Information is not held on how many occasions Defence Secretaries over the last 20 years have been accompanied by a deployed office while on holiday.
Security Vetting
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [77884]
Mr Robathan: Information on the numbers of passes issued specifically to non Ministry of Defence staff and contractors is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The number of passes issued changes weekly or sometimes daily.
Visits Abroad
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse was of sending (a) officials of his Department and (b) special advisers to accompany him on his leave in Spain; and if he will make a statement. [69774]
Mr Philip Hammond: The costs (rounded to £10) associated with sending officials and special advisers to accompany my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), as part of his deployed office were as follows:
|
|
£ |
14 Nov 2011 : Column 525W
Written Questions
Jon Trickett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many parliamentary questions for written answer on a named day by his Department were answered (a)
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on time,
(b)
five days late,
(c)
10 days late,
(d)
20 days late and
(e)
over 30 days late in each month since May 2010; [79577]
(2) how many parliamentary questions for(a) ordinary written answer and (b) written answer on a named day by his Department have remained unanswered for a period of two months since May 2010. [79578]
Mr Robathan: The information requested for parliamentary questions for written answer on a named day is provided in the following table.
| Month due for answer | On time | 5 sitting days late | 10 sitting days late | 20 sitting days late | Over 30 sitting days late |
Between May 2010 and 31 October 2011, two parliamentary questions for ordinary written answer and one for written answer on a named day remained unanswered by the Ministry of Defence for a period of two months.
The Government are committed to providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance on a sessional basis and will provide full information to the Committee at the end of the session. Statistics relating to Government Departments’ performance for the 2009-10 parliamentary session were previously provided to the committee and are available on the Parliament website.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether draft answers to parliamentary questions prepared by officials in his Department are cleared by special advisers (a) before and (b) after the relevant Minister. [79579]
Mr Robathan: Draft answers to parliamentary questions are prepared by officials and are seen by special advisers before being signed off by the relevant Minister. Final answers are then taken directly to Parliament. Ministry of Defence processes ensure that it is clear to Ministers what advice is provided by officials and what is provided by special advisers.
Disclosure of Information
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 14 July 2011, Official Report, column 429W, on disclosure of information, if he will publish the findings of the inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure of the letter between the former Secretary of State and the Prime Minister, which appeared in The Daily Telegraph on 28 September 2010. [78837]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 7 November 2011]: The investigation remains open. The person responsible for the leak has not yet been identified.
Ex-servicemen: Domestic Violence
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether armed services personnel receive any advice on domestic violence prior to leaving the armed services. [79936]
Mr Robathan: Domestic violence is an issue we take extremely seriously. We recently published the new Joint Services Publication 913: Tri-Service Policy on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, which is referenced in single service websites and regulations. A copy of Joint Service Publication 913 is available in the Library of the House.
The issue of domestic violence is not explicitly touched upon during resettlement courses. However, if during their resettlement briefing, any individual is identified as vulnerable, they receive additional support which may include counselling.
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Once an individual has left the armed forces additional support is available from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, as well as national charities.
France: Military Alliances
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent meetings he has had with his French counterpart to discuss UK-French defence co-operation; and what his priorities are for further developing such co-operation. [79065]
Mr Philip Hammond: I have not yet met with the French Minister for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs but plan to do so later this month. I expect to review the significant progress that has been made in UK-France defence co-operation since the signing of the treaties last year and to look ahead to new opportunities. I also expect to discuss the success of our close co-operation during the Libya campaign. My priorities are now to build on that success across the spectrum of bilateral defence activity including work to develop the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, equipment and capability co-operation, optimising the use of in-service capabilities, enhanced co-operation on professional military education and aligning concepts and doctrine. We have a complex and challenging bilateral agenda to improve military interoperability that will, I believe, enhance effectiveness of capabilities on both sides in the years ahead.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effects of planned defence budget reductions in the UK and France on future defence co-operation with France. [79828]
Mr Philip Hammond: Given the current constraints on public expenditure, the UK has sought through the UK-France Defence Treaty to strengthen operational and equipment co-operation with France. It is important to obtain maximum benefit from what we do spend on Defence. The UK-France Defence and Security Treaty is a key part of our strategy to maintain and enhance the capability and interoperability of the UK and our closest European ally.
It would be premature to make judgments on the potential effect of any future reductions in the French Defence budget. That is a matter for the French Government. It is clear however that France is as committed, as the UK is, to strengthening Franco-British Defence co-operation and maintaining military capabilities against a background of constraints on public expenditure. Both sides will therefore continue actively to explore options for co-operation in both operational and equipment areas as envisaged in the UK-France Defence and Security Treaty.
IRG
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have met representatives of IRG Ltd; and when any such meetings have taken place. [77176]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 31 October 2011]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 November 2011, Official Report, columns 228-29W.
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Israel: Joint Exercises
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on co-operation on military and security intelligence; [80462]
(2) what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on (a) military co-operation and (b) joint military training exercises. [80557]
Mr Philip Hammond: I met with my Israeli counterpart on 3 November 2011, at which meeting the discussion focused on recent events in the middle east.
