17 Oct 2011 : Column 563W
Written Answers to Questions
Monday 17 October 2011
Northern Ireland
Departmental Billing
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [74363]
Mr Paterson: The Department figures for payment of supplier invoices in July and August 2010 were 96% and 97% respectively. This information is available to the public and is published on our web site at the following link:
http://www.nio.gov.uk/index/nio-publication/nio-pubs-search-results.htm?category=&keyword=prompt+payment&order=date& submitbutton.x=15&submitbutton.y=5
The target for payment of supplier invoices has now changed to five working days, effective from May 2010. The Department currently reports its performance against this target.
Consultants
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures his Department uses when engaging external consultants. [73109]
Mr Paterson: When engaging external consultants, my Department follows the guidance and procedures set out by the Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of Finance and Personnel and/or the Cabinet Office's Government Procurement Service, as appropriate.
Transport-related Fines
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many transport-related fines his Department and its predecessors have settled on behalf of staff; and at what cost in each year since 2007. [74365]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available before 12 April 2010 following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions. However, since April 2010 there have been no transport-related fines settled for any staff in my Department.
Departmental Public Expenditure
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on new furnishings in the last year. [72939]
Mr Paterson: My Department spent a total of £1,095 on new furnishings in the last financial year, 2010-11.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 564W
Training
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many external training courses staff of his Department attended in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each course. [74364]
Mr Paterson: During the 2010-11 financial year, my Department spent a total of £38,000 on training and development—the vast majority of this was provided internally by the National School of Government in Great Britain, or the Centre for Applied Learning in Northern Ireland. It is not possible to provide a further breakdown of these costs without incurring disproportionate cost.
Transport
Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing Reform
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects changes to the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing scheme to be implemented. [73943]
Mrs Villiers: The recent consultation on reform of the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme proposed that the new secondary legislation needed to implement the reforms should come into effect on 1 January 2012.
A number of consultation responses and other representations raised concerns about the relatively short time this would allow to prepare for the introduction of the ATOL certificate and other reforms. I am currently considering all the consultation responses and plan to make an announcement on the way forward with the reforms later in the autumn.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely costs to travel businesses of implementing his proposals for changes to the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing scheme. [73945]
Mrs Villiers: The impact assessment, published alongside the ATOL Reform Consultation document, estimated that the cost to travel businesses of implementing the proposed reforms would be between £5.5 million and £11.5 million per year.
Departmental Billing
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [74347]
Norman Baker: The target to pay 90% of invoices within 10 days has been replaced by a target to pay 80% of invoices within five days, and the reply is set out on this basis.
The percentage of invoices paid within five days of receipt for the Department and its agencies for July and August is as follows:
17 Oct 2011 : Column 565W
| Percentage | ||
|
|
July 2010 | August 2010 |
The departmental commercial terms generally specify that payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice. The percentage of invoices paid within 30 days of receipt for the Department and its agencies for July and August is as follows:
| Percentage | ||
|
|
July 2010 | August 2010 |
I also refer the hon. Lady to my answer of 16 September 2010, Official Report, columns 1229-31W, where this information was previously provided to the hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie).
The percentage of invoices paid within five days and 30 days of receipt for the Department and its seven agencies for the same months of 2011 is published on the Department's website at the following address:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/prompt-payment-statistics/statistics.pdf
Official Hospitality
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what official (a) lunches, (b) dinners and (c) receptions he has hosted in each of the last 12 months; and what the (i) location, (ii) total cost to the public purse and (iii) purpose was of each such event. [72809]
Norman Baker: The then Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has hosted two official dinners in the last 12 months:
March 2011—An official dinner at Lancaster House, at a cost of £993.42 to the public purse, the purpose of which was an introductory meeting with the French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing and her delegation to discuss cargo screening in aviation security, the approach to the implementation of the air quality directive and other issues.
June 2011—An official dinner at Lancaster House, at a cost of £2,104.62 to the public purse, the purpose of which was an introductory meeting with the US Secretary of Transportation and his delegation to discuss High Speed Rail and the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 566W
The then Secretary of State for Transport has not hosted any official lunches or receptions in this time period.
Repairs and Maintenance
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maintenance backlog was in his Department's estate in each of the last five years. [73075]
Norman Baker: I regret that the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Government Procurement Card
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [73717]
Norman Baker: Staff have not made any cash withdrawals with the Government Procurement Card from automated teller machines since 2006.
London Paddington to Bristol Railway Line: Electrification
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the electrification of the rail line from London Paddington to Bristol; and if he will make a statement. [74886]
Mrs Villiers: The Government have confirmed their commitment to funding the electrification of the Great Western main line to Bristol, which is now being delivered by Network Rail. I expect electric passenger services to commence on time in 2016.
Motor Vehicles: EU Action
Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects on independent motorcycle repairers of the proposed EU Regulation on the type approval and market surveillance of 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles. [73019]
Mike Penning: The repair information aspect of the Commission's proposal will ensure maintenance information is more readily accessible to independent repairers. This will enable them to compete more effectively with franchised repairers.
The effective functioning of a competitive market for motorcycle repair will ensure best value for consumers.
Parking: Fines
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the sums in outstanding parking fines owed to local authorities by drivers of foreign-registered vehicles. [74149]
Norman Baker: None. Individual local authorities are required to keep records of all penalty charge notices issued, including those issued to drivers of foreign- registered vehicles. The Department for Transport does not record this information centrally.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 567W
Railways: Felixstowe
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the electrification of the railroute from Felixstowe to Nuneaton; and if he will make a statement. [73804]
Mrs Villiers: The Government support a progressive electrification of the rail network in England and Wales where this is affordable and generates value for money. Electrification should reduce the cost of running the railways, increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. We continue to work with Network Rail to look at the case for further electrification in the next rail control period starting in 2014.
Roads: Cyclists
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure adequate maintenance and improvement of cycleways and footways in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. [73935]
Norman Baker: The maintenance and improvement of cycleways and footways in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is a matter for Cambridgeshire county council and Peterborough city council respectively.
Roads: Gloucestershire
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Highways Agency on the duration of the proposed closure of the A4019 on the approach to Junction 10 of the M5; and if he will make a statement. [74059]
Mike Penning [holding answer 13 October 2011]: The proposed closure of the overbridge which carries the A4019 over the M5 at Junction 10 is necessary in order to replace the bridge. The foundations of the structure are suffering from sulphate attack, which is reducing their strength, making replacement essential.
The current works programme is based on keeping the A4019 open for traffic for the busy period during the Cheltenham Festival. The current estimated duration of works, allowing for demolition of the existing bridge and foundations and construction of a new two-span bridge is 47 weeks. However, the Highways Agency will be inviting tenders for this work that will encourage contractors to reduce this duration as much as possible.
