Bovine Tuberculosis
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the number of incidents of bovine tuberculosis in (a) each local authority area in England and (b) each parliamentary constituency in England in each of the last five years. [66379]
Mr Paice: We are not able to provide figures by local authority area and parliamentary constituency, as figures are not broken down by these areas. TB statistics covering the last five years and including new herd incidents and numbers of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB control measures are given by county on the DEFRA website at:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/stats/county.htm
Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the cattle slaughtered during (a) 2009 and (b) 2010 as a result of bovine tuberculosis testing subsequently proved to be negative for the disease. [64482]
Mr Paice: Number of cattle slaughtered as skin and interferon gamma test TB reactors in England:
2009: 24,500
2010: 24,213.
All TB reactors are regarded as infected and European and national legislation require all such animals to be slaughtered. Those cattle are then subject to post mortem examination and a proportion of them will also be sampled for laboratory culture, but this is not to prove or disprove the disease status of the animal. The primary purpose of post mortem and bacteriological culture of TB test reactors is to assess the severity of infection and identify the strain of the causative bacterium—this is useful for epidemiological investigations and helps to support subsequent outbreak control efforts. TB is a chronic and insidious infectious disease with potentially long incubation periods. In the early stages of this disease it is often not possible to see lesions with the naked eye, and due to the fastidious nature of the TB bacterium (which may be present in low numbers in the affected organs) it is not always possible to culture it from tissue samples. It is therefore wrong to consider all TB reactors that fail to disclose evidence of infection in the slaughterhouse or in the laboratory as being ‘false positives’ or ‘negative for the disease’.
Mr Bain:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of scientific advice on the effectiveness of a
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badger cull in reducing rates of bovine tuberculosis in England. [66361]
Mr Paice: The results of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) showed that badger culling, when done on a sufficient scale in a widespread, co-ordinated and efficient way, and over a sustained period of time, would reduce the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in high incidence areas.
The evidence base on the effects of culling badgers on TB incidence in cattle was recently assessed at a meeting between DEFRA’s chief scientific adviser, chief veterinary officer and a panel of independent experts. The key conclusions from this meeting, which includes the most up to date results of the ongoing post-RBCT analysis were recently published on the DEFRA website at
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/documents/bovinetb-scientificexperts-110404.pdf
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date she expects the oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers to be available; and if she will make a statement. [67019]
Mr Paice: An oral badger vaccine is in development but is still many years away. It is therefore not possible to say with any certainty if and when an oral badger vaccine might be available for use in the field.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial support her Department plans to provide towards research and development of vaccines against tuberculosis in (a) badgers and (b) cattle in each of the next four financial years. [66376]
Mr Paice: Over the next four years there is a suite of research projects under way with many reaching their specified conclusion date in 2014-15. We are currently considering options for the scale and nature of successor projects, and accordingly the figures set out below reflect the costs associated with projects currently under way.
| £ million | ||
|
|
Badger vaccines | Cattle vaccine and associated diagnostics: |
Further projects may also be commissioned which could alter these estimated amounts, especially in the later years.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial support her Department has provided for research and development of vaccines against tuberculosis in (a) badgers and (b) cattle in each of the last five financial years. [66377]
Mr Paice: Over the last five years, DEFRA has spent the below amounts on cattle and badger vaccines research and development:
20 July 2011 : Column 1077W
| £ million | ||
|
|
Cattle vaccine and associated diagnostics | Badger vaccines (including injectable and oral vaccines) |
Carbon Emissions: Business
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) of 27 October 2010, Official Report, column 319W, when she plans to announce her decision on whether to introduce the mandatory reporting of carbon dioxide emissions by UK listed companies; and if she will make a statement. [65730]
Mr Paice: We will announce a decision on the corporate reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in the autumn.
Carbon Emissions: Cattle
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department is supporting on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. [64368]
Mr Paice:
The Government, in partnership with the devolved Administrations, have invested £12.6 million over a four and half year period to improve the Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Inventory R and D Platform. Through a series of projects, including improving the accuracy of calculating greenhouse gas emissions produced from cattle, this research will strengthen our understanding
20 July 2011 : Column 1078W
of emissions produced on farm and better capture the positive actions that farmers are currently taking.
DEFRA has recently supported research at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and Reading University on nutritional interventions to reduce methane emissions from cattle (Projects LS3656 and AC0209). This showed that feeding:
high-sugar grass could reduce an animal's methane emissions by 20%;
crushed rapeseed could reduce methane production per dairy cow by 15% and methane per litre of milk by 20%.
The research also suggests farmers can reduce GHGs by increasing milk yield, avoiding overfeeding animals with food high in nitrogen, feeding animals once a day and increasing dietary starch and oil.
In partnership with industry, DEFRA is funding research (Projects LK686 and LK687) on genetic improvement of perennial ryegrass and red/white clover to increase nitrogen-use efficiency in the rumen and reduce N-losses from pastures and silo.
Crops: Droughts
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what programmes to develop drought-resistant or tolerant crops are being funded by her Department. [66240]
Mr Paice: DEFRA funds research on the impact of water shortages on farming through the Farming and Food Science Sustainable Water Management R and D programme, which includes research and development to develop crop varieties with improved water-use efficiency. These projects are shown in the following table.
DEFRA also funds broader Crop Genetic Improvement Networks (on cereals, oilseed rape, pulses, vegetables, grasses, biomass crops) which deliver tools and knowledge to underpin plant breeding and the development of varieties with improved performance such as efficient use of water and nutrients.
