Departmental Communications
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) job titles and (b) job descriptions are of each of the (i) press officers and (ii) other public relations officers working in his Department. [86829]
Mr Robathan: Communicators are employed across defence and the armed forces. They have an important task in explaining to the public, the media, our own people and other audiences—at local, regional, national and international levels—the role of defence, our activities, capabilities and operations.
The latest centrally held records of communications posts are as at 31 March 2011. From this record we have extracted those declared as ‘press officers' and separately those identified through post titles as ‘public relations'. This information has been placed in the Library of the House.
Post titles within defence have evolved over a number of years and are not standardised across the Ministry of Defence. Job descriptions are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The information placed in the Library of the House includes both military and civilian posts worldwide; they represent a reduction compared with the previous year; further savings have been made across the communications area during the course of the current financial year and more reductions are planned for future years.
Departmental Manpower
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly by his Department and its contractors in (i) Castlemartin, (ii) Manorbier and (iii) the Territorial Army centre, Carmarthen. [87212]
19 Dec 2011 : Column 960W
Mr Robathan: The following numbers of Ministry of Defence (MOD) and contractor personnel are employed at each of the sites:
| Site | MOD employees (civilian and military personnel) | Contractor employees |
There are also currently 13 catering sub-contractor staff serving both Castlemartin and Penally ranges. The numbers of staff at each site will vary according to catering demand.
Official Visits
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits he has made in an official capacity in each year since May 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such visit. [75416]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 18 October 2011]: All Defence Ministers seek to travel in the most cost-effective way possible.
I refer the hon. Member to the quarterly publication of the cost of overseas travel for all Defence Ministers at the following address:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/MinistersHospitalityReceived.htm
Information regarding the costs of UK travel by myself and my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. UK visits involve costs incurred by the Secretary of State's Private Office, his hosts, and others.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, columns 1293-94W, on departmental public expenditure, under what categories of cost within his Department’s efficiency programme he expects savings to be made for each of the next four financial years. [86844]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 15 December 2011]: The Ministry of Defence is aiming to make efficiency savings under the following categories during the next four financial years:
Changes to Civilian Terms and Conditions of Service
Manpower Reductions (Service and Civilian)
Estates Rationalisation
Organisational Restructuring
Restructuring of Training Organisations
Reducing Ministry of Defence Police and Guards Agency running costs
Asset Sales
Centralisation and Rationalisation of provision of manning, legal and chaplaincy services
Contractorisation
19 Dec 2011 : Column 961W
Departmental Publications
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer of 25 November 2011, Official Report, column 602W, on departmental publications, whether the Strategy for Defence, October 2011 was produced by employees of his Department or by an outside contractor; how many working hours were required to produce the document; and if he will make a statement; [86503]
(2) whether anyone other than those individuals named was sent a copy of The Strategy for Defence, October 2011; and if he will make a statement. [86504]
Mr Philip Hammond: Ministry of Defence (MOD) employees spent a total of 46 hours on the design, graphics production, and layout of the Strategy for Defence. The printing was conducted by an MOD contractor.
Only those individuals that I mentioned in my answer of 25 November 2011, Official Report, column 602W, were sent a copy of the Strategy for Defence by the office of my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), and the Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Lord Astor of Hever). Additional copies were subsequently provided by the Ministry of Defence's Parliamentary Branch to other members of the Defence Select Committee.
Depleted Uranium
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to cease using depleted uranium in ammunition. [87161]
Nick Harvey: The Government's continuing policy is that depleted uranium can be used within weapons; it is not prohibited under current or likely future international agreements. UK armed forces use all munitions in accordance with international humanitarian law.
European Fighter Aircraft
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 84W, on European fighter aircraft, what assumptions his Department used in the calculations of the 25-year net present value for (a) RAF Lossiemouth and (b) RAF Leuchars. [86643]
Nick Harvey: The calculations of the 25-year net present value of the relative costs of operating Typhoon from either RAF Lossiemouth or RAF Leuchars were based on assumptions covering a wide range of aspects. These included personnel, infrastructure, running costs, parenting costs for lodger units, relocation, the draw-down of the Tornado fleet and the build up of the Typhoon fleet, and the relevant operational factors for operations at both RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars.
Ex-servicemen: Employment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the 2010 survey by the Career Transition Partnership on the employment destinations of service leavers. [86771]
19 Dec 2011 : Column 962W
Mr Robathan [holding answer 15 December 2011]: The Ministry of Defence does not produce a report on the employment destinations of service leavers. However, our commercial partner surveys each service leaver who has accessed the services of the Career Transition Partnership at the six month point after discharge. The results obtained allow for graphical representation. A copy of this document has been placed in the Library of the House.
Falkland Islands
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has assessed the UK's defence capability in the Falkland Islands since the recent comments by the Argentine Government on the Islands. [87233]
Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 797W, to the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis).
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 October 2011, Official Report, column 875W, on Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, (1) if he proposes that the Medical Assessment Programme will continue to treat Gulf War veterans who present themselves with physical health problems; [87040]
(2) if the Medical Assessment Programme will continue to retain the full range of services it previously offered; [87041]
(3) if the (a) terms and (b) scope of the Medical Assessment Programme have changed; and if he will place in the Library the Programme's terms of reference. [87042]
Mr Robathan: As set out in the answer of 18 October 2011, Official Report, column 875W, the Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s medical assessment programme is staffed by a consultant psychiatrist. This has been the case since 2006 for the reason that the number of physical health patient referrals from GPs had declined to a very low level and such queries were normally referred back to the NHS. The MOD continues to provide advice should a GP or 1990-91 Gulf veteran require information on Gulf health issues.
In his report on veterans' mental health care, the hon. Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison), recommended that the medical assessment programme should continue as the feedback from veterans is that it continues to provide a valuable service while NHS mental health services for veterans are being further developed across the UK. Full details about the service offered by the Medical Assessment Programme are available on the MOD's website, at the following link:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/ HealthandSafety/GulfVeteransIllnesses/TheMedical AssessmentProgramme.htm
A copy of this information has been placed in the Library of the House.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 963W
Harrier Aircraft
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answers of 7 December 2011, Official Report, column 384W, on Harrier aircraft, if he will publish the memorandum of understanding (MOU) referred to; what similar MOUs the UK has agreed with other countries concerning UK defence assets; what the content is of those MOUs; which two non-MOU countries expressed an interest in the Harrier aircraft; who undertook the relevant analysis to establish the value of the sale of those aircraft; and who retains the intellectual property rights for those aircraft. [87409]
Peter Luff: The memorandum of understanding (MOU), between Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States concerning co-operation in post-production support of Harrier aircraft was signed in 2004. It is not our policy to publish such agreements.
