| 2011 | |||||||||
| Prison | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Total |
5 Dec 2011 : Column 33W
5 Dec 2011 : Column 34W
Prison Service: Convictions
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many employees of HM Prison Service have criminal convictions. [83873]
Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) does not hold a central record of employees of HM Prison Service that have received criminal convictions.
If serving members of staff receive a criminal conviction, they will be subject to potential disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the conviction, this could lead to dismissal, including summary dismissal. This would be in addition to any criminal sanctions imposed by the courts.
Prior to beginning employment with NOMS, applicants must declare criminal convictions and consent to additional background checks where appropriate. Previous criminal convictions are not an automatic disbar to employment with NOMS. Each case is considered on its merits.
Prison Service: Wales
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many people the Prison Service employed in Wales in each of the last five years; [84718]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of people expected to be employed by the Prison Service in Wales in each of the next five years. [84719]
Mr Blunt: Information on the full-time equivalent number of staff employed within Welsh Prison Service establishments and the National Offender Management Service Headquarters (NOMS HQ) based in Wales between 2007 and 2011 is contained in the following table. The figures include staff employed by the contractor that manages HMP Parc.
| HM Prison Service and NOMS HQ staff in Wales—31 March 2007 to 2011 | |
| As at 31 March each year | Full - time equivalent staff in post |
| Note: In June 2010 approximately 640 staff at the NOMS National Shared Service Centre transferred to the central Ministry of Justice. | |
Detailed plans of staffing within Wales over the next five years are not available. The three public sector prisons in Wales have submitted staffing plans that indicate a reduction in funded posts compared to April
5 Dec 2011 : Column 35W
2011 of 19 by April 2012, 30 by April 2013 and 29 by April 2014. These plans are subject to adjustment in line with budgetary constraints. Information on the projected fall in staff within NOMS HQ in Wales is not available but will contribute to the need to reduce costs across NOMS HQ. No staffing projections have been provided by the contractor for HMP Parc.
Prisoners: Compensation
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much compensation was paid to prisoners in each of the last five years in each claim category; and to how many cases such claims related in each such year. [84419]
Mr Blunt: Prisoners may seek compensation through internal complaints procedures, correspondence, civil litigation and through the parliamentary and prison and probation ombudsman. To provide the information requested would require a trawl through thousands of individual complaint/letters received at each prison site and in MOJ headquarters. This could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.
Prisons: Employment
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners at HM Prison (a) Preston and (b) Kirkham were receiving paid employment of more than (i) £10, (ii) £25 and (iii) £50 per week in the latest period for which figures are available. [83872]
Mr Blunt: As of 28 November 2011, 158 prisoners at Preston were earning £10 or more per week. No prisoners at Preston were earning more than £25 per week. 527 prisoners at Kirkham were earning £10 or more but less than £25, 64 were earning £25 or more but less than £50, and 39 were earning £50 or more. All of those prisoners earning over £25 per week are either employed in private industry within the prison or in full-time employment in the community.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to Prison Service Instruction 48/2011, (1) how much revenue has been raised in respect of the levy charges on prisoner earnings under remittance notices labelled Transfer of Prisoner Earnings Receipts to Victims and Witnesses Unit—Business Entity Code RB311; and how many prisoners are subject to the levy; [84406]
(2) how many employers have made payments into the GBS Re NOMS Agency account; which prisons such payments relate to; and how much was raised. [84407]
Mr Blunt: These figures are due to be published for the first time in April 2012. They are currently in preparation and have not yet been through the relevant production and quality assurance processes required prior to public release. I will write to my hon. Friend with the figures when they are published.
Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what renovation, refurbishment and redecoration works in prisons have been cancelled or postponed since July 2011; and what the reason was in each case. [84639]
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Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice does not hold a central record of all renovation, refurbishment and redecoration works undertaken across the prison estate. There may be a wide range of projects which are dealt with at a local level and the information requested can be collected only at a disproportionate cost.
Probation Service: Wales
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many people the probation service employed in Wales in each of the last five years; [84720]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of people expected to be employed by the probation service in Wales in each of the next five years. [84721]
Mr Blunt: A snapshot of permanent probation service staff employed in Wales on 31 December in each of the last five years (2006-10) is provided in the following table. The latest published figures for 2011 have also been provided.
|
|
Full-time equivalent |
It is not possible to forecast staffing levels over the next five years, as the responsibility for resourcing levels lies with the individual probation trust. It is for them to take the necessary action at a local level to ensure they can deliver the required service within available resources.
Smoking: Motor Vehicles
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions for smoking in vehicles used for work have resulted in a conviction in each year since 2007. [84759]
Mr Blunt: 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 not possible to identify from offences under the Health Act 2006, “smoking in a smoke-free place”, those instances where the offence was committed in a vehicle used for work.
Trials: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions defendants have been found not guilty by a jury due to mental impairment attributable to post-traumatic stress disorder in the last five years. [84733]
Mr Blunt: 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 the defendant has been found not guilty by a jury due to mental impairment attributable to post traumatic stress disorder.
