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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 27 October 2011
Health
Contraceptives
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of contraception provision his Department estimates will be provided by general practitioners through the GP contract under his proposals for the public health service. [76720]
Anne Milton: The Department's estimate is that general practitioners currently provide around 75%, of all contraception in England. The majority of this is through the national general practitioner contract and it also includes any locally commissioned provision by primary care trusts (PCTs). We expect no change in the proportion of contraception provided through the national general practitioner contract as a result of our proposals for improving public health. Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill responsibility for decisions on locally commissioned contraceptive provision outside the national general practitioner contract moves from PCTs to local authorities from 1 April 2013.
Diabetes: Young People
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to prevent the onset of diabetes in young people. [77056]
Paul Burstow: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 771W.
Domestic Violence
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what definition of domestic violence his Department uses; and whether there are any qualifications of that definition in respect of particular services and processes for which his Department is responsible. [77008]
Anne Milton: The current cross-Government definition defines domestic violence as:
“any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional(1)) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality”.
(1) Recognises Female Genital Mutilation, forced marriage and so-called 'honour-crimes'. Adult is any person aged 18 and over family members are: mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister and grandparents; directly-related, in-laws or step-family.
Health Services: Overseas Visitors
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to prevent health tourism. [77058]
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Anne Milton: Overseas visitors to the United Kingdom are charged for national health service hospital treatment unless an exemption applies under Regulations. These Regulations and accompanying guidance for the NHS were updated and simplified on 1 August 2011. Changes to immigration rules are expected to come into force on 31 October 2011 that will allow the UK Border Agency to refuse entry or extension of stay to visitors with an unpaid debt to the NHS of £1,000 or more.
The Government are reviewing the rules and practices on access to the NHS by overseas visitors. This work includes how to establish more effective and efficient processes across the NHS to identify those who must pay for NHS treatment and make and recover charges from them, including those who specifically come to the UK trying to obtain NHS treatment without charge.
Influenza: Vaccination
Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the conclusions of the Health Protection Agency's study on the cost-effectiveness of extending influenza vaccination to (a) healthy children between six months and five years of age and (b) other healthy people to be published. [76779]
Anne Milton: The Health Protection Agency intends to submit the study for publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature as soon as it can.
Ipswich Hospital: Private Finance Initiative
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the (a) cost, (b) date of commencement and (c) duration of each private finance initiative contract with the Garrett Anderson Centre at Ipswich Hospital. [76762]
Mr Simon Burns: Information on all private finance initiative (PFI) schemes is published on the HM Treasury's website at:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pfi_signed_projects_list_march2011.xls
The information for the (single) PFI contract at Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust for the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Treatment Centre shows:
it has a capital cost of £36 million and reached financial close in March 2006;
the estimated annual unitary payment from the trust to the private sector contractor was £3.2 million for 20010-11; and
the operational period under the contract is 30 years (the new treatment centre opened in June 2008).
Postnatal Depression: Huddersfield
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess recent trends in rates of women suffering from post-natal depression in Huddersfield. [76981]
Anne Milton: Most women diagnosed with post-natal depression are treated in primary care. Information is not collected centrally about diagnoses in primary care. Reliable data are not available about the number of women with post-natal depression.
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Primary Care Trusts: Empty Property
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for property owned by primary care trusts following their closure. [77005]
Mr Simon Burns: Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill through Parliament, primary care trusts (PCTs) will be abolished in April 2013. The Department announced on 4 August 2011 that aspirant community foundation trusts, other national health service trusts, and foundation trusts are to be given the opportunity to acquire part(s) of the PCT estate deemed “service critical clinical infrastructure”. The relevant guidance is available on the Department's website:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_129008
PCTs have been working with NHS providers to agree the portfolio of properties that will transfer to them. Proposed lists are with strategic health authorities for approval at present. It is expected that the Department will sign off these provisional lists by 15 December 2011, and that actual transfers of estate will commence in 2012.
PCTs will retain those parts of the estate not transferred to NHS providers for the time being. An announcement and further guidance relating to this part of the estate will be issued in due course.
Sex: Health Services
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what powers his Department will have in respect of a local authority which opts not to commission abortion services after the implementation of his proposed NHS reforms; [76721]
(2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that comprehensive sexual health services including abortion and contraception services are commissioned and delivered by all local authorities after the implementation of his proposed NHS reforms. [76722]
Anne Milton: It is the Government's intention that there should be a small number of activities that local authorities will be required by regulations to commission, and these activities will include appropriate access to contraception and abortion services.
Social Enterprises
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had about promoting social enterprises within his Department's area of responsibility in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [77022]
Paul Burstow:
The Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley) has promoted social enterprise by announcing the third wave of Right to Request in September 2010. In response to the announcement by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude) of a cross-Government Right to Provide, the Secretary of State also launched a Right to Provide for national health service and social care staff in March 2011. To support social enterprises in
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health and social care, the Secretary of State announced the extension of the Social Enterprise Investment Fund for 2011-12.
Transport
Departmental Billing
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost to her 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 her Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque. [74986]
Norman Baker: The average cost of processing the payment of an invoice for the Department is £4.57 (the previous year cost was £4.99).
In determining the average cost of processing an invoice, the cost is calculated by taking the staff costs for those staff who are solely involved in invoice processing and dividing it by the total number of invoices paid. The calculation does not take into account accommodation and IT/equipment costs.
The average proportion of invoices settled electronically and by cheque for the Department is:
Electronic—96.2%
Cheque—3.8%
Departmental Magazine
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department produces a staff magazine; and with what frequency. [72810]
Norman Baker: The majority of DFT and DFT agency staff communications are electronic publications produced in-house to reduce costs and paper consumption. A small number of print publications are produced for front line staff who work out of the office without ready access to the IT systems.
The following table gives the titles and frequency of print publications:
| Department/Agency | Magazine | Frequency |
Procurement
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contracts her Department has awarded directly to third sector organisations in each month since May 2010; what the value was of such contracts; and if she will make a statement. [75166]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has awarded seven contracts directly to third sector organisations since May 2010. Details of these contracts are shown in the following table:
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| Month | Number of contracts | Value (£) |
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contracts her 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 she will make a statement. [75169]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has advertised 122 contracts on the Contracts Finder website since May 2010.
The number, value and proportion awarded to third sector organisations and small businesses are shown in the following table:
| Month | Number of contracts | Value (£) | Proportion to Third Sector (£) | Proportion to Small Businesses (£) |
Domestic Violence
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition of domestic violence her Department uses; and whether there are any qualifications of that definition in respect of particular services and processes for which her Department is responsible. [77002]
Norman Baker: In 2004, the Government introduced a single definition of domestic violence replacing the previous 14 different definitions in use across government and the public sector. The current cross-government definition defines domestic violence as “any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality” and this definition is used in my Department's Staff Handbook. There are no qualifications to the definition.