I will write to the right hon. Member concerning the information on MOUs that are similar to the Harrier MOU.
I am withholding information on the states that expressed an interest as the disclosure of this information would or would be likely to prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and those states.
Officials from the Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Authority and Harrier project team jointly undertook analysis and provided advice to establish the value of the sale of the Harrier aircraft.
Intellectual property rights for these aircraft are retained by a number of companies: primarily BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what flight test instrumentation has been purchased for the F-35C aircraft; and what the cost was to the public purse. [87592]
Peter Luff: No flight test instrumentation has been purchased for the F35C aircraft.
MODPGA: Scotland
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the contribution of Ministry of Defence police to the security of the defence estate in Scotland. [87011]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) attaches very high importance to the role played by the MOD police, and other security providers, in safeguarding its people, information and assets across the Defence estate, including its sites in Scotland.
The MOD's single highest security priority continues to be the protection of the UK's nuclear deterrent, where a significant contribution is provided by MOD police officers based at Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 964W
Nuclear Submarines
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to refurbish the Rolls-Royce nuclear submarine reactor core plant at Raynesway, Derby; and what the cost to the public purse is of any such refurbishment. [86749]
Peter Luff: We are working with Rolls-Royce on plans to refurbish the facilities at Raynesway in Derby over the period 2012 to 2022.
The Ministry of Defence is in commercial negotiations regarding this work; I am therefore withholding cost information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Nuclear Weapons
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 833W, on nuclear weapons, how much his Department is planning to spend on collaboration with the US Administration on studies on the development of the W88 nuclear warhead. [86757]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 833W. The UK is collaborating with the US on a broad range of nuclear issues of mutual interest including US plans for the refurbishment or replacement of non-nuclear components within their W88 nuclear warhead. For the UK, collaboration with the US on the non nuclear components of their W88 programme ensures the sustainability of our own technical knowledge and skills which will assist the assessment of options to inform any future UK warhead decision.
Some £3.5 million is expected to be spent on this collaboration over the next three years.
Radiation Exposure
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) current and (b) former Ministry of Defence sites have been found to be radioactively contaminated; and what the suspected cause of radiation is in each case. [86838]
Mr Robathan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, details of sites identified by our Land Quality Assessment (LQA) are listed as follows. In each of these cases the principal source of contamination was found to be radium-226, a low-level contaminant.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites:
Stirling Lines
RAF Shawbury
RAF Henlow
RAF Kinloss
RM Condor
RAF Little Rissington
RS Anthorn
Machrihanish
Stirling Forthside
19 Dec 2011 : Column 965W
RAF Newton—(part of the site has been disposed of, the remainder is due to be sold)
Former DARA Almondbank and Fleetlands
HMS Daedalus
Where a site has been disposed of by the MOD, the purchaser would have received an LQA report outlining the extent of any known contamination, and this will have been reflected in the sale price.
Radioactive Waste
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2011, Official Report, column 261W, on radioactive waste, for what reason the information identified in the answer as not held centrally and available only at disproportionate cost has subsequently been provided in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [86842]
Mr Robathan: The answer I gave on 26 October 2011, Official Report, column 261W, related to locations of the burial of radium fragments which is not held centrally.
In response to a freedom of information request, the Ministry of Defence provided details of sites where soil contaminated with radium had been identified as part of the update to the 2010 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory, which is already in the public domain.
Red Arrows: Training
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours on average Red Arrows pilots flew (a) in flight training and (b) as flight trainers in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available. [86826]
Nick Harvey: The Red Arrows 12-month season runs from 1 October to 30 September. The following table gives information for the average training hours flown by the Red Arrow pilots for the 2011 season.
|
|
Average flying training hours per Red Arrow pilot (1) |
| (1) Figures are rounded up to the nearest hour. | |
Pilots serving with the Red Arrows are not required to conduct flight training duties. Therefore no flying hours are recorded as flight trainers.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 966W
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency relating to divorce, including pension sharing orders and transfers for calculating cash equivalent transfer values, are subject to a suspension of processing; when he expects those suspensions to be lifted; and if he will make a statement. [86878]
Mr Robathan: As at 14 December 2011, the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency had some 400 cash equivalent transfer valuation applications, and no pension sharing orders, that have been subject to suspension of processing. This is an issue common across all public sector schemes following pension changes announced in the 2011 Budget which led to the suspension of all such processing pending new guidance from the Government Actuaries Department on new actuarial factors.
It is estimated that the suspension will be lifted early in the new year.
Officials are prepared to consider making interim payments on a case by case basis until this issue is resolved.
Submarines: Females
Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to encourage women in the Royal Navy to apply to serve on Vanguard and Astute-class submarines. [86892]
Mr Philip Hammond: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Gosport (Caroline Dinenage) and for West Worcestershire (Harriett Baldwin).
World War II: Military Decorations
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans last met Commander Eddie Grenfell; and what plans he has to meet him in the future. [86763]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 15 December 2011]: I have not formally met Commander Grenfell, however, I did have a chance meeting with him during the launch of the Armed Forces Community Covenant in Winchester on 16 June 2011. I have no current plans to meet with him, but he, and his fellow campaigners, are very likely to be consulted during the forthcoming independent review of the rules governing the award of military medals.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the comments by Commander Eddie Grenfell on the contribution by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans on 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 51-58WH, on Arctic convoys. [86765]
19 Dec 2011 : Column 967W
Mr Robathan [holding answer 15 December 2011]: I am aware of the campaign for further recognition for those who served as part of the Arctic Convoys, and recognise that there are many veterans who feel very strongly about this matter.
The Government have agreed that there should be a fresh review of the rules governing the award of military medals. This will be conducted by an independent reviewer with full consultation with interested parties. It will make use of all of the work already undertaken as a part of the Ministry of Defence’s earlier review but will have a broader scope and an independent lead. The scope of the review and who is to lead it are expected to be announced shortly.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his policy is on the contribution by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans on 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 51-58WH, on Arctic convoys, and his statement that those who served did not face risks; and if he will make a statement; [86766]
(2) what assessment he has made of the risks taken by those who served on Arctic convoys. [86767]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 15 December 2011]: I urge the hon. Member to read the full extract of my statement of 6 December 2011, Official Report , columns 51-58WH, where I said
“we pay tribute to the people in the Public Gallery who are showing the medals that they won through risk and rigour”.
