Burma: Internally Displaced People
Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has had access to internally displaced people at the Kachin-China border; and whether his Department has provided food and medical assistance to those people. [73420]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Department for International Development (DFID) staff are in regular contact with United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with access to internally displaced people in Kachin State, Burma. DFID staff have not themselves had access to the China-Burma border. I have agreed that funding through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and a humanitarian NGO already working in the area may be used to assist people displaced by recent conflict in Kachin State.
Burma: Overseas Aid
Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will provide funding to the Kachin Women's Association Thailand for emergency relief in Kachin State, Burma. [73419]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department of International Development (DFID) has carefully considered a funding request from the Kachin Women's Association Thailand (KWAT) for emergency relief in Kachin State Burma. DFID staff have recently informed KWAT that we are not able to support this request. I have however agreed that funding through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and a humanitarian non-governmental organisation already working in the area may be used to assist people displaced by recent conflict in Kachin State.
Burma: Politics and Government
Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Kachin State, Burma since 9 June 2011. [73421]
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Mr Andrew Mitchell: Department for International Development (DFID) staff have been closely monitoring the humanitarian situation in Kachin State following the outbreak of conflict earlier this year. We are in contact with a number of organisations working in the affected areas, both from inside Burma and from across the border in China. We understand that as many as 20,000 people have been displaced by recent fighting. I have agreed that funding through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and a humanitarian non-governmental organisation already working in the area may be used to assist displaced people in Kachin State.
Chief Scientific Adviser
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [72483]
Mr Duncan: For financial years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 the resource budget allocation for the Office of the DFID chief scientific adviser has been estimated at £123,000, £123,000 and £125,000 respectively. This does not include the cost of employing the chief scientific adviser.
For 2009-10, 2010-11 the resource budget allocation was £219,000 per year which does not include the cost of the chief scientific adviser.
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [72484]
Mr Duncan: The chief scientific adviser is a secondment into the civil service and is not paid directly by DFID. As a secondee the chief scientific adviser stays on the same terms and conditions as the seconding institution, although DFID reimburses the seconding institution for this service.
Two individuals have held this position in the last five years.
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [72485]
Mr Duncan: In 2007 and 2008 two full-time equivalent staff were employed in this office in addition to the chief scientific adviser.
In 2009, 2010 and 2011 3.3 full-time equivalent staff were employed in this office in addition to the chief scientific adviser.
The office of the chief scientific adviser was established in DFID in January 2005.
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Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [72486]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: My Department is committed to handling science and engineering advice in accordance with the Government chief scientific adviser's “Guidelines on the use of science and engineering advice in policy making”,
(a) We do not have any agencies or non-departmental public bodies.
(b) We do not ask contractors to provide a written code of practice or protocol relating to the provision, conduct and quality assurance of scientific evidence and advice. However, this comes through the technical evaluation of proposals and our contracts require providers to sign up to our terms and conditions, which include general standard obligations to carry out the services with skill, diligence, efficiency, economy and to satisfy accepted professional standards. DFID's terms and conditions are more specific on personnel standards (this extends to sub-contractors), data management, corruption policy, conflict of interest, discrimination and environmental standards. For quality assurance we request peer review of proposals and outputs during commissioning of research, at annual monitoring and evaluation reviews and at completion of the contract. All published research is also peer reviewed.
Fossil Fuels
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on provision of support from his Department's private sector department for companies involved in dirty fossil fuel energy production. [73013]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's (DFID) support for energy projects, whether through the public or private sectors, is based on a central premise of a presumption away from coal and that all cleaner forms of energy are thoroughly considered before concluding that coal is an option. Were a fossil fuel project to be considered, DFID would also ensure that there is compelling poverty reduction rationale; that the best available and appropriate technology is used; that every effort to reduce emissions is made and that there is an assessment of the technical and economic feasibility for CCS readiness.
Cabinet Office
Departmental Fines
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many transport-related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its staff and at what cost in each year since 2007. [74397]
Mr Maude:
The Cabinet Office expects its staff to abide by the law when travelling on official business. If a member of staff broke the law (for example by parking illegally, exceeding the speed limit, using a mobile phone
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when driving) they would be obliged to pay any fine themselves. The Department's policy makes it clear that managers must not reimburse any costs associated with breaking the law.
Procurement
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that companies providing services to the Government are not adversely affected by price fluctuation indices created by the Office for National Statistics. [73477]
Mr Maude: As Government contracts are openly competed, it is normal practice that any risk arising from price fluctuations is borne by the supplier.