I have discussed this project with the Highways Agency. I understand that it has been discussing it with the officers of Gloucestershire county council, the local highway authority, for two years. These discussions are ongoing and will continue to ensure that diversion routes and signage for the works are appropriate.
Rolling Stock
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether limits on the volume of train horns apply to train operating companies. [73300]
Mrs Villiers: Limits on the volume of train horns do apply to train operating companies. These are defined by European Technical Standards for Interoperability (TSI) and UK Rail Group Standards.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 568W
Siemens
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any Siemens (a) employees and (b) consultants (i) hold and (ii) have held security passes allowing access to his Department in the last five years. [72785]
Norman Baker [holding answer 11 October 2011]: I regret that the information requested can be established only at disproportionate cost. I can however confirm that no employee or consultant of Siemens working on the Thameslink project has been issued with a permanent security pass. Siemens employees and their consultants have been issued with visitor passes when they have visited DFT premises, at which time they have been escorted by DFT staff.
Transport: Ashfield
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on local transport services in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England. [73554]
Norman Baker [holding answer 12 October 2011]: We have radically simplified the Department for Transport's (DFT's) funding to local authorities from 26 grant streams to just four. This change has provided local authorities with greater participation and financial autonomy. The Department, therefore, has not made assessments of local impacts.
The DFT's block capital allocations to Nottinghamshire have been published and can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-capital-block-funding/
Nottinghamshire is already benefitting from the £9 million centrally-funded Mansfield Public Transport Interchange. The Department is also currently assessing the bid for full approval for phase two of the Nottingham Express Transit. The requested DFT contribution is £433.5 million over the lifetime of the project. The DFT is also currently assessing bids for the Nottingham Ring Road and Hucknall Town Centre schemes as part of the Development pool competition. The requested DFT contributions are £12.8 million and £8.5 million respectively.
As well as funding to local authorities, the Department supports local bus services through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG). On a national level, the Department has carried out an equalities impact assessment. I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne) on 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 702W.
Scotland
Air Passenger Duty
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the devolution of air passenger duty in Scotland following the announcement regarding air passenger duty for long-haul flights from Northern Ireland. [74659]
17 Oct 2011 : Column 569W
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), has regular meetings with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), to discuss a range of issues, including all financial issues related to the Scotland Bill.
Child care
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he last met the First Minister to discuss future provision of child care support in Scotland. [73256]
Michael Moore: I am in contact with the First Minister on a range of matters. My officials are engaged with officials from the Scottish Government on aspects of the Government's welfare reform agenda that affect Scotland.
Departmental Billing
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [74387]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office paid 100% of invoices within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010.
Departmental Buildings
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects his Department plans in (i) the current and (ii) the next financial year; and what the cost will be of each such project. [74386]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has no building projects or refurbishment projects currently planned in the present financial year or in the next financial year.
Consultants
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures his Department uses when engaging external consultants. [73110]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not generally undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It utilises framework contracts between suppliers and other Government bodies. All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money.
Transport-related Fines
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many transport-related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its staff; and at what cost in each year since 2007. [74389]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office maintains the policy that road traffic violations are the responsibility of the individual and are not reimbursed from public funds. As such, there has been no expenditure on transport-related fines since 2007.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 570W
Departmental Manpower
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) full- and (b) part-time employees his Department employed in each year since 1997. [74598]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. Information on staff numbers is routinely published in the Office's Annual Report, copies of which are in the House Library. A breakdown of part-time staff is not provided as identification of individuals may be possible in view of the numbers involved.
Official Hospitality
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in his Department in each of the last 12 months. [73660]
David Mundell: Scotland Office expenditure on hospitality for events hosted by each Scotland Office Minister in each of the last 12 months is as shown in the following table:
| £ | |||
|
|
Secretary of State for Scotland | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland | Advocate - General for Scotland |
All expenditure incurred was in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Procurement
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contracts of a monetary value of (a) between £100,000 and £500,000, (b) between £500,000 and £1 million and (c) over £1 million his Department and its predecessor have entered into with private suppliers in each year since 1990. [74215]
David Mundell:
The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. It generally does not undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. Rather, it utilises framework contracts between suppliers and other
17 Oct 2011 : Column 571W
Government bodies. Of the small contracts held by the Scotland Office, none has a monetary value of over £100,000.
Departmental Public Expenditure
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on new furnishings in the last year. [72940]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office spent £2,748 on furnishings in 2010-11.
Training
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many external training courses staff of his Department attended in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each course. [74388]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office encourages all staff to undertake learning and development activities. External training courses may be considered where opportunities are not available through central Government.
The Office does not maintain a central record of external training courses attended. However, £12,672 was spent on staff training in the year 2010-11.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers in his Department use private e-mail accounts for the conduct of Government business. [73203]
David Mundell: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.
Government Procurement Card
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [73718]
David Mundell: The first Scotland Office Government procurement card transaction took place during the financial year 2007-08. Since then, no cash withdrawals have been made using Government procurement cards.
Social Fund
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he last met the First Minister to discuss the ending of the social fund. [73257]
Michael Moore: I am in contact with the First Minister on a range of matters. My officials are engaged with officials from the Scottish Government on aspects of the Government's welfare reform agenda that affect Scotland.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 572W
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters he has received on funding for civil society organisations within his Department's area of responsibility in each month since 1 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [73990]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has no responsibility for funding civil sector organisations.
Unemployment: Females
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on the rate of unemployment among female workers. [74658]
David Mundell: Scotland Office Ministers and officials have ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government about the number of people in Scotland claiming jobseeker’s allowance and trends in labour market statistics.
Leader of the House
Backbench Business Committee
Chris Ruane: To ask the Leader of the House what consideration he has given to forwarding to the Backbench Business Committee for consideration for debate petitions presented to the Government with 100,000 signatures collected (a) both on the Government's e-petitions website and on paper, (b) both on the Government's e-petitions website and elsewhere online, (c) on paper only, (d) on a website other than the Government's e-petitions website only, (e) on paper and online but not on the Government's e-petitions website and (f) on paper, on the Government's e-petitions website and elsewhere online. [73373]
Sir George Young: The Government have chosen to use their own online system for e-petitions as it allowed wide access and a simple way to show support for an issue, while also enabling the Government to quickly and easily verify the validity of signatures. Such verification is not easily manageable with paper petitions or on external websites, and so these signatures are not included as part of the 100,000 threshold.