The Atlantic Star, which was intended to show recognition of service on the Arctic Convoys, reflects that principle. I have at no point claimed that those who served on the Arctic Convoys did not face risks.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Al-Qaeda: Prisoner Escapes
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the escape of al-Qaeda prisoners from Aden. [86874]
Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of a prisoner escape in Aden and are seeking further details.
Daljit Singh Bittu
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian authorities on the case of Daljit Singh Bittu. [87202]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We have not made any representations to the Indian authorities on the case of Daljit Singh Bittu. The hon. Member for Leicester South will understand that the British Government have no locus to intervene in India's judicial process.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 968W
Darinderpal Singh Bhullar
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian authorities on the case of Professor Darinderpal Singh Bhullar. [87203]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not raised Mr Bhullar's case with the Indian authorities. However I have written to the Indian high commissioner, most recently on 7 November, reiterating the UK Government's strong opposition to the death penalty and urging the Indian authorities not to break their seven-year de facto moratorium on the death penalty. I also raised our concerns with then Indian Foreign Secretary Rao on 28 June, and with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on 5 July. We continue to urge the Government of India to establish a formal moratorium as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in India.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011. [87339]
Mr Bellingham: We record the number of UK-based staff on a monthly basis. On 1 May 2010 we had approximately 5,000 UK-based staff. At 1 December 2011 we had approximately 4,550. The reduction results from making efficiencies in the corporate support functions in the UK, the transfer of some overseas support tasks from UK-based to locally-engaged staff and the civil service recruitment freeze.
Diplomatic Service: Languages
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many heads of mission are serving in overseas postings; and how many have completed the extensive level language qualification which is linked to additional remuneration. [87054]
Mr Bellingham: There are 142 bilateral heads of mission serving in overseas postings: 105 ambassadors and 37 high commissioners. Of the 142, 96 have been identified as having a language requirement and 72 have qualified in the necessary Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) language exams. Of the 72 bilateral heads of mission with exam records, 22 have passed the FCO Extensive exam, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level C2, the most advanced level of fluency. All FCO officers serving overseas in speaker slots (Confidence, Operational or Extensive) are entitled to claim additional remuneration for the duration of their overseas posting, provided they have passed the appropriate examination.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal qualifications in languages are linked to additional remuneration for his Department’s staff. [87142]
19 Dec 2011 : Column 969W
Mr Bellingham: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) language exams are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The following qualifications are linked to remuneration:
FCO Extensive exam, CEFR level C2, the most advanced level of fluency.
FCO Operational exam, CEFR level C1, roughly equivalent to degree level.
FCO Confidence exam, CEFR level A2, enabling them to deal confidently with routine everyday issues in the foreign language.
FCO Confidence and Operational examinations are validated by the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
All FCO officers serving overseas in speaker slots (Confidence, Operational or Extensive) are entitled to claim additional remuneration for the duration of their overseas posting, provided they have passed the appropriate examination.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many HM ambassadors are serving in overseas postings; and of these how many have completed the extensive level language qualification which is linked to additional remuneration. [87187]
Mr Bellingham: There are 142 bilateral heads of mission serving in overseas postings: 105 ambassadors and 37 high commissioners. Of the 142, 96 have been identified as having a language requirement and 72 have qualified in the necessary Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) language exams. Of the 72 bilateral heads of mission with exam records, 22 have passed the FCO extensive exam, CEFR level C2, the most advanced level of fluency. All FCO officers serving overseas in speaker slots (confidence, operational or extensive) are entitled to claim additional remuneration for the duration of their overseas posting, provided they have passed the appropriate examination.
Kashmir: Conflict Prevention
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the South Asia Conflict Prevention Programme has spent in Kashmir in each year since 2007. [87079]
Alistair Burt: A total of £1,030,383 has been spent on Kashmir from the South Asia Conflict Pool since 2007. This is broken down as follows:
|
|
£ |
The fluctuations in each year are due to differences in the number of project applications that are approved and completed in each financial year. The conflict pool is the mechanism by which the Government allocate resources for discretionary conflict prevention, stabilisation and peacekeeping activities and is managed jointly by the Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 970W
Conflict Pool activity does not contradict the long standing position of the UK on Kashmir; that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution to the situation in Kashmir or to mediate in finding one.
Kidnapping
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department have been kidnapped whilst on official business overseas in each of the last 10 years. [87561]
Mr Bellingham: There have been no Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials kidnapped while on official business overseas in the last 10 years. However, two Foreign FCO officials posted to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were kidnapped in 2007 while on unofficial (private) travel. They were released after being held for 12 days.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on negotiation with overseas kidnappers. [87571]
Alistair Burt: We are prepared to talk to anyone who is in a position to help ensure the swift and safe release of a hostage. We do so in a way that is consistent with our long-standing policy of not making or facilitating substantive concessions to hostage-takers. We maintain this policy because we believe that to make substantive concessions such as paying ransoms would reward the act of hostage-taking and encourage future kidnaps of British nationals.
Lord's Resistance Army
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the Lord's Resistance Army's activities in (a) the Central African Republic, (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (c) South Sudan and (d) Uganda. [86876]
Mr Bellingham: We receive regular reports on the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) from our diplomatic missions covering these countries, and through bodies such as the UN.
The most credible recent information suggests that 250 to 300 LRA fighters remain, scattered in small units across the region. While its numbers have been much reduced over the past decade because of military action (led by Uganda) and progress with demobilisation and repatriation under UN auspices in some areas, the LRA remains a destabilising force and a threat to civilian populations.
