Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Females
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Government of Afghanistan to ensure that the issue of the full involvement of women in discussions on the future of Afghanistan is on the agenda for the Bonn conference in December 2011. [83592]
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Alistair Burt: The Bonn conference on Afghanistan will focus on three themes: Civilian Aspects of Transition, Long Term Engagement and the Political Process. We have made clear to the Government of Afghanistan the need to discuss at Bonn an inclusive political process which addresses the needs of all Afghan citizens, including women.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Government of Afghanistan to ensure that Afghan women parliamentarians and women's organisations are included in discussions at the Bonn conference in December 2011. [83593]
Alistair Burt: The British embassy in Kabul have raised this issue with the Government of Afghanistan and encouraged them to bring an inclusive delegation, including women, to the Bonn conference.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the Government at the Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan in December 2011; and what proportion of the UK delegation will be made up of women. [83594]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), will lead the UK delegation to the Bonn conference in December. The Government’s International Violence Against Women Champion, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone), will attend the Civil Society Events at the conference. The remainder of the delegation will be comprised of 10 officials, of whom four will be women.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the issue of women’s rights in Afghanistan and the involvement of women in all discussions concerning the future of Afghanistan at the Bonn conference in December 2011. [83595]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), will discuss the political process and the need for an inclusive political settlement which addresses the needs of all Afghan citizens, including women, at the Bonn conference.
Armed Conflict: Children
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's strategy is on the protection of children in conflict zones. [83104]
Mr Bellingham: The Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS) sets out how conflict and violence can have a particularly devastating impact on the lives of children. And implementing the BSOS strategy requires a consolidated effort, using all our diplomatic, development and defence capabilities.
The British Government provide £21 million per year in core funding to UNICEF and support a number of other projects to support children. For example Department
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for International Development (DFID) funded a £2 million project to help discharge and rehabilitate members of the Maoist Army in Nepal, approximately 3,000 of whom had been recruited as children. We are also making efforts to get young children affected by conflict into education. In Pakistan, for example, our support will help five million more children attend primary school and ensure 500,000 young people benefit from better technical and vocational training by 2013. Also by 2015 we will help get an additional 800,000 children into education in northern Nigeria.
Britain is a member of the United Nations Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, which leads the international effort in this important area. This group focuses on pressing offending states to enter into concrete action plans to verify and release child soldiers, and on monitoring and reporting of violations.
The British Government are fully committed to the implementation of the UN convention on the rights of the child (CRC) and take their obligations under the convention very seriously. Its aim is to continue to make progress in areas that will bring about real improvements to children's lives. We are also involved in UN discussions about the possible creation of a third Optional Protocol to the CRC, under which children would be able to bring allegations of violations directly to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead Department on children and armed conflict within Whitehall and works closely with the DFID and the Ministry of Defence.
Ascension Island
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's officials are stationed on Ascension Island. [83196]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has one official, the Administrator, stationed on Ascension Island.
Burma: Human Rights
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to raise with the authorities in Burma reports of violations of human rights in Kachin state in that country. [82705]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are deeply concerned about the fighting that continues in Kachin state, and the resulting displacement of tens of thousands of displaced people, as well as the credible reports of human rights abuses.
We have frequently raised our concerns about the situation in ethnic regions and pressed for the authorities to make serious efforts towards national reconciliation. Most recently during his visit to Burma on 15-17 November 2011, the Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), pressed President Thein Sein and senior Burmese Ministers to move urgently towards a resolution to the ethnic conflicts and improved humanitarian access in border
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areas. Our ambassador has also raised our concerns about Kachin state with Burma's National Human Rights Commission.
We have also continued to press for reform through the UN. We helped to secure a resolution reflecting our concerns in the UN General Assembly in November with specific reference to Kachin state and which was passed with a record majority.
Burma: Religious Freedom
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government has taken to raise with the Burmese authorities concerns over the new order issued on 14 October in Phakant Township, Kachin state, requiring Christians to submit requests for permission to undertake acts of religious devotion at least 15 days in advance [82681]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government condemn all instances where individuals face persecution or discrimination in Burma because of their faith or belief. We raise our concerns over religious and ethnic persecution directly with the Burmese regime and with the international community. Our Deputy Head of Mission in Rangoon accompanied the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, to a meeting with the Burmese Minister of Religious affairs on 19 November 2011, and specifically raised the question of religious freedoms and the restrictions placed on Christians in Kachin state. Our ambassador in Rangoon also raised this issue with the Burmese Human Rights Commission in November.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government has taken in response to reported attacks by soldiers of the Burma Army on (a) the Assemblies of God church in Muk Chyik village, Wai Maw Township, Kachin state on 6 November 2011 and (b) a Roman Catholic church in Namsan Yang village, Wai Maw Township and the Baptist Church in the same village on 16 October. [82682]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are deeply concerned by reports documenting violations of human rights by the Burmese military, including freedom of religion, in Kachin state. We condemn all instances where individuals face persecution or discrimination in Burma because of their faith or belief.
We have raised our concerns over religious and ethnic persecution directly with the Burmese Government. Most recently during his visit to Burma on 15-17 November 2011, the Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), raised this issue with the President, Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo, the Speaker of the Lower House and other senior Ministers. Our Deputy Head of Mission in Rangoon accompanied the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, to a meeting with the Burmese Minister of Religious Affairs on 19 November and specifically raised the question of religious freedoms and the restrictions placed on Christians in Kachin state. Our ambassador to Rangoon discussed freedom of religion with the Burmese Human Rights Commission in November.
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We have also continued to press for reform through the UN. We helped to secure a resolution reflecting our concerns in the UN General Assembly in November with specific reference to Kachin state and which was passed with a record majority.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of (a) violations of religious freedom and attacks on churches and (b) other human rights abuses in Kachin state, Burma; and what steps he is taking to further investigate such reports. [82704]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are deeply concerned by reports from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, documenting violations of human rights, including freedom of religion in Kachin state. The reports document attacks by the military on churches, restrictions on religious gathering of Christians and of the use of forced labour. We condemn all instances where individuals face persecution or discrimination in Burma because of their faith or belief. Staff from our embassy are not permitted free access to the area.
We have raised our concerns over religious and ethnic persecution directly with the Burmese Government. Most recently during his visit to Burma on 15-17 November 2011, the Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), raised this issue with the President, Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo, the Speaker of the Lower House and other senior Ministers. Our Deputy Head of Mission in Rangoon accompanied the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, to a meeting with the Burmese Minister of Religious Affairs on 19 November and specifically raised the question of religious freedoms and the restrictions placed on Christians in Kachin state. Our ambassador to Rangoon discussed freedom of religion with the Burmese Human Rights Commission in November.
