Departmental Training
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many external training courses staff of her Department attended in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each course. [74348]
3 Nov 2011 : Column 769W
Norman Baker: The following table lists the number of external training courses attended by staff in the Department for Transport (DFT) between 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011, and the cost where information is available:
| Agency | Number of training courses | Total cost (£) |
| (1 )Number of courses cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs. | ||
In addition to this, the Department's Transport Learning Group (which is part of the Highways Agency) sources
3 Nov 2011 : Column 770W
generic learning and development for the whole of DFT. They have run 313 courses over the last 12 months at a total cost of £270,892.
Departmental Travel
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department has spent on first class travel by (a) air, (b) boat and (c) train since May 2010. [75520]
Norman Baker: First class rail travel expenditure information for DFT (central) and three of its agencies is contained in the following table. Two agencies, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the Government Car and Despatch Agency, report no first class travel. The two remaining agencies, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency, do not record class of travel, and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
In September 2011, £638 was spent on first class air travel but no other first class air or boat travel was undertaken between May 2010 and September 2011.
DFT(c) figures include the Rail Accident Investigation Branch from April 2011 onwards. Prior to that date RAIB first class travel was not recorded centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
| D F T first class travel, 1 May 2010 to 30 September 2011—Rail | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
|
|
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | August-September 2011 |
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Disclosure of Information
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on the future requirement to pass information to car parking companies as proposed in Clause 56 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill, with particular reference to security risks; and if she will make a statement. [78356]
Mike Penning: Private car parking management companies that are members of a Government accredited trade association are already able to request information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to allow alleged parking contraventions to be followed up. Introduction of the Protection of Freedoms Bill will not require changes to the current security arrangements. Consequently, no further discussion with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has been necessary.
Heathrow Airport: Security
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she plans to define the trigger mechanisms for the deployment of tactically enhanced (a) arrivals and (b) departures measures at Heathrow Airport. [76780]
Mrs Villiers: The details of the trigger mechanisms for the deployment of tactically enhanced arrival and departure measures as part of the operational freedoms trial at Heathrow airport were published on BAA's website on 1 October and can be found at the following web address:
http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much will be spent on preparatory work for High Speed 2 in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [77814]
Justine Greening: Budget for HS2 Ltd and DFT for the years specified is as follows:
| Budget (£ million) | |||
|
|
Resource Administration and Programme | Capital | Total |
| (1) This reflects the budget allocation and is subject to review in light of actual spend to date. | |||
3 Nov 2011 : Column 771W
M1: Repairs and Maintenance
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects the roadworks on the M1 motorway in the vicinity of junction 11 to be completed, the temporary 50 mph removed and all carriageways re-opened. [77482]
Mike Penning: The M1 junction 10 to 13 managed motorway project is currently due to be completed by spring 2013, which is when the motorway will be fully operational and will include hard shoulder running.
The temporary 50 mph speed restrictions between M1 junctions 10 and 11 will be removed by March 2012, and between junctions 11 and 12 by spring 2013.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what purpose lay-bys are being constructed on the M1 motorway south and north of junction 11; and at what cost. [77483]
Mike Penning: The lay-bys being constructed on the M1 south and north of junction 11 are emergency refuge areas. The emergency refuge areas are part of the M1 junction 10 to 13 managed motorway project.
The emergency refuge areas are for use by the travelling public in an emergency or breakdown when the hard shoulder has been opened during high volumes of traffic, and is being used as an additional running lane.
Each emergency refuge area costs approximately £200,000 to construct. The M1 junction 10 to 13 project has 30 emergency refuse areas along its length, with a total construction cost of £6 million.
Motor Vehicles: Fuel
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the (a) additional fuel consumption and (b) carbon emissions produced by new vehicles since the introduction of the requirement to fit daytime running lights. [77849]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has made no assessment of changes in fuel consumption and carbon emissions since the introduction of daytime running lamps. Research undertaken for the Department in 2006 indicates that the requirement for new types of motor vehicle to be equipped with dedicated daytime running lamps will result in an increase of about 0.5% in fuel consumption.