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20 July 2011 : Column 1080W
|
OREGIN - Pre-breeding research to support climate change adaptation and reduction of the environmental footprint of oilseed rape |
||
|
Exploiting novel genes to improve resource use efficiency in wheat |
Dairy Farming
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effects on the dairy sector of the implementation of the provisions of the draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill. [67499]
Mr Paice: The Groceries Code Adjudicator will monitor and enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). This Code covers relationships between direct suppliers to retailers and their customers. Therefore, in the dairy sector we expect that the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill will ensure fair relationships and greater certainty for processors of raw milk.
Although the GSCOP does not apply to indirect suppliers and will not normally provide for the relationship between dairy farmers and processors, the Adjudicator will be able to receive complaints from indirect suppliers. This will allow concerns from milk producers to be investigated where the Adjudicator sees potential breaches of the Code which affect dairy farmers.
Departmental Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations her Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation for those affected were in each case. [60335]
Mr Paice: The Department made the following 31 statutory instruments between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011:
1. The Poultry Health Scheme (Fees) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1194)
2. The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1135)
3. The Veterinary Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1116)
4. The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/988)
5. The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/981)
6. The Marine Licensing (Notice Appeals) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/936)
7. The Marine Licensing (Licence Application Appeals) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/934)
8. The British Waterways Board (Kennet and Avon Canal) (Reclassification) Order 2011 (SI 2011/889)
9. The Animal By-products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/881)
10. The Sea Fishing (Penalty Notices) (England) Order 2011 (SI 2011/758)
11. The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/735)
12 The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/715)
13. The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (England) Order 2011 (SI 2011/714)
14. The Flood Risk Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee (England) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/697)
15. The Environment Agency (Levies) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/696)
16. The Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/695)
17. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/694)
18. The Marine Licensing (Delegation of Functions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/627)
19. The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/625)
20. The Marine and Costal Access Act 2009 (Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/603)
21. The Marine Licensing (Application Fees) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/564)
22. The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/464)
23. The Seed Marketing Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/463)
24. The Bovine Semen (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/454)
25. The Poultrymeat (England) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/452)
26. The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2001/451)
27. The Marine Licensing (Register of Licensing Information) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/424)
28. The Petroleum Act 1998 (Specified Pipelines) Order 2011 (SI 2011/423)
29. The Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011 (SI 2011/409)
30. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/405)
31. The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2011 (SI 2011/177)
Information on the equivalent annual net cost to business of domestic regulations introduced 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 of DEFRA regulations was an equivalent annual net saving to business of £28,000.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regulations (1) her Department has introduced (a) in the six months prior to 1 September 2010 and (b) in the six months after 1 September 2010 which it has determined do not impose costs on businesses; [65310]
(2) that impose costs on businesses her Department has (a) introduced and (b) removed since 1 September 2010; what the net effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was; and what regulations have been excluded from the one-in one-out system because they address (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic financial risks since 1 September 2010; [65327]
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(3) that impose costs on businesses her Department (a) introduced and (b) removed in the six months prior to 1 September 2010; and what the net effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was. [65343]
Mr Paice: The one-in, one-out regulatory management system, although announced in September, did not come into force till January 2011.
DEFRA does not hold information on the net cost to business of regulations introduced or removed prior to 1 September 2010. Such information was not collected routinely at that time and the cost of compiling it would be disproportionate.
A list of regulatory measures introduced or removed in the first half of 2011 can be found in the Statement of New Regulation in the Libraries of the House.
There have been no DEFRA regulations excluded from the one-in, one-out system because they address (i) emergencies and (ii) systemic financial risks since 1 September 2010.
In the six months after 1 September 2010, the following five regulations were introduced which do not impose costs on businesses:
1. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2011 (SI 2011/95)
2. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (SI 2011/694)
3. The Sea Fishing (Penalty Notices) (England) Order 2011 (SI 2011/758)
4. The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/464)
5. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2011.
Dogs
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of molosser dogs in the UK. [64642]
Mr Paice: No such estimate has been made by DEFRA.
EU Grants and Loans
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with the European Commission on the matching criteria for Leader funding. [67279]
Mr Paice: Officials have had discussions in the European Commission's Rural Development Committee on revised guidance on the management of the Leader approach, which includes some potential simplifications. There have been no specific discussions on match funding. Officials are now assessing the implications of the proposed changes to the guidance and will be discussing these with local action groups.
Julian Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements
20 July 2011 : Column 1082W
her Department has in place for the transition of Leader funding applications from regional development agencies to her Department from 1 July 2011. [67291]
Mr Paice: Management of the Leader approach and the ongoing Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) delivery functions transferred from the regional development agencies to DEFRA on 1 July. DEFRA RDPE delivery teams are in touch with local action groups to ensure a smooth transition to the new delivery arrangements that minimises disruption to customers and maintains the momentum of expenditure to improve agricultural competitiveness and support rural businesses and rural communities.
Food Supply
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings she has had with ministerial colleagues to discuss threats to UK food security. [66106]
Mr Paice: In working towards our commitment to address the issue of food security, DEFRA's ministerial team have taken many opportunities to raise our food security agenda with ministerial colleagues. We discuss this issue at Cabinet and other regular ministerial meetings.
DEFRA officials also regularly discuss food security and specific issues with their counterparts in other Government Departments.
