VAT: Ashfield
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses were registered for value added tax in Ashfield constituency in each year since 1997. [71732]
Mr Gauke: The existing population of VAT-registered businesses and the number of businesses that registered for VAT during the year, for years since 1997,
is shown for Ashfield in the following table:
| Number | ||
|
|
Start of year stock | Registrations during year |
These figures came from the report ‘Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations', published by The Department for Businesses Enterprise
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and Regulatory Reform in November 2008. This report has now been discontinued and so registration and deregistration figures are available only up to 2007, and start of year stock figures are available only up to 2008.
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to increasing the turnover limits for VAT accounting to assist firms during adverse economic conditions. [72790]
Mr Gauke: The VAT registration threshold (the level of turnover below which a business does not have to register for VAT) was increased in the last Budget from £70,000 to £73,000. Increases are subject to EU VAT agreements and any further changes will be considered by the Chancellor as part of the annual Budget process.
Voluntary Contributions
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much HM Revenue and Customs received in voluntary contributions in financial year (a) 2011-12, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2009-10. [71173]
Mr Gauke: I have interpreted the hon. Members question to mean voluntary national insurance contributions.
Voluntary Class 3 national insurance contributions totalled £139.3 million in 2009-10 and are currently estimated at around £73 million in 2010-11. Figures for 2011-12 are not available.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal Health and Welfare Board
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that the appointment of external members to the Animal Health and Welfare Board reflects the full range of opinion relating to the health and welfare of farmed animals in intensive and traditional systems of production. [72397]
Mr Paice: The appointment of external board members is being managed in accordance with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) to ensure an equitable and transparent process. Selection criteria is based on a demonstration of personal ability across a wide range of competencies which includes expertise in all relevant sectors and knowledge of animal health and welfare.
Once appointed, external board members will collectively be responsible for actively engaging with all animal health and welfare stakeholder groups, and for articulating the differing views of such groups at meetings of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.
Flood Insurance
John Stevenson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to ensure that those who live in properties at risk of flooding are able to insure their possessions
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once the Statement of Principles comes to an end in July 2013. [70830]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA is working closely with the insurance industry to ensure that flood insurance remains widely available in England after the Statement of Principles comes to an end. I hosted a flood summit in September last year to discuss flood risk management and the challenges involved in flood insurance. Three working groups continued the dialogue and reported back on progress at a follow-up meeting in July this year.
DEFRA is looking in detail at a number of options for the future of flood insurance. These include the possibility of creating a risk pool and options for supporting the market by targeting information or financial assistance at those at highest risk or least able to afford insurance. We are continuing to develop these options in partnership with HM Treasury and will provide an update shortly, with the aim of reaching a final decision by the spring.
Slaughterhouses
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department’s policy is on the regulation of abattoirs. [72396]
Mr Paice: Regulation of abattoirs (in England) is shared between DEFRA, which has policy responsibility for animal health and welfare and the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which has policy responsibility for food safety. The FSA also delivers official controls against animal health, including in relation to animal by-products (ABPs), and welfare on behalf of DEFRA.
The Government are committed to supporting and developing British farming and encouraging sustainable food production. This involves providing help to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and fish industry, to help ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare. These principles underpin departmental policy on the regulation of abattoirs.
The welfare of animals in abattoirs is currently protected by directive 93/119 which has been implemented by The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, as amended. This makes individual food business operators responsible for the welfare of the animals in the abattoirs they operate. Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing will replace directive 93/119/EC from 1 January 2013. The Regulation will be directly applicable in every member state. However Regulation 1099/2009 also allows member states to introduce stricter national rules to maintain welfare protection above the minimum standards provided for in the Regulation, which was in force before the Regulation was made in September 2009. Stricter national rules can also be used to introduce new protection in relation to killing animals outside a slaughterhouse, religious slaughter and farmed game. We are currently considering how Regulation 1099/2009 will be implemented and will consult on draft regulations before they are introduced. Our approach to implementation will be guided by the principles set out above and the Government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burdens where appropriate.
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Regulation of ABPs arising in abattoirs is covered by the EU animal by-products Regulation 1069/2009 and enforced by the FSA, which is responsible for ensuring that operators keep ABPs separate from material fit for human consumption and that ABPs are dispatched from the abattoir for safe use or disposal.
Wildlife: Circuses
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Resolution of the House of 23 June 2011, on wild animals in circuses, what steps she has taken towards banning the use of wild animals in circuses by 1 July 2012. [72794]
Mr Paice: We are continuing to explore ways of overcoming the current legal obstacles to a ban. However, given that a ban is not an immediate possibility, work is under way to develop a tough licensing regime that will stop circuses from using wild animals unless they provide appropriate welfare standards.
International Development
Commonwealth Development Corporation
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what dates meetings or discussions have taken place between officials from the Financial Services Authority's Enforcement and Financial Crime division and the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) on (a) the adequacy of CDC Group's anti-money laundering procedures and (b) matters arising from the CDC's investments in Nigeria. [72601]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: CDC met with representatives from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on 11 July 2011.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Overseas Aid
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been given in aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what monitoring arrangements are in place in that country to ensure that all the aid is used for the purpose for which it was provided. [72595]
Mr O'Brien: The latest official figures for British Government aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the last five years are:
| £ million | ||
| Financial year | Total UK aid | DFID (share of UK total) |
| Source: Statistics on International Development, October 2010. | ||
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Last year the Department for International Development (DFID) provided £132 million in aid for the DRC. The 2011-12 budget is £146 million. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is taken very seriously to ensure results, value for money and well managed risks. As data is limited and national systems weak in the DRC, DFID is making a significant investment to create bespoke M&E systems across its DRC portfolio. In addition to routine monitoring by programme partners and DFID staff, plans are in place for robust independent evaluations for many of our programmes to verify the results of our interventions. To boost internal capacity in this area, DFID is recruiting an evaluation adviser for its DRC office.
Afghanistan: Overseas Aid
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to Afghanistan. [71784]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's (DFID's) programme in Afghanistan is focusing on tackling poverty and helping Afghanistan become a stable and effective state by promoting more inclusive politics, supporting the establishment of effective local government institutions and helping communities resolve their disputes peacefully. DFID is also helping to make the country a better place for business by ensuring that small and medium sized enterprises have what they need to grow and compete. In addition we are working to support the Afghan Government to deliver basic services, such as healthcare and education, for their people. By the end of 2015, DFID support will create 200,000 jobs, provide technical and vocational education and training for 45,000 young people, help more than 100,000 children enrol in school (40% of them girls), and build or upgrade more than 47 km of road across central Helmand.
Developing Countries: Diseases
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to announce future funding for the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement. [72526]
Mr Duncan: The UK is ready to increase its funding to the Global Fund in order to help meet its targets.
The Report of the High Level Independent Review Panel on Fiduciary Controls and Oversight Mechanisms is due to be issued on 19 September. I expect the Board of the Global Fund, which will meet on 26 September, to take full account of the panel's report in its vision and strategy for the fund's future. The extent to which the Global Fund is able to deliver on the recommendations of the panel and define its strategy for the future will clearly be a key factor in the UK's decisions on future funding.