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding her Department makes available for the retrofitting of motor vehicles to increase fuel efficiency; and if she will make a statement. [78158]
Norman Baker:
The Government have provided no funding for the retrofitting of motor vehicles to improve fuel efficiency. However, they have made provision of over £400 million for measures to promote the uptake of ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies. These measures include support for consumer incentives, development of recharging infrastructure, and a programme of research, development work and demonstration work. Low emission vehicles are also supported by the tax system. Further
3 Nov 2011 : Column 772W
details of these programmes can be found at the Office for Low Emission Vehicles website:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/
Motorways: Speed Limits
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential effect of higher speed limits on motorways on the level of (a) fuel consumption and (b) carbon emissions. [78400]
Mike Penning: We are assessing all the principal effects of raising the national speed limit on motorways and on some all-purpose trunk roads which are close to motorway standard. Our assessments include estimates of fuel use and carbon emissions. We will include these estimates as part of the documentation for the planned consultation.
Public Transport: Olympic Games 2012
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to ensure that industrial action will not disrupt public services during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. [77068]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport takes an active interest in monitoring industrial relations generally, and especially in the run up to the Games next summer.
However, disputes are a matter for employers. In relation to the Olympics this means that transport operators, for example London Underground, are in the lead on managing their own employee and industrial relations risks relating to the Games, with Government not playing a direct role in this process.
Existing legislation requires trade unions contemplating industrial action to ballot their membership and give due notice to the employer. The Department for Transport encourages organisations across the Olympic domain, and the trade unions representing their employees, to resolve any disputes as quickly as possible through negotiation.
Railways
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department plans to establish the (a) Rail System Agency and (b) National Safety Task Force recommended in the McNulty Rail Value For Money Study. [78344]
Mrs Villiers: The Department has been working closely with industry and the regulator to examine the proposals in Sir Roy McNulty's independent review of Rail Value for Money.
Many of the recommendations in the review were aimed at industry, not Government, including recommendations in relation to setting up a Rail Systems Agency and National Safety Task Force. The independent Rail Delivery Group is working on these areas.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 773W
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department plans to establish the Rail Delivery Group with links to cross-industry bodies recommended in the McNulty Rail Value For Money Study. [78345]
Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 727W, which sets out the details of the Rail Delivery Group.
The Rail Delivery Group has been meeting since June 2011.
Railways: Job Creation
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information her Department holds on the (a) number, (b) type and (c) likely duration of jobs in the UK which will be created by (i) the Intercity Express programme and (ii) Thameslink rolling stock programme. [76497]
Mrs Villiers: The staffing composition required to fulfil the named rolling stock contracts is a matter for individual manufacturers to decide.
(i) the preferred bidder for the Intercity Express Programme, Agility Trains, have recently confirmed that they expect their new assembly plant in Newton Aycliffe to generate over 700 jobs in the local area, with further opportunities expected in related supply chains;
(ii) the preferred bidder, Siemens plc with Cross London Trains, have stated that work on the Thameslink rolling stock contract could create up to 2,000 new jobs in the UK, including up to 600 highly skilled roles relating to the manufacture and assembly of components.
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she intends to lay a revised Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation before the House. [76671]
Norman Baker [holding answer 25 October 2011]: The Department's consultation on implementing the transport elements of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) proposed changes to the current Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to align the scheme with requirements of the RED, as well as a number of changes not required by the RED that will simplify the RTFO scheme. The consultation included a draft amendment Order.
A summary of responses to that consultation were published on 9 September and is available at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-05/dft-2001-05-response.pdf
We will publish the Government's response to the consultation soon, setting out both the plans and timeline for implementation. We then intend to lay before the House an Order which would amend the RTFO with the aim of legislation coming into force on 15 December of this year, subject to the parliamentary process.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 774W
Shipping: Safety
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether an external risk assessment has been conducted on proposed changes to the maritime safety regime. [73645]
Mike Penning [holding answer 13 October 2011]: An external risk assessment has not been conducted on the proposal for the modernisation of Her Majesty's Coastguard.
Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what risk assessment her Department has conducted in relation to the proposed changes to the maritime safety regime; and if she will publish that assessment. [73647]
Mike Penning [holding answer 13 October 2011]: The risks that are perceived to be associated with the modernisation of Her Majesty's Coastguard have been assessed. The associated risk assessment documents have been published on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's website.
Energy and Climate Change
Legal Opinion
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many times his Department sought legal advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011. [78065]
Gregory Barker: The information asked for cannot be given without incurring disproportionate cost.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by his Department in the first six months of 2011. [78067]
Gregory Barker: This question cannot be answered without incurring disproportionate cost.
However, the internal cost of the Legal Services Directorate in DECC, in the first six months of the financial year 2011-12, was £2.17 million.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many times his Department's legal section provided legal advice to Ministers in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011. [78080]
Gregory Barker: The information asked for cannot be given without incurring disproportionate cost.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many officials in his Department were working in its legal section in June 2011; and how many staff were working in the legal departments of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies. [78087]
3 Nov 2011 : Column 775W
Gregory Barker: In June 2011, 51 people were employed in the Legal Services Directorate of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Three people were employed in the legal section of the Coal Authority in June 2011. In the case of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority, two people were employed in its legal section. In relation to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the figure was 10 staff in its legal section in June 2011.
The above figures include both staff who are lawyers and those who are not lawyers. They also include part-time, as well as full-time, staff.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) instructing counsel in (i) 2007, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) the first six months of 2011; how many times (A) his Department was taken to court and (B) a decision taken by his Department was subject to a judicial review; and what the outcome was of each such (1) case and (2) review. [78098]
Gregory Barker: The information asked for cannot be given without incurring disproportionate cost.
However, some information covering sums above £500 paid directly to certain solicitors' firms and barristers DECC engaged in 2010-11 is available on the DECC website at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/expenditure/spend_over_500/spendover_500.aspx
Departmental NDPBs
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available. [78124]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created in October 2008. Therefore no figures are available prior to this date.
There are no civil servants employed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Civil Nuclear Police Authority, Committee on Climate Change or Coal Authority.
Full information on the number of people working for non-departmental public bodies for which the Department of Energy and Climate Change are responsible is shown at
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/about_decc/about_decc.aspx
Departmental Pay
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many civil servants in his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible earned more than (a) £65,000, (b) £95,000, (c) £140,000 and (d) £175,000 in the last year for which figures are available. [78056]
Gregory Barker:
The number of civil servants in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the bodies for which the Secretary of State for
3 Nov 2011 : Column 776W
Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), is responsible, earning more than
(a)
£65,000,
(b)
£95,000,
(c)
£140,000 and
(d)
£175,000 as at 31 March 2011 are shown as follows.
| Department of Energy and Climate Change | Number |
The earnings figures used are base salary and do not include any allowances or non consolidated performance related pay.
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [78369]
Gregory Barker: From 1 November 2010 to 31 October 2011 the Department of Energy and Climate Change had a total of 16 unpaid internships or work experience placements.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Coal Authority and the Committee on Climate Change had none. The Civil Nuclear Police Authority have had one in the last 12 months.
Electricity
Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with electricity generators on the need to retain energy intensive industries as future baseload customers. [78291]
Charles Hendry: The Department is working with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Treasury to develop a package of measures to assist those energy intensive businesses whose 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. We shall announce details of the package before the end of the year.
We have not held discussions directly with electricity generators on this matter.
