Knives: Crime
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were prosecuted for an offence in connection with a knife in (a) London, (b) England and (c) each police force area in each of the last five years. [78328]
Mr Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in relation to selected knife offences, by police force area in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring, 2012.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 31W
| (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )The figures presented here have been taken from the Ministry of Justices court proceedings database and are a record of the sentences passed in courts, they will differ from the figures presented in the figures published in the 'Knife Crime Sentencing—Quarterly brief' which are drawn from the Police National Computer. (4) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008. (5) Offences used: Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.3 - Having an article with blade or point in public place Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139A (1) & (5)(a) added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.4(1) - Having an article with blade or point on school premises (6) Offences used: Knives Act 1997 S.1 - Sell, hire, offer or posses knife in manner indicating/suggesting suitability for combat or stimulate/encourage violent behaviour Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services in the Ministry of Justice | |||||
Legal Opinion
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) 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; [78062]
(2) what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by his Department in the first six months of 2011; [78070]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 32W
(3) 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. [78094]
Mr Djanogly: The information is as follows:
(1) When seeking legal advice from external counsel the Ministry of Justice follows guidance from the Attorney-General and Treasury Solicitors:
http://www.tsol.gov.uk/attorney_generals_ panel_of_counsel.htm
The Department does not keep a central record regarding the number of times legal advice is sought from external counsel and it would not be possible to differentiate between advice and representation costs without manually sifting through records and invoices for the periods above, to do so would incur disproportionate costs
(2) (a) The cost of supplying internal legal advice is not measured by the Department. All MOJ headquarter lawyers provide advice to different parts of the Department including the Secretary of State and Ministers as required.
(b) The Ministry of Justice publishes information on its total legal spend in its Business Plan quarterly data summaries (QDS) in accordance with commitments made at Budget 2011 and the written ministerial statement on business plans. The purpose of the QDS data is to make more management information available to the public. The QDS provide a quarterly snapshot on how each Department is spending its budget. This information can be found on the Justice website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/transparency-data/quarterly-data-summaries.htm
Information that is currently available on the Justice website shows that for January to March 2011, the Department's total corporate legal spend was c £8.3 million of which c £1.3 million was internal legal staff costs, the rest was external spend and includes advice and representation.
For the period April to June 2011 the Department's total corporate legal spend was c £5.9 million of which c £1.3 million were internal legal staff costs; the rest was external spend and includes advice and representation. Data for July to September are not yet available.
The figures above include costs for litigation and advice; the information is not recorded in a manner that makes extracting the cost of advice only possible.
(3) (a) and (b) As per the answers to 78062 and 78070, the Ministry of Justice does not keep a record of how many times the Department requested legal advice and instructed counsel during the periods noted and is unable to provide a breakdown of costs in this manner as this information has not been centrally recorded. However, the external legal spend costs above do include external advice and costs for counsel. The cost of extracting this specific information would be disproportionate.
(A) The Ministry of Justice does not keep a central record of how many times it has been taken to court and the outcome of each case. Treasury Solicitors represent the Department in its litigation but not all of the matters involve court proceedings. To extract this information for the periods requested would involve manually checking files for those years at a cost which would be disproportionate.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 33W
(B) The Ministry of Justice does not keep a central record of how many of its decisions have been subject to judicial review and the outcome of those reviews, however Treasury Solicitors have represented the Ministry of Justice in judicial review proceedings for each year as per the following table. The outcomes of those reviews are not recorded centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
|
|
Number |
Magistrates Courts: Rural Areas
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) which areas are defined rural for the purposes of resource allocation for magistrates' court services; and whether he plans to review those areas; [78632]
(2) what criteria his Department uses to determine whether areas should receive additional resources for magistrates' court services in recognition of the distance between workplaces. [78633]
Mr Djanogly: For the purposes of resource allocation for magistrates court services there is no set definition of rural areas. Resources are allocated on the principle of work load.
The Courts Estates Reforms Programme has been established to review the condition and utilisation of HM Courts and Tribunals Service estate. The programme has proposed some magistrate courts that could be closed, resulting in improved utilisation across other magistrates courts in England and Wales, while maintaining access to justice in the remaining courts left open.
If magistrates work load is conducted in a more rural court location, part of the allocation recognises funding for magistrates travel expenses. Additional resources for funding expense are triggered by distance.
Offenders: Ex-servicemen
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the number of people (a) in prison, (b) on parole and (c) subject to a community order who (i) had formerly been and (ii) are members of the armed forces. [78601]
Mr Blunt: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 October 2011, Official Report, column 155W, to the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy). No information is held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on those who might be current serving members of the armed forces.
Offenders: Rehabilitation
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of the prison population on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in prisons. [78780]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 34W
Mr Blunt: Despite pressure from population increase and resource constraints a broad range of rehabilitation services and interventions continue to be delivered and staff across prisons and probation are working with partners to reduce reoffending and make our communities safer.