Equatorial Guinea: Overseas Aid
Mr Knight:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been given in aid to Equatorial Guinea in each of the last five years for which figures
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are available; and what monitoring arrangements are in place in that country to ensure that all the aid is used for the purpose for which it was provided. [72594]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not have a bilateral programme or any presence in Equatorial Guinea. DFID does provide support however through multilateral partners working in Equatorial Guinea such as the European Union, World Bank and United Nations.
DFID publishes the imputed UK share of multilateral aid for each country that receives official development assistance (ODA) in our annual report, which can be found on the DFID Website:
www.dfid.gov.uk
The following shows the imputed UK share of multilateral net ODA for Equatorial Guinea:
| Equatorial Guinea: Imputed UK share of multilateral net ODA | |
|
|
UK share (£000) |
As a board member and shareholder of multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and UN agencies, the UK takes a strong role in the oversight of performance, results and fiduciary issues. DFID also continues to press for organisational reform in all multilaterals, monitoring their contribution to results and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Gabon: Overseas Aid
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been given in aid to Gabon in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what monitoring arrangements are in place in that country to ensure that all the aid is used for the purpose for which it was provided. [72596]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not have a bilateral programme or any presence in Gabon. DFID does provide support however through multilateral partners working in Gabon such as the European Union, World Bank and United Nations.
DFID publishes the imputed UK share of multilateral aid for each country that receives official development assistance (ODA) in our annual report, which can be found on the DFID Website:
www.dfid.gov.uk
The following shows the imputed UK share of multilateral net ODA for Gabon:
|
|
UK share (£000) |
| Gabon: Imputed UK share of multilateral net ODA | |
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As a board member and shareholder of multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and UN agencies, the UK takes a strong role in the oversight of performance, results and fiduciary issues. DFID also continues to press for organisational reform in all multilateral, monitoring their contribution to results and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Horn of Africa: Famine
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings his Department has had with representatives of the (a) Somali and (b) Kenyan community in the UK on the famine in the Horn of Africa. [71785]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Prime Minister and I visited Birmingham in July to meet members of the city's Somali community to listen to their concerns about the famine in Somalia. We discussed the substantial British aid effort and what more could be done internationally to help those suffering.
In mid-September I spoke at a community meeting in Leicester where I met a number of Somali diaspora groups including the Somali Development Services. I also gave an interview to Somali television on the UK's response to the current humanitarian crisis.
Officials from the Department for International Development have also met, and will continue to meet diaspora groups involved in the relief effort across the Horn of Africa, to share information and promote effective coordination of our efforts.
Horn of Africa: Overseas Aid
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on aid for the horn of Africa. [71772]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Over the summer months I have spoken with a number of my European counterparts on the provision of aid to the Horn of Africa.
Specifically I have spoken with Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel; Ben Knapen the Development Minister of the Netherlands and Henri de Raincourt France's Development Minister, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Swedish Development Minister Gunilla Carlsson. At the Tidewater conference in July I also addressed Development Ministers, which included Erik Solheim, Norway's Minister of the Environment and International Development.
More recently, last Saturday at the meeting focusing on the Horn crisis at the UN General Assembly in New York, I addressed member states (including those from Europe) to stress the need for us all to do more; Argentina's Amado Boudoo, Australia's Kevin Rudd and Wayne Sean, Brazil's Guido Mantega, Canada's Jim Flaherty, China's Xie Xuren, India's Pranab Mukherjee, Indonesia's Agus Martowardojo, European Union's Olli Rehn, France's Francois Baroin, Germany's Qolfgang Schaulbe and Dirk Niebal, Italy's Giulio Tremonti, Japan's Jun Azumi, Mexico's Ernesto Cordero Arroyo, Russia's Alexet Leonidovich, Saudi Arabia's Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf,
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South Africa's Pravin Gordhan, South Korea's Yoon Jeung-Hyun, Turkey's Mehmet Simsek and the US's Hillary Clinton.
The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, have also had discussions with their counterparts from a range of countries on the Horn of Africa.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the work of the Stabilisation Unit on post-conflict stabilisation activity in Libya. [71706]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Stabilisation Unit has played an important part in the British Government's response to post-conflict planning for Libya and the unit has underpinned the work of its three parent Departments—the Department for International Development; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and Ministry of Defence—in cross-Whitehall planning for UK support to Libya's stabilisation.
The Stabilisation Unit co-ordinated the deployment of the International Stabilisation Response Team (ISRT) to Libya in May 2011 to identify and report on the immediate challenges facing the Libyan people and suggest how the international community could respond. The ISRT reported its findings to Libyan leaders and the international community in June 2011 which has helped inform their planning.
The Stabilisation Unit has also been part of cross-Government teams working on stabilisation planning and has helped recruit necessary UK technical expertise including policing and civil society experts.
Overseas Aid
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development by what mechanism his Department ensures that UK aid reaches those who require it. [72753]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government have introduced a new ‘Aid Transparency Guarantee’ which will make our aid fully transparent to citizens in both the UK and recipient countries. Aid transparency is critical to improving aid effectiveness and value for money, and reduces waste, fraud and corruption.
The creation of a new independent aid watchdog to review the effectiveness of DFID programmes has been set up. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact will scrutinise exactly how our aid money is being spent.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has established a strong set of controls to manage risk of misuse of funds. We protect our funds in three ways: by ensuing that the funds were paid to the intended recipient, that the funds have been used for the purposes agreed, and that the use of the funds has been audited.
Overseas Aid: Diseases
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the provision of aid to tackle non-communicable diseases in developing countries. [71963]
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Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development’s (DFID's) focus remains to improve the health of the poor through support to governments and other organisations to deliver basic services and to support the strengthening of health services to deal more effectively with communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The UK is also the largest contributor to Global Alliance of Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI), and has already committed £2.3 billion. In June 2011, the UK made a further pledge of an additional £163 million per year over the next five years. Since 2000, GAVI has increased access to hepatitis B vaccination which prevents chronic liver disease and cancer that can result from hepatitis B infection. GAVI has immunised 267 million children against Hepatitis B and saved over 3,407,000 lives as a result. DFID recently launched PRIME (“PRogramme for Improving Mental Health CarE”) a new research programme which will focus on the development, feasibility, acceptability and impact of mental health care packages for priority mental disorders.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his objectives are for negotiations on the next round of European Development Fund replenishment; and if he will make a statement. [72527]
Mr Duncan: The European Commission (EC) published its Communication “A Budget for Europe 2020” on 29 June 2011. This included a proposed European Development Fund (EDF) of €30.321 billion for the period 2014 to 2020.
Over the coming months, discussions on the EC's proposals are due to begin. The future of the EDF will be negotiated alongside the EU Budget. The UK's recent review of multilateral aid confirmed that the EDF was a high performer. In negotiating detailed proposals, the UK will not accept changes to the structure or focus of the EDF which might prejudice its current effectiveness.
