Ethiopia: Politics and Government
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of (a) Somalia and (b) Ethiopia on the Ogaden and its people; and if he will make a statement. [88552]
Mr Bellingham: There have been no recent meetings with the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia on the Ogaden and its people.
I discussed the Ogaden with Regional President, Abdi Mohammed Omar, when I visited Ethiopia's Somali region in late July 2011. The British embassy in Addis Ababa also regularly discusses the Ogaden region with Ethiopian Federal and Regional Government. The issue was discussed most recently by the chargé d’affaires and Hailemarian Dessalegn, the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, in late November. In these discussions we stressed the importance of ensuring that the response to the region's genuine security concerns is proportionate and avoids causing suffering to the civilian population, and have highlighted the need for humanitarian agencies to have adequate access to the region.
We welcome the two peace agreements in 2010 between the Ethiopian Government and the United Western Somali Liberation Front and one faction of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). We hope that meaningful progress towards peace will be achieved through the effective implementation of these agreements and through further dialogue between Ethiopia and the remaining faction of the ONLF.
Falkland Islands
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of staff resource allocated to the team within his Department with responsibility for the Falkland Islands. [87370]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Overall responsibility for Falkland Islands policy in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) sits with the Overseas Territories Directorate, working in close co-operation with others in London as well as with staff in Stanley and Buenos Aires and elsewhere in Latin America.
Our current staff resource is appropriate, but as with the rest of FCO staffing levels is periodically reviewed so we have the flexibility to respond to operational demand.
Derek Twigg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of an attempted economic blockade of the
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Falkland Islands by Argentina; and what steps he is taking to ensure that
(a)
ships have a right of passage and
(b)
there is freedom of air access to and from the Islands. [87371]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We reject Argentina's attempts to intimidate the Falkland Islands population through economic pressure.
We do not consider Argentina's Presidential Decree 256, passed in February 2010, to be compliant with international law and have repeatedly protested it in private and in public, including in letters circulated at the United Nations General Assembly. The decree does not appear to have had a practical impact on the passage of vessels between the Falkland Islands and South America.
On 15 December the Government of Uruguay declared that it would deny access to its ports to ships flying the Falkland Islands flag. This was followed four days later by a statement from the summit of the Mercosur group of countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with associate members including Chile) that echoed the Uruguayan announcement. We have protested strongly this development and held productive and honest discussions with Uruguay, Chile and Brazil about the practical implications. All three countries have said that they have no intention of participating in an economic blockade of the Falkland Islands and that all Falklands-related commercial shipping will continue to enjoy access to their ports, in accordance with domestic and international law, if they are flying the Red Ensign or another national flag while docked.
The British Government maintain twice weekly flights between the Falkland Islands and the UK and continue to monitor and support other air access routes to and from the Islands. This includes LAN Chile's weekly flight between Punta Arenas and Port Stanley, which President Kirchner threatened in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September. We have stressed that support for this or any other move to intimidate an innocent civilian population through economic pressure would be unacceptable and unbecoming for any Latin American democracy. We are not aware of any further action by Argentina to give effect to Mrs Kirchner's threat and continue to monitor developments very closely.
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on relations between Argentina and British companies wishing to work in the Falkland Islands. [87372]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Many British companies operate successfully in Argentina, but Argentina prohibits by law any company operating there if it is connected to the hydrocarbons sector in the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islanders have the right to trade openly and without hindrance. The British Government support unreservedly the right of any company to work on the Falkland Islands, including those from the United Kingdom, and rejects Argentina's attempts to restrict this.
Forced Marriage
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many forced marriage cases have occurred in the UK in each of the last five years. [87812]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not collate data on the number of forced marriages that have occurred in the UK in each of the last five years. However, the number of instances where the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) has provided advice or support related to a possible forced marriage is as follows:
2010: 1,735 reports of forced marriage.
2009: 1,682 reports of forced marriage.
2008: 1,618 reports of forced marriage.
Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where direct assistance was provided, which comprised the following:
2007: 262 cases of forced marriage.
2006: 197 cases of forced marriage.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many forced marriages the Forced Marriage Unit has prevented in each of the last five years. [87813]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) does not hold data on the number of forced marriages it has prevented in each of the last five years. However, the number of instances where the FMU has provided advice or support related to a possible forced marriage is as follows:
| Reports of forced marriage | |
Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where direct assistance was provided:
| Cases of forced marriage | |
Forced Marriage: Young People
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many victims of forced marriages were (a) women, (b) men and (c) under the age of 16 years in each of the last five years. [87814]
Mr Jeremy Browne: In 2010, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) provided advice or support in 1,735 cases of possible forced marriage. Of these, 1,388 cases (86%) involved female victims and 243 cases (14%) involved male victims. The FMU provided direct assistance in 469 cases. Of these 240 were British nationals in need of assistance abroad, or victims in the UK; and 229 were the reluctant sponsor in an entry clearance application. Of the 240 assistance cases, 11 cases involved minors under the age of 16.
In 2009, the FMU provided advice or support in 1,682 cases of possible forced marriage. Of these, 1,447 cases (86%) involved female victims and 235 cases (14%) involved male victims. The FMU provided direct assistance in 377 cases. Of these 240 were British nationals in need of assistance abroad, or victims in the UK; and 137 were
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the reluctant sponsor in entry clearance applications. Of the 240 assistance cases, 15 cases involved minors under the age of 16.
In 2008, the FMU provided advice or support in 1,618 cases of possible forced marriage. Of these, 1,375 cases (85%) involved female victims and 243 (15%) involved male victims. The FMU provided direct assistance in 430 cases. Of these, 222 were British nationals in need of assistance abroad, or victims in the UK; and 208 the reluctant sponsor in entry clearance applications. Of the 222 assistance cases, 12 cases involved minors under the age of 16.
Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where direct assistance was provided:
| Cases of forced marriage | |
Haiti: Reconstruction
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has taken steps within the UN to seek a change in the UN mandate in Haiti from one of peacekeeping to one of reconstruction. [88545]
Mr Bellingham: The role of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is to maintain peace and security, and to provide an enabling environment in which civilian UN and other international development agencies such as the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and European Union can work with the Haitian authorities to achieve their reconstruction and development goals. Peacekeepers should not be tasked to undertake reconstruction or development roles that others are better able to perform. We have argued at the UN Security Council that development of the Haitian National Police should be MINUSTAH's first priority and have called on the Government of Haiti to engage fully in what needs to be a joint capacity building effort. While this is underway. Haiti will require the continued support of MINUSTAH and international donors to bolster the capacity of its rule of law and security institutions.
Ilois: Resettlement
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total legal costs have been incurred to date by his Department in defending actions brought by the Chagos Islanders; and what the cost to date to the public purse is of the case before the European Court of Human Rights. [88553]
Mr Bellingham: Legal costs incurred by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in defending cases brought by Chagossians are £1,757,390.92, inc VAT, since 2001. We do not hold easily accessible figures for the Vencatassen case brought in 1975.
Additionally, the costs to the public purse related to the European Court of Human Rights case are £32,377 ex VAT. These figures do not include legal aid to the plaintiffs.
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Lancaster House: Energy Performance Certificates
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the energy performance certificate rating is of Lancaster House. [88445]
Mr Lidington: Lancaster House does not have an energy performance certificate (EPC) as it has not been constructed, sold or rented since the introduction of EPCs. It has a display energy certificate (DEC). Its DEC operational rating is 65 Band C.
Laos: Diplomatic Service
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department plans to provide a permanently staffed consular service in Laos. [87474]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no plans at present to open a UK post in Laos. Consular services in Laos are provided by our embassy in Bangkok and the Australian embassy in Vientiane.
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular services his Department provides to British citizens in Laos; and if he will make a statement. [87476]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Our consular services are described in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publication “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide” which is available on the FCO website at:
www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf
Consular services for British nationals in Laos are provided by our embassy in Bangkok and the Australian embassy in Vientiane.
Libya: Assets
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department plans to apply to the UN Sanctions Committee to release some or all of the Libyan assets frozen in the UK. [87705]
Alistair Burt: Working with the Libyan authorities, the UK led the way in securing the removal of UN sanctions from the Central Bank of Libya and the Libya Arab Foreign Bank, which was agreed by the UN Sanctions Committee on Friday 16 December. Once the EU has passed the relevant regulations in response to this UN decision around £6.5 billion of assets held in the UK will be unfrozen. We will continue to work with the Libyan Government and other nations to agree the steps required to remove the remaining sanctions, so that Libya's assets can be used for the benefit of its people.
Libya: Politics and Government
Jeremy Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what access to security information held by the (a) current government
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and
(b)
previous regime in Libya has been offered to UK officials inquiring into the cases of those forcibly returned to Libya before April 2011. [88384]
Alistair Burt: It is the policy of successive British Governments not to comment on security and intelligence matters.
Nigeria: Equality
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps his Department is taking to promote equality in Nigeria; [87569]
(2) whether he has held discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on the subject of equality. [87566]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government address the problems of inequality, poverty, gender, inter-communal violence, treatment of minorities and human rights in Nigeria in a number of different ways. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works alongside other Government Departments, especially the Department for International Development (DFID), to implement effective programmes in these areas. DFID spends an average of £250 million per year in Nigeria, working to reduce poverty and establish sustainable solutions to the divisions in Nigerian society, working towards a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not had specific discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on equality, however, through our high commission in Abuja, we continue to deliver messages to the Nigerian Government, at all levels, about the importance of equality and protection of human rights in underpinning a strong, democratic society.
The Prime Minister visited Nigeria in July, and agreed communiqué with President Goodluck Jonathan setting out the direction of the UK/Nigeria relationship. Both leaders expressed their commitment to ensuring a strong democratic base in Nigeria and sustainable economic growth. The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to development assistance so as to create this positive environment.
Occupied Territories: Housing
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for Europe of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 304WH, on Israel, under which international laws settlements are illegal. [88406]
Alistair Burt: Settlements are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to which Israel is a state party. Articles 47-78 of this convention impose substantial obligations on occupying powers. As well as numerous provisions for the general welfare of the inhabitants of an occupied territory, an occupier may not forcibly deport protected persons, or deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into occupied territory (Art.49).
The Occupied Palestinian Territories were not lawfully part of the state of Israel at its creation or at any point thereafter, and we consider that the level of control that Israel retains over the territories amounts to occupation under international law. The Supreme Court of Israel
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has previously found that the West Bank is held in belligerent occupation. And the International Court of Justice has held that the West Bank and East Jerusalem are occupied territories and that the Fourth Geneva Convention applies. The legal arguments for that finding can be found in the full record of the advisory opinion.
Sikhs
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will have discussions with the Sikh Council UK and Sikh Federation (UK) on policy matters relating to the Sikh community; [87195]
(2) what plans he has to met the Sikh Federation (UK) to discuss Italian airport security checks on British Sikhs; [87198]
(3) what discussions he has had with the Italian Government on airport security checks on British Sikhs. [87199]
Mr Lidington: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) leads on engagement with faith communities. I do not currently have plans to meet the Sikh Federation (UK). DCLG have been facilitating discussions between the Department for Transport and a range of bodies representing British Sikhs on security checks at European airports. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also been in contact with the Sikh Federation (UK).
I understand that the Italian authorities confirmed in June that Sikhs would no longer be required to remove their turbans at airports. Furthermore, officials in the Department for Transport have been in contact with officials in the Italian embassy in London and have met with Sikh representative organisations over the course of 2011.
Somalia: Conferences
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will attend the International Conference on Somalia in London in February 2012. [88381]
Mr Bellingham: The London Conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012 will seek to deliver a new, action-oriented international approach to Somalia building on the progress being made on the ground.
The attendance list is being finalised. Governments and multilateral organisations that are active and influential on Somalia, as well as representatives from Somalia itself, have been invited to the conference.
We will also organise a number of events in January and February to ensure that civil society and Somali Diaspora representatives have an opportunity to contribute to the conference outcomes.