Nigeria: Foreign Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the UK’s relationship with Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [87568]
19 Dec 2011 : Column 971W
Mr Bellingham: The UK enjoys good relations with Nigeria, including through historic, cultural and economic ties. Our mission in Nigeria is one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, with a high commission in Abuja and a deputy high commission in Lagos. The Prime Minister visited Nigeria in July 2011, accompanied by the Minister of State for Trade and investment, my noble Friend, Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, and the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), to develop and promote our relationship. The key elements of this are boosting bilateral trade, investment and growth; encouraging good governance and democratic practice; aiding development; and supporting Nigerian security architecture to combat both national and international threats. The bilateral communiqué from the Prime Minister’s visit sets out the critical parts of the British Government’s policy towards Nigeria. It can be found online at:
www.number10.gov.uk/news/communique-on-nigeria-trade-mission/
Nigeria: Kidnapping
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been kidnapped in Nigeria in each of the last five years. [87565]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office cannot provide an exact figure as not every case is brought to our attention, but our records show the number of kidnap and abductions involving British nationals in Nigeria in the past five years as follows:
|
|
Number |
Saudi Arabia: Human Rights
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the most recent report by Amnesty International on human rights violations in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [86950]
Alistair Burt: The Amnesty International report on Saudi Arabia summarises the current human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. It covers the draft anti-terror law, detentions and trials and freedom of expression. Our embassy in Riyadh has been engaged in a dialogue with the Saudi Arabian Government on these issues for some time. 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. Our embassy has raised the issue of arbitrary detentions with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice and has been given permission to attend a forthcoming terror trial.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 972W
We have asked the Saudi authorities for more information with regard to the case referred to in the report which concerns 16 men convicted under anti-terror legislation to sentences ranging from five to 30 years, before we determine our next course of action. Freedom of expression concerns largely relate to the periods of unrest in the Eastern Province this year. Following the most recent outbreak of unrest in November, we note the Saudi Arabian Government issued a statement that security forces have been instructed to exercise restraint. We welcome the willingness of Saudi Arabian human rights organisations to engage with Amnesty on human rights concerns, which will raise awareness of the progress made by Saudi Arabia to date and give greater clarity on the requirements for further reform.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Saudi Arabia on human rights. [87448]
Alistair Burt: I discussed human rights in Saudi Arabia during my visit there on 26-27 April 2011, when I met Dr Bandar Al-Aiban, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission, an organisation that works closely with the Saudi Arabian Government on human rights issues. I had a frank and honest discussion with Dr Al-Aiban, making no secret of the UK's concerns on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. The treatment of women, the application of the death penalty and the status of foreign workers were all raised. On 5 July, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Prince Saud, to discuss a range of issues, including women's rights. I travelled to Saudi Arabia on 23 November and discussed a wide range of human rights issues. In addition, our ambassador and the embassy team in Riyadh have raised human rights concerns with the Saudi Arabian Government, bilaterally and through the European Union.
Sikhs
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet representatives of the Sikh community to discuss the case of Professor Darinderpal Singh Bhullar. [87201]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I have no plans at present to meet representatives of the Sikh community to discuss Mr Bhullar's case. However, we continue to follow Mr Bhullar's case closely and have made clear to the Indian authorities our concerns about the possible resumption of executions in India, which would end their seven-year de facto moratorium on the death penalty.
Somalia: Kidnapping
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department is taking steps to reduce instances of kidnapping of British citizens in (a) Somalia and (b) other developing countries. [87556]
19 Dec 2011 : Column 973W
Alistair Burt: The safety of British nationals abroad is of paramount concern for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We provide information through our travel advice to help British nationals make informed decisions about their safety when travelling abroad. Where we assess that there is a specific threat of kidnap in a country, we will advise accordingly. We currently advise against all travel to Somalia. We maintain a policy of not paying ransoms to terrorists, as to pay ransoms would reward the act of hostage-taking and encourage future kidnaps of British nationals.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of British citizens being kidnapped in Somalia in each of the last 10 years. [87557]
Alistair Burt: We do not have an exact figure as not every case is brought to our attention, but our records show the number of kidnaps and abductions involving British nationals in Somalia as follows:
|
|
Number |
Somalia: Piracy
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to the international community of piracy off the coast of Somalia in terms of (a) financial losses borne by shipping companies and (b) expenditure on military and naval operations. [86160]
Mr Bellingham: The turnover of the British shipping industry is worth £10.7 billion of our national GDP. Nearly $1 trillion of trade to and from Europe travelled through the Gulf of Aden in 2008 and this is the second busiest international trade route in the world. One World Future has estimated that piracy could be costing the global economy up to $12 billion a year in direct costs and indirect costs such as increased insurance premiums.
There has been no estimate of the international community's total expenditure on counter-piracy operations. Expenditure on military and naval operations is borne by the contributing state. For UK contributions, the cost for counter-piracy operations is a component of the annual operating costs of the Royal Navy, on which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds no data. The average annual running costs of the EU's Operation Atalanta are €8 million per year, of which the UK contributes on average £700,000 per year.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 974W
The British Government are playing a leading role in the counter-piracy operations at sea, and leading international work with regional countries to build penal, judicial and law enforcement capacities in support, with more than 1,000 pirates now in custody. The first line of defence remains self-defence measures by ships to minimise the risk of a successful hijack. But the long-term solution lies on land, with rule of law. increased stability and economic development.
South Sudan: Equality
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to promote equality in South Sudan. [87558]
Mr Bellingham: As a new nation state, South Sudan has the opportunity to put gender equality at the heart of its developing institutions. In addition to the Department for International Development's work, the British embassy is supporting women's active participation in peace-building and stabilisation initiatives, in particular, the mainstreaming of gender in South Sudan's police and security sector reform. There are some positive indicators of success, for example the fact that women police officers represent 50% of the police force in some of South Sudan's states.
However, women are still under-represented in many areas of government and we are encouraging the Government of South Sudan to make it a priority to increase their involvement.
South Sudan: Foreign Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the UK's relations with South Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87559]
Mr Bellingham: The Government are committed to supporting South Sudan to become a viable and peaceful state, underpinned by good governance, respect for human rights and an environment in which humanitarian assistance can reach all that need it. We are working closely with the Government in South Sudan and with our international partners in pursuit of those goals.
We are concerned that progress is endangered by continuing internal conflicts as well as tensions with Sudan. We urge the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan to resolve their outstanding issues peacefully and are supporting the mediation efforts. We are also providing funding and support to conflict resolution within South Sudan.
The British Government are providing over £90 million a year for the next four years to help the people of South Sudan. This funding will support international efforts to promote peace and stability in South Sudan. Specifically, our assistance will help build more accountable, inclusive and transparent government; deliver basic services such as education, clean water and healthcare; support economic growth; provide humanitarian relief; and improve security and access to justice.
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Sri Lanka: Foreign Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the UK's relations with Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [87570]
Alistair Burt: The UK has a long and historic relationship with Sri Lanka and we continue to work with all interested parties on the shared objective of achieving lasting peace. The UK believes that the best way to achieve lasting and equitable peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka is through an inclusive political solution that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict and takes into account the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all Sri Lanka's communities.
Treasury
Air Passenger Duty
Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department have worked on the proposed reform of air passenger duty. [87317]
Miss Chloe Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr Donohoe) on 13 December 2011, Official Report, column 533W.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to make further changes to the structure of air passenger duty up to 2015. [87318]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government set out their plans for the structure of air passenger duty in their response to consultation published on 6 December.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the analysis of the costs and benefits of air passenger duty to the UK economy that his Department undertook to inform his response to the consultation on the reform of air passenger duty. [87319]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government received over 500 responses to the air passenger duty (APD) consultation, including analytical reports. Although the Government do not generally publish responses to consultations or the detailed policy advice to Ministers, the consultation document published in March 2011 recognised the important contribution of the aviation sector to the UK economy, while stressing the need to maintain revenues from the aviation sector. Decisions on the future structure of APD were taken in that context.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons retention of a four band air passenger duty structure was not an option in his consultation document on reform of air passenger duty. [87406]
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Miss Chloe Smith: The consultation document on air passenger duty published at Budget 2011 included the base-case option of retaining the existing four band air passenger duty structure.
