Jewish/Arab Relations
17. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to projects promoting co-existence between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. [76309]
Alistair Burt: In 2010-11, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is funding a number of projects, through the Middle East and North Africa Conflict Pool, on co-existence including enhancing the capacity of Arab entrepreneurs to access increased employment opportunities in the Israeli High-Tech sector.
We are also providing funding to train and support the placement of Arabic teachers into Jewish schools as part of a cultural bridge programme.
Israel
18. Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent settlement announcements by the Israeli Government. [76310]
Alistair Burt: The position of this Government on settlements is unequivocal—settlements are illegal, provocative and a significant obstacle to peace. They must stop. I was dismayed at the announcement of the Israeli Government of 14 October for plans of a new settlement at Givat Hamatos, and I reiterate my call for this plan and that for other settlements to be revoked.
Polish EU Presidency
19. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the priorities of the Polish presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement. [76311]
Mr Lidington: The UK has worked closely with Poland during its presidency of the EU to make progress on measures to promote free trade, complete the single market and boost competitiveness. As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), said after the European Council, this is a strong British agenda and one we've been arguing for years.
In addition, I attended the Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw with the Deputy Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr Clegg). We worked with Poland and other EU partners to ensure that a powerful signal was sent to our eastern neighbours that integration with the EU depends upon their commitment to reform.
Zimbabwe
20. Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of bilateral relations with Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [76312]
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Mr Bellingham: Zimbabwe remains very important to the UK. This is reflected in our £80 million Aid programme; providing essential services to the people of Zimbabwe.
We have contact with all parties in the Inclusive Government and are continuing our policy of supporting reformers, including in the region, as they work towards free and fair elections.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department are based in Zimbabwe. [76739]
Mr Bellingham: There are approximately 70 staff working at our embassy in Harare. This includes UK-based civil servants and staff employed locally. For operational and security reasons, we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown.
Syria
21. Jack Lopresti:: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Iranian involvement in Syria; and if he will make a statement. [76313]
Alistair Burt: Credible information shows that Iran is continuing to provide equipment and technical advice to help the Syrian regime suppress the legitimate demands of protestors in Syria. Such support is unacceptable. As elsewhere in the region, protestors in Syria must be allowed to express their legitimate aspirations and call for change without fear of brutal repression.
Sub-Saharan Africa
22. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to promote trade between countries in sub-Saharan Africa. [76314]
Mr Bellingham: My Department is working with the Departments for International Development and Business, Innovation and Skills in support of the African Free Trade Initiative (AFTI), which was launched in February this year. This initiative comprises an ongoing programme of activity. For example, last month our high commissioner in Kenya participated in an Infrastructure Investment Conference in Nairobi, which was supported by DFID, to encourage public and private investment in infrastructure projects in East Africa.
Libya
23. Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Libya; and what recent discussions he has had with the National Transitional Council. [76315]
Alistair Burt: The Declaration of National Liberation on 23 October represents a historic victory for the people of Libya in their struggle for freedom. We welcome the National Transitional Council's confirmation that they will form an inclusive Transitional Government and work towards democratic elections.
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The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), visited Tripoli on 17 October and had discussions with National Transitional Council Chairman Jalil on a range of issues.
Bangladesh
24. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of bilateral relations with Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement. [76316]
Alistair Burt: Relations between the UK and Bangladesh are strong. We cooperate closely in a number of key areas, including climate change, poverty reduction, human rights and counter-terrorism. We engage regularly with the Bangladesh Government on these issues, including through our substantial development programme.
Pakistan
25. Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the Pakistani authorities' attempts to tackle violent extremism in that country. [76317]
Alistair Burt: The threat from violent extremism is one we share with Pakistan. And we continue to work with and encourage Pakistan to take even more steps in its fight against violent extremism; Pakistan's enemy is our enemy. Pakistani authorities continue to highlight the voices of terrorist victims to audiences across the country and are actively working on deradicalisation work.
Afghanistan: Females
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to increase international support for women's rights in Afghanistan. [76214]
Alistair Burt: The international community has made clear its support for women's rights as set out in the International Security in Afghanistan Forces (ISAF) declaration at the NATO Lisbon summit held in November 2010, which stressed
“the importance of Afghanistan standing by its constitutional and international obligations on human rights, particularly regarding the rights of women, and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.”
We continue to work closely with international partners and international civil society organisations to uphold women's rights in Afghanistan. This includes participation in the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission donor group and the EU Human Rights Working Group.
Bahrain: Politics and Government
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he is giving to establish a dialogue between the Government of Bahrain and those who took part in demonstrations earlier in 2011. [76337]
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Alistair Burt: As a long standing friend of Bahrain, the UK stands ready to assist in efforts towards reform and reconciliation. We continue to stress the importance of open dialogue to bring long-term stability and encourage the Bahraini authorities and opposition groups to show real leadership through constructive engagement. I have discussed this with the Bahraini ambassador and our embassy in Bahrain is also in regular contact with the authorities there.