Feed-in Tariffs
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 31 October 2011, on the Feed-In Tariff scheme, what assessment he has made of the effects of his proposed changes on (a) levels of employment in the solar power industry, (b) supply chain opportunities for UK companies and (c) the international competitiveness of the UK solar power industry; and what estimate he has made of the number of businesses affected by his proposals. [78266]
3 Nov 2011 : Column 777W
Gregory Barker: The Feed-in Tariffs scheme has helped create business and job opportunities in green sectors of the economy. Estimates of the scale of this impact in the future are uncertain because they depend on factors such as how many installations will come forward, installation times and how many associated supply chain jobs are created. Our rough estimates based on installations scenarios suggest that there could be around 1,000 to 10,000 gross additional jobs (full-time equivalent) in this sector in the three years to 2014-15 under the proposals published by DECC for consultation on 31 October. These estimates relate to jobs within the photovoltaics sector, rather than the overall economy- wide employment level.
The proposed tariffs are intended to provide a rate of return of approximately 4.5-5%, in line with what was intended at the launch of the FITs scheme. By allowing future solar PV uptake at an affordable support level, while still providing attractive rates of return in the current investment climate, FITs will ensure that businesses installing domestic solar PV remain viable at a time when there is spare capacity in the economy which cannot readily be redeployed. These firms will then have the opportunity to position themselves to install some of the energy efficiency measures under the Green Deal/energy company obligation once this policy has been fully introduced (it is currently expected to launch in autumn 2012).
We have not made an assessment in relation to the international competitiveness of the UK solar power industry.
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 31 October 2011, on the Feed-In Tariff scheme, what discussions he has had with representatives of the solar power industry prior to announcing his proposals. [78267]
Gregory Barker: Details of meetings between DECC Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the DECC website.
During the development of our proposals for the Feed-In Tariff Comprehensive Review Phase I Consultation, myself and other Ministers met a number of representatives of the solar power industry.
Natural Gas
Mr Knight:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department
3 Nov 2011 : Column 778W
has made of the potential contribution of shale gas in meeting energy needs in the next decade; and if he will make a statement. [77848]
Charles Hendry: Last year DECC contacted a number of academic institutions, non-governmental organisations and private businesses to request further evidence to help inform the Department's views on the prospects for global unconventional gas production. A range of factors make unconventional gas more costly and harder to access in regions outside of North America.
Given the uncertainties around when, and the degree to which, unconventional gas will be produced outside North America, DECC continues to take a cautious view of the implications for gas security of supply. We will be monitoring progress closely.
Looking at domestic potential, a British Geological Survey study in 2010 estimated that if UK shales were similar to those in the USA they could yield some 150 billion cubic metres of gas, equivalent to roughly two years of UK demand. The BGS is currently undertaking more detailed work for the Department which will also take into account the recent drilling results of Cuadrilla in Lancashire. However little drilling has taken place and commercial production of shale gas has not been proven, so it is not yet possible to make a reliable estimate of recoverable reserves.
Overall therefore it is too early to be able to assess the potential contribution of shale gas in meeting energy needs in the next decade.
Communities and Local Government
Departmental Hospitality
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in his Department in each of the last 12 months. [73671]
Robert Neill: Since my last statement to the House on 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 82WS, the Department has spent £2,347. In 2008-09 the Department spent £23,500 and in 2009-10 it spent £9,251.
A breakdown of spending since 27 July 2010 can be found in the following table. In the interests of transparency, this also includes contributions towards events hosted with, and held at, other Government Departments.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 779W
Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case; [60397]
(2) what the name is of each regulatory measure revoked by his Department between 1 March and 31 May 2011; and what estimate he has made of the potential annual saving to those affected by each revocation. [60500]
Robert Neill
[holding answer 17 June 2011]: On 23 March 2011, Official Report, column 56WS, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government,
3 Nov 2011 : Column 780W
my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), revoked the bureaucratic two-tier code (the ‘Handling of workforce matters in contracting and the Code of Practice on workforce matters in local authority service contracts’). Removing this guidance will help create a level playing field, ensure more opportunities for innovation, help ensure better value for taxpayers' money in the provision of public services, and remove red tape that hinders job creation.