While we are committed to evidence-based commissioning to ensure that resources are targeted as effectively as possible to continue to deliver improved outcomes for offenders and victims, my assessment is that a lower level of prison population would make the available rehabilitation programmes more effective.
Prisons: Private Sector
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what factors arose between the publication of the Principles of Competition document in November 2009 and that of Principles of Competition document in August 2010 which led to an increase in add on costs for the competition for HMP Birmingham, Buckley Hall, Featherstone 2 and Wellingborough. [78810]
Mr Blunt: The main difference between the November 2009 and August 2010 versions of the Principles of Competition is that the former version set out the general principles as to how mark-ups would be applied rather than the specific amounts that appear in the later version. For example, the November 2009 version provides a formula that would be used to calculate the allocation of indirect costs whereas the August 2010 version states a specific percentage of 6.5%. The August version was necessary both to provide this specific detail and to use the most up-to-date figures available prior to bidders completing their pricing submissions.
Reoffenders
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of offenders leaving prison re-offended within (a) one, (b) two and (c) three years of release in the latest period for which figures are available. [78781]
Mr Blunt: The proven re-offending rate for adults who re-offended within one year of their release from prison between January and December 2009 is 46.8%.
Proven re-offending is defined as any offence committed in a one year follow-up period and receiving a court conviction, caution, reprimand or warning in the one year follow up. Following this one year period, a further six months is allowed for cases to progress through the courts.
In response to a consultation in late 2010 and early 2011 by the Ministry of Justice, proven re-offending rates using a two year follow up period will be published in the next Compendium of Re-offending in May 2012.
Proven re-offending rates using a three year follow up period are not available.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 35W
Restorative Justice
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the communication needs of defendants or witnesses during the restorative justice process; and what steps he is taking to support such needs. [78591]
Mr Blunt: We have not undertaken a specific assessment of the communication needs of defendants or witnesses involved in restorative justice processes.
However, in cases in which restorative justice is undertaken either following, or prior to sentencing, trained practitioners will assess the ability for both parties to fully and willingly participate in the process and provide support and reasonable adjustments to ensure processes can proceed where appropriate.
In addition, in all cases which proceed to court (including those involving restorative justice pre or post-sentence), appropriate support services are available at court to defendants or witnesses with communication needs. For example, the provision of foreign language interpreters, British Sign Language interpreters, hearing loop systems and Braille signage. Visits to courts are also available to witnesses to enable them to familiarise themselves prior to court hearings. In accordance with legislation (Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999), intermediaries are also available to those assessed as requiring assistance in their communication. Court staff, judiciary, prison and probation officers receive equality and diversity training to adequately support those people with communication needs.
A witness would be unlikely to be involved in restorative justice unless they were also the victim of the crime or significantly affected in some way by the crime committed, as restorative justice involves offenders making direct amends to the person or persons affected as a consequence of their actions.
Terrorism: British Nationals Abroad
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to implement the provisions of the Crime and Security Act 2010 relating to compensation for victims of terrorism overseas; and if he will make a statement. [78758]
Mr Blunt: The issue of compensation for victims of terrorism overseas is being considered alongside the Government's review of victims' services and compensation, at the conclusion of which we will publish a consultation document. We plan to make an announcement on victims of terrorism overseas at the same time as we launch the consultation.
Metal Theft
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many scrap metal merchants have been charged and convicted with receiving stolen goods in each of the last two years. [79202]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 36W
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. Other than where specified in the statute this information does not include the circumstances of each case. It is therefore not possible to identify the defendant's occupation (such as scrap metal merchants) from this centrally held data.
Charging information is not collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice.
Scotland
Adam Werritty
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department's premises and (ii) elsewhere. [78864]
David Mundell: There have been no such meetings with Mr Adam Werritty.
Freedom of Information Requests
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued. [78906]
David Mundell: Statistics on handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act by over 40 central Government bodies, including all Departments of State are available at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
The annual statistics cover the implementation and operation of the Act 2000 in central Government. The publication draws together the quarterly statistics for the year and analyses the longer term trends. Figures are derived from manual returns submitted by participating bodies, and cover timeliness of responses, outcomes of requests, and use of the appeal process.
The following table does not include figures beyond June 2011 as to do so would pre-empt the publication of statistics for quarters three and four of 2011. Statistics on the time taken to respond to cases over 20 working days for 2011 will be published in the annual report.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 37W
7 Nov 2011 : Column 38W
| Responses issued | In respect of requests received each month | |||||||
| Month | FOI requests received | (a) Granted in full | (b) Partly withheld | (c) Fully withheld | (i) (A) substantive response issued within 20 working days of receipt | (i) (B) Holding response issued within 20 working days of receipt | (ii) No substantive response issued within 40 working days of receipt | (iii) No substantive response has yet been issued |
| (1) Not yet published | ||||||||
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010. [78907]
David Mundell: Statistics on handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act by over 40 central Government bodies, including all Departments of State are available at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm
The annual statistics cover the implementation and operation of the Act 2000 in central Government. The publication draws together the quarterly statistics for the year and analyses the longer-term trends. Figures are derived from manual returns submitted by participating bodies, and cover timeliness of responses, outcomes of requests and use of the appeal process.