Food: Exports
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the elimination of export bans of foodstuffs. [63806]
Mr Paice: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made on 28 June 2011, Official Report, column 44WS, by the Secretary of State about the recent meeting of G20 agricultural Ministers.
Forestry Commission: Manpower
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Forestry Commission staff at each payband work in its offices at (a) Coleford, (b) Mamhead, (c) Wendover, (d) Bedgebury, (e) Sherwood, (f) Market Rasen, (g) Tangham, (h) Fineshade, (i) Rothbury, (j) Hamsterley, (k) Wheldrake, (l) Peil Wyke, (m) Delamere, (n) Ludlow, (o) Clifton Moor, (p) Dunsop Bridge, (q) Bourne Wood, (r) Silverstone, (s) Bentley and (t) Bellever. [67212]
Mr Paice [holding answer 20 July 2011]: The following table gives details by pay band of staff who are employed by Forestry Commission England and are based at each of the office locations listed. Many staff spend a considerable amount of their time away from these bases on operational activities, however, for example looking after the public forest estate or delivering Forestry Commission England’s grants and regulatory activities.
20 July 2011 : Column 1083W
20 July 2011 : Column 1084W
| Forestry commission pay band | ||||||||||
|
|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5(op) | 6a | 6a(op) | 6b | 7 |
| (1) Closed in May 2011 (2) Closed in April 2011 (3) No staff based at this location | ||||||||||
Land: Contamination
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds her Department has received under Heading 1 of the EU Budget in respect of the decontamination of brownfield sites in the latest period for which figures are available; and when she expects further such funds to be received. [64246]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply as the Minister responsible for the relevant EU Budget Heading—1b (which includes Structural and Cohesion Funds, the main programme which supports the decontamination of brownfield land). The information is drawn from reported action under Code 50 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)—“Rehabilitation of industrial sites and contaminated land”.
As at 30 June 2011, the UK had contracted to pay a total of £41,958,337 (30 June Euro to £ sterling conversion rate) during the budget period 2007 to 2013. Further payments could be made during the current budget period, subject to the eligibility of specific projects.
Rural Development Programme: Yorkshire and the Humber
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place to ensure the use of funding available to Yorkshire and the Humber under the Rural Development Programme for England. [67289]
Mr Paice: We are currently reviewing the budgets for future years of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) as part of the move to a more nationally consistent approach to delivery for the rest of the programme, and it is our intention that available budgets for Axes 1, 3 and 4 of the programme should be fully utilised. The Yorkshire and the Humber region's RDPE resource allocation for 2011-12 is £12.35 million.
Stray Dogs
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities in England are under a statutory requirement to provide a stray dog service. [64137]
Mr Paice: Under sections 149 and 150 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities in England and Wales have a duty to provide a service to collect stray dogs. Under the 1990 Act local authorities that have this duty are all district councils, all London borough councils, the common council of the City of London and the council of the Isles of Scilly.
Trees: Disease Control
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has taken in response to infestations of trees and woodlands; what measures have been taken in relation to outbreaks of oak processionary moth; and what measures have been taken in relation to trees in the Ealing ward of Hanger Hill. [65185]
Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith) on 7 July 2010, Official Report, column 283W.
The Forestry Commission has powers to control pests under the Plant Heath (Forestry) Act 2005. The Forestry Commission is also working with the Food and Environment Research Agency on a proposal for oak
20 July 2011 : Column 1085W
processionary moth to be listed as a quarantine pest under European plant health legislation. While this proposal is being considered, our national measures remain in force.
The strategy to deal with oak processionary moth has moved from eradication to one of containment in the west London outbreak area. This is because the moth is now established in mature trees where it is no longer feasible to locate and destroy the pest effectively. A 10km buffer zone has been set up outside the outbreak area within which regular surveys will be conducted and statutory control notices will ensure that any new infestations are eradicated.
The Ealing Ward of Hanger Hill now lies within the containment zone.
Wildlife: Circuses
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) options she has considered and (b) steps she plans to take to give effect to the resolution of the House of 23 June 2011 on wild animals and circuses. [66002]
Mr Paice: The Government will listen to the view of the House of Commons and is sympathetic to the motion for a ban, agreed to on 23 June 2011. We will continue to look carefully at how this could be introduced: there are legal difficulties that we cannot ignore but which we are continuing to explore.
Given that a ban is not an immediate possibility, we will proceed with the licensing regime described below, which will stop circuses from using wild animals unless they provide appropriate welfare standards. In the meantime, circus animals, like most animals under the control of man, are protected from unnecessary suffering and poor welfare by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The licensing regime will lay down appropriate standards to protect the welfare of the 39 (approximately) animals in circuses in the UK. This means we will be able to act quickly to tackle those circuses that fail to maintain appropriate welfare standards for each animal. A full public consultation exercise on the proposed regulations will be carried out shortly.
Any circuses in England that wish to have wild animals such as tigers, lions and elephants performing in them will need to demonstrate that they meet high animal welfare standards for each animal before they can be granted a licence to keep those animals. The licensing scheme will be enforced through inspections by Government-approved vets and it is our intention that the costs will be borne by the industry.
As this work is under way, we will continue to explore ways of overcoming the legal obstacles of introducing a ban of live animals in line with the resolution of the House of Commons.