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Invalid Vehicles: Safety
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress her Department has made in considering responses to its consultation on proposed changes to the law governing powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs; and whether she has considered implementing additional requirements to make mobility vehicles more conspicuous for the purposes of improving the safety of the mobility vehicle user and other road users. [75513]
Norman Baker [holding answer 19 October 2011]: The Department's full response to the consultation will be published as soon as possible. Following careful consideration and analysis of all the responses received, I have asked my officials to undertake further work with transport operators, the industry and user group representatives on the following issues:
options for training and incentives for vehicle users to take up training;
a possible minimum eyesight requirement and incentives for users to meet these requirements;
the case for increasing the unladen weight limit for powered wheelchairs only;
the carriage of mobility scooters on public transport;
improved guidance and information for mobility vehicle users; and
replacing the legal term “invalid carriage” with a more suitable and contemporary term, and a review of how current legislation could be better enforced.
Any improved safety measures will need to be considered in relation to the aims of the Red Tape Challenge.
The Highway Code reminds users of the need to be conspicuous and this advice will be reiterated in any guidance and information produced by my Department.
Railways: Snow and Ice
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many de-icing vehicles she estimates will be available for use on the third-rail electrified network on 1 November 2011. [76801]
Norman Baker [holding answer 26 October 2011]: The following table details the number of third rail treatment trains that will be available this year compared to last year.
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John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information her Department holds on which train operating companies have arrangements to carry emergency blankets and supplies on trains during periods of severe winter weather. [76802]
Norman Baker [holding answer 26 October 2011]: The Department does not collect information on train operating companies' arrangements to carry emergency blankets and supplies on trains during periods of severe winter weather. This is an operational matter for the companies. However we are aware that some companies such as Southeastern do hold equipment such as foil blankets for use in such eventualities. If he is concerned about any particular train operating company, the hon. Member may wish to take this up with them direct.
Scotland
Departmental Correspondence
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 996W, on departmental correspondence, who he plans to invite to his proposed series of seminars on unemployment and roundtable meetings on the big society; and if he will invite hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies to such meetings. [77006]
Michael Moore: Invitations to the Scotland Office seminars on unemployment are agreed in collaboration with the organisations we work in partnership with in arranging the events, typically the local authority. Hon. Members are invited to seminars held in their constituencies. The invitee list for the next youth unemployment seminar, which will take place in Falkirk in November 2011, is currently being drawn up and is not yet available.
The big society roundtable meetings take the form of small focus groups which allow a range of stakeholder organisations to inform Government of their experiences. The location for the next roundtable event has yet to be decided and the invitee list is not yet available.
Family Intervention Programme
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the funding allocated to the family intervention programme for families with multiple problems will be allocated to the Scottish government under the Barnett formula. [76160]
Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
Policy for the family intervention programme is devolved to the Scottish Government. Funding in England is being met within existing spending review settlements, on which the Scottish Government have already received Barnett consequentials.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund
Fabian Hamilton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether mineral extractors are continuing to pay into the Aggregates
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Levy Sustainability Fund after its discontinuation; and for what purposes any such payments are being applied. [74928]
Richard Benyon: The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) was managed by DEFRA and discontinued at the end of the financial year ending March 2011. The decision was taken as part of the spending review settlement in October 2010 in a very tight spending context where we had to look very carefully across all the Department's priorities to see where we can make best use of available funds in keeping with the Government's priority of cutting the deficit.
The Aggregates Levy, which was introduced in April 2002, is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and it still exists. The revenue collected is part of general Government revenue and does not go into a specific pot.
Agriculture: Manpower
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what proportion of the workforce in the farming and agricultural sector is aged between 18 and 25; [75641]
(2) what the change in the number of 18 to 25-year- olds in employment in the farming and agricultural sector (a) was in each year from May 1997 to May 2010 and (b) has been since May 2010. [75780]
Mr Paice: DEFRA does not hold this information.
Bats
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect the (a) greater and (b) lesser Horseshoe bat. [75077]
Richard Benyon: All species of bat are afforded a very high level of protection through transposition of the EU Habitats Directive into UK law; this includes making it an offence to deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat or to damage or destroy a breeding or resting site. In addition, the very best sites for populations of greater and lesser horseshoe bats have been given further protection as sites of special scientific interest and special areas of conservation. Natural England works with landowners within agri-environment schemes to enhance the environment for both the lesser and greater horseshoe bat. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Natural England also provide financial support to the Bat Conservation Trust to co-ordinate the National Bat Monitoring Programme, which in turn provides annual population trend data. The latest data from 2010 suggest that the population of both species is increasing steadily.
British Waterways: Pensions
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what are the British Waterways pension past service liabilities in respect of (a) retired personnel and (b) staff who it is proposed will transfer to the Canal and River Trust; [75956]
(2) what the British Waterways pension deficit is; and what proportion of this deficit is attributable to
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(a)
retired staff and
(b)
staff who it is proposed will transfer to the Canal and River Trust. [75957]
Richard Benyon: The last triennial valuation of the British Waterways pension fund carried out by the Scheme Actuary on 31 March 2010 showed that the total past service liabilities were £340 million. Of this, £220 million related to 3,634 members who were either pensioners or former employees who were not then on pension. The remaining £120 million related to the 1,296 active members who were employed by BW at the time of the valuation.
No formal valuation has been prepared since March 2010 although estimated updates have been prepared by the Scheme Actuary for the pension fund Trustees. As at 30 June 2011 the total number of pensioner and deferred members was 3,677 and the active members totalled 1,281. It is expected that all active members at the time, with the exception of those that remain in BWB (Scotland), will transfer to the employment of the Canal and River Trust.
At the date of the March 2010 actuarial valuation of the British Waterways Pension Fund the pension deficit was £65.6 million. Given the causes of the pension deficit, it would not be appropriate to attribute 'proportions of the deficit' in the manner suggested.
Common Agricultural Policy
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations (a) she and (b) officials in her Department made during discussions with her international counterparts on making animal welfare a stated objective of the reformed common agricultural policy. [73848]
Mr Paice: The Government are committed to improving farm animal welfare and minimum standards set by the EU are already some of the highest in the world. Most recently, the UK has made significant progress in improving the welfare of both broiler chickens and laying hens. We have also led the rest of Europe in improvements to pig welfare.
Formal negotiations on the CAP proposals are only just beginning, and as yet DEFRA has not made any representations on animal welfare in relation to the CAP. DEFRA will continue to work with the European Commission, European Parliament, member states and domestic stakeholders to press for an ambitious reform of the CAP that delivers good value for farmers, taxpayers, consumers and the environment.
Common Fisheries Policy
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has made to the European Commission on amending the common fisheries policy. [75280]
Richard Benyon:
The UK Government are committed to achieving genuine and radical reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). The European Commission's proposals for reform are a welcome start but we need to work with others—including member states, the European Parliament and the European Commission—to agree
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the changes necessary to deliver real reform. In particular, UK proposals are aimed at eliminating discards, decentralisation of decision-making, a more economically rational fisheries management system, greater integration of fisheries and environmental management, and also applying the principles of sustainable use both outside EU waters and within.