The following table does not include figures beyond June 2011 as to do so would pre-empt the publication of statistics for quarters 3 and 4 of 2011.
| Outcomes | ||||
|
|
(a) S43 commercial interests | (b) Information not held | (c) Exceeds £600 limit | (d) Vexatious or repeated requests |
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information made under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility. [78908]
David Mundell:
Scotland Office officials would normally determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act. However, the exemption under section 36, prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by the Scotland Office, the qualified person must be a Minister. This is normally the Secretary of State for Scotland but
7 Nov 2011 : Column 39W
either Minister may act as the qualified person regardless of where responsibility for the subject matter of the request lies.
Education
Adoption
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) proportion and (b) number of failed adoption placements were in each local authority area in England in each of the last five years. [77680]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 31 October 2011]: Information on the number of adoptive placements which fail following the granting on an adoption order is not collected centrally.
Information is available on the outcomes of children placed for adoption at 31 March 2007. This is published as part of the Adoption and Special Guardianship data pack. This shows that 5% of children placed for adoption at 31 March 2007 had not been adopted three years later. The Adoption and Special Guardianship data pack can be found at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/adoption/a0076713/datapack
To produce this information for years other than 2007 would incur disproportionate cost. Due to the low numbers of children involved information at local authority level could not be produced.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has provided to (a) the Coram Foundation and (b) Barnardo's to support local authorities in improving their adoption outcomes in each of the last five years; and how much his Department plans to provide to each organisation for these purposes in each year of the comprehensive spending review period. [78227]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 3 November 2011]: The Department for Education is funding Barnardo's in partnership with the Coram Foundation for two years from 1 April 2011 to engage with 24 local authorities to help them improve adoption outcomes for children and the local authorities' adoption services.
£291,000 has been awarded for the first year. An indicative grant, also of £291,000 for 2012-13 is subject to parliamentary approval and successful delivery by Barnado's and the Coram Foundation of agreed grant funded activities.
The spending review 2010 is due to be examined at the mid-point. We have yet to allocate funding beyond 2012-13 (even on an indicative basis) as to do so could prejudice the outcomes of that review.
Neither organisation has received funding from the Department for Education (or its predecessor Department) in the five years prior to 2011 to support local authorities improve their adoption outcomes.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which local authorities he assesses as needing to make more effective use of the Adoption Register. [78228]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 40W
Tim Loughton [holding answer 3 November 2011]: Data from the Adoption Register shows that almost all local authorities in England use the register to find families for children in need of adoption. The challenge is to ensure that all local authorities refer all relevant children in need of adoption and approved prospective adopters to the register in good time.
In January I approved funding for a one-year pilot project, led by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, to gain a better understanding of how the register is being used, and how matching decisions are made at local level in relation to specific children. Findings from this project will inform my thinking on how the role of the register might be developed.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has provided to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering to promote adoption in each of the last five years; and how much his Department plans to provide for this purpose in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period. [78229]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 3 November 2011]: The Department for Education is funding the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) for two years from 1 April 2011. The grant activities include raising the profile and awareness of adoption.
£324,000 has been awarded for the first year. An indicative grant of £299,000 for 2012-13 is subject to parliamentary approval and successful delivery by BAAF of agreed grant funded activities.
The spending review 2010 is due to be examined at the mid-point. We have yet to allocate funding beyond 2012-13 (even on an indicative basis) as to do so could prejudice the outcomes of that review.
In addition to funding for the Adoption Register and Independent Review Mechanism, BAAF has received adoption-related funding from the Department for Education (and its predecessor Department) in each of the last five years as set out in the following table. Some of this funding was for raising the profile and awareness of adoption.
|
|
£ |
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what statistical assessment he has undertaken to inform the Government's strategy on adoption from care; [78480]
(2) what target he has set for the number of additional adoptions from care to satisfy the Government's objective of more children in care being adopted; [78486]
(3) what the evidential basis is for the Government's view that children currently leaving care to residency orders and special guardianship orders should instead be adopted. [78479]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 41W
Tim Loughton: The Department's data on adoption show significant local variations in the number of adoptions from care and in the timeliness of adoptive placements. The new Children in Care and Adoption Performance Tables help local authorities to compare their performance with other authorities and identify where improvements are urgently needed. They do not include targets. I want to see more children in care adopted where this is in their best interests, and I want to speed up the system so that they are adopted at a younger age. However, the child's welfare must always be the paramount consideration for local authorities when considering the most appropriate route to permanence for a child who cannot live with his or her birth parents. In some cases, a special guardianship order or a residence order may be more appropriate than adoption, for example where an older child does not wish to sever their legal ties with their birth parents.