Colombia: Human Rights
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise concerns about human rights with the President of Colombia during the latter's forthcoming visit to the UK. [76098]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Human rights remain an integral part of our relationship with Colombia and we regularly raise human rights with senior members of the Colombian Government. Our discussions with President Santos during his visit will cover a range of issues, including human rights, as well as trade, prosperity, international cooperation, climate change, science and innovation and counter-narcotics.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings he has had with representatives of (a) social enterprises, (b) charities, (c) large private sector businesses and (d) small and medium-sized private sector businesses since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [75708]
Mr Lidington: Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/transparency-and-data1/hospitality/#Ministers
Press: Subscriptions
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11. [75001]
Mr Lidington: In 2010-11, total global spend on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines, as well as electronic subscriptions, was £2.2 million down by 9% from £2.4 million in 2009-10, a figure which was given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) of 4 February 2011, Official Report, column 1001W. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has partly achieved savings by partnering with other Government Departments to obtain best value when purchasing these goods and services.
Sick Leave
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [75016]
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Mr Bellingham: This information is being collated and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as it is available.
Ministerial Voluntary Work
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what volunteering (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted. [76238]
Mr Lidington: Ministers carry out their duties in line with the Ministerial Code. Any volunteering activities in a personal capacity are a private matter for them. Relevant interests, which may include voluntary activities, are published by the Cabinet Office in the List of Ministers' Interests at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/list-ministers-interests
Egypt: Elections
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information has been received by his Department about the process under which the elections in Egypt will be conducted. [76105]
Alistair Burt: The parliamentary elections in Egypt are governed by laws which define the registration of political parties, the electoral system and the powers of the Higher Electoral Commission. The elections to the Lower House are due to begin on 28 November and run in three rounds until January 2012, and those to the Upper House to run between January and March 2012. The first joint session of the two houses is due to take place on 24 March.
No date has been set for presidential elections, although the Supreme Council of the armed forces has indicated possible dates of March or April 2013.
We will continue to encourage the Egyptian authorities to set out a transparent timetable for the transition to democratic government, with plural and open elections witnessed by the international community, and a process of inclusive national dialogue.
Human Rights
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department will be sending representatives to the conference on social media and human rights in (a) Sweden on 16 November 2011 and (b) Silicon Valley on 25 and 26 October 2011. [76084]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
The Government strongly support freedom of expression on the internet, and engaging with civil society and experts from academia, non-governmental offices and the private sector is crucial to our understanding of a complex set of issues. The Silicon Valley Human Rights Conference on 25 and 26 October will explore how high-tech industries can plan for and manage the human rights implications of
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their technologies. The Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights and Democracy Department will take part.
Our embassy in Stockholm has received an invitation to a round-table discussion on social media and human rights on 16 November and is planning to participate.
Iran: Prisoners
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Iranian Government on the imprisonment and sentencing of actress, Marzieh Vafamehr. [76056]
Alistair Burt: The UK is aware of the shocking sentence of one year and 90 lashes handed to Marzieh Vafamehr, allegedly for her role in the film ‘My Tehran for sale’. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials spoke to the Iranian chargé d’affaires in London on 20 October 2011 to seek clarification of Ms Vafamehr's charges. The UK believes that such state-sanctioned corporal punishment has no place in the modern world and urges the Iranian authorities to review this case and the reported sentence.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department are based in the Turks and Caicos Islands. [76736]
Mr Bellingham: There are approximately 12 staff working at the governor’s office in Grand Turk. This includes UK-based civil servants and Turks and Caicos Islands Government staff. In addition, the UK Government are providing the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with support from a number of short and medium-term specialist advisers.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Crime
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of gun crime were reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands in each of the last five years. [76734]
Mr Bellingham: The cases of gun crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands from 2009-11 are shown in the following table.
|
|
Number |
I will send my hon. Friend the figures for 2007 and 2008 by letter as soon as they are provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police force.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement. [76737]
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Mr Bellingham: Reported crimes currently remain low with the majority being acquisitive crime such as theft and burglary. Armed robberies, some against tourists, and aggravated burglaries, while still relatively small in number, continue to be of concern.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Police
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers are on secondment from UK police forces to the Turks and Caicos Islands. [76735]
Mr Bellingham: There are no serving UK police force staff seconded to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police force.
There are a number of former UK officers providing specialist advice and support including in the cold case unit, the community policing unit and the joint intelligence unit. All are on contract until next year.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Radar
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 633W, on Turks and Caicos Islands: radar, what have been the costs to date of keeping elements of the Turks and Caicos Islands Coastal Radar System Project in storage awaiting installation. [76745]
Mr Bellingham: The total storage cost for the equipment for Costal Radar Station was US $34,949.67.
Zimbabwe: Foreign Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the UK’s relations with Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [76738]
Mr Bellingham: Zimbabwe remains very important to the UK and this is reflected in our £80 million Aid programme this financial year which will provide essential services to the people of Zimbabwe.