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The law provides for persons who are not responsible for their acts due to a ‘disease of the mind' to be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The number of defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity at the crown Court in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table.
| Defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity at the c rown Court, England and Wales, 2006-10 (1,2) | |
|
|
Not guilty by reason of insanity |
| (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. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice | |
Witnesses: Intimidation
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of cases where a witness has been intimidated by prisoners on remand in each of the last five years. [84421]
Mr Blunt: This information is not collected centrally but it is clear that where intimidation occurs the impact can be serious. For that reason arrangements were put in place in September which enable the police, CPS, courts and prisons to work together to protect victims and witnesses from unwelcome contact where such a risk is identified.
Energy and Climate Change
Biofuels
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 35W, on biofuels, whether his definition of stemwood corresponds to that used by the European Commission. [84147]
Gregory Barker: We are not aware of any officially-recognised definition of stemwood. For the purpose of my answer of 21 November, stemwood is considered as referring to the wood from the main stem of a tree; so excludes branches, leaves, stump and root but includes residues such as sawdust and offcuts from sawmill processing of stemwood.
Boilers: Government Assistance
Mr Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in St Helens South and Whiston constituency have replaced a boiler under the boiler scrappage scheme. [84661]
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Gregory Barker: The boiler scrappage scheme's evaluation data were broken down into nine major demographical regions, not local constituencies. For the North West region 17,897 vouchers were issued, the second largest total for any region. This is 15.2% of the total number of installations, which was 118,108.
Mr Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has had any recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the future of the boiler scrappage scheme. [84662]
Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers and officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury and other Departments to discuss a range of issues. As has been the case with successive administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Carbon Emissions
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the revenue that will be generated from the first sale of emission allowances to Carbon Reduction Commitment participants in spring 2012. [84399]
Gregory Barker: The Government’s decision to remove revenue recycling from the CRC Energy Efficiency scheme was taken in order to clarify the price signal to participants and to support the public finances. The spending review 2010 policy costings document sets out the impact of the CRC Scheme on Government expenditure, which can be viewed at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spend_sr2010_policycostings.htm
The allowance price has been set at £12/tCO2 for the first year, and future years’ prices will be published as part of the Budget process.
| Annually managed expenditure (AME) | |
|
|
£ million |
The Department has not revised this estimate.
Civil Nuclear Constabulary: Arrests
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many arrests the Civil Nuclear Constabulary has made since May 2010; and how many of those arrests resulted in prosecutions. [84001]
Charles Hendry: The Civil Nuclear Constabulary has made 16 arrests since May 2010. All arrests were handed over to the relevant Home Office or Scottish police force for investigation and potential prosecution. After initial arrest, CNC involvement was limited to providing witness statements and the CNC does not keep records of the number of cases proceeding to prosecution.
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Climate Change: Developing Countries
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of the long-term finance from the Government's International Climate Fund for developing countries is projected to be delivered through (a) his Department, (b) non-governmental organisations and (c) multilateral agencies. [85152]
Gregory Barker: £1 billion of the £2.9 billion International Climate Fund will come from the Department of Energy and Climate Change's budget. This funding will be delivered through others.
The International Climate Fund started in April 2011. Given we are only eight months through a four-year fund, we are still deciding on potential delivery partners. The choice of delivery partner will be based on maximising impact and ensuring value for money.
Departmental Communications
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) press officers, (b) internal communications officers, (c) external communications officers, (d) communications strategy officers and (e) other positions with a communications remit were employed by (i) his Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department on the most recent date for which figures are available. [84193]
Gregory Barker: As at 1 December 2011, DECC had 20 professional communicators, working across a range of disciplines.
As of the same date, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority had 17 professional communicators; the Civil Nuclear Police Authority had two part-time professional communicators; the Coal Authority had one professional communicator; and the Committee on Climate Change had two professional communicators.
The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and the Nuclear Liabilities Financing Assurance Board did not have any professional communicators.
DECC has no executive agencies.
Departmental Pay
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any senior staff in (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are paid by means of payments to a limited company in lieu of a salary; and if he will publish his policy on such payments. [85080]
Gregory Barker: The Department’s policy is that staff salaries are paid into their bank accounts.
An investigation as to whether each bank account relates to an individual or limited company would be at disproportionate cost. Without such an in depth investigation there is no evidence that any senior civil servants in the Department of Energy and Climate Change and its non-departmental public bodies are paid by means of payments to a limited company in lieu of a salary.
5 Dec 2011 : Column 40W
Departmental Written Questions
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of written questions for answer on a named day received a substantive answer within five working days in each of the last six months. [85049]
Gregory Barker: During the period 1 June 2011 to 30 November 2011 the Department received 227 named day questions. Of these 192 (83%) were answered on the day; the remaining 37 questions were all answered within five working days.
Dounreay
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the total capital cost was of the three reactors built at Dounreay; what the total output of electricity was over their lifespan; and what the average cost was per MWh. [84425]
Charles Hendry: The total capital cost of the three reactors at Dounreay, including ancillary plant, was in excess of £55 million; based on figures published in the 1960s. One of the reactors was a materials test reactor and generated no power during its operating life. The remaining two reactors generated a total of 9,835 GWh of electricity. The average cost per MWh could be calculated only at a disproportionate cost.