For projects where base material and other prices are highly volatile, it would be logical for there to be discussions involving client, designers and (potential) suppliers at an early stage to address the risks and decide on any necessary contractual provisions.
Government Procurement Card
Chris Kelly: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Government Procurement Card transactions were made by his Department's officials withdrawing cash from automated teller machines from 2006-07 to 2009-10; at what cost; and on which dates. [73729]
Mr Maude: From 2006-07 to 2009-10 there are no records held centrally of any cash withdrawals in the Department.
Public Sector: Mutual Societies
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many letters on public service mutuals he has received in each month since 1 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [74020]
Mr Maude: The information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what meetings he has had in his Department with (a) voluntary sector organisations and (b) those interested in public service mutuals policy in each month since 1 June 2011. [74022]
Mr Hurd: Details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis. Information for meetings since 1 June 2011 will be published in due course.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what work his Department commissioned from civil society organisations in each month since June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [74018]
Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office does not hold a central record of work commissioned from civil society organisations. The Office for Civil Society works very closely with this sector and the following table summarises recent work it has commissioned.
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Voluntary Organisations
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what visits to voluntary sector organisations (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) senior officials in his Department have made in each month since 1 June 2011; and if he will make a statement. [74021]
Mr Hurd: I and my officials frequently visit voluntary sector organisations across all regions of the country. I also host regular meetings with various organisations as well as continuing the practice of inviting all MPs to bring local voluntary sector organisations to the Cabinet Office for meetings. Since 1 June 2011, I have visited over 20 such organisations in the UK.
Voluntary Organisations: Finance
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many letters on funding of the voluntary sector he has received in each month since 1 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [74019]
Mr Hurd: The information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Voluntary Work
Mark Menzies: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to encourage people to become community organisers and activists. [73642]
Mr Hurd: Locality, the National Partner appointed by Government to deliver the Community Organisers Programme has a key role in raising awareness about the opportunities this programme presents. Locality has ensured that the host organisations are using a consistent job description and process across England to recruit the senior community organisers locally. They have used:
Local press
Internet
Word of mouth
Existing networks and contacts
Small open events.
Overall, over 1,000 people applied for the role of a senior community organiser for the first tranche, from which 47 were selected.
Nationally, the programme's opportunities have also been disseminated via Locality's and Community Development Foundation's networks.
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As part of the work of the senior community organisers, they will over time identify and recruit local volunteer organisers.
To find out more about the programme, please visit:
http://www.cocollaborative.org.uk/
Defence
Armed Forces
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) service, (b) location and (c) strength is of each military band. [73599]
Peter Luff [holding answer 12 October 2011]:The following table lists the number of bands by service, location and strength:
| Band name | Location | Strength |
|
The Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
||
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|
The Band of the 150th (Yorkshire) Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers) |
||
| (1) One UKTAP plus 34 Gurkhas. (2) Territorial Army. (3 )UKTAP denotes United Kingdom Trained Adult Personnel. | ||
Armed Forces: Helicopters
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the effects of the marinisation of Merlin helicopters on RAF Benson; and if he will make a statement; [73694]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the implications of marinisation of Merlin helicopters for their capacity to fly hot and high; and if he will make a statement; [73695]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the implications of marinisation for the weight of Merlin helicopters; and if he will make a statement; [73696]
(4) how many Merlin helicopters have been selected for marinisation; and if he will make a statement; [73697]
(5) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the marinisation of the Merlin helicopter; and if he will make a statement. [73698]
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Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is currently exploring options as part of the concept phase for the Merlin Life sustainment programme. It is therefore too early in the programme to be able to confirm details regarding cost, scope and aircraft weight and performance.
The implications of future helicopter plans for RAF Benson will be better understood upon conclusion of the Defence rotary wing capability study, which is expected towards the end of this year.
Armed Forces: Northern Ireland
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of providing military security in Northern Ireland was in (a) 1997 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available (i) in cash terms, (ii) in current prices and (iii) as a percentage of the UK's total defence expenditure. [71495]
Nick Harvey: For the purposes of answering this question the cost of providing military security has been interpreted to mean the costs of maintaining a military presence in the Province.
The data requested are shown in the following table:
| Financial year | Cash outturn (£ million) | Current prices (£ million) | Percentage of total outturn |
| (1) Departmental Outturn for 1997-98—£21,517 million. (2) Departmental Outturn for 2010-11—£39,461 million. | |||
The reduction in expenditure is a result of the reduction in the military presence in Northern Ireland after the end of Operation Banner in 2007.