We have also continued to press for reform through the UN. We helped to secure a resolution reflecting our concerns in the UN General Assembly in November with specific reference to Kachin state and which was passed with a record majority.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief to seek an invitation to visit Burma to investigate reports of violations of freedom of religion or belief. [82706]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion requested permission to visit Burma in 2007. He sent a reminder letter in April 2008 but as yet the Burmese Government has not responded. The UK Government extends an open invitation to all UN Special Rapporteurs and encourages the Government of Burma to do the same.
The British Government condemns all instances where individuals face persecution or discrimination in Burma because of their faith or belief. We have raised our concerns over religious and ethnic persecution directly with the Burmese Government. Most recently, our Deputy Head of Mission in Rangoon accompanied the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, to a meeting
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with the Burmese Minister of Religious affairs on 19 November. Our ambassador in Rangoon also discussed freedom of religion with the Burmese Human Rights Commission in November.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [82544]
Mr Lidington: The following table sets out the number of internal audit reviews undertaken in the UK and overseas for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), its trading fund (FCO Services) and Executive agency (Wilton Park) in the period November 2010 to October 2011. These audits were undertaken by the FCO Internal Audit Department. The table excludes external audit reviews carried out by the National Audit Office.
Also included, as appropriate, are the number of internal audit reviews in the UK and overseas undertaken by the internal auditors of the FCO's four Executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). The BBC World Service is part of the BBC (a public corporation) and is therefore excluded from the data. However, regular internal audit reviews of the World Service are carried out by BBC Internal Audit.
| Number | |
Official Photographs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [82574]
Mr Jeremy Browne: It would incur disproportionate cost to count the number of photographs taken of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers and officials across the world which could be used in a publication. Our photos are published on our website
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/fco-websites/flickr/
Photographs for publications are usually taken from this library.
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Every year, the FCO holds or participates in hundreds of high profile meetings and events, for example with visiting foreign ministers. A member of staff takes photos at these events and for other FCO business. This is more cost-effective than employing external contractors to carry out this work on an ad hoc basis. Staff in our overseas network of posts take photographs of events and visits but details are not held centrally.
Departmental Travel
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on first-class travel by (a) air, (b) boat and (c) train since May 2010. [75527]
Mr Lidington: Budgets in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are delegated to directorates and our global network of posts, but we hold central records on the information requested as follows: (a) £7,624, (b) nil and (c) £1,640. These figures relate to staff and ministerial travel.
There has been no expenditure on first-class air travel since the introduction of the new Ministerial Code on 21 May 2010. All travel by Ministers and staff is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Civil Service Management Code.
Ethiopia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's officials are stationed in Ethiopia. [83209]
Mr Bellingham: There are approximately 150 staff working at our embassy in Addis Ababa on behalf of the British Government. I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) to my right hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) on 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 993W:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110217/text/110217w0004.htm#11021776000866
Ethiopia: Foreign Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the UK's relationship with Ethiopia. [83193]
Mr Bellingham:
British-Ethiopian relations are strong and multi-faceted, based on numerous shared development, security and economic objectives. Britain is committed to supporting the development of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Ethiopia, and to working closely with Ethiopia actively to promote stability in the region. We look to achieve this through a substantive and successful development programme—Ethiopia is currently the largest recipient of British aid in the world— increasing trade links, and through regular and honest dialogue at both ministerial and official level. We are aware of the recent arrests of a number of opposition members and leaders
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and independent journalists on terrorism charges and we have raised our concerns with the Ethiopian Government.
EU Law
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs into which measures the UK has exercised an opt-in under EU legislative arrangements since May 2010; and which further such measures have been proposed in that period in respect of which the possibility of a UK opt-in has arisen. [80740]
Mr Lidington: The UK has exercised an opt-in on 15 EU legislative arrangements since May 2010. 12 further measures were proposed during that period in which the possibility of an opt-in arose, but were not exercised.
Total since Lisbon treaty (December 2009 to present): 39
Opt-in: 21
Did not opt-in: 15
Schengen: Did not opt-out: 3
Schengen: Opted-out: 0
Current Government (May 2010 to present): 29
Opt-in: 15
Did not opt-in: 12
Schengen: Did not opt-out: 2
Schengen; Opted-out: 0
JHA measures the current Government has opted into:
(1) European Investigation Order—published April 2010
(2) Human trafficking—published March 2010
(3) Sexual exploitation of children—published March 2010
(4) Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme (TFTP)—published June 2010
(5) EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement—published April 2010
(6) EU-Georgia Readmission Agreement—published May 2010
(7) Letter of Rights—published July 2010
(8) Attacks against information systems (cybercrime) Directive—published September 2010
(9) Recast EURODAC Regulation—published October 2010
(10) Brussels I—published December 2010
(11) Legal protection of services based on, or consisting of, conditional access—published December 2010
(12) EU Passenger Name Records—published February 2011
(13) EU-Australia Passenger Name Records—published May 2011
(14) Victims Directive—published May 2011
(15) Regulation on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters (Civil European Protection Order)—May 2011
JHA measures the current Government has not opted into:
(1) Interpretation and Translation—published March 2010
(2) EU-Swiss agreement—published June 2010
(3) Intra-Corporate Transferees Directive—published July 2010
(4) Seasonal Workers Directive—published July 2010
(5) Amendment to EEA Agreement—published September 2010
(6) Cross-border enforcement of road traffic offences directive —published December 2010
(7) 2x directives:
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1. Proposal on Matrimonial Property Regimes—published March 2011
2. Proposal on Property Consequences of Registered Partnerships—published March 2011
(8) 2x directives
1. Directives on asylum reception conditions—published June 2011—HO lead
2. Directive on procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection—published June 2011—HO lead
(9) Directive on Access to a lawyer—published June 2011
(10) Proposal creating a European Account Preservation Order—published July 2011
Schengen measures the current Government has not opted-out of:
(1) Arrangement between the EU and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on the Schengen acquis—published March 2010
(2) Establishment of an IT Agency for the operational management of large scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice—published March 2010
The Government have not opted-out of any Schengen measures to which the UK’s Schengen Opt-out Protocol has applied
Israel: Peace Negotiations
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on (a) talks between Israel and Egypt and (b) further negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. [82620]
Alistair Burt: We remain in regular contact with US counterparts on middle east and north Africa issues.