Somalia: Armed Conflict
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on conflict in Somalia. [71773]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Over recent months I have talked to a number of my European counterparts on the situation in Somalia, including the impact of the conflict on the drought.
This has included discussions with Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel; The Netherlands Minister for Development, Ben Knapen and France's Development Minister, Henri de Raincourt. I have also met Andris Piebalgs and Kristalina Georgieva, the European Union Commissioners for Development and Humanitarian Aid respectively, and discussed Somalia with the Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini and Swedish Development Minister Gunilla Carlsson.
More recently, last Saturday at the meeting focusing on the Horn crisis at the UN General Assembly in New York, I addressed member states (including those from
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Europe) to stress the need for us all to do more; Argentina's Amado Boudoo, Australia's Kevin Rudd and Wayne Sean, Brazil’s Guido Mantega, Canada's Jim Flaherty, China's Xie Xuren, India's Pranab Mukherjee, Indonesia's Agus Martowardojo, European Union's Olli Rehn, France's Francois Baroin, Germany's Qolfgang Schaulbe and Dirk Niebal, Italy's Giulio Tremonti, Japan's Jun Azumi, Mexico's Ernesto Cordero Arroyo, Russia's Alexet Leonidovich, Saudi Arabia's Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, South Africa's Pravin Gordhan, South Korea's Yoon Jeung-Hyun, Turkey's Mehmet Simsek and the US's Hillary Clinton.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Africa: Agriculture
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the number of white farming families in (a) South Africa and (b) Zimbabwe believed to have been the subject of direct intimidation leading to their relocation in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [72324]
Mr Bellingham: Although the number of illegal farm invasions in Zimbabwe has significantly decreased since its peak in the early 2000s, there has been an increase in the frequency of reported intimidation of commercial farmers in recent months. No precise figures are available. We continue to condemn the practice of farm invasions, which contravenes the South African Development Community ruling of November 2008 and the terms of the Global Political Agreement and demonstrates a lack of respect for the rule of law. We have and will continue to raise this issue with all sides of the Government of Zimbabwe.
There are no reliable data on the number of South African farmers who have relocated due to direct intimidation. Tackling crime in all its manifestations is a high priority for the South African Government. Crimes committed against commercial farmers, who play a vital role in the local economy providing food, security and employment, are a particular concern.
Anti-slavery Day
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to mark Anti-slavery Day on 18 October 2011. [72110]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has no plans to mark Anti-slavery Day on 18 October 2011. This event is focused at national level and the Home Office are coordinating how the Government will mark the event.
In terms of international efforts on this important issue that blights the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society, the UK is a strong supporter of anti-slavery efforts. At the UN Human Rights Council in September 2007, the UK set up the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Ms Gulnara Shahinian. Her mandate was renewed by consensus with an increased number of co-sponsors in
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September 2010. I welcomed Ms Shahinian to the UK on the UN International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December last year. We remain a strong supporter of her work. The FCO will develop plans to mark this year's UN International Day for the Abolition of Slavery closer to the time.
Libya: Intelligence
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether UK Government personnel provided information on Libyan dissidents resident in the UK to the Libyan authorities between 2003 and 2010. [70637]
Alistair Burt: It is the policy of successive British Governments not to comment on security and intelligence matters.
Armed Forces: EU Internal Relations
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on UK participation in EU structured cooperation in respect of military matters. [72525]
Mr Lidington: The UK has no plans to participate in EU permanent structured co-operation.
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the level of the UK financial contribution to an EU military operational headquarters; by what means such a contribution would be funded; and if he will assess the effectiveness of such potential expenditure. [72529]
Mr Lidington: The UK will not contribute financially to a permanent EU military operational headquarters. It does make its military headquarters at Northwood available for the conduct of EU operations, such as the EU's counter-piracy operation Atalanta. We see no justification for creating a permanent EU military operational headquarters. The establishment of a permanent operational headquarters would be a duplication of proven existing capability provided by NATO, as well as EU member states, and would be an unnecessary use of resources.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [72792]
Mr Lidington:
The Government remain very concerned about the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It is now a full year since general elections were held and there is still not a new state-level Government in place. Key reforms remain stalled, holding BiH back from further progress towards EU and NATO accession. HMG remains active, with its international partners, in effort to unlock reform progress and ensure compliance with the Dayton Peace Agreement. In this context, HMG welcomed the arrival in September of the new EU Special Representative, Peter Sorensen, marking the launch of a strengthened EU presence in BiH aimed
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at accelerating the pace and quality of EU-related reform and supporting BiH in its effort to move towards EU membership.
British Nationals Abroad
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he holds on the number of UK nationals living in each foreign country. [72055]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We do not hold information about the numbers of UK nationals living in each foreign country. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has, in the past, sought to record this information but this practice was discontinued due to a lack of confidence in the accuracy of source information.
Council of Europe
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's priorities are for the UK's forthcoming chairmanship of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement. [72245]
Mr Lidington: Reform of the European Court of Human Rights will be the main priority of the UK Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, under an overarching theme of protecting and promoting human rights. Our full set of Chairmanship priorities will be published shortly before the beginning of the Chairmanship, as is the usual practice, and I will make a written ministerial statement then.
Departmental Air Travel
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which travel management companies his Department uses for the purchase of airline tickets; [72690]
(2) what (a) contractual obligations and (b) other processes his Department uses in respect of travel management companies to ensure the best value is achieved when purchasing airline tickets. [72704]
Mr Lidington: Hogg Robinson is used for the travel requirements of all Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff based in the UK. They are charged with obtaining the best fare on the day in line with the traveller’s requirements and the Department’s Travel Policy. In addition the FCO has negotiated fares with some airlines on designated major routes. These fares are available to our travel management company and are used as a fare ceiling.
Egypt: Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has on anti-Semitism in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [R] [72219]
Alistair Burt:
The Government are committed to fighting all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including anti-Semitism. We have made clear to the Egyptian Government the importance we place on
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promoting cultural and religious tolerance and on eliminating all legal provisions and policies which discriminate against different religious communities. We continue to support a peaceful transition to a diverse, non-discriminatory and democratic Egypt.
Egypt: Israel
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received of the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Egypt on 9 September 2011; and if he will make a statement; [R] [72223]
(2) what discussions he has had with the government of Egypt about the protection of the Israeli Embassy in Egypt; what response he received; and if he will make a statement. [R] [72231]
Alistair Burt: The Israeli embassy in Egypt was attacked by protesters on the night of 9 September. The Prime Minister made the following statement on 10 September:
“I strongly condemn the attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo. We have urged the Egyptian authorities to meet their responsibilities under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic property and personnel, including the Israeli embassy in Cairo. They have reassured us that they take these very seriously.