Lord Astor of Hever
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions Lord Astor of Hever has visited Bahrain on Government business; and what Government business he conducted on each visit; [78705]
(2) on how many occasions Lord Astor of Hever has met any member of the Bahraini royal family while on official business. [78724]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 7 November 2011]: Lord Astor of Hever has visited Bahrain twice on official business.
In December 2010, Lord Astor attended the Manama Dialogue and was present at an official meeting with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Lord Astor accompanied my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), the chief of Defence staff and Her Majesty’s ambassador were also present.
In February 2011, Lord Astor travelled through Bahrain on his way back from an official visit to Afghanistan and while in Bahrain he held an official meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, accompanied by Her Majesty’s ambassador.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many official meetings Lord Astor of Hever has had with Stephen Crouch. [78807]
Mr Philip Hammond: Lord Astor of Hever has had no official meetings with Stephen Crouch.
Military Bases: Chelsfield
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) (a) how and (b) by whom the value of Chelsfield Ammunition Depot was determined; [79623]
(2) whether claw-back provisions were put in place in respect of the sale of Chelsfield Ammunition Depot to safeguard the public interest in the event of any change of planning use; [79624]
(3) for what reasons (a) the sale of Chelsfield Ammunition Depot was not advertised locally, (b) no notice of the sale was posted at Chelsfield Ammunition Depot and (c) neighbouring residents were not informed of the sale of Chelsfield Ammunition Depot. [79625]
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Mr Robathan: The value of Chelsfield Ammunition Depot was determined on the open market via bids submitted on an informal tender basis. No clawback conditions were imposed on the sale.
Chelsfield was marketed and advertised in accordance with normal procedures through GVA Grimley, the Ministry of Defence's commercial disposal agents. Anyone who had previously expressed an interest in the site was contacted directly by the Department.
It is not normal practice to notify neighbouring residents individually of any sale.
Navy
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships are currently in service; how many were in service in 2008; and if he will make a statement. [79115]
Peter Luff: Due to the difficult economic position this Government inherited, tough decisions have had to be taken to rationalise the fleet.
In 2008 the Royal Navy had 75 surface ships. The Royal Navy currently has 66 surface ships in service of the following types: Landing Platform Docks, Landing Platform Helicopters, Destroyers, Frigates, Mine Countermeasures ships, River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Inshore Patrol Craft and Survey Ships. In addition, the Royal Navy has 11 submarines in service (Ballistic and fleet).
The work done in the SDSR concluded that, despite these reductions, the Royal Navy retained sufficient assets to undertake the tasks required of it, as shown by the success of our operations in Libya.
Somalia: Piracy
Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Royal Navy is taking to tackle piracy off the Horn of Africa. [80074]
Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Central Devon (Mel Stride).
Sri Lanka
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the right hon. Member for North Somerset's meeting with the Sri Lanka Development Trust in Sri Lanka formed part of the official itinerary for his visit to that country. [78812]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Ministry of Defence has no record of such a meeting and the official programme did not include a meeting with the Sri Lankan Development Trust.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to answer question 69774 on his leave in Spain, tabled on 11 August 2011 for answer on 6 September 2011. [74968]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 17 October 2011]: I replied to the hon. Member today.
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Electoral Commission Committee
Schools: Polling Stations
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how many schools are used as polling stations in England. [73913]
Mr Streeter: The location of polling stations is the responsibility of individual local authorities, not the Electoral Commission, and therefore this information is not held centrally.
The Commission has recommended that Returning Officers should have the power to use any publicly owned building as a polling place. This would allow the Returning Officer a greater selection of locations for polling places, which should improve accessibility.
Attorney-General
Bell Pottinger Group
John Mann: To ask the Attorney-General whether (a) he, (b) officials and (c) political advisers in the Law Officers' Departments have met representatives of (i) Bell Pottinger Group or (ii) each of its subsidiaries in the last five years; on what dates any such meetings took place; and what was discussed. [80066]
The Attorney-General: Details of meetings attended by Ministers and Directors with outside interest groups are published quarterly on departmental websites for the Attorney-General's Office, Crown Prosecution Service and Treasury Solicitor's Department.
I can confirm that no meetings have taken place between Bell Pottinger Group and the organisations mentioned above.
The Serious Fraud Office and Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) do not currently publish details of such meetings.
The Director of the Serious Fraud Office met with Peter Bingle, the Chairman of Bell Pottinger Public Affairs on 8 September 2009. HMCPSI have had no such meetings.
Courts: Victims
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Attorney-General in what proportion of court cases in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) England the Crown Prosecution Service has ensured the presentation of victim impact statements in the latest period for which figures are available. [80816]
The Attorney-General: The decision about whether to make a victim personal statement (VPS), formally known as a victim impact statement, is made by the victim. Where a VPS is made it forms part of the prosecution case file. In order to obtain precise figures, each case file would need to be examined and this could be done only at a disproportionate cost.
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Consultants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many full-time equivalent staff are employed on consultancy contracts in the Law Officers' Departments; and if he will make a statement. [77504]
The Attorney-General: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has not given any consultancy staff full-time equivalent status. Any consultancy work is paid for purely on a task basis and it is for the consultancy firm to determine the appropriate number of their staff required to deliver the task. There are two consultants working in the SFO on this basis.