Armed Forces: Young People
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to encourage young people to join (a) the Army Cadet Force and (b) the Combined Cadet Force. [74066]
Peter Luff: There are a number of initiatives at national, regional and local levels which encourage young people to join their local cadet unit. These include websites for each of the Cadet Forces, activity on social networking websites and recruiting events in local communities. However, the best recruiting tool is the enthusiasm of cadets themselves, encouraging their friends to join so they can take part in the exciting and challenging programmes our Cadet Forces offer. In the case of the Combined Cadet Force, the head teacher's support is key and we bolster this support through regular briefings and our work with the Combined Cadet Force Associations. Furthermore, last summer the Under-Secretary of State for Defence with responsibility for Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), commissioned a review into Defence's Youth Engagement activities which will include related issues.
Arms Trade: Exports
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost of (a) Ministers and (b) Royal Air Force personnel promoting defence exports has been in the last 12 months. [73596]
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Mr Gerald Howarth [holding answer 12 October 2011]: Ministers support defence and security exports through an active and innovative defence diplomacy initiative. Details of all ministerial visits overseas are published online quarterly under Ministerial Overseas Travel at the following website:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/
The website details the purpose of the visit along with the cost. Visits are not always for export purposes, however Ministers travelling overseas will promote defence and security exports wherever appropriate. Support to defence exports is enshrined in Military Tasks and is an important part of the RAF Engagement Strategy.
The RAF has traditionally provided participation at defence trade exhibits and airshows alongside briefings and demonstrations on request from the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) on an ad hoc basis and does not keep records of these services as a distinct activity.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of military operations in Libya since the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1973. [74313]
Dr Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 12 October 2011, Official Report, column 30WS.
Planning Permission: Sevenoaks
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances he sought regarding future planning use prior to the disposal of Chelsfield Ammunition Depot at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks. [73547]
Peter Luff [holding answer 12 October 2011]:As a result of inquiries to the local planning authority a statement was included in the marketing particulars for the Chelsfield site. This read:
“The site is located within the greenbelt and there will be a presumption against redevelopment. Sevenoaks District Council has verbally informed GVA Grimley [MOD's commercial disposal agents] that the site has a Sui Generis [unique] use class. Further planning enquiries should be made of Sevenoaks District Council.”
Reserve Forces: Teachers
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of reservists are members of the teaching profession. [74067]
Peter Luff: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Home Department
Alcoholic Drinks: Prices
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the (a) number of units and (b) monetary value of alcohol sold at a price below duty plus VAT in the last year. [73551]
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James Brokenshire [holding answer 12 October 2011]: The Impact Assessment on banning the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT will be published by the Home Office later in the autumn. The Impact Assessment estimates the costs and benefits of a duty plus VAT policy as well as the estimated reduction in alcohol consumption and alcohol related hospital admissions and violent incidents.
Asylum
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance her Department provides to Sri Lankan nationals who have not been successful in a UK asylum application and have been deported to Sri Lanka. [74218]
Damian Green:
We prefer individuals who have no right to remain in the UK to leave voluntarily. The UK Border Agency operates assisted voluntary return schemes,
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administered by Refugee Action's Choices service, which provide various reintegration assistance packages to help individuals and families to return home with dignity and support.
For charter flight operations we currently make a small discretionary payment to enable returnees to travel to their home town or village. We also ensure that a UK Government representative is present at the airport.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications from Sri Lankan nationals have been (a) granted and (b) refused in each of the last 10 years. [74229]
Damian Green: The number of asylum applications, excluding dependants, from nationals of Sri Lanka that have been (a) granted asylum on initial decisions and (b) refused asylum on initial decisions are provided as follows:
| Asylum applications and initial decisions (1, 2, 3) for main applicants, nationals of Sri Lanka | |||||||||
| Principal applicants | |||||||||
| Total applications | Total initial decisions | Total grants | Grants of asylum | Grants of HP | Grants of DL | Grants of ELR | Total refusals | Total withdrawals | |
| (1 )2009 and 2010 figures are provisional. (2) Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period and exclude the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. (3) Humanitarian protection (HP) and discretionary leave (DL) replaced exceptional leave to remain (ELR) from 1 April 2003. | |||||||||
These data were published in Table as.01 of Immigration Statistics: April-June 2011. Further information on asylum application outcomes is available from the Immigration Statistics release available in the Library of the House and the Home Office Science website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding asylum cases under the legacy programme there were as of 1 September 2011. [72077]
Damian Green: The agency completed its review of all cases in the legacy cohort at the end of March 2011. A total of 500,500 cases were reviewed as part of the programme and as Jonathan Sedgwick reported to the Home Affairs Committee on 12 September, the majority (479,000) have been fully concluded.
