Police Custody: Death
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have died in police custody where the inquest verdict was (a) misadventure, (b) accidental death, (c) suicide, (d) manslaughter, (e) an open verdict, (f) unlawful killing and (g) natural causes since 1981; and in how many instances (i) no verdict was given and (ii) there was no inquest. [70378]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 8 September 2011]: The information requested is not held centrally or collated by the Home Office. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) compiles annual statistics on deaths or serious injuries during or following police contact, based on referrals from police forces. These statistics are published in its annual report. The most recent report can be found on the IPCC's website at:
http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/deathscustodystudy.aspx
Police: Bureaucracy
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2011, Official Report, column 663W, on police: bureaucracy, when the Reducing Bureaucracy Programme Board commenced its work; how many police forms have been standardised to date; and how many such forms are in use in all police forces. [70482]
Nick Herbert: The Reducing Bureaucracy Programme Board, chaired by Chief Constable Chris Sims, commenced its work in October 2010. The board is currently looking at the crime recording process, challenging forces to simplify their own practice. However, it is for individual forces to determine which recommendations to take forward. The board is currently evaluating the uptake of a number of its recommendations at a local level. This will be completed in October 2011.
Police: Conditions of Employment
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what police policy is on paying for private medical treatment for their officers and staff; whether her Department's approval is required for such payments; and if she will make a statement. [68302]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 5 September 2011]: It is for individual chief officers to decide whether to pay for private medical treatment for their officers. Home Office guidance says that this decision should be made on a case by case basis and should be justified by a strict cost benefit analysis. However, no approval is required from the Home Secretary.
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Police: Incentives
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will ask the Winsor Review to consider ending the payment of annual bonuses to senior police officers. [70164]
Nick Herbert: Tom Winsor's Part 1 report recommended that the Chief Officer Bonus Scheme be suspended for two years. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), referred recommendations about police officers' pay and conditions to the police negotiating machinery and that process is ongoing.
Tom Winsor's consultation for Part 2 of his review indicates that he will consider contribution-related pay further in his second report, on longer-term reforms.
Police: Manpower
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on the proportion of police budgets spent on (a) frontline police officers and (b) administrative staff in the most recent period for which figures are available. [69900]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 7 September 2011]: This information is not collected centrally.
Mr Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police community support officers there were in (a) South Tyneside area command, (b) North Tyneside area command, (c) the North East and (d) England and Wales in each year since their introduction; [70090]
(2) how many police officers there were in (a) South Tyneside area command, (b) North Tyneside area command, (c) the north-east and (d) England and Wales in each year since 1997. [70091]
Nick Herbert: Available information on police community support officers is given in tables 1 and 2 and for police officers in tables 2 and 3.
The latest published police personnel statistics relate to 31 March 2011 and were published in July 2011. They are available online at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1311/hosb1311?view=Binary
| Table 1: Police community support officer (1) strength (2) (FTE) (3) , South and North Tyneside basic command unit, 31 March 2007 to 31 March 2011 | |||||
| 31 March | |||||
|
|
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| (1) 2006-07 was the first year that police community support officer strength information by basic command unit was been collected centrally. (2) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. (3) Full-time equivalent includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. | |||||
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1141W
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1142W
| Table 2: Police community support officer strength (1) (FTE) (2) , north-e ast region and England and Wales, 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2011 | |||||||||
| 31 March | |||||||||
|
|
2003 | 2004 | 2005 (3) | 2006 (3) | 2007 (3) | 2008 (3) | 2009 (3) | 2010 (3) | 2011 (3) |
| (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. (2) Full-time equivalent includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (3) Strength figures as at 31 March 2005 onwards include those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Therefore these figures are not comparable with those provided for other years in the table. (4) The north-east region includes Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria police forces. Note: Police community support officers were introduced in statute in 2002, therefore data are not available prior to 2002-03 | |||||||||
| Table 3: Police officer strength (1) , South and North Tyneside basic command u nit (2) , 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2011 | |||||||||
| 31 March | |||||||||
|
|
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. (2 )Information on basic command units was not collected centrally prior to 2002-03. (3) North Tyneside BCU was formed after 2003-04. Data prior to this period are not available centrally. (4 )Not available. | |||||||||