There are no staff currently employed on consultancy contracts by the remaining Law Officers' Departments although the Treasury Solicitors' Department does have one contract that allows for a maximum of 20 days consultancy service to be called upon if required.
Deputy Prime Minister
Bell Pottinger Group
John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) political advisers in his Department have met representatives of (i) Bell Pottinger Group or (ii) each of its subsidiaries in the last five years; on what dates any such meetings took place; and what was discussed. [80055]
The Deputy Prime Minister: A list of my official meetings with external organisations is published quarterly and can be found on the Cabinet Office website:
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations
Further detailed information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Credit: Foreign Nationals
Steve Brine: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect on foreign nationals' personal credit ratings of their inability to join the electoral register. [79838]
Mr Harper: In order to be eligible to register to vote in UK elections and referendums you must have reached the appropriate age and be a British, Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those who have leave to enter or remain in the UK, or do not require such leave. All other foreign nationals are ineligible.
Credit reference agencies (CRAs) are entitled to use the full electoral register to vet applications for credit.
The information held by CRAs in a consumer's credit reference file enables lenders to assess whether an individual has the ability to repay any credit that is offered. The information in the electoral register forms part of the information on a consumer's credit reference file. In circumstances where a prospective borrower has a ‘thin’ file, for example because he or she is relatively new to credit or is not on the electoral register, then banks may not have sufficient information to make an informed assessment of risk and may therefore decline the credit.
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The Government do not interfere in individual lending decisions. It remains for individual lenders to make their own lending decisions regarding those to whom they lend.
The Government do not hold data on the number of foreign nationals denied credit.
Duchy of Cornwall
Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the policy of the Government is on the (a) rights, (b) powers and (c) interests of (i) the Earl of Chester and (ii) the Duchy of Cornwall. [79968]
Mr Harper: The Prince of Wales is currently the Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester with the rights, powers and interests set out in the charters and letters of patent which originally created these titles.
Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Duchy of Cornwall is a public body for the purposes of Government legislation. [79972]
Mr Harper: The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate that funds the public, charitable and private activities of the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Duchy of Cornwall: Freedom of Information
Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information he holds on the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which apply to the Duchy of Cornwall. [80489]
Mr Harper: The Duchy of Cornwall is not listed in schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. No provisions in that Act apply to the Duchy.
Electoral Register
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether (a) he, (b) another Minister in his Department and (c) a special adviser in his Department has met, discussed or corresponded on changes to electoral registration laws with a think tank based in (i) the USA, (ii) the UK and (iii) elsewhere. [80530]
Mr Harper: Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 can be accessed on the Cabinet Office website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations
Information for 1 April to 30 June 2011 will be published shortly.
We have no record of a Cabinet Office Minister or special adviser, during this Administration, meeting or corresponding with a think tank on the Government's proposals to implement individual electoral registration in Great Britain.
14 Nov 2011 : Column 533W
Parliamentary Scrutiny
Natascha Engel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff of his Office will be working on (a) the introduction of a public reading stage for Bills and (b) the introduction of a public reading day within a Bill's committee stage. [41654]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 740W, by the Leader of the House of Commons, my right hon. Friend the Member for North West Hampshire (Sir George Young).
Cabinet Office
Civil Servants: Pensions
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme are (a) part-time, (b) full-time, (c) male, (d) female, (e) active members and (f) deferred members/pensioners. [80502]
Mr Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 February 2011, Official Report, column 677W.
Civil Servants: Redundancy
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the level of redundancy costs arising from civil service staff who left the civil service in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and how much he expects to spend on redundancy costs in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15. [76278]
Mr Maude [holding answer 21 October 2011]:Individual Departments and agencies are responsible for making civil servants redundant, and the information requested is not currently recorded centrally in its entirety. However, the total amount of lump sums payable each year from the Civil Service Compensation Scheme in respect of early exits is recorded in the Notes to the Resource Accounts for Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation (which are available in the Library once published). Furthermore, Departments are reporting information about the numbers and costs of their redundancies and other early exits in their resource accounts with effect from 2010-11.
Cabinet Office is currently working with Departments to understand their future work force plans and projections. Information on finalised estimates for future years is not yet available but will be released in due course.
Advertising: Job Vacancies
Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department has spent on advertising job vacancies since May 2010. [75648]
Mr Maude: The total cost for advertising job vacancies in Cabinet Office since May 2010 is £5,823. In each financial year two campaigns have been run, details as follows.
14 Nov 2011 : Column 534W
| 2010-11 | |||
| Number of posts | Publication | Date | Cost (£) |
On 25 May 2010 the Government announced a recruitment freeze on all external recruitment with some exceptions in order not to prejudice the delivery of business. These four campaigns are such exceptions.