Statutory instruments should not necessarily be viewed as regulations—they are pieces of secondary legislation which ensure policy measures have parliamentary oversight. A list of the statutory instruments which came into force between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 is listed in the following table. I would note that all these 15 statutory instruments either had zero cost, no regulatory cost to the private sector, or had a net regulatory benefit.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 781W
3 Nov 2011 : Column 782W
Associated with the mobile homes provisions, four previous statutory instruments were revoked, and were cost neutral.
Telephone Services
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has allocated to each telephone helpline funded by his Department in 2011-12; what the purpose is of each such helpline; and how many calls each helpline received in the last 12 months. [77149]
Robert Neill: Currently DCLG does not operate any helplines that cater for specific issues or groups of people. However, the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) provides free advice on the law affecting residential leasehold property in England and Wales.
Training
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many external training courses staff of his Department attended in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each course. [74344]
Robert Neill: The following table details external training courses staff have attended since April 2011. These data are based on courses booked through the new centralised system introduced in April 2011. Information on courses booked directly, and prior to, April 2011 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 783W
3 Nov 2011 : Column 784W
|
Government Communications Network Introduction to Evaluation |
|
It is important that specialist staff have the means to maintain and build their continuing professional development (CPD) through attendance at specific external training events. This is necessary to ensure they are recognised as professionals within their field of expertise.
Government Procurement Card
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Burton (Andrew Griffiths) of 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 1102W, on the Government Procurement Card, which of the transactions under the heading of (a) restaurants and bars and (b) leisure activities in the Government Procurement Card transaction data of (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08, were made using cards held by the private office of (A) each Minister in his Department and (B) the permanent secretary. [72390]
Robert Neill: The following transactions were made under the heading of “restaurants and bars” and “leisure activities” using cards held by ministerial and the permanent secretary's private offices in this Department in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08:
| 2006-07 | ||||
| Transaction date | Merchant | Town | Spend category | Transaction amount (£) |
3 Nov 2011 : Column 785W
3 Nov 2011 : Column 786W
| 2007-08 | ||||
| Transaction date | Merchant | Town | Spend category | Transaction amount (£) |
The Government Procurement Card spend categories depend on how the vendor classifies their business.
International Development
Departmental Lost Property
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has lost any (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other IT equipment since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [77367]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development has had 28 computers, four mobile phones, five BlackBerrys and four memory sticks that have been lost or stolen since May 2010. No other IT equipment has been lost.
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [78374]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development does not run a formal internship programme but some individual arrangements are organised by departments; figures are not held centrally.
DFID provided three placements for the Civil Service Whitehall Internship Programme. This programme involved a two-week placement in London for sixth form college level students which took place from 25 July to 5 August 2011.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 787W
Developing Countries: Disability
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's country programmes specifically tackle exclusion of children with disabilities from education. [76888]
Mr Duncan: The coalition Government are committed to the inclusion of disabled people in development. Following a root and branch review of all of the UK's aid spending, we recently published our priorities for the next four years in the document “UK Aid: Changing Lives, Delivering Results” which can be found on the DFID website at:
www.dfid.gov.uk
The document sets out how aid spending will be prioritised for programmes that ensure all children have access to education and which recognise the rights of children with disabilities.
For example, DFID supports Nepal's national education programme, known as the Schools Sector Reform Programme. This aims to improve enrolment and attendance in school for children with disabilities through measures such as the provision of targeted scholarships to disabled girls and the construction of schools for children with special needs.
Developing Countries: Renewable Energy
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on supporting renewable energy feed-in tariff pilots in developing countries. [78037]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Feed-in tariffs can play a useful part in increasing the access of poor people to clean energy in developing countries. Due to the wide range of contexts in which we operate, the Department for International Development designs renewable energy projects on a case by case basis. This enables us to maximise value for money and the results they deliver for the poorest.
We are willing to consider requests for support for designing and piloting feed-in tariffs in the countries in which we work.