Electricity Generation
Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of reverting to a pool system of electricity supply. [82304]
Charles Hendry: The UK operated under a pool system prior to privatisation, thereafter we moved to a system of bilateral contracting (NETA), in common with most other European counties. A reversion to a pool system would be costly, disruptive and would take years to implement. As an illustration, estimated costs of the transition from the pool to NETA are in the region of £700 million.
Electricity: Prices
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average costs were per MWh of electricity generated from (a) coal, (b) gas and (c) nuclear in (i) 1981, (ii) 1990, (iii) 2000 and (iv) 2010 at current prices. [84423]
Gregory Barker: In recent years DECC has carried out analysis on generation costs to inform policy decisions. The following table shows estimates of the levelised cost of electricity generation from coal, gas and nuclear that have been published by HMG since 2006. These have been converted into 2011 prices using HMT deflators.
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| Table 1: Levelised costs of electricity generations, £/MWh, 2011 prices | |||
| £/MWh | |||
| Source | Gas plant—CCGT | Coal plant—ASC with FGD | Nuclear—PWR |
| (1) Energy Review (2006): http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file32014.pdf (2) Based on projects starting in 2009. Report available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/statistics/projections/71-uk-electricity-generation-costs-update-.pdf (3) Based on projects starting in 2009. Report available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/publications/basket.aspx?filetype=4&filepath=11%2fabout-us%2feconomics-social-research%2f2127-electricity-generation-cost-model-2011.pdf&minwidth=true#basket | |||
Please note that these costs from different sources are not directly comparable as assumptions behind the reference plant and operating environment have changed over time. For example the base case estimate in the 2006 Energy Review shown here does not include a carbon price, while the cost of carbon is included in more recent estimates by Mott MacDonald (2010) and PB (2011).
While DECC does not have generation cost estimates for UK plant prior to 2006 and we are unaware of any running series of UK levelised costs data, there are other sources of data. For example, the IEA/OECD produced levelised cost estimates for coal and nuclear plants commissioning in 1995. These are shown in the following table (converted in 2011 prices). Please note that these estimates are not directly comparable to the DECC published estimates in Table 1 as they are based on different reference technologies.
| Table 2: IEA/OECD levelised costs of electricity generation commissioning in 1995, £/MWh, 2011 prices | ||
| £/MWh | ||
|
|
Coal | Nuclear |
| Source: ‘Projected Costs of Generating Electricity: From Power Stations for Commissioning in the Period 1995-2000' (OECD). | ||
Energy Performance Certificates
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of properties that (a) meet the grade C energy performance certificate standard and (b) will meet the grade C energy performance certificate standard in each year from 2012 to 2015. [84095]
Gregory Barker: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) estimates, based on a sample survey of 16,150 dwellings, indicate that 3,095,000 dwellings have an EPC rating of C or above(1).
Our analysis suggests that the uptake of Green Deal plans could lead to an average of 60,000 dwellings in bands D-G being brought up to an EPC rating of C or above each year between 2013 and 2022.
(1) Source:
English Housing Survey 2009.
Energy Supply
Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made a recent assessment of the energy security and national resilience implications of the current level of diversity of ownership within the UK's (a) nuclear power and (b) renewable energy industries; and if he will make a statement. [83548]
Charles Hendry: Our energy policy is to ensure diverse and competitive electricity and gas markets. In July, we published the White Paper on electricity market reform which will deliver secure, affordable electricity from a diverse mix of sources, including renewables, new nuclear, and fossil fuels—including carbon capture and storage.
The current nuclear fleet is owned by EDF Nuclear Generation (formerly British Energy) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Our policy to facilitate investment in new nuclear has led to three consortia (EDF, Horizon and Nugen) to come forward with plans to build new nuclear power in the UK to date. Renewables assets to generate electricity and heat can come forward at a variety of scales from the household level upwards and are owned by a wide variety of individuals and companies.
This level of different ownership adds to security of supply and national resilience, and Government welcome further investment from these and other players to meet the needs of a secure and affordable low carbon economy.
Energy: Conservation
Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will issue guidance to town and parish councils on how they may assist in delivering (a) measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, (b) greater energy efficiency and (c) local green energy projects. [83559]
Gregory Barker: I have asked the Committee on Climate Change to provide a report by the end of April 2012, to include a menu of options from which all local authorities can consider the actions they may take to reduce carbon emissions in their areas.
Government will complement this, working with local authorities to develop ‘how to’ guidance, bringing together knowledge, experience, and advice aimed at supporting all local authorities to achieve the objectives for cutting carbon emissions.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans his Department has to work with all those organisations that did not take early action under the Carbon Reduction Commitment to ensure that they adopt energy efficiency measures in future years of the scheme. [84397]
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Gregory Barker: The Department welcomes the fact that so many companies and public sector organisations have taken clear action on energy management prior to the start of the CRC which was shown in the recently published performance league table.
The CRC combines financial, behavioural and reputational elements which will drive organisations to adopt energy efficiency measures in future years of the scheme. In addition, my Department is supporting the uptake of energy efficiency and low carbon measures through programmes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive and will provide further financial support through the Green Deal.