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of looked-after children were (a) identified for adoption and (b) placed for adoption by each local authority in England in each of the last five years. [77681]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 31 October 2011]: Information on the number of children for whom the decision has been made that they should be placed for adoption was published in 2010 as Table E4 of the Statistical First Release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2010. Table E4 shows information at national level. This information was collected for the first time in 2009. It is available via the Release's web page at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/index.shtml
Information on the percentage of children placed for adoption in each local authority area was published as table LAA3 of the same publication.
This information will be updated for 2011 on 30 November 2011. It will take the form of two additional tables, Table E4: Children for whom the local authority has reversed the decision that the child should be placed for adoption during the year ending 31 March, and Table LAA3: Children looked after at 31 March by placement, by local authority. These will follow the recent Statistical release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2011. The tables will be available on-the Release's web page at:
7 Nov 2011 : Column 42W
http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/statistics-by-topic/childrenandfamilies/a00196857/children-looked-after-by-las-in-england
Although Table E4 will be at national level in this publication we will also place a local authority level table in the House Libraries.
Children in Care
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of care leavers from each local authority in England (a) were not in education, employment or training, (b) had commenced an apprenticeship and (c) entered higher education in each of the last five years. [77819]
Tim Loughton: Information on the activity of care leavers from each local authority in England in each of the last five years is contained in the Statistical First Release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2011. This was published on 28 September 2011, information on the activity of care leavers can be found in table LAF1, a coy of this has been placed in the House Libraries. The information can also be found under the Excel link “Local Authority summary tables” on the release’s web page at
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001026/index.shtml
Table LAF1 shows the number and proportion of children who are (a) not in education, employment or training and (c) in higher education. Information on apprenticeships (b) is not collected for care leavers.
Class Sizes
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what the ratio of pupils to all full-time equivalent staff was in primary schools in (a) 1981, (b) 1997 and (c) the most recent year for which data are available; [78284]
(2) what the pupil-teacher ratio was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) 1981, (ii) 1997 and (iii) the most recent year for which figures are available; [78326]
(3) what the average pupil to teacher ratio was in secondary schools in England in 1981. [79361]
Mr Gibb: The following table provides the pupil:teacher and pupil:adult ratios in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools in England for 1981, 1997 and 2010.
| Pupil:teacher ratios (1, 2) in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools. Years: January 1981 (3) , 1997 (3) , 2010 (3) and November 2010 (4) . Coverage: England | ||||
| Pupil:teacher ratio | Pupil:adult ratio | |||
|
|
Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary |
| n/a = Not available. (1) The within-school PTR is calculated by dividing the total FTE number of pupils on roll in schools by the total FTE number of qualified teachers regularly employed in schools. (2) For statistical purposes only, pupils who do not attend both morning and afternoon at least five days a week are regarded as part-time. Each part-time pupil is treated as 0.5 FTE. (3) Source—School Census. (4) Source—PTRs: School Census (Pupils), School Workforce Census (FTE qualified teachers). PARS: School Census (Pupils and FTE all teachers and support staff employed in schools excluding administrative and clerical staff). (5) November 2010 figures are calculated using the most current figures eg January 2011 pupil numbers and November 2010 teacher numbers. Previous years are calculated using January figures for both pupils and teachers. | ||||
7 Nov 2011 : Column 43W
Consultants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many full-time equivalent staff are employed on consultancy contracts in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [77500]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 31 October 2011]: To get information on the number of full-time equivalent staff employed on consultancy contracts in the Department could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I can tell the hon. Genleman that as a result of spending controls introduced into the Department in 2010, consultancy spend fell by 76% in the first six months of 2011/12 compared to the same period in 2010/11 and continues to fall.
Departmental Lost Property
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department has lost any (a) computers, (b) mobile phones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other IT equipment since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [77410]
Tim Loughton: A breakdown of reported lost or stolen IT equipment from the Department for Education in the 18 month period from 1 May 2010 to 27 October 2011 is provided as follows. Figures for the previous 18 months are also given for comparison.
| From 1 May 2010 to 27 October 2011 | From 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2010 | |||||
|
|
Lost | Stolen | Total | Lost | Stolen | Total |
Press: Subscriptions
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11. [74998]
Tim Loughton: Based on its financial systems, the Department spent £67,365 on newspapers periodicals and trade professions magazines in 2010-11. This is a significant reduction when compared to spend of £92,917 in 2009-10, £123,951 in 2008-09 and £123,836 in 2007-08.
Security Vetting
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what level of security vetting is required for the post of (a) head of communications, (b) deputy head of communications and (c) head of press office in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010; [77895]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 44W
(2) what level of security vetting is required for (a) grade six and seven, or equivalent, press officers and (b) ministerial private secretaries in his Department; [77896]
(3) what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) Ministerial-appointed policy advisers in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010. [77897]
Tim Loughton: Information on levels of security vetting is available in HMG Personnel Security Controls booklet on the Cabinet Office website:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
This booklet describes the circumstances in which a post may require the holder to be the subject of national security vetting checks. It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within a Department are the subject of vetting, as this could highlight who within a department has access to sensitive material and be used for targeting purposes.