The Backbench Business Committee has made clear its continued willingness to accept paper petitions upon presentation to the House by a Member of Parliament.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Leader of the House whether any (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers in his office use private e-mail accounts for the conduct of Government business. [73206]
Sir George Young: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 573W
Hillsborough Disaster
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister since his appointment on the unredacted release of the Hillsborough Cabinet minutes. [74295]
Sir George Young: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), on 14 October 2011, Official Report, column 506W.
Wales
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether any (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers in her Department use private e-mail accounts for the conduct of Government business. [73201]
Mr David Jones: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.
Government Procurement Card
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [73715]
Roads: A55
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost to the public purse was of the construction of the interchange between the A55 and A5104 at Broughton (junction 36 of the A55). [69461]
Mr David Jones: The funding of repairs and improvements for trunk roads in Wales, such as the A55 and A5104, are the responsibility of the Welsh Government.
I understand, however, that the improvements cost the Welsh Government £3.6 million and consisted of the construction of an interchange and two roundabouts on the A5104.
Trade Union Activities
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if she will have discussions with the Welsh Government on ending the practice of civil servants in Wales working full time on trade union activities. [73825]
Mr David Jones: The Cabinet Office is currently reviewing the practice of civil servants working full time on trade union activities.
We will discuss this review with the Welsh Government in due course and, once the review is complete, negotiate with the unions, including those that represent civil servants in Wales.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 574W
Education
Nursery Education
19. Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made on extending free nursery education to disadvantaged two-year-olds. [74437]
Sarah Teather: The Education Bill, currently being considered in another place, will enable this Government to introduce a legal entitlement to free education for disadvantaged two-year-olds. We plan to implement the new entitlement in September 2013 and will consult shortly on which children should receive free places.
We have made available £64 million this year and £223 million next year so that local authorities can increase the capacity and quality of provision locally. Funding will rise to £380 million in 2014-15. In addition, £4 million has been distributed to 18 local authorities this year to trial approaches to expanding places.
National Curriculum: Primary Schools
20. John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent progress he has made on the review of the primary school national curriculum; and if he will make a statement. [74438]
Mr Gibb: We have undertaken a public call for evidence, analysed the curricula of successful educational jurisdictions, and held discussions with a range of subject experts and others. We are now developing draft curriculum documents for English, mathematics, science and physical education for both primary and secondary phases. We are also considering which other subjects should be part of the national curriculum in future and at which key stages. We will consult on our proposals early next year.
University Technical Colleges
21. Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many university technical colleges he expects to open in 2012. [74439]
Michael Gove: On 10 October 2011, Official R eport, columns 62-64, I updated the House that we now have 16 new university technical colleges approved and working towards opening. Of these, we expect up to nine may open in September 2012. Precise figures will be known shortly once the buildings they will be located in are confirmed.
Academies: Funding
22. Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether academy schools will have the same access to capital and maintenance funds for buildings as community schools when local authorities assess their statement of priorities. [74440]
Mr Gibb: An important principle of our schools funding system is that academies should be funded no more or no less generously than maintained schools. This is a principle which runs through our consultations on reforming revenue and capital funding in the schools sector. We believe that academies and maintained schools should be given equal and fair access to capital funds.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 575W
Academies: Underperforming Schools
23. Mr Gyimah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made on encouraging academies to work with underperforming schools. [74441]
Mr Hayes: There are currently 891 schools that have converted to become academies and these academies are supporting 1,646 weaker schools. We are determined to raise standards in our underperforming schools and are actively engaging with converter academies to encourage them to become academy sponsors.
School Milk
24. Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to increase the take-up of school milk. [74442]
Sarah Teather: The school food standards set out the food and drink which can be provided to pupils throughout the school day. The standards allow for the provision of water, fruit juice and milk, or combinations of these, including flavoured milk. However, there is no requirement for schools to provide milk; it is for individual schools or local authorities to decide whether or not to offer school milk to their pupils.
Capital Funding
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how he plans to distribute capital funding for building projects to local education authorities. [74436]
Michael Gove: DFE capital funding will continue to be distributed in different ways. Funding for maintained schools is devolved to local authorities; additional funding is devolved directly to every school; and as I announced in July, further funding will be targeted at areas of rising pupil numbers.
Free Schools
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the level of demand for places in the first round of free schools. [74431]
Mr Gibb: The level of demand for the first 24 free schools that opened in September has been exceptionally high. Based on the information supplied by the schools, 19 of the 24 free schools were oversubscribed for their places in 2011. Early signs are that demand will be similarly high for these 24 schools next year.
International Development
Air Travel
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which travel management companies his Department uses for the purchase of airline tickets. [72693]
17 Oct 2011 : Column 576W
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development uses the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) for the purchase of airline tickets for UK-based staff and most staff based overseas.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [72707]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) currently contracts with the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) to manage the purchase of airline tickets. The contract is a call-down contract from the framework competed by the Government Procurement Service (GPS), (formerly known as OGC Buying Solutions). DFID’s contract with HRG requires that it searches for and offers the DFID booker the best fare available at the time of booking, including offering any discounted fares negotiated between HMG and airlines.
The DFID Travel Policy states that HRG should be used to book travel and requires travellers to book the best value for money fare. HRG provides DFID with management information to enable the Department to monitor and manage value for money and compliance to travel policy.
Consultants
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what procedures his Department uses when engaging external consultants. [73107]
Mr O'Brien: Consultancy is mainly used by the Department for International Development (DFID) as a source of specialist technical advice to inform key areas of policy and processes to ensure aid funds are spent effectively. Consultancy is used only where it is deemed to be an operational necessity by DFID, and strong controls have been put in place since 1 April 2010 to ensure effective management of all consultancy-related spend.
All consultancy requirements are subject to a stringent business case process. The business case must be approved at a senior level, following review by DFID human resource and procurement specialists to ensure it represents the best value sourcing option.
Following business case approval, DFID applies the EU principles of open and fair procurement. Where the value is above the EU threshold for services, competition under the EU directives is a legal requirement (unless a suitable framework arrangement is already in place). These opportunities are advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and are also available on the DFID portal at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Work-with-us/DFID-portal
Legal Opinion
Angela Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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
17 Oct 2011 : Column 577W
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. [72571]
Mr O'Brien: To provide a meaningful answer to the first part of this question relating to average hourly rates would involve a disproportionate cost.
The Department for International Development provides information on its intranet to all staff regarding the sources of legal advice available. Four primary sources of legal advice are used: The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSOL); Foreign and Commonwealth Office legal advisers (FCO Legal); Crown Agents Legal (CA Legal); and the Office of the Solicitor to the Advocate General (OSAG). Each of the four suppliers have specific areas of expertise and approval must be obtained from the relevant budget holder prior to DFID staff engaging with a supplier for the provision of legal advice.