Energy: Meters
Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure small and medium-sized business can participate in delivering the smart metering roll-out programme. [83864]
Charles Hendry: The smart metering roll-out is expected to generate new business and employment opportunities both throughout the supply chain for the manufacture of the meters and for their installation and maintenance. There will be further potential generated by the provision of the communications technology which will underpin the operation of the meters.
Energy: Taxation
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent assessment is of the likelihood of his Department meeting its timetable for implementation of new energy company obligations in October 2012. [84922]
Gregory Barker: We remain on track for the legal framework and supporting guidance for the new energy company obligation to be in place by October 2012.
Fuel Poverty
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of households that have been lifted out of fuel poverty as a direct result of the (a) Community Energy Savings Programme, (b) Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and (c) Warm Front scheme. [84134]
Gregory Barker: Estimates of the number of households removed from fuel poverty as a result of the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT), CERT extension and Warm Front scheme were published in the following relevant impact assessments and reports:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/consultations/cesp/1_20090710121840_e_@@_cespia.pdf
http://www.ialibrary.bis.gov.uk/uploaded/1442-ia-warm-front-eligibility100311.pdf
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/about-us/Science/3149-estimating-effect-cert.pdf
5 Dec 2011 : Column 44W
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/doc/uk_-_energy_efficiency_action_plan.pdf
CESP was estimated to remove around 20,000 households from fuel poverty by the end of the programme and beyond; Warm Front was estimated to remove around 50,000 households from fuel poverty from April 2011 to March 2013 and beyond; CERT was estimated to sustainably remove around 163,000 households from fuel poverty from 2008 to 2011; and under the CERT extension to the end of 2012 around 185,000 households were estimated to receive measures to provide a long-term solution to fuel poverty.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of households that will be lifted out of fuel poverty as a direct result of the Green Deal by 1 January 2016; and whether he has set a target in respect of the effects on fuel poverty of the Green Deal. [84135]
Gregory Barker: The consultation stage impact assessment for the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation contains an estimate and discussion of the policy's fuel poverty impacts, which can be viewed at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf
It is estimated that, by the end of 2022, 350,000 to 550,000 households will have been removed from fuel poverty as a result of the whole Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation package, compared to how many could have been in fuel poverty in the absence of the policy. No separate estimate has been made for the proportion attributable only to the Green Deal finance mechanism.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of households that will be lifted out of fuel poverty as a direct result of the affordable warmth element of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) by 1 January 2016; and whether he has set a target in respect of the effects on fuel poverty of the ECO. [84136]
Gregory Barker: The consultation stage impact assessment for the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation contains an estimate and discussion of the policy's fuel poverty impacts, which can be viewed at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf
It is estimated that, by the end of 2022, 350,000 to 550,000 households will have been removed from fuel poverty as a result of the whole Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation package, compared to how many could have been in fuel poverty in the absence of the policy. No separate estimate has been made for the Affordable Warmth component of the package.
Fuel Poverty: North-east England
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of people in fuel poverty in (a) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, (b) Middlesbrough borough, (c) Redcar and Cleveland borough, (d) Teesside and (e) the north-east in the last year for which figures are available. [81984]
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Gregory Barker: Fuel poverty is measured at a household level. The most recent sub-regional data available are for 2009. The number of fuel poor households in each region in 2009 is shown in the following table:
|
|
Number |
There is no published level of fuel poverty for Teesside. However, the combined number of fuel poor households in the local authorities of Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton on Tees (which approximately equate to the Teesside area) in 2009 was around 45,400.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: International Co-operation
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether, in the absence of a successor to the Kyoto protocol, the Government are prepared to agree new emissions reductions targets that come into force before 2020. [85188]
Gregory Barker: The Government are committed to pushing for the EU to adopt a 30% emissions reduction target by 2020 on 1990 levels. Ongoing discussions in Durban on the Kyoto Protocol will not change this commitment.
Nationally, the Climate Change Act 2008 introduced a system of carbon budgets which provide legally binding limits on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that may be produced over successive five year carbon budget, periods. The first three carbon budgets for 2008-12, 2013-17 and 2018-22 require emissions to be reduced by 23%, 29% and 35% respectively against 1990 levels. Should the EU adopt a 30% reduction target, we will tighten our legislated carbon budgets accordingly.
Heating Oil
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to encourage households that use heating oil to switch to less carbon intensive fuels. [84613]
Charles Hendry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg Munn) on 28 November 2011, Official Report, column 659-60W.
Oil and Gas: Prices
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department used for the price of (a) oil and (b) gas in (i) 2020 and (ii) 2030 to establish the baseline scenario in the electricity market reform White Paper. [82355]
Charles Hendry:
The impact assessment (IA) accompanying the electricity market reform (EMR) White Paper provides details on the fossil fuel price assumptions used in establishing the EMR baseline.
5 Dec 2011 : Column 46W
These assumptions are based on DECC's 2010 updated energy projections. In the central case, for years 2020 and 2030, the estimates are shown in the following table:
|
|
2020 | 2030 |
The EMR White Paper IA can be found at the following web link:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/policy-legislation/EMR/2180-emr-impact-assessment.pdf
In addition, on 23 November 2011, DECC published its updated assessment of the impact of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills. Further information can be found at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/about-us/economics-social-research/3593-estimated-impacts-of-our-policies-on-energy-prices.pdf
Oil: Carbon Emissions
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions arising from the extraction and combustion of a barrel of (a) Angolan crude oil, (b) Nigerian crude oil, (c) Venezuelan crude oil and (d) oil from Canadian tar sands. [84917]
Charles Hendry: While the Department does not hold such information, the European Commission has commissioned various studies which estimate values associated with particular grades of crude oil so as to inform the implementation of the fuel quality directive.