Business: Government Assistance
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which month businesses will start to receive investments through the funds in which the Government will invest in partnership with other investors. [87140]
Mr Hoban: The Government announced at the Autumn Statement that they will make available an initial £1 billion to invest through non-bank lending channels, through a Business Finance Partnership. This will focus initially on co-investment in loan funds that lend directly to mid-sized businesses in the UK.
The Government published a document asking for expressions of interest in managing this co-investment on 6 December, and intend to issue a further, detailed specification in early 2012, and to request proposals to manage these funds. The Government intend to commit their first funding through the Business Finance Partnership in spring 2012.
The month in which the first loans will be made to businesses by these funds will depend upon the length of time taken for fund managers to confirm private sector co-investment, and to identify suitable lending opportunities.
Carbon Sequestration
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic effect over the period to 2030 of a delay in the carbon capture storage programme until (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018, (d) 2019 and (e) 2020 in (i) each region of England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland. [86966]
Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply.
On 1 December DECC published The Carbon Plan which sets out the Government's plans for achieving the emission reductions committed to in the first four carbon budgets, consistent with meeting the 2050 target.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/tackling/carbon_plan/carbon_plan.aspx
The scenarios modelled in this plan show that by 2030 new nuclear could contribute 10 to 15 GW, with up to 20 GW achievable if build rates are higher; fossil fuel generation with CCS could contribute as much as 10 GW; and renewable electricity could deliver anywhere between 35 and 5 GW—depending on assumptions about costs and build rates. However, it is too early to predict which will be the most cost-effective decarbonisation route for the power sector.
The CCS programme is currently being designed and will be launched as soon as possible. It will only be possible to determine the regional impact of the CCS programme once the selection process for new projects has been completed and the location of projects is known.
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Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effect of a delay to the carbon capture storage programme on employment in (a) each region of England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [86967]
Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply.
The CCS programme is currently being designed and will be launched as soon as possible. It will only be possible to determine the regional impact of the CCS programme on employment once the selection process for new projects has been completed and the location of projects is known.
Care Quality Commission: Pay
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many special severance payments have been notified to HM Treasury by the Care Quality Commission in each of the last three years. [87141]
Danny Alexander: HM Treasury received two special severance payment cases from the Care Quality Commission in 2011, three in 2010 and one in 2009.
Cash Dispensing
Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which meetings (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) senior officials in his Department have had with (i) the British Banking Association, (ii) Lloyds Bank, (iii) Barclays and (iv) Royal Bank of Scotland to discuss changes to use of cash point machines; and if he will make a statement. [87134]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with, and receive representations from, a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policy making process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such representations.
Departmental Civil Proceedings
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [83896]
Miss Chloe Smith: There were no legal proceedings brought against the Treasury by organisations that have received funding from it.
Departmental Internet
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that his Department's website is updated to include meetings he and Ministers in his Department have had since March 2011. [86175]
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Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 12 December 2011]: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations held since March 2011 are available on the HM Treasury website at the following address:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm
Departmental Judicial Review
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what applications for judicial review have been made against his Department (a) in the last Parliament and (b) since May 2010; whether each such application (i) succeeded, (ii) failed and (iii) remains pending; what legal costs were incurred by his Department for each such application; in each failed application whether he applied for costs against the applicant and whether they were (A) awarded and (B) paid; whether his Department (1) paid for and (2) offered to pay for the legal costs incurred by each such applicant; and what the total cost to the public purse was of payment of the legal costs for each such applicant. [80719]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Treasury does not keep a central record of the information that has been requested and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the figure for the total amount spent on legal services for the financial year 2010-11was £3,945,452.98. All recorded cases, including judicial reviews, are a matter of public record and are published widely, including online, for example on the website of the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII).
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011. [87340]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Treasury undertakes an analysis of its work force on a monthly basis at the end of each month. The number of people who were working in HMT on 30 April 2010 and 30 November 2011 was 1,364.09 full-time equivalents (FTE) and 1,132.25 FTE respectively.
Departmental Publications
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) leaflets, (b) posters and (c) reports his Department has published since May 2010; how much each cost; and which company (i) published and (ii) designed each. [82993]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Treasury has not produced any leaflets or posters since May 2010.
Since May 2010, the Treasury has published around 199 documents which are all available on its website. The Stationery Office are used to publish House of Commons and Command Papers. All documents published by both TSO and the Treasury are designed and typeset by the in-house team at the Treasury.
It is not always possible to separate out the exact costs of a specific publication from overall publications costs. In line with wider Government practice, any individual publishing projects exceeding £25,000 are listed separately on the Treasury website.
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Domestic Visits: Schools
Hilary Benn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his Department's policy that when an official from his Department visits a school the local education authority is informed in advance. [87061]
Miss Chloe Smith: Her Majesty’s Treasury does not have a standard policy about who should be informed when its officials visit a school. Visits are handled on a case by case basis.
Economic Situation
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on the economy of (a) the Royal Wedding of April 2011, (b) the industrial action of November 2011, (c) the winter weather of December 2010 and (d) Her Majesty's Jubilee celebrations holiday in 2012. [87457]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Office for National Statistics is responsible for compiling statistics on the economy such as gross domestic product (GDP). In background briefing the ONS have provided their assessment of the effects on GDP of some of these events.
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
John Healey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many policyholders have received payments from the Equitable Life Payment Scheme since June; how many payments have been made each month since June; and of what amounts. [87186]
Mr Hoban: The scheme will be publishing a report in the new year on the volumes and values of payments made.
Mr Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Equitable Life policyholders had (a) received payments under the compensation scheme and (b) been contacted regarding compensation on the most recent date for which figures are available; what information his Department holds on the timetable for payments to be made under the compensation scheme; what steps have been taken to prioritise elderly policyholders; and if he will make a statement. [87281]
Mr Hoban: The scheme will be publishing a report in the new year on the progress of the scheme and the volumes and values of payments made.
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Executives
John Healey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who the most senior official is in charge of the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. [87190]
Mr Hoban: The scheme is delivered by NS&I on HM Treasury’s behalf. The most senior official at the Treasury in charge of the scheme is the Director Business and International Tax.
