Work and Pensions

Disclosure of Information

Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to ensure that important policy announcements are made to Parliament before the media. [83945]

Chris Grayling: All policy announcements made by the Department for Work and Pensions are made to Parliament in line with parliamentary procedure.

Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will instigate an inquiry into the announcement of the details on the youth contract by the media prior to the announcement of such details to Parliament. [83946]

Chris Grayling: The details of the youth contract were released by the Department for Work and Pensions via a written ministerial statement on the morning of 25 November 2011. Official Report, columns 42-44WS.

Subsequent to this statement being tabled, the Department placed a press release on its website.

The Department will not be instigating an inquiry into this announcement.

Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 25 November 2011, on the youth contract, if he will publish the media grid in relation to the launch of the youth contract, including the details of information provided to the media prior to the issue of the statement. [83947]

30 Nov 2011 : Column 953W

Chris Grayling: The details of the youth contract were released by the Department for Work and Pensions via a written ministerial statement on the morning of 25 November 2011, Official Report, columns 42-44WS.

Subsequent to this statement being tabled, the Department placed a press release on its website.

Social Exclusion

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the Department of Health on a co-ordinated approach towards people experiencing social exclusion due to health problems. [82087]

Maria Miller: The Social Justice Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), and composed of Ministers from across relevant Government Departments, is focused on co-ordinating policy on poverty, equality and social justice.

The Minister of State for Public Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Anne Milton), is a member of the Committee, and Department for Health officials sit on the Officials' Group that supports it. The Committee and Officials' Group meet on a monthly basis.

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on a co-ordinated approach towards people experiencing social exclusion due to discrimination. [82088]

Maria Miller: The Social Justice Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), and composed of Ministers from across relevant Government Departments, is focused on co-ordinating policy on poverty, equality and social justice.

The Minister for Women and Equalities, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), is a member of the Committee, and her officials sit on the Officials' Group that supports it. The Committee and Officials' Group meet on a monthly basis.

Wales

Carbon Emissions

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with energy-intensive businesses in Wales on carbon floor pricing. [83954]

Mrs Gillan: I have had a number of meetings on this issue with businesses in Wales, including Tata Steel, Toyota and Airbus. In March I visited Tata Steel in Port Talbot with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), to hear at first hand the company's concerns about carbon floor pricing.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 954W

It is important that we strike the right balance between reducing our carbon footprint and maintaining a competitive UK economy. I therefore welcome yesterday's announcement to provide up to £100 million over the spending review period to mitigate the impacts of the carbon floor on electricity costs to businesses that are electricity intensive and operate in internationally competitive markets from April 2013.

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment she has made of the effect of carbon floor pricing on energy-intensive businesses in Wales. [83955]

Mrs Gillan: Yesterday we announced support to enable energy-intensive industries to remain internationally competitive and adjust to the transition to a low carbon economy. We will provide up to £100 million over the spending review period to mitigate the impacts of the carbon floor on electricity costs to businesses that are electricity intensive and operate in internationally competitive markets from April 2013.

Legal Proceedings

Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which organisations that have received funding from her Department have brought legal proceedings against her Department in the last five years; which such organisations were not successful in their actions; and whether her Department (a) applied and (b) was paid for costs in respect of such cases. [83897]

Mrs Gillan: None.

Procurement

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which services her Department has outsourced in each of the last five years. [84224]

Mr David Jones: None. The Wales Office does not deliver services directly to the public and obtains its corporate and support services through the Ministry of Justice.

Newport, Gwent

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times she has visited Newport since May 2010. [83956]

Mrs Gillan: Ministers have undertaken official engagements in Newport on seven occasions since May 2010.

Postcodes

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether her Department uses postcodes for purposes other than the postage of mail. [84215]

Mr David Jones: No.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 955W

Northern Ireland

Shared Future

9. Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on a strategy for a shared future in Northern Ireland. [82813]

Mr Swire: We welcome the commitments made in the Executive’s draft Programme for Government to finalise the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy, build a united community and improve community relations. We will continue to discuss progress in this area with Northern Ireland Ministers where appropriate.

Legacy

10. Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on measures to deal with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [82814]

Mr Paterson: The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), and I have been meeting a range of political parties and interest groups to discuss the issue of dealing with the past. So far we have not found consensus. I intend to meet with political parties in Northern Ireland again in order to seek their views on how consensus can be found.

Fuel Poverty

12. John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. [82816]

Mr Swire: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham), for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) and for Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin).

Short Money

13. Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the House of Commons Commission regarding the provision of Short money and other equivalent financial support for political parties in Northern Ireland. [82817]

Mr Paterson: I have had no discussions with the House of Commons Commission in relation to this issue.

Domestic Aviation

14. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with BMI and International Airlines Group, on the London Heathrow to Belfast City air route. [82818]

Mr Paterson: I met Mr Willie Walsh, the chief executive of International Airlines Group on 16 November 2011 to discuss the opportunities that Northern Ireland airports can offer airlines and the needs of Northern Ireland business and leisure passengers.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 956W

Foreign Investment in UK

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the US Administration on inward investment in Northern Ireland. [82805]

Mr Paterson: I have had regular discussions on inward investment with representatives of the US Administration, most recently at meetings with the State Department in October.

The lead responsibility for attracting inward investment lies with the Northern Ireland Executive but we co-operate closely in support of their efforts.

