Departmental Civil Proceedings
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which organisations that have received funding from his Department have brought legal proceedings against his Department in the last five years; which such organisations were not successful in their actions; and whether his Department (a) applied and (b) was paid for costs in respect of such cases. [83888]
Mr Lidington: Our records show that the only organisation that has received funding from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) that has brought legal proceedings against the Foreign Secretary in the last five years is Reprieve. Reprieve receives a modest grant from the FCO to support work to prevent the execution of British nationals facing the death penalty overseas.
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In February 2010 Reprieve brought judicial review proceedings against the Foreign Secretary and other Government Ministers in connection with guidance to UK officials on their role and responsibilities in relation to the interviewing of detainees in foreign detention who may be subject to mistreatment. The proceedings were not successful. The Administrative Court refused Reprieve permission to bring the judicial review proceedings and ordered them to pay part of the Government's costs, amounting to £2,000. Reprieve has now paid this sum.
Risk Assessment
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what risk registers are held by the public bodies for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement. [85705]
Mr Lidington: The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the Great Britain-China Centre and the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission all hold single risk registers assessing the following categories of risk: strategic/corporate/reputational, financial, operations and projects and programmes. The British Council also has a risk register covering these issues. They also hold risk registers for each country, each sector, each business unit and customer management. Establishing how many registers they maintain globally would incur disproportionate cost.
Khaled al-Johani
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Saudi Arabia on Khaled al-Johani. [86724]
Alistair Burt: We have not specifically raised Mr al-Johani's case with the Saudi Arabian Government. However, Ministers and officials do take every opportunity to raise with the Saudi authorities our full range of human rights concerns, including detention without trial. I did so most recently when I called on the National Society for Human Rights on 23 November, a Saudi human rights organisation with close links to the Saudi Arabian Government.
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 56W, on Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12, and with reference to his confirmation of the UK's commitment to the Ruggie principles, what assessment he has made of the letter sent by Professor Ruggie to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice, the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Djanogly), on the effects of his proposed reforms in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill on the ability of impecunious people to secure representation and justice in cases (a) against businesses and (b) of human rights abuse. [86843]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: Following the UN Human Rights Council's endorsement in June 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 reform of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill is incompatible with this commitment. We believe that it will still be possible to bring claims against (a) multinational companies or (b) those allegedly guilty of human rights abuses once these reforms are implemented. However, reforms will help ensure that meritorious claims will be resolved at a more proportional cost; while unnecessary and avoidable claims will be deterred from progressing to court.
Libya: Terrorism
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the specialist unit in his Department in negotiations with the new Libyan government on compensation for victims of terrorism in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [86227]
Alistair Burt: A specialist unit was set up under the previous Administration in 2009. The remit of the officers in the dedicated FCO Unit has been to offer facilitation, logistical support and general advice to the campaign seeking compensation for the victims of IRA terrorism that was sponsored by Libya through the supply of Semtex. They have also accompanied representatives of the victims at meetings with the Libyan Government.
Properly addressing legacy issues will be an important part of the UK's relationship with Libya. I raised this with the Libyan Transitional Government during my visit to Tripoli on 6-8 December. I made clear our desire to see progress on outstanding issues from the Gaddafi era. The newly appointed Foreign Minister Ashour Ben Khayyal agreed that we would take forward discussions on this.
The campaigns seeking compensation for IRA victims are private. The terms of the campaigns and the range of victims are therefore also private. However, we understand at this stage that no settlement has been made.
Saudi Arabia: Counter-terrorism
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterparts on a proposed anti-terror law for Saudi Arabia. [86725]
Alistair Burt: We have been aware of the draft counter-terrorism law since Amnesty International reported on this matter in June and officials have raised concerns with the Saudi Arabian Government. There is widespread acceptance in the Saudi Government and Saudi human rights organisations that the draft anti-terror law is unsuitable in its present form: the current draft is extremely unlikely to pass into law.
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Sergei Magnitsky
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates Mr William Browder visited his Department to discuss the case of Sergei Magnitsky; and which (a) Ministers and (b) officials he met on each such occasion. [86848]
Mr Lidington: The information requested is as follows:
(a) I met Mr William Browder on 7 March 2011 to discuss the case of Sergei Magnitsky.
(b) The Director Eastern Europe and Central Asia met Mr William Browder on 19 March 2009, 20 November 2009, 6 October 2010 and 13 December 2011 to discuss the case of Sergei Magnitsky.