The names of special advisers are published quarterly by Cabinet Office and can be found at the following link:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people were in possession of a security pass for his main departmental headquarters, including multi-site headquarters and not including staff or contractors, in each month since May 2010. [77899]
Tim Loughton: The Department for Education confirms that no security passes have been allocated at its main headquarter buildings in Darlington, London, Runcorn or Sheffield to non-DFE staff or contractors for the period from May 2010 to October 2011.
English Baccalaureate
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate on the take-up of subjects not included in its scope. [78638]
Mr Gibb: The Department has commissioned research on the impact of the English Baccalaureate which suggests that schools and pupils are making sensible GCSE subject choices. The survey, carried out with nearly 700 schools, suggests that English Baccalaureate subjects are being opened up to many more pupils, reversing declines in entries to languages, history and geography. It also indicates that more than half of the pupils who were starting key stage 4 from September have chosen to follow a set of subjects which will not lead to the English Baccalaureate. We will continue to monitor the impact of the English Baccalaureate on other subjects, including through review of GCSE entries in 2012.
We will also be opening up access to datasets which will enable parents and others to carry out their own assessment of schools' success in the areas they are interested in; this will allow them to monitor performance in subjects not included in the English Baccalaureate.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 45W
English Baccalaureate: Chinese Language
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether Chinese will be included as a Modern Foreign Language option in the English Baccalaureate. [77799]
Mr Gibb: All full course GCSEs and AS Levels in Chinese which are regulated by Ofqual and currently available can be taken by pupils as part of the English Baccalaureate. These qualifications are:
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Chinese (Mandarin) (500/4491/6)
Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Chinese (500/4672/X)
Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Chinese (500/2666/5).
GCSE
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in how many secondary schools over 80% of children achieved at least five GCSEs at A* to C, including English and mathematics. [75254]
Mr Gibb: In 2010, there were 576 secondary schools in which over 80% of pupils at the end of key stage 4 achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C or equivalent including English and mathematics. This includes both state-funded and independent secondary schools. Only iGCSEs that have been approved for use in maintained schools are included in this measure.
Schools with 10 or fewer pupils at the end of key stage 4 are excluded.
Source:
Secondary School Performance Tables.
Music: Education
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department has taken following the review of music education to (a) maximise the benefits of music education in schools and (b) support schools to manage budgets for music education and maximise value for money since March 2011. [78989]
Mr Gibb: We will shortly publish a National Plan for Music Education, which will reform the delivery and funding of music education. It will ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to learn an instrument, learn to sing, have opportunities to play in ensembles and have access to musical progression routes regardless of where they live and their family circumstances. The needs of the pupil will be at the heart of the plan. Through it, the Government will signal their commitment to ensuring that all pupils have access to high quality music education.
New Schools Network
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many employees of his Department have previously worked for New Schools Network. [72315]
Tim Loughton: The Department does not keep a record of its employee's previous employment history.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 46W
Pupils: Bullying
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to page 8 of his Department's guidance, Preventing and Tackling Bullying Advice for School Leaders, staff and Governing Bodies, when he plans to update the website to provide links to further information and organisations on transgender and other issues; and if he will add the Gender Identity Research and Education Society to the organisations listed under LGBT in the guidance and insert a link to the society's guidance on assisting schools to combat transphobic bullying. [77636]
Mr Gibb: This Government are committed to tackling bullying of all forms, particularly prejudice-based bullying. We want to support schools to deal effectively with bullying, while also reducing bureaucratic burdens and the amount of guidance from central Government. One of the aims of the anti-bullying advice is to signpost schools to key specialist organisations who could provide further advice and support. In doing so, we cannot list every organisation. We have listed those that we believe will be useful for the greatest number of schools. Transphobic bullying is an issue which directly affects a relatively small number of schools, so we have not included any organisations which specialise in that issue. GIRES is, however, a member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance—an umbrella organisation listed in our guidance. If schools identify transgender-related bullying issues, the ABA can signpost them in turn to GIRES or another specialist transgender organisation.
Schools: Assessments
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answers of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 315W, on schools: assessment, 20 July 2001, official report, column 2015W, on CSE and 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 1024W, on GCE O-level, what information his Department holds on (a) subjects studied and (b) examinations taken in secondary schools prior to the introduction of GCSEs. [72945]
Mr Gibb: Until 1988, the attainment of school leavers was assessed via a survey which was sent to all secondary schools in England with pupils of school leaving age (excluding special schools, independent schools and international schools). The results were published in the report "Statistics of Education: School Leavers, CSE and GCE".
These reports contain a range of statistics covering examination attempts and achievements by gender, type of school and subject groupings; and the destinations of school leavers. These reports are available in the House Libraries.