| Table 4: Police officer (1) strength less those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave (comparable with previously published figures) (2) north-e ast region (3 ) and England and Wales, 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2011 | ||||||||
| 31 March | ||||||||
|
|
1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| 31 March | |||||||
|
|
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. (2) Comparable strength (excludes those on career breaks, or maternity/paternity leave). The Police Numbers Task Force (2001) recommended that a clear presentation was made of the numbers of staff employed by police forces including those seconded into the force and those on any type of long or short-term absence. These new calculations were first used in 2003, and are not comparable with data prior to March 2003. The data from 2003 onwards used here are termed comparable because they have been calculated on the old basis to allow comparison. (3) The north-east region includes Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria police forces. | |||||||
Police: Pay
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to ensure that police officers receive incremental pay increases comparable to employees in other public services; and if she will make a statement. [70695]
Nick Herbert: The Part 1 Report of the Independent Review of Police Officer and Staff Remuneration and Conditions recommended that police officers and all members of police staff below the top of their pay scale should be suspended at that increment for a two-year period commencing in September 2011.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), referred recommendations (including this one) about police officers' pay and conditions to the police negotiating machinery. She will consider the outcome of that process carefully before any decisions are made as to the implementation of the review's recommendations.
Prevent Funding
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she will be taking to review the balance between the three main areas of Prevent funding; and how she will communicate the outcomes of such reviews to Parliament. [70490]
James Brokenshire: The Prevent strategy identifies three main areas of funding: Policing and Domestic Prevent expenditure, both funded by the Home Office and Overseas Prevent expenditure, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In 2011-12, the Home Office has allocated approximately £36 million for policing and domestic Prevent activity, and the FCO has allocated approximately £10 million for overseas activity. As delivery of the new Prevent strategy progresses, the balance of funding will be reviewed to ensure it remains proportionate to the threats we face, is targeted to deliver Prevent objectives, reaches people who are most vulnerable to radicalisation and provides value for money. We will publish an annual report on our counter-terrorism work, which will include delivery of the Prevent strategy.
Prisoners’ Release
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the Serious and Organised Crime Agency altered the licence conditions of released prisoners in each year since 2006. [70062]
Nick Herbert:
The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) does not, and cannot, unilaterally alter the licence conditions of offenders released from prison as this is a matter for the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). However, SOCA works within a
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1143W
partnership agreement with NOMS to create additional and bespoke licence conditions to prevent organised criminals from reoffending upon release, in compliance with the European convention on human rights.
Under these arrangements, SOCA has, since 2006, requested the number of additional licence conditions set out as follows:
|
|
Number |
| (1) Including one on temporary release. | |
Terrorism
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. [70948]
Mrs May: The new Prevent strategy was published on 7 June 2011. It outlines three key objectives; responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism, supporting individuals at risk of radicalisation and working with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation.
Vetting
Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many enhanced disclosures have been made by the Criminal Records Bureau in each year since 2007. [71426]
Lynne Featherstone: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has issued almost 17 million enhanced certificates since January 2007, broken down as follows:
| Certificates issued | |
|
|
Number |
Violent and Sex Offender Register
Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the rate per thousand population is of registrations on the Violent and Sex Offender Register in each English county. [70317]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 7 September 2011]: ViSOR (previously known as the violent and sex offenders register) is a UK-wide computer database system used to store and share information and intelligence on individuals posing a risk of serious harm, including but not limited to registered sex offenders.
Data on the total number of registered sexual offenders per 100,000 head of population are published for each police force area within the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) annual report for that area.
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1144W
The reports for 2009-10 may be found on the Ministry of Justice website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/mappa-reports/index.htm
The MAPPA area annual reports for 2010-11 will be published on 27 October 2011.
West Midlands and Warwickshire Police Authorities
Mr Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget out-turn was of the (a) West Midlands police authority and (b) Warwickshire police authority in (i) cash and (ii) real terms in each year since 2005-06. [70354]
Nick Herbert: Information about the budget out-turn of Warwickshire and West Midlands police authorities is not collected centrally. However, these data are available on the respective police authorities’ websites.