The UK Border Agency is actively managing around 18,000 cases which have been progressed to the furthest possible point but barriers to their removal remain, such as ongoing litigation, impending prosecution, incomplete legal or criminal proceedings, non-compliance or because they are from difficult to remove countries. These cases are being actively progressed and will be concluded when those barriers have been lifted.
The UK Border Agency will also continue to monitor and complete checks on 98,000 cases which were placed in the Controlled Archive because the individuals could not be traced. The agency will reactivate cases where new information comes to light that allows cases to be progressed and concluded.
The Agency completed its review of all cases in the legacy cohort at the end of March 2011. A total of 500,500 cases were reviewed as part of the programme and the majority (455,000) have been fully concluded.
The UK Border Agency established the Case Assurance and Audit Unit (CAAU) to actively manage those 23,000 cases which had been reviewed but had barriers to conclusion. All these cases have been decided and communicated to the applicants.
The CAAU has now fully concluded 1,500 of those cases. They have also issued around 3,000 grants which are subject to information from the applicant in order to complete a final security check.
The UK Border Agency is actively managing around 18,000 cases which have been caseworked to the furthest possible point but barriers to their removal remain, such as ongoing litigation, impending prosecution,
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incomplete legal or criminal proceedings, non-compliance or because they are from difficult to remove countries. These cases are being actively caseworked and will be concluded when those barriers have been lifted.
Note:
All figures rounded to the nearest 500.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent progress has been made on the implementation of the new asylum processing system. [73057]
Damian Green: The Asylum Improvement Project was set up to explore new ways to speed up the processing of asylum applications. We have already seen improvement outcomes from this project which include:
replacing the old PSA target with a new performance framework to ensure that the whole system remains in balance;
introducing better, shorter guidance for case owners on sensitive issues, including gender;
revision of our policies for dealing with applications from lesbian and gay asylum seekers.
The improvements that we have made to our processes have already had a positive impact on performance:
Eurostat statistics show that in June 2010 there were nearly 7,720 asylum seekers waiting for a decision on their application. In July 2011 that had reduced to 5,670 and this is despite an increase in applications.
We are making decisions more quickly. On average 59% of applications now receive a decision within 30 days.
Our internal audit process shows that the quality of our decisions has remained high.
The cost of the asylum support system has been reduced by over £100 million in the last year.
Removals are getting faster. 19% of asylum seekers are now removed within 12 months.
We continue to pursue an ongoing programme of innovation and reform to ensure that the asylum system delivers swifter, higher quality case conclusions, delivered at significantly lower cost to the taxpayer.
Further information on the Asylum Improvement Project can be found in its one-year-on progress report published in May 2011. The report can be found on the UK Border Agency website at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/reports/asylum-improvement-project/
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how funding criteria are being developed for new applications for the Prevent strategy. [73058]
James Brokenshire:
Our priority is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism through the delivery of the objectives in the Prevent strategy. We have developed criteria for the assessment of funding applications based on established and objective project
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management guidance for the delivery of projects. Key features that the bids are assessed against include details of project deliverables, milestones and value for money. We will use these criteria as a basis to assess each project's ability to deliver Prevent objectives, the likelihood of the project proposal achieving its aims and how it will impact on people who are most vulnerable to radicalisation.
Asylum: English Language
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful applicants for asylum had the ability to speak English to A1 standard in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [73622]
Damian Green [holding answer 12 October 2011]: The UK Border Agency does not collect data on how many successful asylum seekers speak English.
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what English language training her Department provides to successful applicants for asylum; what the budget for such training was in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and what the budget for such training will be in each financial year to 2014-15. [73623]
Damian Green [holding answer 12 October 2011]: The Home Office does not provide English language training for refugees or hold a budget for such training.
Refugees are able to apply for ESOL classes subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria.
Deportation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London on the deportation from the UK of Sri Lankan nationals. [74227]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency, together with representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, maintain a regular dialogue on migration with officials at the high commission of Sri Lanka including on matters relating to the re-documentation and return of Sri Lankan nationals when they have no legal right to remain in the UK.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan nationals have been deported from the UK to Sri Lanka in each of the last 10 years. [74230]
Damian Green: The following table provides the available information on total number of Sri Lankan nationals who were removed or departed voluntarily from the UK to Sri Lanka by type in each year from 2004 to 2010. Data for earlier years are not available.
