universal credit. No new jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, income support and housing benefit claims will be accepted. New claims for tax credits will continue to be accepted until April 2014. Detailed planning is still at an early stage, and the timetable and sequence for transition may change as a result.
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Business, Innovation and Skills
Business Performance
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an assessment for benchmarking purposes of the performance of UK firms in adopting (a) business best practice and (b) workplace changes in comparison with other OECD countries. [61115]
Mr Willetts: The DTI Economics Paper number 7, “Competing in the Global Economy—The Innovation Challenge”, found that UK Innovation performance as a whole is around the average of other advanced economies, but that UK businesses as a group appearing to be less creative and less able to introduce workplace changes and, in some areas, the UK lags in the adoption of best business practices.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not plan to make an assessment for benchmarking purposes. Since the above paper was published, the evidence base in these areas has strengthened considerably, with regular, consistent and comparable data being published, including an improved and extended Community Innovation Survey (CIS). As such, it is not considered necessary to undertake a specific assessment as regularly updated data on workplace innovation are readily available.
Higher Education
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students on (a) taught masters' courses, (b) other masters' courses, (c) PhD studies and (d) other doctoral studies received funding for their studies in each of the last three years; for how many he expects to provide funding in each case in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement. [64051]
Mr Willetts: The most recent Higher Education Statistics Agency data (HESA) relates to 2009/10. Data on Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) fundable students for the latest three available years and split by the following categories ‘PhD/Doctorate', Taught Masters' and ‘Other Masters' are provided in the following table. We are not able to provide the figures broken down into the exact categories asked for. The figures relate to HEFCE fundable students only, on all years of study. Additional places will be funded by other Government Departments, charities and research bodies.
| HEFCE fundable | |||
| Headcount | |||
|
|
2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Source: 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 HESA student data | |||
We do not have estimates of the likely number of students on these courses over the spending review period. HEFCE fundable places are expected to remain broadly constant over the spending review period.
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We have accepted the recommendations of Professor Sir Adrian Smith's review of postgraduate education. In our White Paper Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the System (Cm 8122) we have asked HEFCE to review the impact of undergraduate funding changes on post graduate participation to help inform thinking on the longer term future of postgraduate funding.
Higher Education
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which of the proposals in the Higher Education White Paper will require (a) primary legislation and (b) secondary legislation to implement; and if he will make a statement. [63600]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 4 July 2011]: The Regulatory Framework for Higher Education is currently set out in the Education Reform Act 1988, the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998, and the Higher Education Act 2004. Any changes to the regulatory framework, including changes to the role and function of HEFCE and OFFA, as defined by these acts is likely to require primary legislation and secondary legislation. Over the summer we will consult on a new regulatory framework, which will set out clear and demanding conditions for an organisation to be recognised as a provider of higher education in England. As part of this consultation we will consider changes to the process and criteria for obtaining university title and taught degree-awarding powers. We are currently consulting on the potential introduction of an early repayment mechanism for student loans. Depending on the outcome of this consultation we may need to introduce primary and/or secondary legislation.
Imports: Israel
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what country code is used to record imports from Israeli settlements on the UK Trade database. [62330]
Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
For imports from Israeli settlements located beyond Israel's borders as established in 1967 the country code used should be PS.
Students: Public Expenditure
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) funded, (b) off-quota and (c) private student places for (i) full-time students and (ii) part-time students there were in each of the last three years; how many such places he expects there to be in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement. [64049]
Mr Willetts:
The most recent Higher Education Statistics Agency data (HESA) relates to 2009/10. Data on Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) fundable students for the latest three available years is provided in the following table. These figures relate to HEFCE fundable students only, on all years of study. Additional places will be funded by Government Departments, charities and research bodies. The drop in
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fundable part-time students in 2008 is due to the removal of HEFCE funding for students studying for a qualification equal or lower than one they already hold.
| HEFCE fundable | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
Information on the number of students at private HE providers is not collected centrally. HESA collects information on only one private provider (the university of Buckingham), however it recently published the results of a survey of private and for-profit providers of higher education covering the 2009/10 academic year, which can be found at the following website:
http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2086<emid=310
Data relating to closed (off quota) courses are shown in the following table. In addition to students attending closed courses, all non-EU students are outside student number controls.
| Closed courses | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Source: 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 HESA student data | |||
We do not have estimates of the likely number of students on private and off-quota courses over the spending review period. HEFCE fundable places are expected to remain broadly constant over the spending review period.