Dairy Farming
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential environmental effects of dairy farmers switching to beef production. [75043]
Mr Paice: DEFRA has commissioned research to understand better the environmental impacts (eg greenhouse gas emissions and diffuse pollution) of dairy and beef production systems in their own right, and on subjects (eg forage improvement and evaluation) which are generic to both systems, but not specifically on the effects of switching from dairy to beef production.
“Change in the Air and Testing the Water”, the two parts of industry's current English Beef and Sheep Production Roadmap, discuss the sustainability of the sectors and set out some benchmarks for performance.
http://www.eblex.org.uk/publications/corporate.aspx
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to provide assistance for dairy farmers. [76215]
Mr Paice: The future prosperity and sustainability of the dairy industry lies to a large extent in its own hands but the Government provide assistance for dairy farmers in many ways.
Through the Dairy Supply Chain Forum, Government challenge senior sector representatives to discuss the health and future of the dairy sector and identify opportunities which should benefit dairy farmers. These include exploring new export markets or replacing imports with British products to improve our trade balance and therefore demand for British milk supplies.
We have encouraged and supported industry's development of its own voluntary code of practice on contractual relations for farmers and the Dairy 2020 project which will produce an action plan to secure long-term industry sustainability.
Government and industry are both investing substantial sums in research in the sector. For 2009-10, DEFRA research programmes representing a combined spend of about £16 million were of relevance to the dairy sector. Farmers can access Rural Development Programme (England) funds. SME dairy processors, which may include or be supplied by dairy farmers, should be able to access both the Enterprise Capital Funds programme and the Business Growth Fund.
The Government are responding to the report of the Task Force on Farming Regulation, which contains several recommendations with application to dairy farmers. The Government will make an initial response later in the autumn.
The Government have also launched the Government Buying Standards to ensure food procured by Government Departments meets UK standards of production wherever
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this can be achieved, without increasing overall cost. The Government facilitated the industry's development of country of origin labelling principles.
The Government are introducing a Groceries Code Adjudicator to monitor and enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.
Legal Opinion
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average hourly rate paid was to external (a) solicitors and (b) barristers engaged by her Department in 2010-11; what guidance her Department uses in commissioning external legal advice; and if she will publish (i) the names of each external (A) solicitor and (B) barrister engaged by her Department in 2010-11 and (ii) the sums paid in each case. [72567]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not keep a central record of hourly rates paid to external solicitors and barristers and cannot therefore provide an accurate figure for the average rates without incurring disproportionate cost.
Where possible, DEFRA instructs barristers from the Attorney-General's panel of Counsel, which is made up of three London Panels and a Regional (non-London) Panel. The rates agreed for each panel are shown in the following table. The panel system is supplemented by the retention of two First Treasury Counsel to advise and represent Government in particularly complex and sensitive matters. The First Treasury Counsel hourly rate is also shown in the table. When a Queen’s Counsel is engaged the rate is negotiated on a case by case basis.
| Counsel | Hourly rate |
| (1) Depending on experience. | |
For non-contentious matters, the Department, wherever possible, instructs solicitors firms selected from a panel. This panel has been established under a framework agreement to provide legal services to Government bodies. For litigation, the Department uses solicitors from the Litigation Catalogue wherever possible. The use of solicitors from outside the framework agreement is only permitted where there are no suitable solicitors available from the Litigation Catalogue.
In commissioning external legal services DEFRA refers to guidance produced by the Attorney-General's Office on the use of the private sector for Government legal work. On the use of counsel, Government Legal Service (GLS) guidance, DEFRA guidance and Treasury Solicitors Guidance on purchasing external legal services is used.
The following two tables contain details of the solicitors and barristers to whom the Department made payments in 2010-11, in bands of £50,000 (the first table) and £5,000 (the second table).
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| Amount | Solicitors |
These lists are not exhaustive and could only be confirmed to be comprehensive at disproportionate cost.
In compliance with the Government's Transparency Agenda, DEFRA has published information about payments over £25,000 on its website.
Details of all barristers who are currently on the Attorney-General's panels are available from the Treasury Solicitor's Department website at:
www.tsol.gov.uk/attorney_generals_panel_of_counsel.htm
Dolphins and Whales
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of (a) dolphin and (b) whale catching undertaken by other EU member states. [75045]
Richard Benyon: The EU position is clear: within Community waters all whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) are strictly protected from deliberate disturbance, capture or killing.
The Faroe Islands and Greenland, Crown territories of Denmark, are not bound by EU legislation put in place to protect cetaceans.
In 2010 around 900 pilot whales, 21 Risso's dolphins and 14 White-sided dolphins were killed in the Faroe Islands. Greenland's annual aboriginal subsistence whaling quota compromises 178 Minke, two Bowhead, 10 Fin and nine Humpback whales.
We will continue to work hard with other EU Member States to ensure the EU takes a strong, pro-conservation position within the International Whaling Commission, and ensure that the moratorium on commercial whaling is not undermined.
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Fish Farming
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental impact of the oyster dredging industry. [75078]
Richard Benyon: The oyster industry is managed on a site by site basis and assessments are made at this level. No national research has been undertaken on the environmental impact of the oyster dredging industry.
While overexploitation of oysters could be a contributing factor leading to declines in oyster populations in certain areas, Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities byelaws regulate the industry at a local level, ensuring it is managed sustainably.
Impacts to the wider environment as a result of the passage of towed gear on the sea bed will vary according to the level of sensitivity of the habitat
Peer-reviewed assessment of the specific impacts of oyster dredges is limited although evidence suggests the immediate impacts of towed gear use would likely include a reduction in the biomass of emergent epifauna and large infaunal species (should these be present), short-term resuspension of silts and the sorting of sediment particles.
However, as oysters tend to sit on the surface, rather than recessed (as with scallops), oyster dredges are designed to scrape the surface of the bed rather than penetrate it and are light relative to other dredges.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk of potential pathogens spreading from fish farms into natural fish stocks. [75079]
Richard Benyon: Government veterinary and fish scientists regularly review risks, They are aware of the potential for transfer of disease pathogens from farmed to natural fish stocks, although studies so far have not found any evidence that transfer in practice takes place.
All fish farms in England are authorised by the Fish Health Inspectorate of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), a DEFRA agency. Authorisation sets out which species may be farmed. A consultation process with conservation and environmental bodies is undertaken prior to the authorisation of a new farm or a change to farming practices. Fish farms are ranked according to the risk they pose of disease spread, and this ranking dictates their disease inspection regime. Fish farms are required to operate to an approved biosecurity measures plan.
Fly-tipping
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to reduce the incidence of fly- tipping. [74596]
Richard Benyon:
The Government Review of Waste Policy in England, published in June 2011, sets out a number of measures to encourage compliance with waste legislation and ensure that the sanctions available act as a real deterrent to those responsible for waste crime, including fly-tipping. At the same time the
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Government are taking other measures, such as the development of responsibility deals and the waste and recycling collection commitments, to make it easier for people to do the right thing with their waste.