Treasury
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department has made against the Government's timetable for compensation payments to Equitable Life policyholders. [71453]
Mr Hoban: Payments began on the 30 June. Hundreds of payments have been made to date and volumes will continue to be ramped up over the coming months as the scheme's complex payment processes are refined further.
Payments will continue in accordance with the profile set out at the spending review settlement—with £1 billion allocated to the scheme in the first three years of this spending review—and the Independent Commission on Equitable Life Payments' recommendations on the prioritisation of payments.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Equitable Life with-profits annuitants have been paid compensation to date. [71538]
Mr Hoban: Payments began on 30 June, and hundreds of payments have been made to date. Payment volumes will continue to be ramped up over the coming months as the schemes complex payment processes are refined further.
Payments are being made in accordance with the payments criteria set out in the scheme rules available at:
http://www.equitablelifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk/docs/pdfs/elps_main_doc_final.pdf
Defence
Air Force
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Order of Battle is of the Royal Air Force. [71101]
Nick Harvey: Order of Battle is not a term commonly applied by the Royal Air Force. The information in the following table is a current indication of the size and shape of the RAF:
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1145W
| Number of squadrons | Aircraft/Activity | Main RAF group responsible |
|
No Aircraft—AWC HQ trials and tactics, office based air exercise planning unit |
||
| (1) Joint Helicopter Command | ||
Air Force: Recruitment
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of his Department's television advertising campaign for Royal Air Force recruitment. [71069]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 9 September 2011]: The cost of the recent television advertising campaign for Royal Air Force recruitment was £1.6 million. This is broadly comparable with the previous financial year, but reflects a saving of 47% on financial year 2008-09.
Aircraft Carriers: Equipment
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost of fitting cats and traps to (a) one and (b) both Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers; whether he plans to fit cats and traps to (i) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (ii) HMS Prince of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [70321]
Peter Luff [holding answer 12 September 2011]: The Strategic Defence and Security Review called for one Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carrier to be converted to operate the more capable and cost-effective carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The National Audit Office's report on Carrier Strike, published on 7 July 2011, estimated the cost of converting a single carrier at £800 million to £1.2 billion, a reasonable estimate based on the maturity of information currently available. We are developing more detailed cost estimates as part of our ongoing work.
A revised design is being developed to consider the cost differences between a post-build refit of the first in class, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and an in-build conversion
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of the second, HMS Prince of Wales. On current plans, we expect to take firm decisions on the optimum conversion solution for the operational carrier in late 2012.
Armed Forces
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of time taken is between the start of phase one training and deployable capability for an infantry soldier aged (a) 18 or over and (b) 16; and what the average cost for this period is in respect of (i) training, (ii) salary and (iii) other costs. [70674]
Nick Harvey: All infantry recruits undertake Phase 1 and Phase 2 training, to provide them with the basic infantry skills required to enter the Field Army. To reach the level required to deploy on operations, further mission specific training takes place prior to deployment.
The average length of time taken to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 training for Standard Entry (SE) Infantry soldiers (those who are aged 17.5 years or over on enlistment) is between 28 to 30 weeks.
The average length of time taken to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 training for Junior Entry (JE) Infantry soldiers (those aged between 16 and 17.5 years of age) is between 64 and 74 weeks.
The following table shows the average cost of Phase 1 and Phase 2 training and the average salary paid to SE and JE soldiers for the period of training. All other costs are included in the average training cost.
| Per trainee | ||
|
|
Average training cost | Average salary cost (1) |
| (1) Salary costs based on the 2010-11 capitation rate for a recruit. Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 based on costs for financial year 2010-11. | ||
Armed Forces: Discharges
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel were discharged on the basis of services no longer required in the last five years. [70677]
Mr Robathan: The number of Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force personnel who were discharged in the last five years on the basis that their service was no longer required is provided in the following tables. Data for Army personnel are not held in the format requested.
