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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 25 November 2011
Defence
Armed Forces: Electoral Register
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the proportion of the armed forces (a) based in the UK and (b) based overseas who are registered to vote. [81989]
Peter Luff: The latest survey on service voter registration levels was conducted in 2010 by the Defence Analytical Services and Advice organisation. This survey indicates that 79% of service personnel based in the UK, and 48% of service personnel based overseas, are registered to vote. A copy of the report of this survey is available in the Library of the House.
Armed Forces: Recruitment
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of recruits who enlisted (a) below the age of 18 and (b) aged 18 and above had been in service for 10 years or longer in the latest period for which figures are available. [81830]
Peter Luff: This information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of recruits who enlisted (a) below the age of 18 and (b) aged 18 and above extended their service contract beyond the minimum service period in the latest period for which figures are available. [81832]
Peter Luff: This required information is not held. While some information on extensions of service is maintained it is not broken down by age and date of birth.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of recruits who enlisted (a) below the age of 18 and (b) aged 18 and above left the armed forces before completing (i) phase two training and (ii) their minimum initial service period in the latest period for which figures are available. [81833]
Peter Luff: The required information is not held in the format requested. While information is available on the number who leave the armed forces each year, this is not held against date of birth, and the requested information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, the Army have conducted some work in the numbers leaving during training and have identified that in financial year 2010-11, 36.6% of under 18s left
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before the completion of their phase two training. 28.3% of those who enlisted over the age of 18 left before completing their training.
Armed Forces: Training
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) original budget, (b) projected final cost, (c) expected timescales for delivery, (d) primary contractor and (e) identity of additional consortium members are in relation to the Maritime Composite Training System Phase 1 project; and if he will make a statement. [81380]
Peter Luff: The original budget for the Maritime Composite Training System Phase 1 was £75.61 million. The project was delivered in August 2011 and within budget at a final projected cost of £73.75 million.
The Maritime Composite Training System project was not delivered by a consortium but by the prime contractor, BAE Systems Mission Systems.
Astute Class Submarines
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) original budget, (b) projected final cost, (c) expected timescales for delivery, (d) primary contractor and (e) identity of additional consortium members are in relation to the Astute Nuclear Submarine project. [81382]
Peter Luff [holding answer 22 November 2011]: As recorded in the Major Project Report 2011 recently published by the National Audit Office, the original approved budget and projected final costs for the Astute Class submarines are as follows:
| £ million | ||
|
|
Original budget | Projected final cost |
The current approved level of spend on Astute Boats 5 to 6 do not reflect the total costs of these boats as they undergo incremental approval. The Boat 5 approval includes the nuclear reactor, other long lead items and the initial build work. The Boat 6 approval includes the nuclear reactor core and long lead items.
The cost increases are well documented through previous Major Projects Reports; however, the programme is now on a much firmer footing.
HMS Astute achieved its in-service date in 2010. The timescales for in-service delivery of the remaining boats are shown in the following table:
|
|
Delivery date |
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The Astute Class submarines are not delivered by a consortium but by the prime contractor, BAE Systems Submarine Solutions.
BAE Systems
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from (a) trade unions and (b) individuals on the announcement of redundancies by BAE Systems. [73164]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has not received any formal representations from trade unions or other staff networks following the announcement of job losses at BAE Systems. The Department has received some correspondence on this issue, it has been raised during other parliamentary and ministerial business and the Minister for International Security, my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Mr Howarth), met the trade unionists representing workers at both Brough and Warton at the Conservative party conference. This limited correspondence reflects the fact that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have taken the lead within Government for working with the company, local authorities and local enterprise partnerships to make sure everything possible is done to help those affected at Brough, Warton and Samlesbury and other sites.
Defence: Lancashire
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the prospect of future job losses at defence manufacturing sites in Lancashire. [81262]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence's first responsibility when procuring equipment is to provide the armed forces with the capabilities they require at a cost which is affordable and represents value-for-money for the UK taxpayer. Future employment prospects are a matter for the companies concerned, although we recognise that our choices in defence acquisition have a significant and long-term impact on UK industry, and therefore on the livelihood of many of our citizens. The Government are actively supporting defence export campaigns overseas including those for the Typhoon fast-jet which is competing in various competitions including India, Japan, Malaysia and Qatar and which, if successful, will both protect and create jobs in Lancashire and in other parts of the UK.
Defence: Procurement
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) original budget, (b) projected final cost, (c) expected timescales for delivery, (d) primary contractor and (e) identity of additional consortium members are in relation to the Typhoon Future Capability Programme. [80810]
Peter Luff
[holding answer 14 November 2011]: The original budget for the Typhoon Future Capability Programme was £449 million. The projected final cost is £458 million as at 31 March 2011. This increase is due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Both of these figures include the assessment, and demonstration and
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manufacture phases. The expected time scale for delivery, as set out in the 2011 Major Projects Review (in-service date) is June 2012. The primary contractor is the Eurofighter GmbH consortium, which comprises Alenia, BAE Systems and Cassidian.
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department has awarded through the Framework Agreement Technical Support process (a) since the Strategic Defence and Security Review and (b) in the financial year 2011-12; and what the value is of each such contract. [81903]
Peter Luff: The number of tasks awarded to companies providing technical support services under the Framework Agreement for Technical Support is 897 since the Strategic Defence and Security Review, (SDSR) and 345 in the financial year 2011-12 to date.
The following table shows the number of tasks awarded by value band:
|
|
Tasks |
Defence: Sales
Alison Seabeck:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2011, Official Report, columns 413-4W, on the Navy, when
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the announcement was made that HMS Trafalgar had been declared surplus; and what the status is of HMS Turbulent. [82487]
Peter Luff [holding answer 24 November 2011]:HMS Trafalgar was withdrawn from service on 31 December 2009 and is currently being decommissioned and prepared for storage afloat at Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport prior to final disposal through the Submarine Dismantling Project. It is not normal practice to formally announce the decommissioning of Royal Navy submarines. HMS Turbulent is currently deployed on operations.
In my answer to the hon. Member on 10 November 2011, Official Report, columns 413-14W, I stated that HMS Triumph has been declared surplus. It has since been brought to my attention that this is not the case. I apologise for the error made and this answer corrects the Official Report.
Apprentices
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether his Department has a policy on requirements for the provision of (a) apprenticeships and (b) other training by (i) his Department's prime contractors and (ii) suppliers in the supply chain of such contractors; [66612]
(2) how many apprenticeships have been created directly by contracts with his Department in each of the last three years. [66614]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence's policy requires that specific provisions on apprenticeships and other training are drawn up in our contracts where this is relevant to the performance of the contract. We also look at this issue as part of the supplier selection and contract award processes, where it is relevant to the procurement. We do not maintain centralised records of the number of apprenticeships created as a result of defence contracts. Defence suppliers are, however, among the largest employers of apprenticeships in the UK.
Departmental Assets
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assets with a value of £250,000 or more his Department has bought since May 2010; for what purpose; and if he will make a statement. [77413]
Peter Luff: A list detailing assets with a value of over £250,000 that the Ministry of Defence has bought since May 2010 will be placed in the Library of the House. We are not able to provide a purpose for each item without incurring disproportionate cost. Information on every item bought has not been listed for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
Design Services
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what contracts his Department has awarded for design services since May 2010; and what information his Department holds on the location of such companies; [80188]
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(2) how much his Department has spent on design in respect of (a) logos, (b) buildings, (c) advertising, (d) stationery and (e) campaigns in the last year for which figures are available. [80199]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence's (MOD)'s central management information records on contracts and expenditure do not include a specific category for design services, and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Expenditure on design services across the MOD is determined by business need and must be appropriate, cost effective and a proper charge to public funds.
Food Procurement
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on food procurement in each year from 1997 to 2011. [80319]
Peter Luff: At any one time, some 70% of UK based armed forces personnel are catered for under a number of Catering, Retail and Leisure (CRL) and other multi-activity contracts (incorporating Pay As You Dine arrangements) to deliver this and other services. Food is procured at the contractors’ risk and the only payment received in respect of this is at the point of sale. The price of the core meal, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner is capped by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
For UK based armed forces personnel not covered by these contractual arrangements and those serving on operations and overseas exercises, there is a single food supply contract for which the following information is available:
| Single food supply expenditure | |
| Financial Year | £ million |
These figures include the cost of food, administration and transport.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has also procured Operational Ration Packs over the same period for which the following information is available:
| Operational ration pack expenditure | |
| Financial Year | £ million |
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Financial records prior to Financial Year 2001-02 are no longer available.
Increases to expenditure are attributable to food price inflation, implementing improvements in the nutritional quality of provisions and enhancements to the pre-deployment training package to ensure it reflects all aspects of the operational environment, including the catering system available.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of food served (a) to the armed forces and (b) in his Department is sourced locally by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [81528]
Peter Luff: There is no generally accepted definition of what is meant by 'locally sourced food' and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not routinely collect information on the percentage of food sourced in this way.
Catering for MOD civilian personnel employed at UK defence establishments is provided through regional prime contracts or under multi-activity contracts. Armed forces personnel 'in barracks' are primarily catered for through a number of Catering, Retail and Leisure (CRL) and other multi-activity contracts. Contractors appointed under these arrangements source on the open market consistent with meeting EU competition rules and quality standards.
For armed forces personnel not covered by these contractual arrangements and those serving on operations and overseas exercises, there is a single food supply contract with Purple Foodservice Solutions Ltd (PFS). PFS lists approximately 1,150 different food related items for the armed forces in the core range price list. They estimate that approximately 60% of lines listed (excluding fresh produce) are sourced from suppliers within the UK. The percentage of UK produced goods changes regularly as a result of seasonality; value for money incentives and changes of supplier. Some products are manufactured using a number of ingredients from various countries including the UK while others, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, are sourced seasonally from a variety of countries.
Departmental Publications
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many copies of his Department's document, The Strategy for Defence, October 2011 have been published; and if he will make a statement; [81268]
(2) what the cost to the public purse was of producing his Department's document, The Strategy for Defence, October 2011; and if he will make a statement; [81270]
(3) who was sent a copy of his Department's document, The Strategy for Defence, October 2011; and if he will make a statement. [81412]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Strategy for Defence is the Ministry of Defence's topmost statement of its strategic direction. It provides the means by which the long-term strategic direction established by the 2010 National Security Strategy (Cm 7953) and Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm 7948) will be implemented.
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A copy of the Strategy for Defence was sent to the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr Murphy), the noble Lord, Lord Rosser of Ickenham, the noble Lady, Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Hampshire (Mr Arbuthnot) and all other members of the Defence Select Committee.
The Strategy for Defence was published with a limited print run of 1,000 copies, at a total publishing cost of £716.66. It is freely available on the internet at:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/PolicyStrategyandPlanning/StrategyForDefence.htm
Departmental Redundancy
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many staff made redundant in his Department have been rehired by his Department (a) in a permanent post, (b) on a temporary or fixed-term contract and (c) as an external consultant in the last 12 months for which figures are available; [82027]
(2) whether any staff made redundant have been (a) rehired and (b) contracted to provide services to his Department in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what the cost was of redundancy payments to such staff; and what the likely cost will be of (i) rehiring and (ii) contracting such staff in the next 12 months. [82028]
Peter Luff: No civil servants who left the Ministry of Defence (MOD) employment on the grounds of redundancy between 1 November 2010 and 31 October 2011 have subsequently been rehired on employment contracts by MOD.
MOD personnel who take up employment on leaving public service are obliged to seek clearance under the business appointment rules for public servants. Such clearance may be granted unconditionally or with conditions. For example, in the case of consultancies, there may be a requirement to seek official approval before accepting commissions of a particular nature, or from named employers. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments publishes information on former senior Crown servants who have taken up appointments since 1 April 2010 on its website:
http://acoba.independent.gov.uk/former_crown_servants_appointments.aspx
The MOD does not hold centrally information on former employees who may have been engaged by companies to work on consultancy contracts or other contracts for services. We contract with companies to provide services within specific timescales. The assignment of individuals to particular contracts is a matter for the companies involved.
Domestic Violence
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many domestic violence awareness courses were held on army premises in England and Wales in the latest period for which figures are available. [81716]
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Peter Luff: Information on the number of domestic violence awareness courses held on army premises in England and Wales is not held in the format requested.
Domestic violence is an issue we take extremely seriously and personnel are provided with information and briefings on the subject. The Army Welfare Service has organised nine courses on domestic violence awareness to unit welfare staff this financial year. In addition, Regional Army Brigades hold awareness courses for their personnel to educate them about domestic abuse, as required.
A new Joint Services Publication 913: “Tri-Service Policy on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence” was recently published and a copy is available in the Library of the House.
Free domestic abuse awareness training is also available online via the Independent Domestic Abuse Service website.
Military Aircraft
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the comparative intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities of (a) Sentinel R1 and (b) unmanned air systems; and if he will make a statement. [78250]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is reviewing the Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance programme, including both Sentinel R1 and Unmanned Air Systems.
Military Products
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of small UK businesses specialising in the design and manufacture of military products to supplying the armed forces in the (a) medium and (b) long-term; [67102]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the strategic defence and security review on small UK businesses specialising in the design and manufacture of military products. [67103]
Peter Luff: The strategic defence and security review has been a necessary part of the process of bringing the Defence programme into balance with the resources available. We recognise that our choices in defence acquisition have a significant and long-term impact on UK industry and their supply chain, and therefore on the livelihood of many of our citizens.
Small UK businesses provide a range of vital niche capabilities, often bringing innovation and responsiveness that we particularly value in responding to demanding and rapidly evolving military requirements. We have consulted through our Equipment, Support and Technology for UK Defence and Security Green Paper on ways to make opportunities more accessible to small companies, both directly and through prime contractors. The results of that consultation have been taken into account in developing the White Paper that I expect to publish next month.
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Business, Innovation and Skills
Employment Agencies: EU Law
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to reduce the cost of implementation of the EU agency workers directive; and if he will make a statement. [83232]
Mr Davey: On 23 November 2011, Official Report, columns 26-28WS, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills announced a commitment to review the paperwork obligations, within 18 months, of the agency workers regulations, identifying opportunities to simplify them. The Government will also monitor the impact of the regulations on our economy and contribute to the EU Commission's review of the directive in December 2013.
Cabinet Office
Charities: Inspections
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many statutory investigations into charities the Charity Commission carried out in each of the last three years; how many it expects to carry out in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [83098]
Mr Hurd: I refer the hon. Member to the previous answers I gave on 17 October 2011, Official Report, columns 717-18W.
Immigration Controls: Multinational Companies
Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the level of overseas direct investment (a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of gross domestic product into (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) England and (v) Northern Ireland was in each of the last five years. [82737]
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 what the level of overseas direct investment (a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of gross domestic product into (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) England and (v) Northern Ireland was in each of the last five years (82737).
The Office for National Statistics does not collect data for direct investment into the UK at a subnational level; it is only available for investment into the UK as a whole. The table provides figures for the financial flows and balance sheet levels of direct investment in the UK for 2006 to 2010, in both cash terms and as a percentage of gross domestic product.
The information on the flows and levels of direct investment into the UK is consistent with the data published in the quarterly Balance of Payments Statistical Bulletin on 25 October 2011 and with the data published in the United Kingdom Balance of Payments Pink Book on 23 November 2011.
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| Foreign direct in vestment in the UK | ||||
| Financial flows (1) | Levels, at end year (2) | |||
|
|
£ million | As a percentage of GDP | £ million | As a percentage of GDP |
| (1) The figures are consistent with the Financial Account, Table J of the UK Balance of Payments Statistical Bulletin Q2 2011. (2) The figures are consistent with the International Investment Position, Table K of the UK Balance of Payments Statistical Bulletin Q3 2011. | ||||
Communities and Local Government
Council Tax: Students
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is his policy that students will continue to be exempt from council tax under his proposals for council tax benefit localisation. [83263]
Robert Neill: The Government have no plans to change the rules governing the council tax exemption for full-time students.
Empty Property: Council Tax
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will ensure adequate support for private landlords in the commercial property sector by reviewing his policy of applying full business rates to empty properties. [82625]
Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for York Outer (Julian Sturdy), on 26 January 2011, Official Report, column 2MC, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Patrick Mercer) on 8 February 2011, Official Report, column 178W.
Business rates policy in Wales is a devolved matter.
Growing Places Fund
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes he expects will be built using funding from the Growing Places Fund. [82789]
Grant Shapps: The Growing Places Fund is intended to support local infrastructure projects which unlock housing and economic growth. It will be for local areas to decide priorities and which projects to support, and we have not set any Whitehall targets for the number of houses to be built.
Holiday Accommodation: Non-Domestic Rates
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many holiday let properties are registered for small business rate relief in each local authority area. [82339]
Robert Neill: This information is not collected centrally.
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Local Government: Procurement
Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the proportion of invoices by value paid by local government to suppliers within (a) 30, (b) 60 and (c) 90 days of receipt in each month of 2011. [82327]
Robert Neill: Information on the proportion of invoices paid by local authorities to suppliers within 30, 60, or 90 days of receipt is not collected centrally by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Recreation Spaces
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish detailed proposals on local green space designations. [82378]
Robert Neill: The draft National Planning Policy Framework published for consultation in July included our proposals for a new Local Green Space designation. Responses to the consultation are being given careful consideration. The Government are committed to publication of the final version of the framework by 31 March 2012, but intend to do so well ahead of that time.
Right to Buy Scheme
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether replacement homes will be required to be built in the area where a home is sold under the right to buy scheme. [82795]
Grant Shapps: ‘Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England’, published on 21 November 2011, outlined three possible models for the delivery of new homes to replace additional homes sold through the Right to Buy scheme. We will be consulting shortly on the best way to ensure delivery of replacement homes across England.
Second Homes: Council Tax
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties were entitled to second home council tax relief in each local authority area. [82343]
Robert Neill: Details of the number of dwellings that were registered as second homes for council tax purposes in each local authority area in England at the beginning of October 2011 were published in a statistical release on Wednesday 16 November and are available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/counciltaxbase2011
The data are taken from the council tax base form completed annually in the autumn by all billing authorities in England and returned to the Department for Communities and Local Government.
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Culture, Media and Sport
Arts Council England
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what budget Arts Council England has set for (a) the west midlands and (b) Birmingham in each of the next five years; [82739]
(2) what Arts Council England (a) allocated and (b) unallocated budgets for (i) the west midlands and (ii) Birmingham are for each of the next five years. [82740]
Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England's (ACE) regularly funded organisations (RFOs) are currently in the final year of their funding agreements, however, ACE have announced their decisions for the following three years for their national portfolio organisations (NPOs) and bridge delivery organisations (BDO). The following table shows funding for the west midlands and Birmingham. At this time, the indicative figures for 2015-16 are not available.
| £ | ||||
|
|
2011-12 (as RFOs) | 2012-13 (as NPOs) | 2013-14 (as NPOs) | 2014-15 (as NPOs) |
Although ACE take into account the geographical balance of their “Grants for the Arts” and “Strategic funding portfolios” when making decisions, they do not set separate budgets for local authority areas, and are unable to provide figures into the future for unallocated budgets by locality.
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much Arts Council England plans to allocate to (a) Birmingham, (b) Newcastle, (c) Wakefield, (d) Manchester, (e) Leeds, (f) Liverpool, (g) Coventry, (h) Bristol, (i) Sheffield, (j) Bradford, (k) Leicester and (l) Nottingham in each of the next five years. [82741]
Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England's (ACE) regularly funded organisations are currently in the final year of their funding agreements, however, ACE have announced their decisions for the following three years for their national portfolio organisations (NPOs) and bridge delivery organisations.
The following tables list the breakdown of this funding by the local authorities requested. At this point in time, indicative figures for 2015-16 and 2016-17 are not available.
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| NPO funding | |||
| £ | |||
| Local authority | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
| Bridge delivery organisations | ||
| £ | ||
|
|
2012-13 | 2013-14 |
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that the Arts Council England's Bridge Network organisations cover every region of the country. [83087]
Mr Vaizey: From April 2012, each region of England will have a dedicated Bridge Network Organisation.
East: Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Royal Opera House
East Midlands: Mighty Creatives
London: A New Direction working with four 'Associate Bridge organisations' Sadlers Wells, Roundhouse, Apples and Snakes, and Lyric Hammersmith
North East: The Sage Gateshead
North West: Curious Minds
South East: Artswork
South West: RIO (Real Ideas Organisation)
West Midlands: Black Country Children's Services Improvement Partnership
Yorkshire: Cape UK
Arts: Birmingham
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many jobs he estimates will be created through the Birmingham Creative City programme by (a) 2013, (b) 2015, (c) 2017 and (d) 2019. [83089]
Mr Vaizey: The Birmingham 'Creative City' initiative is led by Birmingham city council and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) with a range of other partners. This Department fully supports their plans. The overall aims of the LEP are to create 100,000 private sector jobs by 2020, towards which the 'Creative City' initiative will contribute. A further breakdown of the number of jobs created specifically by the 'Creative City' initiative, and in the years leading up to 2020, is not available.
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Arts: Finance
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much National Lottery funding the (a) Birmingham Eastside, (b) Southampton, (c) Doncaster, (d) Leicester and (e) Colchester creative quarter projects will receive in each of the next four years. [83088]
Mr Vaizey: Decisions on lottery funding are a matter for the lottery distributing bodies to determine, independently of Government, in response to applications that they receive. It is not possible therefore to determine what national lottery support these projects would receive in future years. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 November 2011, Official Report, column 668W, for information about the ways in which we are supporting the cultural projects in Birmingham Eastside, Southampton, Doncaster, Leicester and Colchester.
Design Services
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the extent of reliance of Government departments on London-based design companies to undertake design work for them; and if he will take steps to increase the number of design companies based outside London that are used by the Government. [83086]
Mr Vaizey: No overall assessment has been made as design procurement is a matter for individual Departments. However, all design work across Government is procured through approved frameworks that feature a range of designers based in and outside of London.
Olympic Games: Russia
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions the Royal Parks Authority has had with the organisers of the Sochi Winter Olympics on possible siting of advertisements in Hyde Park; and if he will make a statement. [83099]
Mr Vaizey: The Royal Parks is in contact with Sochi 2014 Organising Committee about a number of issues. There have been no discussions about the siting of advertising in Hyde park.
Tate Galleries
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has received supporting the opening of further branches of the Tate Gallery in Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [81607]
Mr Vaizey [holding answer 22 November 2011]: This Department has not received representations of support to open further branches of the Tate Gallery in Scotland and Wales. The Tate's intention is to work in partnership and help strengthen access to the visual arts beyond its own four galleries in London, Liverpool and St Ives. This is achieved through the Plus Tate programme, which works with 18 venues across the UK to foster a climate of partnership and exchange:
http://www.tate.org.uk/about/ourpriorities/audiences/tatenational/tateconnects/
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through the Turner Prize (which in 2011 will be held at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead), and through Artist Rooms, a national collection of contemporary art jointly owned and managed by the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate, which is shared with museums and galleries throughout the UK.
Deputy Prime Minister
Written Questions: Government Responses
Natascha Engel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to answer question 41654, on public reading stages for bills, tabled by the hon. Member for North East Derbyshire on 15 February 2011 for answer on 17 February 2011. [80895]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I answered the hon. Member’s question on 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 533W.
Education
Internet Bullying
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to tackle online bullying. [81727]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 23 November 2011]: Online bullying, or cyber-bullying, is a key issue of concern for children and young people. The Government made a clear commitment to tackle all forms of bullying in the Schools White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching”. In July 2011 we issued advice for schools on preventing and tackling bullying, including cyber-bullying. This advice also provides information on anti-bullying resources and specialist support.
We have updated statutory guidance to school governors, clarifying their legal powers to tackle bullying and cyber-bullying; and new powers in the Education Act 2011 strengthen the authority of teachers to enforce discipline and promote good behaviour.
The new Ofsted inspection framework, which comes into force in January next year, will place a sharper focus on behaviour and bullying, increasing schools' accountability in this area.
In addition, the Department sponsors Beatbullying to deliver CyberMentors which is a unique peer mentoring support programme, available to children and young people both offline and online.
Together with the Minister for Crime and Security, my hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (James Brokenshire), I jointly chair the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). This brings together over 180 organisations and individuals from government, industry, law enforcement, academia, charities and parenting groups. Its aim is to work in partnership to help keep children and young people safe online. One of the projects being taken forward by the council is focused on raising the awareness and understanding of children and young people, parents, and schools, of internet safety issues including cyber-bullying.
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Official Photographs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many official photographs have been taken of (a) Ministers and (b) senior officials in his Department for use in Government publications since May 2010; how many staff of his Department are expected to undertake photography of the Ministerial and senior leadership team as part of their duties; and if he will make a statement. [82580]
Tim Loughton: The Department has taken one set of official photographs of Ministers since May 2010. As part of their wider duties, a small number of communications officers take digital photographs of Ministers at official events and visits for publication on the Department's website and digital media.
Head Teachers: Recruitment
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure high quality head teachers are recruited in schools. [78238]
Mr Gibb: The National Professional Qualification for Headship, delivered through the National College for School Leadership, is designed to prepare candidates for headship. To ensure that the qualification continues to provide the key skills required for leadership the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has asked the National College to undertake a full review of the qualification.
The Department also funds the National College to work with local authorities and schools to identify, develop and recruit high quality leaders, particularly in those areas experiencing the greatest difficulties. This work will increasingly transfer to the new network of teaching schools. In addition, the college is funded to provide a range of leadership development programmes to identify and train the next generation of school leaders. This includes the Future Leaders programme which aims to support talented teachers into headship in four years. The Academies programme is also providing the opportunity for great heads to totally transform underperforming schools.
Schools: Sports
Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many secondary schools have received funding for the release of PE teachers to organise School Games to date; and if he will make a statement. [81698]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 22 November 2011 ]: The Department has arranged for 4,189 secondary schools to be paid to release a PE teacher for one day a week to promote competitive sport. The payments were made through local authorities and the Young People's Learning Agency. Schools are encouraged to use these teachers to provide specialist PE and sport support to local primary schools and within their own school; to embed good practice; and to provide more competitive sport for all pupils, including the School Games.
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Vocational Guidance
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the percentage change in each local authority's (a) total and (b) per capita expenditure on Connexions services between 2009-10 and 2010-11. [82607]
Mr Gibb: We do not hold information on expenditure on Connexions and careers services by local authorities. In 2009-10 and 2010-11, Connexions funding was paid to local authorities as part of the Area Based Grant. This was not ringfenced and local authorities were free to use the money to support the delivery of local, regional and national priorities in their areas.
Young People: Unemployment
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people aged between 16 and 19 were not in education, training or employment in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent in each of the last five years. [78236]
Tim Loughton: The official national estimates of the number and proportion of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England are published by the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) each June. However, these data cannot be disaggregated to parliamentary constituency level because they are in part based on sample data for employment.
We can estimate the number and proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds NEET at a sub-national level using data collected by local authorities. The figures for 16 to 18-year-olds who were NEET in each year between 2006/07 and 2010/11, for the Kent local authority, are shown in the following table. Note that due to methodological differences, estimates for young people NEET based on local authority data tend to be lower than the official estimates for NEET in the SFR.
| Number and proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds NEET (1) | ||
| Average number NEET in the three months November to January—Kent | ||
|
|
Number | Percentage of 16 to 18 year cohort |
| (1 )Actual age. Note: Figures for 19-year-olds are not available. Source: CCIS. | ||
Energy and Climate Change
Biofuels
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the UK's potential to achieve self-sufficiency in the sourcing of biomass; over what period such self-sufficiency could be achieved; and if he will make a statement. [83029]
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Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 35-36W.
Carbon Emissions
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department (a) is considering and (b) plans to consider the use of (i) air capture and (ii) other types of mitigation technology in meeting the carbon emission targets for 2050. [82415]
Gregory Barker: We recognise that air-capture and other geo-engineering technologies may have a role to play in the future in supporting our climate change mitigation efforts, but current understanding of the risks, benefits, impacts, costs and feasibility of these techniques is at a very low level. Research is needed to address these evidence gaps before their potential role in meeting emission targets can be addressed, and we follow the activities of researchers in this field with interest.
Meanwhile our priority is to tackle the human causes of global warming at source by reducing human emissions of greenhouse gas emissions. We are committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors in order to transition to a low-carbon economy and achieve our 2050 target.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the contribution of mitigation technologies such as air capture to reducing carbon emissions. [82799]
Gregory Barker: Technologies such as air-capture are at a very immature stage; current understanding of the risks, benefits, impacts, costs and feasibility is at a very low level and therefore we cannot say what contribution they may make. However we follow developments closely.
Climate Change Conference
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take during the climate negotiations in Durban to ensure rules for land use, drainage and foresting reflect the actual emissions from logging forests and changes in other land uses. [82633]
Gregory Barker:
Our aim is that the LULUCF sector should make a full contribution to emissions mitigation in a future climate agreement, including proper accounting of increases and decreases in carbon stocks due to bio-energy and other drivers. We want developed countries to include all managed forests on a mandatory basis and to introduce a new activity covering wetland drainage and -rewetting. We shall expedite as far as possible inclusion of non-forestry activities, which also cover crop-and grazing land management. These will probably remain voluntary pending the outcome of scientific work on more comprehensive approaches. For developing countries we aim to agree a decision or decisions on finance, methodological issues and safeguards related to reduced emission from deforestation and forest
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degradation; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many internal audits have taken place (a) in his Department and (b) in the non-departmental bodies for which his Department is responsible in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [82546]
Gregory Barker: The Department and each non-departmental body have annual internal audit programmes delivered by independent internal audit functions reporting to the appropriate accounting officers, approved and monitored by audit committees and delivered throughout the year to agreed schedules.
Energy: Exports
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to encourage the sale of (a) oil, (b) gas, (c) petroleum and (d) electricity to other countries; what his policy is on such sales; when it was last revised; what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the matter; what recent representations he has received from members of the public on the matter; how many hon. Members wrote to his Department on behalf of constituents on the matter in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [83108]
Charles Hendry: The Department makes no special provision to encourage such sales to other countries. Government policy is to promote effective energy markets and encourage and support trade. This has not been the subject of recent discussions with ministerial colleagues. Correspondence records do not indicate recent representations on this matter.
Energy: Housing
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many hon. Members wrote to his Department on behalf of constituents about (a) his plans to alleviate fuel poverty in the private rented sector, (b) the operation of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 and (c) the disconnection of (i) gas and (ii) electricity supplies in the last 12 months; what the average time taken to reply was; if he will place in the Library a copy of each such reply; and if he will make a statement. [R] [83107]
Gregory Barker: DECC aims to reply to 80% of ministerial correspondence within 15 working days of receipt. In the last 12 months:
(a) 148 hon. Members wrote 240 letters to DECC about alleviating fuel poverty in the private rented sector. Two replies, or 1%, were overdue.
(b) 216 hon. Members wrote 378 letters to DECC about the operation of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000. 37 replies, or 10%, were overdue.
(c) (i) Two hon. Members wrote two letters to DECC about the disconnection of gas supplies. Both replies were overdue.
(ii) No hon. Members wrote to DECC about the disconnection of electricity supplies.
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It would not be appropriate to provide the Libraries of the House with copies of correspondence relating to individuals for data protection reasons.
Energy: Meters
Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what consideration his Department has given to costs incurred by consumers with early smart or smart-type meters when switching suppliers; [81717]
(2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that energy suppliers do not refuse new customers because they have a smart or smart-type meter; [81718]
(3) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that rental agreements between smart meter providers and energy suppliers do not present barriers to consumers switching suppliers. [81719]
Charles Hendry: There should be no cost when switching supplier unless the consumer has entered into a contract with penalties for early termination. Energy suppliers are required to offer all domestic consumers terms for supply; the presence of a smart-type meter does not change this obligation. Ofgem has consulted on proposals that will require suppliers to work together to ensure that domestic customers with smart meters can switch supplier while maintaining smart functionality where possible. I understand that it plans to publish final proposals by the end of the year.
Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what his Department's most recent estimate is of the average proportion of a consumer's domestic energy costs which will be used to fund the smart meter roll-out; [82016]
(2) on what date payments towards the smart meter roll-out will (a) begin and (b) cease to be collected from consumers' bills; [82023]
(3) what consideration he has given to placing a cap on the funding to be provided from consumers for the smart meter roll-out. [82024]
Charles Hendry: We expect consumers to benefit from lower energy bills as a result of the smart meters roll-out. This benefit is driven by consumers using energy more efficiently and by suppliers passing through net cost savings. For example, suppliers will be able to greatly reduce the number of premises they visit. The updated impact assessment, published in August 2011, estimates that the smart meter roll-out will reduce the average household electricity and gas bill by £22 in 2020—equating to around 2% of the total bill—and by £42 in 2030.
In the interim period, as suppliers are responsible for funding the equipment and installations, we expect that they will pass these additional costs through to consumers. In 2015, when the bill increase is most pronounced, we estimate the average annual bill will be £6 higher per household; this equates to less than 1% of the total bill. As the roll-out progresses, the costs to suppliers will decrease and they will realise net savings. Energy suppliers have commercial incentives to keep their costs to a minimum. Savings are expected to be passed on to consumers by suppliers, under competitive pressures, in the form of lower energy prices.
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Feed-In Tariffs
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what definition of community benefit in respect of his Department's consultation on feed-in tariffs he uses; and if he will make a statement. [82691]
Gregory Barker: The recently published consultation on feed-in tariffs (FITs) states that the Government are considering whether more could be done to enable genuine community projects to be able to fully benefit from FITs. The forthcoming second consultation on the comprehensive review will seek views on the scope of a definition of "community scheme" and how it will be applied.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether local authorities are to be included within the scope of community benefit proposed in respect of feed-in tariff changes; and if he will make a statement. [82693]
Gregory Barker: The recently published consultation on feed-in tariffs states that the Government are considering whether more could be done to enable genuine community projects to be able to fully benefit from FITs. The forthcoming second consultation on the comprehensive review will seek views on the scope of a definition of community scheme including whether it should include local authorities.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Ofgem on his proposed changes to feed-in tariffs; and if he will make a statement. [82697]
Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers have regular discussions with Ofgem on a range of issues which includes the proposed changes to feed-in tariffs for solar photovoltaics under Phase 1 of the comprehensive review. There has also been contact on these proposals at official level.
Green Deal Scheme: Mobile Homes
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether park homes are to be eligible for assistance under the Green Deal. [83102]
Gregory Barker: Park homes will be able to apply for the Green Deal as long as they fulfil the same criteria as other types of eligible buildings. For example, every property will require an EPC assessment before a Green Deal charge is agreed and the home must be supplied by a licensed electricity supplier.
Natural Gas: Exploration
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect of shale gas extraction on future energy prices. [81856]
Charles Hendry:
The global prospects for the extraction of shale gas formed part of the consideration in compiling DECC's long run fossil fuel price projections. The projections were developed using estimated oil-linked prices (this gas/oil price link is expected to weaken in
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the longer term) and estimates of the long run cost of extracting and supplying gas to the UK. This latter cost takes into account the cost of exploiting reserves of conventional and unconventional gas resources including shale gas.
The growth in unconventional gas production in the US has already, in conjunction with other factors, helped to depress global spot wholesale gas prices by reducing the US need for LNG imports. The prospects for unconventional gas production outside North America are uncertain. Most analysts suggest that a range of factors make unconventional gas more costly and harder to access in regions outside North America. Moreover, there is a greater abundance of conventional gas in many regions outside North America which would reduce the need for unconventional gas production in these regions.
For the UK, there are considerable uncertainties surrounding both the extent to which shale gas-in-place is geologically, commercially and environmentally viable to extract and the potential impact on gas prices. Cuadrilla Resources, currently the only company conducting shale gas exploration in the UK, have recently estimated that there are substantial quantities of gas-in-place within the shale deposits under their exploration licences in Lancashire. However, the size of the resource is not yet established, and the commercial potential is subject to additional uncertainty. Given the uncertainties, DECC has not yet made an assessment of this or other estimates of UK shale on gas prices.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any impact assessment his Department has undertaken on the proposed reductions to solar photovoltaic feed-in tariffs considered loss of income to solar photovoltaic manufacturing and installation companies. [82241]
Gregory Barker: DECC does not make estimates of the income of companies in the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector. The Impact Assessment accompanying the Government's consultation on Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) for solar photovoltaics (PV), available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/fits-comp-review-p1/3416-fits-IA-solar-pv-draft.pdf
sets out the impact of our proposals on FITs support, generation and jobs.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made on the number of jobs that would be lost as a result of the proposed reduction in solar photovoltaic feed-in tariffs. [82243]
Gregory Barker: We estimate that, based on the number of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations by the end of October 2011, around 8,000 to 14,000 gross full time equivalent (FTE) jobs have been supported by solar PV since the introduction of the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme. The total number of people doing some solar PV work is likely to be higher than this range because those who are involved in solar PV installations are also likely to undertake other tasks linked to their employment.
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In the Impact Assessment supporting the consultation on FITs for solar PV:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/fits-comp-review-p1/3416-fits-IA-solar-pv-draft.pdf
we estimate that 1,000 to 10,000 gross FTE could be created in this sector in the three years to 2014-15 under our proposals. This estimate relates to solar PV installations only. Furthermore, it should be noted that current tariffs are providing returns well in excess of the 5% that was intended when the FITs scheme was launched. Any jobs that are affected are dependent on rates of support above those the scheme was intended to provide, and should not therefore be considered sustainable.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on investment in the solar photovoltaic industry of the proposed reduction in solar photovoltaic feed-in tariffs. [82244]
Gregory Barker: An Impact Assessment has been published to support the consultation on feed-in tariffs for solar photovoltaics (PV). This sets out the impact on generation of the changes proposed in the consultation. The Impact Assessment is available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/fits-comp-review-p1/3416-fits-IA-solar-pv-draft.pdf
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which sites eligible under the solar photovoltaic feed-in tariff scheme (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have visited in the last 12 months. [82250]
Gregory Barker: Ministers at DECC have been on a number of visits to sites across the UK in the last 12 months, some of which may have installed microgeneration technologies. However, we do not keep records of whether each of the sites visited was eligible for the FIT.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what legal advice he sought prior to his decision to reduce the feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaics. [83453]
Gregory Barker: Legal advice obtained by the Department is confidential and the subject of legal professional privilege.
Solar Power: Social Rented Housing
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to support solar photovoltaic schemes installed in social housing. [83326]
Gregory Barker: The recently published consultation on Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) states that the Government are considering whether more could be done to enable genuine community projects to be able to fully benefit from FITs. The forthcoming second consultation on the comprehensive review will seek views on the scope of a definition of "community scheme" and how it will be applied including in regard to social housing.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Aung San Suu Kyi
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss democracy in Burma. [83092]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed recent developments in Burma with Aung San Suu Kyi by telephone on 20 November 2011, following the National League for Democracy's decision to re-register as a political party. They discussed prospects for further reform as well as the UK Government's concerns over continued human rights abuses, including the continued detention of political prisoners and the ongoing conflict in ethnic minority border areas.
The Secretary of State for International Development, the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), raised similar points during his meetings with Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the Burmese Government, including the President, during his visit to Burma on 15-17 November.
Cluster Munitions
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterpart on the international prohibition on the deployment of cluster bombs; if the UK will maintain support for the prohibition in its current form; and if he will make a statement. [83243]
Alistair Burt: The UK is committed to ridding the world of cluster munitions. We believe the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is a crucial mechanism for achieving this goal and will maintain our support for prohibition in its current form. We continue to use all appropriate bilateral and multilateral opportunities to press for countries to join the CCM and give up cluster munitions. In this regard, Ministers and officials regularly raise the CCM with non-states parties.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Egyptian authorities on the treatment of democracy protestors in (a) Cairo and (b) Egypt. [83091]
Alistair Burt:
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), issued a statement on 23 November 2011 expressing his deep concern about the unacceptable violence and loss of life which has taken place around Tahrir Square in Cairo and in other parts of Egypt, and his concern about reports of dangerous forms of gas being used against protesters as well as live ammunition. The Secretary of State called on the Egyptian authorities to respect the right of peaceful protest and immediately cease the use of violence against protestors, including live fire and the use of gas,
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and for all those who are responsible for such disproportionate violence against peaceful protesters to be held to account.
Iran: Nuclear Power
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is considering as the UK's contribution to the international response to Iran's nuclear programme. [83093]
Alistair Burt: On 21 November, the Government decided to sever all links with Iranian banks. The US and Canada announced further restrictions against Iran at the same time.
These measures followed the International Atomic Energy Agency's November report about the Iranian nuclear programme and its military dimensions. The UK, along with other members of the international community, supported a resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board on 18 November expressing increasing concern about the Iranian programme. Over the coming days, we shall be working closely with our EU partners to tighten EU sanctions on the nuclear programme and urging others to take similar robust action. Iran should not doubt the resolve of the international community to address the threat posed by its nuclear ambitions.
Iran: Prisoners
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on the detention of Pastor Nadarkhani; and if he will make a statement. [83085]
Alistair Burt: We remain deeply concerned about the sentence handed out to Pastor Nadarkhani. In a statement on 28 September 2011, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), deplored reports that Pastor Nadarkhani was being forced to recant his faith or face the death penalty. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have raised Pastor Nadarkhani's case with the Iranian authorities on a number of occasions, seeking further information about Pastor Nadarkhani's situation, and assurances he will not be punished for his religious beliefs. In addition, we have taken co-ordinated action with our EU partners to address Iran's appalling human rights record, imposing travel bans and asset freezes on over 60 Iranians responsible for abuses, including Government ministers and members of the judiciary. We and our EU partners will continue to raise Pastor Nadarkhani's case and to insist that his sentence is overturned.
Libya: War Crimes
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the National Transitional Council in Libya to hand over Saif al-Islam to the International Criminal Court. [82885]
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Alistair Burt: The Government strongly support the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the co-operation between the ICC and Libya's Transitional Government regarding arrangements for the prosecution of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi. During his visit to Libya on 22-23 November, the ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said that it was Libya's right to try Saif al-Islam Gaddafi provided that the judicial process meets certain standards. Ocampo said that the current intention was to consider appropriate steps to sequence potential ICC and Libyan action, and the ICC would enter into discussion with the Libyan authorities over the “modalities of the prosecution”. We look forward to the outcome of these discussions.
Saudi Arabia: GPT
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any discussion has taken place between the Saudi government and (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department or of the Ministry of Defence about allegations of bribery against GPT, the GPT contract or the potential investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into GPT. [83174]
Alistair Burt: We have not held any discussions at ministerial level with Saudi Government about allegations of bribery against GPT. The matter has, however, been discussed between my officials and representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a number of occasions.
Any questions in relation to the Ministry of Defence are a matter for the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond).
Treasury
Capital Allowances
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the effective financial benefit was received by each business sector due to capital investment allowance claims in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [83170]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available.
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise the rate of income tax relief on the Enterprise Investment Scheme to the marginal rate. [83249]
Mr Gauke: The rate of income tax relief for the Enterprise Investment Scheme was raised from 20% to 30% at Budget 2011, for investments made from April 2011.
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will withdraw his plan to reduce the annual investment allowance from £100,000 to £25,000 from April 2012. [83250]
Mr Gauke: The Government currently have no plans to withdraw the reduction in the annual investment allowance from April 2012.
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will withdraw his plans to reduce capital allowances. [83251]
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Mr Gauke: The Government currently have no plans to withdraw the reduction in capital allowances rates from April 2012.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 26 October 2011 regarding a constituent, reference 1/95574/2011. [83059]
Mr Gauke: I have replied to the hon. Member.
Research and Development Tax Credit
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to reform research and development tax credits by providing businesses with a credit against cost; and if he will make a statement. [83252]
Mr Gauke: The Government have recently consulted on the case for introducing an 'above the line' R and D tax credit and is currently considering the responses.
Prime Minister
Rendition
Mr Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on the involvement of the UK's security and intelligence agencies in rendition operations; and if he will make a statement. [83411]
The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement I made on 10 November 2011, Official Report, column 25WS.
Health
Accident and Emergency Departments
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the future (a) number and (b) location of accident and emergency major trauma units. [83074]
Mr Simon Burns: A regional trauma network is comprised of a major trauma centre and 8-12 trauma units. 22 major trauma centres (MTCs) have been proposed, with locations determined by national health service strategic health authorities. The major trauma units will be located in adjacent trusts.
There is a clear clinical distinction between major trauma (multiple injuries, several organ systems/body parts, small numbers of patients) and general trauma (often single injuries, greater numbers of patients). The principle of regional trauma networks is to create inclusive networks that will deliver patients with life threatening (multiple) injuries to the most appropriate MTC with the right specialists and equipment to provide definitive care by a multidisciplinary group of professionals.
Patients arriving in the trauma units will include: patients who are considered to have injuries not requiring the expertise of the MTC; those critically injured patients
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for whom direct transfer to the MTC could adversely affect outcome, for example airway obstruction or catastrophic haemorrhage; and injured patients who are not critically unstable but who will benefit from specialist care (e.g. spine, pelvis, facial trauma).
The MTCs in these networks will improve the care of patients who suffer major trauma in the region concerned by:
ensuring that all seriously injured patients are assessed on arrival in the Emergency Department by a consultant 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
improving the speed with which patients receive time critical investigations such as computed tomography scanning and access to interventional radiology services for haemorrhage; and
on site access to all necessary specialties reducing the need for secondary transfers of critically ill patients.
Ambulance Services: Emergency Calls
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 999 calls in the East Midlands were not actioned until after NHS Direct had rung the caller back, in the last month. [83072]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not available.
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) receive nearly 1,000 emergency calls each day. All of these are actioned immediately by control operators asking callers a series of medical questions, the answers to which determine how the call will be managed. This can take the form of EMAS providing medical advice over the phone, responding as a solo paramedic or conventional ambulance or, in the case of low level medical problems, forwarding the call to NHS Direct for appropriate advice to be provided.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average time was between a 999 call being made and an ambulance being dispatched in the East Midlands in the last month. [83073]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not available. Data for response times and category of call for East Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust for 2010-11 is available in the following table:
| Category A calls | Category B calls | |||||
|
|
Total number of incidents with emergency response (Thousand) | Response within eight minutes (%) | Total number of incidents with ambulance vehicle arriving (Thousand) | Response within 19 minutes (%) | Total number of incidents with ambulance vehicle arriving (Thousand) | Response within 19 minutes (%) |
| Source: The Information Centre for health and social care | ||||||
Freedom of Information
John Healey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2011, Official Report, column 736W, on transition programme, when his Department's internal review of the Freedom of
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Information request was concluded; and when he plans to provide the information sought in the original question. [83063]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department concluded its internal review about the transition programme Freedom of Information request on 2 March 2011 and informed the right hon. Member of the outcome on this date.
The Department is currently considering a Decision Notice from the Information Commissioner about this issue.
Diabetes: Health Services
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure local health organisations use the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Commissioning Guide for Insulin Pump Therapy to help them plan and deliver insulin pump therapy services; and what steps he is taking to ensure such organisations are taking steps to meet the standard benchmark rate set out in that guide for the uptake of insulin pump therapy by 12 per cent. of people with type 1 diabetes. [82560]
Paul Burstow: It is for the national health service locally to determine its response to this guidance, but the Department included a specific reference to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance for insulin pump therapy services in the NHS Operating Framework for 2011-12 to encourage local health organisations to use the guidance to help them plan and deliver services. The Framework states that NHS commissioners and providers should do more to ensure insulin pumps are available for those people with diabetes that meet the criteria recommended by NICE. The NHS Technology Adoption Centre has also published guidance to support NHS organisations in the adoption of these devices.
General Practitioners: Telephone Numbers
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of GP surgeries using 08 telephone numbers. [83069]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has made no estimate of the number of general practitioner surgeries in England that use telephone numbers that begin with 08.
The Department issued guidance and directions to national health service bodies in December 2009 on the cost of telephone calls, which prohibit the use of telephone numbers which charge the patient more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the NHS. It is currently the responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that local practices are compliant with the Directions and guidance.
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the steps which (a) can be taken by primary care trusts and (b) could be taken by the proposed Health and Wellbeing Boards and Clinical Commissioning Groups to discourage GP practices from using 08 telephone numbers. [83070]
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Mr Simon Burns: The Department issued guidance and Directions to national health service bodies in December 2009 on the cost of telephone calls, which prohibit the use of telephone numbers which charge, the patient more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the national health service. These Directions suggest a number of steps to be taken to ensure general practice surgeries are compliant, such as: varying the terms of the contract; renegotiating the terms of the contract; terminating the contract; or introducing a system where the NHS body calls the patient back at its own expense.
