Banks: Loans
Derek Twigg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of banks regarding the costs of home loans. [83372]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
Banks: Lending
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the new loans issued by Project Merlin banks was lent to small and medium enterprises in the third quarter of 2011. [82403]
Mr Hoban: On 9 February, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced a new commitment by the UK's biggest high street banks on lending expectations and capacity. As part of this commitment, the banks intend to lend £76 billion of new credit to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2011. This is a 15% increase on 2010 lending of £66 billion.
It is encouraging that by the third quarter the banks have loaned £157 billion to UK businesses—20% more than they did at this time last year, despite difficult global economic conditions. While they have also loaned £56 billion to SMEs—10% more than they did at this time in 2010—the Government are clear that they must do more to meet their commitment for the full year.
Arch Cru
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what calculation Capita applied in reaching the compensation figure offered to CF Arch Cru investors. [82771]
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Mr Hoban: In June 2011 the Financial Services Authority (FSA) agreed a compensation package with Capita Financial Management (CFM), BNY Mellon Trust and Depositary (UK) Ltd (BNYM T&D) and HSBC Bank plc (HSBC) of £54 million.
The FSA expects that investors who accept the compensation offer will receive approximately 70%, on average, of the funds' net asset value as at the date of suspension. This takes into account the compensation package (£54 million), the distributions already paid to investors (£54 million) and the residual value of the funds (£148 million).
Child Care Tax Credit
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families that will lose child care support if the minimum number of hours worked child care to qualify for help with childcare costs is increased. [82832]
Mr Gauke: No estimates have been made as there are no plans to increase the minimum number of hours worked to qualify for help with child care costs. Under current arrangements, those eligible for working tax credit must work a minimum of 16 hours a week in order to qualify for support with child care costs.
Under universal credit, to be introduced over the next two Parliaments, the Government will extend support with child care costs to those working fewer than 16 hours, allowing 80,000 additional families, who are currently not eligible for this support, to receive help with child care costs. This will give second earners and lone parents, typically women, a stronger incentive to work.
Child Tax Credit: Labour Market
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effects of levels of child tax credit on the rate of female participation in the labour market. [82369]
Mr Gauke: The Government model cumulative impacts of policy changes rather than assessing the effects of individual welfare measures. This modelling is more accurate as it takes into account other measures which may also affect certain groups.
As part of Budget 2011, the Government published analysis which includes modelled impacts of policy changes on gains from work, incentives to enter work and incentives to progress in work. Although this did not model impacts by gender, it did include case studies of lone parents and second earners in couples, which tend to be women. This can be found at:
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_complete.pdf
Climate Change: EU Action
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreements on climate change in preparation for the UN conference in Durban were made at the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting on 8 November 2011. [83057]
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Miss Chloe Smith: The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting of 8 November 2011 agreed conclusions on a number of matters, including Fast Start Climate Finance. These documents are available in full at:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ecofin/125976.pdf
Corporation Tax: Northern Ireland
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies in Northern Ireland paid corporation tax in the latest period for which figures are available. [82002]
Mr Gauke: Around 11,000 companies based in Northern Ireland had positive corporation tax liabilities for 2008-09, the latest period for which figures are available. This figure excludes Great Britain-based companies with a presence in Northern Ireland.
Credit Unions: Northern Ireland
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take account of representations made by the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland regarding the issues facing credit unions in Northern Ireland prior to the transfer of regulations on 31 March 2012. [83371]
Miss Chloe Smith: The joint consultation on the regulatory regime for Northern Ireland credit unions after their transfer closed on 31 October 2011. The Government will issue their response in a joint policy statement with the Financial Services Authority in early December. The response will take note of the representations received during the consultation, including representations on the transitional period.
Debit Cards: Fees and Charges
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the findings of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on the Which? super-complaint on card payment surcharges; and what steps he plans to take to implement the OFT's recommendations. [83038]
Mr Hoban: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 October 2011, Official Report, column 128W.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [82536]
Miss Chloe Smith: During the 12-month period ended 31 October 2011, 32 internal audits were completed within HM Treasury. There were no internal audits of the Treasury’s sole NDPB, the Royal Mint Advisory Committee.
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Security Vetting
Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what company or Government service is used to undertake security vetting at (a) counter terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level in his Department. [77913]
Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury use Foreign and Commonwealth Office Services as a third party provider to undertake all national security vetting for HM Treasury, at (a) counter terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level.
Economic Policy
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to regional economic and employment conditions in developing his economic strategy; and if he will make a statement. [82911]
Miss Chloe Smith: In the decade prior to the 2008 financial crisis, economic growth was unbalanced across the UK, concentrated in the south-east, with some parts of the country increasingly reliant on jobs funded by public spending.
The Government have set out in the ‘Plan for Growth’ the need to return the UK economy to sustainable economic growth that is more balanced across the UK and sectors.
The Government have taken key initiatives to support growth locally and in the regions, by introducing 22 new enterprise zones in England; allocating £450 million of investment in the first round and £950 million in the second round of the £1.4 billion Regional Growth Fund; providing £500 million to local enterprise partnerships through the Growing Places Fund and considering powerful incentives for local authorities to go for growth through the Local Government Resource Review.
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments had been made under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme by 31 October 2011. [82782]
Mr Hoban: The scheme will be publishing a report in due course on the volumes and values of payments made.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of payments that will be made in each of the first three years of the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. [82783]
Mr Hoban: The scheme will make payments according to the funds allocated to it in the spending review in October last year—£500 million is available to make payments to policyholders in 2011-12, £300 million in 2012-13 and £200 million in 2013-14.