Prime Minister
Andrew Coulson
John Cryer: To ask the Prime Minister which company conducted the background check on Mr Andy Coulson prior to his appointment as Director of Communications. [66230]
20 July 2011 : Column 1086W
The Prime Minister: A background check was conducted prior to Mr Coulson's appointment as Director of Communications to the Conservative Party in 2007. On appointment to the Civil Service, special advisers are security cleared to the appropriate level.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Prime Minister whether he or any member of his staff have had any discussions with Mr Andy Coulson regarding the evidence given by Mr Coulson in the case of Thomas Sheridan at Glasgow High Court in 2010. [67708]
The Prime Minister: The evidence Mr Coulson gave related to his former employment and is a matter for Mr Coulson.
Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister whether Mr Andrew Coulson made any declaration of conflict of interest under paragraph 15B of the Model Contract for Special Advisers. [67904]
Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister what period of notice Mr Andrew Coulson gave before he left employment in 10 Downing Street. [67905]
The Prime Minister: Mr Coulson notified me of his intention to leave. This was announced on 21 January 2011 and he left on 31 January 2011.
Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the level of compliance with paragraph 15E of the Model Contract for Special Advisers in the case of Mr Andrew Coulson. [67925]
The Prime Minister: Mr Coulson as a special adviser was bound by the requirements of the Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and I am not aware that anyone is suggesting that he did not act in accordance with those requirements.
Media Ownership
John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister on what date his Chief of Staff informed the Home Office about the alleged involvement of the News of the World with criminals. [67367]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 302-03.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether he has discussed News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport between 23 December 2010 and 12 July 2011; [67630]
(2) whether he discussed News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks at dinner on 23 December 2010; [67631]
(3) what assessment he has made of the compatibility with the Ministerial Code of his attendance at dinner with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks on 23 December 2010; [67632]
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(4) whether he notified the Cabinet Secretary of his intention to attend a dinner with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks on 23 December 2010; and if so what advice he received; [67633]
(5) whether his officials or advisers have discussed News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB with (a) the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, and (b) any of his officials or advisers between 23 December 2010 and 12 July 2011. [67634]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 February 2011, Official Report, column 885W, and to the list of proprietors, senior executives and editors of media organisations that I have met since the general election which was published on Friday 15 July 2011. This is available on the No. 10 website:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/new/pm-pubished-details-of-visitors-to-chequers/
I had no role in the BSkyB takeover nor did I seek to influence the decisions of the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt).
Departmental Responsibilities
Chris Ruane: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many meetings he has had with hon. Members of each political party since May 2010; [67159]
(2) if he will consider keeping data on the number of times he has declined a request for a meeting from an hon. Member of each political party. [67182]
The Prime Minister: I have meetings with hon. and right hon. Members of different parties on a range of subjects.
International Development
Democratic Republic of Congo: Females
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes funded by his Department support the empowerment of women in Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [66486]
Mr Duncan: Women and girls lie at the heart of DFID's Operational Plan for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are empowering women to play a stronger role in decisions affecting their lives. Our Community Recovery programme, for example, has increased the elected representation of women on village decision-making committees from almost zero to 27%. We are also supporting efforts to ensure that women play a full and influential part in upcoming national elections.
We are also seeking real results for women and girls in our support to education, where we plan to get 225,000 more girls into primary school and reduce dropout rates from 8% to 5%. We are also making maternal and reproductive health services available to hundreds of thousands of women, including meeting the contraceptive needs of some 235,000 women and
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girls and reducing the risks of childbirth by ensuring that more than 100,000 births a year are attended by skilled health personnel. At least 8.5 million women and children will be protected from malaria over the next few years as a result of our funding of a mass distribution programme for insecticide-treated bed nets.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from his Department in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2011. [66752]
Mr Duncan: The carbon emissions resulting from energy use in the Department for International Development's UK estate for June 2010 was 286 tonnes. The corresponding figure for June 2011 was 214 tonnes.
Overseas Representation
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries his Department has a permanent presence. [67094]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has a permanent presence in the following countries:
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Brazil
Burma
Burundi
China
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
France
Gambia
Ghana
Guyana
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Italy
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Liberia
Malawi
Montserrat
Mozambique
Nepal
Nigeria
Occupied Palestine Territory
Pakistan
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
South Africa
20 July 2011 : Column 1089W
South Sudan
St Helena
Sudan
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe.
The list includes countries where DFID has a small permanent representation within international development institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank and European Union.
Departmental Lost Property
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what property has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost of replacement was. [66566]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development's (DFID) central records show the following items were reported as either lost or stolen, together with estimated replacement costs, in the year ended 31 March 2011:
| Items | Number of items | Total estimated replacement cost (£) |
Of the items reported as lost or stolen one laptop was identified as being stolen from Palace Street and one vehicle was taken from an overseas office location. The remaining items were all identified as being lost or stolen out of office hours and away from DFID premises.
The Department has policies in place requiring all instances of lost or stolen items to be thoroughly investigated.
Departmental Responsibilities
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings he has had with hon. Members of each political party since May 2010. [67162]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) is unable to provide this information without incurring disproportionate costs. My Ministers and I regularly meet MPs of all parties to discuss DFID-related issues on which they have a concern or interest.
Chris Ruane:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will consider keeping data on the number of times (a) he and (b) officials of
20 July 2011 : Column 1090W
his Department have declined a request for a meeting from an hon. Member of each political party. [67185]
I will not consider keeping data on the number of times DFID officials have declined a meeting with hon. Members of political parties as, in normal business, I would expect hon. Members to contact Ministers, rather than officials.