|
|
Number |
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1147W
| Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. | |
Armed Forces: Training
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits at the Army Foundation College Harrogate (a) started and (b) completed an apprenticeship or equivalent vocational training leading to recognised professional qualifications in (i) mechanics, (ii) plumbing, (iii) catering, (iv) electronics, (v) carpentry and (vi) construction in each of the last five years. [70676]
Mr Robathan: The Army Foundation College Harrogate (AFC(H)) is a non-academic college and students undertake a vocational apprenticeship, designed to enable young recruits to prepare for military training and life. This includes the opportunity to work on key skills such as communication, application of numbers, working with others and problem-solving. Students have the opportunity to attain qualifications in numeracy, literacy and information technology.
Consequently no recruits at the AFC(H) have completed an apprenticeship or equivalent vocational training leading to recognised professional qualifications in mechanics, plumbing, catering, electronics, carpentry and construction. Nor is training in any of these specified categories delivered in the AFC(H) syllabus. However, during the course, recruits receive a range of educational development including: qualifications in numeracy and English; Level 2 Diploma for IT Users. They also have the opportunity to complete the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and advanced ECDL; a critical thinking package, bolstered by three weeks of personnel and team development training, the aim of which is develop the recruits' ability to analyse and solve problems.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status is of the Warrior IFV turret upgrade; and if he will make a statement. [70172]
Peter Luff: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), announced plans to upgrade the Army's Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle in his statement to the House on Defence Transformation on 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 643-45. The Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme plans to deliver enhancements in lethality, survivability, growth potential, and safe operation. The turret upgrade, incorporating a 40 mm cannon, is one of these elements. The programme has reached its main investment decision point and a further announcement is expected later in the autumn.
Ben Parkinson
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the personal injury compensation paid to Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson in respect of the injuries sustained while on active service. [71520]
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1148W
Mr Robathan: We do not comment on the payment made to individual service personnel. However, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was reviewed by Admiral the Lord Boyce in 2010. He re-examined the increases made to the tariff levels in 2008 and concluded that the top level lump sum of £570,000 remained appropriate.
Having a maximum lump sum payable recognises that when considering individuals who are very profoundly injured, there comes a point where distinguishing between level of injury becomes impossible and the only equitable way to assess the amount payable is to treat individuals in this category in the same way.
The guaranteed income payment element of an AFCS award, which is paid upon discharge to those who sustain serious illness or injury, can be the most financially beneficial part of the compensation package. This tax free, index linked, monthly income stream is paid from the point of service discharge for life, to recognise the effect of the injury on the future employment prospects of an individual and can be worth many hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Departmental Assets
Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) monetary value of his Department's assets that cannot be located. [68526]
Peter Luff: The Comptroller and Auditor General's (C&AG)'s report on the Ministry of Defence's 2010-11 Annual Report and Accounts, which has been accepted by the MOD, identified that the Department was unable to provide sufficient information to support the accounting for certain inventory and capital spares, including Bowman radios, totalling £5.3 billion.
The difficulties in reconciling inventory system records with the accounting systems do not mean that we have lost any of these items. Nevertheless, given that equipment frequently moves between military units on operations or between units and the repair loop, the MOD is committed to doing more to improve the underlying tracking processes and systems.
On the issue of Bowman radios, the Bowman Asset Management Improvement Plan, which is addressing specific concerns raised by the National Audit Office over the recording of additions and disposal and delivery of replacements for legacy inventory systems, will continue to deliver improvements in the quality of the accounting information.
On asset and stock management, the Chief of Defence Materiel, as logistics process owner, has established the Materiel and Financial Accounting Programme Board to review processes for all areas of asset management and accounting. The Board is overseeing a number of key areas of work including:
The replacement of legacy inventory systems to improve the logistics capability in support of the front line and to address the issues raised by NAO.
A four year plan; to be completed in 2013, to improve stocktaking and ensure balances are correctly recorded on the systems.
Improvements in skills and competencies training, which is being introduced from 2011.
An action plan to dispose of obsolete stock which commenced in 2010-11.