Recruitment expenditure over the last five years demonstrates a reduction in overall costs following a move to on-line advertising rather than print. Recruitment costs for past five financial years as follows:
|
|
Print cost (£) | On-line cost (£) | Number of campaigns | Average cost (£) |
Travel: Costs
Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department has spent on first class travel by (a) air, (b) boat and (c) train since May 2010. [75525]
Mr Maude: Since May 2010, the Cabinet Office has spent the following amounts on first class travel:
(a) Air: £0
(b ) Boat: £0
(c) Rail: £59,844.
Of the above, our records show that £1,130.46 was spent on first class travel by Cabinet Office Ministers.
Divorce
Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) men and (b) women aged (i) between 18 and 30, (ii) between 31 and 40, (iii) between 41 and 50, (iv) between 51 and 60 and (v) over 60 years old were divorced in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [80393]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) men and (b) women aged (i) between 18 and 30, (ii) between 31 and 40, (iii) between 41 and 50, (iv) between 51 and 60 and (v) over 60 years old were divorced in England and Wales in each of the last three years. (80393)
The tables show the number of divorces recorded between 2007 and 2009, the latest year for which figures are available, by age at divorce. The term divorce includes both dissolutions and annulments of marriage.
14 Nov 2011 : Column 535W
14 Nov 2011 : Column 536W
| Table 1: Numbers of men divorcing: age at divorce, England and Wales, 2007-09 | |||||||
| Age at divorce | |||||||
|
|
All ages | 18 to 30 | 31 to 40 | 41 to 50 | 51 to 60 | 61 and over | Age not stated |
| Table 2: Numbers of women divorcing: age at divorce, England and Wales, 2007-09 | |||||||
| Age at divorce | |||||||
|
|
All ages | 18 to 30 | 31 to 40 | 41 to 50 | 51 to 60 | 61 and over | Age not stated |
| Source: Office for National Statistics | |||||||
Duchy of Lancaster: Estate Agents
Mr Wallace: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what fees the Duchy of Lancaster has paid to (a) Smiths Gore and (b) other land agents since 2005. [78230]
Mr Maude [holding answer 10 November 2011]: The following table shows the fees paid to the managing agents on the rural estates. These figures relate to all aspects of professional advice as well as the day-to-day management of the individual properties. In 2008-09 the management of the Needwood Survey, Staffordshire was transferred from Fisher German to Savills.
| £ | ||||
|
|
Fisher German | Savills | Smiths Gore | Total (net) |
Duchy of Lancaster: Farms
Mr Wallace: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what farms and agricultural land are held by the Duchy of Lancaster. [78231]
Mr Maude [holding answer 10 November 2011]: The Duchy of Lancaster owns approximately 30,000 acres of agricultural land across England and Wales with a total of 100 farmsteads. The division of its holdings is scheduled as follows:
|
|
Acres | Hectares |
Mr Wallace: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which farms and agricultural holdings the Duchy of Lancaster disposed of in each year since 2005. [78232]
Mr Maude [holding answer 10 November 2011]:Sales of farms and agricultural land are scheduled as follows:
Marbury—Hadley Hall Farm
Lincolnshire—Midville Farmhouse and buildings
Lincolnshire—Midville Farm land
Salwick—Land at Gracemire Farm (0.37 acres)
Marbury—Hollyhurst Farm
Marbury—Hollyhurst Farm paddock
Crewe—Radway Green paddock
Salwick—0.16 ha land at Fir Trees Farm
Crewe—0.03 ha land at Bank Top Farm
Marbury—Townley Farmhouse and land
Needwood—buildings Stubby Lane/Woodhouse Farm
Salwick—0.18 ha. Fir Trees Farm (Manyviews, Lea Lane)
Marbury—Hurst Hall Farm plus land ex-Townley Farm
Strixton—release retention, land ex Old Lodge Farm
Needwood—land adjacent Forest Farmhouse
Winmarleigh—Crawley Cross Farm
Marishes—Riggs Farmhouse land and buildings
Environment Protection
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will establish a Committee on the Natural Environment to advise and monitor all Government policy in terms of its impact on the natural environment. [80448]
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Mr Letwin: As Minister for Government Policy, I have been asked to respond. The Home and Economic Affairs Committees consider the vast majority of all of Government policy. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), and I sit on both committees. This allows consideration of natural environment issues at the time of policy development at committee level.
Also, DEFRA is taking lead responsibility for reviewing departmental business plans in relation to sustainable development principles. We will then hold Departments to account through the quarterly business plan review process.
Government Contracts: Deloitte
John Robertson:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what contracts the Government has awarded to
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(a)
Deloitte and
(b)
associates of Deloitte since May 2010. [78335]
Mr Maude: Last year, the Government saved £870 million by cutting departmental spend on consulting.
Since January 2011, as part of the Government's programme to increase transparency, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award. The following table summarises contracts that are listed on Contract Finder. Further information is held by individual Departments.
Natural Resources
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office from what date the Office for National Statistics plans to include natural capital in the UK Environmental Accounts. [80444]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking
14 Nov 2011 : Column 539W
from what date ONS plans to include natural capital in the UK Environmental Accounts. (80444).
The timetable is set out in the Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP)(1) which was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 June 2011 with the following commitments:
‘The new measures of national wellbeing which are in development will reflect our dependency on the natural environment for the quality of our lives.’