Gurkhas: Aldershot
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions (a) he and (b) his Department have had with Rushmoor borough council on funding to help Gurkha immigrants settle in Aldershot. [81948]
Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), has had no discussions with Rushmoor borough council on funding to help ex-Gurkhas who have settled in Aldershot. The Department of Health is represented on the Gurkha Settlement Cross Government Working Group of officials. Mr Andrew Lloyd, the chief executive of Rushmoor borough council, attended a meeting of that group on 23 May 2011. A Gurkha Support Fund of £1.5 million has now been established and will be administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government, with funding contributions from the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office.
Health Professions: Training
Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a statutory training regime for healthcare assistants. [82612]
Anne Milton: We have commissioned Skills for Health and Skills for Care to develop a code of conduct and minimum training standards for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England.
We will receive their final report and recommendations by September 2012. The Government's expectation is that the new code and training standards would be used in conjunction with voluntary registers as part of the standards for inclusion on the register.
Health and Wellbeing
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made for creation of health and wellbeing boards in (a) Birmingham, (b) Newcastle, (c) Wakefield, (d) Manchester, (e) Leeds, (f) Liverpool, (g) Coventry, (h) Bristol, (i) Sheffield, (j) Bradford, (k) Leicester and (l) Nottingham. [82744]
Paul Burstow: The Health and Social Care Bill establishes health and wellbeing boards on a statutory basis in every upper-tier local authority in England. They will operate in shadow form from April 2012, and take on their statutory functions from April 2013.
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Birmingham, Newcastle, Wakefield, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry, Bristol, Sheffield, Bradford, Leicester and Nottingham have signed up as early implementers of health and wellbeing boards. It is for these cities, working in partnership to put in place their own arrangements for developing health and wellbeing boards.
The Department, together with the Local Government Group and other stakeholders, has set up a National Learning Network with early implementer health and wellbeing boards to ensure that boards develop an understanding of how they can be more effective in increasing accountability, improving services and improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.
Homeless Link: Finance
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding the Homeless Link received from his Department in 2010-11; how much it will receive in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [83101]
Paul Burstow: The Department has allocated the following funding to Homeless Link:
2010-11: £68,641
2011-12: £25,000.
It should be noted that funding for 2011-12 represents the latest allocations and additional funding could be allocated in the remaining months of the financial year.
Homeless Link has received funding under the Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development fund and for its role in supporting the delivery of the commitment in the vision to end rough sleeping report from the Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness.
Hospitals: Waiting Lists
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average in-patient length of stay was for (a) diabetes, (b) cancer, (c) dementia and (d) musculoskeletal conditions in (i) Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, (ii) East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, (iii) Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, (iv) Medway NHS Foundation Trust and (v) England in (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10 and (C) 2010-11; [81860]
(2) how many in-patient episodes for (a) diabetes, (b) cancer, (c) dementia and (d) musculoskeletal conditions there were in (i) Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, (ii) East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, (iii) Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, (iv) Medway NHS Foundation Trust and (v) England in (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10 and (C) 2010-11; [81861]
(3) what the average in-patient length of stay for (a) diabetes, (b) cancer, (c) dementia and (d) musculoskeletal conditions was in (i) Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, (ii) East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, (iii) Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, (iv) Medway NHS Foundation Trust and (v) England in (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10 and (C) 2010-11. [82617]
Paul Burstow:
The information requested is shown in the following table. These data show a count of finished consultant episodes along with mean and median length
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of stay (days) where there was a primary diagnosis of
(a)
diabetes,
(b)
cancer,
(c)
dementia for each of the four trusts in each of the years specified.
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Data on musculoskeletal conditions have not been provided. The diagnosis ‘musculoskeletal condition’ is a broad term and accurate data cannot be derived from such a broad range of categories.
| Number of finished consultant episodes (1) (FCEs) and average length of stay (2) for patients with primary diagnosis codes (3) for (i) diabetes, (ii) cancer benign and malignant neoplasm, (iii) dementia and (iv) musculoskeletal conditions in Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and England (4) , between 2008-09 and 2010-11 (5) | ||||||||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | ||||||||
| Primary diagnosis | Trust | FCEs | Mean length of stay | Median length of stay | FCEs | Mean length of stay | Median length of stay | FCEs | Mean length of stay | Median length of stay |
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| (1) A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. (2) Length of stay (duration of episode)/Length of stay (duration of spell) The difference in days between the admission date and the episode end date (duration of episode) or discharge date (duration of spell), where both dates are given. LOS is based on hospital stays and only applies to ordinary admissions not day cases (unless otherwise stated). Information relating to LOS, including discharge method/destination, diagnoses and any operative procedures, is based only on the final episode of the spell. (3) Primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. The following ICD-10 codes have been used: Diabetes E10 Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus E11 Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus E12 Malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus E13 Other specified diabetes mellitus E14 Unspecified diabetes mellitus O24 Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy P70.2 Neonatal diabetes mellitus Cancer C00-C97 Malignant neoplasms D00-D09 In situ neoplasms D10-D36 Benign neoplasms D37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain or unknown behaviour Dementia F00 Dementia in Alzheimer disease F01 Vascular dementia F02 Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere F03 Unspecified dementia F04 Organic amnesic syndrome, not induced by alcohol and other psychoactive substances F05 Delirium, not induced by alcohol and other psychoactive substances F06 Other mental disorders due to brain damage and dysfunction and to physical disease F07 Personality and behavioural disorders due to brain disease, damage and dysfunction F09 Unspecified organic or symptomatic mental disorder G30 Alzheimer's disease It should be noted: F02 Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere would generally be recorded in one of the secondary positions, therefore the figures provided may not be fully representative of the actual number of FCEs. Musculoskeletal conditions Clinical coding advice states: The term “musculoskeletal conditions” is broad and a definitive list of musculoskeletal conditions cannot be provided. “Musculoskeletal conditions” means ‘pertaining to the skeleton and muscles’ and these disorders can be found throughout the chapters in ICD-10. (4) Hospital Provider A provider code is a unique code that identifies an organisation acting as a health care provider (e.g. NHS trust or PCT). Hospital providers can also include treatment centres (TC). Normally, if data are tabulated by health care provider, the figure for an NHS trust gives the activity of all the sites as one aggregated figure. However, in the case of those with embedded treatment centres, these data are quoted separately. In these cases, ‘-X’ is appended to the code for the rest of the trust, to remind users that the figures are for all sites of the trust excluding the treatment centres. The quality of TC returns are such that data may not be complete. Some NHS trusts have not registered their TC as a separate site, and it is therefore not possible to identify their activity separately. Data from some independent sector providers, where the onus for arrangement of data flows is on the commissioner, may be missing. Care must be taken when using these data as the counts may be lower than true figures. Trust codes: RN7-X: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust RPA: Medway NHS Foundation Trust RW: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust RWF: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (5) Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. Please note that these data should not be described as a count of people as the same person may have been admitted on more than one occasion. |