The Egyptian authorities have previously said that they will uphold Egypt's international agreements including its peace treaty with Israel. We welcome this and look to Egypt to honour this commitment. We urge both countries to work together to resolve current tensions and enhance regional stability”.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Egyptian authorities regarding reports that it may restore emergency law. [72195]
Alistair Burt: The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces reinstated the full powers of the emergency law on 11 September. This has been presented as a response to growing concerns about the security situation, including violent protests against the Israeli embassy in Cairo. In May 2010 amendments had been introduced to limit the application of the emergency law to terrorism and drugs crimes.
The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), called on the Egyptian authorities to end the state of emergency during their visits to Egypt earlier this year. We have urged the Egyptian authorities to replace the emergency law with counter-terrorism legislation that is compliant with international standards on human rights and fundamental freedoms, and we will continue to do so.
European Union
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2011, Official Report, column 565W, on European Union, what recent progress his Department has made in its review of the EU's existing competences. [71716]
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Mr Lidington: Under the coalition agreement we are committed to examining the existing balance of competences and working to limit the application of the working time directive in the United Kingdom. We police the existing limits of competence carefully; for example, we have held firm to limit the EU's exercise of its external competences.
On the working time directive, negotiations are expected to start later this month. Ministers have made it clear that the opt-out must remain workable and without burdensome constraints.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2011, Official Report, column 565W, on European Union, what timetable he has set for his Department's work to review the EU's existing competences. [71717]
Mr Lidington: Under the coalition agreement we are committed to examining the existing balance of competences and working to limit the application of the working time directive in the United Kingdom. The coalition programme for government is a programme for a full term, not one year. I have been clear that my priority was to deliver on the promise to make it a legal requirement to hold a referendum before any future treaty change which transfers power or competence from the UK to the EU. That commitment was delivered in the European Union Act 2011.
Israel: Politics and Government
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Israel on (a) Christians in the Holy Land and (b) other issues for movement and access. [72531]
Alistair Burt: The Government places real importance on the right to freedom of religion for all. I visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in July, and raised the difficulties faced by Christians and in particular the impact of residency restrictions in Jerusalem.
We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement between the west bank and East Jerusalem. It remains difficult for Palestinians, including Christians, to enter East Jerusalem.
Through our embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate general in Jerusalem, we have lobbied the appropriate authorities on the issue of movement and access. We continue to work closely with the Quartet and EU partners, and to call on Israel to ease restrictions on access.
The Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Lord Howell of Guildford delivered a speech to the International Conference on Christians in the Holy Land on 19 July 2011.
Libya: Terrorism
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on receiving compensation from Libya for those affected by IRA terrorism. [72166]
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Alistair Burt: I have had no discussions with my US counterpart on this issue.
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the National Transitional Council in Libya on compensation for those affected by IRA terrorism. [72167]
Alistair Burt: The National Transitional Council's (NTC) chairman Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister Jibril have assured us that they will work with the UK to resolve bilateral issues arising from the wrongs of Qadhafi's regime. As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), said in the House on 5 September, we are clear that compensation for those affected by IRA terrorism will be an important bilateral issue between the United Kingdom and the new Libyan authorities. I have not yet had detailed discussions with members of the NTC on this specific issue, since we have to give the NTC time to establish a new Libyan government.
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to assist in the recovery of compensation from Libya for those affected by terrorism. [72168]
Alistair Burt: As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), told the hon. Member on 5 September, this will be an important bilateral issue between Britain and the new Libyan authorities.
Pitcairn Islands: Sexual Offences
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the measures in place to protect children on the Pitcairn Islands from convicted sex offenders. [72432]
Mr Bellingham: An independent review of child safety on Pitcairn was conducted in June by experts from the UK and New Zealand. The reviewers have concluded that the child safeguarding structures and policies introduced since the last review in 2009 are effective and should remain in place.
Tunisia: Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the looting of synagogues in Tunisia; and if he will make a statement. [R] [72224]
Alistair Burt: We are aware of an incident in August when a synagogue in Sfax was vandalised and items stolen. Our embassy in Tunis are monitoring the security situation closely and believe that this was an isolated incident and not part of a wider trend targeting the Jewish community.
We believe this incident is part of an increase in crime in Tunisia due to the Tunisian security services having to deal with incidents of unrest and strike action across the country, as well as tensions on the border with Libya. However, the Tunisian authorities have taken a
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strong stance against any acts of criminality and violence, and we understand that the Tunisian security forces are taking steps to address these security challenges.
The Government are committed to fighting all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including anti-Semitism. We will continue to challenge racism and anti-Semitism and promote the human rights of all people across the world. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has called upon other states to do the same.
Justice
Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when the Government proposes to lay before Parliament the necessary administrative orders to provide for the abolition of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council contemplated under the Public Bodies Bill; and what provision the Government are making to ensure the full operational capability of the Council up to the date on which such orders are approved by Parliament. [72514]
Mr Djanogly: The public consultation on the proposals contained in the Public Bodies Bill will close on 11 October. If, after considering the responses, the Government confirm their intention to abolish the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (AJTC), Ministers will lay an order before Parliament in spring 2012.
To ensure the operational capacity of the AJTC, the Department has re-appointed Council members where appropriate and will arrange for adequate funding to be in place until closure. Ministers will keep the AJTC under review until closure.
Bill of Rights Commission: European Court of Human Rights
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 19 July 2011, Official Report, column 893W, on the Bill of Rights Commission: European Court of Human Rights, when he expects a detailed breakdown of the precise costs of the visit to be available. [72242]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The chair of the Commission on a Bill of Rights, seven commissioners and two members of the Commission’s secretariat visited the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in July. The costs for the visit were as follows:
|
|
Cost (£) |
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Binyam Mohamed
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect on the Detainee Inquiry of the Court of Appeal ruling on the disclosure of material in the case of Binyam Mohamed; and if he will make a statement. [70688]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: Serious allegations have been made by Mr Mohamed and others about UK involvement in the mistreatment or rendition of detainees held overseas by other countries. The Government have established the detainee inquiry, under the chairmanship of the right hon. Sir Peter Gibson, a retired former Court of Appeal judge, to examine these issues independently and thoroughly.
UK national security must be protected—including from the harm that could arise from the damaging public disclosure of sensitive information. However, the inquiry will have access to all HMG papers it requires that are relevant to its examination. It will be for the detainee inquiry to choose what material is relevant to the issues it is examining. No non-sensitive material that the inquiry wishes to publish will be withheld from public disclosure. The Prime Minister has made clear that he intends to publish the inquiry's report with redactions only where necessary in order to avoid damage to the public interest. The Government have also undertaken to publish a formal response to any recommendations.
Camps: Private Land
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to create a criminal offence of illegally occupying a camp on private land; and if he will make a statement. [72617]
Mr Blunt: We have no plans to create a new offence of illegally occupying a camp on private land, though we are consulting on options for dealing with squatters in buildings.
Child Maintenance
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions for failure to make payments to the Child Support Agency resulted in (a) a custodial sentence, (b) disqualification from driving and (c) any other conviction in the latest period for which figures are available. [71175]
Maria Miller: I have been asked to reply.
The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
In reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many prosecutions for failure to make payments to the Child Support Agency resulted in (a) a custodial sentence, (b) disqualification from driving and (c) any other conviction in LPFA. [71175]
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Failure to pay child maintenance is not a criminal offence, so parents can not be prosecuted. However, where a non-resident parent fails to pay maintenance, there are a number of enforcement actions available. Money can be taken directly from a non-resident parent's earnings if the non-resident parent is employed, money can be taken directly from a non-resident parent's bank or building society account, or action can be taken to recover money through the courts.
The most serious forms of enforcement are commitment to prison or disqualification from driving. The decision whether to impose these and the length of any order made, is at the discretion of a Magistrates' Court (or Sheriff in Scotland) where they are satisfied that a non-resident parent has “wilfully refused or culpably neglected” to pay child maintenance—but these are not criminal sanctions.
| Child Support Agency: England Wales and Scotland civil enforcement actions | |
| Committals | April 2010 to March 2011 |
| Note: An order to pay is where the Magistrate grants a custodial prison sentence, suspended on condition that the NRP makes payment. Committal information includes both actual and suspended committal sentences and driving licence disqualifications following non payment of child maintenance | |
The total number of enforcement actions carried out by the Child Support Agency is routinely published on p23 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics (QSS) available in the House of Commons library and at the following link:
http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/stats0611.html
I hope you find this answer helpful.
Public Disorder
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of those charged with public disorder offences since 6 August 2011 are (a) in employment and (b) not in employment. [72542]
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice published available statistics on 15 September on people being dealt with by the court system in relation to the August disturbances. A bulletin, titled "Statistical bulletin on the public disorder of 6th to 9th August 2011" can be found by following the link:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/criminal-justice/public-disorder-august-11.htm
Information on the current employment status of those charged with public disorder offences since 6 August 2011 is not collected centrally on Ministry of Justice administrative data systems.
Community Legal Advice: Telephone Services
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on the Community Legal Advice telephone service in each year since 2004; and how many calls the service received in each such year. [72250]
Mr Djanogly: The cost of and number of calls to the Community Legal Advice Helpline, established in July 2004, is provided in the table as follows.
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| Financial year | Cost (£ million) | Number of calls |
| (1) Figures for 2010-11 are currently unaudited. | ||
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department plans to make the Community Legal Advice Helpline the sole gateway to criminal legal aid services. [72252]
Mr Djanogly: We do not have any current plans to make the Community Legal Advice Helpline the sole gateway to criminal legal aid services.
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the impact assessment for the establishment of the Community Legal Advice Helpline as the sole gateway to civil legal aid services considered the cost implications to (a) service users and (b) welfare services providers of using 084 and 087 prefix telephone numbers. [72253]
Mr Djanogly: The Community Legal Advice Telephone Helpline uses a 0845 prefix number. The impact assessment identifies both monetised and non-monetised impacts on individuals, groups and businesses in the UK, including both legal aid clients and legal services providers. Paragraph 14 of the impact assessment considered the issue of the cost of calling the helpline.
In addition, paragraph 22 of Annex D of the Government Response to the consultation on the Reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales sets out the measures in place to minimise the cost of contacting the service. These include various call back facilities available such as call operators and specialist advisers offering to call people back, a 'text for a call back' service and an online call back request service to request a call at a time and in a language of their choice.
The impact assessment for the Advice Telephone Helpline can be found at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/consultations/annex-d-telephone-advice.pdf
Magistrates' Mock Trial Competition
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the potential effects on crime rates of the reduction in funding for the Magistrates' Mock Trial competition. [71034]
Mr Djanogly: The Magistrates' Mock Trial Competition is organised by the Citizenship Foundation. Although the level of Government funding has reduced as a consequence of reduced departmental budgets, the competition continues to run.
This year HMCTS is making a grant of £25,000. In addition it is opening courtrooms at weekends and in the evenings and giving staff time. To ensure the
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continuation of the scheme, HMCTS is assisting the Citizenship Foundation in identifying alternative funding streams.
HMCTS has not made an assessment of the potential effects of the reduction in funding on crime rates nor would it be possible to do so.
Departmental Air Travel
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) which travel management companies his Department uses for the purchase of airline tickets; [72694]
(2) what (a) contractual obligations and (b) other processes his Department uses in respect of travel management companies to ensure the best value is achieved when purchasing airline tickets. [72708]
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice uses Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) to manage its air travel requirements under contract that expires in May 2012.
CWT are contracted to access the best and most appropriate deals. They provide quarterly data comparing the deals achieved relative to market trends.
Chief Scientific Adviser
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the resource budget allocation was for the office of his Department's chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [72487]
(2) what the salary, including benefits, was of his Department's chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many individuals have held the post in the last five years; [72488]
(3) how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in the office of his Department's chief scientific adviser in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and on what date the office was established; [72489]
(4) what his policy is on requiring his Department's (a) agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (b) contractors to have a written code of practice or protocol relating to the provision, conduct and quality assurance of scientific evidence and advice. [72490]
Mr Blunt: In the Ministry of Justice, the Department's Director of Analysis also carries out the Department's chief scientific adviser role. Therefore there is no separate resource budget allocation for the office of chief scientific adviser in the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice was created in 2007. Our first Director of Analysis was appointed in August 2008 and remains in post. Details of her salary have been made available under the data transparency agenda on the MOJ website. It is between £85,000 and £89,999 per annum.
The Director of Analysis draws on staff within the Analytical Services Directorate and beyond as required to fulfil her remit. We do not hold information on the proportion of time spent on the chief scientific adviser’s duties within the Ministry of Justice. Therefore we have no estimate of the full-time equivalent staff.
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The CSA role was established in MOJ in August 2008.
We do not have a policy of requiring agencies, non-departmental public bodies or contractors to have a written code of practice or protocol relating to the provision, conduct and quality assurance of scientific evidence and advice. Other arrangements are in place to seek this outcome.
Civil service staff in agencies and non-departmental public bodies would be expected to adhere to the Civil Service Code. The code requires them to demonstrate integrity (putting the obligations of public service above personal interests), objectivity (basing advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence) and impartiality (acting solely according to the merits of the case). We would expect this to lead to independent and robust advice to Ministers and policy makers. Where Government Analysts are in place, the various analytical professions' codes would similarly require the provision of objective, robust and impartial advice delivered to high professional standards. This would often include external peer review of products to ensure their robustness and quality.
In relation to contractors for analytical services, our standard terms and conditions require them to perform the services with reasonable care and diligence. This would include, but not be limited to, applying industry best practice, in accordance with their own established internal procedures and their compliance with any appropriate code of practices on ethical standards.
Departmental Compensation
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many compensation claims were received by the Prison Service from (a) prisoners, (b) prison staff and (c) visitors in each of the last three years; how many of these cases were defended by the Prison Service; and how many cases the Prison Service settled out of court. [71569]
Mr Blunt: Civil litigation can take several years to resolve and the number of claims completed in any given period may not be the same as those received within the same time frame. Therefore, a full answer to the question could be obtained by interrogating hundreds of individual cases files and only at disproportionate costs.
Legal Opinion: Costs
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average hourly rate paid was to external (a) solicitors and (b) barristers engaged by his Department in 2010-11; what guidance his Department uses in commissioning external legal advice; and if he will publish (i) the names of each external (A) solicitor and (B) barrister engaged by his Department in 2010-11 and (ii) the sums paid in each case. [72572]
Mr Djanogly:
The Ministry of Justice spent circa £12.9 million in the year 2010-11 on external solicitors and barristers. A breakdown of the average hourly rates and sums paid in each case as requested cannot be provided as this information is not held centrally or recorded in a manner that is easily retrievable to provide a full reply, it could be obtained only by manually sifting through files and invoices at a disproportionate
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cost. However in accordance with HM Treasury requirements all spend transactions over £25,000 are published on the Ministry of Justice website:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/transparency-data/spend-over-25000.htm
MOJ has established a departmental-wide gateway process for authorising spend on external legal services. Business units wishing to purchase legal services of any value from suppliers other than the Treasury Solicitor or Counsel must first inform Legal Directorate who will ascertain whether the matter can be dealt with in-house, or by the Treasury Solicitor's Department. Legal Directorate assist the business area in deciding which external firms should be invited to tender from the list of accredited suppliers under Legal Services Framework Agreements available on the Buying Solutions website for the Government Procurement Services:
www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk
Government have negotiated fee rates with each of these firms which may be open to further discussion as part of contract negotiations.
Barristers are instructed through Legal Directorate from the Attorney-General's Panel of Counsel. A full list is available on the Treasury Solicitors website:
www.tsol.gov.uk/attorney_generals_panel_of_counsel.htm
A Panel: £120 per hour
B Panel: £100 per hour
C Panel: £60 or £80 per hour for under or over five years call respectively.
First Treasury Counsel advise on, and represent Government in, particularly complex and sensitive matters at an hourly rate of £220.
10 years’ or more experience: £110 per hour
Over five years' experience but under 10: £90
Under five years' experience £60
QC rates are negotiated with the clerk and usually range from between £180 and £250 per hour.
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether, on average, private legal firms contracted to provide legal services to his Department were paid more than such firms contracted to provide comparable services for the Legal Services Commission in the latest period for which figures are available. [72757]
Mr Djanogly: It is not possible to make proper comparisons between the costs of legal services provided to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and those to the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The MOJ as a Government Department is able to use agreed panel rates with the Treasury Solicitor, rates which are open to all Government Departments. The LSC, as a non-departmental body, cannot use the same framework to procure its advice. However, the LSC does use the Office for Government Commerce procurement framework which represents negotiated hourly rates available to non-departmental bodies when obtaining legal services, without having to revert to negotiations with the private market. Both the Treasury Solicitor panel rates and the rates from the procurement framework are designed to deliver value for money, as both provide for rates lower than private market rates for similar services. Treasury Solicitor panel rates are available at the following website:
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http://www.tsol.gov.uk/PanelCounsel/appointments_to_panel.htm
Departmental Manpower
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff were employed in his Department's Ministerial Correspondence Unit in each of the last five years. [72416]
Mr Djanogly: The number of posts in the Ministry of Justice's Ministerial Correspondence Unit was as follows:
| Financial year ending 31 March | Number |
Deportation: Offenders
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2011, Official Report, columns 1131-2W, on deportation: offenders, (1) how many foreign national offenders were subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in each of the last five years; and how many foreign national offenders have become subject to MAPPA in each of the last five years; [72367]
(2) how many foreign national offenders subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) have (a) reoffended and (b) breached the terms of their MAPPA in each of the last five years. [72368]
Mr Blunt: Information on the nationality of offenders subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) is collected by the local criminal justice agencies that constitute the MAPPA Responsible Authority and is used in developing plans for managing the risks posed by offenders in the community. This information is not available centrally in the National Offender Management Service and would have to be obtained from the records of local Probation Trusts and local police forces. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
The UK Border Agency cannot provide the information requested about the number of foreign national offenders who were, or have become subject to, MAPPA in the past five years, because the date a foreign national offender becomes managed under MAPPA is not recorded on the agency's case management database. Nor can the agency provide information about the number of foreign national offenders subject to MAPPA who have reoffended or been in breach in the past five years, because the only way to obtain this information would be via a manual search. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
Driving Offences: Speed Limits
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on people with 12 points on their driving licence being given exemptions from a driving ban; and if he will make a statement. [72096]
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Mr Blunt: Under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, section 35, disqualification for a minimum of six months must be ordered if an offender incurs 12 penalty points or more within a three-year period. The minimum period may be automatically increased if the offender has been disqualified within the preceding three years. The period of a totting up disqualification can be reduced or avoided for exceptional hardship or other mitigating circumstances at the court's discretion.
Drugs: Prisons
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to reduce the use of drugs and alcohol in prisons. [72579]
Mr Blunt: The Government are committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs and alcohol within prisons and rehabilitating prisoners from drug and alcohol dependency to drug-free lives.
As set out in our response to the Green Paper ‘Breaking the Cycle’, we are increasing security measures in prison to reduce the supply of drugs and alcohol.
We are also piloting Drug Recovery Wings to provide short sentenced, drug dependent prisoners with continuity of treatment between prison and the community and working with health services to move to a treatment system focused on recovery which does not maintain heroin users on prescription alternatives such as methadone, unless absolutely necessary.
The current measure of drug prevalence in prisons is the random mandatory drug testing (rMDT) programme. In 2010-11 the positive rate for rMDT was 7.1%.
Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions there have been under the provisions of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003; and if he will make a statement. [72229]
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Mr Blunt: There have been no prosecutions under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 reported to the Ministry of Justice for England and Wales, since its introduction in March 2004, up to the end of 2010 (latest available).
The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 is intended to help prevent this unacceptable practice from happening in the first place. Research suggests that a number of barriers to prosecution, including pressure from the family or wider community, lead to cases going unreported.
Following a public consultation, multi-agency practice guidelines on handling cases of female genital mutilation were published by the Home Office in March; and the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) published guidance for prosecutors on 7 September 2011.
Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring of 2012.
Fly-Tipping: North-west
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there were for fly-tipping in each local authority area in the North West in each of the last five years. [72789]
Mr Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for fly-tipping offences in the North West region from 2006 to 2010 (latest available) is given in Table 1 as follows.
A penalty notice for disorder (PND) may be issued for offences of depositing and leaving litter. Information on the number of PNDs issued for these offences in the North West Region from 2006 to 2010 is given in Table 2.
Centrally held court proceedings and PND data are not available at local authority area level. Data are given in the table for the North West region broken down by police force area.
Court proceedings and PND data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring 2012.
| Table 1: Number of defendants p roceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for fly-tipping offences (1) , by police force area, North West region, 2006 - 10 (2, 3) | ||||||||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | ||||||
| North West region | Proceeded against | Found guilty | Proceeded against | Found guilty | Proceeded against | Found guilty | Proceeded against | Found guilty | Proceeded against | Found guilty |
| (1) Includes offences under the following statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990, s.33(6)(8)(9), 34 and 59; Control of Pollution Act (Amendment) Act 1989, s.1; Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. | ||||||||||
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| Table 2: Number of penalty notices for disorder issued to persons aged 16 and over for offences of depositing and leaving litter, by police force area, North West region, 2006 - 10 (1) | |||||
| North West region | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| (1 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. | |||||
Human Rights
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in how many cases of alleged overseas human rights abuses UK multinational companies were granted (a) conditional fee agreements and (b) legal aid prior to the enactment of the Access to Justice Act 1999. [72506]
Mr Djanogly: Claims can be brought in England and Wales alleging corporate harm in foreign jurisdictions. These are claims for damages in tort or contract rather than claims under the Human Rights Act or European convention on human rights. A number of such cases have been brought, but we do not hold a breakdown of their funding as between conditional fee agreements and legal aid. We understand that most of these cases concern claims for personal injury, which has been outside the scope of legal aid since April 2000 unless they are brought as part of a multi-party action with wider public interest.
The LSC cannot provide full information on the number of actions granted funding prior to the Access to Justice Act as full records are not retained.
Human Rights Act 1998
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on which dates since the entry into force of section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 a Minister of the Crown in charge of a Bill in the House of Commons has made a Statement under that section to the effect that, although he is unable to make a Statement of compatibility regarding the provisions of the Bill, the Government nevertheless wishes the House to proceed with the Bill; what each Bill that was the subject of the Statement was; which provision or provisions of each such Bill caused the Minister to be unable to make a Statement of compatibility; and whether each such provision was, or those provisions were, enacted. [72352]
Mr Kenneth Clarke:
The Minister in charge of a Bill must, upon its introduction into each House of Parliament, make a statement of compatibility under section 19(l)(a),
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or a statement as cited by my hon. Friend under section 19(l)(b) that a statement of compatibility cannot be made.
Since this requirement came into force on 24 November 1998, only one Government Bill has, on its first introduction into Parliament, carried a statement under section 19(l)(b): the Communications Bill, which was introduced on 19 November 2002. On that occasion, the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) made a statement as the Minister in charge of the Bill that, because of clause 309 of the Bill, she was unable to make a statement of compatibility with the Convention rights. Clause 309, which was ultimately enacted as section 321 of the Communications Act 2003, perpetuated the ban on political advertising and sponsorship in the broadcast media. The contemporary report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the Bill (“Scrutiny of Bills: Further Progress Report”, Fourth Report of Session 2002-03, HC Paper 50) discussed further the basis for this statement.
In addition, Ministers have made a statement under section 19(l)(b) in respect of two Government Bills brought from the House of Lords, the provisions in respect of which the statements were made having been introduced by amendments in the Other Place. Upon the introduction of the Local Government Bill into this House on 13 March 2000, the Minister in charge of the Bill, the former right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East (John Prescott), made a statement under section 19(l)(b); this was in light of the amendment agreed by the House of Lords to prevent the repeal of section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 (as inserted by section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988), which required local authorities not intentionally to promote homosexuality. Similarly, upon the introduction into this House of the Civil Partnership Bill on 5 July 2004, the former right hon. Member for Leicester West (Patricia Hewitt) made a statement under section 19(l)(b) as result of amendments made by their Lordships that would have permitted family members to register as civil partners.
In both of these cases, the Bill in question bore a statement of compatibility under section 19(l)(a) upon its first introduction into Parliament; and in both cases, the provisions in respect of which the statements under section 19(l)(b) were made no longer formed part of the Bills when they were enacted as the Local Government Act 2000 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 respectively.
Legal Aid Scheme
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to pay state-funded external legal services at the same rate as solicitors funded by legal aid in the same dispute. [72159]
Mr Djanogly: The state does not qualify for legal aid, and as such it cannot procure its own legal services at legal aid rates. If external legal services are engaged by the Ministry of Justice, the Department uses agreed rates through The Treasury Solicitor which are applicable to all Government Departments.
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Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of the response from the Financial Inclusion Taskforce to his consultation on the reform of legal aid. [72334]
Mr Djanogly: The response has been placed in the House Library.
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to reduce the costs incurred by his Department on state-funded defendants instructing private firms of solicitors and barristers. [72158]
Mr Djanogly: State-funded defendants cannot instruct lawyers on a private basis as lawyers are paid through legal aid. However, acquitted individuals (defendants) in criminal cases who instruct lawyers privately are currently eligible to receive their defence costs at private rates. These rates are substantially higher than legal aid rates. These costs are borne by the central funds budget for which the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), is responsible. The central funds budget has increased from £45 million in 2004-05 to £94 million in 2010-11.
The Secretary of State for Justice is taking steps to reduce central funds expenditure. The provisions of clause 52 and Schedule 6 to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, currently before Parliament, provide that: (i) acquitted individuals in the magistrates court who pay privately will remain eligible to receive their private defence costs but these costs will be capped at legal aid rates or thereabouts; (ii) acquitted individuals in the Crown court will not be eligible to receive their private defence costs because legal aid is available to all individuals in the Crown court.
These provisions are, subject to receiving Royal Assent in their current form, expected to lead to savings of up to £50 million per year in steady state by reducing the amount paid to acquitted individuals who instruct lawyers privately.
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the implementation of the provisions of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which (a) remove recoverability of after-the-event insurance, (b) introduce damages-based agreements, (c) introduce qualified one-way cost shifting, (d) increase general damages by 10%, and (e) remove success fees on the number of cases involving alleged overseas human rights abuses by UK multinational companies in which victims are able to access legal redress. [72434]
Mr Djanogly: The impact assessments published alongside the Government consultation and response on implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations set out the impact of the reforms on claimants. The Government are aware of concerns about the impact of the reforms on claimants alleging overseas human rights abuses by UK multinational companies, however, we are not persuaded that there is anything fundamentally different about these types of case which would warrant an exemption from our proposals.
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Magistrates' Mock Trial Competition
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the public purse of the reduction in funding for the Magistrates' Mock Trial competition. [71035]
Mr Djanogly: Since 2008-09 total Government funding for the Magistrates' Mock Trial competition has amounted to £180,000. The level of the grant has reduced over this period due to the need to focus on the delivery of front-line business. This year HMCTS is making a grant of £25,000.
Miscarriages of Justice: Simon Hall
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received in support of allegations of a miscarriage of justice in the case of Mr Simon Hall. [71881]
Mr Blunt: On 9 September 2011, the Ministry of Justice received an eight-page file from Mr Hall outlining the circumstances of his conviction and claiming that he had suffered a miscarriage of justice.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has assumed responsibility for investigating alleged miscarriages of criminal justice and referring them to the relevant appeal court, where appropriate. The Criminal Appeal Act 1995 gave the Commission full powers to direct and supervise investigations, approve the appointment of officers to carry out investigations on its behalf, and to gain access to documents and other relevant materials. As the Commission is an independent body it would be inappropriate for Ministers to seek to influence its consideration of applications. It is open to Mr Hall to consider making an application to the Commission for a review of his case.