‘We will put natural capital at the heart of Government accounting. We will work with the Office for National Statistics to fully include natural capital in the UK Environmental Accounts, with early changes by 2013. In 2012 we will publish a roadmap for further improvements up to 2020.’
The Office for National Statistics is leading on the delivery of these measurement commitments through our Measuring National Wellbeing(2) programme. The 2012 roadmap will detail the timetable for inclusion of natural capital within the UK Environmental Accounts, a satellite account to the UK National Accounts. ONS will be seeking to engage with a broad range of experts and potential users in the development of the roadmap. The exact date for its publication in 2012 has not yet been agreed but the publication date will be pre-announced in line with the National Statistics Code of Practice.
This question was previously answered in Hansard 69449.
(1) Note:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/
(2) Note:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well-being/index.html
Skin Cancer
Julie Elliott: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the incidence of malignant melanoma is in each age group in the UK. [80103]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the incidence of malignant melanoma is in each age group in the UK. [80103]
The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of malignant melanoma (incidence) are for the year 2009. Please note that these numbers may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one cancer.
The table included in this answer provides the number of newly diagnosed cases of melanoma skin cancer in the UK by age group in 2009.
The latest published figures on the incidence of cancer in England are available on the National Statistics website at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/cancer-statistics-registrations--england--series-mb1-/no--40--2009/index.html
| Table 1. Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of malignant melanoma, by age group, persons, UK, 2009 (1, 2, 3) | |
| Cancer Registrations | |
| Age group | 2009 |
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| (1 )Malignant melanoma is coded as C43 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth revision (ICD-10). (2 )Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. (3 )Figures include data provided by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, the Scottish Cancer Registry and the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. | |
Unemployment: Females
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many women were unemployed in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [80427]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many women were unemployed in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. (80427)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. Unfortunately, the sample size does not support the requested analyses of female unemployment in the Ashfield constituency and Nottinghamshire.
As an alternative, in Table 1, we have provided the number of women receiving Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) resident in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England in (i) September 2010 and (ii) September 2011, which is the latest period for which data are available.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and JSA count are available on the Nomis website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Table 1. Number of women resident in (a) Ashfield, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England claiming jobseeker's allowance in September 2010 and September 2011 | ||
|
|
September 2010 | September 2011 |
| Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system. | ||
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Well-being
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much funding his Department has allocated to the development of the Government's happiness index. [79797]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 10 November 2011]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, how much funding the Cabinet Office has allocated to the development of the Government's Happiness Index (79797).
The National Statistician is responsible for the development of new measures of national well-being. The 2010 Spending Review settlement provides £2m per year between 2011/12 and 2014/15 for this work, as part of overall ONS funding. This funding covers the whole Measuring National Well-being Programme, including our survey questions on happiness and other aspects of individual well-being, development work on subjective and objective measures, and public consultation.
The concept of national well-being is about addressing the question "how's the UK doing these days?" National well-being is more than the sum of individual happiness or individual well-being.
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To measure national well-being we are also capturing other subjective dimensions, such as satisfaction with life and purpose and meaning in life, as well as more objective measures such as unemployment, life expectancy, education levels, and crime. In addition, we are drawing on, and developing, the national economic accounts and the UK environmental accounts.
Further details of the ONS programme, including our current consultation on the domains and headline indicators of national well-being, can be found on the ONS website:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well-being/index.html
Education
Adoption
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how long on average a child spent in a prospective adoptive placement before an adoption order was granted in England in each of the last five years. [78556]
Tim Loughton: Information on the average time a child spent in an adoptive placement before an adoption order was granted in England in each of the last five years is shown in the following table:
Carers: Grandparents
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward legislation to increase the rights of grandparents to (a) have access to and (b) bring up their grandchildren; and if he will make a statement. [78672]
Tim Loughton: The Government recognise that grandparents can play a very important role in children's lives. We will be considering how best to support relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren, where families separate, in the light of the Family Justice Review panel's final report, published on 3 November. The report highlights the importance to children of relationships with their grandparents.
Legislation already exists which enables a looked after child to be placed with his or her grandparents. Subject to the child's welfare being met, and arrangements being reasonably practicable, a local authority must first seek to place the child with a person who is: a parent; a person with parental responsibility for the child; or a person in whose favour a residence order has been made. If this is not possible, the local authority must place the child with
“an individual who is a relative, friend or other person connected [with the child] and who is also a local authority foster parent”.
Departmental Billing
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [74339]
Tim Loughton: In the period in question the percentage of valid invoices paid on behalf of the Department for Education within 10 days of receipt was:
|
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Percentage invoices paid within 10 days |
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Freedom of Information Requests
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. [78873]
Tim Loughton: This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on freedom of information requests which can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
and copies are available in the House Libraries. Information for the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2011 is not yet available. Statistics on the time taken to respond to cases over 20 working days in 2011 will be published in the annual report.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 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 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. [78875]
Tim Loughton: Departmental 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 to disclosure under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) can be used only if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by government, the qualified person must be a Minister. In the Department, one Minister has lead responsibility for freedom of information and considers the use of section 36 unless the subject matter lies within his ministerial responsibilities, in which case any other Minister acts as the qualified person.