Emissions can vary according to a range of factors, including the relative ‘heaviness’ of crude oil sources (countries often produce more than one grade of crude), the technology employed in processing and refining the crude and the amount of associated gas flaring.
Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how many Housing Revenue Account tenanted properties have feed-in tariff installations in the UK; [84392]
(2) how many Housing Revenue Account tenanted properties have feed-in tariff solar photovoltaic installations in the UK. [84393]
Gregory Barker: Most feed-in tariffs (FITs) installations on housing revenue account tenanted properties are solar photovoltaic (PV), so the same answer applies to both questions asked.
This information is not available in the form requested.
However, latest available Ofgem data show that 19.6% of all solar PV FITs payments are made to a generator or a nominated recipient for more than one PV installation, i.e. the single entity is in receipt of payment for more than one FIT installation. This “multi-installation” category includes social housing projects and other offers (such as commercial rent-a-roof schemes) where the occupant benefits from the electricity produced but is not in receipt of the FITs payment.
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Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the timetable set by his Department for implementation of the recently announced changes to feed-in tariffs conform with Cabinet Office best practice guidelines on the timetables for the introduction, removal and amendment of regulations. [84918]
Gregory Barker: This consultation period is shorter than that recommended in the code of practice on consultation for most standard consultations, but does conform with the provisions made in the code of practice for certain consultations to be held over shorter periods. The Government consider that a shorter period (eight weeks) for the consultation on solar photovoltaic tariffs is justified given the small number of issues covered by the consultation and the urgency of the budgetary risk it is focused on addressing; and that the eight-week period is consistent with the code of practice on consultation.
Following the close of the consultation on 23 December 2011, and subject to the representations received and due parliamentary process, changes will be implemented on 1 April 2012.
Renewable Energy: Heating
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with representatives of the Oil Firing Technical Association on the inclusion of bioliquids in the Renewable Heat Incentive. [84614]
Charles Hendry: Representatives of the Oil Firing Technical Association have been talking regularly to my officials. They have provided useful evidence on the costs, deployability and sustainability of the renewable heating oil blend which we are considering as part of developing the second phase of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.
Scottish Government
Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when officials of his Department last met officials of the Scottish Government to discuss fuel poverty. [84699]
Gregory Barker: My officials work closely with their colleagues in the Scottish Government on this important issue. Their most recent policy meeting was on 3 October to discuss the Green Deal, the Energy Company Obligation and Fuel Poverty. Officials have also met at a number of recent Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation consultation events.
Solar Power
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what talks his Department has had with banks regarding loans held by companies engaged in solar panel installation. [84921]
Gregory Barker:
DECC engages regularly with the finance community, including banks, and the feed-in tariff team have met with a very broad range of banks
5 Dec 2011 : Column 48W
from UK high street to large international banks while developing the comprehensive review of the feed-in tariffs scheme.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what methodology he used to determine the figures for a return on investment for solar photovoltaic tariffs set at the proposed rate. [82245]
Gregory Barker: The DECC FITs model calculates the generation tariff necessary to deliver an intended return on capital for a well-sited solar photovoltaic (PV) installation in any given tariff band. The tariff calculations are based on a reference installation in each tariff band with a defined set of characteristics. The tariff is set at a level that equalises all costs and revenues of solar photovoltaic systems over its lifetime, after applying a 4.5% to 5% return on upfront capital. A note setting out the methodology in more detail will be placed in the Library of the House.
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether (a) his Department or (b) Ofgem collect information on the number of solar photovoltaic panels installed under the feed-in tariff by (i) British Gas, (ii) EDF Energy, (iii) E.on, (iv) NPower, (v) Scottish Power and (vi) Scottish and Southern Energy; and if he will place a copy of any such information in the Library. [83416]
Gregory Barker: This information is not collected by the Department nor by Ofgem.
Water: Meters
Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to ensuring flexibility in his planned smart meter procurement to allow the later addition of smart water metering. [84278]
Gregory Barker: Our recent consultation document(1) on the Data and Communications Company (DCC) set out proposals for the provision of value-added services in future, which could include water metering. We are currently analysing responses to this consultation and are conducting procurements for the provision of data and communications services, which will enable us to explore the cost of different levels of functionality and capacity, for smart energy metering and other purposes.
We have also made clear our intention that the enduring technical solution will employ open standards and protocols allowing the integration of other equipment, potentially including smart water meters.
(1 )Smart Metering Implementation Programme: A consultation on the detailed policy design of the regulatory and commercial framework for DCC:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/smart-metering-imp-prog/2883-cons-detailed-policy-design-of-dcc.pdf
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Females
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Afghanistan on the number of Afghan women attending the Bonn conference; and if he will make a statement. [84257]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) on 28 November 2011, Official Report, column 675W.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will include a section on developments in gender equality and the involvement of women in his monthly reports to Parliament on Afghanistan. [84963]
Alistair Burt: The Afghanistan Monthly Report to Parliament covers progress across all relevant areas each month. We include updates on gender equality and the involvement of women when appropriate.