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The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within Immigration Statistics. The data on removals and voluntary departures are available in tables rv.01 to rv.08 from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, research and statistics webpages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Deportation: Offenders
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2011, Official Report, columns 1131-2W, on deportation: offenders, for how many foreign national offenders subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements is their location unknown. [72369] [Official Report, 20 October 2011, Vol. 533, c. 9MC.]
Damian Green: There are four foreign national prisoners subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements whom the UK Border Agency is considering for deportation and whose location is unknown.
The UK Border Agency seeks to deport from the UK foreign national offenders who meet the following criteria:
A court recommendation.
For non-EEA nationals—a custodial sentence of 12 months or more either in one sentence or as an aggregate of two or three sentences over a period of five years, or a custodial sentence of any length for a drug offence (other than possession).
For EEA nationals—a custodial sentence of 12 months or more for an offence involving drugs, violent or sexual crimes or a custodial sentence of 24 months or more for other offences.
There may also be other foreign nationals subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements whose whereabouts is unknown, but are not subject to deportation consideration by the UK Border Agency.
The UK Border Agency's work on relocating individuals subject to deportation consideration is a high priority and it actively pursues individuals whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
DNA: Databases
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the retention of DNA of those arrested but not charged with a qualifying offence as defined in the Crime and Security Act 2010. [71005]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 9 September 2011]:Our position remains that, where a person is arrested but not charged for a qualifying offence, if the police believe there are sufficient public protection grounds to justify the retention of DNA and fingerprint records, they will be able to apply to the new Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material.
The Commissioner will decide whether or not retention is justified; if the Commissioner agrees, the police will be able to retain material for a period of three years. At the end of that period, they will be able to apply to a magistrates court for a single, two-year, extension to the retention period.
Domestic Violence
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for protection under the domestic violence rule of the Immigration Rules have been (a) made, (b) accepted and (c) rejected in the latest period for which figures are available. [73243]
Damian Green: The number of applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under the domestic violence rule that have been made, accepted and refused from 1 January 2007 to 30 September 2011 are as follows:
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
| (1 )Includes rejected, void and withdrawn applications. | |||||
All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.
It should be noted that “rejected” is a separate application outcome for applications which have not been completed correctly.
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Entry Clearances
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Ghanaian nationals were refused entry to the UK in each of the last five years. [74240]
Damian Green: The number of Ghanaian nationals initially refused entry to the United Kingdom was 501 in 2006, 426 in 2007, 450 in 2008, 269 in 2009 and 236 in 2010. 2010 figures are provisional.
The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons refused entry to the United Kingdom. Data on those refused entry are
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available in tables be.08 to be.08q from the Library of the House and from the Home Office science, research and statistics web pages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications from Ghanaian nationals have been (a) granted and (b) refused in each of the last 10 years. [74243]
Damian Green: The number of asylum applications, excluding dependants, from nationals of Ghana that have been (a) granted asylum on initial decisions and (b) refused asylum on initial decisions are provided in the following table:
| Asylum applications and initial decisions (1,2,3) for main applicants, nationals of Ghana | |||||||||
| Principal applicants | |||||||||
| Total applications | Total initial decisions | Total grants | Grants of asylum | Grants of HP | Grants of DL | Grants of ELR | Total refusals | Total withdrawals | |
| (1) 2009 and 2010 figures are provisional. (2) Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period and exclude the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. (3) Humanitarian Protection (HP) and Discretionary Leave (DL) replaced Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR) from 1 April 2003. | |||||||||
These data were published in Table as.01 of Immigration Statistics: April-June 2011. Further information on asylum application outcomes is available from the Immigration Statistics release available in the Library of the House and the Home Office Science website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visas were granted to Ghanaian nationals in each of the last 10 years. [74244]
Damian Green: The figures are for main student visa applicants only and do not include student visitors.
| Total number of visas issued | |
These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visas have been granted to foreign nationals (a) under the age of 20 and (b) over the age of 30 in each of the last 10 years. [74245]
Damian Green: The following table shows the requested information from 2004 (the earliest date for which figures are available).
| Under 20 years of age | Over 30 years of age | |
These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals in respect of refused student visa applications have (a) been upheld and (b) not been upheld in the last 12 months. [74043]
Damian Green: The points-based system Tier 4 student visa does not carry the right of appeal. Therefore no appeals were heard. Applicants can instead request an administrative review which is conducted by the entry clearance manager at post.
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Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visas were (a) applied for and (b) granted in each of the last five years. [74044]
Damian Green: The figures are for main student visa applicants only and do not include student visitors.
| Applications (1) | Issued (2) | |
| (1) These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change. (2) Published statistic available at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/ | ||
Foreign Workers: Nurses
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of recent changes to immigration rules on the supply of nurses through the Overseas Nursing Programme. [72951]
Damian Green: Nurses applying through the Overseas Nursing Programme continue to qualify under Tier 2 of the Points-Based System where there are labour market gaps which cannot be filled by settled workers.