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the recent publication in Sri Lanka of the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, what recent representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterparts concerning investigation of enforced disappearances in that country. [88066]
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Alistair Burt: The Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report states the issue of missing persons is a matter which needs urgently to be addressed. We look forward to hearing from the Sri Lankan Government how they intend to do this. According to local Sri Lankan media there were 13 incidents of extrajudicial killings or disappearances between November and December. Most cases of past disappearances remain unresolved and our high commission in Colombo regularly raises concerns with relevant authorities in Sri Lanka regarding disappearances.
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 607W, on Sri Lanka: politics and government, what assessment he has made of whether the recent report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission demonstrates Sri Lanka's commitment to (a) national reconciliation and (b) accountability. [88067]
Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the establishment of an international investigation into alleged wartime abuses in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [88084]
Alistair Burt: Since the end of the military conflict, the UK and other members of the international community have consistently called for an independent, thorough and credible investigation into the allegations that war crimes were committed by both sides.
Under international law it is the primary responsibility of the state concerned to investigate and, where necessary, prosecute credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support an international investigative mechanism into the Sri Lankan conflict; and if he will make a statement. [88085]
Alistair Burt: Since the end of the military conflict, the UK and other members of the international community have consistently called for an independent, thorough and credible investigation into the allegations that war crimes were committed by both sides.
We believe that the process of reconciliation between Sri Lanka's communities has a greater chance of success if investigations are Sri Lankan led rather than externally imposed.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings officials of his Department (a) have had and (b) plan to have with members of the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel of Experts to discuss the report of the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. [88086]
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Alistair Burt: There have been no meetings between Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and members of the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel of Experts. There are no current plans for any meetings in the foreseeable future.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) comprehensiveness and (b) accuracy of the report of the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. [88087]
Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with his counterpart in (i) in Sri Lanka and (ii) elsewhere on the report of the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. [88088]
Alistair Burt: Officials from our high commission in Colombo attended the briefing session that Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, GL Peiris, gave on 19 December. I spoke to Foreign Minister Peiris on 6 January.
Officials discuss the situation in Sri Lanka with international partners on a regular basis.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the recommendations contained in the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report. [88376]
Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from (a) the International Crisis Group, (b) Amnesty International and (c) Human Rights Watch on the Sri Lankan government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report. [88528]
Alistair Burt: We have received no direct representations from International Crisis Group (ICG), Amnesty International (AI) or Human Rights Watch (HRW). I am however aware of the statements that have been made by ICG, AI and HRW following the publication of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the contribution by the hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire of 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1291, on human rights in the Indian Subcontinent, what assessment he has made of whether Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report sets out clear steps towards accountability in respect of allegations of war crimes. [88544]
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Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the witness protection mechanisms of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. [88664]
Alistair Burt: Sri Lanka does not have a functioning witness protection system and the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) did not establish any separate procedures. Unidentified plain-clothed individuals reportedly photographed civilians who testified during its public hearings, which ran from August 2010 to March 2011. Despite this, a number of affected civilians gave evidence. The majority were concerned about locating disappeared and missing relatives. Our high commission in Colombo has raised concerns with the Sri Lankan Government over witness protection for those appearing before the LLRC on a number of occasions.
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on implementation of the recommendations in the UN Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka. [88666]
Alistair Burt: We have urged the Sri Lankan Government to respond constructively to the UN Panel’s report. Officials discuss the situation in Sri Lanka with international partners on a regular basis.
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report. [88797]
Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.
Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the political situation in Sri Lanka. [87210]
Alistair Burt: The UK wants to see Sri Lanka achieve a lasting and equitable peace 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 Lankan communities. Progress in the last two years has been mixed. We continue to press all key players to do more.
The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, a Government appointed commission to examine events relating to the civil war from 2002 to 2009, published its report on 16 December 2011. We are studying the report and intend to make a statement shortly.
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Syria: Christianity
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations to the Syrian government he has made arising from reports of the persecution of Christians in Syria; what other steps he has taken in response to such reports; and if he will make a statement. [87880]
Alistair Burt: We make clear in our contacts with the Syrian regime our deep concerns about ongoing human rights abuses in Syria and the need for the regime to stop the violence against its own people.
The Assad regime has demonstrated that it is unwilling to protect the rights, freedoms and interest of Syrians. We believe President Assad's actions include a deliberate attempt to ferment sectarian tensions across Syria, especially in Homs where we have seen an increase in level of violence. The regime's actions continue to undermine the stability and security of Syria and therefore endanger all of Syria's citizens, including religious minorities. President Assad has lost legitimacy and should step aside.
We are encouraging Syrian opposition groups to reach out and engage with minority communities, including Christians, and to maintain a clear commitment to a peaceful and non-sectarian approach. They should reassure all Syrians that they are working towards a Syrian state which is democratic, inclusive, representative, respectful of its ethnic and religious minorities and which adheres to international human rights conventions.
Following his meeting with members of Syria's opposition on 21 November, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement which urged opposition representatives to unite around a common political platform that will enable the people of Syria to see a pathway to a clear alternative to dictatorship and repression. He particularly stressed the importance of respecting the rights of minorities, so that all Syria's citizens are protected and have a stake in the future of the country.
Syria: Opposition
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic recognition he has given to representatives of the Syrian opposition. [87697]
Alistair Burt: The UK Government have not given diplomatic recognition to any representatives of the Syrian opposition. It is not for the UK to recognise the Syrian opposition, it is for the Syrian people. We believe it is vital for the many groups that form the Syrian opposition to work together to define a plan for a transition to a more open political system in Syria. We encourage them to maintain their peaceful and non-sectarian approach, and to work towards a Syria which will be democratic, inclusive, representative, respectful of its ethnic and religious minorities and adheres to international law.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), last saw members of the Syrian
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opposition on 21 November 2011, including Dr. Burhan Ghalioun, the Chairman of the largest opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Council (SNC). The Secretary of State urged the opposition representatives to unite around a common political platform that would enable the people of Syria to see a pathway to a clear alternative to dictatorship and repression. The Secretary of State also appointed Frances Guy, an ambassador-level official, to take forward Her Majesty's Government's discussions with the Syrian opposition.
Syria: Politics and Government
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on how many refugees have left Syria for (a) Turkey, (b) Jordan and (c) Lebanon in 2011 to date. [87792]
Alistair Burt: The Turkish Government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) are reporting that there are 8,400 refugees remaining in Turkey.