Government action to reduce fly-tipping includes:
(a) introducing stronger powers for local authorities and the Environment Agency to stop, search and seize vehicles suspected of involvement in waste crime;
(b) working with local authorities and the Environment Agency to strengthen enforcement of the waste carrier regime;
(c) considering whether fines for fly tipping are sufficient to act as a deterrent to fly-tipping;
(d) ensuring more effective intelligence sharing between DEFRA and its partners including the Environment Agency, local authorities, the police and other agencies; and
(e) working with private landowners to increase reporting of fly-tipping on their land, sharing best practice and considering the options for reducing the burden for those affected.
Food: Nature Conservation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effects of trends in wild food foraging on habitat conservation and biodiversity. [75838]
Richard Benyon: There has been no formal assessment. However, species targeted for wild food foraging are generally common and widespread, and it is considered highly unlikely that present levels of foraging are having any impact on their distribution or population size.
Species known to be at particular risk (including picking in the case of plants) receive special protection through the provisions of the appropriate schedules of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
There are particular concerns about high levels of foraging for edible fungi, but foraging in line with "The Wild Mushroom Pickers' Code of Conduct", produced by the British Mycological Society, is acceptable and unlikely to lead to species declines.
Any proposals for large-scale wild food foraging on sites of special scientific interest in England would require consent from Natural England.
Food: Waste
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to reduce the level of food waste. [75947]
Richard Benyon: The Government's Review of Waste Policy in England, published in June, outlines our long-term aim to reduce food waste substantially.
To do this the Government will continue to help businesses and consumers waste less food by sharing insight, evidence and best practice, improving product design and retail and supply chain practice, engaging consumers and encouraging local partnership approaches to food waste prevention. For example, we recently published new guidance for food and drink manufacturers on the application of date marks to food.
We will continue to work with food retailers and manufacturers via the Courtauld Commitment, and will develop a new responsibility deal with the hospitality
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and service sectors to reduce food waste. We will also lead by example by tackling food waste across the public sector estate.
Inland Waterways: Bridges
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many bridges cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways. [75858]
Richard Benyon: A total of 2,888 bridges cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways in England and Wales.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the bridges that cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways carry highways that are the responsibility of (a) the Highways Agency and (b) other highway authorities. [75859]
Richard Benyon: There are 202 bridges in England that cross inland waterways (canals and certain rivers) managed by British Waterways and carry highways that are the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The Highways Agency does not hold figures for Wales.
Some bridges over British Waterways' navigations are also owned by Network Rail, London Underground and other transport undertakings, and some are privately owned. British Waterways also owns many such bridges. Neither DEFRA nor the Department for Transport holds information on these bridges and obtaining it would incur disproportionate expense.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the need for repair and maintenance to bridges that cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways which carry highways that are the responsibility of (a) the Highways Agency and (b) other highway authorities; and what estimate she has made of the cost of such works in each case. [75860]
Richard Benyon: The bridges that are the responsibility of the Highways Agency and cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways are subject to a regular regime of structural inspections. General inspections are carried out every two years and more detailed principal inspections are undertaken every six years. These inspections record the condition of the bridges, identifying the extent and severity of any defects in the structural components. Where the defects are significant, plans for remedial maintenance works are developed, and where they are of sufficient priority, funding is allocated and repairs undertaken by the Highways Agency's Maintenance Agents. There are no separate available estimates of maintenance costs for canal and river bridges.
Neither the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs nor the Department for Transport retains information centrally in relation to the ownership or maintenance of local highway authority bridges that cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways. This information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
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British Waterways stringently monitors the asset condition of its structures, including bridges, and applies a risk-based prioritisation of repair and renewal expenditure. It estimates that the annual cost of maintenance and repairs to keep its bridges at a steady state would be £3.3 million in England and Wales.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of repairs and maintenance to bridges that cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways that carry highways that are the responsibility of the (a) Highways Agency and (b) other highways authorities has been in each of the last 10 years; and what the distribution of those costs between British Waterways and the respective highways agency has been. [75861]
Richard Benyon: Neither the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs nor the Department for Transport retains information centrally in relation to the ownership or maintenance of local highway authority bridges that cross inland waterways managed by British Waterways. This information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
The Highways Agency does not hold records of maintenance costs on individual canal and river bridges over the last 10 years for which it is responsible.
British Waterways' expenditure on major repairs to bridges in England and Wales for the last four years is shown in the following table. In addition to these figures, British Waterways expends £205,000 each year on routine maintenance.
|
|
Expenditure (£ million) |
International Whaling Commission
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to support the International Whaling Commission to conserve and manage whale stocks. [75265]
Richard Benyon: The UK position on whaling is clear; we strongly support the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on commercial whaling and oppose all forms of whaling, other than limited whaling operations by indigenous people for subsistence purposes to meet a defined and substantiated need.
I attended this year's IWC meeting in June to demonstrate the UK Government's commitment to the work of the IWC and our support for the moratorium on whaling. At the meeting, the UK supported the creation of whale sanctuaries and the need for improved welfare and conservation efforts to improve cetacean populations. The UK is also financially contributing to the work of the IWC on the protection of small cetaceans.
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Pesticides
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by what methodology her Department applies the precautionary principle in Article 174 of the EC Treaty in relation to pesticide approvals; and if she will make a statement. [70772]
Richard Benyon: Commission Communication (2000) 1, of 2 February 2000, outlines the European Commission's approach to using the precautionary principle and establishes Commission guidelines for applying it, among other aims. This communication stresses the need for the precautionary principle to be considered within a structured approach which is made up of risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. In the communication the Commission recognises that one way of applying the precautionary principle is through the Community rules for prior approval of certain products before they are placed on the market, such as in the case of pesticides.
Following the approval of pesticide active substances under the EU regulatory regime, pesticide products are authorised in the UK under the EU rules for national authorisations. As part of this process, the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive (the Government body responsible for regulating pesticides) carries out checks to ensure the risks that can arise from the use of these products are not unacceptable. This will include an assessment of the toxicity of each product and the ways in which spray operators, the public or environment may be exposed to it. CRD routinely restrict the way products can be used (e.g. specifying dose rates, timing and place of application) to ensure protection of human health and the environment. Pesticide users are also legally obliged to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings, creatures and plants. As part of its role, CRD considers relevant scientific studies as they arise to see if they are relevant to UK authorisation, and continues to keep abreast of research and developments in other EU member states and elsewhere.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes have been made to pesticide risk assessment for pollinators test processes since the publication of her Department's report, “Are pesticide risk assessments for honeybees protective of other pollinators,” in 2008. [70773]
Richard Benyon:
As pesticides are subject to a European regulatory regime, Ministers are keen that these issues are addressed through collaborative working across the international arena. Since this work was published, it has been considered in an international forum (the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) (SETAC) which is developing the pesticides risk assessment for pollinators (honeybees and non-Apis bees) with a
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focus on 'non-Apis bees'. This forum recognised that the risk assessment scheme for honeybees did not cover non-Apis bees, and that the risk assessment approaches, studies and associated trigger values need to be further developed. Work is also ongoing with the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD). on 'other pollinators' under the Pesticides Effects on Insect Pollinators (PEIP) initiative. Government scientists and officials are already actively engaged in these major international initiatives.