Government Procurement Card
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount, (c) supplier and (d) level 3 or enhanced transaction entry was of each transaction undertaken by her Department using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10. [73504]
Damian Green: Details of Government Procurement Card transactions undertaken by the Home Department in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost due to the need to redact manually sensitive information.
We are currently working to provide a consistent method of reporting Government Procurement Card purchase information for individual transactions over £500 in value dating from 1 April 2011. We expect this information to be available on our departmental website before the end of the calendar year.
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Government Procurement Card transactions were made by her Department's officials withdrawing cash from automated teller machines from 2006-07 to 2009-10; at what cost; and on which dates. [73722]
Damian Green: During the period 2006-07 to 2009-10 no Government Procurement Card transactions were made by Home Department officials withdrawing cash from automated teller machines.
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Hillsborough Disaster
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Prime Minister since her appointment over the unredacted release of the Hillsborough Cabinet minutes. [74320]
Mrs May: The Prime Minister and I agree on the need to provide full transparency about the Hillsborough disaster through full public disclosure. All the Cabinet Office papers have been shared with the Hillsborough Independent Panel and the Government are happy for all the papers to be released as soon as the panel so decides, in consultation with the families. The Prime Minister and I expect them to be shared with the Hillsborough families first and then the wider public.
Identity and Passport Service: Government Procurement Card
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount, (c) supplier and (d) level 3 or enhanced transaction entry was of each transaction undertaken by the Identity and Passport Service using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10. [73502]
Damian Green: In response to (i), the total expenditure incurred by the Identity and Passport Service (formerly the UK Passport Agency) in 2007-08 through use of the Government Procurement Card was £1,312,748. In response to (ii) and (iii), I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (John Glen) on 13 September 2011, Official Report, column 1135W.
It is not possible to provide a breakdown of GPC transactions in these years without incurring disproportionate cost.
Illegal Immigrants
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding she plans to allocate to tackling illegal immigration at UK borders up to 2015. [70234]
Damian Green: The planned expenditure for the agency is set out in the following table. Detail of planned expenditure below the organisational level is not available as yet for the years 2012-15.
| Budget (£ million) | |||||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| Note: The total spend figure is the gross spending of the agency, including spending funded by income earned. | |||||
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Passport Office: Newark
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of the closure of the Newark Passport Office on passport application processing times. [73340]
Damian Green: The Identity and Passport Service does not have an office in Newark. I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the Newport office.
The Newport office is not closing. In May 2011 I announced that the Newport office will be transformed into a customer service centre, and that the processing of postal and online applications will be transferred to other passport processing centres. This will have no impact on processing times.
Restraint Techniques
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the safety of (a) nose control and (b) other restraint techniques used by private security companies undertaking enforced removals; and what consideration she has given to phasing out the use of such techniques. [73937]
Damian Green: We would prefer that individuals who have no right to remain in the UK left voluntarily. However, where they refuse to do so, it may be necessary to enforce their removal.
Escort officers will only ever use restraint as an absolute last resort when every effort to secure compliance during a removal has failed and where it is necessary to prevent self-harm or to protect others and property.
In order to exercise any use of restraint, officers must be certified by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department a condition of which is that they have undergone training to a high standard of techniques approved by the National Offender Management Service.
The ‘nose control’ technique was withdrawn in October 2010 and is no longer part of the training syllabus.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters she has received on funding for civil society organisations within her Department's area of responsibility in each month since 1 June 2010; and if she will make a statement. [73992]
Damian Green: Letters on funding for civil sector organisations may be received in Home Office headquarters centrally; by various individual business units; or by the Home Office's agencies. The information is not therefore readily available or held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
UK Border Agency
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy of the UK Border Agency is on responding to constituency cases raised by regional list members of the (a) Scottish Parliament, (b) Welsh Assembly and (c) Northern Ireland Assembly. [74259]
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Damian Green: My right hon Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department takes the view that immigration is a matter reserved for the Westminster Parliament and therefore inquiries from Members of devolved legislatures (MDLs) on individual immigration cases do not receive a substantive reply. MDLs are informed that their constituent should raise their query through their Westminster MP.
However, substantive replies are given to all Ministers of devolved legislatures on individual immigration cases they raise in their ministerial capacity.
Inquiries from MDLs on matters of policy and general inquiries receive full, substantive replies from the UK Border Agency.