Health

Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason abortion is not going to be left as a matter for the discretion of clinical commissioning groups. [83861]

Anne Milton: The Department's publication ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Update and Way Forward’ (July 2011) stated that local authorities would be responsible for commissioning comprehensive sexual health services.

Abortion: Counselling

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on requiring the provision of pregnancy counselling by private abortion providers and their subsidiaries. [83860]

Anne Milton: All independent and private sector clinics performing abortions must be approved by the Secretary of State for Health. Approval is conditional on complying with a set of requirements, ‘Procedures for the Approval of Independent Sector Places’. The procedures state that:

“a person trained and experienced in counselling in this field must be available to attend clinics/hospitals if required. Counselling must be offered to women who request it or who appear to need help in deciding on the management of pregnancy or who have difficulty in coping emotionally”.

The issue of abortion counselling was discussed in Parliament on 7 September 2011, Official Report, columns 362-85, and a commitment was made that the Department would develop proposals and consult on counselling options for all women considering abortion both within the independent sector and the national health service. The consultation will look at how to develop an offer of counselling that is impartial and supportive.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over the age of (a) 65, (b) 75 and (c) 85 years were admitted to accident and emergency centres in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [83685]

30 Nov 2011 : Column 957W

Mr Simon Burns: Patients are not admitted to accident and emergency (A&E) centres, though they may be admitted to other hospital departments following an attendance at an A&E department. Statistics for admissions to A&E are therefore not available.

Statistics are available for attendances at A&E departments, though not for the exact age ranges requested, and have only been published since 2007-08. The following table represents the most relevant and up-to-date statistics available:

A&E attendances
  Year
Age group 2007-08 2008 -09 2009-10

60 to 69

886,748

1,035,865

1,186,933

70 to 79

842,406

983,427

114,954

80 to 89

720,805

865,588

991,054

90 to 99

185,830

214,734

256,618

100+

7,150

9,377

n/a

n/a = Not available.

Brain Cancer: Health Services

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of adults with primary brain tumours who will be enrolled in randomised, controlled clinical trials as part of their therapy by 2014. [83552]

Mr Simon Burns: No estimates are made of the future proportion of patients recruited to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in cancer, by cancer site. In 2010-11, the equivalent of 19.8% of new incident cancer cases were recruited into studies hosted by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cancer Research Network (NCRN), representing a fivefold increase in recruitment in the decade since the network was established. In the same year, 194 patients were recruited to RCTs in brain cancer hosted by the NCRN.

Council for Health and Regulatory Excellence: Standards

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to measure the performance and outcomes of the Council for Health and Regulatory Excellence. [83941]

Anne Milton: The Department holds quarterly accountability meetings with the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence to monitor the performance of the organisation and to ensure that the council is fulfilling its statutory functions as set out in legislation.

In addition, the Department reviews the Council's annual reports and accounts, which are laid before Parliament. The Department also reviews the Council's annual performance review on the effectiveness of the regulators in protecting the public and promoting confidence in health professionals, which is also laid before Parliament.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 958W

Advisory Services

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has been involved in the cross-Government review of advice funding. [83843]

Paul Burstow: The Government are committed to ensuring that people continue to have access to good quality free advice in their communities and, in connection with this, will be carrying out a review of free advice services, beginning in November 2011 and ending in early 2012.

The review, together with a new £16.8 million central Government fund to help not-for-profit free advice services in England, was announced by the Minister for Civil Society, the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), on 21 November 2011.

The cross-Government review, to be led by the Cabinet Office, will look at the funding environment for these services, likely levels of demand, and how the Government can play a positive role. Although the focus of the review will be on debt, welfare benefits, housing and employment advice, these are all determinants of health and therefore the Department is keen to be involved in the review.

Ministerial Video Recordings

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the public purse was of his message on Hospedia patient entertainment systems; and how much ministerial time was required for its preparation. [83485]

Mr Simon Burns: There was no cost to the public purse. The filming was carried out on a constituency day.

Drugs

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons he decided not to proceed with the earlier access to medicines scheme proposed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; and if he will make a statement; [83692]

(2) for what reasons the earlier access to medicines working group was disbanded; [83693]

(3) what steps he is taking to increase earlier access to unlicensed medicines via (a) clinical trials and (b) named patient programmes; [83694]

(4) what assessment his Department has made of the efficacy of the regulatory framework for accessing unlicensed medicines. [83695]

Mr Simon Burns: The earlier access to medicines scheme was developed by a working group established by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2009. The working group was disbanded in 2010 when the framework for an earlier access scheme had been agreed. A decision was taken by Ministers in early 2011 not to take the scheme forward to public consultation at that time because of other significant changes taking place within the national health service, including the introduction of the Cancer Drugs Fund in April 2011.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 959W

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) makes it possible for patients and health professionals across England to participate in relevant clinical trials, including trials of unlicensed medicines. Investment by the Department of Health in the NIHR CRN has increased from £157.5 million in 2008-09 to £300.9 million in 2010-11.

The NIHR has worked with partners to improve the cost-effectiveness of the United Kingdom as an environment for clinical trials, including through use of model agreements and costing templates. The NIHR also manages the UK Clinical Trials Gateway, an online resource providing information about trials running in the UK. Phase 2 of the Gateway was launched in March 2011, and Phase 3 will be released in 2012.