Developing Countries: Cotton
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the statement on cotton issued by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States on 27 January 2010. [52209]
Mr O'Brien: The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group made a statement on 27 January 2011 calling for an early resolution to the issue of cotton subsidies in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The UK Government fully support the ACP Group position.
The UK Government are at the forefront of countries pushing for the removal of cotton subsidies as part of the Doha Development Agenda. We have and will continue to lobby the US bilaterally to remove their cotton subsidies.
National Security Council
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings he has had with the National Security Adviser since the creation of the National Security Council. [67325]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I meet regularly with the National Security Adviser.
Overseas Aid
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received on placing his Department's budget on a statutory footing. [66507]
Mr Duncan: We have not received any representations regarding placing the budget of the Department for International Development on a statutory footing.
We have received a number of representations regarding the coalition Government's commitment to enshrine the commitment to spend 0.7% of national income as official development assistance from 2013 onwards. As the Prime Minister has made clear, the Government intend to place that commitment on to a statutory footing as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows.
Pakistan: Overseas Aid
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid he plans to give to Pakistan in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14. [67323]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
The amount of aid the Department for International Development (DFID) plans to give to Pakistan over the coming years is set out in the DFID
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Pakistan Operational Plan 2011-15. This increased support will be linked to the Government of Pakistan's own progress on reform.
|
|
Resource (£000) |
UN Women: Finance
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 348W, on UN Women, if he will consider increasing the annual contribution of his Department to UN Women to £40 million of core funding for each of the next two years in order to ensure the effectiveness of the agency's work. [67402]
Transport
Akhona Geveza
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has taken steps to investigate the death of the maritime cadet Akhona Geveza on the UK-registered vessel Safmarine Kariba on 24 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [63962]
Mike Penning: The Croatian authorities undertook an investigation into the death of the South African cadet as the body was found in Croatian waters.
The DFT and MCA have liaised with South African officials on a number of occasions; however, the Department has no jurisdiction to launch a separate formal investigation into the case.
Departmental Photographs
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on ministerial (a) photoshoots and (b) videos since May 2010. [67627]
Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The information is as follows:
(a)£550.00 has been spent by the central Department on ministerial photoshoots/photographs. This all relates to photos which had been pre-arranged to be taken of the new ministerial team in May 2010. Such practices have been discontinued.
The Highways Agency spent an additional £400.00.
(b) The Department has two in-house staff responsible for video output for the Department and its Agencies, which includes production of ministerial videos as well as training and other (internal) purposes. Their use allows ministerial speeches to be provided remotely, which both supports the Department’s promotion of the alternatives to travel concept, and saves considerable money on travel costs.
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External costs for the hire of specialist equipment for the production of videos in which Ministers appeared was £6,987.70.
All figures quoted are exclusive of VAT.
Departmental Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many procurement contracts his Department has awarded to small businesses since May 2010. [67229]
Norman Baker: My Department has awarded 145 procurement contracts to small businesses since May 2010, where a small business is defined as one having fewer than 250 employees.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what strategic framework his Department has developed for the delivery of its core functions during the comprehensive spending review period. [59724]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport's strategic priorities are clearly set out in our business plan, a refreshed version of which was published in May. As the plan sets out, our strategy is to deliver a transport system that is an engine for economic growth but one that is also increasingly de-carbonised. The priorities set out in the plan include targeted investments and initiatives to improve transport links, address congestion and stimulate green growth. They will be delivered by devolving power wherever possible, making our networks (including the railway) more efficient and looking for every opportunity to use de-regulatory means to achieve our goals.
Exports: Biofuels
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will commission research to examine the UK's capacity to export biofuel overseas; and if he will make a statement. [56686]
Norman Baker [holding answer 24 May 2011]:The Department for Transport will continue to monitor the impact of the renewable transport fuels obligation on the UK biofuels market and UK business.
Additionally, annual statistics on commodity balances for renewables and waste are published by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The statistics include export and import values for liquid biofuels. The DECC data are available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/renewables/renewables.aspx
(Renewables and waste: commodity balances (DUKES 7.1-7.3))
UK biofuels production data (2009) can be found in the UK Biofuels production abstract, on the following website:
https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/welcome-to-the-restats-web-site/
The 2010 data will be available on 28 July 2011.
20 July 2011 : Column 1093W
Freight
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of trends in modal shift between road freight and rail freight (a) in each year since the introduction of the Mode Shift Revenue Support Grant and (b) in the 10 preceding years. [67423]
Mike Penning: The information is as follows:
(a) No assessment has been made of trends in modal shift between road freight and rail freight since the introduction of the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme in April 2010. We intend to conduct an assessment when sufficient data are available to detect any shift in trend.
(b) Data on domestic freight transport by mode is compiled annually. Data on the 10 years to 2009 are available in Table 4.1 of “Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2010”
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/tsgb/index.html
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Mode Shift Revenue Support Grant in encouraging modal shift of freight. [67424]
Mike Penning: An assessment of the estimated number of lorry journeys removed and the benefits this has delivered has been undertaken for the first full year of the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme. This indicates that over 900,000 lorry journeys were removed from Britain's roads as a result of MSRS grant support in the 12 months to 31 March 2011. Approximately 130,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions were thus avoided.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the implications of the findings of the report on the productive use of rail travel time and value of travel time saving for travellers in the course of work commissioned by his Department for the High Speed 2 project. [64063]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 5 July 2011]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given her today (UIN 62769).