Education
Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Children
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Independent Review of the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood, Letting Children be Children; and if he will make a statement. [63117]
Sarah Teather: Reg Bailey published the report of his independent review of the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood, ‘Letting Children be Children’, on 6 June. In their response, made to Parliament as a written ministerial statement on 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 8WS, the Government made clear that they accepted and welcomed Mr Bailey's analysis and the thrust of all the recommendations he has made, which will reduce the pressure on children to grow up too fast. The Government's policy on implementation of these recommendations was also set out in the written ministerial statement.
Most of the recommendations of Mr Bailey's report are made to businesses, industry associations and the regulators. It is a matter for those organisations to decide how best to achieve the intended outcomes for each of the recommendations, although the Government look to them to see that these recommendations are implemented as fully as possible.
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Mr Bailey has also recommended that the Government should consider strengthening the controls on music videos. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will respond to this recommendation by consulting on the operation of the Video Recordings Act 1984 and 2010. The consultation will look at a range of options including consideration of whether it would be appropriate for the exemption that music videos enjoy from this legislation to be removed, and call for evidence in support of the costs and benefits of such a change.
Mr Bailey has placed the responsibility for action on businesses themselves and, if necessary, their regulators. The Government will actively monitor implementation of the recommendations, leading up to a full stock-take of progress in 18 months' time. At this point, we will consider what further measures may need to be taken to achieve the recommended outcomes, including considering statutory regulation if voluntary action has not been effective.
I have already held a meeting on 27 June with representatives of many of the major businesses and regulators concerned to discuss how they propose to take action to implement the recommendations of the Bailey review. The Prime Minister has also announced that he will hold a similar meeting in October to review progress.
Extracurricular Activities: Finance
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial support his Department provides for groups run for children aged between five and nine years. [61746]
Sarah Teather: The following financial support is provided by the Department for Education for groups run for children between five and nine years:
Children's University has been provided a grant of £700,000 over two years (2011-13) to enable it to continue developing and extending high quality provision outside the school day for five to 14-year-old children in England.
ContinYou has been granted around £800,000 over two years (2011-13) to support before and after school settings, including schools and voluntary and community sector providers, to increase the range of high quality extra curricular and learning opportunities for school age children, including five to nine-year-olds.
Funding of £356.5 million (in 2011-12) previously provided through the Standards Fund to local authorities by the Department for Education to support provision of extended services (including after-school activities) now forms part of schools' main budget. We are giving schools freedom and flexibility across all their budgets as they know best how to support their pupils. Schools will be able to continue offering extended services where they wish to do so.
Further Education: Admissions
Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will estimate the potential effect on rates of participation in post-16 education of the abolition of education maintenance allowance and the reduction in the number of local authorities which subsidise transport for 16 to 19-year-olds. [61407]
Mr Gibb:
The £180 million 16-19 bursary funding introduced from September 2011 will enable schools, colleges and training providers to support students facing the greatest financial barriers to participation. In
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contrast to current discretionary learner support funds, the 16-19 bursary fund will have the flexibility to help meet transport costs for individual students, where those costs have been identified as a real barrier to that student's participation.
This sits alongside the duty on local authorities to publish a statement each year that sets out the travel arrangements they consider necessary to enable young people of sixth form age to attend post-16 education. Decisions regarding the extent of such arrangements, including the provision of any financial assistance, are for local authorities to make following appropriate consultation.
Taken together, these arrangements allow schools, colleges and local authorities to target support in ways that best meet the individual needs and circumstances of young people, and to ensure that young people are not prevented from participating in post-16 education or training because of their financial circumstances.
Outdoor Education
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge scheme; and if he will make a statement. [63993]
Mr Gibb: The Government support educational activities outside the classroom. We have simplified health and safety requirements covering activities that take place on or off school premises, including school trips, so that it is easier for schools to engage their pupils in activities outside the classroom.
The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge Scheme, which is managed by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, is an award which recognises the quality of provision as well as effective risk management. The Department has made no recent assessment of the effectiveness of the Council's Quality Badge Scheme.