Schools: Dogs
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2011, Official Report, column 1174W, on schools: dogs, whether his Department has a policy on allowing dogs into school classrooms where children or teachers with allergic conditions may be present. [77525]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 47W
Mr Gibb: Allowing, or disallowing, dogs into classrooms or, indeed, any parts of a school where pupils or staff with allergies may be present, is for schools to determine. The Department for Education does not have a specific policy on this. There could be good reasons to have dogs or other animals in school, for instance to support the teaching of biology, the study of life and living organisms. As I stated in my answer of 21 October 2011, Official Report, column 1174W, we would expect schools to take common sense steps to protect the health and safety of all in the school. Detailed advice on the care of animals in school and of people who may come into contact with them is provided by the Consortium of Local Authorities Provision of Science Services via their helpline on 01895 251496 or the following website:
http://www.cleapss.org.uk/
Schools: ICT
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to promote the use of new technology in schools to assist with teaching and learning. [77421]
Mr Gibb: Schools are best placed to make decisions on how to use technology to support good teaching and help raise educational standards. The role of Government is to encourage schools to take better advantage of opportunities presented by digital technologies to engage pupils, improve teaching and deliver education more effectively, but not seek to micromanage how they do this. The Department is already working to ensure schools achieve value for money when purchasing technology through the development of procurement frameworks, national pricing agreements and other mechanisms. We are also working with industry to agree data standards for educational systems. Information and communications technology within the national curriculum will be considered as part of the national curriculum review
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funds are available to schools that wish to invest in new technology to assist with teaching and learning. [77422]
Mr Gibb: Schools are best placed to make decisions about how to use the resources available to them—including technology. They have the freedom to select and purchase technology and services to meet their needs from their revenue funding under the Dedicated Schools Grant and their Devolved Formula Capital funding. The Department provides support for achieving best value in purchasing technology through its national procurement arrangements.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) schools and (b) the technology sector on opportunities for schools to invest in new technologies to assist with teaching and learning. [77423]
Mr Gibb:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Ministers regularly meet with industry and school representatives. The Department has held a number of meetings with interested parties around technology in schools including industry bodies such as
7 Nov 2011 : Column 48W
the British Educational Suppliers Association and Intellect, individual companies, school leaders, and head teacher unions.
Social Enterprises
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. [77023]
Sarah Teather [holding answer 27 October 2011]: The information requested is not collated centrally and to collect it would incur disproportionate cost. However, this Department supports social enterprises in a range of ways: for example, we are funding our voluntary sector strategic partners, which include Social Enterprise UK as consortia members, to build capacity in the sector and to strengthen a social enterprise approach.
Teachers
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what estimate he has made of the turnover of teaching staff in maintained secondary schools with (a) high numbers of children eligible for free school meals and (b) low numbers of children eligible for free school meals; [78283]
(2) what proportion of teachers in maintained secondary schools with (a) more than 20 per cent. and (b) fewer than 10 per cent. of children eligible for free school meals hold a degree in each degree class. [78334]
Mr Gibb: The information requested is not collected centrally.
Teachers: Pensions
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reason his Department has not carried out a valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme since 2007; what legal requirement there is to carry out such a valuation; and on what his Department's estimate of the affordability of such a scheme can be made in the absence of a recent valuation. [77583]
Mr Gibb: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, but valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of the Government's proposed reforms of the public sector pension schemes. The Teachers' Pensions Regulations 2010 require the scheme's actuary to carry out a valuation of the scheme at intervals of no more than four years but the actuary cannot do so until the Department and HM Treasury have set out the funding methodology, which will not be determined until the future structure of the pension scheme is clear.
Although valuations have not been carried out for any public sector schemes, the costs of the Government's proposed reforms of public sector pension schemes have been calculated by the Government Actuary's
7 Nov 2011 : Column 49W
Department using data and assumptions that have been shared and discussed with unions.
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the number of teachers likely to opt out of the Teachers’ Pension scheme, if contributions rise to 9.8% of salary; what estimate he has made of the proportion of contributors to that scheme who must continue to participate in order to prevent it ceasing to be viable; and if he will make a statement. [77584]
Mr Gibb: At the spending review, the Office for Budget Responsibility assumed that some additional members, amounting to 1% of the value of the paybill, would opt-out of all the public service schemes as a result of the proposed increase in pension contributions.
The Department is currently considering responses to its consultation on the proposed increase to contributions for members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), which sought views of consultees on how the contributions increase could be implemented in a way that delivered the Government’s commitment to minimise the number of teachers opting out of the scheme. The Government believe that the rate of opt-out from the TPS will remain very low following the increase in pension contributions and that it will not threaten the viability of the scheme.
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the evidential basis is for his Department’s assessment that the Teachers’ Pension Scheme has become unaffordable since the 2007 settlement. [77585]
Mr Gibb: The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, chaired by Lord Hutton, was invited by my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to conduct a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision and to make recommendations on pension arrangements that are sustainable and affordable in the long term, fair to both the public service work force and the taxpayer and consistent with the fiscal challenges ahead, while protecting accrued rights.