In Jordan the UNHCR reported on 15 December that 1,832 Syrian's had registered with them since the 1 March.
The UNHCR have also recently reported that the number of registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon is now 4,500.
We have made clear our condemnation of the situation in Syria and called upon the Syrian Government to end the violence against civilians immediately.
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Syria. [88353]
Alistair Burt: The United Nations estimates that over 5,000 people have been killed, including 300 children, since protests started in March 2011. British Government Ministers have made clear our concern about the situation in Syria and our condemnation of violence and repression against civilians by the Syrian regime security forces. We support the efforts of the Arab League to put pressure on the Syrian regime to end the violence and its current observer mission. We are deeply concerned that the Syrian regime has not implemented the Arab League plan to which it agreed on 2 November 2011. This set out that the Syrian regime would end the violence; to withdrawal of troops from the streets of Syria; to release detainees and to engage in a meaningful dialogue with oppositionists. We encourage the Syrian oppositionists to work together to define a united, peaceful vision for the future of Syria. We have intensified our engagement with Syrian opposition by appointing an ambassador-level contact.
The bomb attacks in Damascus on 23 December 2011 and 6 January 2012 are a worrying sign of the increasing instability in Syria. We have made clear our belief that President Assad should step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people.
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Unmanned Air Vehicles
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his Department's policy on the provision of intelligence to facilitate attacks by drone aircraft. [87949]
Alistair Burt: We do not comment on intelligence matters. All activity, whether in support of UK or allied forces, is authorised and in strict accordance with UK policy and law.
Drone strikes are a matter for the US and Pakistan. Both are key allies, who are facing a shared and dangerous threat from violent extremists who also threaten the UK. There is a need for effective action, and for Pakistani ownership of the fight against violent extremism. It is important that Pakistan and the international community continue to work together to combat this common threat, and we expect all concerned to act in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.
Yemen: Politics and Government
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2011, Official Report, columns 665-66W, on Yemen, what assessment he has made of whether units of the Yemani security forces trained by the UK have been involved in human rights violations against protesters. [87946]
Alistair Burt: There have been credible reports that some elements of the Yemeni security forces may have committed human rights violations to control and disperse crowds of protesters, raising concern and condemnation from the international community including the United Nations. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have publicly expressed our serious concern at the use of lethal force, and called for restraint and for those responsible to be brought to justice. The UK has actively supported work by the UN Security Council, leading to Resolution 2014, and discussions at the Human Rights Council and the successfully adopted resolution in September.
It is well known that the UK has been working with the Yemeni Government for some years to increase the capability of its armed forces to tackle the threat posed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and to help develop a non-lethal public order capability within the Yemeni Security forces. All training supporting the Yemeni Central Security Force and Coastguard was suspended in spring last year due to the deteriorating security situation. All training was delivered in accordance with UK values and international human rights standards. Before providing any military support or training to Yemeni forces, the UK Government seek assurances that these forces will not be deployed on operations outside their mandate or in breach of human rights.
While we know of reports of various units of the Yemeni security forces exercising disproportionate levels of force against unarmed protesters, we are not aware of reports confirming the participation of units which have received UK-delivered training.
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Wales
Business
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government are taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales to grow. [86298]
Mrs Gillan: Economic development is devolved in Wales so it is for the Welsh Government to take a leading role in helping small and medium-sized enterprises.
In the last 16 months, the Government have announced a number of measures intended to help businesses across Wales to grow:
additional expenditure on important infrastructure including electrifying the Great Western Mainline to South Wales;
creating a superfast broadband network with £57.9 million allocated to Wales and additional funding committed to Cardiff as a super-connected city;
cutting corporation tax, reforming the tax system and simplifying our tax codes;
a national insurance contributions holiday for new start-ups outside London, the south east and the east of England, worth up to £5,000 for each of the first ten employees hired in the first year;
reducing regulation and stopping new unnecessary legislation being brought in; and
securing agreement with four of the UK's biggest high street banks to lend £76 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises this year—£10 billion or 15% more than was lent in 2010.
And in last month's autumn statement, we announced further measures to help businesses, including SMEs across Wales such as:
deferring the January fuel duty increase and cancelling the August inflation rise;
Implementing credit easing measures to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises; and
a range of measures to support an increase in SME exports.
We remain committed to working with the Welsh Government for the benefit of the Welsh economy.
Christmas
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether her Department plans to hold a (a) Christmas carol concert and (b) Christmas party for its staff in 2011. [86296]
Mrs Gillan: The Department did not hold a carol concert, but the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), and I hosted a small party for the staff in London and Cardiff in December 2011 at our personal expense, to thank them for their efforts over the year.
Coal
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with (a) the First Minister of the Welsh Government and (b) representatives of the coal industry in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [88109]
Mrs Gillan: I have regular discussions with the First Minister and with industry leaders on a range of issues affecting Wales.
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Debt Collection
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times her Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if she will make a statement. [88360]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has never used debt recovery companies.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were working in her Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011. [87353]
Mr David Jones: There were 59 staff working in the Wales Office on 11 May 2010, and 51 staff working there on 8 December 2011.
Departmental Redundancy Pay
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in her Department in each month between September and November 2011. [87973]
Mr David Jones: No redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in the Wales Office during this period.
Departmental Secondment
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what secondments there have been to her Department from (a) industry and (b) the third sector since May 2010; what the (i) purpose and (ii) duration is of each secondment; and whether each secondment was to a policy development role. [86146]
Mr David Jones: There have been no secondments to the Wales Office during this period from either industry or the third sector.
Departmental Temporary Employment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many temporary staff were recruited to her Department between September and November 2011. [87974]
Mr David Jones: One member of staff was recruited to the Wales Office on a temporary basis during this period.
Devolution
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date she last met the Chair of the Commission on Devolution in Wales. [86261]
Mrs Gillan: I met the Chair on 4 November 2011.