Head Teachers: Recruitment
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has to prevent underperforming head teachers from moving between schools. [78239]
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Mr Gibb: It is the responsibility of employers to decide who they appoint. They should make recruitment decisions based on all the available information, including taking up references when considering their suitability for the post.
Home Education: Vetting
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to strengthen (a) criminal records and (b) other checks in relation to the employment of home tutors. [80234]
Tim Loughton: If a tutor is supplied by an agency, the agency can already require a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check on the tutor. In addition, a parent will be able to undertake a barred list check on a private tutor, under changes we are proposing to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
Justice
Administration of Justice: Translation Services
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to maintain quality standards under the new system for the delivery of interpreter and translation services across the criminal justice system. [80491]
Mr Blunt: The Framework Agreement we have signed is clear about the quality standards that are expected, including qualifications, experience and vetting. It requires the collection of detailed and meaningful management information, uses comprehensive key performance indicators, and will be properly managed.
There is an additional requirement for all face-to-face foreign language interpreters to undertake an assessment of ability. All interpreters will be required to undertake continuous professional development and abide by a comprehensive code of conduct which further emphasises that they should only undertake assignments which they are competent to undertake.
This, and the other requirements under the framework, will ensure that the justice sector continues to have access to interpreters of the appropriate quality.
Applied Language Solutions
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what assessment his Department has made of the compliance of Applied Language Solutions with Principle 8 of Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 1998 in respect of storage of translators' personal details and communication of information relating to the investigation of criminal offences; and if he will make a statement; [79711]
(2) whether Applied Language Solutions has a (a) data centre and (b) call centre in India; [79712]
(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's contract with Applied Language Solutions; [79713]
(4) what assessment his Department has made of the (a) use of mezzanine funding, (b) creditors amounts falling due within one year and (c) general financial
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viability of Applied Language Solutions prior to awarding it a contract for translation services; and if he will make a statement. [79714]
Mr Blunt: Applied Learning Solutions (ALS) were assessed to ensure compliance with data protection regulations during the pre-qualification stage of the competition. All ALS offices, wherever their location, meet the requirements of data protection. Schedule 4 of the DPA is explicit that Principle 8 does not apply when “The data subject has given his consent to the transfer”. The terms and conditions of registration as a linguist with Applied Language Solutions (ALS) provide for positive consent to personal data being shared across ALS's offices, irrespective of location, and this is explicitly stated. Any linguist who agrees to these terms and conditions has given permission for their details to be shared outside of the EEA.
Applied Language Solutions do have a data centre and call centre in India.
A redacted copy of the framework agreement is available in the public domain on the Business Link Contracts Finder website at the following address:
http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?site_=1000&lang=en¬iceid=264052&fs=true
The Ministry of Justice assesses the use of mezzanine funding dependent upon circumstances. In the case of ALS it was considered that their funding and financial position was and remains consistent with a striving, young company which, with appropriate financial aid provided by the mezzanine funding mechanism, is able to provide innovative and technical solutions. The assessment of creditors falling due within one year is nil. The general financial assessment of the company was considered during the pre-qualification stage of the tender process. This involved looking at available financial and other information and was entirely in keeping with usual practice.
Approved Premises: Per Capita Costs
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his most recent estimate is of the average annual cost of a place in approved premises in (a) England and (b) Wales. [79251]
Mr Blunt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 January 2011, Official Report, column 678W. The allocation of funding is based on the same formula irrespective of location.
Bail Accommodation and Support Service
Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has issued any further guidance to BASS on the operation of accommodation beyond its original contract with his Department. [80817]
Mr Blunt: Operational guidance on the bail accommodation and support service (BASS) is provided in Prison Service Instruction 34/2010 and Probation Instruction 09/2010 effective from the start of the contract with Stonham on 18 June 2010. Further guidance has not been issued.
I have received no representations.
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Bell Pottinger Group
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) political advisers in his Department have met representatives of (i) Bell Pottinger Group or (ii) each of its subsidiaries in the last five years; on what dates any such meetings took place; and what was discussed. [80051]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice publishes hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers and details of ministerial meetings with external organisations. These are published on the Ministry of Justice website:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/moj/index.htm
The latest data have been sent to the Cabinet Office and are awaiting publication. Relevant information will be included on these returns.
The Ministry of Justice does not centrally record meetings attended by all officials in the Department, To collate the remaining information for the time period stated would exceed the cost limit for answering parliamentary questions.
Chief Coroner
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the benefits of appointing a chief coroner. [80111]
Mr Djanogly: An impact assessment for Part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 was published by the Ministry of Justice in January 2009. This summarised the full costs and benefits of implementing the coroner provisions in the Act. The Government have considered this and have determined that no further assessment is required.
Coroners
Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department provides to coroners on the sale by them of coroners' recovery services to funeral directors. [80970]
Mr Djanogly: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), has responsibility for coroner policy and legislation but no operational responsibility for the coroner service. Coroners are independent judicial office holders who are appointed and funded by their local authorities.