In making his recommendations on pension reform, Lord Hutton considered the reforms already made to the public service pension schemes—in 2007 in the case of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme—and while he acknowledged that savings had been achieved, he pointed out that the cost of public service pensions had increased by around a third because of longer life expectancy over the last 50 years. As a result, cash expenditure on paying pensions to public service pensioners had increased to £32 billion over the last decade. Against this background, Lord Hutton concluded that there is a clear case for further reform of public service pension schemes, including the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of teachers who will cease making pension contributions following the planned increase in contributions. [77693]
Mr Gibb
[holding answer 31 October 2011]: At the spending review, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that some additional members, amounting to
7 Nov 2011 : Column 50W
1% of the value of the paybill, would opt-out of all the public service schemes as a result of the proposed increase in pension contributions.
A consultation on the proposed increase to contributions for members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in 2012-13 was recently concluded and the Department is considering all responses received prior to the deadline. The Government are committed to implementing the contributions increase in a way which will protect the lower paid from the full impact of the changes and will therefore reduce the risk of increased opt-outs from the scheme.
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to publish a valuation of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. [77783]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 1 November 2011]: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, however, valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of discussions on implementing Lord Hutton’s proposals. A decision on when to undertake the next valuation of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme will be taken in due course.
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects the valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme to be published. [79148]
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will undertake and publish a full economic valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [78762]
Mr Gibb: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, but valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of the Government's proposed reforms of the public sector pension schemes. A decision on when to undertake the next valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme will be taken in due course.
Home Department
Knife Crime
22. Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the level of knife crime. [78460]
Nick Herbert: In the 12 months to June 2011, data collected by police forces in England and Wales indicate that 7% of relevant violent offences involved the use of a knife or a sharp instrument.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 51W
Net Migration
23. Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress she is making in reducing net migration. [78461]
Damian Green: We are committed to reducing net migration to the levels of the 1990s—tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands.
We have already introduced an annual limit on the number of non-EU workers; overhauled the student route; and increased enforcement activity.
As the right hon. Gentleman recognised in an article last week, the next steps are to break the link between temporary and permanent migration by restricting settlement rights and to tighten rules on family migration.
Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department has taken to combat anti-Semitism since July 2010; and if she will make a statement. [R] [78749]
Andrew Stunell: I have been asked to reply.
The cross-Government working group on anti-Semitism co-ordinates all Government's work on this issue. The Government's latest response is the ‘Three Years on Progress Report’, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
More recently the working group has focused on addressing hate material on the internet and anti-Semitism and political tensions on campus.
Antisocial Behaviour
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish her Department’s response to its consultation, More effective responses to antisocial behaviour. [78397]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office has received over 1,000 written responses to the consultation from the police and other front-line professionals, members of the judiciary, local authorities, interest groups and members of the public. We want to ensure that our proposals reflect that wealth of knowledge and expertise, and will publish our response in due course.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from police constables on increasing police powers to deal with individuals who are causing antisocial behaviour. [78398]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office regularly receives representations from police constables and other front-line professionals on the need for more effective powers to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Cannabis
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has any plans to decriminalise high-THC cannabis (a) use and (b) production; and if she will make a statement. [78773]
7 Nov 2011 : Column 52W
James Brokenshire: We have no plans to decriminalise cannabis or any other drug subject to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Civil Disorder
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) level 1 and (b) level 2 trained public order officers were available to the Metropolitan police in each year from 1999 to the latest year for which figures are available. [78157]
Nick Herbert: Information on the number of level 1 and level 2 public order trained police officers is not collected centrally by the Home Office. Level 1 and level 2 training is a local resource management issue for chief constables working with their police authorities and, from November 2012, their elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs).
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) arrested at the scene and (b) arrested at a later stage in connection with the public disorder of August 2011. [78204]
Nick Herbert: This information is not held centrally.
Deportation: Offenders
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the report by the Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency entitled A thematic inspection of how the UK Border Agency manages foreign national prisoners, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of immigration detainees held for over 12 months. [78793]
Damian Green: The majority of immigration detainees held for more than 12 months are foreign national offenders who are liable to be deported from the United Kingdom. There is no presumption to detain in such cases and our powers only allow us to detain for as long as there is a realistic prospect of removal within a reasonable timescale. Our policy does however take into account the imperative to protect the public from foreign nationals who have offended in the UK and are liable to deportation. For this reason, proximity of removal, risk of reoffending (based on National Offender Management Service assessments) and risk of absconding are all taken into account at the point at which the detention decision is made.
The courts have found that it may be lawful to prolong detention in cases where there is a risk to the public, a risk of the person absconding, or where the individual's own lack of co-operation is a determinative factor preventing removal. We do however review detention every 28 days to assess whether it remains lawful and appropriate.
We have also put in place a package of measures to improve the quality of detention decisions and documentation. For example a training package has been designed for caseworkers, focusing on the legal powers and purpose of detention, progression of cases between reviews and the personal responsibilities of
7 Nov 2011 : Column 53W
case owners. The detention review template and guidance have also been revised to better support caseworkers in making evidence-based detention decisions and demonstrating progress since the last detention review.