In 2010-11 spend with the four sources of legal advice noted above was: TSOL (£52,793.64) and CA Legal (£667,057.38).
Departmental Manpower
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will publish an organogram showing the (a) number and (b) job titles of his Department's staff in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Scotland (A) in each team and (B) at each grade. [74169]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development has 622 UK home civil servant staff based in England and 483 UK home civil servant staff based in Scotland. I have deposited in the Library a table of figures showing the number of job titles at each grade. DFID has no staff based in Wales.
Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11. [75003]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The central accounting records and financial systems of the Department for International Development do not enable analysis of spend by this category of expenditure, without incurring disproportionate cost.
Procurement
Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the cost of employing civil servants to undertake procurement for his Department in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; and what estimate he has made of the cost of (i) employing civil servants and (ii) engaging consultants to undertake procurement for his Department in 2011-12. [73185]
Mr O'Brien: The costs of employing civil servants to undertake procurement in the Department for International Development's central procurement function are provided in the following table:
17 Oct 2011 : Column 578W
| Financial year | Total cost (£ million) |
A similar trend is expected in the financial year 2011-12. However, procurement capacity is under continuous review to ensure the central procurement function has the capacity to effectively meet business requirements.
Departmental Public Expenditure
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on new furnishings in the last year. [72937]
Mr O'Brien: In the period from September 2010 to August 2011 the Department for International Development (DFID) UK spent £25,900 on new furnishings. Of this figure nearly £17,000 was for office chairs.
Developing Countries: Family Planning
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Heywood and Middleton of 6 July 2011, Official Report, column 1265W, on developing countries: family planning, whether his Department has completed its negotiations with Marie Stopes International on a Programme Partnership Arrangement; and if he will make a statement. [74292]
Mr O'Brien: Negotiations between the Department for International Development (DFID) and Marie Stopes International (MSI) on Programme Partnership Arrangement support for the period 2011-14 have been completed. DFID is providing £4.3 million per annum to MSI, subject to performance. This will include provision of advice and support directly to 3.2 million people on family planning and a further 2.6 million people will also indirectly benefit from this work. All details are available on the DFID website.
It is a major priority for the UK to improve sexual and reproductive health rights, including access to modern family planning methods in the developing world.
Government Procurement Card
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [73721]
Mr O'Brien: DFID's policy is not to allow any cash withdrawals by DFID staff in possession of Government Procurement Cards (GPC). All purchasing cards issued to DFID staff have the cash withdrawal facility blocked.
There were no GPC transactions by DFID staff to withdraw cash from automated teller machines from 2006-07 to 2009-10.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 579W
Horn of Africa: Agriculture
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures his Department is taking to improve the productivity and resilience of domestic agriculture in the Horn of Africa. [74763]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: In Ethiopia, DFID's investment to the agriculture sector focuses mainly on building the capacity of the Ethiopian Government’s agricultural implementing agencies. For example, DFID supports the Ethiopian Government's Household Asset Building Programme, which improves the capacity of microfinance institutions in providing access to credit for some of the poorest farmers in Ethiopia. To date, 2,300 households have benefitted. DFID investments in the Protection of Basic Services and the Productive Safety Net Programme are also building the capacity of the agricultural extension workers in crop production, livestock, and natural resource management and contribute to improving the natural resource base of smallholder farmers. Over five million smallholder farmers received this support. In addition, through DFID's humanitarian programme, 26,000 households received seeds and fertilizer, and 9,000 obtained animal health care support.
In Somalia, DFID supports the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Bank implemented SEEDS (Sustainable Employment and Economic Development Somalia) programme, which is currently operational in Somali land and plans to expand into the severe affected areas of Puntland. SEEDS will directly lead to the creation of about 45,000 jobs, improvements in the investment climate and additional market-related investment. Due to agriculture and related trade being the mainstay of the Somali economy, almost all these jobs will be in agriculture directly or agriculture-related.
India: Overseas Aid
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent work his Department has undertaken in Orissa, India; and if he will make a statement. [73975]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's recent work in Orissa concentrates on two priorities:
improving poor people's health and nutrition through the state health sector reform programme; and
supporting disadvantaged communities to obtain public services, social entitlements and combat discrimination through our civil society support programmes.
Our health sector support has on an average prevented, 3,000 infant deaths annually since 2007 and helped 521,000 women deliver in a health facility in 2010-11. Our civil society programmes will benefit one million socially excluded people by 2015.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department's projects and programmes in India include the promotion of sustainable management of natural resources; and if he will make a statement. [73976]
17 Oct 2011 : Column 580W
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Between 2011 and 2015, UK development co-operation in India will focus on health and nutrition, education, water and sanitation, urban development and unlocking the potential of the private sector to promote jobs and opportunities for poor people. New plans are being developed under the International Climate Fund to support programmes that promote increased resilience of the rural poor in India to climate change, including through better natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will assess the effects of his Department's promotion of mineral-based industries in Orissa on the agricultural economy of the state; and if he will make a statement. [73977]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The activities supported by DFID in Orissa do not include promotion of mineral-based industries. We are considering providing technical support to help Orissa diversify its industrial base, so that poor people will benefit from jobs and higher incomes. We have supported agricultural development in Orissa, including through the recently-concluded Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Programme.
India: Poverty
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to help strengthen the capacity of the Indian Government to develop and implement pro-poor policies; and if he will make a statement. [73974]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have agreed with the Government of India a new approach to our development co-operation, focusing on the poorest states of India; in particular Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Our support will help these states to develop and implement pro-poor policies, and make the most effective use of resources available from the Government of India. Our support will be targeted to the poorest women and girls, to help them get quality schooling, healthcare, nutrition and jobs. We will also help unlock the potential of the private sector to deliver jobs, products, infrastructure and basic services.
Nigeria: Corruption
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to support anti-corruption programmes in Nigeria. [73933]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Through a programme that started in November 2010, the UK is helping to improve the effectiveness of Nigerian anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The programme will also support civil society to fight corruption. More broadly we are helping to improve public financial management at Federal level and in five DFID focal states.
Nigeria: Education
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made in improving education provision in Nigeria through its programmes in that country. [73932]
17 Oct 2011 : Column 581W
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Since 2006 the UK has succeeded in increasing enrolment in six states by 35% and in getting 423,000 more girls into school in northern Nigeria, where traditionally girls have not been encouraged to go to school. Through two programmes, over 4,000 head teachers have been trained in effective school management, 4,000 school-based management committees have been trained to monitor their schools and hold schools and teachers more to account, 500 inspectors have been trained and 3,000 scholarships awarded to poor women from rural areas to attend teacher training to return as teachers in their communities.