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Excise Duties: Fuels
Robert Halfon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what calculations his Department makes to ascertain the effect of levels of fuel duty on (a) young people and (b) rural dwellers; [82675]
(2) with reference to paragraph C.57 of page 233 of the 2009 Budget Report, how much the Exchequer received from fuel duty in each month since April 2008; [82678]
(3) what calculations his Department has made to ascertain the effect increasing fuel prices have on (a) the level of inflation, (b) the economy and (c) levels of employment. [82713]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government's taxation decisions, including on fuel duty, support their objective to achieve strong, sustainable growth. Budget 2011 reduced fuel duty by 1p per litre, abolished the fuel duty escalator and replaced it with a fair fuel stabiliser. As of 1 April 2011, young people and rural dwellers could have benefited from average pump prices being 6p per litre lower as a result of these changes compared to the previous Government's fuel duty plans.
Fuel price effects on inflation, the economy and employment are assessed by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as part of its economic and fiscal forecasts:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk
The OBR's next Economic and fiscal outlook will be published on 29 November 2011.
Fuel duty receipts are published in table 3 of the UK Trade Info Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin:
https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulloil
Financial Services: Regulation
Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the retail distribution review on the number of independent financial advisers in 2011-12. [82373]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Financial Services Authority (FSA), an independent body, is introducing the Retail Distribution Review (RDR). The FSA has consulted extensively on the RDR since 2006 and, in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, has published cost-benefit analyses of the proposals.
The FSA has also published analysis of the impact of its proposals on different sectors of the industry alongside policy documents, including research by NMG Consulting which suggested that 10% of independent financial advisers would leave the industry as a result of the RDR changes. This information is available on the FSA's website.
The FSA has not published research on the effect of the RDR on adviser numbers in 2011-12, prior to RDR implementation.
Import Duties: Israel
Mr Andrew Smith:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what volume by (a) value and (b) tonnage of fresh fruit and vegetables imported from Israel import duty was paid in each of the last five years; and how
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much duty was paid (i) in total, (ii) for produce originating within the 1967 borders of Israel and (iii) for produce originating in Israeli settlements. [82409]
Mr Gauke: The information in respect of imports of fresh fruit and vegetables in Tariff Chapters 7 and 8 declared as originating in Israel in each of the last four years is as follows:
|
|
Value of produce (£) | Weight of produce (tonne) | Customs duty paid (£) |
The HM Revenue and Customs import declaration database holds information for the past four years only. Consequently, it is not possible to provide the information requested for the full five years.
The Government are unable to provide the information requested in respect of produce originating in the Israeli settlements. The settlements do not have a separate country code. Consequently, it is not possible for HMRC to produce statistics for the settlements.
Income Tax: Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has met Ministers of the Scottish Government to discuss his proposals to set the rate of Scottish income tax; and when the last such meeting took place. [83064]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 25 November 2011]: Under the terms of the Scotland Bill, the Scottish Parliament—not the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne)—will set the new Scottish rate of income tax.
Treasury Ministers hold regular meetings with Ministers from the Scottish Government on a range of issues affecting our respective Governments, including financial powers.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions officials from his Department have met (a) officials from the Scotland Office and (b) officials of the Scottish Government to discuss the inclusion of a 'no detriment' mechanism in the proposed Scottish income tax powers; and when the (i) first and (ii) most recent such meeting took place. [83066]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 25 November 2011]: HMT officials hold regular meetings with officials on the Scottish Government on a range of issues affecting the respective Governments, including financial powers.
Inflation
Derek Twigg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England on the Monetary Policy Committee's decision not to prevent an increase in inflation to over two per cent. [83373]
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Miss Chloe Smith: The Chancellor of the Exchequer reaffirmed the independent Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) inflation target of 2% at Budget 2011. The remit for the MPC recognises that shocks and disturbances can cause actual inflation to deviate from the target. In such circumstances, attempts to keep inflation at target may cause undesirable volatility in output. In periods when inflation moves away from the target by more than one percentage point, the remit requires the Governor to write an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to explain why. These letters, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s replies, can be found on the HM Treasury website. The most recent exchange of letters was published on 15 November 2011.
Money Advice Service: Pay
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of remuneration is paid to (a) the chief executive and (b) each director of the Money Advice Service. [81244]
Mr Hoban [holding answer 15 November 2011]: The Government are committed to public sector pay restraint, and believe that senior managers should show leadership in this area. The Chief Secretary approves any civil service appointments in areas under ministerial control for those earning over £142,500.
The Financial Services Authority is, however, responsible for appointing the chief executive and board directors of the Money Advice Service and setting the terms of the appointments.
The Money Advice Service's published annual report for the year ended 31 March 2011 sets out that the total board directors' remuneration was £440,992 in 2010-11. The highest paid director, the chief executive, received total remuneration of £349,341 in 2010-11. The board currently comprises the chair, appointed in September 2010, the chief executive, appointed in May 2010, and six other non-executive directors, of which five were appointed in January 2011 and one in April 2010. The chair receives total remuneration of £84,000 per annum and the six non-executive board directors each receive total remuneration of £24,500 per annum.
Northern Rock
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on advice from external suppliers on the sale of Northern Rock. [83537]
Miss Chloe Smith: Throughout the Northern Rock plc sale process UK Financial Investments Ltd and HM Treasury have been clear in dealings with third party advisers that fee costs will be kept to a minimum to ensure that the transaction delivers the best value for the taxpayer as shareholder.
The deal is expected to complete on 1 January 2012, pending European Commission (EC) merger clearance and Financial Services Authority (FSA) approval.
There is still further work to be done on closing the transaction. Appropriate disclosures will be made in due course on fees incurred.