In the statement made by the Prime Minister on 10 September, he welcomed Egypt's agreement that it would uphold Egypt's international agreements including its peace treaty with Israel, stated that we looked to Egypt to honour this agreement, and urged both countries to work together to resolve current tensions and enhance regional stability.
We are working closely with our international partners, including the US, to seek a return to negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians in line with the timetable set out in the Quartet statement of 23 September. This statement refers to President Obama's May parameters with which we agree.
Israel: Security
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Egyptian and (b) Israeli counterpart on improving security on the Israel-Sinai border. [82621]
Alistair Burt: I issued a statement on 18 August condemning the attacks in southern Israel earlier that day, calling them appalling and senseless acts of violence and offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of those injured and killed.
We have reiterated these messages to Egyptian interlocutors, and the Egyptians have reassured us that they take their responsibilities very seriously.
In the statement made by the Prime Minister he welcomed Egypt's agreement that it would uphold Egypt's international agreements including its peace treaty with
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Israel, stated that we looked to Egypt to honour this agreement, and urged both countries to work together to resolve current tensions and enhance regional stability.
We continue to deliver our key messages on the importance of upholding Egypt-Israeli relations in discussions at official level with both our Egyptian and Israeli interlocutors.
North Korea: Human Rights
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on whether the reported human rights violations in North Korea amount to crimes against humanity in violation of international law. [82890]
Alistair Burt: The United Kingdom is not in a position to assess fully whether the extent of the reported human rights violations in North Korea constitute crimes against humanity, as defined in international law. Nevertheless it is the UK Government's position that all allegations of serious crimes of international concern, including crimes against humanity, are fully investigated and that those responsible for such crimes are held to account. It is for this reason that we frequently raise our very serious concerns about the reported human rights violations with the North Korean authorities, both in London and through our embassy in Pyongyang. We also highlight these concerns regularly in the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly. We also continue to call for the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea to be allowed access to North Korea to fully investigate the reported violations.
Pitcairn Island
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department provides to residents of Pitcairn Island. [83150]
Mr Bellingham: My Department works closely with the Department for International Development who provide annual budgetary assistance to Pitcairn. In addition we co-operate together on a number of ad hoc projects to develop Pitcairn in areas such as island infrastructure, child safeguarding capacity and human rights awareness. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office official is based on the island providing liaison with the Governor's Office and the community of professionals delivering law and order, health and social welfare services.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to visit Pitcairn Island. [83151]
Mr Bellingham: Since 2009 we have improved access to Pitcairn Island by providing a regular shipping service with the charter of MV Claymore. Despite this, the total journey time from New Zealand is five days in each direction. There are no plans for a ministerial visit to Pitcairn Island at present.
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Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department have visited Pitcairn Island in each of the last 10 years. [83152]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains a permanent presence on Pitcairn Island in the form of the Governor's Representative. In addition, officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development regularly travel to Pitcairn Island. The New Zealand- based Governor and Deputy Governor normally visit on an annual basis and the last visit by an official in this Department was in March of this year. Exact figures for visits by officials in each of the last 10 years are, however, not readily available.
Pitcairn Island: Australia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently had with his counterpart in Australia on means of travel between Australia and Pitcairn Island. [82971]
Mr Bellingham: There have been no such recent discussions.
Pitcairn Island: New Zealand
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently had with his counterpart in New Zealand on means of travel between New Zealand and Pitcairn Island. [82965]
Mr Bellingham: There have been no such recent discussions.
Russia
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions officials at the Embassy in Moscow have had with (a) General Tatiana Gerasimova and (b) General Nikolai Shelepanov. [82867]
Mr Lidington: Officials at our embassy in Moscow have not had discussions with General Tatiana Gerasimova and General Nikolai Shelepanov.
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) General Tatiana Gerasimova and (b) General Nikolai Shelepanov have visited the UK Embassy in Moscow. [82868]
Mr Lidington: General Tatiana Gerasimova and General Nikolai Shelepanov have not visited our embassy in Moscow.
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the Government has received on the activities of Brigadier Prasanna De Silva of the Sri Lankan High Commission when he was Commander of the 55th Division in Vanni during the final stages of the civil war. [83115]
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Alistair Burt: We are aware of references in the UN Panel Report to the fact that the 55th Division, which was commanded by Major General De Silva, was operational in the Vanni in the final stages of the war. But we have not seen concrete evidence to support any specific war crimes allegations against Major General De Silva or troops under his command.
We continue to press the Government of Sri Lanka to make progress on accountability for allegations of war crimes committed during the conflict and reconciliation between the communities.
Sri Lanka: Deportation
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government takes to monitor what happens to Sri Lankans deported from the UK to Sri Lanka. [83116]
Alistair Burt: The UK Border Agency does not routinely monitor the treatment of individual subjects once they are removed from the UK. However, individuals are provided with contact details of the high commission in Colombo and may contact them if they require any assistance.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office takes a close interest in the issue of human rights in Sri Lanka and works with the UK Border Agency in developing its policy on returns. There have been a number of allegations made in the Sri Lankan press of returnees being abused. All of these have been investigated by the British high commission and found to be unsubstantiated. We will continue to investigate any credible and relevant allegations and review our policy in light of any findings.
Uganda: Armed Conflict
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the security situation in areas where the Lord's Resistance Army is active. [83690]
Mr Bellingham: We assess that although the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has not carried out any large- scale attacks recently, it continues to pose an unprincipled and violent threat to civilian populations in all areas where it is active. Furthermore, the LRA remains a destabilising force due to the number of civilian displacements that it has caused (which, according to the UN, number over 440,000 people across the region since their campaign began).
Defence
Ministerial Meetings
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) date and (b) location was of meetings between Ministers of his Department and (i) Sir George Buckley, (ii) 3M and (iii) the American Legislative Exchange Commission; and whether (A) civil servants and (B) Mr Adam Werritty attended each such meeting. [78142]
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Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 2 November 2011]: Defence Ministers have not held meetings with Sir George Buckley.
We have no record of meetings between Defence Ministers, 3M or the American Legislative Exchange Commission but we do not hold an exhaustive list of employees and members of either organisation.
Armed Forces: Cash Dispensing
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cash machines there are on armed forces bases in the UK; and how many of such machines charge a fee for withdrawals. [83384]
Mr Robathan: This information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Armed Forces: Officers
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers in (a) the Royal Air Force and (b) his Department hold a rank of Wing Commander or above. [83040]
Mr Robathan: The following table provides information on the total number of officers in the Royal Air Force that hold the rank of Wing Commander or above, as at 1 November 2011.
|
|
Number |
Officers of the armed forces can serve in a variety of appointments, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, but continue to be employed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Reductions are expected across the senior ranks in the light of the independent report by Lord Levene which considered the way in which the MOD is structured and managed. The reduction in number of senior staff will impact most significantly on non-command appointments.
Defence: Procurement
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with (i) BAE Systems and (ii) Babcock Marine on obtaining greater value from the existing terms of business agreement. [81902]
Peter Luff: Ministry of Defence officials have regular discussions with BAE Systems Surface Ships and Babcock Marine to ensure that the terms of business agreements (TOBAs) signed with each company are aligned with the evolving needs of Defence. This includes regularly reviewing progress in delivering the benefits agreed within the TOBAs. Both agreements are currently delivering savings in excess of their targeted benefits.
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Consultants
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his Department's policy is on employing its former employees as external consultants; [81296]
(2) how many former employees of his Department who were made redundant since May 2010 have been employed by his Department as external consultants since their redundancy. [81297]
Peter Luff [holding answer 15 November 2011]: Ministry of Defence (MOD) service and civilian personnel who take up employment on leaving the public service are obliged to seek clearance under the business appointment rules for public servants.
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 at:
http://acoba.independent.gov.uk/former_crown_servants_ appointments.aspx
The MOD does not hold information centrally on former employees who have been employed on consultancy contracts. We contract with consultancy companies to provide a service within a specific timescale. The assignment of individual consultants to a particular contract is therefore a matter for the company involved.
Departmental Correspondence
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many letters sent by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans in his official capacity to (a) Opposition and (b) Government hon. Members have been signed (i) personally and (ii) using an electronic or scanned signature since 11 May 2010; [83588]
(2) what proportion of correspondence from Ministers in his Department in their official capacity to hon. Members was signed (a) personally and (b) using a scanned or electronic signature since 11 May 2010; [83589]
(3) what his policy is on whether letters from Ministers in his Department sent in an official capacity to hon. Members should be personally signed; [83590]
(4) whether he has received any complaints about responses to hon. Members sent from the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans since 11 May 2010. [83591]
Mr Robathan: While information on the use of electronic signatures by my ministerial colleagues is not held centrally and there is no policy on the use of electronic signatures, I can assure the hon. Member that I approve and sign replies to signed letters which hon. Members, from all parties, send to me.
While information on complaints is not held centrally, I am aware of no hon. Members who have complained in writing about letters I have sent which refer to Members' use of a scanned signature.
The great majority of letters to my office from hon. Members are signed personally by those Members, indicating their interest in the concerns of their constituents.
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Freedom of Information
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of freedom of information requests that have been made to his Department that have (a) been misplaced, (b) been inaccurately logged and (c) taken longer than 20 working days to answer substantively since 18 May 2010. [82951]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 25 November 2011]:Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, there is a requirement to provide a substantive response to any request for information promptly and in any event within 20 working days.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the volume, timeliness and outcome of information requests received by over 40 central Government bodies, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD). This information can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at the following address:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
Statistics for 2010 and for the first two quarters of this year have been made available and those for the whole of 2011 will be collated and published by the MOJ in due course.
The MOD does not hold data on the number of FOI requests that have been misplaced and been inaccurately logged.
Marketing
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on marketing from 1 May 2010 to 1 November 2011. [79656]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 9 November 2011]: Since 14 June 2010 approval has been given for advertising and marketing activity of up to £51.4 million, although not all of this may have been spent and total detailed spend figures are not available. This total included approvals for armed forces recruitment activity totalling some £47.5 million and advertising and marketing approved for Defence Trading Funds. These approved activities will result in funds being spent both in the period requested and in future months. Despite reductions made in armed forces personnel, the services are still required to recruit some new personnel to ensure that skill sets and future requirements are met.
The armed forces depend on high quality young people wanting to join the services for rewarding and exciting careers. Despite the reduction in the overall numbers of service personnel, the armed forces are still recruiting and training to replace those personnel who leave the services at the end of their contracts. Since the armed forces predominantly promote from within, there is a need to take on new recruits, who will become the non-commissioned officers of the future.
Some advertising and marketing activity was approved on the basis that the activity would prove to be cost neutral, or indeed lead to an income stream into the Department. Allowing such activity is particularly important for Defence Trading Funds, where the Trading Fund is expected to recover its own running costs through commercial activity.
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Departmental Travel
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department has been of overseas travel which (a) he has and (b) his advisers have undertaken since May 2010. [74751]
Mr Philip Hammond: From 10 May 2010 to 31 August 2011 (the latest date for which figures have been collated):
£65,910 was spent on overseas flights by the previous Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox); and
£184,000 was spent on flights for the accompanying private office staff and special advisers.
The total cost of accommodation over the period was £17,100.
In addition, costs with an indicative value of just over £38,000 were incurred by the Department through the use of spare capacity on RAF flights by the previous Secretary of State.
Medals: Diamond Jubilee 2012
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal available to service personnel who, due to injury or incapacity, will be unable to serve until the normal qualifying date of February 2012; and if he will make a statement. [78618]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 7 November 2011]: The Queen’s diamond jubilee medal will be awarded to serving and volunteer members of the armed forces and the emergency services to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Her Accession on 6 February 2012. As is the tradition with jubilee medals it is a commemorative medal, therefore it has a commemorative purpose and, in keeping with similar medals, is given to those who are actually in service on the day of the anniversary and who have completed a stipulated period of service across government, in the uniformed services.
RAF Northolt
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future use of RAF Northolt. [81556]
Peter Luff: There are no current plans to change the use of RAF Northolt. As with all Ministry of Defence assets, we continue to scrutinise defence expenditure to ensure we get the best return for the taxpayer.
Strategic Defence and Security Review
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the number of civilian redundancies resulting from the Strategic Defence and Security Review. [81465]
Mr Robathan
[holding answer 22 November 2011]: The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) set a savings target equivalent to a reduction of 25,000 in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian work force by 2015. After allowing for normal wastage rates and the effect of current recruitment restrictions, it has been
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calculated that it will be necessary to achieve 15,500 paid releases in order to meet this target.
A voluntary early release scheme was launched earlier this year and, although the final number of acceptances will not be known until December 2011, is expected to yield some 5,500 exits by 31 March 2012. On 7 November 2011, the Department launched a second voluntary scheme with a target of achieving a further 10,000 exits between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2014.
So far as is possible, the MOD is committed to achieving work force reductions without recourse to compulsory redundancy. The SDSR target—equivalent to almost one third of the civilian work force—is undoubtedly challenging. Although large numbers applied for the 2011 scheme, and applications for the 2012-14 scheme are now starting to come through, it is impossible to say yet whether the Department will be able to avoid compulsory redundancies altogether.
Communities and Local Government
Audit Commission: Anniversaries
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost to the Audit Commission of each event to mark its 25th anniversary was; and where each such event took place. [82718]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 28 November 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
The Audit Commission held two events in April 2008 to mark its 25th( )anniversary.
The first event was for external stakeholders and was held at the BT Tower. This was a sponsored event and the only cost to the Audit Commission was for photography which was £255.80, excluding VAT. The Rt Hon Lord Heseltine was a guest speaker at this event as the Secretary of State responsible for setting up the Audit Commission in 1983.
The second event was held at the Reform Club for former commissioners and long-serving members of staff from across the Commission. The total cost for this event was £9,873.11, excluding VAT.
Audit Commission: Hotels
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Burton of 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 278W, on accommodation: public finance, whether the cost of accommodation for the Audit Commission's Chief Executive included the cost of any goods and services other than hotel accommodation. [82858]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 28 November 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
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The cost of accommodation for the Audit Commission's chief executive, referred to in the earlier answer, covers hotel accommodation of up to £120 per night, in line with the Commission's policy for all staff.
It does not include the cost of any other goods or services.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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. [82549]
Robert Neill: DCLG hosts a shared internal audit service which is responsible for providing internal audit services to DCLG, the Cabinet Office and DCMS together with a number of non-departmental bodies with ties to the three Departments. There are other DCLG non-departmental bodies whose internal audit service is provided either in-house or by private sector contractors.
DCLG has carried out 51 internal audits, completed since 1 November 2010 to date, and there are currently five audit reports in draft format.
The DCLG in-house team completed 34 internal audits and have two reports in draft stage for the non-departmental bodies that they provide an audit service to: the QE11, Independent Housing Ombudsman Ltd, London Thames Gateway Urban Development Corporation, Thurrock Urban Development Corporation, West Northants Urban Development Corporation and Planning Inspectorate.
The following table illustrates the number of internal audits that have taken place in the DCLG non-departmental bodies that the in-house team are not responsible for.
| Organisation | Number of audit reports | Number in draft |
Official Photographs
Mr Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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
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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. [82579]
Robert Neill: A portrait photograph was taken of incoming Ministers in May 2010. These were taken professionally and paid for personally by Ministers.
As part of this Government's drive to improve transparency, 105 photographs of senior officials and the Department's Non-Executive Directors have been taken for publication on the Department's website. Photographs of senior officials and Non-Executive Directors are taken by a member of staff as part of their duties.
When accompanying Ministers on official business, Communications Directorate officials occasionally take a camera to record the event at no extra cost; sometimes these pictures will include images of Ministers and senior officials.
In previous years for which costs are available, departmental spend on official ministerial photography, funded by the public purse, was as follows:
|
|
£ |
Employment: Land Use
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what plans his Department has to estimate the amount of land available for industrial development in each local authority area; [82330]
(2) what plans his Department has to estimate the amount of land available for employment development in each local authority area. [83329]
Robert Neill: The Government do not estimate the amount of land which may be available for industrial development in each local authority. Local planning authorities are responsible for such assessments.
Empty Property: Council Tax
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the likely effects of the expiration of the £18,000 threshold for empty non-commercial property rates; and if he will make a statement. [82401]
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.
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Enforcement: Bexley
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning enforcement notices were issued in the London borough of Bexley in each of the last five years. [83395]
Robert Neill: The number of planning enforcement notices issued by Bexley in the past five years are:
|
|
Planning enforcement notices |
Housing: Finance
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the change in the level of section 106 funding received by local authorities as a result of his plans to allow developers to require local authorities to reconsider existing section 106 agreements for housing developments. [82790]
Robert Neill: There are currently high levels of stalled housing developments. For many of these schemes, section 106 agreements were negotiated in very different economic circumstances prior to April 2010. Some planning obligations negotiated at the height of the economic boom now make the site economically unfeasible—resulting in no development, no regeneration and no community benefits at all. We expect this regulation change to help bring forward development that otherwise may never go ahead. Through negotiation, local authorities may adjust their section 106 requirements to accommodate current market conditions and, in doing so, will facilitate development. This could result in an increase in the total amount of section 106 funding actually received by local authorities. The proposed change will not apply to obligations agreed after 6 April 2010.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what effect he expects the review of Section 106 agreements to have on the number of new affordable homes. [82791]
Robert Neill: We expect more market and affordable homes to be built, as the regulation change is designed to unlock development on stalled schemes that may otherwise never go ahead. On planning obligations agreed prior to April 2010, local authorities may need to reconsider section 106 agreements to ensure they reflect current market conditions. Some planning obligations negotiated at the height of the economic boom now make the site economically unfeasible—resulting in no development, no regeneration and no community benefits at all. However, authorities should not enter into revised agreements that would render the development unacceptable in planning terms.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of the New Homes Bonus he expects will be used by local authorities to build new homes. [82792]
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Grant Shapps: The New Homes Bonus is based on past increases in housing supply. It is a powerful and simple incentive for housing growth, because it ensures that those areas which are growing have the resources to meet the needs of their new residents and existing communities. Local authorities are best placed to understand these needs and lead the debate about spending priorities. Wychavon have developed a protocol, whereby up to 40% of the funding is spent by the community where the growth is taking place. While Dacorum are reinvesting the bonus in further housing and business growth, other councils are using the funds to keep council tax down or improve local services/facilities. This is a matter for local determination by elected councillors.
Housing: Peterborough
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of the build now, pay later policy in Peterborough city council area; and if he will make a statement. [83336]
Grant Shapps: I refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statement of 21 November 2011, Official Report, columns 43-45, where I announced the publication of “Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England”. In this I set out the Government's commitment to maximise the use of build now, pay later on as much formerly-used Government land as possible, where there is market demand, it is affordable, and it presents value for money for the taxpayer.
The use of build now, pay later to accelerate the release of surplus public land, including in the Peterborough city council area, will be decided on a site-by-site basis, taking account of site-specific issues.
Local Government Finance
Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to alleviate the financial pressures on local authorities that have consistently kept their council tax low via the formula grant settlement. [82896]
Robert Neill: The 2011-12 Local Government Finance settlement provided a fair and sustainable settlement for local government to play its part in helping pay off the public deficit that we have inherited from the last Administration, and included unprecedented steps to protect those councils most reliant on grant. The consultation on the draft Local Government Finance Report for 2012-13 will be announced shortly.
The Government have set aside an extra £805 million, of which up to £675 million will be available to local authorities in England who freeze or reduce their council tax for a further year in 2012-13. This builds on the 2011-12 freeze offer taken up by all councils that is worth an additional £650 million in each year of the spending review.
Local Government: Trade Unions
Mr Burley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the use of check-off arrangements by local authorities for the payment of (a) trade union subscriptions and (b) the
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political levy; whether local authorities are required to provide such a facility; and whether the cost to local authorities of administering such arrangements may be recovered from trade unions. [82714]
Robert Neill: Employment decisions are a matter for local determination by councils as employers. At a time when all councils need to make sensible savings to protect their front-line services, they should ensure that arrangements for collecting union subscriptions do not burden taxpayers. They should also consider making an appropriate local administration charge to trade union branches for providing this service or simply exercise their right not to offer this facility.
In due course, the Cabinet Office will be producing a policy paper on the use of facility time and how it can be reformed and reduced within the civil service. Subsequently, the Department for Communities and Local Government will provide guidance to local councils to help inform their own reviews on this matter.
Localism Act 2011
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether neighbourhood forums have the right to make future developments contingent on specific upgrades to local infrastructure following implementation of the provisions of the Localism Act 2011. [82727]
Greg Clark: The requirements for infrastructure delivery are part of the Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy regime which is separate to the neighbourhood planning system introduced by the Localism Act. However, the neighbourhood forum could consider placing a condition on their draft Neighbourhood Development Order that a specific infrastructure element is in place before development commences—but any such condition would need to meet the relevant legal tests for planning conditions.
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what redress communities will have in cases where they have satisfied the relevant criteria defined in the provisions of the Localism Act 2011, but local authorities refuse to agree to create a planning neighbourhood forum. [82728]
Greg Clark: A local planning authority may designate an organisation or body as a neighbourhood forum if the authority is satisfied that it has met the conditions set out in Section 61F of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Where an authority refuses an application for designation it must give reasons for refusal to the organisation or body applying. We are currently consulting on draft regulations that would require the local authority to publish details of their decision in the interest of transparency:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/planningregulationsconsultation
A community's recourse in this situation will be influenced by the reasons for refusal given by the local authority. For example, the local authority might not designate an organisation if it is too small or has not adequately drawn its membership from across the
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neighbourhood area and different sections of the local community. In these circumstances the organisation or body may wish to amend their membership.
Where a community is not satisfied with the reasons for refusal given by a local authority it is appropriate that councils are given a reasonable opportunity to investigate and reply to complaints. The election of local councillors will also provide a democratic mechanism for local residents to express their views.
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether neighbourhood forums will have a right to make future developments contingent on development gain being used within the area they cover following implementation of the provisions of the Localism Act 2011. [82729]
Greg Clark: The requirements around infrastructure delivery are part of the Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy regime which is separate to the neighbourhood planning system introduced by the Localism Act. Under the Localism Act, neighbourhoods will, for the fist time, receive a meaningful proportion of the Community Infrastructure Levy paid on development in their area.
Mortgage Indemnity Scheme
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whether (a) foreign nationals living outside the UK, (b) foreign nationals from non-EU countries living in the UK and (c) EU nationals living in the UK will be eligible for support under the mortgage indemnity scheme; [82787]
(2) whether there will be a limit on the size of mortgage that will be eligible for help from the mortgage indemnity scheme; [82788]
(3) whether buy-to-let landlords will be eligible for support under the mortgage indemnity scheme. [82796]
Grant Shapps: The Government announced in the Housing Strategy a new build indemnity scheme to support up to 95% loan to value mortgages for new build houses and flats. The scheme will help up to 100,000 families and young people to buy their own home.
The Government are currently working with partners to complete the design of the scheme. Details on eligibility and the maximum eligible house price are still being finalised and we expect to be able to give more information over the coming months. Buy-to-let purchases will not be eligible under the scheme.
Non-domestic Rates
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the overall financial effect on local authorities of the reduction of business rate income arising from the outsourcing of local authority services to organisations with charitable status that are able to claim exemptions on these rates. [83514]
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Robert Neill: In England, local authorities do not contribute to the cost of mandatory business rates reliefs, such as charity relief, and therefore there is no impact on authority finances.
Business rates policy in Wales is a devolved matter.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed increase in business rates on (a) retailers and (b) ambitions for growth in the economy. [82780]
Robert Neill: Business rates bills are capped by the previous September's Retail Price Index inflation rate. This Government have already doubled Small Business Rate Relief for two years—providing help to approximately half a million ratepayers—and we are waiving £175 million of backdated business rates demands levied on businesses, including some in ports. We need to balance any further support for business against the tough decisions needed to reduce the deficit that we have inherited from the last Administration.
Planning Permission
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether private sector organisations are entitled to vote in local referendums on local and neighbourhood plans. [79997]
Greg Clark: There are no provisions for referendums in relation to local plans. On neighbourhood planning, in the majority of cases only those entitled to vote in local elections would be able to vote in referendums. However, where a local council designates a neighbourhood area as a business neighbourhood area, non-domestic rate payers will also be allowed to vote in a separate referendum to local residents. In such cases, the Localism Act requires a local authority to put a neighbourhood plan into force where a majority of both voting residents and businesses support the plan.
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the contribution by the Minister for Decentralisation and Cities of 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 128, (a) by when and (b) in what form he plans to set out transitional arrangements to assist local planning authorities in adjusting to changes in the planning system. [82302]
Greg Clark: As I set out in my written ministerial statement on 19 October, Official Report, column 65WS, the National Planning Policy Framework aims to strengthen local decision making and reinforce the importance of local plans. We will therefore work closely with local authorities to ensure that appropriate transitional arrangements are in place before the new Framework comes into force. The Government are committed to the publication of this final version of the Framework by 31 March 2012, but intend to do so well ahead of that time.
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he intends to publish a revised draft of the National Planning Policy Framework for a second consultation. [82432]
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Greg Clark: No. As I set out in my written ministerial statement on 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 65WS, we are carefully considering all of the submissions made during the 12-week consultation period on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Having fully considered the suggestions made, the Government will then publish the revised text taking into account representations that have been made and a summary of responses to the consultation. The Government are committed to the publication of this final version of the framework by 31 March 2012, but intend to do so well ahead of that time.
Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish the summary of consultation responses to the draft National Planning Policy Framework. [82434]
Greg Clark: I refer the hon. Member my answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, columns 661-62W.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, columns 661-62W, on planning permission, if he will hold a public consultation on the revised text of the draft National Planning Policy Framework. [83056]
Greg Clark: No. As I set out in my written ministerial statement on 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 65WS, we are carefully considering all of the submissions made during the 12-week consultation period on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Having fully considered the suggestions made, the Government will then publish the revised text taking into account representations that have been made and a summary of responses to the consultation. The Government are committed to the publication of this final version of the framework by 31 March 2012, but intend to do so well ahead of that time.
Planning Permission: Lancashire
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the amount of land planning permission was granted for in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire in each of the last five years. [82907]
Robert Neill: The Department collects summary statistics on planning applications but these do not include information on amounts of land.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the amount of land in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire that has planning approval but where construction had not commenced. [82908]
Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman-Woods), on 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 664W. Information is not available in terms of amounts of land.
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Property Development
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to tackle the practice of developers leaving land undeveloped. [82909]
Robert Neill: The Office of Fair Trading market study, Homebuilding in the UK (2008) did not find:
“any evidence that housebuilders have the ability to anti-competitively hoard land or own a large amount of land with planning permission on which they have not started to build.”
In 'Laying the Foundations: a Housing Strategy for England' (November 2011) the Government set out an ambitious strategy to unlock the housing market and stimulate homebuilding. The actions include:
supporting a new mortgage indemnity scheme that will make it easier to secure mortgages on new homes;
launching a new £400 million 'Get Britain Building' investment fund to unlock progress on stalled sites; and
establishing a new £500 million Growing Places Fund which will support infrastructure that unblocks housing and economic growth.
Regional Planning and Development: East of England
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has considered bringing forward proposals to facilitate tax increment financing models in (a) Peterborough and (b) the East of England; and if he will make a statement. [83337]
Robert Neill: The Government have confirmed that we will introduce tax increment financing powers, enabling councils to borrow against future increases in business rates to fund the provision of infrastructure, and to unlock additional economic growth.
The Government's consultation on the local retention of business rates set out two broad options to enable the implementation of tax increment finance. This consultation closed on 24 October.
The Government will set out final proposals later this year, and will introduce the necessary legislation for the retention of business rates and tax increment financing through the forthcoming Local Government Finance Bill.
Right to Buy Scheme
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effect on rent levels for local authority homes of the planned increase in right to buy discounts. [82794]
Grant Shapps: Increasing right to buy discounts and reversing the last Government's policy of making cuts to the right to buy will have no effect on the social rents of any local authority tenant.
Trade Unions
Mr Burley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) which trades unions receive (a) subscription and (b) political levy payments from his Department using a check-off arrangement; and
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whether his Department charges trades unions an administration fee for collecting trade unions subscriptions through its payroll; [82715]
(2) how many staff of his Department pay their trade union subscriptions to each union recognised by his Department using a check-off arrangement; and how many such payments involved payment of the political levy in the latest period for which figures are available. [82717]
Robert Neill: Prospect, PCS and the FDA trade unions receive subscription fees from the Department for Communities and Local Government using check-off arrangements. The following table shows the number of staff paid through these arrangements in October 2011. The Department does not charge an administration fee for collecting subscriptions through its payroll.
|
|
Number |
As the payment of the levy is a matter between the individual and the trade union, this information is not held by the Department.
As I noted in my answer of 9 September 2011, Official Report, column 867W, there is a lack of transparency on the political levy, as some trade unions fail to inform their members of the fact that they are being charged the levy when they join, and they make no reference of the right to opt-out on membership forms. As the deposited paper associated with that answer illustrates, these membership forms also act as the employee's authorisation for the union subscription to be deducted from the departmental payroll.
However, details of which trade unions have political funds and collect a political levy are publicly listed in the annual returns on the Certification Officer website:
http://www.certoffice.org/Nav/Trade-Unions/Active.aspx
Check-off is a voluntary arrangement, and employers have no statutory duty either to operate it at all, or to continue to do so having started. Employers may also choose to charge the union for the administration involved in providing the service of collection the union subscriptions.
Ministers are open to representations on whether an administration fee should be charged for collection of trade union subscriptions through the departmental payroll, or whether the check-off arrangements should operate at all, as opposed to the administration effectively being subsidised by taxpayers.
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether full-time departmental trade union representatives employed by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies are entitled to claim paid overtime from their employer. [82716]
Robert Neill: The general overtime provisions for the Department and its agencies is that overtime should be resorted to only in periods of exceptional pressure of work. Overtime must be authorised in advance. All excess working must comply with the requirements of the working time regulations.
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This applies to all staff, including trade union representatives.
I am not aware of the Department's trade union representatives requesting or being granted any overtime.
Education
Adam Werritty
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department's premises and (ii) elsewhere. [78852]
Tim Loughton: I refer the hon. Member to my reply given on 8 November 2011, Official Report, column 284W, to the hon. Member for Halton (Derek Twigg).
Special advisers in the Department for Education have not met Adam Werritty in an official capacity since May 2010.
Information relating to all the meetings held by officials is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Carers: Young People
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that young carers are in contact with their local authorities. [78571]
Tim Loughton: The Government's revised Carers Strategy, ‘Recognised, valued and supported: Next Steps for the Carers Strategy’, emphasises the importance of adult and children's services working together with the voluntary sector to identify and support young carers. Details are set out in ‘Working Together to Support Young Carers’ a memorandum of understanding agreed between the Associations of Directors of Adult and Children's Services, which local authorities are encouraged to adopt.
I wrote to all MPs and directors of children's services earlier this year to encourage them to continue to improve the support available to young carers. The Department has also funded the development of a new e-learning module for school staff and funded the Children's Society and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers to identify and share best practice and run training workshops for local services.
Child Protection
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will ensure that the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance includes a response to issues of child neglect. [82731]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 24 November 2011]: The Government response to Professor's Eileen Munro's review of child protection committed to revising the statutory guidance, ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’, by July 2012.
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Evidence shows that preventative services do more to reduce abuse and neglect than reactive services. The Government's vision for a child-centred system includes providing effective help when a problem arises at any stages in a child's life. Timeliness in the early identification of a child's needs and provision of help is key in providing the effective support that is needed. We are working closely with the Association of Directors of Children's Services to find the most appropriate route for local areas to identify, early, children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm; provide sufficient and appropriate early help services for vulnerable children and families; and improve the effectiveness of multi- agency co-ordination and working.
The full revision to ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ will address issues of neglect and the principles of effective multi-agency response which is critical to delivering timely and effective early help to improve outcomes for children and families. The Government have committed to work in partnership with the sector to revise ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and a full, formal consultation will commence from early 2012. A multi-disciplinary Professional Advisory Group has been convened and is advising on proposed revisions to the statutory guidance.