While encouraged by this progress, the UK is not complacent in the face of the extreme education challenges in Nigeria. The UK is therefore scaling up its effort to ensure more children, particularly girls, get access to education of ever-improving quality. The UK is therefore developing plans to help a further 800,000 children, of which 600,000 will be girls, into school by 2015 and to provide 5,000 further scholarships for women teachers.
Nigeria: Overseas Aid
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to use development assistance to encourage growth and investment in Nigeria. [73931]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Bilateral Aid Review identified the importance of doing more to encourage growth and investment in Nigeria. The Prime Minister and I focused on improving trade and investment opportunities between Nigeria and the UK during our joint visit to the country in July this year. I also pushed forward this agenda on my visit in June.
Over the next four years British development assistance will be used to reduce the constraints on doing business and improve opportunities for investment. Examples include supporting reforms in the power sector, improving roads and other transport facilities, and supporting better access to financial services. British aid will help create investment opportunities in sectors which have the potential to create more jobs, such as agriculture, construction, and trade.
The Department continues to work closely with other international financial agencies, such as the World Bank and other parts of Her Majesty's Government, to encourage investment in Nigeria.
Papua: Health
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what steps he is taking to help (a) reduce malnourishment, (b) increase health standards and (c) reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in West Papua; [73539]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Government of Indonesia on investment in health and education in West Papua; and what recent discussions he has had on the allocation of international humanitarian and development aid to support the people of West Papua. [73540]
Mr O'Brien:
Indonesia is one of the world’s fastest growing emerging economies. In April 2011, the Department for International Development (DFID)
17 Oct 2011 : Column 582W
agreed with the Government of Indonesia to focus future UK aid for Indonesia on issues related to climate change. The UK bilateral aid programme to Indonesia is planned to end in 2015.
DFID’s climate change programme in Indonesia will have a particular focus on Papua, helping to reduce deforestation and promoting low carbon jobs and growth. We believe that working to reduce deforestation is the most effective way in which we can help to improve the lives of poor people in Indonesia in the long term. DFID officials meet regularly with counterparts in Papua, Jakarta and London to ensure that our programmes will deliver tangible benefits for the population of the province.
Rwanda: Human Rights
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports he has received on the human rights situation in Rwanda. [73770]
Mr O'Brien: The most recent reports the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), has received on the human rights situation in Rwanda were a May 2011 Human Rights Watch report (focused on the community-based gacaca courts) and the Human Rights Watch submission to the International Development Committee (also May 2011).
Respect for human rights is one of the partnership commitments related to DFID budget support. DFID and FCO continue to monitor this commitment closely and raise any concerns about democracy, human rights and good governance regularly and at the highest levels. The Secretary of State is kept up to date by the British high commission and DFID office and raised these issues directly with President Kagame during a visit to Rwanda in July.
Rwanda: Overseas Aid
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what monitoring his Department applies to the use by the Government of Rwanda of overseas aid provided by the UK. [73763]
Mr O'Brien: All aid provided by the Department for International development (DFID) has specific targets against which progress is formally monitored annually and at the conclusion of a programme. DFID officials in-country carry out frequent and detailed discussions with the Government of Rwanda about programme delivery, risks and mitigation.
Before any UK aid is provided to a Government, an independent detailed fiduciary risk appraisal (FRA) is conducted to assess the risk of funds not being used for the purposes for which they were intended. These risks are monitored and updated at least annually.
Furthermore, in Rwanda a country performance assessment framework (CPAF), agreed by donors and the Government, annually monitors progress against specific targets set out in Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 583W
Tax Havens
Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on increasing transparency of international tax havens. [73065]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Ministers discuss G20 priorities regularly and tax transparency and tax havens are important issues in this context. The Global Forum on Tax Transparency and Exchange of Information, an intergovernmental body with worldwide membership, has been the main means by which G20 objectives have been delivered in this area, for example by encouraging the signing of Tax Information Exchange Agreements and conducting peer reviews of countries' implementation of international standards. The Global Forum is due to give its latest report to G20 Heads of Government at the Cannes summit in November.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many letters he has received on funding for civil society organisations within his Department's area of responsibility in each month since 1 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [73981]
Mr O'Brien: I regularly receive correspondence from civil society organisations inquiring about funding possibilities. I encourage people to refer to the DFID website at:
www.dfid.gov.uk
which provides a comprehensive summary of all of DFID's funds for civil society.
DFID does not keep a record of how many such requests are received each month. To provide information on how many requests for funding DFID has received from civil society organisations each month since June 2010 would incur disproportionate costs.
West Bank: Education
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received of access to education for the Bedouin population in the West Bank. [73587]
Mr Duncan: We are aware that Palestinians in the West Bank, and especially Area C, have encountered various difficulties in accessing education, including restrictions on movement and/or inability to get planning permission for schools. These problems were highlighted in the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report “West Bank Movement and Access Update”, published in August.
While we have not received any reports into access to education specifically for the Bedouin population, we are aware of the risk of demolition of the school building in the village of Khan al Ahmar, which is used by children from the Jahalin Bedouin community. The UK funds the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to provide legal assistance and advice to Palestinians to help them understand and defend their housing, land and property rights. As part of this programme the
17 Oct 2011 : Column 584W
NRC is providing legal representation to the village of Khan al Ahmar to prevent the demolition of the school and houses. The British embassy in Tel Aviv has also made representations to Israeli Ministers, requesting that the demolition should not proceed.
Yemen: Schools
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that schools in Yemen remain open. [73059]
Mr Duncan: We are acutely aware of the multiple problems facing Yemeni children who want to go to school. In Sana'a we know of 32 schools occupied by armed forces. The defence attaché and chargé d'affaires are actively lobbying both sides to ask them to leave and allow children to return to school. We are also monitoring the overall situation closely and remain in regular contact with UNICEF about what we can do to address this problem.
Communities and Local Government
Departmental Flags
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2011, Official Report, column 1089W, on departmental flags, what information his Department holds on (a) the European Commission and (b) other European Union institutions imposing fines described as financial corrections on Government departments for failing to fly the flag of the European Union in front of its premises for one week every year, after Europe Day; and in any such case what the (i) date, (ii) Department and (iii) amount of the fine so imposed was. [73440]
Robert Neill: My Department has always complied with the regulation and therefore has not received any financial corrections for failure to comply with Article 7(2)c of the Commission Regulation (EC) 1828/2006.
However, English European regional development fund programmes have, in the past, received corrections for projects' failure to comply with publicity regulations.