Developing Countries: Teachers
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects his Department supports to increase the representation of women in the teaching workforce in low income countries in (a) rural and (b) other areas. [78159]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Girls and women are at the heart of the coalition Government's development agenda. All UK bilateral education programmes have a specific focus on girls' education as part of their wider programme of education sector support. This includes support for female teachers in rural areas where the recruitment and retention of female teachers is particularly an issue.
In Nigeria, the Girls Education Project will train over 700 female teachers in rural areas. The project is being implemented in northern states, in areas where there are
3 Nov 2011 : Column 788W
almost no female teachers at present. More information on our projects can be found on the DFID project database website:
http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/
Ethiopia: Overseas Aid
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the aid his Department provides to Ethiopia is distributed via (a) the Ethiopian Government and (b) non-governmental organisations in that country; and if he will make a statement. [77175]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK does not provide general budget support to the Government of Ethiopia. The UK's support to the Government is ring fenced for use by local government and sector ministries in support of health, education, water, food security and public financial management programmes. Around 6% of the UK's aid for Ethiopia in 2010-11 was provided to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The remainder was disbursed to the United Nations, World Bank and other organisations that deliver development results through NGOs and the Government.
With the support of these complementary funding approaches from the UK, in the past few years Ethiopia has: halved the incidence of malaria; deployed 32,000 more health extension workers; doubled the immunisation rate; rolled out an innovative social safety net to protect eight million of the most vulnerable people; and put 4 million more children in primary school.
Ethiopia: Politics and Government
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. [77810]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: According to the Government of Ethiopia, 4.56 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance countrywide. Rains have now started in most of the drought-affected areas. This will bring some relief to farmers and pastoralists but also increases the risk of disease outbreaks.
A new humanitarian assessment is planned for November. We expect that the overall number of people in need will reduce in 2012 as a favourable harvest in the highlands will help to stabilise food prices and improve availability. However, in the drought-affected south-eastern lowlands it will take communities at least two years to recover. We are particularly concerned about the situation in the conflict-affected Somali Region of Ethiopia, where insecurity makes it difficult to provide assistance to over 1 million people in need. We are addressing these issues with the Ethiopian authorities.
There are also 250,000 refugees in Ethiopia. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, over 90,000 Somali refugees have arrived since the beginning of the year, fleeing drought and conflict in their own country. A further 28,000 have arrived from Sudan since September, fleeing the continuing conflict in Blue Nile State.
This year, the UK has provided emergency food aid to over 2.4 million drought-affected Ethiopians. In addition, we are currently providing treatment for over 100,000
3 Nov 2011 : Column 789W
malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, clean water and sanitation for over 420,000 people, seeds and fertilizer for over 26,000 families, and animal health care for over 9,000 families. We have also provided emergency shelter, water and essential items for over 125,000 Somali refugees.
To break the cycle of drought and crisis, we also support programmes to build resilience of drought-affected communities, including the national safety net programme that provides cash and food in exchange for work to nearly 8 million people vulnerable people.
Foreign Aid
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priorities he has set for the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in respect of improving aid effectiveness in conflict-affected and fragile states. [78222]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Improving aid effectiveness in fragile and conflict affected states is a high priority for the UK at the Fourth High Level Forum. The UK's other priorities are to improve results and transparency of development assistance as a means to improve aid impact.
The UK strongly supports the so-called ‘New Deal' for international engagement in fragile states which will be presented at the High Level Forum. The New Deal is still under negotiation but comprises a set of new goals and commitments to deliver legitimate, inclusive politics and build better security, justice and economic foundations. The New Deal is being negotiated by fragile states themselves working in partnership with donors and civil society.
The outcome document is at its third draft stage. The UK continues to push for a strong outcome document focusing on the UK priorities of a new deal for fragile and conflict affected states, results and transparency.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the commitments on aid effectiveness in conflict-affected and fragile states in the third draft outcome document for the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness. [78223]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Improving aid effectiveness in fragile and conflict affected states is a high priority for the UK at the Fourth High Level Forum. The UK's other priorities are to improve results and transparency of development assistance as a means to improve aid impact.