Domestic Visits
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many nights she has spent in North Wales on official business since May 2010. [86268]
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Mrs Gillan: We have defined North Wales to include the following constituencies—Ynys Mon, Arfon, Aberconwy, Clwyd West, Vale of Clwyd, Delyn, Alyn and Deeside, Wrexham and Clwyd South. On that basis I have spent five nights in North Wales on official business since May 2010.
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many visits to Wales she (a) made in 2011 and (b) expects to make in 2012. [86275]
Mrs Gillan: I made around 60 official visits to Wales in 2011. Diary arrangements are not finalised for 2012.
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when she last visited (a) Cardiff, (b) Swansea, (c) Newport, (d) Bangor, (e) Anglesey, (f) Blaenau Gwent, (g) Merthyr Tydfil, (h) Pontypridd, (i) Pembrokeshire, (j) Carmarthen, (k) Monmouthshire, (l) the Vale of Glamorgan and (m) Llanelli. [86304]
Mrs Gillan: The Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), and I make regular visits across Wales in both an official and political capacity. The information requested is as follows:
(a) 6 December 2011;
(b) 12 December 2011;
(c) 23 June 2011;
(d) 26 August 2010;
(c) 26 August 2010;
(f) 18 November 2010;
(g) None;
(h) 12 July 2010;
(i) 1 July 2011;
(j) 28 February 2011;
(k) 18 August 2010;
(1) 18 August 2010;
(m) 9 October 2011.
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many official visits she has made to (a) Wales and (b) North Wales since May 2010. [86305]
Mrs Gillan: I have made over 100 visits to a wide range of destinations in Wales since being appointed Secretary of State for Wales.
Domestic Visits: Higher Education
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times she has (a) visited and (b) met representatives of (i) the university of Wales, (ii) Cardiff university, (iii) Swansea university, (iv) Bangor university, (v) Aberystwyth university, (vi) Glamorgan University, (vii) the university of Wales, Newport, (viii) Glyndwr university and (ix) Cardiff metropolitan university since May 2010. [86266]
Mrs Gillan:
The information requested is shown in the following table which includes visits and meetings undertaken by both myself and the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), who I have asked to take lead responsibility for universities. The Parliamentary-Under Secretary of
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State and I also met with all Welsh Vice-Chancellors and Higher Education Wales on 11 May 2011.
| University | Visits | Meetings |
Domestic Visits: Schools
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) schools and (b) hospitals she has visited in Wales since May 2010. [86267]
Mrs Gillan: Responsibility for schools and hospitals in Wales is devolved to the Welsh Government.
Employment Agencies
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011. [87975]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has spent the following amounts on recruitment agencies for agency staff:
| £ | |
Social Fund
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) on what dates she last met the First Minister to discuss the ending of the Social Fund; [86299]
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(2) on what dates she last met the First Minister to discuss the future provision of childcare support in Wales; [86300]
(3) what meetings (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have had with representatives of the Welsh Government to discuss preparations for severe winter weather; and what steps her Department has taken to co-ordinate its response to severe winter weather with that of the Welsh Government. [86301]
Mrs Gillan: Meetings are frequently held between the Government and the Welsh Government at ministerial and official levels to discuss a number of topics. In line with the practice of successive administrations, information relating to inter-administration discussions is not normally disclosed.
Tourism
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the future of the tourist industry in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [88106]
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), has regular meetings with the First Minister to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales.
Wales continues to be a popular tourist destination with 9.6 million overnight visitors in 2010 bringing nearly £1.8 billion into the Welsh economy and employing almost 190,000 people.
This year's celebrations for Her Majesty the Queen's diamond jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic games will provide unprecedented levels of international attention on the UK and we are working to ensure that all parts of Great Britain including Wales share the benefits of this.
Welsh Conservative Group
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date she last met the Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the National Assembly for Wales in an official capacity. [86399]
Mrs Gillan: I hold regular meetings with the leader of the Conservative Group in the Assembly.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011. [87354]
Mr Paterson: On 11 May 2010, there were 177 people working in the Northern Ireland Office. On December 2011 the figure was 170.
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Departmental Recruitment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011. [87981]
Mr Paterson: During this period, my Department spent the following amounts on recruitment agencies:
| 2011 | £ |
Departmental Redundancy Pay
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011. [87979]
Mr Paterson: There were no redundancy payments made to civil servants in my Department during this period.
Departmental Temporary Employment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011. [87980]
Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office recruited one temporary member of staff during this period.
Japan Tobacco International: Ministerial Policy Advisers
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010. [87602]
Mr Paterson: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be accessed on departmental websites. Information for 1 July onwards will be published in due course.
Scotland
Banks: Regulation
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential effect on the Scottish economy of the Government's proposals for banking regulation. [88118]
David Mundell:
The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), meets regularly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), to discuss a wide
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range of issues of relevance to the Scottish economy, including the implications of the Government's proposed reforms to the system of banking regulation in the UK.
The Government's own economic analysis has found that the proposed reforms will deliver significant net benefits to the UK economy and taxpayer. In taking forward implementation of the proposed reforms, the Government will continue to engage with banks, industry representatives and other interested groups.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the likely effect of proposed legislation on banking on levels of employment in the financial sector in Scotland. [88119]
David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), and I both agree with the Government's assessment that the proposed reforms will deliver significant net benefits to UK financial stability, and improve competition in the banking sector. We expect this to support employment in Scotland's financial sector in the longer term.
Debt Collection
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement. [88373]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not used the services of any debt recovery company since May 2010.
Departmental Equality
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case. [88589]
David Mundell: No equality impact assessments have been undertaken since May 2010.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011. [87352]
David Mundell: On 11 May 2010 there were 59 people working in the Scotland Office, and on 8 December 2011 there were 59 people working in the Scotland Office.
Departmental Recruitment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011. [87984]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011 was as follows:
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| Cost (£) | |
Departmental Redundancy Pay
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011. [87982]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. All of its staff are on secondment from other public bodies, mainly the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government. Redundancy issues are a matter for these parent bodies.
Departmental Temporary Employment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011. [87983]
David Mundell: Two temporary members of staff were appointed between September and November 2011 to cover vacancies while substantive recruitment was completed.
Devolution
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate General has considered; and if he will make a statement. [88705]
David Mundell: The hon. Member asked a similar question on 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 175W.