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Excise Duties: Fuels
Robert Halfon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what calculations his Department makes to ascertain the effect of levels of fuel duty on low income households. [86871]
Miss Chloe Smith: At Autumn Statement 2011, the Government published their latest distributional analysis of the expected impact of announced government measures on household incomes, split by direct taxes, indirect taxes and tax credits and benefits. This analysis includes the impact of the delay to the January 2012 fuel duty increase to August and the cancellation of the August 2012 increase. This document can be found on the Treasury's website at:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2011_documents.htm
Charts 1.A and 1.B in this document show that the top income decile sees the largest reduction in income, both in cash terms and as a percentage of net income, and that cash losses are nearly 10 times that of the bottom decile.
Financial Ombudsman Service: Manpower
Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff the Financial Ombudsman Service employed in 2010-11; how many it plans to employ in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [86867]
Mr Hoban: The matters raised are for the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), whose day-to-day operations are independent from Government control and influence. I have asked the FOS to write to the hon. Member with the information requested. A copy of the response will be placed in the Library of the House.
Financial Services: EU Action
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (a) how many and (b) which of the current EU proposals on financial services he considers to pose a potential risk to the UK financial services sector. [87329]
Mr Hoban: The UK is continuing to lead international efforts to reform the financial sector, and effective EU legislation is essential in meeting our commitments. We have previously made clear our concerns with certain provisions of some EU proposals in this area—such as the maximum harmonised approach in the Capital requirements directive (CRD4) and third country access provisions across a range of dossiers including the European market Infrastructure regulation (EMIR) and the markets in financial instruments directive (MiFID).
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of (a) how many and (b) which current EU proposals on financial services he has written to the European Commission due to a potentially adverse effect on the UK financial services sector; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each item of correspondence. [87330]
Mr Hoban:
Treasury Ministers have regular discussions with the Commission on a wide variety of topics. As was the case with previous Administrations, we do not
19 Dec 2011 : Column 981W
provide a running commentary on the details of these negotiations as it could prejudice development of effective Government policy. We have clearly set out the Government's concerns on certain aspects of Commission proposals on financial sector regulation to the president, other Commissioners and senior Commission officials in both correspondence and bilateral meetings in 2011.
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of which current EU proposals on financial services regulation he has received representations identifying them as potentially damaging to the UK financial industry from (a) the British Bankers Association, (b) the Mayor of London, (c) organisations within the City of London, (d) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (e) representatives of RBS, Lloyds TSB, Barclays or HSBC banks. [87331]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.
Households: Personal Savings
Hazel Blears: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he plans to take steps to increase the household savings ratio; [87285]
(2) what estimate he has made of the long-term household savings ratio (a) in the North West and (b) nationally; [87286]
(3) whether his Department has undertaken a comparative assessment of the UK household savings ratio and that in other G20 countries; [87287]
(4) what estimate he has made of the number of people in the North West who have no personal savings. [87288]
Mr Hoban: The Government aim to achieve strong, sustainable, and balanced growth, underpinned by a credible deficit reduction plan. Growth and stability will provide a context in which it is easier for households to make long-term savings and investment decisions.
In the long term the Government want a strong saving culture to be a foundation for investment and sustainable growth. The Government have introduced a number of savings policies to meet their objectives. These include, but are not limited to:
improving financial access by introducing the Money Advice Service and commissioning industry to develop a suite of simple financial products;
indexing the amount that can be paid into ISAs each year;
introducing junior ISAs; and
introducing regulation to require employers to automatically enrol employees into a workplace pension and make a minimum contribution.
The OECD provides details of the saving ratio for a number of countries. The UK saving ratio for the 2nd quarter of 2011 was 7.4%. It is difficult to compare between countries due to methodological differences.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 982W
The saving ratio is not produced at a regional level. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects the savings ratio for the UK as a whole to average around 6% over the next four years.
The Government use survey evidence to provide statistics about personal savings, to inform the development of policy. The Family Resources Survey has data for savings and investments of households, including regional analysis. The most recent release can be found here:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/frs/
Infrastructure
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date his Department first informed Ministers in the Welsh Government of his plans to publish the National Infrastructure Plan 2011. [86698]
Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers meet with Welsh Government Ministers on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues including infrastructure.
Money Advice Service: Pay
Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) discussions and (b) written communications he has had with (i) the Financial Services Authority, (ii) the Office of Fair Trading and (iii) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the remuneration package to the board of directors and chief executive of the Money Advice Service. [87058]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such discussions.
The Government are committed to public sector pay restraint, and believe that senior managers should show leadership in this area. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury approves any civil service appointments in areas under ministerial control for those earning over £142,500.
The Financial Services Authority is, however, responsible for appointing the chief executive and board directors of the Money Advice Service and setting the terms of the appointments.
Public Expenditure
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Barnett consequential funding has been made available to each of the devolved Administrations as a result of expenditure to increase passenger capacity on trains in England in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and how much he expects to make available in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15. [86695]
Danny Alexander: The devolved Administrations received Barnett consequentials of the Department for Transport settlements in both the 2007 and 2010 spending reviews. Barnett consequentials are calculated at a departmental level in spending reviews so it is not possible to identify expenditure on rail.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 983W
In the Autumn Statement, the following Barnett consequentials were given to the devolved Administrations in respect of rail infrastructure programmes:
| £ million | |||
|
|
2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
19 Dec 2011 : Column 984W
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Barnett consequentials will be for each devolved Administration as a result of the (a) National Infrastructure Plan 2011, (B) Youth Contract and (c) Regional Growth Fund. [86719]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 15 December 2011]: The Barnett consequentials resulting from the (a) National Infrastructure Plan 2011, (b) Youth Contract and (c) Regional Growth Fund are set out in the following table:
| £ million | ||||
|
|
|
2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the measures included in table 2.3 of his Autumn Statement will receive new funding announced in the Autumn Statement; and in which years. [87056]
Danny Alexander: All measures listed in table 2.3 of the Autumn Statement will receive new funding, in the years set out in the table.
Announcements on mobile network coverage, high performance computing, the National Graphene Institute and Growing Places had been made at party conferences. Housing measures were announced in the housing strategy. All other measures were new autumn statement announcements.
Regional Growth Fund
Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the additional funding for the Regional Growth Fund announced in the Autumn Statement is to be allocated. [86859]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 15 December 2011]: The Autumn Statement 2011 increased the Regional Growth Fund by £1 billion, plus Barnett consequentials for the devolved Administrations. The fund will continue to allocate funding to projects which create jobs, secure private sector investment and support areas currently dependent on the public sector. There will be an additional focus on bids from the eight core cities.