The UK has long made use of the derogation in Article 5 (1) of European Directive 2001/83/EC, which permits member states to put in place national arrangements allowing an authorised health care professional to commission the manufacture and importation of an unlicensed medicine to meet the special needs of an individual patient under his direct personal responsibility. It is therefore possible under existing legislation for doctors and certain other prescribers in the UK to access unlicensed medicines to meet the clinical needs of individual patients. The MHRA is currently reviewing the operation of these national arrangements.

Fluoride: Hampshire

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date he expects (a) Southampton city council and (b) New Forest district council to take over responsibility from the South Central strategic health authority for deciding whether fluoride should be added to drinking water in their areas; [82660]

(2) what his policy is on the appropriateness of the decision of the South Central strategic health authority to proceed with the fluoridation of drinking water in (a) Southampton and (b) part of the New Forest East constituency whilst (i) Southampton city council and (ii) New Forest district council remain opposed to it. [82664]

30 Nov 2011 : Column 960W

Anne Milton: South Central strategic health authority (SHA) has complied with the current legislation, which was in force in 2008 when the SHA conducted the consultation on the fluoridation scheme. Under regulation 5 of the Water Fluoridation (Consultation) (England) Regulations 2005, SHAs have to determine the outcome of a consultation “having regard to the extent of support for the proposal and the cogency of the arguments advanced ...”.

The Health and Social Care Bill currently before Parliament provides for responsibility for consultations on fluoridation to transfer to local authorities. The Bill includes powers to make new regulations which will include the criteria which local authorities should apply in determining when consultations on the continuance of existing fluoridation schemes should be conducted. We will be consulting on the content of these regulations before they are laid before Parliament.

Hospital Beds

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the reasons for delayed hospital discharge. [83212]

Paul Burstow: The information shown in the following table provides an assessment of the reasons for delayed hospital discharge. Based on the latest information, about 61% of delayed transfers in October are attributable to the national health service and 32% to social care, with the remaining 7% being attributable to both in October 2011.

No one should be made to stay in hospital longer than necessary. The NHS and social care must work together to ensure people have the support they need on leaving hospital. The new Clinical Commissioning Groups will bring together general practitioners, specialist doctors and nurses to shape the best joined-up local care for patients, helping to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Department has allocated additional funding to help people return to their homes after a spell in hospital—by 2012-13 this will be £300 million per year. This money will help people to leave hospital more quickly and get settled back at home with the support they need.

Delayed transfers of care (DTOC) by reason, England—England level data
    Number of patients with a DTOC at midnight on the last Thursday of the month Number of delayed days during the reporting period
Type of care Reason for Delay NHS Social care Both NHS Social care Both

Acute

1,712

478

152

46,837

13,223

4,249

Non-acute

908

811

135

26,009

24,376

3,970

               

Acute

(A) Awaiting completion of assessment

252

108

87

7,277

2,807

2,574

 

(B) Awaiting public funding

68

26

5

1,602

925

238

 

(C) Awaiting further non-acute (including PCT and mental health) NHS care (including intermediate care, rehabilitation services etc.)

650

n/a

n/a

18,513

n/a

n/a

 

(Dii) Awaiting nursing home placement or availability

134

87

13

3,282

2,638

338

30 Nov 2011 : Column 961W

30 Nov 2011 : Column 962W

 

(Di) Awaiting residential home placement or availability

65

86

n/a

1,823

2,612

n/a

 

(E) Awaiting care package in own home

59

149

41

1,696

3,597

885

 

(F) Awaiting community equipment and adaptations

72

8

6

1,657

164

214

 

(G) Patient or family choice

343

11

n/a

9,112

375

n/a

 

(H) Disputes

38

3

n/a

1,038

105

n/a

 

(I) Housing–patients not covered by NHS and Community Care Act

31

n/a

n/a

837

n/a

n/a

               

Non-acute

(A) Awaiting completion of assessment

126

144

38

3,392

3,673

1,141

 

(B) Awaiting public funding

30

84

26

854

2,689

835

 

(C) Awaiting further non-acute (including PCT and mental health) NHS care (including intermediate care, rehabilitation services etc.)

125

n/a

n/a

3,725

n/a

n/a

 

(Dii) Awaiting nursing home placement or availability

87

126

32

2,651

3,844

843

 

(Di) Awaiting residential home placement or availability

92

229

n/a

2,851

6,667

n/a

 

(E) Awaiting care package in own home

33

151

28

945

5,118

960

 

(F) Awaiting community equipment and adaptations

30

12

11

929

534

191

 

(G) Patient or family choice

224

49

n/a

5,841

1,406

NA

 

(H) Disputes

32

16

n/a

947

445

n/a

 

(I) Housing–patients not covered by NHS and Community Care Act

129

n/a

n/a

3,874

n/a

n/a

Type of care Reason for delay Number of patients with a DTOC at midnight on the last Thursday of the month Number of delayed days during the reporting period

Acute

2,342

64,309

Non-acute

1,854

54,355

Total

4,196

118,664

Notes: Summary: Delayed transfers of care (DTOC) by who the delay is attributable to (NHS, social care or both) and by the reasons for the delay. Period: October 2011. Source: Unify2 data collection—MSitDT.

Mental Health Services

Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adult mental health diversion schemes there are in each police authority area. [83708]

Paul Burstow: This information is not currently collected by the Department. The National Liaison and Diversion Programme is currently working with its regional partners to conduct a mapping exercise to identify the coverage and extent of service provision throughout England.

Multiple Sclerosis: Health Services

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to respond to the National Audit of Services for People with Multiple Sclerosis 2011; and what plans he has to improve (a) diagnosis and (b) access to specialised services and treatment. [83707]

Paul Burstow: Responsibility for commissioning, and providing services, to meet the needs of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) lies with primary care trusts.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published a clinical guideline for MS. The guideline provides comprehensive evidence-based information on the benefits and limitations of the various methods of diagnosing, treating and caring for people with MS. This helps health professionals and patients decide on the most appropriate treatment.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 963W

Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, the NHS Commissioning Board will handle the future commissioning of specialised services. This will ensure consistency in planning and funding of specialised services for the benefit of patients with rare conditions.

NHS: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 602W, on clinical commissioning groups, which primary care trusts forecast an aggregate surplus; and what the surplus is for each such trust. [83363]

Mr Simon Burns: At quarter 1 of 2011-12, there were 148 primary care trusts forecasting an aggregate surplus between them of £517 million. The breakdown of this forecast surplus is shown in the following table:

Primary care trust 2011-12 quarter 1 forecast surplus (£000)

Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT

2,726

Barking and Dagenham PCT

2,200

Barnsley PCT

3,000

Bassetlaw PCT

1,700

Bath and North East Somerset PCT

2,685

Bedfordshire PCT

500

Berkshire East PCT

200

Berkshire West PCT

1,566

Bexley NHS Care Trust PCT

2,245

Birmingham East and North PCT

0

Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus PCT

1,372

Blackpool PCT

1,399

Bolton PCT

1,000

Bournemouth and Poole Teaching PCT

5,356

Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT

8,300

Brent Teaching PCT

11,602

Brighton and Hove City Teaching PCT

4,615

Bristol PCT

3,955

Bromley PCT

5,993

Buckinghamshire PCT

100

Bury PCT

251

Calderdale PCT

3,600

Cambridgeshire PCT

0

Camden PCT

22,804

Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT

3,444

Central Lancashire PCT

3,653

City and Hackney Teaching PCT

7,117

Cornwall and Isles Of Scilly PCT

8,562

County Durham PCT

1,000

Coventry Teaching PCT

5,800

Croydon PCT

8,301

Cumbria Teaching PCT

4,146

Darlington PCT

300

Derby City PCT

2,974

Derbyshire County PCT

8,000

Devon PCT

3,500

Doncaster PCT

2,700

Dorset PCT

6,133

Dudley PCT

1,000

30 Nov 2011 : Column 964W

Ealing PCT

6,105

East Lancashire Teaching PCT

3,324

East Riding of Yorkshire PCT

5,200

East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT

5,480

Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT

9,000

Gateshead PCT

500

Gloucestershire PCT

8,685

Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT

1,000

Greenwich Teaching PCT

4,612

Halton and St Helens PCT

500

Hammersmith and Fulham PCT

5,421

Hampshire PCT

0

Harrow PCT

0

Hartlepool PCT

100

Hastings and Rother PCT

3,353

Havering PCT

0

Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT

5,000

Herefordshire PCT

250

Hertfordshire PCT

0

Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT

2,000

Hillingdon PCT

0

Hounslow PCT

4,110

Hull Teaching PCT

3,200

Isle of Wight NHS PCT

2,461

Islington PCT

18,652

Kensington and Chelsea PCT

5,527

Kingston PCT

3,959

Kirklees PCT

8,300

Knowsley PCT

1,619

Lambeth PCT

6,605

Leeds PCT

25,200

Leicester City PCT

3,640

Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT

6,223

Lewisham PCT

5,375

Lincolnshire Teaching PCT

9,543

Liverpool PCT

9,217

Luton Teaching PCT

0

Manchester PCT

1,000

Medway PCT

4,495

Mid Essex PCT

1,000

Middlesbrough PCT

600

Milton Keynes PCT

100

Newcastle PCT

250

Newham PCT

9,738

Norfolk PCT

1,000

North East Essex PCT

1,000

North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus PCT

1,800

North Lancashire Teaching PCT

2,200

North Lincolnshire PCT

2,000

North Somerset PCT

1,063

North Staffordshire PCT

250

North Tyneside PCT

500

North Yorkshire and York PCT

0

Northamptonshire Teaching PCT

7,017

30 Nov 2011 : Column 965W

Northumberland Care PCT

250

Nottingham City PCT

3,400

Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT

3,333

Oldham PCT

2,015

Oxfordshire PCT

2,184

Peterborough PCT

0

Plymouth Teaching PCT

2,165

Portsmouth City Teaching PCT

1,656

Redbridge PCT

2,000

Redcar and Cleveland PCT

150

Richmond and Twickenham PCT

4,199

Rotherham PCT

2,200

Salford PCT

2,260

Sandwell PCT

1,000

Sefton PCT

2,548

Sheffield PCT

500

Shropshire County PCT

1,000

Solihull PCT

0

Somerset PCT

7,965

South Birmingham PCT

1,000

South East Essex PCT

850

South Gloucestershire PCT

1,397

South Staffordshire PCT

750

South Tyneside PCT

200

South West Essex PCT

0

Southampton City PCT

1,943

Southwark PCT

5,857

Stockport PCT

667

Stockton-on-Tees Teaching PCT

400

Stoke on Trent PCT

2,000

Suffolk PCT

6,100

Sunderland Teaching PCT

300

Surrey PCT

1,000

30 Nov 2011 : Column 966W

Sutton and Merton PCT

3,240

Swindon PCT

2,945

Tameside and Glossop PCT

1,000

Telford and Wrekin PCT

1,000

Torbay Care PCT

2,494

Tower Hamlets PCT

8,000

Trafford PCT

1,800

Wakefield District PCT

3,100

Walsall Teaching PCT

729

Waltham Forest PCT

0

Wandsworth PCT

12,322

Warrington PCT

1,543

Warwickshire PCT

200

West Essex PCT

400

West Kent PCT

1,000

West Sussex PCT

12,800

Western Cheshire PCT

1,975

Westminster PCT

12,577

Wiltshire PCT

6,460

Wirral PCT

2,000

Wolverhampton City PCT

15,008

Worcestershire PCT

3,000

Total

516,855

NHS: Manpower

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) other clinical staff and (d) managers were employed by the NHS in each of the last 10 years. [83181]

Mr Simon Burns: The number of qualified nurses, doctors, other professionally qualified clinical staff and managers employed by the national health service in England in each of the last 10 years are shown in the following table:

England at 30 September
Full-time equivalents

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

All doctors

90,638

92,910

97,415

102,344

109,483

114,470

119,359

121,264

125,629

132,683

132,879

                       

Total qualified nursing staff

266,987

277,334

291,285

304,892

315,440

321,537

322,062

322,182

329,372

336,007

335,357

                       

Other clinical staff

103,736

107,340

113,375

118,267

125,172

130,632

130,216

133,642

138,948

145,545

148,997

Of which:

                     

Total qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff(1)

89,632

93,085

98,397

102,912

108,585

113,214

114,492

117,107

122,059

128,331

131,311

Of which:

                     

30 Nov 2011 : Column 967W

30 Nov 2011 : Column 968W

Qualified Allied Health Professions

44,594

46,284

48,151

50,478

53,311

55,133

55,711

57,065

59,455

61,865

62,801

Other qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff

45,038

46,801

50,245

52,434

55,274

58,082

58,782

60,042

62,603

66,466

68,510

Qualified ambulance staff(1)

14,104

14,255

14,978

15,355

16,587

17,417

15,723

16,535

16,889

17,214

17,686

                       

Managers and senior managers

24,253

26,285

30,914

33,810

36,007

37,549

35,041

34,955

37,937

42,509

40,094

(1) In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years. Source: The NHS Information Centre.

NHS: Private Patients

Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether permitting the use of private patient financial payments towards the cost of NHS medical device treatments whilst undergoing NHS medical care would require primary legislation; and if he will make a statement; [83489]

(2) what legal advice he has received on whether patients wishing to privately purchase non-NHS funded medical device treatments are permitted to continue their treatment under the NHS; and if he will make a statement; [83490]

(3) whether he has considered issuing new NHS legal guidance on whether patients wishing to privately purchase non-NHS funded medical device treatments are permitted to continue their treatment under the NHS. [83491]

Mr Simon Burns: The National Health Service Act 2006 makes clear that NHS services must be provided free of charge except where charges are provided for in legislation. There are powers to introduce charges through regulations, but the Government have committed not to introduce any new charges this Parliament.

The legislation relating to charging in the NHS was made clear in Professor Sir Mike Richards’ report ‘Improving access to medicines for NHS patients’ which was commissioned by the previous Administration and published in November 2008 following a period of public consultation. The report can be found at the Department's website:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_089927

In response to the consultation, and to clarify current legislation, the Departments revised ‘Guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care’, which was published in March 2009, gave several case studies on how this could work in practice, covering drug interventions, as well as non-drug interventions. This guidance establishes that, where a patient opts to pay for private care, their entitlement to NHS services remains and may not be withdrawn. This includes the principle that privately-funded and NHS-funded care should be kept as clearly separate as possible, to ensure that NHS funding is not used to subsidise private care and that NHS patients are not charged for their treatment, which would breach NHS principles and legislation. The guidance also recognises that in exceptional cases there may be overriding concerns of patient safety that mean private and NHS care cannot be provided separately. The guidance can be found at the Department's website:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/DH_096427

Copies of both documents have already been placed in the Library.

This Government have decided to maintain the position recommended by Professor Sir Mike Richards, and we have no current plans to review the existing guidance on how the NHS is allowed to provide private care.

NHS: Procurement

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that commissioners are aware of their legal obligation to fund treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; and if he will make a statement. [83364]

Mr Simon Burns: The National Health Service Constitution sets out patients' right to drugs and treatments which have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and which their doctors consider are appropriate for them.

This right is underpinned by a statutory funding direction that requires NHS organisations to fund health care interventions recommended in NICE technology appraisals within three months of publication of final guidance.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 969W

NHS: Telephone Services

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of instances where NHS hospitals have charged patients more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number since 21 December 2010. [83875]

Mr Simon Burns: The Department has made no estimate of the number of instances where NHS hospitals have charged patients more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number since 21 December 2010.

The Department issued guidance and Directions to national health service bodies in December 2009 on the cost of telephone calls, which prohibit the use of telephone numbers which charge the patient more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the national health service. It is currently the responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that local practices are compliant with the Directions and guidance.

Sex: Health Services

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received on the development of documentation on his Department's sexual health policy and the contraceptive needs of all women; and if he will make a statement. [84258]

Anne Milton: The Department has received a number of representations about the sexual health policy document. The document will take a life course approach and will consider the sexual health needs, including contraception needs, of all people and particularly those who are most vulnerable. The document will be published in spring 2012.

Social Services: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely extent of (a) over and (b) under-spending in community services providers for each primary care trust area in England for 2011-12. [83320]

Mr Simon Burns: At quarter one of 2011-12, all care national health service trusts were forecasting a surplus.

The aggregate forecast surplus for all care NHS trusts, at quarter one of 2011-12, was £22 million.

The breakdown of the forecast surplus for all the care NHS trusts is shown in the following table.

  £000
Care NHS trust 2011-12 Quarter 1 forecast surplus/(operating deficit)

Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare NHS Trust

1,666

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust

2,500

Cambridgeshire Community, Services NHS Trust

668

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

2,775

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

23

30 Nov 2011 : Column 970W

Kent Community NHS Trust

1,306

Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust

3,451

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

1,000

Sussex Community NHS Trust

1,889

The Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust

1,140

The Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust

1,639

The Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

683

The Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust

1,071

The Solent NHS Trust

1,860

The Wirral Community NHS Trust

704

Total

22,375

Home Department

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on levels of alcohol-related crime in East Lancashire for each of the last three years. [83934]

James Brokenshire: From the police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office it is not possible to determine the number of offences which were alcohol-related.

The British Crime Survey (BCS) has information on alcohol-related violence at a national level. However, the sample size of the BCS is not large enough to provide robust estimates for these types of crimes in East Lancashire.

Animal Experiments

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, columns 166-8W, on animal experiments, how much time the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate devoted (a) in total and (b) per full-time equivalent inspector to providing advice on (i) preliminary project licence applications, (ii) project licence applications and (iii) project licence amendments. [83720]

Lynne Featherstone: We do not record the information requested, only the number of formal licence applications. Typically inspectors devote about one third of their time to project licence applications, both advising applicants and assessing applications in order to advise the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right Friend the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May).

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, columns 166-68W, on animal experiments, how many preliminary project licence applications were not proceeded with directly due to

30 Nov 2011 : Column 971W

Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate advice that a formal application would be refused and could not be amended to allow approval in

(a)

2008,

(b)

2009 and

(c)

2010. [83810]

Lynne Featherstone: We do not record the information requested, only the number of formal licence applications. Typically, an inspector will meet with an applicant at an early stage in the preparation of their application. If it is clear at that stage, or any subsequent stage, that an application does not fulfil the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 then the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate will advise the applicant. Applicants can ask for a second opinion and this is always provided. They normally either withdraw their application on the basis of this advice, or significantly amend it to make it more acceptable.

On very rare occasions they may decide to press on with their application in spite of the advice of inspectors, in which case they may appeal under Section 12 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 once the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has informed them of her intention to not authorise the application.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, columns 166-68W, on animal experiments, how many preliminary project licence applications (a) in total and (b) per full-time equivalent inspector, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate provided initial advice on in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) 2010. [83811]

Lynne Featherstone: We do not record the information requested, only the number of formal licence applications. Numbers of formal project licence applications assessed by inspectors (a) in total and (b) per full-time inspector are as follows:

(i) 2008: 695; 31.03

(ii) 2009: 541; 23.99

(iii) 2010: 515; 23.33.

Crime: Retail Trade

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the expected cost of retail crime to (a) businesses, (b) local authorities and (c) the police has been in each of the last five years. [83034]

James Brokenshire: There are currently no year-on-year estimates of the costs of retail crime to businesses, local authorities or the police.

The Home Office published estimates of the costs of crime against retail and manufacturing premises for 1994 and for 2002-03 in:

http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hors146.pdf

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/rdsolr3705.pdf

In addition, the Retail Crime Survey, compiled annually by the British Retail Consortium, estimates the overall cost of retail crime to retailers but does not address costs to other parties. Results for 2010 are available at:

http://www.brc.org.uk/brc_show_document.asp?id=4189&moid=7233

30 Nov 2011 : Column 972W

Criminal Records: Databases

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times UK authorities have accessed the European Criminal Records Information System in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [81579]

Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 22 November 2011]: UK authorities cannot access the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) because it has not yet been implemented. When implemented ECRIS will not be a database of the criminal records of EU nationals but will instead be a secure, standardised and computerised exchange system which allows individual member states to exchange criminal conviction information in a uniform, electronic and easily computer translatable way.

ECRIS is due to be implemented by all member states in April 2012.

Organised Crime: Coventry

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment her Department has made of the level of gang activity in Coventry. [79336]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 9 November 2011]: The Home Secretary has not made an assessment of the level of gang activity in Coventry. This is an operational matter for the West Midlands police and other local partners. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is currently conducting an exercise to map gangs and gang violence in selected forces across the country to provide for the first time a national picture based on a single definition and approach.

Communications: Improper Use

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place following complaints made by the recipients of unwelcome, nuisance or obscene telephone calls and text messages in each of the last five years. [83700]

Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply.

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences involving “Improper use of electronic communications network” under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table.

The Ministry of Justice court proceedings database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the circumstances of each case. It is therefore not possible to identify from these centrally held data whether a prosecution has been made following a complaint from a recipient of unwelcome telephone calls or text messages.

Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring of 2012.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 973W

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Communications Act 2003, England and Wales, 2006-10 (1,2)


2006 2007 2008 (3) 2009 2010

Communications Act 2003, s.127

Sending or causing sending of grossly offensive/indecent/obscene/menacing or false message/matter by electronic communications network

550

680

872

1,126

1,511

(1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Theft

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) male and (b) female victims there were in each age group and of each ethnicity for recorded offences involving theft from the person in England and Wales in the last 10 years. [82186]

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not available centrally. The recorded crime figures returned to the Home Office are based on whole counts of offences. From these it is not possible to identify the age, sex or ethnicity of victims of “theft from the person”.

Theft: Churches

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of theft or vandalism relating to churches were reported to the police in the last year for which figures are available. [83868]

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not collected centrally. It is not possible to identify offences relating to churches from the police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office.

Metal Theft

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse from metal theft over the last 12 months. [83221]

James Brokenshire: Information on the extent of metal theft and its costs are not collated centrally. The most recent studies estimate the cost of metal theft to the UK at between £220 million and £260 million per year (Deloitte, 2011) and £777 million (Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in 2010.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 974W

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 Ministers from (i) the Department for Transport and (ii) the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on metal theft since May 2010. [83259]

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have had a number of discussions with Ministers from other Departments to consider what approach should be taken to tackle metal theft, including the Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministers in her Department have received oral briefings from the National Metal Theft Crime Unit; and when such briefings were given. [83260]

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have not received any briefings from the disbanded National Metal Theft Crime Unit. They have received numerous briefings from the Association of Chief Police Officers and the British Transport Police, which jointly operated the unit.

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with HM Revenue and Customs on metal theft. [83261]

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have had discussions with Ministers from other Government Departments to consider a range of options to tackle metal theft, including HM Treasury. Discussions have also been held between Home Office and HM Revenue and Customs officials on this topic.

Defence

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) letters and (b) emails he has received on the number of helicopters deployed in Afghanistan in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [82972]

Nick Harvey: For the period 1 November 2010 to 31 October 2011, three letters from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents and three letters from members of the public about helicopter numbers were received. In addition, two letters from hon. Members were received raising general concerns their constituents had about equipment provision, the replies to which included reference to the increases to in-theatre helicopter provision that have been made.

Armed Forces: Cadets

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the financial support available to (a) sea cadets, (b) army cadets, (c) air cadets and (d) combined cadet forces. [83939]

30 Nov 2011 : Column 975W

Mr Robathan: The cadet forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence make a unique contribution to national life. We are committed to provide support to our sponsored cadet forces, and it was announced as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review that the cadet forces are to be sustained. The youth engagement review was tasked with determining the Defence requirement to engage with young people and how it can most cost-effectively be delivered. The review is due to provide its final recommendations shortly.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider providing further support to sea cadets by offering them insurance provided as part of his Department's central provision. [83940]

Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence self insures its core business activities and bears the risk of any common law compensation claims arising for loss or injury resulting from negligence on the part of the sponsored cadet forces.

While undertaking authorised cadet activities, the cadets and cadet force adult volunteers are covered by the Ministry of Defence's self-insurance arrangements.

Armed Forces: Education

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average level of academic qualification attainment is of recruits (a) enlisting at and (b) graduating from the (i) Army Foundation College Harrogate and (ii) Army Technical Foundation College Winchester. [83412]

Nick Harvey: The information is not available in the format requested.

Recruits at entry to the Army Foundation College Harrogate (AFC(H)) and the Army Technical College Winchester (ATFC(W)) hold a range of academic qualifications, depending on their chosen trade, with the majority holding at least one GCSE (or equivalent) on enlistment. The Army also requires all candidates to undertake the Basic Skills Initial Assessment (BSA) on initial application to the AFC(H) and the ATFC(W) in order to establish their level of literacy and numeracy. Candidates must also pass the English speaking and listening test at Level 1 or above.

All recruits training at the AFC(H) undertake vocational qualifications. All soldiers are enrolled on a Level 2 Apprenticeship for IT Users which consists of the Level 2 iTQ Diploma for IT Users along with Functional Skills (FS) in literacy and numeracy at Level 1. All those who achieve Level 1 FS in literacy and numeracy during the programme have the additional opportunity to achieve those skills at Level 2.

All recruits at the ATFC(W) undertake functional skills in either numeracy or literacy, along with basic military training, to provide the academic foundation they will require in order to succeed at their chosen trades in phase 2 training.

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the minimum academic educational requirement is for recruits to pass out of phase one

30 Nov 2011 : Column 976W

training at the

(a)

Army Foundation College Harrogate and

(b)

Army Technical Foundation College Winchester. [83413]

Nick Harvey: The educational requirement that recruits at the Army Foundation College Harrogate and the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester must attain in order to pass out of Phase 1 training is Level 1 in literacy and numeracy, at least at GCSE Grade G.

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nationally recognised (a) GCSE, (b) AS-level, (c) A-level, (d) BTEC, (e) HNC, (f) HND and (g) NVQ qualifications were studied by recruits at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester; and how many recruits achieved each such qualification in the latest period for which figures are available. [83414]

Nick Harvey: Recruits at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester (ATFC(W)) do not undertake GCSE, AS-Level, A-Level, BTEC, HNC, HND or NVQ qualifications.