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1149W
C&AG has acknowledged that some progress has already been made in the way that the MOD controls inventory and capital spares and welcomed the way in which the MOD has responded to previous recommendations. However, C&AG also recognises that the MOD is only two years into a longer term programme to resolve the underlying issues and that benefits arising from approved new systems will only start to have an impact in 2014.
A copy of the Ministry of Defence's 2010-11 Annual Report and Accounts is available in the Library of the House or via the following link:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AnnualReports/MODAnnualReports1011/
Departmental Manpower
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the staff level was of (a) Royal Navy personnel, (b) Ministry of Defence (MOD) police, (c) MOD civil servants and (d) non-MOD personnel employed at MOD Caledonia as at 18 July 2011. [71614]
Mr Robathan: The number of staff that were employed at Ministry of Defence Caledonia as at 18 July 2011 is shown in the following table:
|
|
Number |
Taxis
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on taxis for (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers since May 2010. [59560]
Dr Fox [holding answer 14 June 2011]: Information held on Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure on taxis is as follows.
The Defence Ministers spent £163 on taxi fares between May 2010 and the end of June 2011. Defence Ministers make very few journeys by taxi as they use the MOD car pool for most road travel.
Taxi fares reimbursed to officials are not recorded separately from bus and underground fares and parking and road tolls.
The MOD's three special advisers spent £994 on taxi fares between May 2010 and the end of June 2011.
MOD staff may only use a taxi for official duty when there is a business benefit to the MOD or when it saves money. A taxi is typically used where no other suitable form of public transport is available or where heavy baggage or equipment has to be carried.
Departmental Written Questions
Thomas Docherty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of written questions tabled to him for answer on a named day did not receive a
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1150W
substantive answer on the day named for answer between
(a)
27 May 2010 and 19 July 2011 and
(b)
9 March 2011 and 19 July 2011. [71130]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) received 1,141 questions for written answer on a named day between 27 May 2010 and July 2011, of which 510 (45%) did not receive a substantive answer on the day named for answer. For the period 9 March 2011 to 19 July 2011, the MOD received 361 questions for written answer on a named day, of which 188 (52%) did not receive a substantive answer on the day named for answer.
The Government are committed to providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance on a sessional basis and will provide full information to the Committee at the end of the session. Statistics relating to Government Departments' performance for the 2009-10 parliamentary session were previously provided to the Committee and are available on the Parliament website.
Gurkhas
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Order of Battle is of the Brigade of Gurkhas. [71102]
Nick Harvey: The Order of Battle for the Brigade of Gurkhas is as follows:
| Unit | Location |
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1151W
HMS Endurance
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work was carried out on HMS Endurance before it was taken over by the Navy; and whether any work was subsequently undertaken by his Department that had not been anticipated. [70330]
Peter Luff: After HMS Polar Circle was leased by the Ministry of Defence in November 1991 and prior to the ship's first deployment, modifications were made to the ship's aviation, communications and hydrographic systems utilising equipment from the previous HMS Endurance where feasible. This included putting non-slip surfaces on the ship's hangar deck, improved flight aids, improved aviation fuelling systems, encrypted satellite communication and a new echo sounder.
In January 1992, the decision was made to purchase HMS Polar Circle and the ship was renamed as HMS Endurance in October 1992. At this stage, a further series of planned modifications were made to the vessel, including enlarging its hangar and the fitting of additional communication and hydrographic equipment. Until its flooding in 2008, all other maintenance or refit work conducted on HMS Endurance had been anticipated and was conducted as part of the ship's routine programme.
Libya: Armed Conflict
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any UK ground forces have been deployed in Libya; and what plans he has for such future deployment. [70650]
Dr Fox: The UK has a small military mentoring team in Libya supporting the National Transitional Council.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order a lessons learned paper on NATO operations in Libya. [71097]
Dr Fox: The Ministry of Defence routinely conducts lessons learned exercises after the conclusion of a military operation.
Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Search and Rescue missions the E-3D Sentry aircraft has flown in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the duration was of each such mission. [70843]
Nick Harvey: The E-3D has flown one search and rescue mission during the period 1 January 2011 to 6 September 2011. The total flight time was three hours 37 minutes.