Since 26 October 2010, the Advocate-General for Scotland has received a total of 1,443 minutes notifying him of devolution issues of which 39 relate to civil matters.
Employment Schemes: Young People
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Government, (b) Scottish colleges, (c) the Scottish Trades Union Congress, (d) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, (e) the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and (f) CBI Scotland on the operation in Scotland of the proposed Youth Contract. [88120]
David Mundell: Prior to the launch of the Youth Contract representatives from the Scottish Government, Scottish colleges, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and CBI Scotland have participated in the series of youth unemployment seminars which the Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), is hosting in areas of Scotland where this problem is prevalent.
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The Department for Work and Pensions is in contact with the Scottish Government concerning areas of shared interest in the operation of the Youth Contract in Scotland.
Japan Tobacco International: Ministerial Policy Advisers
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010. [87605]
David Mundell: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be accessed on departmental websites. Information for 1 July onwards will be published in due course.
Judicial Review
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reason his Department did not apply for costs against Derek Traynor and James Fisher following their unsuccessful application for judicial review. [87282]
David Mundell: Following the court's dismissal of the petitions for judicial review, the prisoners lodged appeals. The appeals were then sisted to allow the prisoners to apply for further legal aid.
Where an appeal is lodged it is usual practice to delay seeking expenses from the first instance proceedings until the outcome of the appeal is known.
In these cases, the appeals are still sisted, but remain extant.
Railways
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had discussions with the First Minister for Scotland on the future of cross-border rail services. [88529]
David Mundell: There is regular discussion on cross-border rail services with the Scottish Government at ministerial and official level. I most recently discussed High Speed Rail with the Scottish Transport Minister in November 2011.
Attorney-General
Cyber Crime: Business
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current system for prosecuting cyber crime against businesses. [88404]
The Attorney-General: There is not a specific offence of cyber crime and a number of offences may involve the use of a computer or a network in the commission of or as a target of crime. The Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office have prosecutors with the skills and knowledge to conduct effective prosecutions for crimes involving information technology when required.
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Departmental Equality
Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General what equality impact assessments the Law Officers' Departments have carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case. [88573]
The Attorney-General: HMCPSI carried out an Equality Impact Assessment in January 2011 in relation to changes to HMCPSI's management structure.
The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol), has conducted the following Equality Impact Assessments since May 2010:
Government Legal Service—Qualified Lawyer Recruitment
The purpose was to assess proposed changes to recruitment selection arrangements.
Government Legal Service—Legal Trainee
The purpose was to review the use of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
The purpose was to consider a proposal to restrict some flexible working arrangements to staff below grade 7.
Central guidance on Additional Paternity Leave
The purpose was to consider any TSol-specific elements of an Equality Impact Assessment produced by Civil Service Employee Policy.
Central guidance on Major Travel Disruption
The purpose was to consider any TSol-specific elements of an Equality Impact Assessment produced by Civil Service Employee Policy.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not have a centrally held list of completed equality impact assessments and could not provide this information without incurring a disproportionate cost.
The Attorney-General's Office and the Serious Fraud Office have not undertaken any equality impact assessments since May 2010.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Attorney-General what guidance the Law Officers' Departments provide to Ministers and officials on the use of personal email accounts to conduct official business. [88534]
The Attorney-General: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.
Japan Tobacco
Mr Hain: To ask the Attorney-General whether any Ministers in the Law Officers' Departments have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010. [87606]
The Solicitor-General: My wife and I were among a number of Conservative and Labour MPs invited to the Chelsea Flower Show on 24 May 2011 by Japan Tobacco International. This engagement was not undertaken in a ministerial capacity and was recorded on the Register of Members' Interests on 31 May 2011.
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Health
NHS Reorganisation Cost
16. Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of NHS reorganisation in (a) Bolton West constituency and (b) England. [88282]
Mr Simon Burns: The cost of the national health service modernisation is estimated to be between £1.2 billion and £1.3 billion. This will save £4.5 billion over this Parliament, and £1.5 billion per year thereafter. We do not have a local breakdown of these figures, as this will depend on local decisions.
Early Access Scheme
17. Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the effect of the early access scheme on cancer patients for whom there are no alternative treatments. [88283]
23. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the effect of the early access scheme on cancer patients for whom there are no alternative treatments. [88289]
Mr Lansley: There is significant interest in early access to medicines generally arid, in line with the commitment in the Life Sciences Strategy launched on 5 December 2011, we will shortly bring forward proposals for consultation on such a scheme. We look forward to hearing the views of all interested parties.
Maternity Provision: Outer North East London
18. Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of maternity provision in outer north-east London. [88284]
Anne Milton: NHS London is working closely with cluster and acute trusts to manage maternity services following the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) investigation and recommendations. The CQC continues to monitor progress. The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), has asked NHS London with the local national health service, to provide him with further reports in due course on delivering improvements to quality of care.
Whistleblowing
19. Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage whistleblowing in the NHS. [88285]
Paul Burstow: We expect all national health service contracts of employment to include a right to raise concerns. The amended NHS Constitution will enhance existing legal rights and pledge employers support to whistleblowers. Where NHS and social care staff, or employers, need whistleblowing advice we are supporting them through a Government funded free-phone whistleblowing helpline.
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Access to Drugs
20. Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are made available to all patients in the NHS. [88286]
21. John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are made available to all patients in the NHS. [88287]
Mr Lansley: The national health service is required to fund drugs and technologies recommended in National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals, in line with the NHS Constitution.
The NHS chief executive's report, “Innovation, Health and Wealth” sets out plans to ensure rapid and consistent implementation of NICE technology appraisal recommendations throughout the NHS.
Excess Winter Deaths
22. Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure the NHS has a strategy to prevent excess winter deaths. [88288]
Anne Milton: In November we published the first ever Cold Weather Plan for England.
The Cold Weather Plan sets out a series of clear actions to minimise the health impact of severe winter weather, to be taken by the national health service, social care and other public agencies and advice for people who interact with those most at risk from cold weather. It is supported by the Warm Homes Healthy People Fund of £30 million to reduce death and morbidity due to cold housing this winter.