I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 5 July 2011, Official Report, columns 1147-50W, for a list of these fines.
We do not hold information on other Government Departments.
Empty Property
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department plans to publish its empty homes strategy. [73436]
Grant Shapps: We will be publishing the Government's approach to tackling empty homes later in the autumn as part of the wider housing strategy.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 585W
Empty Property: Electricity
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will consider requiring developers to lay telephone and electricity service ducting when building new residential and commercial properties. [73022]
Grant Shapps: The Department for Communities and Local Government has no current plans to introduce requirements for developers to lay telephone and electricity service ducting through either the Building Regulations or National Planning Policy.
Family Intervention Projects: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how much funding will be allocated to the family intervention programme in respect of families with multiple problems living in Scotland; [74660]
(2) what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Scotland, (b) the Scottish Executive and (c) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on the implementation of the family intervention programme for families suffering from multiple problems; [74661]
(3) how many families with multiple problems living in Scotland he expects to be requested to participate in a family intervention programme. [74662]
Andrew Stunell: There have been no discussions. Responsibility for dealing with families with multiple problems living in Scotland, including the allocation of any funding, has been devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
Housing: Construction
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many central Government-funded loan applications were approved for self-build homes in (a) Brighton and Hove, (b) Sussex and (c) nationally in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) 2010. [74549]
Grant Shapps: The Government have not approved any loans or funding for self-build housing anywhere in England during the period 2008-10.
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, columns 913-4W, on housing: construction, what progress has been made in preparing an action plan to make it easier for people to build their own homes. [74550]
Grant Shapps: ‘An Action Plan to Promote the Growth of Self Build Housing', prepared by the Government-Industry Self Build Working Group, was published on 13 July 2011. It is available at:
www.nasba.org.uk
Localism Bill
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) pursuant to the contribution of the Minister of State of 17 May 2011, Official Report, column 274, on the Localism Bill, what definition of sovereign his Department uses; [73439]
17 Oct 2011 : Column 586W
(2) what the legal basis is of his proposed democratically agreed local planning plans. [73533]
Greg Clark: The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, section 38 (6), requires that local councils' decisions on planning applications must be made in accordance with a council's development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. While the weight given to other considerations is a matter for the decision maker, the Act is clear that the primary basis for deciding planning applications is the council's local plan.
We do not propose to alter the legal basis of councils' local plans, which is that they are prepared in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
The Localism Bill proposes to abolish regional strategies, which will increase the importance and weight of councils' locals plans.
Mortgages: Government Assistance
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) adequacy to meet demand of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme; [73046]
(2) what plans he has to amend the (a) availability and (b) terms of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme if mortgage interest rates rise. [73047]
Grant Shapps: The Government Mortgage Rescue Scheme is designed to be an option of last resort for vulnerable homeowners who are at risk of repossession and homelessness. Over 2,600 households have completed the full process to remain in their homes since the scheme began and almost 39,000 households with mortgage difficulties have received free advice from their local authority through the scheme.
The Government reviewed the scheme in July 2010, and again in February 2011, and made changes to improve the value for money by reducing unit costs to ensure that the scheme can help as many households as possible. The scheme will be kept under review to ensure it continues to provide value for money.
The spending review confirmed over £220 million funding for the Mortgage Rescue Scheme from April 2011 to deliver a two-year scheme to provide ongoing support to households facing repossession. The scheme is delivered by local authorities in partnership with registered social landlords and the Homes and Communities Agency. It is for local authorities to prioritise those households who are most appropriate for the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
Planning Permission: Fraud
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what sanctions may be imposed on persons who have made false statements or provided false evidence in a planning application. [73703]
Robert Neill:
The planning application process relies on people acting in good faith. There is an expectation that applicants and those representing them provide decision makers with true and accurate information upon which to base their decisions. However, under
17 Oct 2011 : Column 587W
section 65(6) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, it is an offence to issue a false ownership certificate knowingly or recklessly.
If a local planning authority feels that an application does not accurately or fully describe the proposed development, or that it is in any way misleading, it is entitled to ask the applicant to amend it or rectify any omissions before it agrees to process the application.
Planning applications are publicised during the determination period so that any interested parties have the opportunity to comment. If any party considers that the application includes deliberately misleading information, or lacks important information that would be material to the decision, they should report this to the relevant local authority, which will decide what action is appropriate. Planning permission can be refused on the grounds that information provided was insufficient to accurately describe the nature and anticipated impacts of the proposed development.
Regeneration: Finance
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to announce allocations of transition funding for locally-led regeneration. [75211]
Grant Shapps: I expect to announce the outcome shortly.
Social Security Benefits
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to bring forward proposals to means-test benefit claims for people who are subject to section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and living in residential care. [73048]
Paul Burstow: I have been asked to reply.
The Department has no plans to introduce means-testing for services provided under section 117 of the Mental Health Act. After-care under section 117 is only provided for a person's mental disorder. Where a person who is entitled to after-care under section 117 lives in residential care for reasons other than their mental disorder (for example, for reasons of physical disability) their entitlement to financial support from the local authority would be calculated in the same way as everyone else's.
Vacant Land
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the development on (a) greenfield and (b) green belt land. [72976]
Greg Clark:
The draft National Planning Policy Framework, currently undergoing public consultation, sets out our proposals for planning policy including the protection of greenfield and green belt land. The Framework maintains robust green belt protection. To preserve the natural environment, it states that local plans should seek to allocate land for development with the least environmental or amenity value, and should plan positively for the creation, protection, enhancement
17 Oct 2011 : Column 588W
and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure. A copy of the Framework is in the Library of the House.
The abolition of Regional Strategies through the Localism Bill will remove 'top down' pressure to weaken green belt protection in 30 towns and cities. Our revision to planning guidance on Traveller sites, currently in draft, proposes to strengthen protection of the green belt and open countryside.
Culture, Media and Sport
Athletics
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress has been made on London's bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships; and if he will make a statement. [73175]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Minister for Sport and the Olympics, my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), recently attended the visit of the IAAF Evaluation Team to London last week, at which he confirmed Government support for the event and the retention of a running track at the Olympic Stadium. The Evaluation Team stated they were
“very pleased and impressed with what we have seen here in London”,
“very heartening to see that the commitment of our IAAF Member Federation to hosting the 2017 World Championships is fully supported by the British Government and the City of London”.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what (a) financial and (b) other support his Department has provided in support of London's bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships. [73176]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The financial support for the bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships has been provided by UK Sport, UK Athletics and the Greater London Authority.
The Minister for Sport and the Olympics, my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), recently attended the visit of the IAAF Evaluation Team to London. The Minister and officials in my Department are involved in developing the bid and will continue to support it in the build-up to the decision on 11 November 2011.
Broadband
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the allocation of funds for an urban superfast broadband pilot in the UK. [73479]
Mr Vaizey:
The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has discussed with the
17 Oct 2011 : Column 589W
Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), a range of ways to help to ensure that broadband provision in UK rural and urban areas is world-class, in accordance with the Government's aim of having the best broadband network in Europe by 2015.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had with HM Treasury on the allocation of the unallocated Broadband Delivery UK funds. [73481]
Mr Vaizey: The Department has regular discussions with HM Treasury on Broadband Delivery UK's funding to ensure efficient and effective delivery.
Departmental Billing
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque. [74990]
John Penrose: The average cost to this Department of processing the payment of an invoice for the period was £10.07. The proportion paid electronically (including by procurement card) was 99.16%, and by cheque was 0.84%. These figures are based on costs and volumes from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.
Departmental Buildings
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects his Department plans in (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2012-13; and what the cost of each such project will be. [74366]
John Penrose: The Department has no current building or refurbishment projects planned for 2011-12 or 2012-13.
Fines
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many transport-related fines his Department and its predecessors have settled on behalf of its staff in each year since 2007; and at what cost. [74369]
John Penrose: The Department has not settled any transport-related fines on behalf of its staff in the period from 2007 onward.
Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11. [74996]
John Penrose: This Department spent £25,432.06 on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 590W
Procurement
Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost of employing civil servants to undertake procurement for his Department in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; and what estimate he has made of the cost of (i) employing civil servants and (ii) engaging consultants to undertake procurement for his Department in 2011-12. [73194]
John Penrose: The following table shows the cost of employing civil servants to undertake procurement work in the Department, (i) in each of the last three financial years and (ii) the current financial year to date:
|
|
£ |
| (1 )The increase in cost for 2010-11 was due to an additional staff resource, annual pay awards and an increase in statutory contributions. | |
The Department incurred no cost engaging consultants to undertake procurement in 2011-12.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many contracts his Department has advertised on the Contracts Finder website in each month since May 2010; what the value was of such contracts; what proportion were awarded to (a) third sector organisations and (b) small businesses; and if he will make a statement. [75125]
John Penrose: This Department has advertised five contracts on the Contracts Finder website, since it launched in January 2011:
http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
In March 2011, £24,725 was awarded, but not to a third sector organisation or small business.
In April 2011, a contract was awarded to a third sector organisation, but has not yet been valued as it will be based on commission.
In May 2011, £34,680 was awarded to a small and medium enterprise (SME).
This month, two contracts have been advertised but not yet awarded. Both are open to SMEs to apply.
Sick Leave
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport for how many days on average his Department’s staff in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in 2010-11. [75010]
John Penrose: The information requested can be found in the following table.
| Grade | Average working days lost |
17 Oct 2011 : Column 591W
Training
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many external training courses staff of his Department attended in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each course. [74368]
John Penrose: Staff at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport attended 87 external courses in the last 12 months at a total cost of £113,211. We are unable to provide costing for each course without incurring disproportionate costs.
Film Industry: Tax Credit
Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent under the Film Tax Credit scheme in each year since 2008. [74036]
Mr Vaizey: The Department does not keep the relevant details as the operation of the scheme is administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). HMRC does publish annual statistics on the relief given which can be found at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/films/ftr-monitoring-summary-aug2010.pdf
Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department has allocated to the film tax credit scheme in each year from 2008 to 2013. [74189]
Mr Vaizey: DCMS does not allocate any budget to the film tax relief scheme. It is a tax relief dependent on the UK spend of film production companies.
Horse Racing
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 327, on race course pitch tenures, when his Department next plans to review the progress of negotiations on an agreement; and if he will make a statement. [74621]
John Penrose: My officials are in close and regular contact with the Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers Ltd (FRB) and the Racecourse Association (RCA) over the discussions on race course pitch tenures. I receive regular updates on the discussions between the two groups and, while progress is slow, it is being made. I would strongly encourage both sides to conclude the outstanding issues and reach agreements as soon as possible.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 592W
Mobile Phones
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport by what date he expects 4G mobile services to be deployed in (a) the UK and (b) other EU countries; and what assessment he has made of the potential effects on economic growth of the timing of such deployment. [74534]
Mr Vaizey: We expect the deployment of 4G mobile services to begin in 2013 in the UK. Across the rest of the EU, four countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden and Germany) have started deployments of commercial 4G networks. A number of others have completed national spectrum licensing processes but have not yet started to deploy networks, and others, including the UK, are intending to undertake licensing exercises during 2012.
We have not made any assessment of the effects of deployment timing on economic growth.
Olympic Games 2012
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings he has had in the last 12 months on the convergence and regeneration legacy of the London 2012 Olympics. [73516]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I have met the Mayor and representatives of the Olympic Park Legacy Company to discuss the future of the Park, including the legacy. The Mayor takes leadership of the East London Legacy Board, which draws together Government Departments, principally the Department for Communities and Local Government, local authorities and other key agencies involved in east London renewal, to explore more efficient and smarter ways to deliver improved services, and develop new strategic approaches to poor health and fitness. I am aware of the significant effort and contribution the six host boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest are making themselves, and the arrangements they have made in establishing a Host Borough Unit to work together to make the most of the significant investment in the Park.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of his Department's contribution to achieving convergence in the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest; and if he will make a statement. [73517]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: Convergence is an aim which reflects long-term shared ambitions across all levels of Government to secure regeneration of the area that improves conditions for local people. A wide range of regeneration initiatives have been targeted historically on east London, of which the Olympics is the latest and perhaps most striking example. It is too early in what is a very long term process to assess our contribution, but I am confident that we are focusing on areas where we can add most value.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 593W
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding his Department has allocated to achieve (a) Olympic legacy goals overall and (b) the regeneration legacy in the host boroughs in the next three years. [73518]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: As set out in the Department's Legacy Plan, published in December 2010, the Government are committed to securing a lasting legacy from the Games, which includes ensuring that the Olympic Park can be developed as one of the principal drivers of regeneration in East London. The main departmental priorities and areas of spending are set out as follows, which are part of a wider commitment by Government to make the most of the Games.
We will be delivering a sporting legacy for young people, and bringing back a culture of competitive sport in schools. Sport England is investing up to £35.5 million of lottery funding from now until March 2015 in the School Games, which is a key part of the Government's plans for a lasting sporting legacy. In addition, DCMS Exchequer funding of £2 million will be provided in 2011-12. We have also allocated £135 million of lottery funding towards Places, People, Play—the London 2012 mass participation legacy programme.
We are also committed to ensuring that we deliver a lasting tourism legacy. The Prime Minister recently announced the launch of the GREAT campaign, which is designed to promote the UK abroad, and aims to deliver long-term economic benefits from the unprecedented level of interest generated by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The campaign aims to generate at least £1 billion in Olympic business boost and attract 4 million extra visitors. In addition, over the next four years VisitBritain will be running the "You're Invited" programme, which will capitalise on the international interest in the recent Royal Wedding, as well as next year's Diamond Jubilee and Olympic and Paralympic Games, and showcase Britain to the world. The programme is backed by a £100 million marketing fund, funded by the public and private sector.
Olympic venues and investment in training facilities will support local communities after the Games. We are preserving Whole Sport Plans and holding sports to account on meeting challenging participation targets.
75p of every pound the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is spending on the venues and infrastructure construction programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is an investment in long-term regeneration. Therefore a considerable physical legacy from the Games has already been largely delivered in the host boroughs. The Anticipated Final Cost (AFC) of the ODA programme, including risks, scope changes and inflation is currently £7.25 billion.
The job of transforming Olympic Park venues and infrastructure for legacy use after the Games has been passed from the ODA to the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC).
With regard to the Cultural Olympiad, we have contributed £661,000 to part-fund a network of Creative Programmers in the English Regions, and £3.06 million to help ensure the success of the London 2012 Festival—the finale of the Cultural Olympiad taking place from 21 June to 9 September 2012. The funding is for a small
17 Oct 2011 : Column 594W
number of additional events that will be managed by LOCOC. The details of the events are being finalised, and will be announced this autumn.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what projects and events in (a) Brighton Kemptown constituency, (b) East Sussex and (c) the South East have been awarded the inspire mark. [73800]
Hugh Robertson: Over 1,700 cultural or sporting projects across the UK have been awarded the Inspire mark. In the South East 156 projects have been awarded Inspire marks to date.
In the Brighton and East Sussex area there are six Inspire marked projects including Scanning for Gold a commission of the Universities of Brighton and Sussex Creative Campus Initiative. It will work with six university athletes, all training for London 2012, at the Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, profiling them in action with professional photography. The result will be a photographic gallery exhibition that will be featured in arts, sports and medical venues in Sussex. Also, Gold Run is a project to support learning-disabled and marginalised artists in the creation of an ambitious multi-genre performance. The performance will comprise three elements: film, music and visual art. The finished piece will be performed at Glyndebourne, the Brighton Corn Exchange and at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Other projects include ‘Oh We Do like to be beside the Seaside', the Emergence of Consciousness, Creative Landscapes and a project run by the university of Brighton and Sussex.
In the Brighton area there are also a number of projects linked to Festival 2012 and the Games. At Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, work is under way to create an innovative new World Stories gallery, opening 21 June 2012 as part of London 2012 Festival. The gallery will display Brighton Museum's collections from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific alongside contemporary art and artefacts.
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to encourage a sustainable equestrian legacy following the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. [75269]
Hugh Robertson: Greenwich was chosen as the venue for the Equestrian events for the London 2012 games with the support of the International Equestrian Federation and the British Equestrian Federation (BEF). Staging the events in Greenwich Park ensures a compact games, increases exposure and stimulates interest in equestrian sports with new audiences locally and across the UK. The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) staged the equestrian test event in July attended by 5,000 local people, including over 3,500 from local schools and colleges—the vast majority of whom attended an equestrian event for the first time.
Sport England is providing £4.2 million of funding to the BEF between 2009 and 2013 to increase access to equestrian sports under its Whole Sports Plan as part of the 2012 legacy.
17 Oct 2011 : Column 595W
Olympic Games 2012: Facilities
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he expects redevelopment of the Olympic stadium to be complete before the commencement of the first lease in 2014. [74673]
Hugh Robertson: We anticipate the Olympic stadium will be converted ahead of the first tenants taking occupation.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that demand to occupy the Olympic stadium extends beyond the first letting period. [74674]
Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) will be commencing a process shortly to identify prospective tenants for the Olympic stadium and, as part of that process, will determine the appropriate letting periods.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of the decision to retain the Olympic stadium in public ownership on the stability of the 25 year regeneration plan for the East End of London. [74675]
Hugh Robertson: Ensuring there is a sustainable, long-term legacy for the Olympic stadium remains an integral part of the plans for regenerating the park and its surroundings. Retaining the stadium in public ownership will not depart from this ambition.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he expects decisions to have been made on the future (a) ownership and (b) occupation of the Olympic stadium before the London 2012 Olympics commence. [74676]
Hugh Robertson: Ownership of the Olympic stadium will remain, as now, with the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC). It also remains the intention that OPLC will have completed negotiations with prospective tenants for the stadium before the commencement of the 2012 games.
Public Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what steps he is taking to put in place a right to provide for public sector workers to take over the running of services; and if he will make a statement; [74776]
(2) what steps his Department has taken to encourage the development of public service mutuals in its area of responsibility; and if he will make a statement. [74833]
John Penrose:
The Department fully supports the idea of a “right to provide” for public service workers and believes that mutualisation can be a powerful tool for improving the quality of services. We are working closely with the Cabinet Office on this agenda and will
17 Oct 2011 : Column 596W
give detailed consideration to any employee applications to run services for which the Department is directly responsible.
Radio Frequencies
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to take account of the dates for the release of 800 MHz and 2600 MHz spectrum in the Best in Europe scorecard developed by Broadband Delivery UK. [74535]
Mr Vaizey: The Best in Europe scorecard will take into account a range of factors, including mobile data coverage, in measuring how to get the best superfast broadband network in Europe.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport for what reasons community radio stations operating on an FM frequency are not able to make community radio licence applications for the north-west in 2012-13. [74707]
Mr Vaizey: Ofcom has begun a third round of community radio licensing and expects to invite applications from the north-west during the first half of 2013. However, there are some areas of the north-west where Ofcom will be unable to invite applications for FM licences due to a lack of available frequencies. Ofcom will consider at the time applications are invited whether capacity on MW might be available in some of the areas.
S4C
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect on S4C's independence of having BBC employees on its management team. [74006]
Mr Vaizey: The S4C-BBC partnership arrangements will ensure a strong, sustainable future for S4C and Welsh language broadcasting. S4C, the BBC and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are currently in discussion about the details of how the partnership arrangements will work.
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he intends to hold a public consultation on any future proposals to change the governance arrangements for S4C. [74007]
Mr Vaizey: The Government are committed to consulting interested parties on S4C's new governance arrangements before they are implemented.