The purpose of phase 1 education at the ATFC(W) is to set in place the academic foundation that the recruits will require in order to succeed at their chosen apprenticeships in phase 2.

The nationally recognised qualification that is studied and attained by recruits at the ATFC(W) is in functional skills in either numeracy or literacy. The number of recruits who passed the numeracy and literacy tests since September 2008 is shown in the following table:


Number of recruits passed numeracy test Number of recruits passed literacy test

September 2008 to March 2009

119

113

March 2009 to September 2009

296

306

September 2009 to March 2010

298

298

March 2010 to September 2010

105

121

March 2011 to October 2011

37

44

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nationally recognised NVQ qualifications were studied by recruits at the Army Foundation College Harrogate; and how many recruits achieved each such qualification in the latest period for which figures are available. [83415]

Nick Harvey: All recruits training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate undertake vocational qualifications. All soldiers are enrolled on a Level 2 Apprenticeship for IT Users which consists of the Level 2 iTQ Diploma for IT Users along with Functional Skills (FS) in literacy and numeracy at Level 1. All those who achieve Level 1 FS in literacy and numeracy during the programme have the additional opportunity to achieve those skills at Level 2.

The number of junior soldiers achieving each qualification graduating from the last five intakes on the following dates are as follows:

30 Nov 2011 : Column 977W

Qualification August 2009 December 2009 August 2010 December 2010 August 2011

Apprenticeship framework

         

IT User L2 NVQ (iTQ)

703

394

639

330

536

Literacy Level 1

700

394

639

329

521

Numeracy Level 1

701

393

639

330

456

All parts of the apprenticeship achieved

700

393

639

329

456

           

Key Skills Level 2

         

Literacy Level 2

608

339

563

279

281

Numeracy Level 2

584

326

558

288

262

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost was of recruitment per recruit for the (a) Royal Air Force, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [83403]

Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 1 November 2011, Official Report, columns 549-50W. The Ministry of Defence recently undertook a project to ascertain the full cost of regular and reserve recruiting and selection in 2009-10. This showed that the cost of all recruiting activities and support to recruiting was some £232 million. This can be broken down across the services as follows:


Cost (£ million) Intake 2009-10 Per recruit (£000)

Navy

41

4,150

10

Army

139

14,180

10

RAF

51

3,470

15

Figures have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts.

While the figures can be used to derive an average cost per recruit, as shown above, variations in trade groups, entry requirements and the whole recruitment process combined with the many other differences between the services means there is no such thing as an ‘average' recruit or ‘average cost' per recruit. Intake figures include re-entrants and intake from the reserves as well as directly trained entrants. Depending upon service and trade group, specialist assessment may be necessary. For example, potential pilots are required to undergo a significantly longer and more rigorous medical assessment than most other applicants.

Armed Forces: Termination of Employment

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel will have been made redundant (a) compulsorily and (b) voluntarily from the (i) Army, (ii) Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force by 2015. [83350]

30 Nov 2011 : Column 978W

Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave on 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 29W, to the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon).

Armed Forces: Training

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people applied for a place at Sandhurst Academy in each of the last five years; and how many such people were rejected. [82973]

Nick Harvey: The following table provides the number of Army Officer applicants who were invited to attend the three and a half day Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) and those who were successful

Financial year Those that having applied to join the Army and were invited to attend AOSB Those that were successful at AOSB

2011-12 to 31 October 2011

1,527

499

2010-11

1,649

822

2009-10

1,861

860

2008-09

1,482

816

2007-08

1,068

608

Those who are found unsuccessful at any stage of the officer recruitment process will be given feedback on where they have not met the required standard. Those who attend AOSB and are unsuccessful are rarely rejected outright. Their application will usually remain open, should they at some point decide to re-apply.

These figures do not include: serving regular soldiers or serving Gurkha soldiers applying to become officers, Territorial Army applicants or professionally qualified officer applicants (doctors, lawyers, etc.).

Armed Forces: Wills

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice his Department provides to members of the armed forces based in Scotland on the drawing up of wills; and whether family members are able to be both beneficiary and executor. [83952]

Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) operates a system where service personnel are given the opportunity to complete a will and store it securely, free of charge. Commanding officers are instructed to ensure that all personnel entitled to make a will are urged to do so and that time is set aside in the unit programme for completion or amendment of the will by the individual. The importance of drawing up a will is emphasised during phase one training. It is made clear where legal advice can be sought either within or outside of the services.

The services also issue a will form (MOD form 106) with detailed instructions to facilitate the process. The form provides a simple, legal template for use by any service personnel regardless of service, rank, marital status or age. However, personnel are not obliged to use the MOD form and can make alternative private arrangements for drawing up a will. Throughout the year, service units are required to publish notices on routine orders reminding individuals of the importance of possessing an up-to-date will.

30 Nov 2011 : Column 979W

Since March 2011, the recording and processing of will information has been enhanced on the joint personnel administration system, giving greater assurance to the accuracy of will information held. The services' will form is currently being reviewed to ensure that it remains fit for purpose.

I can confirm that under Scottish law an individual may be both the beneficiary and executor of a family member's will.