The new pesticides marketing Regulation (Regulation 1107/2009) introduces a requirement for consideration of the impact on biodiversity and the ecosystem as part of the approval criteria for active substances, as well as other new proposed data requirements. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are to produce revised guidance on aquatic ecotoxicology (including biodiversity consequences) by 2014. Other aspects of biodiversity will be addressed as relevant guidance (eg terrestrial ecotoxicology) is revised or developed by EFSA, and the SETAC and OECD work is expected to feed into this.
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in the monitoring of residues of glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium in crops such as wheat, soya, maize and oilseed rape which are directly sprayed with such herbicides over the top of the growing crops and food/feed ingredients; and what the maximum residue limit is for these herbicides for each crop which is directly sprayed over the top of the growing crop. [75810]
Richard Benyon: The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD), which is part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is responsible for commissioning and publishing the results of the national pesticide residue testing programme in the UK. Around 3,500 samples of food are tested for a range of pesticides. All results are published on the HSE's website.
Field crops are not tested. The monitoring programme tests mainly fresh food and some processed food at the point which it is available to consumers on the market for a range of pesticides. The table summarises when CRD last monitored food from the crops listed for the pesticides and gives the maximum residue levels (MRLs).
Due to the analytical difficulties associated with testing for Glyphosate and Glufosinate, analytical research (Project PS 2538) was undertaken and completed in 2009 to validate the analytical methods in a range of food including cereals and cereal based products. The outcomes of this research are published on the Science and Research section of the DEFRA website.
Maximum residue levels are established only for food which is sold for human consumption. However, when MRL's are set for food products derived from animals, the regulatory process takes into account the contribution of any residues from the animal feed.
| MRL (mg/kg) | Survey results | ||||||
| Commodity | Glyphosate | Glufosinate | Survey year | Commodity Surveyed | Number of sample s | Glyphosate | Glufosinate |
|
Found in nine samples at levels ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 mg/kg |
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|
Surveys have tested for range of pesticides but not glyphosate or glufosinate due to analytical capability at the time. |
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| (1) MRL for soya bean (2) MRL for rape seed. | |||||||
Rivers: Pollution Control
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Environment Agency has taken to ensure that standards are adhered to in respect of consents on package sewage treatment plants under its River Mease Diffuse Water Pollution Plan. [75679]
Richard Benyon: The River Mease Diffuse Water Pollution Plan (DWPP) addresses diffuse water pollution from agriculture, small un-consented point discharges and other diffuse sources, such as runoff from roads or urban areas. It is not the purpose of the DWPP to control consent standards from package treatment plants.
The Environment Agency uses a risk-based approach when assessing consent compliance at package sewage treatment plants. Where a detrimental effect on the environment is suspected, visits are made and samples of the effluent are taken for analysis. If the Environment Agency finds that pollution of groundwater or surface water is being caused, or is likely to be caused, officials would initially discuss that with the permit holder to seek improvements such as maintenance. If necessary the permit can be reviewed.
Septic Tanks
Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress her Department has made on its review of the registration of septic tanks. [74936]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA and Environment Agency officials are currently undertaking a review regarding the requirement to register. The review includes engaging with key players such as the Country Land & Business Association, the National Farmers Union and water companies etc., to develop proposals on an alternative approach. Once the review has been completed we will propose the way forward, probably around the turn of the year. In the meantime, the Environment Agency has suspended the registration system in England and there is no need for householders to register.
Sharks
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of basking sharks in UK waters in each of the last five years. [75044]
Richard Benyon: The UK has not made an assessment of the basking shark population in any of the last five years.
This is primarily due to the fact that, as the basking shark is a fish stock covered under the common fisheries policy, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is responsible for providing the European Commission and member states with scientific advice on the basking shark population on a biannual basis. We collect evidence of any strandings or by-catch of basking sharks under our domestic cetacean monitoring programmes.
In line with the ICES advice that the basking shark is an inherently vulnerable species, and acknowledging that, as fisheries have ceased, detailed information on
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population trends will be limited, this species is offered strong legal protection both domestically, within the European Union and Internationally.
The basking shark is offered protection from all harm under our domestic Wildlife and Countryside Act, is a prohibited species under the common fisheries policy (preventing fishing of the species) and internationally is listed under both the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
We have no evidence of significant adverse impacts on the species in our waters; however if this situation changes we will look carefully at what additional measures are needed to best protect this vulnerable species.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to encourage the (a) EU delegation and (b) African group at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to recognise the links between population growth, carbon emissions and adaptation problems in order to reach agreement on the use of climate funds for family planning and women's education programmes. [76908]
Gregory Barker: The UK and EU are open to discussing the linkages between mitigation, adaptation, family planning and women's education and climate finance under the UNFCCC framework.
Procurement
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c) supplier was of each transaction undertaken by his Department using the Government Procurement Card in 2008-09. [76909]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created in October 2008 as a merger of elements of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). For 2008-09, details of DECC's GPC information was held as a mixture of electronic and paper records by both BIS and DEFRA, depending on which Department cardholders previously worked for. Paper records have been archived and would need to be retrieved and scrutinised to identify transactions relating to DECC. All transactions would need to be reviewed before publication to redact personal or security related information. It would incur disproportionate costs to locate and analyse records.
Energy: Prices
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of people eligible for the warm home discount who will not be paid the discount as a result of some energy companies capping their expenditure on the scheme. [77017]
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Gregory Barker: The State Pension Credit (Warm Home Discount) Regulations 2011 allow for legal information sharing between DWP and the energy suppliers to identify those on a subset of pension credit who are or may be eligible for a rebate as part of the Core Group of the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The participating energy supply companies are required by law to provide a rebate to any Core Group customer notified to them by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne). This is not capped by the energy supply companies.
As a result, this winter Government expects that over 600,000 pensioners in receipt of pension credit guarantee credit will get a rebate of £120 on their electricity bill. The number of pensioners assisted through the Core Group will increase over the further three years of the scheme as eligibility expands to include those who receive the savings element of pension credit. By 2014-15, Government expects that over 1.3 million low income pensioners will receive a £140 rebate.