The British Government have contact with all parties in the Inclusive Government. We are continuing our policy of supporting reformers, including in the wider southern Africa region, as they work with these parties to agree steps towards free and fair elections.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has recently had discussions with his counterpart in Zimbabwe. [76743]
Mr Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has not met his Zimbabwean counterpart, Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwe. However, in my role as Minister of Africa, I met Minister Mumbengegwe on 23 September at the UN General Assembly in New York.
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Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions: Local Government
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he intends to accept the offer by the Committee on Climate Change to provide information and advice on how local authorities can reduce their carbon emissions. [76446]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 24 October 2011]:Yes.
Climate Change
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2011, Official Report, columns 1249-50W, on climate change, what estimate has been made of the cost to the consumer of implementing policies on climate change beyond the Budget period up to (a) 2020 and (b) 2030. [76221]
Gregory Barker: DECC published an assessment of the impact of climate change and energy polices on energy prices and bills for households and business consumers in 2010, 2015 and 2020 alongside the July 2010 Annual Energy Statement available online at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_projs/price_bill_imp/pricebillimp.aspx
The headline results were that energy and climate change policies were estimated to add around 1% (£13 in real 2009 prices) to the average household energy bill in 2020 (compared to what the bill would have been in the same year in the absence of policies). No estimate was made for these impacts in 2030.
An updated assessment of the impact of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills for households and businesses will be published alongside the Annual Energy Statement in the autumn reflecting policy developments over the last year.
Departmental Allowances
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much members of his departmental management board have claimed in expenses since May 2010. [74950]
Gregory Barker: Details of expenses claimed between May 2010 and June 2011 are provided at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/who_we_are/management/management.aspx
Details of expenses from June 2011 to September 2011 will be published in due course.
DECC Ministers do not claim expenses from the Department for carrying out daily departmental business or duties.
Procurement
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress his Department has made in eliminating pre-qualification questionnaires for procurements with a value of under £100,000. [73838]
Gregory Barker: Pre-qualification questionnaires for procurements with a value of under £100,000 have been eliminated for the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
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Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 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. [75133]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has advertised 40 contracts on the Contracts Finder website since May 2010. We do not hold details of estimated contract values for eight of the contracts advertised prior to November 2010. The value of the remaining 32 contracts was £21,607,400.00 and is split down by month in the following table.
|
|
Value (£) |
No contracts were awarded to third sector organisations. The Department does not currently record the size of the companies to whom it has awarded contracts and it would incur disproportionate cost to establish this information. However, out of the 40 contracts advertised, 19 were suitable for small business to apply for.
Ministerial Voluntary Work
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what volunteering (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted. [76241]
Gregory Barker: My right hon. and hon. Friends and I are actively involved with numerous charities on a private basis including those detailed in the list of Ministers' interests, published by the Cabinet Office.
Energy: Industry
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's climate change policies on energy-intensive industries. [76211]
Gregory Barker:
The Department is examining the impact of climate change policies on energy-intensive industries as part of its work to develop a package of measures to assist those energy-intensive businesses whose
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international competitiveness is most affected by our energy and climate change policies, in order to reduce the impact of Government policy on the cost of electricity for these businesses. The Department is working with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and HM Treasury on the development of the package.
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what guidance his Department has given on emissions reduction and decarbonisation to energy intensive industries. [76212]
Gregory Barker: The Department has established climate change agreements with energy intensive industry whereby agreement holders receive a 65% discount from the climate change levy in return for meeting demanding energy efficiency targets. More generally, it is for industry to seek advice on energy efficiency from sources available, including the Carbon Trust.
Energy: Prices
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the cost of requiring energy companies to write to customers on how they can achieve a cheaper tariff, prior to the energy summit on 17 October 2011; and whether he sought agreement that such costs should not be passed on to consumers. [76445]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 24 October 2011]:The cost of sending this letter is dependent on the billing system of each supplier, but we would expect it to be low, as suppliers write to their customers about other matters and are required to inform them about the difference between what they pay and the supplier's standard direct debit tariff annually.
Ofgem have estimated that during 2010 a dual fuel customer paying by cash or cheque would have saved between £37 and £126 had they switched to a standard direct debit offer at the beginning of the year.
Information about Ofgem's estimates are available online at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/rmr/Documents1/RMR_Appendices.pdf
Green Deal Scheme
Mr Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to encourage the installation of micro combined heat and power systems as part of (a) the Green Deal and (b) the Warm Front scheme. [76130]
Gregory Barker: Micro combined heat and power systems will qualify for Green Deal finance. Whether micro CHP is recommended for a given property, and the amount of finance offered, will be depend on the individual, circumstances.
There is provision in the Warm Front Regulations for the scheme to offer, where appropriate, alternative technologies. However, at this time we are not intending to include micro combined heat and power systems among the alternative technologies available through the scheme.