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure there is adequate discussion on women's rights in Afghanistan at the Bonn Conference. [84974]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 28 November 2011, Official Report, columns 674-675W.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the decision to withdraw the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team from Afghanistan. [84946]
Alistair Burt: The Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) remains focused on strengthening Helmand's governance and development, working closely with ISAF to support Afghan provincial and district authorities. We will reduce staff numbers gradually leading up to the end of 2014 and this will be done in a responsible fashion. This is appropriate as the role of the PRT continues to evolve away from direct delivery of services to increased support to the local Afghan Government, as the latter's capacity for independent delivery continues.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the decision was taken to withdraw the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team from Afghanistan in line with the timetable set out for the withdrawal of combat troops; and which (a) Ministers and (b) officials were involved. [84947]
Alistair Burt:
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), agreed in June, after consultation with cross-Whitehall officials, that the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team should
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close by the end of 2014, the same point by which the Prime Minister has made clear that UK troops will no longer be serving in a combat role, or in significant numbers, in Afghanistan.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there will be any conditions attached to the withdrawal of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team from Afghanistan. [84948]
Alistair Burt: We are confident that the end of 2014 represents a realistic and achievable drawdown date for the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, as the capacity of the Afghan Government for direct delivery of services and maintaining security increases. It is in line with the timescale agreed between ISAF and the Afghan Government for drawdown of all Provincial Reconstruction Teams across Afghanistan. Progress will be subject to regular review of conditions on the ground.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the decision to withdraw the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team from Afghanistan in line with the timetable set out for the withdrawal of combat troops was discussed within the National Security Council; and on what dates these discussions took place. [84949]
Alistair Burt: The decision to drawdown the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team was not discussed within the National Security Council.
Afghanistan: USA
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Afghanistan on the decision of the Loya Jirga on the Strategic Partnership Agreement with America; and if he will make a statement. [84775]
Alistair Burt: Our ambassador in Kabul discussed the outcomes of the Traditional Loya Jirga with Afghan National Security Advisor Spanta and Defence Minister Wardak on 22 November 2011. I expect to discuss this further with Afghan Foreign Minister Rassoul at the Bonn conference on 5 December 2011.
Armed Forces: Children
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist child soldiers who have been released from service. [84912]
Mr Bellingham: Britain is helping to assist the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers. We do this indirectly, by funding organisations with the necessary expertise to provide children with the specialist care and approaches that they need to reintegrate into society.
For example, in 2010, the Department for International Development (DFID) funded a £2 million UNICEF project to help discharge and rehabilitate members of the Maoist Army in Nepal, approximately 3,000 of whom had been recruited as children. In the aftermath of the 2008-09 conflict in Gaza, DFID funded projects
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in 2009-10 which provided psychosocial support to almost 10,000 children and care-givers, and cleared unexploded ordnance at 20 schools, allowing 220,000 children to return to school.
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Ugandan Government on the use of child soldiers by the National Liberation Army. [84913]
Mr Bellingham: The British high commission in Kampala is in close and regular contact with the Ugandan Government concerning the full range of conflict issues affecting that country. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in particular poses the greatest threat to children in the region, and is responsible for numerous offences against children, including forced recruitment and acts of sexual violence.
The British Government remain committed to helping the victims of the LRA and to tackling the root causes of the conflict. This includes allocating £16 million of funding to help young and vulnerable individuals as part of a wider programme in Northern Uganda, and a contribution of US$35 million towards a World Bank led effort to support the demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants in the greater Great Lakes region of Central Africa.
The Allied Democratic Force/National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF/NALU), which operates largely in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is also known to commit sporadic offences against children. Jamil Mukulu, the head of the ADF/NALU, is subject to sanctions under the United Nations regime applied to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have any diplomatic relations with countries in which child soldiers operate. [84914]
Mr Bellingham: Britain maintains diplomatic relations with the vast majority of countries worldwide. Child soldiers are present in several of those countries. We believe that maintaining diplomatic relations allows us to engage more effectively on the issue of child soldiers.
The UN, which helps to lead the international response to the issue of child soldiers, does not implicate countries as violators of children's rights. Rather it identifies and lists specific parties to a conflict which are responsible for grave violations against children.
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the number of child soldiers deployed around the world. [84915]
Mr Bellingham: It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the number of child soldiers. There are several estimates in use, ranging from 150,000 to 300,000. The reasons for this wide estimate include foremost the lack of easy access to armed groups, which prevents reliable reporting. Also, the nature of child recruitment is frequently informal, and loose associations with armed groups, such as children being used for intelligence gathering roles, are particularly difficult to document.
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Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to end the practice of using child soldiers. [84916]
Mr Bellingham: Britain is committed to ending the recruitment and deployment of child soldiers. We apply diplomatic pressure to offending governments and armed groups, as well as funding projects to help protect and rehabilitate vulnerable children. Britain is also a member of the UN Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, which helps to lead the international response to the issue of child soldiers. This includes pressing offenders to enter into concrete action plans with the UN to verify and release any child soldiers associated with them.