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had on the construction of (a) stations, (b) trains and (c) track for the High Speed 2 network; and which companies have indicated an interest in bidding for each project. [64777]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 11 July 2011]: No such discussions have taken place. As the Department is currently consulting the public on the principle of High Speed Two (HS2) and is yet to seek powers from Parliament, it would be inappropriate at this stage to conduct discussions, or to receive expressions of interest, of a commercial nature about the construction of stations or the procurement of trains or track for HS2.
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Liverpool Cruise Terminal
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the consultation document on the proposal to remove objections to lifting a grant condition regarding the use of the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal published on 7 July 2011, whether he assessed the value for money of the proposed partial repayment of public funds; and if he will make a statement. [66211]
Mike Penning: This proposal reflects a judgment that weighs the prospective benefits from extending the use of the terminal, together with partial repayment of grant, against considerations of fair competition with other terminals. The local and regional benefits, for which the grants were originally paid, could increase if turnaround use is allowed. The consultation is an opportunity for anyone to express views on this.
Ministerial Meetings
Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department had with Mr Andy Coulson (A) between 12 May 2010 and 21 January 2011 and (B) since 22 January 2011; [66777]
(2) what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department have attended which were also attended by (A) representatives, (B) journalists and (C) other employees of (1) News Corporation and its subsidiary organisations and (2) BSkyB since his appointment. [66813]
Norman Baker: As has been the practice of previous Administrations information relating to internal meetings, discussions and advice is not normally disclosed.
I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House of the 13 July 2011, Official Report, columns 311-14.
Ports
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the EU Transport Commissioner on the harmonisation of port entry and clearance formalities across the EU. [63969]
Mike Penning: Officials from the Department are involved in regular discussions, together with their counterparts in other members states, with the European Commission on the implementation of Directive 2010/65/EU on reporting formalities for ships calling at/departing from ports in the EU.
There have been no direct discussions with the EU Transport Commissioner on the matter of harmonisation of port entry and clearance formalities.
The Department will continue to work closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the UK Border Agency and HM Revenue and Customs on implementation.
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Ports: Railways
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work his Department has undertaken on improving intermodal connectivity between deep-sea ports and the rail freight network. [67462]
Mike Penning [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Department for Transport has not carried out any such work. The main studies on this topic have been Network Rail’s route utilisation strategies. These have managed capability gaps on the rail network in respect of a number of markets including the rail haulage of deep-sea intermodal containers. The Department has funded a number of recommended interventions as part of its policy of developing a strategic freight network.
Major port expansions may require the developers (as for example in the case of Felixstowe South) to enter into obligations to increase rail capability so as to facilitate a sufficient rail share and to avoid detriment to existing rail users.
Railways
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the report on The productive use of rail travel time and value of travel time saving for travellers in the course of work commissioned by his Department. [62769]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 28 June 2011]: Officials have considered the study “Productive Use of Rail Travel Time and the Valuation of Travel Time Savings for Rail Business Travellers” but no formal evaluation of it has been carried out. The study only provides a partial analysis of the complex issues regarding the productive use of travel time and further primary research would be required before a full assessment of the findings could be undertaken. The Department is considering whether further research on this would be justified and is assessing options for taking it forward.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether his Department is taking steps to implement the recommendation of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study that train operating companies should be liable to pay penalties for exceeding overcrowding limits; [67760]
(2) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study, what progress his Department has made on developing a high-level framework for rail asset management to reduce costs associated with the rail network; [67761]
(3) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study, whether he plans to introduce legislative proposals to give Network Rail statutory powers to acquire temporary or permanent interests in land owned by third parties; [67762]
(4) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study, what plans he has to improve the rail network’s asset condition monitoring; [67764]
(5) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money
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Study, if his Department will produce a best-practice framework for major whole-system programmes in the rail network. [67765]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has received Sir Roy McNulty’s final report on the value for money of the railway. The Department will be working closely with the Office of Rail Regulation and the rail industry over the next few months to analyse Sir Roy’s recommendations and to agree proposals for the reform of the industry. The Government are committed to publishing their proposals for the future of the rail industry before the end of the year.
Railways: Disability
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made towards implementing the Technical Specification for Interoperability for Persons of Reduced Mobility on (a) existing and (b) future rail carriages. [67748]
Norman Baker: The Technical Specification for Interoperability for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM TSI) is the pan-European accessibility standard that has applied to contracts for new trains of a new design, and major refurbishment of existing trains, signed after 30 June 2008 (or, for orders of new trains to existing designs, since 1 January 2010).
It replaced, for heavy rail, the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR)—which are similar domestic access standards that have been in place since 1998.
Over 6,600 vehicles are in service which comply with one of the two access standards. Further details can be found here:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/transportforyou-access-rail-vehicles-pubs-rva/accessibilitystandards.xls
All future train fleets, such as IEP, Thameslink and Crossrail, will comply with the PRM TSI. Meanwhile, the law requires all rail vehicles to be accessible by 1 January 2020.