Military Bases
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment his Department has made of the measures which will be required to adapt roads around Kirknewton to allow heavy weaponry, including transporters carrying tanks, to reach the proposed new army base; and what estimate his Department has made of the likely cost of such work; [70187]
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1152W
(2) what plans his Department has to provide access to a training ground for tanks based at the proposed new army base at Kirknewton; and what assessment he has made of the likely costs to be incurred in such provision; [70188]
(3) what new facilities will be required to accommodate personnel who are moved to Glencorse Barracks upon the closure of Redford and Dreghorn barracks; and what assessment he has made of the likely costs of such facilities; [70190]
(4) what estimate he has made of the cost of modernising the barracks at (a) Redford, (b) Dreghorn and (c) Craigiehall. [70275]
Nick Harvey: Comprehensive planning work is now under way to draw up plans for the timing and sequencing of the Army moves.
This detailed planning work will involve the appropriate and necessary engagement with partners such as the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council and other Government Departments and agencies, including the appropriate level of consultation which will be required as we work through all options. It is therefore too early to confirm further details on the exact requirements and their costs.
Navy
Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are required to meet merchant navy and Royal Navy fire fighting standards; and whether he has considered the merits of rationalising such requirements. [70334]
Nick Harvey: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) set statutory requirements for firefighting standards for those employed in the merchant navy. In addition to the mandatory training provided at the merchant navy training establishment the operational role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is such that enhanced training is provided by the Royal Navy firefighting training facility, in order to deal with the situations they may encounter whilst deploying with our armed forces.
As part of the process of improving the training of its personnel, the RFA has begun the process of seeking MCA accreditation for the advanced naval firefighting course so that RFA personnel would be able to conduct their firefighting training at the Royal Navy facilities.
Royal Armoured Corps
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the future Force Structure of the Royal Armoured Corps is to be. [71099]
Nick Harvey: Following on from the Defence Secretary’s announcement to the House on 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 643-645W, the chief of the general staff has directed that a study be undertaken, known as Army 2020, to look at the future design of the Army.
The future force structure of the Royal Armoured Corps, both regular and reserve, will be considered as part of this.
13 Sep 2011 : Column 1153W
It is anticipated that the study will conclude in summer 2012 and, until then, it is too early to say what the future force structure of the Royal Armoured Corps will be.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had on steps to increase the profile of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. [70338]
Nick Harvey: I and my colleagues fully recognise that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) continues to be widely acknowledged as being among the leading naval logistic support organisations in the world, integral to the Royal Navy's deployments and global presence and an important element of the wider naval service. The RFA continues to operate in the Gulf, in both the North and South Atlantic, as well as in UK waters in vital support of the UK national interests. In addition they continue to play a role in support of disaster relief operations, such as in February 2010 when RFA LARGS BAY was deployed to Haiti, delivering vital relief supplies and providing specialist capabilities to assist with the wider United Nations-led relief effort.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 11 July 2011, Official Report, column 52W, on unmanned air vehicles, what the strict procedures are which are intended to (a) minimise the risk of casualties occurring from the use of armed drones and (b) investigate incidents that do happen. [70238]
Nick Harvey: Reaper is the UK's only armed remotely piloted air system. It is not an autonomous system and does not have the capability to employ weapons unless it is commanded to do so by the flight crew.
The flight crew, along with all other UK personnel, are trained in and operate under the Law of Armed Conflict and strict Rules of Engagement which are designed to minimise the risk to civilians. I am withholding further information about our Rules of Engagement as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.
In addition, we carefully select the type of weapon in every engagement to ensure the most appropriate munition is used to deliver the required effect, in a proportional manner, so minimising the risk to civilians and their property.