Patient Data
24. Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reach agreement with the NHS on the governance arrangements for use of patient data for research purposes in all constituent parts of the UK. [88290]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government's plans and timetable for establishment of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink were published in October 2011. Arrangements for collaboration between the home countries are planned to commence in August 2012 and be concluded as soon as practicable.
A and E Departments
Dr Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals do not have a type one (major) accident and emergency department; and which NHS hospitals have (a) gained and (b) lost such a department since 1997. [87071]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally.
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The most relevant data relates to the number of type 1 departments per national health service trust, and is only available from quarter 2 of 2003-04.
A copy of the earliest and most recently available data have been placed in the Library.
Alcoholic Drinks: Scotland
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the pricing of alcohol and its effect on health. [88157]
Anne Milton: Health Ministers have not discussed the pricing of alcohol with their Scottish Government counterparts since May 2010. There are regular contacts between officials on all current policy issues.
The Home Office has lead responsibility within the United Kingdom Government for alcohol pricing issues. The Home Office published the Government's review of alcohol pricing in January 2011.
Brain Cancer
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on funding for brain cancer research in each year since 2006. [87723]
Paul Burstow: Expenditure by the Department on brain cancer research through research programmes, research centres and units, and research training awards is shown in the following table:
| £ million | |
In addition, the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (CRN) is currently hosting 17 trials and other well-designed studies in cancers of the brain and nervous system that are in set-up or recruiting patients. Details can be found on the United Kingdom CRN portfolio database at:
http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search
Data for spend on brain cancer research through the CRN cannot be disaggregated from total CRN expenditure.
Care Quality Commission: Recruitment
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons external applicants are unable to apply for jobs with the Care Quality Commission. [88760]
Mr Simon Burns:
External applicants are able to apply for jobs with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) subject to the Government's efficiency controls. The CQC, like other public sector organisations, is subject to the recruitment freeze on external recruitment announced by the Government on 25 May 2010. External recruitment is only permissible by exception where a post is frontline or business critical and has not been filled from the
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“internal recruitment pool” comprising the Department's arm's length bodies, the Department, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts.
Carers: Finance
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he has allocated to investment in carers services within the baseline allocations for primary care trusts in 2012-13; and how much he plans to allocate in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. [87960]
Mr Simon Burns: Primary care trust (PCT) allocations for 2012-13 were announced on 14 December. These allocations provide PCTs with £91.6 billion to spend on the local front-line services that matter most, an increase of £2.5 billion, or 2.8%. This means that despite the financial situation, we have ensured that all PCTs receive a reasonable uplift.
The spending review made available funding of £400 million between 2011 and 2015, to support the provision of breaks for carers, reflecting a priority of the Coalition Agreement. The funding is currently included in PCT allocations, and we recommend that PCTs pool budgets with local authorities to provide carers’ breaks, with spending plans made available to local carers’ organisations. However, individual PCT revenue allocations are not broken down by service or policy area. It is for PCTs to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities.
This will be the last round of allocations made to PCTs, as subject to the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill, the NHS Commissioning Board would take over responsibility for the allocation of resources from the Department for 2013-14 onwards. Also from 2013-14, the Department will allocate a ring-fenced public health grant to local authorities.
Computer Sciences Corporation
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts his Department has awarded to the Computer Sciences Corporation since May 2010; and what the (a) purpose, (b) monetary value and (c) net worth was of each contract. [87703]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not awarded any contracts to the Computer Sciences Corporation since May 2010.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services the Computer Sciences Corporation (a) provides to the NHS and (b) will provide to the NHS up to the end of 2013. [87704]
Mr Simon Burns:
Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) is the local service provider for the delivery of the North Midlands and East of England programme for Information Technology. The scope of the contract is to implement a patient centric electronic patient record (NHS Care Records Service) in national health service trusts across the region. In providing this, CSC is offering a number of strategic and interim solutions along with key services that include the planning, design, development, testing, implementation and ongoing support for the duration of the contract. The Department and Cabinet
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Office are however currently in discussions with CSC over the contract and its associated costs. These discussions have not yet concluded.
Debt Collection
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement. [88367]
Mr Simon Burns: Since May 2010, the Department has used the debt recovery services of CCI Legal Ltd on two occasions, via NHS Shared Business Services.
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Departmental Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013. [88729]
Mr Simon Burns: Numbers of apprentices employed, or expected to be employed, by departmental arm's length bodies (ALBs) are shown in the following table.
| ALB | Number of apprentices employed between April 2010 and March 2011 | Number of apprentices employed between April and December 2011 | Number of apprenticeships expected to be sponsored between January and March 2012 | Number of apprenticeships expected to be sponsored between April and March 2013 |
The Care Quality Commission workforce plans include looking into the possible introduction of modern apprenticeship and graduate training schemes. The Health and Social Care Information Centre are examining how they might integrate them into their planning towards the end of 2012.
Departmental Redundancy Pay
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011. [87994]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has paid a total of £524,929 to civil servants as redundancy payments between September and November 2011. We are unable to break this down into individual months without the risk of identifying individuals.
Departmental Temporary Employment
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011. [87995]
Mr Simon Burns: Between 1 September and 30 November 2011 there were 17.3 full-time equivalent temporary civil servants recruited to the Department and 97.9 full-time equivalent temporary workers (agency staff and contractors) were engaged from external suppliers. This information is contained in the following table.
| Temporary staff recruited into the Department of Health 1 September to 30 November2011 | |
| Status | Total number |
Disability: Children
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many statemented deafblind or multi-sensory impaired children have been provided with intervention support in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [88386]
Sarah Teather: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Health.
The school census collects information on pupils with different types of special educational need. It includes a category for “multi-sensory impairment”, but not a separate category for “deafblind”.
In January 2011, the school census showed that there were 510 pupils with multi-sensory impairment as their primary type of need who were receiving support through a statement of special educational needs.
Information on the specific type of support provided, including intervenor support is not held centrally.
Doctors: Retirement
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average retirement age was of (a) a hospital consultant and (b) a GP in the latest period for which figures are available. [88065]
Mr Simon Burns: Data from the Government Actuaries Department on the average retirement age of general practitioners is calculated at 62 (covering the period 2004 to 2008).