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Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the consultation on the secondary legislation to implement the Green Deal will commence. [76208]
Gregory Barker: We recently received Royal Assent to the primary legislation on 18 October, now the Energy Act 2011, which was a significant milestone. We expect to commence consultation on secondary legislation shortly.
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure that all businesses are able to participate in the Green Deal; and if he will make a statement. [76209]
Gregory Barker: I can confirm that the Green Deal is open to all businesses. We are about to publish our consultation on the Green Deal and I would encourage everyone to look at our proposed model and send us their views. We will then consider and aim to publish our response in spring 2012.
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure that the Green Deal and the Renewable Heat Incentive work together effectively; and if he will make a statement. [76210]
Gregory Barker: We have announced that microgeneration technologies will be eligible Green Deal measures if they generate savings on fuel bills. We are also designing the Green Deal and Renewable Heat Incentive policy and legislative frameworks that ensure both programmes can work alongside each other.
Miriam Maes
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) whether Ministers from his Department have had official meetings with Miriam Maes without an official being present since May 2010; [76768]
(2) what meetings have been attended by Miriam Maes in her role as an adviser to his Department since September 2010. [76769]
Gregory Barker: All staff working for the Department, including consultants, attend meetings with Ministers and others as necessary in the course of their official duties.
Oil: Refineries
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the (a) current profit margin of UK refineries in US dollars per barrel and (b) the potential additional cost per barrel to UK refineries if the EU decides not to apply a common default value to crude oil in respect of greenhouse gases; whether he has assessed if UK refineries would have to close under such circumstances; what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Department for Transport in respect of their participation in the consultation on the European Commission directive on fuel quality; and if he will make a statement. [76072]
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Charles Hendry: Work conducted for DECC in 2011 by the consultancy Purvin and Gertz shows both gross and net refining margins across a range of international oil refineries including those in the UK. Gross margins are shown to cover a range from approximately $4 to $6 per barrel for UK refineries.
There was no impact assessment associated with the proposals to implement article 7a of the fuel quality directive brought forward by the Commission on 3 October and the detail of the proposals has still to be negotiated. It is therefore not possible to come to a definitive view on the costs of implementation at this stage. However the Department is in close contact with the Department for Transport, which leads on this dossier, and we are seeking clarification from the Commission of how they envisage these measures working and what they believe the likely associated costs would be.
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the extent to which crude oil may be diverted to refineries outside the EU if a common default value in respect of greenhouse gases is not applied to crude oil. [76073]
Charles Hendry: How such varied default values would impact on crude oil flows would depend on the extent of the differentiation between crudes.
Under the current Commission proposal to implement the fuel quality directive we would expect the vast majority of crudes processed in the UK to fall under the single conventional crude category.
Dr Julian Lewis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the effect on UK fuel security of oil refining being relocated outside the UK; what information his Department holds on any impact assessment by the European Commission of not applying a common default value to crude oil; what discussions on these issues he has had with ministerial
25 Oct 2011 : Column 190W
colleagues in the Department for Transport; and if he will make a statement. [76074]
Charles Hendry: While our security of supply is enhanced by the retention of a refining sector in the UK as this balances product reliance between the market for crude oil and refined products, it is operators and investors in the market who are best placed to determine how best to meet evolving product demand. DECC officials are, however, working in conjunction with the industry and other Government Departments to develop a strategic policy framework for the refining industry.
The Commission has not provided an impact assessment for its recent proposals to implement article 7a of the fuel quality directive. My officials remain in close contact with the Department for Transport on these proposals and how best to implement the requirements of the fuel quality directive.
Sellafield
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the maintenance cost was for the Sellafield nuclear site in (a) 2011-12 to date and (b) each of the last five years. [76436]
Charles Hendry [holding answer 24 October 2011]:The NDA currently reports the breakdown of annual spend in the following categories:
New construction projects
Commercial operations
Decommissioning and termination
Waste and nuclear materials management
Site support and services
The maintenance cost for Sellafield Ltd Site Licence Company primarily fall into the commercial and waste and nuclear materials management operations categories. The following table shows the maintenance cost for Sellafield Ltd in (a) 2011-12 to date and (b) each of the last five years. The numbers relate to specific routine maintenance activities. It excludes expenditure on major plant enhancement and replacement programmes and overhead allocation.
| £ million | ||||||
|
|
2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011- 12 year to September 2011 |
|
Maintenance cost within Waste and Nuclear Materials Management |
||||||
Wind Power: Seas and Oceans
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much of the fund for UK ports to support offshore wind infrastructure and capability his Department has allocated to date; how many companies have received funding; and if he will make a statement. [76581]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 24 October 2011]:Bids for support under this scheme are made on a confidential basis. Under the Grant for Business Investment scheme, information on grant offers for sums greater than £75,000 is normally published following the payment of the first instalment of the grant, including the name and location of the recipient of the grant and the size of the grant offered.