Union of Good: USA
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US government on the Union of Good; and if he will make a statement. [86593]
Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Attorney-General
Extradition: USA
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Attorney-General with reference to the contribution by the Minister of State for Immigration of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 128, on UK extradition arrangements, whether any of the evidence against Babar Ahmad that is in the possession of the US authorities was gathered by (a) UK authorities and passed to the US and (b) US authorities on UK soil. [85893]
Damian Green: I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for mutual legal assistance as that is the mechanism by which evidence is transferred from one jurisdiction to another in a criminal case. It is our usual policy neither to confirm nor deny whether the UK authorities have provided evidence or other formal assistance in support of foreign criminal proceedings so as not to prejudice those proceedings; and therefore I cannot confirm or deny whether or not that took place in this case.
Women and Equalities
Nightclubs: Fees and Charges
Mark Menzies: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what representations she has received on the practice of charging differential fees to men and women for entry to nightclubs. [86060]
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Lynne Featherstone: I have received no representations on the practice of charging men and women differential entry fees for entry to nightclubs.
Defence
Aircraft Carriers
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the completion date for the two aircraft carriers that are currently under construction have changed; and what the causes of any such delay are. [85234]
Peter Luff: The currently approved planned in-service dates for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are quarter four of 2016 and quarter four of 2018 respectively.
The completion dates for construction have not changed. However, the Strategic Defence and Security Review called for one operational Queen Elizabeth class carrier to be converted to support the more capable Carrier Variant of the Joint Strike Fighter and we are investigating the optimum solution to meet that requirement. On current plans, we expect to conclude work to enable firm decisions on the optimum conversion solution for the operational carrier in late 2012. Depending on the outcome of that work, the completion date for the construction of the carriers may change. Either way we will have an operational carrier from around 2020.
Armed Forces: Recruitment
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2011, Official Report, column 977W, on armed forces: recruitment, what the cost per recruit was of medical assessments for potential pilots; and if he will make a statement. [86502]
Mr Robathan: We do not hold records for the cost per recruit of medical assessments for potential pilots. All officer candidates undergo medical assessments, although there are additional tests for potential aircrew.
Armed Forces: Young People
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average expenditure per Army recruit was of recruiting and training to identical roles recruits who were aged (a) under 18 years and (b) 18 years or above in the latest period for which figures are available. [86636]
Mr Robathan: The average cost of recruiting an Army recruit in financial year (FY) 2010-11 was £10,000; this covers the full recruitment process, including selection, and does not vary between those who are under or over 18 years of age.
The following table provides the average expenditure for the full cost of providing Phase 1 training, including accommodation, meals, welfare, health and other support per Army recruit for FY 2010-11.
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The average unit rate varies depending on both the number of recruits being trained and the course duration at each training site.
Information relating to the average expenditure per recruit for Phase 2 training is not available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. This is because Phase 2 (trade training) varies for each of the over 220 trades offered by the Army, both in terms of content and course length. However, as Phase 2 training is not age dependent, there would be no difference in any average training cost for a specific trade between those who are under or over the age of 18.
Defence Equipment
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr Anderson) of 21 October 2011, Official Report, column 1167W, on defence equipment, what the cost was of using Ministry of Defence-owned road vehicles to transport military kit in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08, (c) 2008-09 and (d) 2009-10; on how many occasions Ministry of Defence-owned road vehicles were used to transport military kit in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [86501]
Peter Luff: The use of Ministry of Defence owned road vehicles to transport defence equipment is primarily undertaken at unit level. Journeys are not individually costed or recorded centrally and the requested information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the letter of 25 November 2011 from the hon. Member for Harrow West to the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans; and if he will make a statement. [86887]
Mr Robathan: A reply was sent on 12 December 2011. The hon. Member's letter was received on 1 December 2011 and received a response within eight working days. The Ministry of Defence aims to answer correspondence from hon. Members within 15 working days.
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Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of upgrading the two purchased F-35B variants to the standards required by the US Marine Corps after the completion of testing. [86282]
Peter Luff: The previous Government ordered three F-35B aircraft for test and evaluation purposes. One has been exchanged for a F-35C variant. The mission systems for the F-35B and F-35C are largely the same but, the UK is upgrading the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for its own purposes in order to conduct initial operational test of JSF alongside US Services. We have included sufficient funding within the original financial approval for these aircraft to ensure that they are upgraded to the appropriate standard for these tests. The US Marine Corps have no input to these decisions.
RAF Leuchars
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, column 234W, on RAF Leuchars, when he plans to place in the Library a copy of the sustainability appraisal. [86640]
Nick Harvey: A copy of the sustainability appraisal report was placed in the Library of the House on 13 December 2011.
Sir Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alterations will be required to RAF Leuchars to transform it to an operational Army base;
15 Dec 2011 : Column 868W
what estimate he has made of the cost of any such alterations; and if he will make a statement. [86646]
Nick Harvey: Work has begun to determine the precise capacity of the defence estate as we seek to maximise its use and rationalise where appropriate. Until this work is completed it is too early to say what alterations will be required to RAF Leuchars or how much this will cost.