British Overseas Territories: Biodiversity
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on including in the Overseas Territories White Paper a target to halt overall loss of biodiversity by 2020 in all British overseas territories. [84035]
Mr Bellingham: The White Paper on the Overseas Territories will be published in 2012. There is currently a public consultation under way, including through a web-based platform to gather views on the Government’s strategy towards the Overseas Territories, as announced by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on 14 September. Work is also under way across Whitehall to consider how each Government Department can contribute to delivery of the strategy. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is engaged in this process, but no specific decisions have yet been taken on the structure or content of the White Paper.
British Virgin Islands: Elections
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the Governor of the British Virgin Islands discussed his invitation of election observers to observe elections in the territory with (a) the Cabinet and (b) the Leader of the Opposition of the British Virgin Islands; and on what date the Governor arranged for invitations for observers to be extended. [84482]
Mr Bellingham: The Governor discussed the proposal to invite election observers during Cabinet meetings on 19 and 26 October. Letters of invitation were sent to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on 27 October. The Governor discussed the initiative with the Leader of the Opposition on 31 October, in advance of the issue of a press release.
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the invitation to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to observe elections in the British Virgin Islands in 1995 was at the initiative of the (a) government and (b) Governor of the territory; and who extended the invitation. [84483]
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Mr Bellingham: The information requested is not readily available to either the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the Governor's Office in Tortola.
Departmental Communications
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) press officers, (b) internal communications officers, (c) external communications officers, (d) communications strategy officers and (e) other positions with a communications remit were employed by (i) his Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department on the most recent date for which figures are available. [84172]
Mr Lidington: As of October 2011, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's communications directorate had 93 members of staff. A headcount is set out as follows. Headcount has reduced from 116 reported for 2009-10. There are also embedded communications staff within directorates and staff overseas with a communications remit, but details of these are not available except at disproportionate cost.
| Discipline | Total |
A review of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's communications directorate has now been completed. Strategic communications responsibilities will fall to relevant policy directorates within the Department. Alongside other changes, it is planned to reduce communications directorate staffing to a maximum of 69 by April 2012.
The British Council's centralised communications function was staffed as follows in November 2011. There are also staff overseas with a communications remit, but details of these are not available except at disproportionate cost.
| Discipline | Total |
Departmental Judicial Review
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on (a) the recovery of legal costs from failed applicants for judicial review and (b) enforcement of any such recovery; and whether any exceptions apply. [83913]
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Mr Lidington: It is our policy to seek an order for the recovery of costs against applicants for judicial review whose applications fail. However under the Civil Procedure Rules the court has a discretion as to whether costs will be awarded against an unsuccessful party. In principle we will seek to enforce an order for costs against an unsuccessful applicant. However there may be legal constraints against recovery from the Legal Services Commission against an applicant who is in receipt of Legal Aid. In addition, in privately funded cases there may be practical constraints, for example where the costs to be recovered are minimal and the costs of enforcement are disproportionate.
Official Hospitality
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what receptions and events have been hosted by his Department since May 2010, including those sponsored by a third party. [84171]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not maintain a central record of all events and receptions hosted by the Department and so the information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Procurement
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which services his Department has outsourced in each of the last five years. [84242]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not outsourced any new services centrally in the last five years, although it continues to manage those contracts where services have been outsourced outside of the time frame of this question.
Procurement responsibilities are devolved to directorates in the UK and our network of posts. Information on all outsourcing activities is not held centrally in the UK and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Written Questions
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of written questions for answer on a named day received a substantive answer within five working days in each of the last six months. [85060]
Mr Lidington: The percentage of questions answered within five sitting days was as follows:
| 2011 | Percentage of questions answered |
5 Dec 2011 : Column 55W
Foreign Relations: Education
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has any programme in place to educate children on the UK's foreign relations. [84584]
Mr Lidington: While staff are free to make individual arrangements to speak to schools and children's groups, no central programme exists.
Iraq: Human Trafficking
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Iraq on (a) tackling trafficking for sexual exploitation and (b) providing support to victims of human trafficking. [83997]
Alistair Burt: We have not made specific representations to the Government of Iraq on human trafficking, however, the UK continues to co-ordinate closely with the international community in Iraq on this issue. UK officials regularly attend a ‘Trafficking in Persons’ working group in Baghdad along with officials from the Government of Iraq and international partners. The group has been looking at a draft Iraqi law on Trafficking in Persons, which is expected to be passed in the near future.
More generally, we continue to monitor closely the situation facing women in Iraq. Some of the most vulnerable are those who have been victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is funding a project providing training for staff working in four shelters which provide protection to vulnerable women, including those who are victims of trafficking.
Israel: OECD
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answers of 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 830W and 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 906W, on Israel: OECD, on which date the OECD study team was (a) presented to and (b) debated by the Committee on Statistics. [84357]
Alistair Burt: The report of the OECD study team was presented to and discussed by the Committee on Statistics on 17 June 2011 and the recommendations were adopted.