The scheme is not open to port-only applications. Our objective for this funding is to support the development of offshore wind manufacturing capacity, which will need to be at coastal locations. We therefore expect all applications to involve large-scale manufacturing proposals and to be led either by a manufacturer, or to be jointly led by a port/landowner and a manufacturer.
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Wales
Advertising: Job Vacancies
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department has spent on advertising job vacancies since May 2010. [75623]
Mr David Jones: There has been no expenditure on advertising vacancies in the period since May 2010.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings she has had with representatives of (a) social enterprises, (b) charities, (c) large private sector businesses and (d) small and medium-sized private sector businesses since May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [75718]
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), regularly meets a variety of organisations. Presenting the information in the format requested would incur disproportionate cost. Meetings with external organisations are listed on the Wales Office's website.
Health
Abortion
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs have contacted his Department to express a conscientious objection to abortion in the last 12 months. [76719]
Anne Milton: In the last 12 months, the Department has received one letter via my hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Mr Sanders) on behalf of a general practitioner constituent about conscientious objection to abortion. The Department does not maintain a register of doctors who express a conscientious objection to abortion.
Section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967 makes provision for conscientious objection and health professionals should follow relevant professional guidance in this area.
Ambulance Services: Emergency Calls
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average response time was for ambulances responding to emergency call-outs in Great Yarmouth constituency in each year since 1997; [76555]
(2) how many ambulances responded to emergency call-outs within (a) eight minutes and (b) 19 minutes in Great Yarmouth constituency in each year since 1997. [76557]
Mr Simon Burns: Information on average ambulance response times and the number of ambulances that have responded to emergency calls in specific locations is not collected centrally.
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Data on performance against ambulance response time targets are collected at ambulance trust level only and are published annually by the. NHS Information Centre for health and social care in the statistical bulletin “Ambulance Services England”. These documents are available on the NHS Information Centre for health and social care website at:
www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/ambulance
The area referred to within the question falls within East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Prior to 2006 East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust was made up of the following ambulance trusts:
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust
Essex Ambulance NHS Trust
East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust
Data prior to 2004-05 was published by the Department. This data is available back to 1998 on the Department's website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/publications/reports-publications/
Ambulances
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what involvement his Department has had in the development of the next generation of ambulances. [76055]
Mr Simon Burns: This is an operational matter and is being taken forward by ambulance trusts working collaboratively with the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and University of the West of England.
The Department of Health National Ambulance Director has been involved in the work surrounding the new emergency ambulance design over the last five years.
Management Consultants
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 October 2011, Official Report, column 827W, on departmental spend on management consultants, how much has been spent on management consultants in (a) the NHS and (b) his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the last five years. [76474]
Mr Simon Burns: The amounts spent by the national health service and the Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the last five years on consultancy services are shown in the following table. Although not specified in the question, special health authorities have been included to provide a response that covers all of the Department's executive arm's- length bodies.
Officials are retrieving the data for Connecting for Health for the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08. I will write to the right hon. Member with the information in due course and place a copy in the Library.
| Consultancy expenditure, 2006-07 to 2010-11 | |||||
| £000 | |||||
|
|
2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 |
25 Oct 2011 : Column 193W
25 Oct 2011 : Column 194W
This corrects the information given in my answer to the hon. Member on 17 October 2011, Official Report, columns 783-85W, for which a revised table is provided as follows:
| £000 | |||||
|
|
2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 |
| (1) Includes primary care prescribing (primary care trusts (PCTs)) and drugs used in secondary, care (PCTs and NHS trusts). Source: NHS audited summarisation schedules (prescribing costs) and NHS financial returns (drugs). (2) Capital expenditure (purchased additions to non-current assets) under the ‘IT’ heading PCTs, strategic health authorities (SHAs) and NHS trusts). The figures do not include revenue expenditure on IT equipment, which is not separately identifiable from the financial data held. Source: NHS audited summarisation schedules. (3) Revenue expenditure on maintenance and data processing contracts (PCTs, SHAs and NHS trusts). Source: NHS financial returns. (4) Revenue expenditure on the purchase and maintenance of medical, surgical, x-ray and laboratory equipment. The figures do not include capital expenditure on hospital equipment, which is not separately identifiable from the financial data held. Source: NHS financial returns. (5) Consultancy services (PCTs, SHAs and NHS trusts). Data for consultancy services expenditure were collected for the first time in 2007-08. Source: NHS audited summarisation schedules. | |||||
The Department does not collect data from NHS foundation trusts. Where an NHS trust obtains foundation trust status part way through any year, the data provided are only for the part of the year the organisation operated as an NHS trust.
Private Finance Initiative
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there has been any change to his Department’s policy on the use of the private finance initiative since April 2010. [76136]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government confirmed they remain committed to public-private partnerships, including the private finance initiative (PFI), in new policy guidance published by HM Treasury in December 2010. PFI proposals will continue to be considered on a case by case basis and must be demonstrably value for money and affordable.