Parliamentary Questions: Special Advisers
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. [79570]
Tim Loughton: Ministerial clearance is always the final stage before a parliamentary question is answered.
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [78371]
Tim Loughton: The Department took on five paid interns as part of the Cabinet Office Summer Diversity Internship programme and three unpaid expenses-only interns as part of a pilot for the Cabinet Office's new Social Mobility Internships. The Department does not fund any other unpaid, expenses-only internships, but each year it does offer a number of unpaid summer internship placements to graduates that are part of the Teach First Programme.
The Department does not manage nor does it hold records of internships programmes run by its arm’s length bodies and such information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
Departmental Written Questions
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parliamentary questions for written answer on a named day by his Department were answered (a) 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. [79568]
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Tim Loughton: The Department aims to answer named day questions on the date specified by the Member. Where it is not possible to provide a full answer within the usual deadline, the Department believes it will normally be preferable to provide an answer to a question late, rather than provide an incomplete answer.
The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Month due | On time | Five days late | Six to 10 days late | 11 to 20 days late | 21 to 30 days late | Over 30 days |
The Government have 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 Education 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. [79569]
Tim Loughton: The Department aims to answer named day questions on the date specified by the Member, and ordinary parliamentary questions within five sitting days. Where it is not possible to provide a full answer within the usual deadline, the Department believes it will normally be preferable to provide an answer to a question late, rather than provide an incomplete answer.
The Department for Education has received 4,765 written parliamentary questions for reply since May 2010. Of these, 232 ordinary written parliamentary questions and 57 named day parliamentary questions remained unanswered for a period of two months.
The Government have 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.
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Education: Armed Forces
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the range and level of educational qualifications offered to armed forces recruits aged 16 to 18 and their conformity with the minimum standards recommended by the Wolf Review of Vocational Education. [81831]
Mr Gibb: No recent discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on this issue. The Department is aware that the armed forces provide access to a range of general and vocational qualifications at different levels to those serving in the armed forces, including recruits aged 16 to 18.
The Wolf Review of Vocational Education outlined specific recommendations for 16 to 18-year-olds that included setting out general principles, rather than minimum standards, for the study programmes of 16 to 18-year-olds on full-time vocational courses. It is recognised that arrangements for 16 to 18-year-olds on work-based programmes, including those in the armed forces, will be different from those in full-time or part-time education. We are currently consulting on the principles that will guide the provision of study programmes for 16 to 19-year-olds, including for those young people on work-based programmes, and we will set out our response in spring 2012.
Legal Opinion: Costs
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by his Department in the first six months of 2011. [76793]
Tim Loughton: Between the beginning of January and end of July 2011, the amount paid to run the Department for Education's Legal Directorate was £1,980,137.
In the same period, the Department for Education paid £663,048 for external legal advice.
Runaway Children
Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that there is a national network to provide assistance for children who run away. [82337]
Tim Loughton: It is the responsibility of local authorities to provide services and targeted support to safeguard the young and the vulnerable, including those who run away from home or care.
The Department takes this issue very seriously and will be revising the statutory guidance for local authorities on children who run away or go missing from home or care to ensure that it is easily accessible and, most importantly, helpful for schools, local authorities and children's services.
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The Department will also work to ensure that there is a clear distinction in the upcoming Missing Persons Strategy about the situation of children and young people who run away. In addition, the 'Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation Action Plan' published on 23 November, highlights that certain factors in a child's life, such as running away from home or experience of domestic violence, can make them more vulnerable to being sexually exploited and should be safeguarded.
Teachers: Pensions
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what meetings he has had with the (a) National Union of Teachers, (b) National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, (c) National Association of Head Teachers, (d) Association of Schools and College Leaders, (e) Association of Teachers and Lecturers and (f) University and College Union in the last three months; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings. [78763]
Tim Loughton: In the last three months the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has met the organisations listed above as follows:
| Date of meeting | Organisations attended |
|
National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers |
|
|
National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers |
|
The Department does not intend to provide minutes of these meetings as to do so may inhibit free and frank discussions in the future.
Treasury
Air Passenger Duty
Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) with reference to the finding of the British Chambers of Commerce report, entitled Flying in the Face of Jobs and Growth, what assessment he has made of the effect of increasing levels of air passenger duty on (a) businesses and (b) the economy; [82413]
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(2) if he will assess the merits of the proposal by the British Chambers of Commerce that overall tax revenues from air passenger duty should be offset against revenues to be received as a result of the entry of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2012. [82410]
Miss Chloe Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr Donohoe) on 24 November 2011, Official Report, column 501W.
Michael Connarty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in air passenger duty on (a) businesses and (b) the economy. [82934]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Budget launched a consultation on air passenger duty. A large number of responses to the consultation were submitted, including the views of business. The Government will publish their response later this autumn.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to phase out air passenger duty as revenue from aviation entering the EU Emissions Trading Scheme starts to be received by HM Treasury. [83058]
Miss Chloe Smith: Air passenger duty is fundamentally a revenue-raising duty which makes an important contribution to the public finances. In meeting its revenue requirements, the Government consider aviation taxes in the round.
The Government will issue their response to their consultation on the structure of air passenger duty on 6 December.
Michael Connarty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) level of receipts from air passenger duty and (b) revenue from the entry of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2012-13. [83274]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Office for Budget Responsibility revenue forecasts for all air passenger duty and EU Emissions Trading Scheme receipts were set out on page 92 of the Budget 2011 document.
Autumn Statement
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish alongside his Autumn Statement a document assessing the impact upon Britain's economic competitiveness of each measure announced in the Statement. [83248]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The Autumn Statement is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne’s) response to the Economic and Fiscal Outlook which will be published by the Office for Budget Responsibility on 29 November.
In line with their commitment to transparency, the Government now publishes detailed information on measures which will have a fiscal impact, including in its “policy costings” documents, which are available on the HM Treasury website.
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Banks: Finance
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of disposal of the shares held by UK Financial Investments in Lloyds Banking Group and RBS Group to reduction of the UK’s national debt during this Parliament. [83199]
Mr Hoban: UK Financial Investments is responsible for managing the Government’s investments in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) on an arm’s length and commercial basis; and for developing and executing a strategy for disposing of the investments in an orderly and active way.
UKFI’s mandate means that these objectives are pursued within the context of protecting and creating value for the taxpayer, paying due regard to financial stability and to acting in a way which promotes competition. UKFI currently continue to look at the full range of alternatives for divestment.