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Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he commissioned any advice on a member buy-out option for Northern Rock. [83538]
Miss Chloe Smith: A full range of options for returning Northern Rock plc to the private sector was evaluated by HM Treasury, UK Financial Investments Ltd and independent advisors including sale to an existing mutual or through a standalone remutualisation of the company.
Ultimately, it was decided that the sale of Northern Rock plc would generate the best value for the taxpayer. The sale process was open, transparent and competitive and allowed all parties including mutuals to participate.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions his Department had with the European Commission on the extension of the deadline for the sale of Northern Rock; [83539]
(2) whether his Department will discuss the provision of the new convertible debt support provided in the sale of Northern Rock with the EU Commission. [83462]
Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury has carried out appropriate dialogue with the European Commission in relation to the sale of Northern Rock plc.
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
PAYE
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the proportion of (a) businesses operating PAYE which make all their salary payments directly into bank accounts through the BACS system and (b) individuals in PAYE whose salaries are paid directly into their bank accounts through the BACS system. [82388]
Mr Gauke: The Payments Council reports that 90% of salary payments are made via BACS Direct Credit. That figure includes payments made by remote banking methods such as internet banking. HMRC estimate that around 100,000 organisations make payments subject to PAYE using a BACS Service User Number and that those payments represent approximately 80% of payments to individuals in PAYE.
Private Finance Initiative
Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he expects to announce the outcome of his review of the Private Finance Initiative. [82672]
Danny Alexander: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), has announced the Government's intention to reform the private finance initiative (PFI) with the aid of a broad based engagement process with interested parties, led by the Treasury, to bring forward proposals for a new approach in using the private sector in the delivery of public assets.
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The Government will be launching a call for evidence on 1 December that aims to capture the learning and lessons of the past 20 years of PFI.
Following the closure of the call for evidence, the evidence gathered may be used to inform policy development and ministerial decisions on the delivery models to be used for future public projects, assets and related services. A date has not been set for announcing the outcome of the engagement process.
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 allowing businesses to offset the cost of research and development against tax. [83186]
Mr Gauke: The Government have recently consulted on the case for introducing an 'above the line' R&D tax credit and is currently considering the responses.
Revenue and Customs: Manpower
Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many compliance officers were employed by HM Revenue and Customs in March (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and how many he expects to be employed in March 2012; [83478]
(2) how many HM Revenue and Customs staff were employed in anti-evasion and avoidance roles in March (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and how many he expects to be employed in such activities in March 2012. [83479]
Mr Gauke: HMRC does not employ people under the role profiles of anti-evasion or avoidance. Staff are engaged in compliance activities and this can cover a wide range of roles. The main business area to carry out compliance-related work is enforcement and compliance. In March 2010, enforcement and compliance employed 26,863 staff, in March 2011 25,475 and 26,950 are expected to be employed in March 2012.
Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the previously announced redeployment of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff to new anti-evasion and avoidance jobs have been redeployed; and from which departments with HMRC were such staff moved. [83480]
Mr Gauke: The redeployment of HMRC staff into new anti-evasion and avoidance roles is on-going and will continue throughout the whole of the spending review period. The staff redeployed will come from across all of HMRC's business streams.
Revenue and Customs: Petitions
Mike Crockart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many seven day winding-up petitions have been issued by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years. [82631]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is as follows;
28 Nov 2011 : Column 716W
|
|
Lodged | Wound up |
Revenue and Customs: Scotland
Mike Crockart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is responsible for the oversight of the investigative activities of HM Revenue and Customs carried out in Scotland. [82700]
Mr Gauke: The arrangements for oversight of HMRC civil investigations in Scotland are the same as those in the rest of the UK which are set out in the Department's published (and recently refreshed) Litigation and Settlement Strategy.
Revenue and Customs: Taxation
Mike Crockart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many meetings HM Revenue and Customs staff have had with companies in Scotland in the last five years; and what proportion of such meetings were with companies (a) in arrears and (b) with payment plans in place; [82630]
(2) how many times HM Revenue and Customs has changed the terms of payment plans for companies in arrears in the last year; [82632]
(3) how many Scottish companies in arrears to HM Revenue and Customs went into receivership in each of the last five years. [82636]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Serco
Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts his Department has awarded to Serco since May 2010; and what the (a) monetary value and (b) net worth was of each such contract. [83052]
Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury has not awarded any contracts to Serco since May 2010.
Taxation: Business
Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the public purse that could be made by businesses as a result of closer integration of the operation of income tax and national insurance contributions in each financial year to 2019-20. [83482]
Mr Gauke: At Budget 2011 the Government announced their intention to look at ways to integrate the operation of income tax and national insurance contributions. Two of the key objectives for the work are to reduce administrative burdens on employers and cut operational costs for Government.
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Following a call for evidence over the summer, the Government have recently set out their next steps—"Integrating the operation of income tax and National Insurance contributions: next steps", published on 14 November and available at:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_income_nics.htm
A series of technical working groups are being established to develop options for reform. Subject to the outcome of this work, at Budget 2012 the Government will provide an update on progress, including the timetable for further consultation.
Consistent with this Government's new approach to tax policy-making, a full assessment of the impacts of any proposals will be published alongside the appropriate consultations. This will include estimates for the impact of reform on businesses and the public sector.
Taxation: Environment Protection
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Wirral West of 14 November 2011, Official Report, columns 643-44W, on taxation: environment protection, what assessment he has made of the effect of measures to mitigate the effect of the carbon price floor on energy intensive industries on the net present value of the policy on carbon floor price; and if he will make a statement. [82513]
Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 24 November 2011]: The Government have committed to come forward with a package of measures for energy intensive industries by the end of the year.
Measures will be subject to state aid considerations and need to demonstrate value for money for the taxpayer.