Railways: Fares
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the affordability of regulated rail fares following the introduction of the RPI plus 3% formula. [65359]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 11 July 2011]: A distributional analysis of the impact of rail fare increases was conducted during the spending review and used to inform Department for Transport and Treasury decisions on spending review outcomes.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on whether ticket machines offer all tickets offered for sale by train operating companies, including the cheapest available for travel. [65397]
Mrs Villiers:
No research has been commissioned recently but the studies undertaken by Passenger Focus (including those undertaken in conjunction with train operators) have informed discussions at all levels, including the independent McNulty Value for Money study. The
20 July 2011 : Column 1097W
industry needs to improve its ticket machines and to ensure that passengers are properly informed about the ticket choices available. We will continue to challenge the industry to do that including through our fares review and the White Paper on the future of the rail industry which we intend to publish in November.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study, whether he plans to work with Transport for London on improving interaction between the national rail fare system and the London travelcard area; [67756]
(2) with reference to the recommendations of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study, whether he plans to give the Office of Rail Regulation a role in rail fare regulation; [67758]
(3) whether his Department is taking steps to implement the recommendation of the final independent report of the Rail Value for Money Study that train operating companies should be allowed to (a) end the distinction between commuter fares and protected fares and (b) widen the rail fares basket. [67759]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport will be working closely with the relevant stakeholders over the next few months to analyse Sir Roy's recommendations and to agree proposals for the reform of the industry.
As a first step towards a fairer and more effective system of fares and ticketing, the Government will also carry out a fares review, and are currently considering the terms of reference, scope and timetable for this work, including the appropriate form of consultation.
Railways: Planning Permission
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what process will be followed to transfer planning applications affecting the rail network under consideration by the Infrastructure Planning Commission to other bodies after its abolition. [67420]
Mrs Villiers: The Localism Bill includes a power of direction to allow the Secretary of State for Transport to transfer applications on a case by case basis at the point of the Infrastructure Planning Commission's abolition.
Railways: Standards
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the data on train punctuality over each relevant period submitted to his Department by each train operating company participating in the right-time railway initiative. [61281]
Norman Baker: The Public Performance Measure data for train operating companies submitted to the Department for Transport are already published on the Network Rail website at:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/742.aspx
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Rolling Stock: Procurement
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to the public purse was of (a) staff and (b) external consultants involved in rolling stock procurement in each year since 2004. [67524]
Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: I regret that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials responsible for rolling stock procurement have received a salary greater than that of the Prime Minister in each year since 2004. [67525]
Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Department for Transport had one official responsible for rolling stock procurement over the period in question who received a salary greater than the Prime Minister between 2005 and January 2011. This official left the Department in January 2011 as part of the spending review.
No officials responsible for rolling stock procurement received a salary greater than the Prime Minister in 2004.
Severn River Crossings: Tolls
Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to end tolls on the Severn Crossings. [67072]
Mike Penning: It has been standard practice to toll all major crossings in the UK since 1945. However, no decisions have yet been made on the future of the Severn Crossing once the existing concession ends in 2017.
Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date bidders for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project submitted their final prices. [65252]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 11 July 2011]: Final prices were received in bidders' responses on 12 January 2011.
Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any additional criteria were added to assess (a) bidders and (b) bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project between 31 April 2008 and the announcement of preferred bidders in June 2011. [65420]
Mrs Villiers: No additional criteria were added to assess the accreditation of bidders or the evaluation of bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project since 30 April 2008.
Michael Dugher:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes to the weighting of criteria for the assessment of (a) bidders and (b) bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project were made between
20 July 2011 : Column 1099W
31 April 2008 and the announcement of preferred bidder in June 2011; at what stage such changes were made; and for what reasons. [65421]
Mrs Villiers: No changes were made to the weighting of criteria for the accreditation of bidders or for the evaluation of bids for the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project since 30 April 2008.
Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on consultants to evaluate the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project to date. [65441]
Mrs Villiers: From May 2008, the Department has spent approximately £13.1 million (exc VAT) to date on specialist consultants and advisers to evaluate the Thameslink Rolling Stock project. This resource has included financial, procurement, technical, legal, planning and other specialist advice required to deliver the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project which is one of the largest rolling stock orders in the country.
Of this figure, £5.3 million has been spent since May 2010.
Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he requested changes to the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project following the review which he reported to the House on 25 November 2010. [65474]
Mrs Villiers: The Government conducted a major project review during June/July 2010 which included a review of the Thameslink programme. The aims of the review were to assess:
the financial savings achievable by the project in 2010-11 and beyond;
the likelihood of successful delivery of savings and project aims.
No changes were made to the Thameslink Rolling Stock project as a result of this review. The evaluation criteria set by the previous Government binds the current Administration.
Thameslink: Contracts
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department assessed the effect on Bombardier's ability to (a) complete existing orders and (b) bid for future new contracts of his decision on the award of the Thameslink contract. [65893]
Mrs Villiers: Neither Bombardier's ability to complete existing orders nor their ability to bid for future contracts were in the evaluation criteria specified in the Invitation to Tender.
However, the pre-qualification assessment of all potential bidders included an assessment of the applicants' manufacturing capacity, identifying that which is committed to other orders; and details of how the applicant manages their order book to ensure that actual and potential orders can be scheduled into production plans.
20 July 2011 : Column 1100W
Third Sector
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the name is of each charity and voluntary organisation Ministers in his Department have visited since 12 May 2010. [67629]
Norman Baker [holding answer 19 July 2011]: The Department does not hold the information in the form requested, nor could it be obtained other than at disproportionate cost.
Communities and Local Government
AssetCo: Contracts
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the monetary value is of each contract his Department holds with AssetCo or its subsidiaries. [67271]
Robert Neill [holding answer 19 July 2011]: My Department holds no contracts with AssetCo or its subsidiaries.