Education
Schools: Manpower
Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) teachers, (b) teaching assistants, (c) special educational needs (SEN) teachers and (d) SEN assistants were employed in each local authority in (i) May 2010 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available. [83474]
Mr Gibb: The following table provides the headcount of teachers and teaching assistants in publicly funded schools in England broken down by local authority and region in November 2010, the latest information available. Those employed in local authority maintained special schools are separately identified.
SEN teachers/assistants have been defined as those (a) working in special schools, (b) having a SEN co-ordinator role in other publicly funded schools or (c) having a learning support assistant for SEN pupils role in other publicly funded schools.
| Number (headcount) of teachers (1) , teaching assistants, SEN co-ordinators and SEN assistants in publicly funded schools (including academies) in each local authority (2) . Year: November 2010. Coverage: Local authorities in England | ||||||
|
|
In all publicly funded schools | of which in special schools | Teachers who are SEN co-ordinators (except in special schools) | In all publicly funded schools | of which in special schools | Teaching assistants who are learning support assistants (for SEN pupils) or SEN co-ordinators (except in special schools) |
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| (1) Includes qualified and unqualified teachers but excludes occasional teachers. (2) Figures are based on completed School Workforce Census returns. Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. ‘—’ = nil or negligible. 3. Totals may not appear equal to the sum of the component parts because of rounding. Source: School Workforce Census (November 2010) | ||||||
Prime Minister
Bell Pottinger
Mr Watson: To ask the Prime Minister whether his (a) Chief of Staff and (b) Director of Strategy has met representatives of (i) Bell Pottinger Group and (ii) clients of Bell Pottinger Group on the recommendation of that Group since May 2010; on what dates any such meetings took place; and what was discussed. [86774]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 November 2011, Official Report, column 234W, to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann).
15 Dec 2011 : Column 875W
EU Action
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what discussions he had with the Office of First and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland on the most recent European Council meeting; [86709]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on Northern Ireland of the outcome of the most recent European Council meeting. [86710]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 529, to the right hon. Member for Belfast North (Mr Dodds).
Ministerial Policy Advisers
Alun Michael: To ask the Prime Minister what the (a) name and (b) payscale is of each special adviser appointed since 14 October 2011. [86855]
The Prime Minister: An updated list of special advisers, and their pay bands, is published quarterly. This is available on the Cabinet Office website:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
Energy and Climate Change
Energy Performance Certificates
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of private rented sector accommodation units in energy performance certificate bands (a) E, (b) F and (c) G in the London borough of Brent. [86478]
Andrew Stunell: I have been asked to reply.
The English Housing Survey does not enable an estimate to be made at local authority level. However, the survey does provide a national estimate of the numbers of privately rented accommodation in each energy performance certificate band. The national estimate is included in the latest published English Housing Survey Tables (Housing Stock Summary Statistics Table 7.1):
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/1937429.xls
Carbon Sequestration
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he had with representatives of the carbon capture and storage industry before the announcement by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on carbon capture and storage funding in this Parliament. [85901]
Charles Hendry
[holding answer 12 December 2011]: My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has not made an announcement on CCS funding in this Parliament. My colleagues and I, at ministerial and official level, meet regularly with industry representatives
15 Dec 2011 : Column 876W
to discuss CCS. This includes discussions about funding and we have been clear that £1 billion is available to support CCS projects.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support staff (a) he and (b) his special advisers employ other than the staff in his private office. [86609]
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the (a) salary grade and (b) title is of each member of staff in his private office who is (A) a civil servant, (B) a special adviser and (C) another political appointee. [86611]
Gregory Barker: Please see following table showing details of staffing in the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change’s private office. All staff are civil servants and there are no other political appointees.
| Grade | Title | Number |
Salary information is already published. Please see following links.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/about_decc/about_decc.aspx
http://lis/decc/human-resources/handbook/pay-awards.html
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff in his private office (a) previously worked for a political party and (b) are on secondment. [86612]
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff in the private office of the (a) Minister of State for Climate Change and (b) Minister of State for Energy are on secondment. [86613]
Electricity Generation
Tom Greatrex:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Ben Gummer), of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 40W, on
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electricity generation, what estimate his Department has made of the costs of moving to a pooled system of retail energy sales; and what cost-benefit analysis he has undertaken of such a move; [86672]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on competition in the retail energy sector of moving to a pooled system of retail energy sales; [86673]
(3) what discussions his Department has had with small retail energy suppliers on the effect on their business model of moving to a pooled system of retail energy sales. [86671]
Charles Hendry [holding answer 14 December 2011]: 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. However, a reversion to a pool system would be costly, disruptive and would take years to implement. As an illustration, estimated costs in 2004 of the transition from the pool to NETA were in the region of £700 million.