All decisions in relation to funding for the running of the coroner service, including those on the commissioning of funeral directors for body transportation of deaths reported to coroners, are solely for coroners and their local authorities.
Cremation
Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking in respect of the disposal of cremated remains held by undertakers without instructions. [80969]
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Mr Djanogly: The Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 only make provision for the disposal of cremated remains by cremation authorities if they are not claimed by the applicant for cremation or there are no instructions for disposal. They do not make provision for how funeral directors can dispose of cremated remains that are retained by them as there is no power to regulate funeral directors in cremation legislation. There are also no plans to bring forward legislation to this effect.
Funeral directors should only take cremated human remains from the cremation authority on the understanding that they are to be passed on to the applicant for cremation at the earliest opportunity. If, for some reason, the funeral director cannot contact the applicant for cremation, or the applicant for cremation no longer wants the cremated remains, he/she should seek their own legal advice on the disposal of the cremated remains.
The Government understand that the National Association of Funeral Directors is considering issuing guidance to its members on this matter.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether his Department has plans to extend the choice available to the public on how they are buried or cremated; [80978]
(2) whether he has any plans to consult on the use of alkaline hydrolysis in relation to body disposal. [80979]
Mr Djanogly: Alkaline hydrolysis and other alternatives to cremation (such as Promession™ and Cryomation®) do not involve the burning of human remains and so fall outside the regulatory framework as provided in the Cremation Act 1902 and the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008. They are therefore neither prohibited nor permitted by law but their use would need to comply with local planning, health and safety and environmental legislation.
Primary legislation would be required to give the power for Government to regulate alternatives to cremation in England and Wales. There are no plans to introduce or amend the law at present. The Ministry of Justice has no plans at present to consult on the introduction of alternatives to cremation in England and Wales but may revisit this position in due course.
Criminal Proceedings: Translation Services
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what criteria will be used to decide in which tier interpreter and translation will be placed under the new system for delivery of interpreters and translators services in the criminal justice system; [80493]
(2) what estimate he has made of the (a) hourly, (b) daily rate of pay for interpreter and translators within (i) tier 1, (ii) tier 2 and (iii) tier 3 of the new system for delivery of interpreters and translators services in the criminal justice system; [80494]
(3) whether he expects the number of interpreters and translators on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters to increase following changes to the system for delivery of interpreters and translators services in the criminal justice system; [80495]
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(4) when he expects to withdraw from the national agreement on arrangements for the use of interpreters, translators and language service professionals in investigations and proceedings within the criminal justice system. [80496]
Mr Blunt: Under the new system, assignment into tiers for foreign language interpreters is dependent on a range of criteria including the qualifications and experience possessed by the individual and their assessment centre performance. I understand that Middlesex university will carry out those assessments independent of the Ministry of Justice and the supplier, using marking criteria which assesses an interpreter's coherence, accuracy, fluency and ability to convey the speaker's intended effect. There is no tiering for translators.
Rates of pay are a matter between the supplier and individual linguist. However I understand the hourly rate of pay for foreign language interpreters to be £22 for Tier 1, £20 for Tier 2 and £16 for Tier 3. Travel allowances may be payable with the agreement of the supplier. Translators will continue to be paid by the word, as they are at present.
It is a matter for individual interpreters and translators as to whether they wish to register with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. This register is entirely independent of Government. However, ensuring interpretation and translation is of the appropriate quality and widening the available pool of interpreters are fundamental elements of this reform, and have always been so. Under the Framework Agreement the supplier will be required to increase the numbers of appropriately qualified interpreters available for use by the justice sector generally, but particularly in relation to those languages and areas of the country where coverage is currently insufficient to meet operational needs. They will also be required to plan for future language demand. This will ensure that we have interpreters in the languages we need, in the areas we need them. There are no current concerns about the number of available translators.
A move to the Framework Agreement will probably render the National Agreement redundant and we expect to withdraw it in due course, but a date has not been fixed. In the short-term, parts of the National Agreement will be disapplied to organisations with contracts under the MOJ Framework Agreement.
Dangerous Dogs: Prosecutions
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions have been brought under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each of the last five years; and what the estimated cost to the public purse was of such prosecutions in each such year. [81042]
Mr Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in England and Wales for the years 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
Information on the estimated cost to the public purse for prosecutions on individual offences is not collated centrally.
Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring of 2012.
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| Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, England and Wales 2006 - 10 (1,2) | |||||
| Proceeded against | |||||
|
|
2006 | 2007 | 2008 (3) | 2009 | 2010 |
| (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) ( )Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice | |||||
Family Courts
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he proposes to publish a response to the Family Justice Review published by David Norgrove. [80278]
Mr Djanogly: The Government welcome the publication of the Family Justice Review.
We recognise the serious concerns about the family justice system highlighted in the review. We have already announced our intention to introduce a six-month time limit in care proceedings, as part of a package of reform to tackle delays in these cases.
We intend to respond promptly to the review’s final report, but we need to give their detailed recommendations the full consideration they deserve. We will therefore respond as soon as possible.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the average annual cost to the HM Courts and Tribunals Service of cases involving litigants in person; and if he will make a statement. [78703]
Mr Djanogly: HMCTS holds information relating to the percentage of litigants in person for family business and civil trials heard in the county courts and the number of Crown court sitting days relating to cases for which at least one of the defendants was unrepresented for some part of the duration of the case.
We do not hold information in sufficient detail for litigants in person for the tribunals service, pre-trial civil business, litigants in person for magistrates courts cases, or High Court and Appeal Court cases involving litigants in person.
Therefore, for those areas where data are held, the estimated cost to HMCTS for litigants in person in 2010-11 was around £137 million. This comprises £125 million for family business in the county court; £10 million for civil trials and £2 million for the cost of cases in the Crown court.
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Immigrants: Families
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the application of Article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights by courts and tribunals in immigration and deportation matters; and if he will introduce legislation to reverse the effects of the decision of the House of Lords in Huang [2007] UKHL 11. [80564]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: In the Home Office's recent consultation on family migration, the Home Secretary sought views on how a proper balance should be struck between the individual's right to respect for a private and family life and the wider public interest in protecting the public and controlling immigration. On 4 October the Home Secretary made clear her intention to revise the Immigration Rules to reinforce the public interest, in relation to cases engaging Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, in respect of foreign nationals convicted of a criminal offence or who have breached our immigration laws being removed from the UK.
The Government have no current plans for legislation in relation to the House of Lords decision in Huang.
Legal Aid Scheme: Prisoners
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the total legal aid funding was for 2010-11 for prisoners currently serving indeterminate sentences in England and Wales for proceedings in the family courts relating to (a) custody of children, (b) adoption of children, (c) contact with children and (d) parental responsibility; [79813]
(2) what the total legal aid funding was for 2010-11 for prisoners currently serving sentences in England and Wales for sexual offences against adults for proceedings in the family courts relating to (a) custody of children, (b) adoption of children, (c) contact with children and (d) parental responsibility. [79814]
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how much legal aid funding was given to prisoners serving sentences for sexual offences against children for proceedings in the family courts relating to (a) custody of children, (b) adoption of children, (c) contact with children and (d) parental responsibility in England and Wales in 2010-11; [79909]
(2) how much legal aid funding was given to prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for proceedings in the family courts relating to (a) custody of children, (b) adoption of children, (c) contact with children and (d) parental responsibility in England and Wales in 2010-11; [79940]
(3) how much legal aid funding was given to prisoners serving sentences for sexual offences against adults for proceedings in the family courts relating to (a) custody of children, (b) adoption of children, (c) contact with children and (d) parental responsibility in England and Wales in 2010-11. [79947]
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Mr Djanogly: The information requested is not available; the Legal Services Commission (LSC) does not centrally record whether or not an applicant for legal aid is serving a prison sentence.
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to publish a revised impact assessment for Part 3 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. [80428]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice published individual impact assessments as the new Government amendments were tabled at Committee and Report in the House of Commons relating to Part 3 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. These can be viewed on the MOJ website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/bills-and-acts/bills/legal-aid-and-sentencing-bill.htm
A revised impact assessment for Part 3 of the Bill is expected to be published in the week commencing 14 November 2011.
Offensive Weapons: Offences
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the highest number of previous convictions for possession of a bladed article was for an individual convicted of such an offence without being sent to prison in each of the last three years; and how many offences that individual had committed in total at the point of sentence for this offence. [73939]
Mr Blunt: The following table shows the highest number of previous convictions for possession of an article with a blade or point, for individuals convicted of this offence in the years 2008 to 2010 who received a sentence other than immediate custody. It also shows their total number of previous cautions and convictions. Although these individuals did not go to prison for their index offence, they have all previously been to prison for the same offence. The figures for 2008 and 2010 refer to the same individual.
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
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Pensions: Misrepresentation
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has put in place any arrangements with EMC Advisory Services Ltd to provide advice to people who have been mis-sold endowment policies; and if he will make a statement. [79707]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the direct regulation of claims management services and I can confirm that EMC Advisory Services Ltd (EMC) has been a regulated claims management company since 23 February 2007. EMC is authorised to provide regulated claims services in the financial products and services sector, which includes mis-sold endowment policies. Authorisation is not, however, an endorsement by the Ministry of Justice and there are no other arrangements in place with EMC.
Prisoners: Ex-servicemen
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many former soldiers are resident in HMP (a) Durham, (b) Manchester, (c) Preston and (d) Lancaster. [79971]
Mr Blunt: Details of whether prisoners have previously served in the army is not routinely collated by the Ministry of Justice. A breakdown of the numbers of Army veterans by individual establishment could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by collecting information held on individuals on local data systems, validating it against MOD records, and then collating it in a common format in order to provide a response.
A snapshot of the number of regular veterans of the armed forces in prison nationally was collated and published by the MOD's Defence Analytical Services Advice (DASA) in September 2010.
Sark
Mr Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to support an application from the Isle of Sark to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for listing in ISO 3166. [79728]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice would consider a formal application from Sark to approach the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for listing in ISO 3166, should the Sark authorities wish to make one.