Schools: Libraries
Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will estimate the number of school librarians that will be made redundant in Rochdale constituency in the next academic year; [63439]
(2) if he will estimate the number of school libraries that will be closed in Rochdale constituency during the next academic year. [63440]
Mr Gibb: A good school library is a very valuable resource for pupils and teachers.
The Department has made no estimate of future changes in the number of school libraries or of changes in the number of school library staff either at national, or at local level, in the next academic year. However, through the School Workforce Survey the Department collects data on the number of librarians in maintained schools in England and on the number of schools with librarians. The 2010 census reported a headcount number of five librarians employed in publicly funded schools in Rochdale constituency in four schools, one primary and three secondary. One of the secondary schools employed two librarians.
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Schools: Standards
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools in (a) Worcestershire and (b) Redditch have received an outstanding result from Ofsted in the last three years. [63239]
Mr Gibb: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 29 June 2011:
Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for response.
Since 2005, maintained school inspections have been carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. Ofsted records all judgements made by inspectors in section 5 inspections, including the judgement for overall effectiveness of the school.
Maintained schools inspected under section 5 include nursery, primary, secondary (including academies and city technology colleges), special schools and pupil referral units.
Table A below shows the number of maintained schools judged to be outstanding for overall effectiveness at their section 5 inspection during the academic years 2007/08 to 2009/10 inclusive in Worcestershire local authority and Redditch constituency. Equivalent data have also been provided for England for context, and the table shows the total number of inspections in each of these areas in each year.
In September 2009, Ofsted implemented a policy of more proportionate inspection using risk assessment as an aid to scheduling the inspection of good and outstanding schools. We deliberately set out to inspect a greater proportion of previously satisfactory or inadequate schools each year and a smaller proportion of previously good or outstanding schools. The sample of schools inspected is therefore skewed and means that comparisons between years should be treated with caution as some differences are due to the very different sample of schools inspected during the different periods.
Statistics covering the outcomes of ail inspections carried out in each academic year since 2005/06 can be found at:
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Statistics/Maintained-schools/Inspection-outcomes
The most recent official statistics release covering the outcomes of maintained school inspections carried out during the autumn and spring terms 2010/11 were released on 15 3une 2011 and can be accessed at the same link.
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Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools were assessed as outstanding by Ofsted in Hastings and Rye constituency in each of the last five years. [64073]
Mr Gibb: This is a matter for Ofsted. John Goldup, National Director, Development and Strategy has written to my hon. Friend, on behalf of HM Chief Inspector. A copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
Letter from John Goldup, dated 4 July 2011:
Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector for response. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector is currently on leave, and I am replying on her behalf.
Since 2005, maintained school inspections have been carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. Ofsted records all judgements made by inspectors in section 5 inspections, including the judgement for overall effectiveness of the school.
Maintained schools inspected under section 5 include nursery, primary, secondary (including academies and city technology colleges), special schools and pupil referral units.
Table A as follows shows the number of maintained schools judged to be outstanding for overall effectiveness at their section 5 inspection during the academic years 2005/06 to 2009/10 inclusive in Hastings and Rye constituency. Equivalent data have also been provided for England for context, and the table shows the total number of inspections in each of these areas in each year.
In September 2009, Ofsted implemented a policy of more proportionate inspection using risk assessment and deliberately set out to inspect a greater proportion of previously satisfactory or inadequate schools each year and a smaller proportion of previously good or outstanding schools. This led to a skew in the sample of schools inspected and means that comparisons between years should be treated with caution as some differences are due to the different sample of schools inspected during the different periods.
Statistics covering the outcomes of all inspections carried out in each academic year since 2005/06 can be found at:
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Statistics/Maintained-schools/Inspection-outcomes
The most recent official statistics release covering the outcomes of maintained school inspections carried out during the autumn and spring terms 2010/11 were released on 15 June 2011 and can be accessed at the same link.
| Table A: Schools judged outstanding for overall effectiveness at their section 5 inspection in England and Hastings and Rye constituency in each of the last five years | |||||
| Number of schools judged outstanding for overall effectiveness, and as a percentage of total number of inspections in the area | |||||
|
|
2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
| Total number of inspections in academic year | |||||
|
|
2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
| (1 )Where numbers are small, percentages are not displayed. | |||||
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Schools: Vocational Guidance
Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2011, Official Report, column 762W, on schools: careers guidance, when he expects to reach a decision on the timing of the review of careers guidance. [64134]
Mr Gibb: A thematic review of young people's careers guidance will be helpful in establishing a baseline for future policy development once the new arrangements for careers guidance are implemented. Subject to the passage of the Education Bill, schools will be under a duty to secure access to independent, impartial careers guidance for their pupils from September 2012. We would not expect a thematic review to take place before that date.