UK Border Agency: Government Procurement Card
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount, (c) supplier and (d) level 3 or enhanced transaction entry was of each transaction undertaken by the UK Border Agency using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10. [73501]
Damian Green: Details of Government Procurement Card transactions undertaken by the Home Department between 2007-08 and 2009-10 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost due to the need to redact manually sensitive information.
We are currently working to provide a consistent method of reporting government procurement card spend data for transactions over £500 in value dating from 1 April 2011. We expect this information to be available on our departmental website before the end of the calendar year.
UK Border Agency: Illegal Immigrants
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often UK Border Agency officials monitor illegal working in each UK fishing port; and what action was taken as a result of such monitoring. [73342]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency adopts an intelligence-led approach to its operations. Where intelligence is received which suggests illegal working is taking place this is investigated and appropriate action taken.
The UK Border Agency monitors activity in the UK fishing fleet on an ongoing basis through the deployment of the cutter fleet to ports around the UK and the boarding of vessels at sea by crew from the cutters.
Scotland
Legal Opinion
Angela Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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
13 Oct 2011 : Column 509W
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. [72574]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office did not engage any external solicitors or barristers during 2010-11.
Justice
Anti-slavery Day 2011
Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans his Department has to mark Anti-slavery Day 2011. [73003]
Mr Blunt: The Government are fully committed to combating human trafficking by tackling organised crime groups and protecting the victims of this modern day slavery.
While the Ministry of Justice has no plans to mark Anti-slavery Day 2011, the Government as a whole are supporting Anti-slavery Day 2011 by attending a series of events.
Association of British Insurers
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether officials in his Department have invited the Association of British Insurers to assist in the drafting of policy or legislation since May 2010; [74013]
(2) on how many occasions (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants in his Department have met (i) the Association of British Insurers, (ii) insurance companies and (iii) Keoghs solicitors since May 2010; and on what dates. [74014]
Mr Djanogly: The Association of British Insurers has not been invited to draft policy or legislation since May 2010. Departmental officials and I have met with a range of organisations with an interest in civil litigation costs and funding, including the ABI, so that they can assist in the policy formulation process. Such meetings, which have included organisations representing the full range of opinions on these issues, form an important part of the consultation on, and implementation of, the Jackson reforms.
I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 7 December 2010, Official Report, column l85W, which gave details of meetings I and my officials had with insurance companies until that date. Since then I have met with the ABI on 4 July 2011. I also met with Keogh's solicitors on 19 January 2011 as part of a wider roundtable meeting with several stakeholders. I was supported by the relevant officials at these meetings. I have not held meetings with any individual insurance companies additional to that. Departmental officials have met with the ABI on a number of occasions including on 24 May 2011, 9 August 2011, 29 September 2011 and 10 October 2011. My officials attended a meeting on 28 January 2011 with a range of stakeholders, including an insurance company. There was a meeting between the ABI, Keoghs, the NHS Litigation Authority, an insurance company and my officials on 12 May 2011. My officials met with a large insurer on 18 May 2011 and held two further meetings with “after the event” insurance companies on 8 June 2011 and 15 June 2011. Such insurers generally represent claimant interests.
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Article 2 Investigations
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the (a) age of the individual concerned, (b) circumstances and (c) establishment in which the incident took place were for each non-fatal incident in relation to which an Article 2 compliant investigation has been completed; [72967]
(2) how many Article 2 compliant inquiries into non-fatal cases have been completed; and how many are ongoing or awaiting commencement. [72968]
Mr Blunt: Three Article 2 compliant investigations have been completed into non-fatal incidents in prisons. The report into the circumstances surrounding a man known as D can be found on the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman's website and the report into the case of AA can be found on the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody website. The third report into the case of JL is due to be published this month and will also appear on this website.
There are five Article 2 investigations ongoing into non-fatal incidents in prisons and one is due to be commissioned shortly.
Civil Disorder
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many children imprisoned on remand as a result of the public disorder in August 2011 have been subsequently released on bail; [73817]
(2) how many people aged under 18 have been remanded in custody in connection with the public disorder in August 2011; [73821]
(3) how many children imprisoned on remand or under sentence in connection with the public disorder of August 2011 have appealed against their detention. [73820]
Mr Blunt: The number of juveniles (aged 10 to 17) remanded in custody following the recent public disorder was 109 (data as of 12 September).