Where suspected civilian casualty incidents involving UK forces occur, they will be promptly reported to the chain of command who will conduct an initial investigation. If the circumstances of the incident merit it, a separate investigation will be conducted by ISAF. If necessary, the UK chain of command will report the incident to the service police for further national investigation. Service police can also independently launch an investigation in certain circumstances.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions: Manufacturing Industries
John Stevenson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consider the merits of introducing incentives for manufacturers to
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adopt environmentally-friendly practices which are rationed against the carbon footprint of a factory as well as the carbon footprint of the product. [71610]
Gregory Barker: There is currently a wide range of incentives and regulations in place to encourage UK manufacturers to be more energy and carbon efficient. These include the EU Emissions Trading System, which is a market-based approach based on the emissions associated with historical production, Climate Change Agreements, which offer reduced levels of tax in return for meeting energy efficiency targets related to product output, and the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, which uses a range of measures to drive behaviour change including robust reporting, a competitive league table and attaching a price to the carbon that businesses emit. In addition the Green Deal will enable businesses to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their buildings at no upfront cost, through a framework established by Government. This innovative financing mechanism will allow businesses to repay costs through a charge in instalments on their energy bill.
I am always open to consider innovative policy ideas, but new measures would need to fit with our existing policy framework and demonstrate added benefit to both manufacturing and our climate and energy objectives.
Carbon Trust
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department and its predecessor paid to the Carbon Trust in each of the last five years; and for what purpose. [71407]
Gregory Barker: The Carbon Trust has received the following DECC and DEFRA funding in the last five years:
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|
£ |
Funding has been granted to support carbon abatement in the business and public sectors and to support elements of the trust's work to develop low carbon technologies. In 2009-10 and 2010-11 the higher level of funding reflects the introduction of interest free energy efficiency loans for SMEs and the public sector plus Marine Renewables Proving, Offshore Wind Accelerator and Venture Capital investment.
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what payments his Department plans to make to the Carbon Trust in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [71408]
Gregory Barker: The Carbon Trust is expecting to receive a grant of up to £39.1 million from DECC by the end of the financial year 2011-12.
The DECC Delivery Review, published in May 2011, announced that the Carbon Trust is to receive no further core grant funding beyond the end of this financial
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year. Ongoing DECC programme planning work will determine whether the Carbon Trust is funded to deliver specific projects in 2012-13.
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the title is of each item of research commissioned from the Carbon Trust by his Department. [71409]
Gregory Barker: In 2011-12, DECC has grant-funded the Carbon Trust (CT) to deliver outcomes through an agreed business plan. We do not commission specific pieces of research from CT. CT may however choose, themselves, to conduct small pieces of research to inform their activities.
Energy: Prices
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on domestic fuel bills of National Grid's request for an increase in allowed revenue. [70149]
Charles Hendry: DECC's assessment of the overall impact of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills was published alongside the Annual Energy Statement in July 2010:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_projs/price_bill_imp/price_bill_imp.aspx
Although the analysis included assumptions on increased network costs into the future and increased costs for the necessary grid reinforcement associated with meeting our renewables target, it did not explicitly refer to any request for an increase in allowed revenue from the National Grid.
An updated assessment of the impact of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills will be published alongside the Annual Energy Statement in the autumn reflecting policy developments over the last year. Assumptions on network costs will include agreed increases in allowed revenue set out in the latest distribution price control settlements.
There are currently two price control arrangements going on at the moment:
An extension to the current arrangements (the ‘roll-over’) which lasts until 2013; and
The RIIO (Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs) controls, which for gas and electricity transmission and gas distribution run from 2013 to 2021.
The Ofgem website sets out the proposals for allowed revenue in the ‘roll-over’ year and estimates the initial proposals would increase the average residential gas and electricity bills by approximately £2 (0.3%) and £1 (0.4%) respectively:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/MoreInformation.aspx?docid=63&refer=Networks/Trans/PriceControls/TPCR4Roll-over
The RIIO controls are currently being worked on, with Ofgem's final proposals to be set around the end of 2012. National Grid has recently submitted its transmission business plan proposals, which are being assessed. National Grid's estimates of the consumer impact of these proposals are included on its website.