Taxation: Gambling
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of revenue from tax receipts lost as a result of remote betting operators being based outside the UK. [83344]
Miss Chloe Smith: General betting duty is levied on bookmakers' profits and typically raises between £300 million and £400 million per annum. However, HMRC does not record yield from remote betting separately from general betting duty, so there is no estimate of the amount of revenue from tax receipts lost as a result of remote betting operators being based outside the UK.
Taxation: Tourism
Mr Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the British Hospitality Association's proposals for the tax regime for the hospitality sector. [82557]
Mr Gauke:
Assessments of the impact of the BHA proposals predict a loss in revenue to the Exchequer of well in excess of £1 billion in the first year alone. The BHA argues that a reduction in VAT on tourism would pay for itself over time and increase growth and employment. Their case does not take account of the impact of such a cut on the economy as a whole, or the significant additional taxation or borrowing needed to fund the cut. Higher interest rates and falling international
28 Nov 2011 : Column 718W
confidence would undermine the recovery and have an adverse impact on families and small businesses, including businesses in the tourism sector.
VAT: Arts
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the rise in value added tax on employment levels in the creative industries in each of the next four years. [83014]
Mr Gauke: No assessment has been made as the data to make such an assessment are not collected.
VAT: Charities
Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of extending exemption from VAT to charities providing transport services in vehicles of less than 10 seats. [82324]
Mr Gauke: The supply of domestic passenger transport in a vehicle that has at least 10 seats, including those for the driver and crew, is zero-rated for VAT.
No estimates have been made of the cost of extending this zero rate as long-standing formal agreements with our European partners prevent us from unilaterally extending the scope of our existing zero rates or introducing new zero rates.
VAT: Sports
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the revenue that will be raised by the application of the standard rate of VAT to grassroots sports; [83379]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of his decision to apply the standard rate of VAT to grassroots sports on levels of participation in grassroots sports; [83380]
(3) what discussions he has had with organisers of community sports on his decision to apply the standard rate of VAT to grassroots sports. [83381]
Mr Gauke: No estimate has been made. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs' view is that the provision of sports league services is liable to VAT at the standard rate. As a number of providers have been treating these supplies as exempt from VAT, HMRC issued further guidance in February 2011, confirming their view that the provision of sports league services is liable to VAT. There has been no change to the VAT status of sports clubs.
Working Tax Credit
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 645W, on working tax credit, whether he has estimated the number of households that will lose support for childcare as a result of his proposal to increase the hours requirement for working tax credit. [83343]
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Mr Gauke: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Jonathan Reynolds) on 4 July 2011, Official Report, column 1090W.
Home Department
Alcoholic Drinks: Prices
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the legal advice she received on introducing minimum alcohol pricing. [78725]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 7 November 2011]: The legal advice which the Government have received on this issue is subject to legal privilege. We do not, therefore, believe it appropriate to disclose this advice (or any summary of it).
Alcoholic Drinks: Sales
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has assessed the likely effects of any ban on the sale of below-cost alcohol on levels of (a) excessive and (b) underage alcohol consumption. [82404]
James Brokenshire: The impact assessment for banning the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT will be published by the Home Office in the new year. This will assess the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on harmful and hazardous drinking groups who are most likely to be affected by the ban. The Home Office carefully considered the potential impact on underage and excessive alcohol consumption when considering options for the ban.
Animal Experiments
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government plans to streamline existing processes involved in licence approval for experimentation on animals during the implementation of directive 2010/63/EU; and if so, how it plans to do so while safeguarding animal welfare. [82709]
Lynne Featherstone: We plan to remove unnecessary bureaucracy where it still exists, building on the significant improvements we have already made in the day to day implementation of current processes. We will focus on simplifying the detail of personal licences and on making further improvements to the project licence application process and the format of the project licence. What we do not want to do is weaken United Kingdom standards of animal welfare and protection. This will be a central consideration in taking this work forward in consultation with interested groups.
Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department plans to ensure the end of testing of household products on animals in the UK. [83219]
Lynne Featherstone:
The commitment to end the testing of household products on animals will be
28 Nov 2011 : Column 720W
implemented using the licensing powers provided under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 by adding a condition to relevant project licences. We are currently consulting with establishments holding relevant project licences to confirm the economic impact and with establishments, relevant trade bodies and other stakeholders to agree a working definition of household product to accompany the condition.
We are aiming to implement the delivery arrangements from 1 January 2012.
Arrest Warrants: Convictions
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions a non-UK EU citizen extradited from another EU member state to the UK under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) has been convicted of the offence for which he or she was extradited for each type of offence in each year since the EAW became operational; and if she will make a statement. [81601]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 November 2011]: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland are the designated UK authorities responsible for processing European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) in the UK. SOCA's involvement in an EAW case ceases at the point of surrender and SOCA is not routinely informed of the outcome of any subsequent criminal proceedings.
To identify cases where an individual has been surrendered to the UK and SOCA has been informed of a conviction would require a manual examination of all case files, incurring a disproportionate cost.
Arrest Warrants: EU Nationals
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times her Department has used the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) to extradite a non-UK EU citizen resident in another member state to stand trial or complete a detention period in each year since the EAW has been operational to date for each type of offence; and if she will make a statement. [81230]
Damian Green [holding answer 15 November 2011]: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland are the designated UK authorities responsible for processing European Arrest Warrants (EAWs). Information is held on Part 1 cases (persons wanted from the UK by another member state) and Part 3 cases (persons wanted by the UK from another member state).
Information on the number of individuals surrendered to the UK under an EAW by offence type and by nationality is only available from April 2009 due to a change in the way data were recorded from this date. For cases before this date, a manual examination of files would have to take place. This would incur disproportionate cost.
In 2009-10, 24 surrenders took place of a non-UK EU national from another EU member state to the UK. A breakdown of the offences and nationalities is shown in the following table.
28 Nov 2011 : Column 721W
28 Nov 2011 : Column 722W
| 2009-10 | |||||||||||
| Offence | |||||||||||
| Nationality | Fraud | GBH | Rape | Child Sex Offences | Robbery | Drugs | Murder | Theft | Immigration | Other | Total |
In 2010-11 47 surrenders took place of a non-UK EU national from another EU member state to the UK. A breakdown of the offences and nationalities is shown in the following table.
| 2010-11 | |||||||||||
| Offence | |||||||||||
| Nationality | Fraud | GBH | Rape | Child Sex Offences | Robbery | Drugs | Murder | Theft | Money laundering | Other | Total |
Due to the way that the data are recorded, it is not possible for these figures to be broken down by the number returned to stand trial or complete a detention period in each year without a manual examination of each individual case file. This would incur disproportionate cost.
Asylum
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many legacy cases concern asylum seekers resident in (a) Peterborough constituency and (b) North West Cambridgeshire constituency who are not (i) awaiting prosecution, (ii) awaiting removal and (iii) subject to ongoing litigation. [83177]
Damian Green [holding answer 25 November 2011]: A total of 15 people are resident in Peterborough constituency who do not meet the criteria under (i), (ii) or (iii) above. A total of five people are resident in North West Cambridgeshire constituency who do not meet the criteria under (i), (ii) or (iii) above. These data are sourced from a local management team and should be treated as provisional.
Civil Partnerships
Mr Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses the Government Equalities Office received to its consultation Civil partnerships on religious premises: A consultation which closed on 23 June 2011; and how many of those responses (a) supported the Government’s proposals in full, (b) opposed some aspects of the Government’s proposals and (c) opposed the Government’s proposals altogether. [82736]
Lynne Featherstone
[holding answer 24 November 2011]: The Government Equalities Office received 1,617 responses to the consultation on implementing section 202 of the Equality Act 2010, which removes the ban on civil partnership registrations being held on religious premises. Given that section 202 was passed in both Houses on a
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free vote, the consultation concerned the practical changes necessary for this provision and not whether to implement this legislation.
Of the 1,617 responses, 343 responses were on the official pro forma. The official pro forma sought the views of respondents on these practical changes and did not provide an opportunity to establish numbers supporting the overall proposals. It is, therefore, not possible to respond with precise figures on how many of these respondents supported or opposed the Government’s overall proposals. The remaining 1,274 were responses by e-mail or letter and while the Government noted that a large number of these individuals opposed the principle of implementing section 202, it remains committed to taking this important step for religious freedom and LGB rights. The Government published their response to the consultation on 2 November which included a summary of responses received.
Cleveland Constabulary
Sir Stuart Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers and staff from the North Yorkshire Constabulary have been involved in the investigation into the affairs of Cleveland Constabulary from the time the terms of reference for a full investigation were agreed with Cleveland police authority on 25 August 2011; and if she will make a statement. [83254]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The Home Office does not hold this information centrally.
Sir Stuart Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the expected cost to Cleveland police authority is of the ongoing investigation into the affairs of Cleveland Constabulary in each month from November 2011 to March 2012; and if she will make a statement; [83255]
(2) what proportion of the likely costs of investigations into the affairs of Cleveland Constabulary from 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2012 are to be borne by her Department; and if she will make a statement; [83256]
(3) what the cost to the Cleveland police authority has been of the investigation into the affairs of Cleveland Constabulary between May 2010 and 1 November 2011; and if she will make a statement. [83253]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 25 November 2011]:Cleveland police have indicated that they plan to apply for special grant support for the costs associated with the investigation involving their former chief constable and deputy chief constable. We have not yet received a formal application, but understand that they expect costs of between £2 million and £3 million. Once received, we will properly assess any formal application for funding against the special grant criteria and consider the appropriate level of Government support.
Sir Stuart Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which officer is presently appointed as senior investigating officer into the investigation of the affairs of Cleveland Constabulary; and if she will make a statement. [83257]
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Nick Herbert [holding answer 25 November 2011]: Keith Bristow was appointed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) to oversee the investigation by North Yorkshire police in relation to current and past members and officers of the Cleveland police authority and Cleveland police; he remains in charge of the investigation. Until September this year, the senior investigating officer for this investigation was a member of the North Yorkshire police. The current senior investigating officer for the investigation is a member of Warwickshire police.
Sir Stuart Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who the Senior Investigating Officer was appointed to oversee the initial enquiries into the affairs of Cleveland constabulary authorised by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary; and if she will make a statement. [83189]
Nick Herbert: Keith Bristow, as chief constable of Warwickshire police, was appointed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) to oversee the investigation by North Yorkshire police in relation to current and past members and officers of the Cleveland Police Authority and Cleveland police; he remains in charge of that investigation. Until September this year the senior investigating officer for this investigation was a member of North Yorkshire police. The current senior investigating officer is a member of Warwickshire police.
Community Crimefighting Fund
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the Community Crimefighting Fund she expects to be spent 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 in each of the next five years. [82773]
James Brokenshire: The Communities Action Against Crime: Innovation Fund is open to applications from voluntary and community sector organisations across England and Wales until 1 December 2011 and is worth £5 million in 2011-12, with a further £5 million earmarked for 2012-13. While the fund remains open to bids, and until grants have been agreed and awarded, no figures of the geographical distribution of funds can be provided.
Cybercrime
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department has allocated to prevention of and mitigation against cyber security incidents in 2011-12. [81538]
Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply as the Minister responsible for cyber security.
This Government have recognised the real and increasing risk to the UK's national security from cyber attack and assessed cyber attacks as a Tier 1 threat in the National Security Strategy. This is why we have put in place a £650 million, four-year National Cyber Security Programme between 2011 and 2014.
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This funding is intended to transform the Government's response to cyber threats, and has been allocated to those Departments and agencies that have key roles to play.
The Office for Cyber Security and Information Assurance supports the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the National Security Council in providing strategic direction and co-ordination to enhance cyber security and information assurance in the UK.
We published the new Cyber Security Strategy on 25 November which sets out in more detail specific measures to prevent and mitigate against cyber security incidents affecting the UK.
Departmental Publications
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) leaflets, (b) posters and (c) reports her Department has published since May 2010; how much each cost; and which company (i) published and (ii) designed each. [82995]
Damian Green: The number of published leaflets, posters or reports, and the cost, publisher and designer of each, is not information which is either centrally held or readily collated so could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
However, from May 2010 to April 2011, the Home Office spent £289,576 through the Central Office of Information on publications including leaflets, posters and reports. From April to October 2011, the Home Office has spent £120,727 on publications through the Home Office Publications, Print and Design Shared Service. Some Home Office teams may have used other suppliers during this period, but this information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
Deportation
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the UK Border Agency spent on cancellation fees in respect of (a) scheduled air flights and (b) charter flights to carry out deportations in each of the last 24 months. [80334]
Damian Green: Further to my reply of 11 October 2010, Official Report, columns 180-81W, relating to cancellation fees in relation to scheduled flights, the UK Border Agency now calculates total losses as a result of cancelled scheduled flights, including all ticket costs and fees and all ticket types. The following table therefore updates the previous data provided and new data to August 2011, which are the latest available. Data prior to May 2010 are not available.
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£ |
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These figures do not include refunds due to the agency which have yet to be provided and so they may decrease as refunds are received. The figures represent only part of the overall spend and, since September 2010, the UK Border Agency has used 23,072 tickets for returns that departed as planned.
The UK Border Agency spent £178,905 in the last 24 months on cancelled chartered flights: £136,960 was incurred in April 2010 and £41,945 in September 2011. These data update previous costs released in September 2010 and include refunds which the agency has since recovered from its suppliers.
None of these figures constitute part of National Statistics as they are based on internal management information. The information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols and should be treated as provisional and subject to change.
Drinking Banning Orders
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drinking banning orders were issued in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011 to date. [81088]
James Brokenshire: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 14W.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to prevent the admission of bogus students. [80730]
Damian Green: A range of recent reforms are reducing abuse of the student visa regime. These include:
new English language requirements for students;
new higher sponsorship and educational quality requirements;
tougher requirements to test students can support themselves financially;
tougher requirements on certain courses such as ACCA;
restricting work entitlements to those studying at higher educational institutions (HEI) and publicly funded further education colleges only;
restricting sponsorship of dependants to those studying at postgraduate level at an HEI on a course lasting 12 months or longer, and Government sponsored students on a course lasting six months or longer; and
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encouraging students to leave promptly after their studies, through restricting the time that can be spent in the student route and ensuring that only the brightest and best stay on to work.
Further information on these measures can be found in “Student Visas: Statement of Intent and Transitional Measures”, published on 31 March 2011, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases immigration judges have highlighted a lack of security in admitting bogus students by the UK Border Agency. [80768]
Damian Green: Information on the number of cases in which immigration judges have highlighted a lack of security in admitting bogus students by the UK Border Agency is not available. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost through the examination of individual case files.
Extradition: EU Nationals
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many non-UK EU citizens resident in another EU member state were extradited from that member state to the UK to face criminal prosecution in each of the 10 years prior to the introduction of the European Arrest Warrant, by type of offence; and if she will make a statement; [81576]
(2) how many non-UK EU citizens resident in another EU member state were extradited from that member state to the UK to (a) stand trial and (b) complete a detention period for each offence in each of the 10 years prior to the introduction of the European Arrest Warrant; and if she will make a statement. [81600]
Damian Green [holding answer 22 November 2011]: The nationality of persons subject to extradition requests to the UK was not centrally recorded by the Home Office prior to 2010. Providing the figures requested for 1994 to 2003 would, therefore, incur disproportionate cost, as it would require a manual examination of Home Office files.
Health: Animal Testing
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral answer to Baroness Parminter of 4 October 2011, Official Report, House of Lords, column 1014, on health: animal testing, what her policy is on the transposition of EU directive 2010/63/EU into UK law. [83532]
Lynne Featherstone: The new European directive provides a valuable and timely opportunity to update UK legislation governing experiments on animals, to confirm the best aspects of current regulation and to make improvements where we can do better. It will also help us to promote the development of alternatives and allow us to remove unnecessary bureaucracy where it still exists, building on the significant improvements we have already made in the day to day implementation of current regulations while maintaining our high welfare standards.
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Licensing Laws
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current licensing laws; and if she will make a statement. [83084]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The Government have moved swiftly to both assess the effectiveness of the current alcohol licensing laws and take action to improve them. The ‘Rebalancing the Licensing Act’ consultation was held between 8 July and 28 September 2010. It requested views on the alcohol-related commitments we made in the coalition agreement, in particular, on how best to “overhaul the Licensing Act to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that are causing problems”. The Government's response and an analysis of the consultation were published on 30 November 2010. The resulting changes to the Licensing Act 2003 have been delivered by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. They rebalance the current licensing laws in favour of local communities, and enable them to tackle crime and disorder.
Members: Correspondence
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Bridgend of 12 October 2011, reference MM/DH/12/10/2011. [82974]
Lynne Featherstone: I responded to the hon. Member’s letter on 22 November 2011. A copy has been placed in the House Library.
Metal Theft
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to complete her consultation on measures to combat metal theft. [79467]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 8 November 2011]: Discussions are continuing across Government on measures to tackle metal theft.
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she can take to empower the police to act against scrap metal merchants who purchase stolen metal. [79662]
James Brokenshire: Action against scrap metal merchants who purchase stolen metal is a matter for individual chief constables. The Home Office is working with police forces through the Association of Chief Police Officers to tackle metal theft. In addition, the Government are looking at what more can be done.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 940W, on metals: theft, on what date the meeting between representatives of the British Transport Police and the Minister for Crime Prevention took place. [83239]
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James Brokenshire [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The meeting took place on 31 January 2011. Ministers have had a number of meetings with the British Transport Police on metal theft since January 2011.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have attended of the ACPO Conductive Metal Theft Working Group. [83265]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The Home Office is represented at the Association of Chief Police Officers Conductive Metal Theft Working Group by officials. Ministers do not attend.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will re-evaluate the 2009 pilot scheme to tackle metal theft. [83266]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The Home Office is in discussion with the Association of Police Officers, in order to identify and develop effective approaches to tackle metal theft, including learning from previous operations.
Metropolitan Police
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how appointments will be made to the new Police Commission Panel in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [81887]
Nick Herbert: Police and crime panels (PCP) in Wales will be free-standing public bodies, established and maintained by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in accordance with schedule 6 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The functions of a PCP in Wales are those set out in the Act and these are the same as those of a PCP in England.
While schedule 6 allows the Secretary of State to make nominations directly, local authorities will be invited to nominate relevant councillors to become panel members in the first instance.
Police Stations: Closures
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of police stations that have closed in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [82913]
Nick Herbert: This information is not collected centrally. Decisions about the effective use of available resources are for chief constables to take locally with their police authorities.
Police Stations: Opening Hours
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment she has made of the proposed changes to opening hours of police stations in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Dudley borough; [82945]
(2) what assessment she has made of the potential effects of proposed changes to opening hours for police stations in Dudley borough on (a) levels of anti-social behaviour, (b) the speed of responses to reported crimes and (c) police visibility; [82947]
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(3) what assessment she has made of the potential effects of proposed changes to opening hours for police stations in Dudley borough on overall crime levels in the borough; [82948]
(4) whether she has had discussions with West Midlands police regarding proposed changes in opening hours of police stations in the West Midlands; and if she will make a statement. [83062]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 25 November 2011]:Ministers have regular discussions with chief constables on a range of issues about policing. Decisions about the most effective use of available resources, including the operating hours of police stations, are a matter for the chief constable and the police authority to take locally.
Terrorism
Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role she expects community safety partnerships to have in the counter-terrorism local profile system in Wales after 2011. [81071]
James Brokenshire: We are currently working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to revise the guidance published in May 2010 for local partners on Counter-Terrorism Local Partners. The revised guidance will be published in the new year.
West Midlands Police: Finance
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received on the potential effects of the planned reduction in funding from her Department to West Midlands police. [82946]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 25 November 2011]:We have recently received correspondence from chief constable Chris Sims and Bishop Derek Webley, Chair of West Midlands Police Authority, about funding of West Midlands police. I will consider these representations ahead of the provisional Policing Settlement for 2012-13.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Free Trade Agreements
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the benefit to (a) the UK and (b) each unit of the smallest geographical area for which figures are available arising from the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement in respect of (i) trade, (ii) business creation, (iii) household income, (iv) gross domestic product and (v) job creation. [82673]
Mr Davey: The UK will gain an estimated £500 million a year in gross domestic product (GDP) from the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with UK exports predicted to increase by 0.02%, real income by 0.05% and real wages in the region of 0.06%. UK sectors, such as legal and financial services, ICT, low carbon, alcoholic beverages, and pharmaceuticals are likely to see substantial gains.
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Business: Government Assistance
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small and medium-sized enterprises have received assistance from Government schemes in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England in the last 18 months. [82481]
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Mr Prisk [holding answer 24 November 2011]:The Government's Solutions for Business portfolio sets out the range of publicly funded support designed to help Businesses to identify and overcome key challenges as they grow. Available figures on the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assisted are set out as follows.
In some cases sub national data is not available so national figures for England are provided.
Figures for Understanding finance, Improving Your Resource Efficiency, Designing Demand and High Growth Coaching for Growth are not available.
In addition, Government have funded a range of information and support which was delivered via the regional development agencies (RDAs) through the Business Link regional advisory service. East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) the RDA covering the East Midlands, have supplied the following figures for SMEs assisted by EMDA and the wider Business Link regional service across England in the last 18 months:
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Number |
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 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. [82552]
Mr Davey: The information requested is as follows.
(a) 29 internal audit reports were issued in BIS in the 12 months ending 31 October 2011.
(b) 45 internal audit reports were issued in the 12 months ending 31 October 2011 for those BIS partner organisations where BIS Internal Audit Directorate provided internal audit services. These break down as follows:
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Number |
All other BIS partner organisations have their own internal audit services and information on the number of internal audits completed is not held centrally.
Official Photographs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 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. [82582]
Mr Davey: The information requested is as follows:
(a) Official photographs of all BIS' new Ministers, using a freelance photographer in a single photo-session, were taken in May 2010.
(b) Three senior officials have had an official photograph taken since May 2010—by in-house staff; other senior officials have sourced their official photographs elsewhere.
In both instances, these official photographs are only used—where required—to illustrate a Foreword in a Government publication.
As part of their ministerial roles of launching events and speaking at press announcements, one GCN member of staff—in the course of their duties in a wider digital engagement role in the Department's communications directorate—undertakes photography of the events; but these shots are not used in Government publications.
Procurement
Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost of employing civil servants to undertake procurement for his Department in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; and what estimate he has made of the cost of (i) employing civil servants and (ii) engaging consultants to undertake procurement for his Department in 2011-12. [73191]
Mr Davey: The cost of employing civil servants to undertake procurement for the Department in the following financial years has been:
2009-10—£2,011,581
2010-11—£531,907.
The estimated cost of employing civil servants to undertake procurement in 2011-12 is £458,000.
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The estimated cost of engaging consultants to undertake procurement in 2011-12 is £287,727. Additionally, the Department has commissioned the services of a procurement professional from one of our non-departmental public bodies at an estimated cost of £31,725.
Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what correspondence he has received from supermarkets on the Gangmasters Licensing Authority in respect of the Red Tape Challenge; and if he will publish any such correspondence. [83374]
Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has received submissions from a number of organisations including supermarkets on the Gangmaster Licensing Authority in respect of the Red Tape Challenge. The Red Tape Challenge process enabled individuals or organisations to contribute views either publically on the website or in private submissions. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not intend to publish private submissions.
Heathrow Airport
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether competition levels are a consideration in the allocation of slots at Heathrow airport. [81202]
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of any competition issues from one airline group holding the majority of slots at Heathrow Airport. [81344]
Mrs Villiers: I have been asked to reply.
I would refer the hon. Members to my written answer given today to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr Hamilton), (UIN 80520, 80522 and 80523) in relation to the proposed sale of the airline BMI.
Manufacturing Industries
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that (a) the manufacturing base, (b) the supply chain and (c) shipyards are capable of building ships with a capacity of over 15,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units; and if he will make a statement. [82374]
Mr Prisk: As co-chairman of the Marine Industries Leadership Council, I have been in discussion with industry about a range of issues and launched the joint industry/Government strategy for growth for the UK marine industries on 19 September 2011. However, decisions on what ships to build, where and ensuring the availability of suitable facilities are a commercial matter.
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Motor Sport Industry
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support the motor sport industry. [82359]
Mr Prisk: There is regular engagement with the sector and directly with a range of motorsport companies. My noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Hurstpierpoint, as well as officials from BIS and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has recently met the Motorsport Industry Association and motor sport companies are represented on the joint industry/Government Automotive Council. Various motorsport companies have received conditional offers of support from the Regional Growth Fund and have also benefited from funding from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) through the Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform's Integrated Delivery Programme.
For example, companies such as Prodrive, Delta and Zytek have received TSB grants to help develop technologies that have impacts in both motorsport and mainstream automotive applications. Flybrid Motors who developed a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for F1 are now working with premium car manufacturers in a TSB-funded project to demonstrate the cost benefits of KERS over other hybrid systems. The Niche Vehicle Network (NVN), whose membership includes many motorsport companies, has also received funding from this Department. Through the NVN, Delta Motorsport, for example, has benefited from funding to develop a lower cost battery system that will be demonstrated in their Delta E-4 Electric Coupé.
The motorsport industry also received support from UKTI, who sponsor a number of activities highlighting the success and capabilities of UK motorsport companies.
Photography
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will examine the circumstances which have led to private sector high street photographers losing revenue to new digital photographic facilities in selected post offices; and if he will make a statement. [82899]
Mr Davey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Tuesday 22 November 2011, Official Report, columns 328-29W.
Post Offices
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of whether Post Office Limited has conducted an adequate process of public consultation in respect of its plans to transform half of the post office branch network to new operating models. [83515]
Mr Davey: This Government are committed to securing a sustainable future for the post office, including maintaining a network of at least 11,500 branches. The introduction of new operating models, designed to better meet customer need, is an important part of Post Office Ltd's strategy to achieve this.
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Post Office Ltd has agreed a code of practice with Consumer Focus with regard to public consultation around changes to its network, and will meet its responsibilities within this code.
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for (a) the Home Department, (b) Transport and (c) Work and Pensions on proposals to transform half of the post office branch network to new operating models. [83516]
Mr Davey: I consulted with ministerial colleagues across all Departments prior to publication of the November 2010 policy document 'Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age', which set out proposals to introduce new operating models to the Post Office network, to help meet customer need and secure a sustainable future for the network. Those proposals have also arisen in subsequent discussions with colleagues, including those highlighted above.
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the ability of (a) sub-post offices and (b) Post Office Local to provide Government services. [83544]
Mr Davey: Sub-post offices—those not directly operated by Post Office Ltd—comprise the vast majority of the existing network. They offer a wide range of the services that Post Office Ltd provides on behalf of the Government, with the precise offering for each branch varying for some services.
Post Office Ltd is currently piloting Post Office Locals across the UK. Details of the precise Government services that will be offered through the final Local model will be a matter for Post Office Ltd, using learning from current and future pilots. Research by Consumer Focus has shown that over 95% of customer transactions by volume are already available in Post Office Local pilots—for example the collection of pensions and benefits.
Post Offices: Closures
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the likely effect changes to the post office branch network will have on the rate of closure of post office branches. [82888]
Mr Davey: This Government have been clear that there will be no programme of post office closures, and is providing £1.34 billion of funding over the spending review period to 2015 to modernise the Post Office network and to secure its future. As part of that funding, Post Office Ltd must maintain the network at around its current size with at least 11,500 branches.
Post Offices: Rural Areas
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the effect on the level and quality of services provided to (a) the elderly, (b) small businesses and (c) people living in rural areas of changes to the post office branch network. [82889]
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Mr Davey: Under the £1.34 billion funding package for the Post Office, announced last November, Post Office Ltd will continue to meet the strict access criteria that ensure reasonable access to post office services throughout the UK. As part of the network modernisation process, changes to the branch network will provide longer opening hours, quicker service, and an improved retail environment to the benefit of all customers.