The Ministry of Justice has published frequent updates on people being dealt with by the court system in relation to the disturbances on 6-9 August. These reports can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/ad-hoc/index.htm
A more detailed release was published on 15 September containing detailed information on age, gender, offence committed, sentence given, and previous criminal history. This can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/criminal-justice/public-disorder-august-11.htm
A further publication is planned for the last week of October which will cover wider socio-economic and demographic characteristics, including ethnicity information.
Claims Management Regulation Unit
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints the Claims Management Regulation Unit has received relating to (a) Going Legal Ltd and (b) Legal Link Introductory Services Ltd; and how each complaint was resolved. [74012]
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Mr Kenneth Clarke: A request under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act from the hon. Member's office that asks for the above details is currently under consideration. Once a decision is reached he will be informed of the answer and a copy of the letter in response to that FOI request will be placed in the House Libraries.
Community Orders
Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the completion rate was for people sentenced to unpaid work in each year since 2006. [73417]
Mr Blunt: The successful completion rate for offenders sentenced to unpaid work in each year since 2006 is shown in the following table:
| Table 1 | |
|
|
Percentage |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how much was spent on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10; [73828]
(2) what the budget is for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in the financial year (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13 and (d) 2013-14. [73829]
Mr Djanogly: The total spent on compensation payments to the blameless victims of violent crime in England, Wales and Scotland from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, to the nearest million, is as follows:
|
|
Compensation (£ million) |
The departmental expenditure limit (DEL) funding allocated to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in respect of the financial year 2010-11 included an additional £70 million to meet demand. The funding allocated in respect of the financial year 2011-12 is £204 million. This level of funding is based upon a re-assessment of the caseload against the operational requirement to manage expected demand in 2011-12. However, as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is demand-led the Ministry of Justice will keep the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's 2011-12 funding needs under constant review. Funding for the financial years 2012-13 and 2013-14 is yet to be approved and allocated.
Departmental Billing
Dr Whiteford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of invoices from suppliers his
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Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [74383]
Mr Djanogly: The proportion of payments made within 10 days to all suppliers for the months of July and August 2010 are:
|
|
Percentage |
Consultants
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what procedures his Department uses when engaging external consultants. [73108]
Mr Blunt: In the current climate our expenditure on consultancy will be minimal and the test for using consultants in public service has to be set very high and with a compelling value for money test.
In limited circumstances where we decide that consultancy support is necessary and essential to meet our departmental aims we will employ the following strategy and associated procedures:
For low value requirements (below £100,000) we will utilise the planned Government Market Place;
For high value requirements (above £100,000) we will utilise the planned Government Procurement Service Consultancy Framework;
Pending the Government Market Place and the Government Procurement Service Consultancy Framework becoming available, we will continue to utilise the available Buying Solutions Frameworks.
Driving Offences
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether any drivers with over 12 penalty points on their licences have been allowed to continue driving through an exceptional hardship argument; [73231]
(2) how many drivers with 12 or more penalty points have been allowed to keep their driving licences due to mitigating circumstances in the last 12 months. [74635]
Mr Blunt: Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) on the Court Proceedings Database does not contain information about the circumstances behind each case beyond the description provided in the statute under which proceedings are brought. Information is not held on whether drivers incurring or exceeding 12 penalty points have reduced or avoided a driving disqualification for exceptional hardship or other mitigating circumstances at the court's discretion.
Fines: Surcharges
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much the victims' surcharge raised in income in 2010-11; how much he expects it to generate in income in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; and how much of the sum raised he expects to arise from the implementation of the Prisoner Earnings Act 1996. [73767]
13 Oct 2011 : Column 513W
Mr Blunt: The Victim Surcharge, which at the moment is only ordered on fines, raised £10.5 million in 2010-11 and we would expect to continue to raise a similar amount in future years.
This figure excludes deductions taken under the Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996 from which we estimate that revenue in the first 12 months, beginning in September 2011, will be up to £1 million.
Government Procurement Card
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Government Procurement Card transactions were made by his Department's officials withdrawing cash from automated teller machines from 2006-07 to 2009-10; at what cost; and on which dates. [73720]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: Financial controls in place on the use of Ministry of Justice Government Procurement cards (GPC) prevent cash being withdrawn by cardholders. However, selected cardholders in the former Tribunals Service were authorised to withdraw cash for the purposes of reimbursing appellants expenses. The process was strictly controlled at the business unit level and monitored by district managers to ensure compliance with the process. This process was replaced in July 2011 so cash withdrawals are no longer made using the GPC.
Data in the format my hon. Friend has requested for individual transactions are not held centrally and would require an approach to the individual business units for this information. An initial assessment indicates that contacting staff members and compiling this data would take in excess of 3.5 days.