Offenders: Green Paper
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to publish all submissions to the consultation on the Green Paper entitled Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders. [67969]
Mr Blunt: The Government intend to publish a summary of the responses to the Green Paper Breaking the Cycle in the near future.
Offensive Weapons
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been convicted of possession of a bladed article where the bladed article has been used to threaten or cause fear in each of the last three years; and what the average length of sentence was. [72537]
Mr Blunt: It is not possible to separately identify those specific cases where the defendant was convicted for using a bladed article to threaten or cause fear.
Data held centrally on the Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database does not include information about the circumstances behind each case, other than that which may be identified from a statute.
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Prisons: Catering
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will consider allowing prisons to bid to provide their own catering services. [67613]
Mr Blunt: All providers of custodial services are free to provide catering themselves, or to choose the provider of their catering services from an approved list of framework suppliers. When a change to the current catering service provision is requested, a formal mini tender competition is carried out.
Prisons: Private Sector
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the maximum profit margin allowed to private companies which take over running of prisons. [70271]
Mr Blunt: Our objective in using competition for the running of prisons is to deliver more effective outcomes and to achieve better value for money for the taxpayer. The competition process is open to providers from the public, private or voluntary and community sectors. As with previous prison competitions, the profit margins achievable by private companies will be balanced against the need to ensure that their bids are sufficiently competitive.
Probation
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with the National Association of Probation Officers with regard to the competitive tender in the Probation Service. [71987]
Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has consulted NAPO regarding the current competition to deliver Community Payback in London. This competition is the only competition currently being run for community offender service.
As part of the review of probation, announced by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), on 13 July 2011, NOMS is currently developing wider proposals on the use of competition in community offender services and the best model for delivering them. We will set out our proposals on probation reform in the autumn, at which point we will engage with wider stakeholders.
Young Offenders: Reoffending
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of young offenders leaving young offender institutions reoffend. [72076]
Mr Blunt: The table shows the one year re-offending rates for juvenile offenders (aged 10 to 17) discharged from custody (Young Offender Institutions, Secure Training Centres or Secure Children's Homes) in the first quarter of each year since 2000.
A re-offence is defined as any offence committed in the one-year follow up period proven by a court conviction or an out-of-court disposal.
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| As at Quarter 1: | Number of offenders | Re-offending rate (percentage) |
| (1) Data are not available for 2001 due to a problem with archived data on court orders. Note: More information on the re-offending rates is available from the Ministry of Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/reoffending/juveniles.htm | ||
Youth Offending Teams: Redundancies
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there have been any redundancies from youth offending teams in (a) London and (b) Newham since 2010. [71346]
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice are not able to give figures on redundancies from Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) as the data are not collated centrally.
YOTs are a partnership made up of representatives from the police, probation service, children's services, health, education, drugs and alcohol misuse and housing officers. YOT staff are employed by the relevant local authority and as such are not employees of the Ministry of Justice or the Youth Justice Board.
Culture, Media and Sport
Andy Coulson
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on what dates he has met Andy Coulson since his appointment. [72746]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I refer the hon. Member for Bury South to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) on 7 September 2011, Official Report, column 615-16W.
Anti-slavery Day
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to mark Anti-slavery Day in 2011. [72020]
John Penrose: The Government are fully committed to combating human trafficking by tackling organised crime groups and protecting the victims of this modern day slavery.
We published a strategy on human trafficking on 19 July, which reiterates the UK's intention to take a comprehensive approach to combating trafficking—both by focusing on tackling traffickers and maintaining effective care for victims.
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The strategy also sets out our commitment to raising awareness of trafficking among the public and the private sector. The Government recognise the importance of Anti-Slavery Day as an opportunity to improve understanding and increase vigilance in our communities. Accordingly, we are planning to mark Anti-Slavery Day with a range of events including the launch of a training and referral process for the airline industry with a major UK airline.
However, DCMS has no plans to mark Anti-Slavery day itself.
Arts and Culture
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what responsibility (a) his Department and (b) Arts Council England has for the development of Government policy on the arts and culture. [72752]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I am responsible for Government policy on the arts and culture; Arts Council England is responsible for implementing that policy, as set out in its Royal Charter.
Botulinum Toxin
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he plans to take in relation to the advertising of botulinum toxin. [72524]
Mr Vaizey: None. Controls on the advertising of medicines, medical devices, treatments, health-related products and beauty products, such as Botulinum toxin, are the responsibility of the independent regulators, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine which cannot be advertised to the public under the current Advertising Codes administered by the ASA.
Broadband
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans his Department has for private sector involvement in the creation of a world-class broadband network. [72624]
Mr Vaizey: The Government aim to stimulate private investment and delivery of superfast broadband to 90% of all premises and 2Mbps for virtually all communities by 2015. Delivery will be led by the private sector, with public funding being made available to make the necessary investment cost-effective to industry in areas where this is required.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how the UK high speed broadband balanced scorecard is being created; and when it will be published. [72632]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: My Department is discussing with Ofcom the appropriate indicators to use and the timing of the publication of the Best In Europe Scorecard and I will make an announcement in due course following those discussions.
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Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has received from small businesses on the provision of high speed broadband. [72634]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I receive a significant amount of correspondence from all sizes of businesses and from business representative organisations regarding availability of high speed broadband.
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what regulatory changes his Department proposes in respect of the roll-out of super-fast broadband in areas not served by the market. [72667]
Mr Vaizey: The Government are committed to helping increase investment in broadband networks, partly by removing legislative or regulatory barriers. For example, we are committed to consulting on the deployment of new overhead lines which have the potential to reduce the cost of deploying new infrastructure in some hard to reach areas.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport for what reasons the date for provision of universal broadband has changed. [72799]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Government have announced more ambitious targets, to be delivered in a more realistic time frame and with more funding available, compared with the approach taken by the last Government.
Broadband: Scotland
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on the allocation of funds for the rollout of superfast broadband in Scotland. [72162]
Mr Vaizey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun on 18 July 2011, Official Report, column 543W.
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment his Department has made of the speed of the rollout of superfast broadband in (a) Scotland and (b) other parts of the UK. [72230]
Mr Vaizey: The Government are supporting the Scottish Government to deliver superfast broadband to 90% of all premises in Scotland and standard broadband to virtually all communities by 2015.
With regard to the rest of the UK, the Government announced in the summer the indicative funding allocations for local authority areas in England and for the devolved Administrations to support delivery of the objective for 90% of the UK population to have access to a superfast broadband connection and for universal access to a service of at least 2 Mbps by 2015.
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Five pilot projects are currently undertaking procurement, including the project in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and a further four projects are ready to commence procurement. Other areas of the country are making good progress with their plans.