Tax Credit
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to his Autumn Statement, how many (a) individuals and (b) households will be affected by (i) the freezing of working tax credit and (ii) the removal of planned over-indexation of child tax credits. [87048]
Mr Gauke: There are estimated to be 4.5 million households affected in 2012-13 by these changes; around 2.3 million couples, and 2.2 million single adults.
Of the 4.5 million households, there are estimated to be 1.5 million households affected by the CTC change only, 2.8 million affected by both WTC and CTC changes, and 0.2 million affected by the WTC change only.
Taxation: Aviation
Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the level of aviation taxes in (a) the UK, (b) the EU and (c) G20 countries; [87481]
(2) if he will publish his analysis of the international competitiveness of UK air passenger duty that informed his response to the consultation on reform of air passenger duty. [87482]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government monitor aviation taxes across a wide range of countries. The Government received over 500 responses to the consultation, including general analytical reports commissioned by stakeholders. Information on the aviation taxes of other EU member states and other G20 countries is published and freely available. Unlike many other countries, the UK does not apply VAT on flights and aviation fuel for commercial flights is not taxed.
VAT: Press
Helen Goodman:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what definition of (a) newspapers, (b) magazines and (c) books is used by HM Revenue and
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Customs to determine whether items should be subject to the zero rate of VAT; [87180]
(2) what the estimated revenue from VAT would be if it were charged at (a) 5% and (b) 20% for newspapers and magazines. [87181]
Mr Gauke: There is no definition in VAT law of what are newspapers, magazines and books. HMRC therefore use the terms in their ordinary, everyday sense. The description of each term can be found in chapter 3 of HMRC Public Notice 701/10—"Zero-rating of books etc".
No estimate has been made of the revenue from value added tax if it were charged at 5% or 20% for newspapers and magazines.
An estimate of the cost of the zero-rating of books, newspapers and magazines is published in Table 1.5 “Main Tax Expenditures and Reliefs” on the HMRC website:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-5.xls
However, this estimate does not account for any behavioural effects (the resulting fall in demand) that would result from changes to the rate of value added tax.
Attorney-General
Electronic Tagging
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Attorney-General if the Crown Prosecution Service will ask magistrates to ensure that overnight curfew orders for repeat juvenile offenders are accompanied by electronic tagging orders. [87450]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service seeks electronic monitoring to reinforce a curfew condition where it is necessary to prevent the youth from committing further offences while on bail or on remand to local authority accommodation; and, the statutory criteria for its use are satisfied. The court cannot order electronic monitoring unless the youth offending team have informed the court that electronic monitoring is suitable for the youth.
Human Trafficking
Mr Bone: To ask the Attorney-General what guidance he provides to the Crown Prosecution Service on people who might be involved in illegal activities but are also the victims of human trafficking. [87623]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) issued revised policy guidance to prosecutors on 1 June 2011 on the prosecution of defendants (children and adults) charged with offences who might be trafficked victims. The policy advises prosecutors that they should be alert to the possibility that the suspect may be a victim of trafficking in certain types of cases and advises on the steps they should take when dealing with them.
The policy has changed from a test that a suspect is a credible trafficked victim to one where there is a credible suspicion that a suspect might have been trafficked. Where young people are involved and where there is a credible suspicion that a child or youth might have been trafficked and exploited through criminal activity, that may provide a defence of duress. Evidence of exploitation overrides the need to prove the means.
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This guidance has been published more widely (to the Law Society and through presentations/seminars with barristers) to ensure a wider understanding of this issue.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate (a) the carbon dioxide emissions likely to be generated by the number of additional UK residents projected by 2033 and (b) renewable energy capacity needed to abate and maintain current total emissions. [86820]
Gregory Barker: The latest official Government projections by DECC for greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide were published in October 2011:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_projs/en_emis_projs/en_emis_projs.aspx
These provide projections for the period up to 2030. Projections beyond 2030 are not available. The projections assume that the UK population increases by 6.8 million between 2010 and 2030. This is the ONS principal 2008-based population projection, low migration variant. The 2008-based population projections were the latest available at the time of publication. Projections under the latest ONS 2010-based population projections are not available.
Over the period 2010 to 2030 emissions are projected to fall by 168 MtCO2e from 586 MtCO2e to 418 MtCO2e. Carbon dioxide emissions are projected to fall by 146 MtCO2 from 496 MtCO2 to 350 MtCO2 over the same period. The projected fall is attributable to a range of factors including policy impacts on energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy.
Government have not looked at the amount of renewable electricity required to maintain current total emissions given the changes in population. However, under the central scenario assumptions in the emissions projections, renewable energy demand is projected to increase by 23 Mega tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) from 8.2 Mtoe to 30.9 Mtoe between 2010 and 2030. Renewables electricity generation capacity is projected to increase by 33 GW from 9 GW to 42 GW over the same period. This increase, together with other policy initiatives, is projected to be sufficient to maintain emissions. As explained in the report, the generation and capacity mix is dependent on a number of assumptions. Other assumptions would lead to projected electricity demand being met by different capacity and generation mixes. Modelling developed for the Carbon Plan published in December 2012 shows that by 2030 total renewable capacity could be between 35 and 50 GW under an assumed population growth of 6.8 million. The Carbon Plan can be found at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/tackling/carbon_plan/carbon_plan.aspx
Special Advisers: Electronic Equipment
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his special advisers have been provided with (a) a mobile phone, (b) a laptop computer, (c) an iPad or other electronic tablet device, (d) use of a Government car and (e) an expense account. [86625]
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Gregory Barker: Special advisers have been provided with a BlackBerry and a departmental laptop. They have not been provided with an iPad or other electronic tablet device, the use of a Government car, or with an expense account.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the annual staffing costs are of (a) the private office of the Minister of State for Climate Change, (b) the private office of the Minister of State for Energy and (c) his private office. [86610]
Gregory Barker: Staffing and salary information has been published and details can be found at:
http://reference.data.gov.uk/gov-structure/organogram/?dept=decc&post=l
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 567W, on departmental manpower, what the (a) job title and (b) salary range is of each additional member of staff employed by his Department in the period 31 May 2010 to 30 November 2011. [87177]
Gregory Barker: From 30 May 2010 to 30 November 2011 the numbers, grades and salary ranges of all civil servants, joining DECC, are shown in the following tables.
| Grade | Number |
The numbers above, which are shown as full-time equivalents (FTE), show all civil servants who have joined DECC either as fixed term appointments (including apprenticeships), permanent appointments, transfers from other Government Departments or loans from other Government Departments. This does not take account of staff who have left DECC in the same period.