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answers of 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 830W and 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 906W, on Israel: OECD, what subsequent steps have been taken to ensure Israeli macroeconomic data no longer include data relating to the Golan, East Jerusalem or the West Bank. [84358]
Alistair Burt:
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) confirmed, following the visit to Israel by members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Statistics Committee in summer 2011, that it will provide statistics that distinguish pre-1967
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Israel and the post-1967 areas when required to do so. This confirmed a commitment made by the CBS at the time of the OECD accession review.
The impact on Israel's macroeconomic statistics of disaggregated data was assessed to be very small—less than 4% of GDP—and it was agreed that Israel would not need to provide disaggregated statistics for this. The impact was sufficiently larger for social issues, migration and employment, and it was agreed that in these areas, Israel should be asked to continue providing disaggregated statistics for any study carried out in these areas. Israeli statistics were assessed to have been of good quality and in line with international standards.
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have made of the potential effect of the provisions of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill on the UK's adherence to the Ruggie principles on business and human rights. [84643]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Following the UN Human Rights Council's June 2011 endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in which the UK played an important role, the Government are fully committed to implementing those principles as part of a wider strategy on business and human rights. We do not believe that the reforms of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill are incompatible with this commitment. We believe that it will still be possible to bring claims against multinational companies once these reforms are implemented, but that meritorious claims will be resolved at a more proportional cost, while unnecessary and avoidable claims will be deterred from progressing to court.
Lord Ahmed
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the decision by the Pakistani authorities to declare Lord Ahmed of Rotherham persona non grata; and if he will make a statement. [84598]
Alistair Burt: We have not been contacted by the Pakistani authorities on this matter. Such a decision would be a matter for the Pakistani authorities.
Postcodes
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department uses postcodes for purposes other than the postage of mail. [84170]
Turks and Caicos Islands: Elections
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he expects elections to take place in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement. [84873]
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Mr Bellingham: I want to see a return to democratic government in the Turks and Caicos Islands as soon as the necessary reforms have been put in place. It remains my intention that the milestones set out in the written ministerial statement of 9 December 2010, Official Report, columns 40-41WS, should be met and elections held in 2012. I will keep the House informed of progress.
Home Department
Asylum: Finance
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many section 4 payment cards are being used by people residing in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [84269]
Damian Green: The latest breakdown by country is:
(a) 194 in Scotland;
(b) 2,014 in England;
(c) 110 in Wales; and
(d) 26 in Northern Ireland.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which retailers participate in the section 4 payment card scheme; and what plans the UK Border Agency has to extend the (a) number and (b) range of participating retailers. [84270]
Damian Green: The main retailers participating in the payment card scheme are:
Asda;
Tesco;
Sainsbury’s;
Morrisons;
The Co-Operative;
Boots; and
Peacocks.
Additionally, a small number of independent outlets also participate in the scheme. Approximately 8,800 retail outlets across the UK accept the payment card.
Negotiations are currently under way to add the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army to the scheme. There are currently no other plans to extend the number of participating outlets.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in unspent credit has been recovered from section 4 payment cards in each month since the scheme was introduced. [84271]
Damian Green: The figures for each month since June 2010 (when the data began to be collected) are shown in the following table:
|
|
£ |
5 Dec 2011 : Column 58W
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will consider the merits of increasing the weekly carry-over limit for the section 4 payment card. [84272]
Damian Green: There are currently no plans to increase the weekly carry-over limit of £5 per person, per week for single supported persons. Supported persons who have children can carry over an unlimited amount.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will assess the merits of extending the section 4 payment card scheme to include charity shops. [84273]
Damian Green: Talks are taking place with a view to adding the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army to the list of retail outlets where the card is accepted. We will consider adding other charity shops to the scheme on a case by case basis.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the UK Border Agency will bring forward proposals to allow users of the section 4 payment card to check card balances (a) online and (b) in-store at participating retailers. [84274]
Damian Green: There is already an automated 24-hour telephone service that enables payment card users to check their balance. There are no plans to extend this service.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much credit is allocated to section 4 payment cards for an individual with children. [84275]
Damian Green: £35.39 per week is allocated to all supported persons, including children. Additional credits can be added to the Azure card to supported persons with children. These include a £5 per week clothing allowance, a £5 per week allowance for children under one year of age and a £3 per week allowance for children between one and three years of age.
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Civil Disorder
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on reimbursement of costs to police authorities affected by the August 2011 public disorder. [71067]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 9 September 2011]: There is an established system of special grants in place to support forces where they face unexpected or exceptional costs.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many internal audits have taken place (a) in her Department and (b) in the non-departmental bodies for which her Department is responsible in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement. [82542]
Damian Green: Between 1 October 2010 and 22 November 2011 the following audits have been delivered.
| Area | Final report issued |
We are able to include non-departmental public body (NDPB) data due to the fact that we provide audit services over a majority of the NDPBs. This would not be possible in other Departments where there are significant numbers of external bodies and/or internal audit services are outsourced. Specifically, as the internal audit services report to the agency/NDPB accounting officer, the Department internal audit services are not directly privy to them.
The data were extracted from our internal audit management information system which is used to track the progress of our audit plan during the year. The data are held securely on our corporate network. The Internal Audit Unit provide a shared service audit to a number of agencies and NDPBs within the Home Office Group, however the process for recording audit progress is consistent across all of them.