Departmental Speaking Engagements
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) lobbying organisations (i) Ministers and (ii) senior officials in his Department have spoken in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [76788]
Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Anne Milton), gave on 20 October 2011, Official Report, columns 1078-79W.
A list of speaking engagements undertaken by senior staff in the Department could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Ministerial Voluntary Work
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what volunteering (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted. [76237]
Mr Simon Burns:
The Department’s Ministers are pleased to support the One Day volunteering challenge, the initiative announced in the Giving White Paper on 23 May 2011. Some Ministers will be regularly involved
25 Oct 2011 : Column 195W
with charities or local voluntary and community organisations in their capacities as Members of Parliament, and some Ministers will be involved in such activity on a private basis. Relevant voluntary work with charities is recorded in the list of Ministers’ interests published by the Cabinet Office.
Government Procurement Card
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the Appointments Commission using the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; [76038]
(2) what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the Health Protection Agency using the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; [76039]
(3) what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the Human Tissue Authority using the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; [76042]
(4) what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by NHS Blood and Transplant using the Government Procurement Card was in 2009-10; [76043]
(5) what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the NHS Business Services Authority using the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10; [76044]
(6) what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement using
25 Oct 2011 : Column 196W
the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [76045]
Mr Simon Burns: The documents containing the information requested, where available, have been placed in the Library.
Data provided by the Appointments Commission cover transactions between 23 September 2009 and 31 March 2010 which their service provider was able to access through their on-line query system. Information before this period is held in paper format and would require manual extraction, which would incur disproportionate costs.
Data provided by the Health Protection Agency cover the last four months of financial year 2009-10. Earlier records are only available subject to service provider's contractual terms of two to three weeks, and a fee.
NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) has provided supplier details from February 2009 onwards. Information prior to this date is held on a separate finance ledger of a previous organisation. NHS BSA have provided earlier transaction information but it would not be possible to obtain supplier detail without disproportionate costs.
Health and Social Care Information Centre
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the Health and Social Care Information Centre using the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [76040]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the Health and Social Care Information Centre's Government Procurement Card transactions in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
| Financial year | Statement date | Details | (£) |
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25 Oct 2011 : Column 198W
Health: Free Schools
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on health standards in free schools. [76141]
Anne Milton: Both Departments are clear that the hallmark of all good schools is that they understand well the connections between pupils' physical and mental health, their safety, and their educational attainment.
Health Ministers and Education Ministers have regular discussions about school matters in the course of their ministerial business, supported by regular discussions at official level.
Hospitals
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the provisions of ventilation machines and related equipment for patients diagnosed with muscle-wasting diseases who experience respiratory difficulties; and if he will make a statement; [76424]
(2) how much the NHS spent on unplanned emergency hospital admissions for people diagnosed with neuromuscular conditions in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [76425]
Paul Burstow: Information on the cost of unplanned emergency admissions to hospital for people with neuromuscular conditions is not collected centrally.
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Local health bodies have responsibility for ensuring adequate provision of ventilation machines and other health services is made available to those living with neuromuscular conditions.
Hospitals: Infectious Diseases
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rates of hospital-acquired infections for (a) foundation trusts and (b) acute trusts were in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11. [76220]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally in the format requested.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier of each transaction undertaken by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority using the Government Procurement Card was in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [76041]
Anne Milton: The information requested for the financial years 2008-09 and 2009-10 is available on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's website at:
www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/GPC_Transactions_2008-09.pdf
www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/GPC_Transactions_09-10.pdf
Information for the financial year 2007-08 is not published and the volume of documentation to be examined is substantial. However, I will write to the hon. Member when we have collated this information and place a copy in the Library.
Melanoma: Drugs
Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will request the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to reconsider its recent decision not to recommend the use of Yervoy for patients with advanced melanoma; and if he will take steps to make provisions for the use of Yervoy by the NHS for such patients. [76556]
Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet published final guidance on the use of Yervoy (ipilimumab). for the treatment of' previously treated unresectable stage III or IV malignant melanoma. NICE is currently consulting on its draft recommendations. NICE is an independent body and it would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in an ongoing technology appraisal.
In the absence of final NICE guidance on a drug, it is for local primary care trusts (PCTs) to make funding decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence.
Where a cancer drug is not routinely funded by a PCT, patients may be able to access the drug through the Cancer Drugs Fund.
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NHS: Foreign Nationals
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether US military personnel based in the UK make use of the national health service. [76091]
Mr Simon Burns: US military personnel are able to make use of the national health service, although our understanding is that US forces primarily make use of private health care services.
Generally, overseas visitors to the United Kingdom are chargeable for NHS hospital treatment unless an exemption applies to them under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011. There is an exemption for those who are serving with the armed forces of a country which is part of NATO when the necessary services cannot readily be provided by the armed forces of the overseas visitor’s own country or those of the UK. The spouse/civil partner and dependent children of such a person are also exempt in this way.
NHS: Inflation
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the rate of inflation on the real-terms increase in the NHS budget. [76140]
Mr Simon Burns: The real-terms increase in the national health service budget has a precise meaning. Real terms is measured against the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator. The GDP deflator is the general measure of price increases across the whole economy. It reflects the prices of all domestically produced goods and services in the economy. Real terms is the cash increase above the GDP deflator.
Funding growth over the spending review period, using latest inflation forecasts, is about 1% real; a cash increase over the spending review period of £12.6 billion, as shown in the following table.
| Total NHS expenditure, 2010-11 to 2014-15 | |||
|
|
|
Total NHS expenditure (£ billion) | GDP at 28 June 2011 (Percentage) |
NHS: Managers
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to retain the role of national clinical directors in his Department; and in what way their role will change under his proposals for reform. [76149]
Mr Simon Burns: Our planning assumption is that the Department will rely on the NHS Commissioning Board for senior clinical advice and leadership of the kind currently provided by those fulfilling the role of national clinical director, except where there is potential for conflicts of interest to arise when wider consultation might be necessary. No decisions have yet been taken about whether roles and titles will change under new arrangements. Those will be decisions for the NHS Commissioning Board.
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NHS: Per Capita Costs
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what NHS spending per head of population in (a) England, (b) Kent and (c) Dartford constituency was in each of the last five years. [76083]
Mr Simon Burns: The amount spent per capita in total in England by all primary care trusts (PCTs) and by Kent PCTs, in each of the last five years, is shown in the following table.
| £ | |||||
| Organisation | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
Data in respect of expenditure per capita in Dartford are not held centrally.
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Obesity: Costs
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to the NHS in London was of obesity-related illness in the latest period for which figures are available. [76401]
Anne Milton: This information is not centrally held. My hon. Friend may wish to contact NHS London for further information.
Obesity: Kent
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS in Kent was of obesity-related illness in the latest period for which figures are available. [76082]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table.
| Count of finished consultant episodes in which there was a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity by primary care trust (PCT) in Kent, 2009-10 | |
| PCT | Total episodes |
| Notes: 1. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) does not hold data relating to costs and only holds obesity data for in-patient care in hospitals. Obesity-related care in a primary care setting is not included in these figures. 2. A count of finished consultant episodes is not the same as the number of patients; a person may have more than one episode of care in a given period. 3. Activity includes activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. 4. A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 5. Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary or secondary diagnosis: the number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03), primary and secondary diagnosis fields in an HES record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code used to identify obesity is E66. 6. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), the NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | |
Postnatal Depression
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on appropriate treatments for postnatal depression. [76109]
Paul Burstow: We have had no such discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
NICE announced in July 2011 that it intends to carry out a routine review of its existing clinical guideline on antenatal and postnatal mental health.
NICE is an independent body. Its guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed free from political interference.
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with the Patients Association on the adequacy of treatment for women with postnatal depression; [76110]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Mental Health Alliance on appropriate treatments for postnatal depression. [76111]
Anne Milton: We have had no such discussion with the Patients Association and the Mental Health Alliance.
Cabinet Office
Central Office of Information
Alun Michael: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he plans to take to ensure that Government marketing and communications are free from (a) political and (b) departmental bias following the proposed closure of the Central Office of Information. [75565]
Mr Maude: The closure of COI is part of a package of measures to reform the organisation of Government communications in order to further improve its effectiveness and efficiency. The reforms are designed to increase cross-Government collective responsibility for government communications, thereby avoiding any possible departmental bias. A Communications Delivery Board has been established, which will oversee an annual planning cycle covering all planned direct communications, enabling identification and elimination of wasteful spend.
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Alun Michael: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what research into (a) the Central Office of Information and (b) the Government's direct communication strategy his Department has commissioned since March 2011; and what organisations his Department consulted in producing the Government's response to the Tee review. [75569]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office has not commissioned any paid for research into COI or the Government's direct communications strategy since March 2011.
The Government's response to the Tee review drew objectively on the available evidence and material from the original review as well as additional fresh evidence and analysis, and extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders. The review had input from the COI Board, and was overseen by Sir Gus O'Donnell and the COI accounting officer Ian Watmore.
Charity Commission: Government Procurement Card
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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 Charity Commission using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2007-08 , (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10. [73490]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission's chief executive to reply.
Letter from Sam Younger, dated 24 October 2011:
I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on 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 Charity Commission using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10. [73490]
The Charity Commission has policies in place for the use of Government Procurement Cards (GPCs) and actively monitors compliance with these procedures.
We hold detailed transaction information showing the date, amount and supplier for December 2009 onwards. Prior to this, the information was not available electronically and it would require significant manual intervention to collate the data in the format requested from the individual paper records.
The total amount spent on GPC transactions during the period requested is as follows:
|
|
£ |
There were no level three transactions during this period. Details of transactions made using a GPC for which data is available (December 2009 onwards) have been placed in the Library.