The UK strongly supports the so-called ‘New Deal' for international engagement in fragile states which will be presented at the High Level Forum. The New Deal is still under negotiation but comprises a set of new goals and commitments to deliver legitimate, inclusive politics and build better security, justice and economic foundations. The New Deal is being negotiated by fragile states themselves working in partnership with donors and civil society.
The outcome document is at its third draft stage. The UK continues to push for a strong outcome document focusing on the UK priorities of a new deal for fragile and conflict affected states, results and transparency.
3 Nov 2011 : Column 790W
Human Rights: Training
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what training in human rights officials of his Department receive; and whether the rights of children forms a component of such training. [78312]
Mr Duncan: All DFID staff are expected to have a basic awareness of issues in human rights. Some advisory groups in DFID, such as those for social development and governance, build deeper knowledge, skills and experience in human rights, including children's rights. DFID supports the professional development of staff through access to a range of value for money courses and opportunities. Training is currently provided through an online e-learning course on human rights that supports staff to analyse and use human rights information and apply it to their work. It also ensures that staff are aware of legal obligations and responsibilities under the UK Human Rights Act 1998.
International Assistance
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage donors such as (a) the World Bank and (b) other donors to give aid for social objectives as grants rather than loans. [77139]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government's policy is that the terms on which financial assistance is provided should be determined by what a developing country can afford, rather than how it chooses to use these resources independent of the source of funding. The World Bank only lends money to those countries who can repay the loan. For low income countries, lending is provided on highly concessional terms through a dedicated arm of the World Bank, the International Development Association (IDA). For the poorest most indebted countries, such as Yemen and Burkina Faso, IDA funding is provided as grants. I am encouraging other donors to meet their aid commitments and to spend their resources to meet poor country demands in line with international guidelines.
Legal Opinion
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times his Department has sought advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011. [76361]
Mr O'Brien: That information is set out in the following table and reports how many invoices for counsel's fees the Treasury Solicitor’s Department received in respect of cases where DFID was the client. It also gives the sum of the value of those invoices. It is reported by reference to the financial years when the invoices for counsel's fees were issued (please note I have included 2008-09 even though it was not listed in the question).
| DFID | Count of invoices | Sum of value (£) |
3 Nov 2011 : Column 791W
Further, I can report that the 39 invoices related to 11 cases.
Overseas Aid
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the three richest countries are to which his Department provides development aid; and whether he plans to reduce the level of assistance provided to those countries. [76715]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: In 2010-11, the latest year for which information is available, the three countries in receipt of development assistance from DFID with the highest gross national income per capita were Russia (DFID funding of £1.3 million in 2010-11), Brazil (£0.2 million) and South Africa (£17.4 million). The UK's bilateral development programme in Russia will end as soon as possible. DFID does not currently have a dedicated bilateral programme in Brazil. From 2009 onwards, DFID's Brazil related expenditure has primarily been used to promote a stronger role for Brazil in addressing global development challenges. Of these three countries, South Africa is the only country with a continuing bilateral development programme. South Africa faces substantial development challenges with 13 million people surviving on less than £1 per day and nearly one in five of the adult population living with HIV. A distinctive British bilateral aid programme focused on HIV and support of private sector development as an engine for growth can make a significant impact. More details on the top priorities and results to be achieved in South Africa can be found at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Where-we-work/Africa-Eastern--Southern/South-Africa/
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what in-country situation analyses were conducted as part of the process of developing his Department's operational plans. [78263]
Mr Duncan: In-country situation analyses for operational plans were conducted by DFID's country offices as part of the Bilateral Aid review process in 2010. Each of our country teams was asked to develop a “results offer” which set out what outcomes they could achieve over the next four years. These offers were underpinned by evidence and analysis of the situation in each country. Agreed results formed the basis of the operational plans.