There are alternative approaches to improving energy market competition. Ofgem, are leading work aimed at increasing market liquidity in order to ensure that small and independent suppliers and generators have fair access to the market. A pool would not necessarily solve the problems facing smaller market participants—in particular a pool would not in itself improve forward market liquidity.
Nuclear Power: Safety
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the costs to (a) his Department and (b) operators of civil nuclear installations resulting from the implementation of the recommendations in the report on implications for the UK nuclear industry of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami by HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations. [85787]
Charles Hendry: Nuclear safety is a top priority and as such any associated costs to the Department will be borne out of the overall departmental budget.
The Government are not able to comment on any associated costs to the nuclear operating companies, as such costs are part of the overall and ongoing costs of ensuring the safe operation of nuclear facilities.
Renewable Energy: Wales
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had on renewable energy development in Wales. [86247]
Charles Hendry: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has regular discussions with ministerial colleagues across the UK on renewable energy issues, including those in Wales.
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Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's most recent estimate is of the cost of extending the eligibility date for the reduction in tariff level for solar PV from 12 December 2011 to 31 March 2012. [85780]
Gregory Barker: The impact assessment published alongside the consultation on feed-in tariffs for solar PV estimated the range of costs to consumers with a reference date of 12 December 2011 (option 2) and a reference date of 1 April 2012 (option 3). Under the central scenario we estimated that the additional costs associated with a reference date of 1 April would be approximately £60 million per year (2011 prices, discounted) over the spending review period.
We have undertaken an initial update of the estimates in the impact assessment to take account of higher than projected uptake in October 2011. Our preliminary update suggests that under the central scenario the additional costs associated with a 1 April reference date would be around £120-140 million per year (2011 prices, discounted) over the spending review period. These estimates should be treated as preliminary, as full updated estimates will be published in the final impact assessment supporting the Government's response to the consultation.
Warm Front Scheme
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in (a) England, (b) each local authority area and (c) each parliamentary constituency received assistance under the Warm Front scheme (i) in each of the last 10 years, (ii) between July 2010 and December 2010 and (iii) since April 2011; and what the average level of grant provided under the scheme was in each such period. [86523]
Gregory Barker: This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households received assistance under the Warm Front scheme in England in each month of the last 10 years; and what the average level of grant provided under the scheme was in each such month. [86524]
Gregory Barker: I will be placing a copy of the information requested in the Libraries of the House.
Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the operation of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 since July 2010; and if he will make a statement. [R] [84458]
Gregory Barker: I discuss fuel poverty issues with ministerial colleagues on a regular basis.
Mr Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his
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Department have had with (i) HM Treasury and (ii) other ministerial colleagues on the operation of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [R] [84485]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 5 December 2011]:Ministerial colleagues, officials and I regularly meet with other Government Departments to discuss fuel poverty issues.
Justice
Care Homes: Hampshire
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many care homes in (a) Hampshire and (b) Southampton have been subject to (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful prosecutions in the last two years. [86596]
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 these centrally held data whether a care home was proceeded against or found guilty.
Chief Coroner: Public Appointments
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has contacted any potential candidates for the role of Chief Coroner. [86773]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice has not contacted any potential candidates for the role of Chief Coroner. Under Schedule 8 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 it is for the Lord Chief Justice to appoint the Chief Coroner, following consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.
Civil Disorder
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which courts dealt with cases concerning persons suspected of criminal involvement during the public disorder of August 2011. [86308]
Mr Djanogly: To date public disorder cases have been heard at 79 magistrates courts and 17 Crown courts, a list of which follows.
Courts that have heard cases related to the public disorder from 6-9 August 2011, data as at 7 December 2011 .
Balham
Banbury
Barking
Basildon
Bexley
Birmingham
Brent
Brighton
Bristol
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Bristol Youth Court
Bromley
Bury St Edmunds
Caernarfon
Camberwell Green
Cambridge
Cardiff
Cheltenham
City of Westminster
Colchester
Coventry
Crewe
Croydon
Ealing
East Lancashire Magistrates (Blackburn)
Enfield
Feltham
Greenwich
Grimsby
Halton
Haringey
Harlow
Harwich
Hatfield
Havering
Hemel Hempstead
Hendon
Hertford
High Wycombe
Highbury Corner
Lancaster
Leeds
Liverpool Community Justice centre
Liverpool
Luton
Macclesfield
Maidenhead
Maidstone
Manchester City
Medway
Milton Keynes
Nottingham
Oxford
Reading
Redbridge
Richmond
Salford
Slough
Solihull
South Western
Southampton
Southend