I hope this information is helpful.
Cybercrime
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what estimate he has made of the number of occasions on which Government computers have been the target of (a) unsuccessful and (b) successful cyber attacks; and if he will make a statement; [75774]
(2) what recent discussions he has had on cyber security with suppliers of cyber services; and if he will make a statement. [75775]
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Mr Maude: This Government have recognised the real and increasing risk to the UK's national security from cyber attack. The National Security Council has assessed cyber security as a Tier 1 threat in the National Security Strategy published on 18 October 2010, Official Report, column 48WS.
The Government take the issue of cyber security very seriously and has allocated £650 million over four years for a new National Cyber Security Programme. These funds are allocated to Departments and agencies across Whitehall to enhance the UK's capability to protect itself in cyberspace.
All Ministers disclose details of meetings with external representatives and this information is published on a quarterly basis on the Cabinet Office website. Meetings for April-June period will be published on the website shortly.
It would not be in the interests of national security to disclose the number of attacks on Government systems and whether or not those attacks were successful as this could undermine the integrity of those systems and thereby expose them to further threats.
Ministerial Voluntary Work
Paul Flynn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what volunteering (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted. [76247]
Mr Maude: Cabinet Office Ministers remain committed to participating in the One Day Challenge. Details of related activities will be disclosed by the end of the year.
IRG Ltd
Mr Hain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Report by the Cabinet Secretary on allegations against the former Secretary of State for Defence, which organisation IRG Ltd refers to. [76772]
Mr Maude: I understand that IRG Ltd refers to the Iraq Research Group Ltd.
Ministerial Policy Advisers
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many special advisers were employed by each central Government Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [75460]
Mr Maude: The Government publish, on a quarterly basis, details of special advisers and their cost. The most recent information was published on 19 July 2011 and is available in the Library of the House and can also be accessed on the Cabinet Office website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
Numbers and cost of special advisers under the previous administration were published on an annual basis and are also available in the Library of the House.
The most recent information published on 19 July 2011 shows a total of 74 special advisers in post. The paybill for the period 13 May 2010—31 March 2011
25 Oct 2011 : Column 205W
was £4.5 million. This compares to 78 special advisers in post at the end of March 2010 with a cost of £6.8 million for the year 2009-10.
Private Rented Housing: Liverpool
Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people live in privately-rented accommodation in Liverpool; and what proportion of such people are (a) in full-time work, (b) unemployed, (c) aged 16 to 34 years, (d) ethnic minorities, (e) single people and (f) living in a household of more than three people. [76747]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated October 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what estimate has been made of the number of people living in privately-rented accommodation in Liverpool, and what proportion of these people are (a) in full-time work, (b) unemployed, (c) aged 16 to 34 years, (d) ethnic minorities, (e) single people, and (f) living in households with more than 3 people. (76747).
The requested estimates are derived from the Annual Population Survey (APS) person and household datasets. The latest available data are for January to December 2010. The estimates are provided in the table. These estimates are for all people aged 16 and over living in privately-rented accommodation in Liverpool, and therefore exclude children aged under 16. The estimate for ‘ethnic minorities’ include those who classified themselves as mixed, Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Chinese, or other. The estimate for ‘single people’ refers to those living in one-person households.
Leader of the House
Ministerial Voluntary Work
Paul Flynn: To ask the Leader of the House what volunteering (a) he and (b) the Deputy Leader of the House have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted. [76233]
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Sir George Young: The Deputy Leader of the House, my hon. Friend the Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr Heath), and I attend regular events in support of charities and voluntary organisations in our roles as constituency Members of Parliament. We are also committed to participating in the One Day Challenge and will disclose details of related activities in due course.
Deputy Prime Minister
Absent Voting
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to bring forward proposals to change the deadline by which applications for postal votes must be made. [76471]
Mr Harper: The Political and Constitutional Reform (PCR) Committee is scrutinising draft Government legislation which would extend the timetable for UK parliamentary elections from 17 to 25 working days. In the context of this proposal, I wrote to the Committee suggesting that it would be helpful to welcome views as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process on whether the existing deadline for postal vote applications (which is currently 11 days before polling day) should be moved further in advance of the date of the poll. The Government will consider any recommendations made by the PCR Committee carefully, although we would be reluctant to erode the flexibility for electors which the current deadline offers.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mr Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) lobbying organisations (i) he and (ii) his senior officials have spoken in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [76790]
The Deputy Prime Minister: Since May 2010 to date, I have spoken at 20 events which have been organised by charities, civil society groups and businesses. Senior officials in my private office have not spoken at any such events. Details of my speaking events are as follows:
June: one (charity)
November: two (civil society groups)
January: one (civil society group)
February: one (business)
March: one (business)
May: three (charities), one (civil society group) and two (businesses)
June: one (civil society group)
July: one (charity)
August: one (civil society group)
October: three (businesses) and two (charities).