Sexual Offences: Education
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received on including domestic and sexual violence and abuse issues in the curriculum. [64093]
Mr Gibb: The Department for Education has received a number of representations regarding the inclusion of domestic, sexual violence, and abuse issues in the curriculum. Many of these representations have been part of the campaign on the role of schools in preventing violence against women and girls, co-ordinated by the “end violence against women and girls” coalition.
We believe high quality personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education plays an important part in helping young people develop the skills to manage risk and the negative aspects of some relationships, including use of violence and other forms of abuse. As set out in the Schools White Paper 2010 the Department will undertake a review of PSHE to improve the quality of PSHE teaching.
Special Educational Needs
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the name is of each school, other than special schools, in which the proportion of pupils with special educational needs is over 50 per cent. [63987]
Sarah Teather: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.
Teachers: Training
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to require publicly-funded schools to host student teachers; and if he will make a statement. [63915]
Mr Gibb: We have no plans to require publicly-funded schools to host student teachers. On 27 June we published “Training our next generation of outstanding teachers” in which we set out our proposals for the reform of initial teacher training, including proposals to increase school involvement in initial teacher training.
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Justice
Animal Welfare
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many convictions there have been for offences under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which involved horses since the Act was brought into force; [64354]
(2) how many convictions of animal owners there have been for offences under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in each year since 2006; [64355]
(3) how many convictions there have been for offences under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in each year since 2006. [64356]
Mr Blunt: The number of defendants found guilty at all courts under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in England and Wales, from 2007 (when the Act commenced) to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the Court Proceedings Database does not contain information about the circumstances behind each case, beyond the description provided in the statute under which proceedings are brought. It is not possible to separately identify those proceedings where the defendant was the animal's owner or the type of animal against which an offence was committed.
Courts: Closures
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which (a) magistrates and (b) Crown courts he plans to close in the North East. [65070]
Mr Djanogly: A schedule of proposed dates for court closures and information on the transfer of work can be found on the HM Courts and Tribunals Service website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/hmcts/courts.htm
This follows the public consultation that took place in the summer of 2010 regarding closures of magistrates and county courts and the decisions that were announced on 14 December 2010. No Crown courts were included in that consultation.
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Prisoners’ Discharge Grants: Females
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was provided as a discharge grant to women who had been in mother and baby units with their infants within prisons in the latest period in which figures are available. [64497]
Mr Blunt: All eligible sentenced prisoners, including women accommodated in mother and baby units, receive a discharge grant of £46 upon release.
Prisons: Manpower
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the recommended staffing levels are for (a) HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Glen Parva, (b) Wetherby Young Offender Institution, (c) New Hall Young Offender Institution, (d) Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution, (e) HM Prison Bedford and (f) Aylesbury Young Offender Institution; and what the average staffing level at each institution has been in the last 12 months; [64253]
(2) what guidance his Department has issued on recommended staffing levels in young offender institutions; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such guidance. [64255]
Mr Blunt: Information on the recommended staffing levels and the average staffing level for each of the establishments listed within the question is provided in the following table.
| Staffing requirement and average staff in post—as at 31 March 2011 | ||
| Full-time equivalent | ||
|
|
Staffing requirement (1) | Average staff in post (2) |
| (1) As at 3l March 2011. (2 )April 2010 to March 2011. Source: Monthly Staffing Returns and Oracle HRMS. | ||
Recommended staffing levels have been taken from the monthly staffing requirement forms submitted by each establishment. This figure reflects the total number of funded posts within the establishment. Average staff in post figures are for the 12 months to 31 March 2011. All figures are provided on a full-time equivalent basis.
There is no guidance for the recommended staffing levels within young offender institutions. Staffing requirements are set against the level of planned activity within each establishment. In their regime planning, young offender institutions are expected to deliver a higher level of regime than in an adult establishment, particularly in respect of PE, learning and skills and other activities. The Youth Justice Board specifies staffing levels for individual institutions that are operated by NOMS on their behalf.
Young Offenders: Health Professions
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what requirements there are for medical staff to be present at (a) young offenders institutions, (b) secure training centres and (c) secure children's homes. [64252]
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Mr Blunt: The information requested is as follows:
(a) Commissioning responsibility for health services provided in the publicly run young offender institutions (YOIs) rests with NHS primary care trusts (PCTs). These services are subject to the same standards, regulation and governance as are applied in the wider NHS. Each PCT should decide which health care treatments and services to provide for its local population based on a full needs assessment, and commission these from NHS or independent sector providers. PCTs also decide on spending levels for specific health care treatments and services provided in all primary care settings, including staffing levels. The Department of Health (DH) does not ring-fence PCT money, and is not prescriptive about how individual PCTs spend their budgets.
In both the publicly run YOIs and in private YOIs, all young people are screened within 24 hours of arrival for any immediate needs including health care needs. Health services in all YOIs must comply with Prison Service Orders/Prison Service Instructions and any relevant DH and NHS guidelines.
24-hour health care is provided at private YOIs. Health services must also be of an equivalent standard to those available in the community. There are full-time medical staff on site to provide regular assessment and health care and in addition there are visiting doctors, dentists and specialists. Any young person involved in an incident or a restraint will be seen immediately by a nurse.
Young people will also be taken outside to local NHS services where required for emergency or specialist treatment.
(b) Medical and nursing care is available every day on a 24-hour basis within Secure Training Centres (STCs). Contractual provisions require that a qualified nurse must be on site at each STC during the day and early evening and on call at all other times; and that a young person who requests to see a health care worker will be seen by a qualified nurse or medical practitioner within 30 minutes of making his/her request. Any young person involved in an accident or emergency will receive immediate medical attention. Young people are also entitled to a basic monthly medical examination and/or health assessment by health care staff at the STC and have access to NHS facilities and specialists when clinically required.
(c) Secure Children's Homes (SCH) are regulated by The Children's Homes Regulations 2001 which are made under the Care Standards Act 2000. Under Regulation 20, each child must be registered with a GP, have access to health services that s/he may require and be provided with the necessary support for their health needs. Additionally, at least one person on duty in the SCH must have a suitable first aid qualification and any appointed nurse must be registered. The National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Children's Homes are issued under section 23 of the Care Standards Act 2000. These standards are to enable individual providers to develop their own particular ethos and approach to practice. For example, standard 6 of the NMS state that all children's homes (which include SCHs) must promote good health and wellbeing of young people.
It has been agreed by the Department of Health and Ministry of Justice that commissioning responsibility for health services in STCs and SCHs with youth
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justice commissioned beds, will transfer to the NHS. The Ministry of Justice is also working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the changes to the NHS proposed in the Health and Social Care Bill (regarding the responsibilities of the National Commissioning Board for those in prison and in custody) will further enhance commissioning of health services in the youth secure estate.
Treasury
Air Passenger Duty
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future of air passenger duty after aviation enters the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [64254]
Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 424W.
Carbon Emissions
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether climate change agreements will provide relief from carbon price support rates. [62610]
Justine Greening: Climate change agreements (CCA) provide a discount from the climate change levy to protect the competitive position of energy-intensive industry.
The carbon floor price is levied on the supply of fossil fuels used to generate electricity. Therefore, businesses with CCAs will not pay carbon price support rates.
Budget 2011 confirmed that the discount on electricity for CCA participants will be increased from 65% to 80% from April 2013. The Government will also announce a package of measures by the end of the year to help energy-intensive industry adjust to the low-carbon transformation.
Emergency Services: Pay
Chris Williamson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with representatives of (i) trade unions and (ii) the Chief Fire Officers Association on pay negotiations in the fire and rescue service. [64327]
Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with trade unions on overall pay and pension policy. However, pay for the Fire and Rescue Service is negotiated through two National Joint Councils. The NJC for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services negotiates for UK firefighters and control room staff (up to and including the area manager role) and the NJC for Brigade Managers negotiates for Chief Fire Officers, deputies and assistants.
The Treasury is not a member of either of these Joint Councils and therefore no Treasury Minister or official has met either the trade unions or the Chief Fire Officers Association as part of pay negotiations.
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EU Economic Policy
Mr Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what account the Government take in the formulation of economic policy of assessments of such policy made by EU institutions; [61667]
(2) if he will estimate the number of pages of documentation the UK has submitted under the European Semester initiative in 2011. [61643]
Mr Hoban: The Government support the European Semester as an important development in the EU's overall surveillance framework. The treaty sets out (article 121) that member states shall regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and shall co-ordinate them within the Council. However, under the terms of the UK's protocol to the treaty, the United Kingdom only has to “endeavour to avoid” excessive Government deficits; all other member states are obliged to “avoid” them. Moreover, because of our opt-out, sanctions cannot apply to the UK under the excessive deficit procedure.
It is important to note that any recommendations adopted by the ECOFIN Council and addressed to the UK are non-binding. When making plans for the annual Budget, the Chancellor routinely considers assessments made by international partners, such as the OECD and IMF, as well as representations from businesses and individuals. He will of course similarly consider the final recommendations of the EU's ECOFIN Council.
In submitting information to Council and the Commission, the Government complied fully with the assurances previously given by the Chancellor and the Prime Minister that the content of the UK's Budget will only be sent after it has been presented to Parliament.
The UK submitted its Convergence Programme, which is a 201-page document, and its National Reform Programme, which is a 66-page document, to the European Commission in April 2011 in fulfilment of its obligations under the European Semester. The content of both documents was drawn entirely from information already in the public domain, including the 2011 Budget.
Public Sector: Pensions
Chris Williamson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the opt-out rates for the (a) Firefigher Pension Scheme and (b) Local Government Pension Scheme that would result from adopting the recommendations of the Independent Public Sector Pensions Commission; and if he will estimate the cost to each scheme in each case; [63769]
(2) what estimate he has made of the average cost to members of the (a) Firefighter Pension Scheme and (b) Local Government Pension Scheme arising from implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Public Sector Pensions Commission. [63770]
Danny Alexander: At Budget 2011 the Government accepted Lord Hutton's recommendations as a basis for consultation with public sector workers, trade unions and others. The Government's discussions with unions and other groups are ongoing.
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Revenue and Customs: Compensation
Richard Fuller: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 829W, on departmental compensation, what steps he is taking to reduce the need for HM Revenue and Customs to compensate the public for errors made. [63943]
Mr Gauke: HMRC takes all complaints very seriously and recognises the need to minimise any amounts paid out as financial redress by providing better services to customers. HMRC is progressively introducing a programme of continuous improvement to streamline every aspect of its systems and procedures and eliminate errors and delays.
For 2009-10 the payments made under the Department's ex-gratia financial redress policy totalled £3.74 million, including a single, exceptional payment of £1.2 million. For 2010-11, payments totalled £1.41 million. Excluding the exceptional payment this equates to a reduction of 44%.
Taxation: Environment Protection
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the findings of the report of the Institute for Public Policy Research on the carbon price floor in the UK. [63998]
Justine Greening: The IPPR support the principle of a floor price for carbon across the EU. However, their underlying assumptions, and subsequent findings, do not recognise some of the wider benefits of a UK price floor.
The impact assessment that accompanied the announcement of the carbon price floor used sophisticated economic modelling of the electricity market. This clearly demonstrated that a UK carbon price floor would unlock additional investment and provide long-term economic, social and environmental benefits for the UK.
Cabinet Office
Business: Turnover
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of businesses in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Devon with an annual turnover of less than £25,000. [62801]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of businesses in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Devon that have an annual turnover of less than £25,000 per year. [62801]
Annual statistics on the number of enterprises are available from the ONS release UK Business: Activity, Size and Location at:
www.statistics.gov.uk.
However, ONS is unable to provide an answer to your question as the business register, upon which the estimates are based, is compiled using information from the VAT trader and PAYE administrative systems. As the VAT registration threshold for
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2008/09 was £67,000 per year the feed for the business register from the VAT system will have poor coverage of businesses whose turnover was below £25,000. Furthermore, businesses with very low turnover are unlikely to operate a PAYE scheme leaving the PAYE feed also deficient as a measure of the target businesses.
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of businesses in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Devon that employ fewer than five people. [62802]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of businesses in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Devon that employ fewer than five people. [62802]
Annual statistics on the number of enterprises are available from the ONS release UK Business: Activity, Size and Location at:
www.statistics.gov.uk
The table below contains the latest statistics available, which show the number of enterprises in England and Devon with fewer than five employees.
| Count of enterprises in the United Kingdom, England and Devon by employee size, 2010 | |
|
|
Fewer than five employees |
Cancer
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the mortality rate of cancer patients in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency, (b) South Cambridgeshire constituency and (c) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency. [64970]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what assessment has been made of the mortality rate of cancer patients in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency, (b) South Cambridgeshire constituency and (c) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency. (64970)
The table attached provides the age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where the underlying cause of death was cancer, for persons in (a) Liverpool, Walton parliamentary constituency, (b) South Cambridgeshire parliamentary constituency and (c) Oxford West and Abingdon parliamentary constituency, for 2009 (the latest year available).
It is not possible from the information given at death registration to state whether the deceased was a patient at the time of death.
| Table 1. Age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where cancer was the underlying cause of death, Liverpool, Walton, South Cambridgeshire, and Oxford West and Abingdon parliamentary constituencies, 2009 (1,2,3,4) | |||
| Rate per 100,000 population | |||
| 95% Confidence interval | |||
| Parliamentary constituency | Rate | Lower limit | Upper limit |
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| (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (3) Cause of death for cancer was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C00-C97 (malignant neoplasms). (4) Figures are for deaths registered in 2009. | |||
Electricity
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when a decision will be taken on whether the Office for National Statistics will classify proposals for electricity market reform as tax and spend measures. [64381]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking when ONS will classify proposals for electricity market reform as tax and spend measures (64381).
ONS makes classification decisions in line with a published protocol that is available on our website at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national_statistics/cop/downloads/NAclassification.pdf
ONS is aware that the passage of the Energy Bill 2010-11 may raise a number of classification issues. ONS's normal practice is to provide classification decisions once the legislation is finalised and has received Royal Assent.
Government Procurement Card
Mr Spellar: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment his Department has made of the benefits to the Government of the use of Government Procurement Cards. [63474]
Mr Maude: Government Procurement Cards are a useful tool in helping Government to transact in the purchase of low cost goods and services and are particularly helpful in supporting our use of SMEs. They enable purchasers to streamline ordering processes, for example removing the need to raise a purchase order, and ensure that the Government meet their prompt payment initiatives.
Recently I commissioned the Government's chief procurement officer to review the usage of these payment cards and deliver a common policy supported by standardised reporting across central Government. We are now working with each of the card providers to provide a consistent method of reporting government procurement card spend data for transactions above £500 in value, so this is available for publication on/via departmental websites, from the end of September 2011.
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Statistics: Prices and Inflation
Mr Dodds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which official statistics relating to prices and inflation will be measured by the (a) retail prices index and (b) consumer prices index in future. [63896]
Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply.
The retail prices index (RPI) and consumer prices index (CPI) are not measures of official statistics, but are headline measures of price inflation.
In December 2003, the Government announced that the inflation target would be based on the CPI rather than the retail prices index excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX).
In June 2010 the Government announced that from April 2011 the consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI) will be used for the indexation of all benefits, tax credits and public service pensions.
Budget 2011 announced that from April 2012 the default indexation assumption for direct taxes will switch from the RPl to the CPI. To ensure employers and older people do not lose out, the annual increases in the employer national insurance contributions threshold, and the age-related allowance and other thresholds for older people, will be over-indexed compared to the CPI, and will increase by the equivalent of the RPl. The personal allowance will increase from 2013-14 by at least the equivalent of the RPl, until the Government's goal of increasing the personal allowance to £10,000 is achieved.
The default indexation assumption for indirect taxes and index-linked gilts is currently RPl. The Government expect to undertake a formal consultation on the issuance of CPI-linked gilts in 2011-12. The Government will also review the use of the CPI for indirect taxes once their fiscal consolidation plans have been implemented and the duty increases they inherited from the previous Government have come to an end.