Audit Commission: Expenditure
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase of 31 January 2011, Official Report, column 526W, on the Audit Commission: expenditure, what the (a) date, (b) venue and (c) cost to the public purse has been of each Audit Commission Alumni event. [67695]
Robert Neill [holding answer 19 July 2011]: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 20 July 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
The Audit Commission set up its alumni group in 2008 to keep in touch with colleagues who had left the Commission, either on retirement, or to move on to other organisations or industries. Due to the number of people registered to attend, the events were held at external venues in London.
Staff felt it was useful to keep these contacts, not only to network—the focus at two events were debates or lectures on public service issues relevant to the Commission’s work. However, the Commission’s Management Team did not feel that the benefits outweighed the cost, so the last event was held in May 2010.
The event held on (a) 4 November 2009 at (b) One Great George Street was the first event for current and former staff. The cost was (c) £3115.30, which included room hire, equipment hire and refreshments.
The second event was held on (a) 10 November 2009 at (b) the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It focused on a debate on Regulation and its Future, by Nick Timmins and Professor Sir Michael Barber, after which there followed a roundtable discussion led by Paul Kirby. The cost was (c) £4138.60, which included room hire, equipment hire and refreshments.
The final event, held on (a) 12 May 2010, was at (b) the Royal Horseguards. Mark Harris, the Chief Executive, National Lottery Commission gave a lecture about Regulation in Practice. The cost was (c) £4540.68, which included room hire, equipment hire and refreshments. The figure quoted in my letter of 31 January was the estimated rather than final cost.
20 July 2011 : Column 1101W
Audit Commission: Expenditure
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase of 1 February 2011, Official Report, column 740W, on the Audit Commission: expenditure, if he will place in the Library a copy of each bespoke photography image purchased for the launch and reporting of Comprehensive Area Assessment; what the name is of the photographers or associated company used; and what the cost to the public purse was of the Comprehensive Area Assessment photography work. [67656]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 20 July 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
The launch event for Comprehensive Area Assessment took place at St Martin in the Field on 7 December 2009 (under embargo for a 9 December launch). Thirty two photographic images were purchased by the Commission from the official photographer, Frank Noon at a total cost of £250. These photographs have been supplied to the House of Commons Library, as requested.
The main image used for the Oneplace website was purchased from photo library Getty Images at a cost of £439.99.
Big Stick photography took portraits at a cost of £1670 of all of the Commission's Comprehensive Area Assessment Leads who were responsible for coordinating and producing the local assessments. We also used Big Stick to take pictures to support our communication activity to explain CAA with public bodies. Other invoices were for a week's worth of work in Sunderland, at a cost of £2275.04, and on-site shoots in Stockport and London costing £1160.
Other costs related to CAA are £785 for images supplied by brand and image agency Fishburn Hedges (who developed the Oneplace brand); and £448 with Photofusion on three stock shots for the Oneplace National Overview Report. These can viewed on the Oneplace website:
http://oneplace.audit-commission.gov.uk/infobyarea/region/area/Pages/areaoverview.aspx?region=54&area=319
The images associated with each area page on the Oneplace site were supplied by a council in that area. These were free of charge. Other images in the website were around 100 stock images at varying cost. Some were free of charge, some will have been at a minimal cost of £2 each. To calculate the exact cost would take disproportionate time and cost.
In my response to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase of 1 February 2011, Official Report, column 740W, I said that the increase in expenditure in 2009/10 was due to the extra photography work associated with the launch and reporting of CAA. As well as the specific purchases listed above the Commission updated images in its general photo library during 2009/10 at an estimated cost of £7,200. These were used for a variety of purposes, including some associated with CAA. Disaggregating the costs and photographs between the different projects would be disproportionate in terms of both time and costs.
Therefore the cost to the public purse for the CAA photography work is estimated to be £7228.03, plus a proportion of the cost incurred for the updated images for the Commission's general photo library.
Council Tax
Mr Weir:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost to the public purse was, in real terms, of replacing (a) rates with the
20 July 2011 : Column 1102W
community charge and
(b)
the community charge with council tax. [65634]
Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to previous answers on the set up costs relating to (a) community charge and (b) council tax for Scotland dated 7 November 1996, Official Report, column 667, costs relating to (a) community charge in England dated 26 April 1989, Official Report, column 574 and costs relating to (b) council tax dated 5 November 1992, Official Report, column 3.
Departmental Publications
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library a list of publications issued by his Department in each of the last three years. [65704]
Robert Neill: This information can be found on my Department's website, using the publications search facility:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/publications/all/?view=Search+form
Gifts and Endowments
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what gifts valued below £140 Ministers in his Department received in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09. [61020]
Robert Neill: The receipt of gifts by Ministers is handled in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Code. Based on available records the following gifts valued below £140 were received in each of the years in question:
Book
Glass ornament
Paperweight
Scarf
Books
Crystal ornament
Glass bowl
Paperweight
Book
Letter opener
Pen
T-shirt
Trowel
Wallet
Government Procurement Card
Andrew Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 446W, on departmental official hospitality, which of the transactions under the heading of (a) restaurants and bars and (b) leisure activities in the Government
20 July 2011 : Column 1103W
Procurement Card transaction data of (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10 were made using cards held by the private office of each Minister in his Department. [61766]
20 July 2011 : Column 1104W
Robert Neill: The following transactions were made under the heading of ‘restaurants and bars’ and ‘leisure activities’ using cards held by ministerial private offices in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
| 2008-09 | ||||
| Transaction date | Merchant | Town | Spend category | Transaction amount (£) |