Overseas Aid: Children
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of his Department's aid budget has been spent on children or child-related areas in each year between 2008 and 2011. [78313]
3 Nov 2011 : Column 792W
Mr Duncan: Department for International Development expenditure information is not collected by beneficiary group but by sector such as education. The spend on education from 2008-09 to 2010-11 was:
|
|
£ million |
Statistics on DFID's aid programme can be found in the National Statistics publication “Statistics on International Development”, published on the DFID website at the following link:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/Aid-Statistics/Statistics-on-International-Development-2011/
This provides information on spend by sector but no sector consists wholly of expenditure on children.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has a child protection policy. [78314]
Mr Duncan: DFID does not have a dedicated child protection policy. However, the coalition Government are strongly committed to working towards children achieving their full potential, as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The convention is a powerful tool for engaging with Governments, donors and others on the rights of children and the millennium development goals. We also support the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) who work in over 190 countries in the world to support vulnerable children.
Somalia: Overseas Aid
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent (a) on humanitarian relief for people in and from Somalia and (b) in total in Somalia in (i) the current financial year to date and (ii) in each of the last three financial years. [76765]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: During the current crisis, results achieved to date through UK aid for people in and from Somalia include: provision of food for 247,000 people; 490,000 children vaccinated against measles; safe drinking water for 300,000 Somali refugees; tents for 20,000 households in Dadaab Camp in Kenya; shelter and essential household items such as blankets and cooking utensils for 40,000 Somali refugees in Ethiopia. In the current financial year, my Department has spent £74 million on humanitarian relief for Somalis.
During the last three financial years, results achieved include treatment of 100,000 starving children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers; provision of clean water to 350,000 people; provision of shelter for 50,000 internally displaced people; and 1.3 million children and women vaccinated. The Department for International Development spent £80 million on humanitarian assistance: £29.9 million in 2010; £31.9 million in 2009 and £18.3 million in 2008. The Department has also provided support for Somali
3 Nov 2011 : Column 793W
refugees through funding to the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees as part of their wider programmes in Kenya and Ethiopia.
So far during the current financial year, some of the results achieved through other aid to Somalia include: an increase in child-birth deliveries attended to by skilled attendants from 9% to 13%; eight peace agreements averting inter-communal and cross-border conflicts, with over 10,000 people benefiting from improved access to services and reduction in civilian casualties; creation of over 200,000 long-term jobs and provision of demand-driven training to 5,700 youth, of which 60% were women. The Department for International Development has so far spent £59 million in aid to Somalia the current financial year. The initial approved operational plan budget for Somalia was £44 million. On current projections, the Department expects to spend at least £84.5 million in total this financial year, including humanitarian allocations made in the year. The additional allocations were made in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and enhanced needs because of the drought, high food prices and ongoing conflict.
Over the last three financial years, my Department spent £47.5 million in 2010, £55 million in 2009 and £35.6 million in 2008 as aid to Somalia. See link:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/Aid-Statistics/Statistics-on-International-Development-2011/
Yemen
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) material and (b) technical support his Department provided to the Yemeni Government in each of the last five years. [77550]
3 Nov 2011 : Column 794W
Mr Duncan: I have placed in the House of Commons Library a table that sets out (a) material and (b) technical support provided by the Department for International Development to the Yemeni Government in each of the last five years. We have interpreted support broadly and included instances where the Government of Yemen was an indirect or eventual beneficiary.
Full details of DFID's programmes which were active from August 2009 onwards are published on the DFID website
www.dfid.gov.uk
DFID does not provide funding directly to the Government of Yemen.
Leader of the House
e-Petitions
Robert Halfon: To ask the Leader of the House what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government's e-petition system; and if he will make a statement. [78169]
Mr Heath: The e-petitions site currently hosts more than 7,000 e-petitions sharing more than 2 million signatures.
I would like to congratulate the hon. Member for starting what was the third e-petition to pass the 100,000 signature threshold, and hope that he agrees with me that this is just one way in which the effectiveness of the site has been demonstrated.