Data for hospital consultants are not available separately.
Drugs: Licensing
Barry Gardiner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health in respect of applications to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for a licence for the importation of medicines from other EU
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member states to the UK, what the average interval was between the application and the granting of a licence in each of the last 12 months. [88377]
Mr Simon Burns: The gross time in months for approval of parallel import licence applications is shown in the following table. Gross time includes waiting time for information from other member states and from the applicants responding to questions from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency:
| Month of approval | Median time for approval (months) |
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medicines subject to licensing by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency are medicines of which there is currently a shortage in the UK market. [88653]
Mr Simon Burns: Medicines shortages can occur at short notice, for a number of reasons, including manufacturing or regulatory problems. At any one time the Department of Health may be aware of a number of shortages, and we do not hold a list of such drugs as any such list, if compiled, might not be accurate or complete.
The Department also receives reports of medicines subject to supply problems that may be attributed to parallel exports. A list of products where there are known problems with supply is published on the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee's website at:
www.psnc.org.uk/pages/problem_medicines_list.html
Dystonia
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the funding policies are for each of the 10 specialised commissioning groups in relation to deep brain stimulation for severe dystonia; [88642]
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(2) what account specialised commissioning groups take of (a) clinical severity and (b) costs and benefits when deciding whether to fund treatments. [88643]
Mr Simon Burns: This is primarily a matter for the local national health service.
Specialised Commissioning Groups (SCGs) are accountable to their primary care trusts (PCTs) on all matters of governance including their financial concerns. SCGs will consider the cost and clinical effectiveness, the potential health gain and the opportunity costs and benefits of any proposal. As. joint committees of PCTs they will need to keep in mind the duty not to exceed spending limits.
Electro-convulsive Therapy
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of times that electro-convulsive therapy has been administered in NHS facilities in each of the last three years. [87385]
Paul Burstow: The information requested is presented in the following table:
| Total procedures/interventions | |
| Source: The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care | |
This information is from the national health service (NHS) Information Centre's HESonline website, which includes activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.
Further breakdowns of the data on electro-convulsive therapy procedures and interventions by age and gender are available at:
www.hesonline.nhs.uk/Ease/servlet/ContentServer?siteID=1937&categoryID=210
General Practitioners
Dr Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the public purse of a GP consultation has been since 1997 in (a) walk-in centres and (b) all other GP practices. [87072]
Mr Simon Burns: No central data are held on the average cost of a consultation at a national health service walk-in centre.
Figures relating to average consultation costs in general practice are set out in the following table.
| General practitioner (GP) average surgery consultation costs | ||||||||||||
| Former GP contract to 2003-04 | New GP contract from April 2004 | |||||||||||
| 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
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| Sources: Former GP contract 1997-98 to 2003-04 spend taken from the 2005 departmental report, Chapter 7 Activity, Performance and Efficiency—table figure 7.3 Key Statistics on General and Personal Medical Services (GPMS) England discretionary and non-discretionary final audited spend 2004-05 to 2008-09 new GP contract spend taken from final audited FIMS(FHS)4 nGMS contract spend as reported by all primary care trusts in England net of dispensing doctor spend. All consultation figures are taken from Qresearch-Trends in Consultation Rates in General practice 1995 to 2009—table 12 by financial year. | ||||||||||||
Health Services: North East
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential effect on recruitment and retention of NHS staff in the North East region of the Government's forthcoming review of regional pay in the public sector; and if he will make a statement. [88379]
Mr Simon Burns: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), asked pay review bodies to look at local job markets, the difference between public and private sector salaries, how this is implemented on a geographic basis and the need to ensure that public sector organisations are able to recruit, retain and motivate the right numbers of staff with the right skills to deliver and help improve public services.
It would be premature to make any statement prior to the NHS Pay Review Body (NHS PRB) and Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB), making their own recommendations to Government in July 2012.
The Department will, as part of its evidence to the NHS PRB and SSRB, consider carefully the impact of recruitment and retention of market facing pay right across England.
Health Visitors: North West
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) target and (b) actual number of health visitor training commissions in the North West Strategic Health Authority was in 2011-12; what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the North West Strategic Health Authority meets its target for health visitor training commissions by 2015; and if he will make a statement. [88354]
Anne Milton: The Health Visitor Implementation Plan, published in February 2011, set out action to expand and strengthen health visiting services. The plan includes a commitment to employ an extra 4,200 health visitors (against a May 2010 baseline of 8,092). Also in February, the Department wrote to strategic health authorities setting out indicative growth trajectories for 2011-12 training commissions. The indicative number of commissions for the north-west region in 2011-12 is 206.
Both a copy of the plan and letter have been placed in the Library.
Information on the actual number of health visitor training commissions in 2011-12 can be obtained from NHS North of England.
Herbal Medicine
Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of herbal medicinal products on sale in the UK which exceed the daily dose approved for traditional herbal medicinal products; and if he will make a statement; [88773]
(2) what steps the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has taken in respect of black cohosh products that exceed the daily dose approved for traditional herbal medicinal products in the last six months; and if he will make a statement. [88795]
Mr Simon Burns: The classification of products as medicines is made on a case-by-case basis by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Companies are not required to notify the MHRA that they are placing a product on the market or to have it pre-vetted, so the MHRA does not hold information on how many herbal products are on the market at higher strengths than registered herbal medicines. The MHRA has taken regulatory action against one black cohosh product and the status of a further 15 products is currently under investigation. Any which are in breach of legislation will be subject to regulatory action. The MHRA is currently considering how effective, proportionate enforcement action can best ensure that the intended benefits of the legislation for consumers and for companies compliant with the legislation are achieved.
Injuries: Dogs
Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were admitted to hospital as a result of being bitten by a dog in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [87903]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows a count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)(1) with a cause code(2) of bitten or struck by dog for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 in England only. Data for Wales is not held as this is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly.
| Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | |
| England | Number |
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| (1) Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) Cause code A supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. Only the first external cause code which is coded within the episode is counted in Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). Cause code used: W54: Bitten or struck by dog. Notes: 1. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. 2. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | |