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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Treasury
Civil Servants: Pensions
John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what (a) methodology and (b) assumptions were used to calculate the example of a civil service pension used on page 17, Box 3.B case study 1 of Public Service Pensions: good pensions that last, Cm 8214; [83235]
(2) with reference to page 17, Box 3.B case study 1 Table 3.B of Treasury Command Paper Public Service Pensions: good pensions that last, Cm 8214, which civil service pension scheme the example relates to; and how many years pensionable service and which inflation index were used in the calculation relating to the old scheme; [83236]
(3) with reference to page 17, Box 3.B case study 1, Table 3.B options to consider Public Service Pensions: good pensions that last, Cm 8214, whether a reduction for early release before reaching pensionable age was used to calculate the figure for retirement at 61 years six months. [83238]
Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many years pensionable service was used to calculate the £12,800 pension payment referred to in his Department's paper Public Service Pensions: good pensions that last (Cm 8214) page 17, Box 3.B, case study 1; [82977]
(2) with reference to the new career average scheme proposals for civil service pension schemes outlined in his Department's paper Public Service Pensions: good pensions that last (Cm 8214) page 17, what assumptions were made in relation to the accrual rate; [82978]
(3) what inflation index was used in the production of his Department's career average Pension Scheme Proposals for the Civil Service. [82979]
Danny Alexander [holding answers 25 November 2011]:On 2 November 2011, the Government published “Public Service Pensions: good pensions that last”, Cm8214. The document includes several case studies that provide illustrative examples of the impact on individuals if the Government's preferred pension scheme design were adopted. These case studies were prepared for HM Treasury by Hymans Robertson LLP using IFS data and HM Treasury assumptions.
The career paths modelled assume each individual begins work aged 22, has a three year career break and retires at the normal pension age of their specific pension scheme.
The assumptions used in calculating these case studies can be found on page 26 of the document. In addition, pensions taken before state pension age are subject to an early retirement reduction.
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Departmental Redundancy Pay
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department will spend on staff redundancy payments in the (a) current and (b) next financial year. [83464]
Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury does not currently have any plans to introduce a redundancy programme.
Wherever possible, the aim will be to manage any necessary staff reductions within HM Treasury and its agencies through natural wastage at no additional cost.
EU Grants and Loans
Tessa Munt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received under each budget heading of the EU's Structural and Cohesion Fund in each of the smallest geographical areas of the UK for which figures are available in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [82383]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
The smallest geographical area within the UK covered by a Structural Funds Operational Programme is Greater London. The second smallest is Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Over the last five years (2007 to 2011) some €470 million of Structural Funds has been allocated to London and some €458 million has been allocated to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Tessa Munt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effects in each of the smallest geographical areas of the UK for which figures are available of UK receipts under EU structural and cohesion funding schemes on (a) the number of jobs, (b) the number of businesses created, (c) household income and (d) gross domestic product in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [82384]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
The smallest geographical area within the UK covered by a Structural Funds Operational Programme is Greater London. The second smallest is Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The data requested under (b), (c) and (d) are not collected for these programmes. The programmes have targets for the creation of jobs and for new businesses assisted to be achieved during the life of the programme. The current Structural Funds programmes run from 2007 to 2013 and projects continue to spend until the end of 2015. The full evaluation of the programmes cannot be completed until this process has been completed.
Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisations' officials and Ministers in his Department have met to discuss alcohol duty fraud in 2011 to date; and how many times meetings have taken place with each such organisation. [83502]
Miss Chloe Smith:
HMRC and Treasury officials meet with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual
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policy making process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
Exports: Government Assistance
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to increase assistance to British firms exporting to (a) non-European Union and (b) rapidly growing overseas markets through UK Export Finance; and if he will make a statement. [83187]
Mr Hoban: The Government have already taken such steps. UK Export Finance introduced a number of new products on a pilot basis in the spring, and has been taking steps to improve awareness of them.
UK Export Finance and UK Trade & Investment have been undertaking a market awareness campaign across the UK alongside banks, trade associations and professional bodies, to meet small and medium sized exporters to inform them of the availability of UK Export Finance's products. UK Export Finance aims to make contact with as many exporters as possible through direct contact, the media and other avenues.
Next year the Government will review the new products with a view to identifying whether any changes are necessary to improve their effectiveness and/or financial performance.
Inland Revenue
Mr Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the holder of his Office lost the prerogative power ceded to his predecessors by the Privy Council to reward informers in revenue cases. [83027]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs are empowered to pay rewards by virtue of Section 26 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.
Mr Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the Inland Revenue's Annual Reports 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and the organisation charts therein at pages 9, 37 and 37 respectively; on what date the Large Business Office, International Division and Special Compliance Office came together under the control of Commissioner Matheson; on what date the Large Business Office left the control of Commissioner Matheson or his successor Commissioner Hartnett; on what dates the aforementioned changes in organisation were agreed; in what forum they were agreed; who was present on each occasion; what the reasons were for combining the primary task of the collection of tax in the Large Business Office with the policy, compliance and oversight functions accorded to Commissioner Matheson and executed through the Special Compliance Office and International Division; and what the reasons were for returning to the original structure. [83028]
Mr Gauke: The information is not available.
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Northern Rock
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons an initial public offering was not attempted in the sale of Northern Rock. [83531]
Mr Hoban: 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 advisers including an Initial Public Offering. Ultimately, it was decided that the sale of Northern Rock plc would generate the best value for the taxpayer.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the advice he received from Deutsche Bank recommending that he proceed with the sale of Northern Rock to Virgin Money. [83808]
Mr Hoban: The deal is expected to complete on 1 January 2012, pending European Commission (EC) merger clearance and Financial Services Authority (FSA) approval.
The Government will consider what information regarding the Northern Rock sale process will be disclosed following the completion of the transaction.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what information he holds on how the board of Northern Rock voted on the decision for the sale of the bank to Virgin Money; [83812]
(2) what discussions the board of Northern Rock had on the timing of the sale of the bank to Virgin Money; [83806]
(3) what information he holds on whether the board of Northern Rock discussed the different options for the sale of the bank; and if he will place the minutes of any such discussions in the Library. [83807]
Mr Hoban: Any discussions of the board of Northern Rock plc are a matter for Northern Rock plc.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he asked for or received information on what the remuneration and incentive schemes for (a) the Chief Executive Officer, (b) the Finance Director and (c) any other Executive Directors of Northern Rock will be under Virgin Money ownership; [83813]
(2) what the incentive schemes are for (a) the Chief Executive Officer, (b) the Finance Director and (c) any other executive directors of Northern Rock; [83814]
(3) what information he asked for or received regarding the compensation arrangements that have been agreed for the departing Northern Rock board members. [83815]
Mr Hoban: The remuneration and incentive schemes of Northern Rock plc directors under Virgin Money ownership are a matter for Virgin Money.
Information regarding the remuneration and incentive schemes for Northern Rock plc board members can be found in Northern Rock plc's annual report and accounts 2010 via the following web link:
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http://companyinfo.northernrock.co.uk/investorRelations/results/
No decisions have been made regarding compensation arrangements for departing Northern Rock plc board members.
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the European Commission on extending the deadline for the transfer of Northern Rock from public ownership beyond 2013. [83200]
Mr Hoban: 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.
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) loan period and (b) extent of return to the public purse is of the capital instrument lending to Virgin Money to facilitate the takeover of Northern Rock. [83201]
Mr Hoban: Virgin Money will issue to HM Treasury, on completion of the sale, Tier 1 Capital Notes with a par value of £150 million and an annual coupon of 10.5%.
Virgin Money has indicated that it intends the notes would be exchanged, or purchased by the acquirer, upon an Initial Public Offering or sale, without reducing the amount and quality of the firm's capital resources, which would allow HM Treasury to exit its investment.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the contractual arrangements made for the retention of (a) branches and (b) jobs in the sale of Northern Rock. [83457]
Mr Hoban: The deal is expected to complete on 1 January 2012, pending European Commission (EC) merger clearance and Financial Services Authority (FSA) approval.
As the transaction has not yet been completed, the Government are bound by confidentiality agreements and are unable to release or publish information regarding the sale process. The Government will consider what information regarding the Northern Rock sale process will be disclosed following the completion of the transaction.
Virgin Money has made a number of commitments in its announcement about Northern Rock on 17 November. These are public commitments which are made in writing by Virgin Money.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of the tier 1 capital ratio of Northern Rock in each of the next three years. [83458]
Mr Hoban: The future capital requirements for the combined business of Northern Rock plc and Virgin Money are a matter for the Financial Services Authority and Virgin Money.
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Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what correspondence his Department has exchanged with the Financial Services Authority on using Northern Rock's capital reserves to part-fund its sale. [83459]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials correspond 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 correspondence.
Virgin Money has announced that the combined business of Northern Rock plc and Virgin Money will have a minimum 15% tier 1 capital ratio.
The future capital requirements for the combined business of Northern Rock plc and Virgin Money are a matter for the Financial Services Authority and Virgin Money.
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new convertible debt in lieu of payments in the sale of Northern Rock will be received as a cash receipt during the remainder of this Parliament. [83461]
Mr Hoban: Virgin Money will issue to HM Treasury, on completion of the sale, tier 1 capital notes with a par value of £150 million and an annual coupon of 10.5%.
Virgin Money has indicated that it intends the notes would be exchanged, or purchased by the acquirer, upon an initial public offering or sale, without reducing the amount and quality of the firm's capital resources, which would allow HM Treasury to exit its investment.
Home Department
Europol
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for offences committed in the UK there have been resulting from operations which were co-ordinated in part or entirely by Europol by type of offence in each year since Europol became operational; and if she will make a statement. [83071]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 25 November 2011]: Europol does not undertake operational activity itself. It acts as a conduit for the secure exchange of information between member states and assists with the co-ordination of investigations when requested by member states. It also provides analytical support at the request of member states.
Any investigation remains the responsibility of the investigating member state and it is therefore not possible to provide information on the number of convictions in the UK resulting from Europol activity in each year since Europol’s inception.
Arrest Warrants
Martin Horwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been returned to the UK under the European arrest warrant
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(EAW) to serve an existing sentence, broken down by type of offence and length of sentence in each year from the inception of the EAW to date; and if she will make a statement. [79213]
Damian Green [holding answer 7 November 2011]: Due to the way that the data are recorded, it is not possible to break down these figures by the number returned to face prosecution or to serve an existing sentence in each year, without a manual examination of each individual case file. This would incur a disproportionate cost.
Assaults: Prisons
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accusations of assault on a member of prison staff have been investigated by the police in each of the last five years. [83406]
Nick Herbert: The information requested is not available from the recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office.
Asylum
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases considered by the UK Border Agency's Case Assurance and Audit Unit have resulted in an individual being (a) removed and (b) granted indefinite leave to remain in each month since July 2011. [79435]
Damian Green: From July 2011 to October 2011 the UK Border Agency's Case Assurance and Audit Unit have considered (a) 1,074 cases which have resulted in a removal of an individual (b) 829 cases leading to a grant of indefinite leave (c) 1,906 cases which have resulted in a grant of temporary leave:
| Cases | |||
|
|
Granted ILR | Granted temporary leave | Removed |
| Source: Local management information provided by UKBA, North West Region Planning and MI team. It is not a national statistic. As such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change. | |||
Bramshill Police College
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has any plans for the sale of Bramshill police college; and what estimate she has made of the likely sale value. [81711]
Nick Herbert: As part of the reform of the policing landscape the National Policing Improvement Agency has commissioned a review of the Bramshill estate.
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British Nationality
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received any applications to reduce the normal time period required for UK naturalisation in each of the last three years; and how many have (a) been received and (b) been successful. [83328]
Damian Green: No statistical information is available which would record any requests made by applicants for naturalisation as British citizens to reduce the required residence periods.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), does have discretion over absences from the United Kingdom during the qualifying residence period. Discretion is also available to waive the residence requirements under schedule 1 sections 1(3) and 4(d) of the British Nationality Act 1981 when applicants are applying on the basis of Crown or designated service.
However, no discretion is available to waive the requirement to have been physically present in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the residential qualifying period.
The use of discretion is part of the consideration process.
No statistical information is available to record the use of discretion during the consideration process.
Cleveland Police Authority
Sir Stuart Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to Cleveland police authority between 1 May 2010 and 25 August 2011 was of the initial enquiries into the affairs of Cleveland Constabulary authorised by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary to be made by the North Yorkshire Constabulary; and if she will make a statement. [83188]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this information.
Departmental Written Questions
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether draft answers to parliamentary questions prepared by officials in her Department are cleared by special advisers (a) before and (b) after the relevant Minister. [79543]
Damian Green: All answers to parliamentary questions are the responsibility of the Minister who responds. Clearance processes reflect this.
Deportation
Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were removed from the UK in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009, (d) 2010 and (e) 2011 to date. [83838]
Mrs May: The following table shows the total number of removals and voluntarily departures from the UK during 2007-10, and January to September 2011.
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| Removals and voluntary departures (1, 2) , January 2007 to September 2011 | |||||
| Number of departures | |||||
|
|
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 (3) | January to September 2011 (3) |
| (1) Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. (2) Figures include enforced removals, non-asylum cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed, people departing voluntarily after notifying the UK Border Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, people leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by Refugee Action (prior to April 2011, run by the International Organisation for Migration) and people who it has been established left without informing the immigration authorities. (3) Provisional figures. | |||||
Deportation: Zimbabwe
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been removed by the UK Border Agency to Zimbabwe in each of the last two years. [57878]
Damian Green: There were 363 removals and voluntary departures from the UK to Zimbabwe in 2009; and 414 in 2010. These figures include nationals of Zimbabwe and other nationals who departed to Zimbabwe. The 2010 figure is provisional.
These figures include enforced removals, people departing voluntarily after notifying the UK Border Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, people leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes and people who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within ‘Immigration Statistics'. The data on removals and voluntary departures are available in tables rv.01 to rv.08 from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, Research and Statistics web pages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Detention Centres: Children
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children held by the UK Border Agency in pre-departure accommodation were resident in Scotland prior to the enforcement of their return in each of the last 12 months. [82044]
Damian Green: One child who was resident in Scotland prior to their removal was in pre-departure accommodation in November 2011.
No other child from Scotland has been in these facilities in the last 12 months.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children resident in Scotland have been moved to Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre since May 2010. [82045]
Damian Green: Since May 2010 no children resident in Scotland have been moved to Yarl’s Wood.
Drug Seizures
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) heroin and (b) cocaine was seized by UK Border Agency staff in (i) July, (ii) August and (iii) September 2011, at (A) Dover, (B) Heathrow, (C) Gatwick and (D) Stansted. [82256]
Damian Green [holding answer 23 November 2011]: We will be providing copies of all relevant documentation as appropriate to the inquiries that are currently under way into border security issues.
The latest drug seizure statistics that have been produced in accordance with the Home Office’s Statement of Compliance are contained within the Home Office Statistical Bulletin “Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2010/11”, published on 10 November 2011 and available at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1711/hosb1711?view=Binary
These contain information for the full-year and are not broken down into individual month.
The annual seizures for 2010-11 amounted to 420 kg of heroin, 1,519 kg of cocaine and 14 kg of crack-cocaine.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) heroin and (b) cocaine has been seized by UK Border Agency staff in each month since May 2010. [82257]
Damian Green [holding answer 23 November 2011]:We will be providing copies of all relevant documentation as appropriate to the inquiries that are currently under way into border security issues.
The latest drug seizure statistics that have been produced in accordance with the Home Office's Statement of Compliance are contained within the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, “Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2010/11” (accessed via the following link), published on 10 November 2011. These contain information for the full-year and are not broken down into individual month. The annual seizures for 2010-11 amounted to 420 kg of heroin, 1,519 kg of cocaine and 14 kg of crack-cocaine.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1711/hosb1711?view=Binary
Entry Clearances
Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many tier 2 intra-company transfers were issued in (a) July 2008 to June 2009, (b) July 2009 to June 2010 and (c) July 2010 to June 2011. [83858]
Mrs May: Tier 2 and the category intra-company transfers were introduced in November 2008.
There were 10,065, 26,554 and 29,390 visas issued to main applicants under tier 2 intra-company transfers respectively in July 2008 to June 2009, July 2009 to June 2010 and July 2010 to June 2011. There were 3,258, 6,507 and 6,231 grants of extensions of stay to such applicants for the same periods.
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The latest Home Office immigration statistics on entry clearance visas issued and grants of extension, together with earlier data, are published in the Immigration Statistics release, which is available from the Home Office Science website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/immigration-q3-2011/
A copy of the latest release, “Immigration Statistics July-September 2011”, will be placed in the House Library.
Entry Clearances: Crime
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas were issued to people (a) known to have and (b) subsequently discovered to have a criminal conviction in their country of origin in each of the last five years. [83619]
Damian Green: No figures are held for visa applicants known to have a criminal conviction in their country of origin or subsequently discovered to have a criminal conviction in their country of origin after the visa had been issued. It is not possible to provide a breakdown.
European Union Directive
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the merits of seeking to invoke restrictions in respect of the European Union Directive 2004/58/EC under the auspices of (a) public policy, (b) security and (c) health; and if she will make a statement. [83233]
Damian Green [holding answer 25 November 2011]: The restrictions on the rights of entry and residence set out in Directive 2004/38/EC have been implemented in the UK by way of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (“the Regulations”).
The UK Border Agency uses these restrictions to consider for deportation all EEA nationals sentenced to two years' imprisonment or over, and any EEA national sentenced to 12 months or over for sex, drugs or violence offences. In addition, since the regulations were amended on 1 June 2009 to allow the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), to exclude from the UK EEA nationals and/or members of their families on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health, this power has been used to exclude individuals who are considered to be a threat to our national security.
The Government believes it is important to use this principle in appropriate cases in order to prevent abuse of the right of free movement by criminals.
Extradition: USA
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people were extradited from the US to the UK in 2010; and how many such people were US nationals; [79270]
(2) how many people were extradited from the UK to the US in 2010; and how many such people were UK nationals. [79271]
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Damian Green [holding answer 7 November 2011]: In 2010 there were five people extradited from the US to the UK; and of these there was one US national.
In 2010 there were 12 people extradited from the UK to the US; 10 of these were extradited under the 2003 Extradition Act and two under the 1989 Extradition Act. Of these 12 there were three UK nationals, one dual British/Pakistani national and one dual British/Polish national. For the purposes of the question, we have taken the “UK” as meaning England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland deals with its own US cases.
Entry Clearance
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) General Tatiana Gerasimova and (b) General Nikolai Shelepanov (i) have been and (ii) will be allowed to enter the UK. [82869]
Damian Green: It is a long-established practice that we do not comment routinely on whether particular individuals have, or have not, been allowed to enter the UK. Any individual wishing to come to the UK must meet the relevant requirements of the immigration rules.
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department (i) have had and (ii) plan to have discussions with (A) General Tatiana Gerasimova and (B) General Nikolai Shelepanov. [82870]
Damian Green: We can find no record that Home Office Ministers or officials have met or plan to meet these individuals.
Immigrants: Detainees
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the daily average cost of detaining an individual on immigration-related grounds. [82106]
Damian Green: The average daily cost of holding an individual in the UKBA detention estate for 2011-12 is estimated at £102.
Immigrants: English Language
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the appropriateness of the level of the English test fees set by the UK Border Agency; and if she will make a statement. [83083]
Damian Green [holding answer 25 November 2011]: Test costs are set by the providers and not the UK Border Agency. While we monitor the provision of tests by our providers, it would not be right to impose fees or limits especially when providers are operating overseas, as we are not experts in the field of language testing. We are confident that our providers give value for money and that costs are proportionate. If information was received to the contrary, we would address this with the provider concerned.
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Immigration
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Gurkhas living in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and (b) London have been granted leave to remain in the UK since May 2009. [83574]
Damian Green: The number of Gurkhas granted leave to remain in the Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency is under five.
The number of Gurkhas granted leave to remain in the London area is 14.
This information has been taken from the individuals’ last known address. The postcodes used for Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency have been taken from the Office of National Statistics database. All figures quoted are management information which has been subject to internal quality checks.
Immigration: Liverpool Airport
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people entered the UK via (a) Liverpool John Lennon Airport and (b) Liverpool Port when UK border controls were relaxed in summer 2011. [82643]
Damian Green [holding answer 24 November 2011]: A subset of the latest published data for the first three quarters of 2011 along with figures for 2010 showing recent levels of passenger arrivals at Liverpool are given in the following table. It is not possible to show airport and seaport data separately from information collated centrally. These figures are numbers of journeys and include passengers in transit who do not pass through immigration controls.
| Passenger arrivals to the United Kingdom at Liverpool ports including EEA and Swiss nationals, January 2010 to September 2011 | |
|
|
Total passengers admitted |
| Notes: 1. A subset of data in table ad.01.q of 'Immigration Statistics July to September 2011'. 2. Provisional figures. 3. Includes airside transfer/transit passengers of all nationalities who did not pass through immigration control. 4. Numbers are rounded to three significant figures. Source: Home Office, Migration Statistics | |
Information relating to total passenger arrivals are published quarterly in table ‘ad.01.q’ of the Home Office statistical release ‘Immigration Statistics’ which is available from the Home Office Science website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/
A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics July to September 2011, will be placed in the House Library.
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Knives: Crime
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the level of knife crime in (a) East Lancashire and (b) Pendle constituency. [82399]
Nick Herbert: Data for selected offences involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument are collected by the Home Office at police force area level only, so data are not available for Pendle constituency or East Lancashire. Data are provided for Lancashire police force area.
In 2010-11, Lancashire police recorded 670 offences which involved a knife or a sharp instrument. The selected offences are: attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (with and without intent), actual bodily harm, threats to kill, robbery, sexual assault and rape offences.
Data for homicides involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument are collected via the Homicide Index. The most recently available data are for 2009-10. In this year, the police recorded 10 knife and sharp instrument homicides. Homicide data for 2010-11 will be available from January 2012.
Piracy
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 564, on piracy, what the legal status of security personnel stationed on UK-registered merchant ships off the horn of Africa will be; what rules of engagement will be issued to them; and what guidance they will be given on working with UK armed forces personnel deployed off the horn of Africa. [83396]
James Brokenshire: Following the Prime Minister’s confirmation last month that the Government now recognise the engagement of private armed guards as an option to protect human life onboard UK registered ships in exceptional circumstances, the Department for Transport, the Home Office and other Government Departments are working to finalise national guidance to shipowners and an interim process by which private security companies can lawfully possess prohibited firearms onboard UK ships in these exceptional circumstances. It is expected that the guidance will be published shortly and a written ministerial statement will be made at that time.
Serious and Organised Crime Agency
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have had with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency since November 2010 on metal theft. [83267]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 25 November 2011]: Since November 2010 Home Office Ministers have had various discussions with representatives from the Serious Organised Crime Agency on a range of subjects, including metal theft.
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Stephen Lawrence Death Inquiry
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the correspondence files of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry to be made publicly available. [81713]
Nick Herbert: Most of the Home Office papers relating to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry have been released and are already available to the public at The National Archives (TNA).
The historic review programme of the remaining Home Office files for the Stephen Lawrence inquiry is currently being developed. Given the high profile of these papers, they will be included for review and transferred to TNA as a priority as soon as possible.
Metal Theft
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have had with police forces on the roll-out of Operation Fragment to areas other than Avon and Somerset. [83258]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office is in discussion with the Association of Chief Police Officers to identify and develop effective approaches to tackle metal theft, including learning from previous operations.
Leader of the House
Petitions: Electronic Government
Mr Knight: To ask the Leader of the House what the total cost to the public purse was of design and creation of the Government's e-petition website; and what its projected running cost is for each of the next three years. [83437]
Sir George Young: The Government's e-petition site was designed and created by the Government Digital Service, in conjunction with the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons, at a cost of £80,700. The projected technical running cost for the first three years of operation is £32,000 per annum.
Defence
Air Force: Military Bases
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which RAF bases were used for operational flying in the last 12 months; and which aircraft operated from each base. [82329]
Nick Harvey: The Information requested is detailed in the following table.
| RAF unit | Aircraft |
29 Nov 2011 : Column 804W
Armed Forces: Children
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Local Government Association on improving education provision for children of service personnel based in the UK. [82300]
Mr Robathan: Ofsted's 2010-11 report showed that most children from service families educated in mainstream maintained schools performed as well as, or better than, their non-service peers at the end of each key stage level.
While the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has not had any discussions with the Local Government Association (LGA), I recently attended the joint Community Covenant LGA/Ministry of Defence (MOD) conference where schools admissions policy and the additional funding available to schools with service children was raised. MOD officials have also met and continue to meet with LGA representatives to discuss a wide range of issues.
The MOD continues to work with the Department for Education to ensure an effective school admissions policy is developed which takes into account the unique mobility obligations of service families. In addition, the service pupil premium, the £3 million support fund for schools with service children and scholarships for the children of those who have died in the line of duty, have all been implemented recently.
Armed Forces: Credit
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action the Government is taking to ensure service families have access to affordable credit. [83340]
29 Nov 2011 : Column 805W
Mr Robathan: Ministry of Defence officials are working with, among others, the UK's Credit Reference Agencies, Royal Mail and the British Banking Association, to establish a system to improve the validation of credit histories for armed forces personnel. This in turn should improve the ability of the service community to access mortgages and to apply for mainstream credit. We have also encouraged the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Building Society Association to remind their front-line staff of the unique nature of life in the armed forces and thereby help to prevent the service community being disadvantaged.
Armed Forces: Housing
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters in Portsmouth are unoccupied; and how many of these have been unoccupied for more than three months. [82299]
Mr Robathan: As at 22 November 2011, of the 2,819 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in the Portsmouth area, 309 were void (empty), of which 181 had been void for over three months.
There are 143 void properties which have been allocated to families shortly due to move in. A further 85 are due to be handed back to Annington Homes Ltd on 24 November 2011 which will bring the percentage of void properties in the area below the target management margin of 10% of total stock.
A management margin of empty (void) properties has to be maintained to allow for routine movements of personnel, major improvement works or disposal.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel above the rank of commander are living in married quarter accommodation in Portsmouth; and how many of these are receiving financial educational support for their children. [82301]
Mr Robathan: This information is not held centrally or in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Captain McLeod
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the conduct of the Commanding Officer was excluded from the terms of reference of the investigation into bullying in the case of Captain McLeod of Oxford. [83191]
Mr Robathan: As I explained in my letter of 29 September to the right hon. Member on this matter, I cannot comment on this case while internal processes are ongoing.
However, I can confirm that the individual concerned and his Assisting Officer are being kept fully informed of progress in relation to the internal processes.
Cybercrime
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) UK and (b) international legal framework for the use of offensive cyber warfare capabilities is. [82688]
29 Nov 2011 : Column 806W
Nick Harvey: In a military context any such operations would be strictly governed under the well-established law of armed conflict and more broadly by domestic and international humanitarian law. Well-understood concepts such as proportionality of action apply to cyberspace as much as they do to actions in the air, land or maritime domains.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his officials are involved in the development of the Manual on International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare. [82689]
Nick Harvey: The Manual on International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare is being formulated by NATO's Co-operative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. No Ministry of Defence personnel are engaged in working on this document at this time, although we are aware of its development.
Defence Equipment
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many counterfeit electronic parts have been detected on equipment owned by his Department in each of the last five years. [82687]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Quality Assurance Authority has not received any reports of counterfeit electronic parts having been detected on MOD equipment in the last five years.
The MOD's framework of contract conditions requires that our contractors supply ‘fit for purpose’ products. Recent changes to the framework have included a strengthening of the requirements for Certificates of Conformance, whereby suppliers must attest that their product meets MOD requirements.
The only effective method of assessing whether a particular item is counterfeit is to test it against its original specification. Whenever ‘suspect' material is notified to the MOD Quality Assurance Authority (QAA), alerts are raised to all possible users advising them to take the appropriate review action and to test items if necessary.
The MOD is aware that counterfeit products are becoming a serious problem worldwide and is currently working closely with industry experts to raise awareness of the risk of counterfeit parts entering the supply chain. A Counterfeit Awareness Working Group (CAWG) has been established, to develop guidance on the issue to be used across the MOD and industry. The CAWG arranged an awareness event on counterfeit parts for the MOD and industry personnel in July 2011 and is planning another for June 2012.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [82547]
Mr Robathan: Between 1 November 2010 and 31 October 2011, Defence Internal Audit completed a total of 144 audits. These include four audits for non-departmental public bodies.
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Departmental Correspondence
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many letters sent from the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans to (a) charities, (b) members of the Armed Forces and (c) members of the public have been signed (i) personally and (ii) using an electronic or scanned signature since 11 May 2010; [83753]
(2) what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in his Department on the use of scanned and electronic signatures in letters to hon. Members; [83754]
(3) what proportion of letters were signed (a) personally and (b) using an electronic or scanned signature by each Minister in his Department since 11 May 2010. [83755]
Mr Robathan: I never use an electronic or scanned signature to sign letters.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 November 2011, Official Report, column 687W.
Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any disciplinary action has been taken against any official of his Department arising from allegations of bribery on the part of GPT. [82751]
Peter Luff [holding answer 24 November 2011]: No disciplinary action has been taken against any official of the Ministry of Defence.
Departmental Equality
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps his Department has taken to promote equality of opportunity; and at what cost to the public purse. [82966]
Mr Robathan: The permanent secretary and the Chief of Defence Staff jointly chair a diversity panel and are supported by diversity champions at senior civil service level. We have a small central team, under 10 people, of dedicated professionals who provide the Department with advice and guidance around its efforts to remove or minimise disadvantages and meet the needs of its staff. For example, the Ministry of Defence civil service launched the new ‘ability passport' scheme in August this year for use by staff requiring reasonable adjustments. This is not a mandatory requirement but the scheme has been created to assist staff who may change jobs or experience a change of line manager. The armed forces have also recently introduced a number of initiatives for service personnel, including a Naval Service parenting network and an Army women's network. The team also assists the Department in seeking out opportunities to help people who share a protected characteristic to participate in public life.
The cost to the public purse is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Internet
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many unique hits his Department's website received in each of the last 12 months. [83135]
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Mr Robathan: Statistics for the Ministry of Defence corporate website:
www.mod.uk
for the last 12 months are as detailed in the following table:
| Ministry of Defence http://www.mod.uk | |||
|
|
Unique visitors | Visits | Page impressions/views |
| (1) The annual total unique visitors figure has duplicated visitor records removed as per reporting guidance, to ensure the annual number of unique visitors is not inflated by a simple addition of monthly totals. | |||
These show the number of unique visitors, visits and page impressions and comply with the guidance issued by the Central Office of Information (COI) on the methodology for identifying website usage in response to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Sixteenth Report. A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Library of the House and can be found at the following links:
COI guidance measuring website usage TGI 16:
http://www.coi.gov.uk/guidance.php?page=229
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmpubacc/143/14302.htm
Judicial Review
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what applications for judicial review have been made against his Department (a) in the last Parliament and (b) since May 2010; whether each such application (i) succeeded, (ii) failed and (iii) remains pending; what legal costs were incurred by his Department for each such application; in each failed application whether he applied for costs against the applicant and whether they were (A) awarded and (B) paid; whether his Department (1) paid for and (2) offered to pay for the legal costs incurred by each such applicant; and what the total cost to the public purse was of payment of the legal costs for each such applicant. [80710]
Mr Robathan:
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is not able to supply all the information requested in this question, as some figures for the years requested are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Nevertheless, the MOD can supply the following information regarding judicial reviews. In
29 Nov 2011 : Column 809W
the period of the last Parliament, from 2005 to 2010, the Treasury Solicitor's Department have estimated a total of 210 judicial reviews in England and Wales involved the MOD at a cost to the Department of £8,275,790. There were no judicial reviews in Scotland during the period of the last Parliament.
Since May 2010, there have been 81 new cases in England and Wales, at a current cost of £247,149. Of those listed for England and Wales, it is estimated that at present 192 judicial review cases are still open. There is one review in Scotland that has yet to conclude, which to date has cost the Department £10,642.
Departmental Older Workers
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people his Department employs who are aged over (a) 55 and (b) 65 years. [83130]
Mr Robathan: The information requested is provided in the following tables:
| Strength of UK regular forces by age at 1 October 2011 | |
| Age | Total number |
| Notes: l. UK regular forces includes all trained and untrained personnel. Gurkhas, full-time reserve personnel and mobilised reservists are excluded. 2. Due to ongoing validation of data from the Joint Personnel Administration System, service strength statistics for 1 October 2011 are provisional and subject to review. 3. Due to rounding methods used, figures may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Source: DASA (Quad-Service). | |
| Strength of civilian personnel by age at 1 October 2011 | |
| Age | Total number (headcount) |
| Notes: 1. Headcount is a measure of the size of the work force that counts all people equally regardless of their hours of work. 2. The above includes core MOD and Trading Fund personnel but excludes Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel and locally-engaged civilians (LEC) for whom data in respect of age are not held centrally. 3. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sum of their rounded parts. Source: DASA (Quad-Service). | |
Official Photographs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [82577]
Mr Robathan: Official photographs are taken of Ministers and senior officials when they attend official events and of visiting Ministers and senior military officers of other countries. No central records are kept of the number.
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No photographers are employed principally to photograph Ministers or senior officials, but any photographer would obviously be expected to take such photographs, if required, as part of their principal duties.
Procurement
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on its prime contracts in (a) the south-west, (b) the south-east, (c) central and (d) east in each year since 2003. [82755]
Mr Robathan: The amounts spent on the prime contracts per calendar year are shown in the following table:
| £ million | |||||||
| Regional prime contracts | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
No spend is shown for 2003 as the first of the contracts was only placed in March 2004. The start dates for the contracts are as follows:
East: March 2006
Central: April 2006
South-east: September 2005
South-west: March 2004.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on the two regional routine maintenance contracts in Northern Ireland in each year since 2003. [82756]
Mr Robathan: The two term contracts for maintenance and minor new works in Northern Ireland commenced in 2006. Total spend since then is shown in the following table.
| Financial year | Total spend (£ million) |
Information prior to the setting up of the term contracts in 2006 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Redundancy
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the employees of his Department who will be made redundant in his Department's planned programme of redundancies are (a) front line combat personnel and (b) logistics personnel; [82322]
(2) what proportion of employees of his Department who will be made redundant in his Department's planned programme of redundancies are female. [82323]
29 Nov 2011 : Column 811W
Mr Robathan: The Strategic Defence and Security Review set a savings target equivalent to a reduction in the civilian work force of 25,000, and a reduction of 17,000 posts in the regular armed forces by 31 March 2015. The Department's aim is that, so far as possible, those savings will be made without recourse to compulsory redundancy.
For the civilian work force, allowing for the effects of normal staff turnover and the current civil service recruitment restrictions, it was estimated that the Department would need to agree some 15,500 paid releases between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2014. Accordingly, a voluntary early release scheme was launched in February. By the end of October 2011, 2,589 individuals had left under this scheme. It is important to note that these are not redundancies.
The armed forces redundancy programme is still in its early stages. Gender is not a factor and all service personnel are eligible for service on front-line operations provided that they are medically fit to do so, and could be considered for redundancy.
Following the recently completed first tranche of redundancies, Defence Analytical Service and Advice (DASA) has recently produced a statistical report on the programme. This lists those individuals selected for redundancy by categories including trade and gender. Some 10% are female. The full report can be found on the Ministry of Defence website at:
www.dasa.mod.uk
and a copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.
Secondment
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials employed by his Department have been (a) working at and (b) seconded to the National Archives at Kew. [82942]
Written Questions
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of written questions for answer on a named day his Department has answered on the due date in the 2010 to 2012 Session of Parliament to date. [82969]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) received 1,418 written questions for answer on a named day in the 2010-12 Session of Parliament, up to 22 November 2011. Of these, 725, or 51%, were answered on the due date.
The MOD shall be providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance at the end of the parliamentary Session. Statistics relating to the MOD’s performance for the 2009-10 Session were previously provided to the committee and are available on the Parliament website.
Ex-servicemen
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records his Department keeps on the career destinations of former military personnel. [82320]
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Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not maintain records of the career destinations of service leavers, and to do so would require service leavers to notify us when they pursue alternative job opportunities. However, a survey of all service leavers six months after discharge is conducted by the Career Transition Partnership and in 2010, service leavers found post-service employment within 44 industry sectors across the public, private and voluntary/community sectors. These industry sectors are diverse and range from accountancy and finance through to sports and leisure.
Falkland Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the Falkland Islands. [83207]
Nick Harvey: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has regular discussions with his US counterpart. The nature of those discussions is confidential.
Germany: Armed Forces
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he provided written notice to the German Government of his plans to withdraw troops from Germany. [82865]
Nick Harvey: The previous Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), wrote to his German counterpart Dr Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg on publication of the Strategic Defence and Security Review in October 2010 to inform him of our plans to withdraw troops from Germany.
Since that time, the Ministry of Defence has continued to liaise closely with the German Government, the Federal Ministry of Defence and regional and local authorities as our plans have developed. We have also worked hard to ensure coherence in our announcements to ensure that Ministers, our ambassador to Germany, General Officer Commanding UK Support Command, our Defence Attaché in Berlin and others have been able to brief their German counterparts in a timely fashion.
Guided Weapons
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cruise missiles have been fired in action by UK forces in each theatre in the last five years. [82723]
Nick Harvey: No cruise missiles have been fired by UK forces in Afghanistan or Iraq in the last five years. Cruise missiles have been fired into Libya. I am withholding details of the number of cruise missiles that have been fired, as the disclosure of this information would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Legal Opinion
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many times his Department sought legal advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011; [78061]
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(2) what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by his Department in the first six months of 2011; [78071]
(3) how much his Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) instructing counsel in (i) 2007, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) the first six months of 2011; how many times (A) his Department was taken to court and (B) a decision taken by his Department was subject to a judicial review; and what the outcome was of each such (1) case and (2) review. [78093]
Mr Robathan: Information on the number of times that external legal advice has been sought is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The amounts spent by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on instructing counsel via the Treasury Solicitor's department in England and Wales were as follows:
2007-08: £2,924,728
2009-10: £4,062,823
2010-11: £4,511,062.
In the first six months of 2011, we estimate that a sum of £1,811,634 has so far been spent on instructing counsel in England and Wales. Instructing via the Treasury Solicitor's department accounts for the majority of our costs for external counsel.
Information on the amounts spent by the Department on legal advice in Scotland, where the MOD is represented by solicitor-agents, was as follows:
2007-08: £1,088,448
2008-09: £1,399,101
2009-10: £1,370,447
2010-11: £1,034,126.
The Treasury Solicitor's department also reports that the numbers of new cases involving the MOD opened by them in the years in question were as follows:
2007-08: 446
2009-10: 603
2010-11: 610.
The numbers of new judicial reviews in each year involving the MOD were as follows:
2007-08: 24
2009-10: 64
2010-11: 74.
I would stress, however, that analysis of the number of new cases opened in England and Wales needs to be treated with caution as, for example, large group actions are often treated as one case in these figures. In Scotland, there was only one judicial review between 2007 and 2011.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7 November 2011, Official Report, columns 82-3W, in which I provided the numbers of staff currently employed in the five different legal sections within the MOD. We estimate that the costs of this internal legal advice for the first six months of 2011 to be in the region of £8.6 million. Not all of these staff, many of whom are uniformed, provide legal advice to the Department as the sole part of their duties.
With regard to external legal advice commissioned in the first six months of 2011, figures are not centrally held that would help detail an accurate grand total figure. Nevertheless, I can supply the following information
29 Nov 2011 : Column 814W
which reflects our major areas of legal expenditure for this period. Fees and disbursements paid to the Treasury Solicitor's department totalled £6.7 million. Sums paid to firms working for the Department's commercial framework panel totalled £2.5 million. Fees and outlays paid to the providers of legal advice to the Department in Scotland totalled £697,929. The RAF legal service also report spending £64,750 on external legal advice relating to employment tribunals during this period.
Members: Correspondence
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters from hon. Members to Ministers in his Department received a response within (a) seven, (b) 10, (c) 14 and (d) 21 or more working days since 11 May 2010. [83752]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) received 9,085 items of correspondence which received a ministerial response between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2011.
The MOD's database only provides statistics for responses to MPs, Peers, and members of the public to whom Ministers have written. The following figures therefore include all correspondence which has received a ministerial response.
| Answered within: | Number of letters |
The MOD aims to respond to all correspondence within 15 working days of receipt. For this calendar year up to 31 October 2011, 6,861 (76%) items of correspondence were answered on time.
The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to correspondence from MPs and Peers. The report for 2010 was published on 28 March 2011, Official Report, columns 1-3WS.
MOD St Athan
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the commercial use of MOD St Athan; and if he will make a statement. [83530]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence is currently in discussions with the Welsh Government to consider the further use of the Red Dragon hangar.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has offered the Twin Peaks hangar to the Welsh Government for use as it is no longer required for defence purposes.
Radioactive Waste
Paul Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response his Department made to each recommendation of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee’s Advice to Ministers on the Ministry of Defence’s Arrangements for Dealing with Radioactively Contaminated Land,
29 Nov 2011 : Column 815W
August 2000; what progress was made in implementation of each recommendation; and if he will make a statement. [82377]
Mr Robathan: A copy of the Department’s response to the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee’s (RWMAC) report on dealing with radioactively contaminated land, and details of the implementation of each recommendation will be placed in the Library of the House.
RAF Personnel: Cottesmore and Kinloss
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) Royal Air Force and (b) civilian personnel have been stationed at RAF Cottesmore in each year between 2005 and 2011; [83353]
(2) how many (a) Royal Air Force, (b) Army and (c) civilian staff have been stationed at RAF Kinloss in each year between 2005 and 2011. [83354]
Mr Robathan: The available information for the number of Royal Air Force (RAF) and civilian personnel employed at RAF Cottesmore and the number of RAF, Army and civilian personnel at RAF Kinloss for the period 2005 to 2011 is set out in the following table. Prior to 2007 data on the number of personnel based at certain RAF bases were not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
| At April each year: | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| (1) Not held Source: Defence Analytical Services and Advice (Quad-Service) Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 or zero in accordance with the Data Protection Act to protect personal information and include trained and untrained personnel. | |||||||
War Memorials: VAT
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) letters, (b) e-mails and (c) telephone calls his Department has received on VAT on the construction of war memorials in each of the last 12 months; [83132]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with veteran groups on VAT on the construction of war memorials. [83133]
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Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence has received only one letter on this issue in the last 12 months.
The Ministry of Defence has no direct responsibility in this matter but the Department for Culture, Media and Sport administer a Memorial Grant Scheme which refunds the VAT costs incurred by UK-registered charities in the construction, renovation and maintenance of memorials both in the UK and overseas. I have attended one meeting with the Minister with responsibility for tourism and heritage, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), and the Bomber Command Association where the issue of VAT for the Bomber Command Memorial has been discussed.
World War I: Hartlepool
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to commemorate the centenary of the bombardment of Hartlepool on 16 December 2014; and if he will make a statement. [83220]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 84W to the hon. Member for Broadland (Mr Simpson).
Scotland
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the effects of the Alcohol Act 2010 in reducing alcohol-related harm. [82864]
David Mundell: Scotland Office Ministers and officials are in regular contact with their counterparts in the Scottish Government on a range of issues including reducing alcohol-related harm.
Departmental Photographs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [82567]
David Mundell: No official photographs of Ministers or senior officials in the Scotland Office were taken since May 2010. Press Office staff routinely take photographs of ministerial visits and events.
Departmental Publications
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) leaflets, (b) posters and (c) reports his Department has published since May 2010; how much each cost; and which company (i) published and (ii) designed each. [83012]
David Mundell: Since May 2010, the only report published by the Scotland Office was the 2010-11 annual report of the Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate-General for Scotland. This report cost £1,226 to publish; no design costs were incurred. No leaflets or posters have been published by the Scotland Office since May 2010.
29 Nov 2011 : Column 817W
Northern Ireland
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to reduce costs in his Department. [83026]
Mr Paterson:
The Northern Ireland Office has put in place a strategy to deliver savings in line with the spending review settlement. Progress against this is regularly reviewed by the Departmental Management Board. Savings are being delivered or are planned across the business including on travel costs, accommodation costs and staff costs. For example, travel costs have been reduced by approximately £600,000 to date primarily as
29 Nov 2011 : Column 818W
a result of my decision to travel to and from Northern Ireland by scheduled airline rather than by private jet which had been the practice of previous Secretaries of State.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Cattle: Exports
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle have been approved for export in each month in the last three years. [83567]
Mr Paice: The numbers of live cattle approved for export in each month over the last three years (2008-10) are as follows:
| Number | ||||||||||||
|
|
Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Notes: 1. These figures include both pure bred and non-pure bred breeding animals. 2. Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Economics and Statistics Programme, DEFRA. Source: HM Revenue and Customs. | ||||||||||||
Earth Summit 2012
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that her Department's preparations for the Rio+20 Summit in 2012 address population stabilisation and sustainable development. [81559]
Mr Paice: The UK Government are committed to strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth, eradicating poverty, tackling dangerous climate change, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.
Economic growth is essential to raising living standards, reducing poverty, improving well-being and expanding economic and social choices. We need sustainable development to achieve all this.
The Rio+20 summit on sustainable development (June 2012) is an opportunity to agree ambitious action which will enable us to meet the challenge of global population growth and rising income levels, while ensuring that natural resources and ecosystems are used in a sustainable way for our long-term prosperity. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), is leading the UK Government's preparations for Rio+20, working with EU and international partners.
Lack of choice and access to family planning for many women and girls contribute to rapid population growth, which can impede economic growth and poverty reduction.
The Government, via the Department for International Development, have committed to ensuring at least 10 million more women in developing countries have access to modern methods of family planning by 2015.
EU External Trade: Israel
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that fresh produce imports originating in Israeli settlements do not benefit from certificates of conformity with EU marketing standards issued by the Israeli authorities. [83229]
Mr Paice: EU rules do not allow the authorities in any third country exporter (such as Israel) to issue valid certificates of conformity with EU marketing standards for fruit and vegetables originating outside that third country (such as the west bank). The situation hypothecated by the hon. Member in respect of imports originating in Israeli settlements on the west bank cannot, therefore, arise. Although EU rules allow third countries to issue certificate of conformity with marketing standards, that does not mean that every import consignment will be accompanied by such a document, since importers can also apply for a certificate from an EU member state's authority. Moreover, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs take steps to exclude the possibility that goods of west bank origin enter the United Kingdom incorrectly described as being Israeli for preferential tariff purposes, since quite different tariff arrangements apply to these two categories of imports.
Sharks: Conservation
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the EU's proposals for a global ban on shark finning. [83332]
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Richard Benyon: I warmly welcome the European Commission's robust proposals to tighten controls on shark finning for EU vessels. This represents a major step in the right direction in protecting these vulnerable species. As part of the Commission's consultation on these measures I made the UK's position very clear, and I am delighted that this has been so strongly reflected in the draft proposals. All sharks should be landed with their fins naturally attached to completely outlaw the wasteful practice of shark finning.
The UK is leading the way in Europe on this issue, with shark finning already completely banned on all UK vessels. These proposals will bring the rest of Europe up to UK standards and enable the EU to take a strong stance on this issue internationally.
We will work with the Commission, member states and the European Parliament to ensure that these proposals on shark finning remain strong, and will continue to press for action in international fora to end shark finning universally.
Education
16-19 Bursary Fund
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) applicants and (b) recipients there were of the 16 to 19 bursary scheme in the 2011-12 academic year. [81932]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 23 November 2011]: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA)who operate the 16-19 Bursary Fund for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 24 November 2011:
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question PQ81932 that asked:
“How many (a) applicants and (b) recipients there were of the 16 to 19 bursary scheme in the 2011-12 academic year”.
The 16-19 Bursary Fund was introduced in September 2011 (for the 2011/12 academic year) to help the most vulnerable 16-19 year-olds continue in full-time education. A bursary fund allocation is made direct to schools, colleges, academies, and other training providers. The fund consists of two parts - a payment of up to £1,200 to a small group of the most vulnerable students, and a discretionary fund for schools, colleges, academies, and training providers to distribute to students who face other financial barriers to staying on in education.
Schools, colleges, academies, and training providers are responsible for determining their own criteria for eligibility for discretionary bursaries, and for deciding the level of awards. This is the first year of the scheme and therefore we do not yet hold data about the number of young people that are currently benefiting from the bursary scheme. At the end of the academic year, we will be collecting a management information return and the Department for Education has commissioned an end of year evaluation study.
We have published details of the allocations of funding to schools, colleges and other providers, arranged by upper tier local authority, and this can be found at the following website:
http://www.ypla.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwork/funding/allocations/