For the Broader Group of the Warm Home Discount Scheme, suppliers have discretion over the eligibility criteria they use. They must target those in or at risk of fuel poverty and their eligibility criteria must be approved by OfGem. Those eligible will receive a rebate on their electricity bill. This is set at £120 in 2011-12, rising to £140 by 2014-15. Low income families and those with long term illnesses, disabilities and the elderly may be assisted. It is not possible to estimate the number of consumers eligible under the Broader Group, as eligibility will vary according to which energy supplier the consumer is registered with. The amount which the six participating energy supply companies must provide in the form of rebates to the Broader Group will also increase across the four years of the scheme. It must be a minimum of at least £3 million in 2011-12, rising to £47 million in 2012-13 and £90 million in 2014-15.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to require energy companies to pay the warm home discount to all their customers who are eligible to receive it as part of the core group or the broader group. [77018]
Gregory Barker: The overall spending target for the Warm Home Discount Scheme, set out in Schedule 1 of the Warm Home Discount Regulations 2011 (2011/1033), is £1.1 billion over the four years of the scheme (2011-12 to 2014-15). This represents a significant increase in activity and funding on the 2008-10 voluntary agreement between the six major energy supply companies and Government which was worth £375 million over three years.
Energy suppliers are required by Regulation 7 of the Warm Home Discount Regulations 2011 to provide the prescribed rebate to all Core Group customers who the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), notifies them of, unless they provide an exception, as set out by the Secretary of State under Regulation 8. As a result, energy supply companies will be required to provide a rebate of £120 to all customers notified to them in the Core Group this winter. Government estimates that over 600,000 low income pensioners will be provided with a rebate this winter. As the eligibility for the Core Group is widened, so the number assisted is expected to
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increase over the subsequent three years of the scheme. For the Broader Group of the Warm Home Discount Scheme, suppliers have discretion over the eligibility criteria they use. They must target those in or at risk of fuel poverty and their eligibility criteria must be approved by OfGem. £3 million has been allocated for the energy suppliers to provide £120 Broader Group rebates in 2011-12. To ensure a smooth transition from the previous Voluntary Agreement, £140 million has been allocated for Legacy Spending in 2011-12, for suppliers to continue to provide discounted and social tariffs.
The level of expenditure required under the Broader Group will increase with each scheme year. It will rise to £47 million in 2012-13, as spending on legacy tariffs decreases, and to £90 million in 2014-15.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his contribution of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 945, on energy prices, (1) whether his Department has made an estimate of the total potential saving to the public if all households saved £200 by switching energy supplier; [77089]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the number of households that could save £200 by switching energy supplier; [77090]
(3) what the evidential basis is for his statement that people could save £200 by switching energy supplier. [77091]
Charles Hendry: The savings households can make will vary depending on which supplier they are with, tariff they are on, payment method they choose and region a customer is in. But Ofgem, in their Retail Market Review, found that
“Customers of the Big 6 that were already on dual-fuel direct debit accounts, could have saved between £160 and almost £200 over the course of 2010 had they switched to the cheapest dual-fuel, direct debit accounts at the start of the year.”
“the savings are higher for customers on standard credit or on pre-payment meters.”(1)
Full details of Ofgem's findings are available online at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk//Markets/RetMkts/rmr/Documents1/RMR_Appendices.pdf
(1) Page 10—The Retail Market Review—Findings and initial proposals—Supplementary appendices.
Nuclear Energy Co-operation
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has contributed to the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Co-operation in financial year 2011-12. [77362]
Charles Hendry: The Department has made no financial contribution to the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Co-operation in FY 2011-12, an initiative which provides a forum for co-operation between member states on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The UK contributes actively to IFNEC, notably in the working groups.
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Communities and Local Government
Departmental Private Finance Initiative
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will publish the (a) cost, (b) date of commencement and (c) duration of each private finance initiative contract managed by his Department. [76538]
Robert Neill: Information on projects that were signed prior to 16 March 2011 is available on HM Treasury's website at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ppp_pfi_stats.htm
In addition to listing the project name and responsible Department the information available includes (a) the capital value of the asset and associated unitary charge payments, (b) the date the contract was signed and (c) the operational period of the contract.
The Department provides updated information to HM Treasury annually for inclusion and publication on their website.
Domestic Violence
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition of domestic violence his Department uses; and whether there are any qualifications of that definition in respect of particular services and processes for which his Department is responsible. [77001]
Andrew Stunell: My Department uses the current cross-government definition of domestic violence. It defines domestic violence as:
“any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.”
I am not aware of any qualifications of the definition in respect of public services or processes for which DCLG are responsible.
Private Rented Housing
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals in respect of (a) rent levels, (b) security of tenure and (c) energy efficiency of private sector accommodation. [76757]
Grant Shapps: The current legislative framework is intended to provide a balance between rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants. We therefore have no plans to change tenure arrangements in the sector. Private rents are market led and, therefore, significantly driven by housing supply. Excessive regulation would drive up rents and reduce choice for tenants. Rent controls, historically, resulted in the size of the private rented sector shrinking from 55% of households in 1939 to just 8% in the late 1980s. Rent controls also meant that many landlords could not afford to improve or maintain their homes.
This Government are committed to seeing a major increase in the supply of new homes where they are needed and wanted. Energy efficiency in the private rented sector is being tackled through measures in the Energy Act including the Green Deal.
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Travellers: Dorset
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) permanent and (b) temporary Traveller sites there are in Dorset. [76954]
Andrew Stunell: The "Count of Gypsy and Traveller Caravans" undertaken bi-annually by local authorities in England and collated by my Department collects data on the number of Traveller caravans that are on authorised and unauthorised sites in England; it also provides specific data on Traveller sites provided by local authorities and other registered providers.
The latest published data, from the count undertaken in January 2011, shows that in Dorset there were:
46 caravans on sites provided by local authorities and other registered providers;
22 caravans on authorised private sites, including eight caravans on private sites that have temporary planning permission;
16 caravans on unauthorised developments (on sites developed without planning permission);
80 caravans on unauthorised encampments (on land not owned by the Travellers).
The count lists four sites provided by local authorities and other registered providers in Dorset; these provide 47 residential pitches. We do not collect data on the number of other types of site.
The “Count of Gypsy and Traveller Caravans” is available in the Library of the House.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Argentina
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of relations with Argentina; and if he will make a statement. [77065]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK values its relationship with Argentina as an important international partner. We have a close and productive relationship on a range of issues including in the G20, on climate change, sustainable development, science and innovation and counter proliferation.
We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and there cannot be negotiations on sovereignty until such a time as the islanders so wish. This position will not change, but we do not want the single issue of the Falkland Islands to dominate our bilateral relationship and continue to look for practical ways to co-operate with Argentina on a range of South Atlantic issues.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials of his Department are stationed in Argentina. [77066]
Mr Jeremy Browne: There are approximately 65 staff stationed in Buenos Aires. This number includes UK based civil servants and staff employed locally. For operational and security reasons we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown.
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Argentina: Falkland Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Argentina on the Falkland Islands. [77078]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I have not had any recent discussions with my Argentine counterpart on the Falkland Islands. We have made clear that the UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and that there will be no negotiations on sovereignty unless or until the Falkland islanders so wish.