The staff salary ranges are as follows:
| London base salary ranges | ||
| £ | ||
| Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
19 Dec 2011 : Column 988W
| National base salary ranges | ||
| £ | ||
| Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
| SCS base salary payscales | ||
| £ | ||
| Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
The job titles of staff are not held in central electronic files. To gather this information would incur disproportionate costs.
Departmental Pay
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 568W, on departmental pay, what the (a) job title and (b) salary range is of each member of staff employed by his Department who receives a salary of more than £65,000 per year. [87178]
Gregory Barker: Upon further examination, the number of civil servants employed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as at 30 September 2011 and who receive a salary of more than £65,000 is as shown in the following table below and not as previously stated on 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 568W.
| Number | Grade |
The staff salary ranges are as follows:
| London base salary ranges | ||
| £ | ||
| Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
| National base salary ranges | ||
| £ | ||
| Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
19 Dec 2011 : Column 989W
| SCS base salary p ay scales | ||
| Grade | Minimum | Maximum |
The job titles of staff are not held in central electronic files. To gather this information would incur disproportionate costs.
Departmental Responsibilities
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what diary engagements he undertook on the afternoon of 31 October 2011. [86861]
Gregory Barker [holding answer 15 December 2011]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 November 2011, Official Report, column 317W.
Energy Supply
Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the future ownership of (a) nuclear and (b) renewable energy power stations and facilities currently proposed or under construction; and if he will make a statement. [83549]
Charles Hendry: To date, three energy consortia have announced plans to build up to 16 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear in the UK:
EDF intends to build four new EPR reactors (amounting to 6.4 GW) at Hinkley Point and Sizewell and have gained permission from the local authority to begin preliminary works at Hinkley Point;
Horizon Nuclear Power (a joint venture between RWE and E.ON) intends to build at least 6 GW of new nuclear capacity at Wylfa and Oldbury; and
NuGeneration, a consortium of GDF SUEZ and Iberdrola has set out plans to build up to 3.6 GW of new nuclear capacity at Sellafield.
DECC collects information from local planning authorities and renewable energy developers on all renewable energy projects over 0.01 MW at each stage of the planning system, from proposed projects to operational sites. Monthly updates are available at:
https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/planning-database
This includes the name of the applicant or contractor, location, installed capacity and planning status.
The Energy Research Partnership, which is chaired by the Department's chief scientific adviser, David Mackay, is also undertaking work on a Nuclear Fission Technology Roadmap, setting out potential technology, skills and research path to 2050. We expect this work to report in February and to feed into a the ongoing Nuclear Technology Innovation Needs Assessment (TINA) being undertaken by DECC. We expect our TINA work to conclude in spring. Other TINAs are also under way for a range of low carbon energy technologies, including key renewable generation technologies.
19 Dec 2011 : Column 990W
In “Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy” (the green economy roadmap), published in August, the Government announced a new 'skills for a green economy' group of Sector Skills Councils and others to help businesses understand and address green skills needs.(1)
(1) The project report setting out the evidence underpinning the proposals (from BIS, DECC and DEFRA working together) is available at:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/s/11-1315-skills-for-a-green-economy.pdf
Energy: Meters
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what account his Department's consultation on smart meters and methods of connecting them will take of the difficulties encountered in the provision of broadband to rural areas. [87158]
Charles Hendry: The purpose of the procurement processes for the data and communication services is to evaluate the technical capability and value for money of proposed solutions. For communication services this will include assessing the proposed coverage, efficacy and viability of different technologies across Great Britain, including any particular challenges posed by rural areas.
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to assess (a) wireless, (b) cellular and (c) other options for the installation and subsequent operation of smart meters. [87159]
Charles Hendry: Our requirements for communication services to and from smart meters are technology neutral and we will assess the relative merits of the solutions that bidders propose through the procurement processes. We expect proposals based on a range of communications technologies and will evaluate the trade-offs between coverage, cost and scalability in order to determine the most advantageous overall solution.
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to consult the Welsh Government on technology for the operation of smart meters. [87168]
Charles Hendry: The Government published a consultation in August 2011 on their proposals to establish the technical specifications for smart metering equipment that suppliers will install in consumer premises. They informed the Welsh Government and other key stakeholders about the publication to ensure that they had an opportunity to respond. The Government are currently considering the responses to this consultation and will publish the updated technical specifications in early March. They will then notify the European Commission of the specifications and associated licence conditions, in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive. There are no plans for further consultation on the technical specifications.
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Energy: Prisons
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 570W, on energy: prisons, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs supported by Government energy efficiency schemes in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015; and which schemes will support those jobs. [87179]
Gregory Barker: As stated in my answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 570W, we estimate that Government programmes to promote energy efficiency in homes, businesses and the public sector will support 65,000 insulation sector jobs in 2015. This estimate relates specifically to the forthcoming Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation schemes. We have not made annualised estimates of energy efficiency sector jobs from 2012 to 2015.
Energy: Private Rented Housing
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what process his Department plans to follow to determine whether a landlord has carried out the maximum package of measures funded under the Green Deal or Energy Company Obligation for improving energy efficiency in housing under the provisions of the Energy Act 2011. [86976]
Gregory Barker: We expect the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be a key inspection mechanism as it will outline which measures have been installed in the property using the Green Deal and if there are remaining measures which could benefit from Green Deal finance. Local authorities, as the enforcing body for the private rented sector regulations, will have access to this information through the EPC database.
The regulations, including details of the enforcement mechanism, will be subject to a public consultation.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what measures he plans to put in place to protect tenants from eviction in cases where they request energy efficiency improvements. [86977]
Gregory Barker: The issue of retaliatory eviction in the context of the Green Deal was raised during the passage of the Energy Act. In response I established a working group to consider stakeholder concerns, and report to DECC and Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Ministers with recommendations. The report is due to be submitted to myself and the Minister for Housing and Local Government before Christmas.
Environment Protection: Economic Growth
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has made an estimate of the level of growth in the low carbon economy in each of the last 10 years. [85877]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
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The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has made no estimate of the level of growth in the low carbon economy in each of the last 10 years. However, independent studies commissioned by BIS and published by Innovas and K-Matrix estimate turnover in the Low Carbon Environmental Goods and Services sector for the financial years 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10. The historic growth of turnover in the Low Carbon sub-sector over these years is as follows:
2007/08 to 2008/09—4.5%
2008/09 to 2009/10—4.3%