A review of authority levels for the detention and release of foreign national offenders is also under way.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers in her Department use private e-mail accounts for the conduct of Government business. [73209]
Damian Green: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.
Entry Clearances
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the transferability between companies of work permits for immigrants from outside the EU. [78249]
Damian Green: The work permit scheme closed to new employees in 2008. Since November 2008, migrants wishing to work here must be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by an employer who is registered with the UK Border Agency as a sponsor under tiers 2 or 5 of the points based system. CoS cannot be transferred between companies.
Migrants from outside the EU with permission to work either under the previous work permit system or under tier 2 or 5 are able to change employer providing the new employer is registered as a sponsor with the UK Border Agency, is willing to issue the migrant with a CoS and any necessary resident labour market test has been undertaken. The migrant must apply for, and be granted, leave to remain before starting the new job.
Forensic Science Service
John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of the closure of the Forensic Science Service on the provision of forensic science services. [78443]
James Brokenshire: The orderly wind-down of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has enabled a significant proportion of their work to be safely transferred to alternative forensic service providers and the transition is on schedule to complete by 31 March 2012.
We remain confident that the orderly wind-down of FSS will ensure the police, and the criminal justice system as a whole, continue to have the forensics capability that they need to protect the public and bring criminals to justice.
Human Trafficking
Amber Rudd:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls were received by (a) the Metropolitan police's trafficking victim helpline
7 Nov 2011 : Column 54W
and
(b)
the UK Human Trafficking Centre's victim helpline in October 2011. [78546]
Nick Herbert: The Metropolitan police's trafficking victim helpline received one call in October 2011.
The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) does not have a victim helpline. The public number for the UKHTC is for all inquiries, referrals to the National Referral Mechanism and operational and tactical advice on any human trafficking related matters. A 24/7 tactical advice capability is also available from this number.
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to provide safe homes for (a) adult and (b) child victims of human trafficking. [78841]
Damian Green: We have introduced a new model for supporting adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales, which provides accommodation and support tailored to the needs of individual victims. In its capacity as prime contractor under this new model, the Salvation Army has contracted with various organisations to deliver a range of support to meet the diverse needs of victims. This provision includes safe houses across England and Wales. Local authorities have a statutory duty under the Children Act 2004 to safeguard and promote the welfare of any child in need. Each child in local authority care is allocated a social worker who assesses their needs and draws up a care plan which sets out how the authority intends to respond to the full range of the child's needs.
For children who may have been trafficked, the social worker's assessment should identify the child's vulnerability to the continuing control of his or her traffickers. The local authority should then place the child with a carer (foster or residential) who has the necessary skills and experience to support them in a safe environment.
Human Trafficking: Northern Ireland
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on separated and trafficked children in Northern Ireland. [78233]
Damian Green: We work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure a joined up approach to tackling human trafficking across the UK. The Northern Ireland Executive is a member of the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on human trafficking which brings together the devolved Administrations and key departments across government. The group provides oversight of the UK's anti-trafficking work, including implementation of the Government's human trafficking strategy and its associated actions in relation to trafficked children.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 19 September 2011 to the Prime Minister, transferred to her Department for answer, reference M17334/11. [78732]
James Brokenshire: I wrote to the hon. Member on 1 November 2011.
7 Nov 2011 : Column 55W
Nature Conservation: Crime
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mandate the National Crime Agency will have to deal with wildlife crime. [78384]
James Brokenshire: The National Crime Agency (NCA) Plan sets out the Government's plan for the scope and functionality of the NCA. The NCA Plan can be found at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/nca-creation-plan
Police: Olympic Games 2012
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police officers from forces outside London will be allowed to wear their own constabulary uniforms when policing for the London 2012 Olympics. [78386]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 3 November 2011]: General patrol officers serving outside their local force area under mutual aid arrangements will normally wear their normal uniform issued by their own force. Officers who are being used for more specialist roles will wear the appropriate clothing for that role. There are no plans to change these arrangements specifically for the policing of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
Seized Articles: Landfill
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the quantity of goods confiscated by police forces that end up in landfill. [77999]
Nick Herbert: The Department has made no such assessment.
Young Offenders: Wales
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with Welsh Government Ministers on (a) gangs and youth violence and (b) youth crime in Wales. [78619]
James Brokenshire: I have not had any recent discussions with Welsh Government Ministers specifically on gangs, youth violence or youth crime. The focus of recent work has been with areas in England who face the greatest problems. The Government will ensure that any good practice identified is shared across England and Wales.
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral statement of 1 November 2011, on gang-related violence, which areas in Wales she proposes will receive funding to tackle gang and youth violence; and what the overall budget is that will be devolved to the Welsh Government for this specific purpose. [78730]
James Brokenshire:
The areas will be selected using a combination of serious violence measures and local intelligence about gang problems. The selection is being
7 Nov 2011 : Column 56W
informed by an Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) exercise to map gangs and gang violence in forces across the country. The areas participating in the programme will be identified by the end of the year.