Argentina: Freedom of Expression
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Argentina on freedom of expression. [77061]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK discusses human rights issues with Argentina, including freedom of expression, within the framework of the annual EU-Argentina Human Rights Dialogue. The last such dialogue took place in Buenos Aires in November 2010.
British Indian Ocean Territory: Assets
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on the maintenance of British assets on the British Indian Ocean Territory in each of the last five years. [74246]
Mr Bellingham: We only hold financial records for the past three financial years and the current year. During this period, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration spent £19,850.38 on the maintenance of British assets on BIOT.
Iran: Capital Punishment
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urgently take up the case with the Iranian authorities of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani who has been sentenced to death. [76956]
Alistair Burt: We are deeply concerned about the sentence handed out to Pastor Nadarkhani. In a statement on 28 September 2011, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), deplored reports that Pastor Nadarkhani was being forced to recant his faith or face the death penalty. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have raised Pastor Nadarkhani's case with the Iranian authorities on a number of occasions. In addition, we have taken co-ordinated action with our EU partners to address Iran's appalling human rights record, imposing travel bans and asset freezes on over 60 Iranians responsible for abuses, including Government Ministers and members of the judiciary. We and our EU partners will continue to raise Pastor Nadarkhani's case and insist that his sentence is overturned.
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Iran: Higher Education
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Iranian authorities on the access of the Baha'i community to higher education. [76945]
Alistair Burt: We have made representations to the Iranian authorities about this issue. The closure of the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education and arrest of members of its staff form part of a wider pattern of harassment of Baha'is in Iran, including the imprisonment of Baha'i leaders. We regularly raise these issues with the Iranian authorities, including when I met the Iranian chargé d’affaires in August this year. We will continue to press the Iranian Government to accord all their people the right to freedom of religion. With our EU partners, the UK has taken co-ordinated action to address Iran's human rights record, imposing travel bans and asset freezes on over 60 Iranians responsible for human rights violations, including Government Ministers and members of the judiciary.
Israel: UN Resolutions
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to Palestine's Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on the need to begin discussions with the Israeli Government to agree a solution in the Middle East. [76983]
Alistair Burt: We continue to believe that the best way to achieve a lasting solution to the Middle East Peace Process is through negotiations. Our focus is on doing all we can to achieve this—putting pressure on both sides. The British Consul General to Jerusalem most recently discussed the issue with Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad on 6 October.
We welcome the statement issued by the Quartet on 23 September. Getting the parties back to genuine negotiations is our primary objective. The statement refers to the parameters set out by President Obama in May, with which we agree. It also sets a clear timetable for talks. Both parties stated their willingness to talk in their speeches to the UN General Assembly. We are urging both parties to respond positively to the Quartet's invitation.
Libya: Rendition
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has made a submission to the Detainee inquiry in respect of allegations of UK involvement in the rendition of individuals to Libya under the former Libyan Government. [76805]
Alistair Burt: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), informed the House on 6 July 2011, Official Report, columns 99-100WS, that the terms of reference and a protocol for the Detainee inquiry's work had been agreed. In a public statement on 5 September 2011, the inquiry confirmed that it would be considering allegations of UK involvement in renditions to Libya as part of its work.
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In line with its protocol the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is co-operating with the Detainee inquiry during its preparatory phase to undertake thorough and rigorous searches to identify any relevant information which the inquiry requests under its terms of reference and to provide it in an efficient manner. The FCO has already passed a substantial amount of background documentation to the Detainee inquiry that is relevant to its terms of reference.
Sri Lanka: Defence Equipment
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which date the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's recent visit to Sri Lanka (a) started and (b) ended; which Sri Lankan Government Ministers and officials he met during the visit; whether the export of military, security and police equipment was discussed; and if he will make a statement. [76944]
Alistair Burt: I arrived in Sri Lanka on 21 February and left on 23 February. The Sri Lankan Government members I met were Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris. I also met with members of the Tamil National Alliance and the United National Party. The export of military, security and police equipment was not discussed.
Yemen: UN Resolutions
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take at the UN and with his international counterparts following the UN Security Council resolution calling for President Saleh to transfer power to his deputy in the Yemen. [76982]
Alistair Burt: The recent UN Security Council Resolution on Yemen is an important step in increasing international pressure on President Saleh to begin political transition. We are looking at all available options on what we can do to further increase international pressure. We hope to see positive political action in Yemen in the 30 days before the UN Secretary-General is due to report on implementation of the resolution. Alongside our EU, United States and regional partners, we will continue to put pressure on all sides to reach a political settlement as soon as possible, on the basis of the Gulf Co-operation Council initiative. A transitional Government of National Unity can then begin to address Yemen's serious humanitarian, economic and security challenges.
Treasury
Bank of England: Correspondence
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish (a) each item of correspondence and (b) minutes of meetings between his Department and the Bank of England on credit easing. [76660]
Mr Hoban: HM Treasury is engaging with the Bank of England on credit easing as part of routine government business. There are currently no plans to publish items of correspondence and minutes of meetings between HM Treasury and the Bank of England.
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Council Tax
Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to compensate councils which experience funding losses which occur in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15, as a result of the freeze on council tax. [75889]
Danny Alexander: The Government's offer is a one-off grant, paid at the end of 2011-12, for local authorities that decide to freeze their council tax again in 2012-13. Local authorities can choose when they spend this grant, and therefore how they profile it to help manage budgets in 2012-13 and beyond. No further funding is being provided to support the freeze offer.
Economic Situation: EU Countries
Richard Drax: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that no further funding from the public purse is provided in financial assistance to the eurozone. [76060]
Mr Hoban: The Government have made clear their view that responsibility for sorting out the problems of the euro area ultimately rests with euro area Governments.
The UK's exposure to euro area financial assistance packages is through the IMF, a bilateral loan to Ireland (reflecting the important economic relationship between Britain and Ireland), and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM).
The EFSM was established by the ECOFIN Council of 9 May 2010. This is a commitment that was entered by the previous Government.
The December European Council agreed that a permanent mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area as a whole (European Stability Mechanism—ESM) will be established by ‘the member states of the euro area’ from 2013. This mechanism will replace the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the EFSM. The Government have ensured that the UK will not be part of the ESM.
In addition, the Prime Minister sought and received commitments that once the ESM comes into existence, Article 122(2), on which basis the EFSM was established, will no longer be used for such purposes.
Financial Services: EU Law
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what European legislation and regulations have been passed affecting the UK financial services sector in each of the last five years; and what legislative proposals are being considered in the EU that may affect the UK financial services sector. [76438]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 24 October 2011]:All European legislation and regulations, including in each of the last five years, are publically available for free on the European Union law website, EUR-Lex,
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/
Legislative proposals for the financial services sector which are currently being considered in the co-decision process includes regulations and directives covering Short Selling, European Market Infrastructure, Capital Requirements, Markets in Financial Instruments, Market
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Abuse, Deposit Guarantee Schemes, Investor Compensation Schemes, Mortgages, Transparency, and a Financial Transaction Tax.