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Green Deal Scheme
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with energy companies on the development of billing systems to administer Green Deal payments and savings. [71587]
Charles Hendry: DECC officials meet regularly with energy companies and their trade associations to discuss all aspects of the Green Deal including the collection of the Green Deal charge. These discussions have included non-domestic and smaller energy suppliers. Discussions have explored the impacts associated with all options for collecting the Green Deal charge via energy bills, including costs and technical issues arising from ensuring an efficient and secure system for collecting payments from Green Deal customers and remitting these to Green Deal providers.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings he has had with energy companies on providing information to consumers on the levels of savings available from Green Deal packages for gas and electricity. [71588]
Gregory Barker: DECC officials meet regularly with energy companies and their trade associations to discuss all aspects of the Green Deal. These discussions have included non-domestic and smaller energy suppliers. The larger energy suppliers have voluntarily agreed to provide factual and neutral information on the Green Deal to their customers at key trigger points, for example when they change supplier or move into a new property. This will increase the likelihood that consumers will explore the option of installing energy efficiency measures via the Green Deal when they are making other improvements to their homes and businesses. Energy suppliers will be required to reproduce the estimated energy savings, as printed on the customer's Green Deal assessment, on the annual energy statement.
Nuclear Power Stations
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of levy exemption certificates on the economic viability of combined heat and power plants. [71157]
Gregory Barker: Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget announcement, the Government continue to work with the Combined Heat and Power Association and its members, including representatives from the oil refining industry, in order to develop a simpler, direct and more effective means of support for combined heat and power stations. From 2013, the new relief from the carbon price floor will supersede the existing relief provided through levy exemption certificates, with the intention that CHP plants will continue to receive an appropriate level of support.
Nuclear Safety
Paul Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cheltenham of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 203, on nuclear safety, if he will place
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in the Library and publish on his departmental website
(a)
the (i) progress and (ii) final reports of the nuclear plant operators on the conduct of stress tests and
(b)
the (i) progress and (ii) final findings reports of the national regulator to which reference is made in the answer. [71400]
Charles Hendry: The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) will make available on its website the progress and final reports of the UK nuclear operators under the EU nuclear stress testing initiative. ONR's assessments of those reports for the European Commission will also be published. Copies of all these documents will also be placed in the Library of the House. Where necessary, information will be withheld in line with the exemptions as set out under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
Her Majesty's Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, will take account of the UK stress tests in his final report to the Secretary of State on the implications for the UK nuclear industry from the Fukushima nuclear incident. His report will be published and a copy placed in the Library of the House.
Renewables Obligation
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) when he expects to announce the new banding proposals for the renewables obligation from 2013; [71450]
(2) what the timetable is for the renewables obligation banding review. [71451]
Charles Hendry: We intend to launch a public consultation shortly on proposals for banded support under the renewables obligation for the period 2013-17. The Government will issue a formal response and lay draft legislation before Parliament as soon as possible after the consultation ends. Subject to parliamentary and state aids approval, the new bands will come into effect on 1 April 2013 as planned (1 April 2014 for offshore wind).
Wind Power: Finance
Mark Pritchard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what subsidy was received by onshore wind farms for each gigawatt of
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electricity produced in the last year for which figures are available. [70055]
Charles Hendry: Onshore wind farms receive a subsidy of one renewable energy certificate (ROC) per MWh of electricity generated.
According to the figures published in Ofgem's most recent RO annual report:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/RenewablObl/Documents1/RO%20Annual%20Report%202009-10.pdf
the subsidy awarded to onshore wind power under the RO in 2009-10 was approximately £380 million. This figure uses the nominal value (equal to the buyout price + recycle value) of a renewable obligation certificate (ROC) for 2009-10. The nominal value represents the maximum worth of a ROC to a generator but is not necessarily the amount paid by a supplier, which is dependent on bilateral negotiations between supplier and generator
Ofgem will publish their next annual report, including the number of ROCs received by generation in 2010-11, by 1 April 2012.
Windpower
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the total generating capacity from (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013, (iii) 2014 and (iv) 2015. [71041]
Charles Hendry: The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap published in July 2011 set out central ranges for deployment of renewable technologies to 2020. The following table shows the central ranges for onshore and offshore wind between 2012 and 2015:
| Total generating capacity | ||
| GW | ||
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Onshore wind | Offshore wind |
The actual amount of future wind capacity will depend on many factors including investment and planning decisions.