Green Investment Bank
Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the Government plans to use funds from general taxation to provide the initial capitalisation of the Green Investment Bank if he does not raise the required funding from the sale of Government assets; [77012]
(2) what progress has been made on identifying the assets the Government plans to sell to raise funds for the initial capitalisation of the Green Investment Bank. [77031]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government are considering a range of possible asset sales to fund the Green Investment Bank. To give information on individual asset sales or expected proceeds from those sales would prejudice the Government's commercial position in ongoing and future sale processes. However, at an aggregate level, the Government are confident that the asset sales they are considering will be sufficient to provide the £2 billion target.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Walsall North will receive a reply to his letter of 27 September in respect of a constituent, reference 18724/2011. [76953]
Mr Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member.
National Insurance Contributions
Mr Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the annual revenue yield from employee national insurance contributions; and what proportion of that yield is derived from each age group. [76808]
Mr Gauke: The amount of employee national insurance contributions payable in respect of the 2009-10 tax year was £38.2 billion. The proportion of this yield derived from each age group is shown in the following table.
| Employee age group | Proportion of employee NICs (percentage) |
Estimates are based on a 1% sample of NICs and PAYE service data.
Private Finance Initiative
Neil Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take in respect of reform of the private finance initiative; and what timetable he has set for this work. [76034]
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Danny Alexander: The Government have already taken a number of significant steps to improve the cost effectiveness and transparency of PFI; for example, abolishing PFI credits at the spending review 2010 to create a level playing field for all forms of public procurement; introducing new assurance and approval arrangements in April 2011 to strengthen the approval process of all projects; and, in July 2011, including PFI liabilities in the unaudited Whole of Government Accounts to improve transparency. In addition, the Government have announced a plan to deliver £1.5 billion of savings from the existing stock of PFI contracts in England.
The Government are considering further measures to reform PFI and improve the way in which private finance is used to deliver public infrastructure.
Private Sector: Job Creation
Frank Dobson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that statistics to show how many of the additional jobs in the private sector that were previously in the public sector are collected. [76473]
Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 25 October 2011]: The independent Statistics Authority has powers to produce statistics, provide statistical services and promote statistical research. It provides the top level of governance for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), replacing the oversight role previously performed by HM Treasury Ministers.
HM Treasury, along with other users of statistics, may steer the work of the ONS by contributing to consultations and user groups.
The ONS publishes quarterly statistics on public sector employment, including levels of employment in the public and private sectors. The latest release can be found at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_232222.pdf
Public Expenditure
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment his Department has made of which Government Departments have accrued underspends in 2011-12 to date; [76341]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the level of departmental underspend in 2011-12 to date. [76342]
Danny Alexander: The Office for Budget Responsibility will publish its Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 29 November which will include figures for expected departmental expenditure in 2011-12. The Treasury does not publish a separate assessment of underspends.
Information on departmental underspends are published annually in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper, available online at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pes_peowp.htm
Public Sector: Pay
Claire Perry:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) male and (b) female public sector workers earning less than £21,000 per year in work
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forces under Ministerial control he estimates will receive a pay increase of at least £250 in 2011-12. [76271]
Danny Alexander: When considering the equalities impact of the public sector pay freeze, the Treasury calculated the gender distribution of all public sector workers earning less than the full time equivalent of £21,000. The results, which are based on data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings published by the Office for National Statistics, are shown in the following table:
| Percentage | ||
|
|
Female | Male |
These figures suggest that a majority of those benefiting from the Government's policy of protecting those earning less than £21,000 will be female.
The Treasury did not calculate how many workers under ministerial control earn less than £21,000 as it is not possible to separate this subset of workers from the data.
Social Mobility
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to improve social mobility; and if he will make a statement. [76604]
Danny Alexander: The Government's Social Mobility Strategy “Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility” was published in April 2011.
As the Social Mobility Strategy set out, fairness is a fundamental value of the coalition Government. The strategy aims to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
Through the spending review and Budgets, the Treasury has worked with other Government Departments to allocate the funds necessary for them to make progress on their commitments to social mobility.
We are also raising the personal allowance tax threshold to £10,000. The June 2010 Budget announced a £1,000 increase in the income tax personal allowance from £6,475 in 2010-11 to £7,475 in 2011-12. A further £630 increase in the personal allowance was announced in Budget 2011, taking it to £8,105 in 2012-13. Together these increases will benefit 25 million individuals, and take 1.1 million low income individuals out of tax from April 2012.
Stocks and Shares
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure the regulation of Exchange Traded Funds. [76129]
Mr Hoban:
Exchange Traded Funds are regulated by the Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities (UCITS) Directives. UCITS provides a
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harmonised EU regulatory framework for collective investment schemes designed to ensure these products are appropriate for retail investors.
The Government are aware of the recent developments in the Exchange Traded Funds industry and the concerns around the suitability of some of these products for retail investors. The Government believes that it is important for the UCITS brand that products sold under the UCITS Directive are suitable for retail investors. We are working closely with the Financial Services Authority and Bank of England to analyse the risks associated with these products and consider what regulatory responses may be necessary.
Taxation
Stella Creasy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of taxpayers who will enter the higher rate tax band as a result of receipt of London weighting payments in each London borough in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13. [76775]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to modernise and simplify the tax system. [77039]
Mr Gauke: The Government are taking action to modernise and simplify the tax system. A modern tax system should be efficient, predictable, simple, and fair. The Government have made a number of improvements to the way in which they make tax policy, with consultation on policy design and scrutiny of draft legislative proposals as the cornerstones. Further details may be found online at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_policy_making_new_approach.htm
Specific steps to modernise the tax system include greater use of online filing by HM Revenue and Customs, and publication of the Government's Corporate Tax Road Map, which is accessible online at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/corporate_tax_reform.htm
In this document the Government have set out how they are reforming the business tax system to reflect the way that companies operate in a global marketplace.
The Government established the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) on 20 July 2010 to provide independent advice on simplifying the UK tax system. Following the OTS review of the number and complexity of tax reliefs, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced in Budget 2011 his decision to abolish 43 tax reliefs. As part of the second stage of its review of small business tax, the OTS will look at improving tax administration for small business, with recommendations to the Government for Budget 2012.
Taxation: Property
Joseph Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking in respect of property transactions that are not recorded by the Land Registry or subject to a property tax. [74310]
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Miss Chloe Smith: Land transactions should be recorded at the Land Registry, unless land law does not require such an entry in the register.
Stamp duty land tax due on transfers at £125,000 or less (residential) or £150,000 or less (non-residential) is charged at 0% and transactions at £40,000 or less do not require a return. The Government have no plans to change the lower thresholds or return requirements at this time.
HMRC are able to compare their records with those of Land Registry in order to identify transactions where a land transaction return should have been received but has not been, or where the stamp duty land tax due may have been under-declared.
VAT: Tourism
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an assessment of the merits of reducing the rate of VAT for tourism products in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [77016]
Mr Gauke: No assessment has been made as the data to make such an assessment are not collected.