Prison Sentences
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders serving custodial sentences received sentences of (a) less than six months, (b) between six and 12 months, (c) between 12 months and five years, (d) between five and 10 years, (e) between 10 and 25 years and (f) over 25 years. [36262]
Mr Blunt: From the most recent available data, 30 September 2010, the number of prisoners serving custodial sentences of:
(a) less than or equal to six months was 5,532;
(b) greater than six months to less than 12 months was 2,564;
(c) 12 months to less than five years was 26,546;
(d) five years to less than 10 years was recorded as 12,630;
(e) 10 years to less than 25 years was recorded as 4,907;
(f) 25 years or more was recorded as 75.
There were 432 cases with a sentence length of five years or more where it was not possible to provide an exact sentence length and there were 13,271 prisoners serving indeterminate sentences at 30 September 2010.
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Reoffenders
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the reoffending rate of offenders with a diagnosed mental health disorder was in each English region in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [36230]
(2) what the reoffending rate of offenders was in each English region in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [36231]
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice publishes local reoffending data for all adult offenders on the probation caseload (which includes offenders out on licence and those with court orders). These data are produced at the probation area level and measure the reoffending of all offenders under probation supervision over a period of three months. The results are produced by aggregating four quarters of data.
The following table shows the reoffending rate for adult offenders on the probation caseload. Each period shown is based on the offenders on the probation caseload at the end of March, June, September and December of each year. Data are not available prior to 2007.
On 1 April 2010, Probation Trusts were established following a rigorous formal application process, resulting in all 42 former Probation Boards being replaced by 35 Probation Trusts. The table presented here is based on data prior to this date.
Reoffending data for offenders with a diagnosed mental health disorder are not available.
Further information on adult reoffending is available at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffendingofadults.htm
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| Local adult reoffending rates by offenders, in 2007-09, by probation area in England | |||
| Percentage | |||
| 1 April to 31 March each year | |||
| Region | 2007- 08 | 2008- 09 | 2009-10 |
Home Department
Alcoholic Drinks: Crime
George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related crime and disorder. [34903]
James Brokenshire: The Government take the issue of alcohol-related crime and disorder very seriously. In the coalition agreement, we set out a clear programme of reform around alcohol licensing to tackle the crime and antisocial behaviour that is too often associated with binge drinking in the night time economy.
Following our recent consultation and the publication of the consultation response in December, we have committed to the following programme of work to introduce measures to deliver the coalition agreement commitments through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill:
Making it easier for communities to have their say on local licensing, allowing local authorities to consider the views of the wider community, not just those living close to premises;
Taking tough action against underage drinking by doubling the fine to £20,000 for those found persistently selling alcohol to children, extending orders that see premises closed on a voluntary basis to a minimum of seven days and bringing in automatic licence reviews for these problem premises—which can see licences revoked;
Charging a fee for late-night licences to contribute towards the cost of policing and local authority services to help mitigate the impact of the night time economy on local communities;
Substantially overhauling the system for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) so that existing loopholes can no longer be exploited by unscrupulous operators, while ensuring the process is not bureaucratic for small voluntary and community groups.
Additionally, on 18 January the Government announced their intention to ban the sale of alcohol sold below duty + VAT. By introducing this new measure, we will stop the worst instances of deep discounting and prevent alcohol being sold so cheaply that it leads to a greater risk of health harms or drunken violence.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to reduce the incidence of alcohol related crime and disorder. [35528]
James Brokenshire:
The Government are determined to reform the licensing regime to ensure that alcohol is no longer a driver of crime and disorder. To this end, we
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have set out our proposals in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill which include giving licensing authorities more power to refuse or revoke premises licences, introducing a late night levy so that premises contribute to the cost of policing the night time economy and reforming the temporary event notice (TEN) system to ensure that loopholes can no longer be exploited.
Additionally, we are running a series of intensive support visits for police and local authority areas which request this support. The visits take place over three days, and involve classroom based training for the operational staff on the powers they have to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder, as well as practical support on licensing visits to premises.
Bolivia: Drugs
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to lodge a formal objection to the request made by the Bolivian Government to amend the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to remove the ban on coca leaf chewing. [35183]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 21 January 2011]: The Government submitted an objection on 21 January 2011 to the Bolivian proposal to amend the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 to remove coca leaf as an illicit drug.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the proposal by Bolivia to exempt traditional uses of coca from the provisions of the 1961 UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs; and if she will make a statement. [34627]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 18 January 2011]: The Government submitted an objection on 21 January 2011 to the Bolivian proposal to amend the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 to remove coca leaf as an illicit drug. If coca leaf were permitted to be removed from the Convention, it would likely result in more coca cultivation, which in turn would lead to greater cocaine production.
The Government remain committed to working with Bolivia to tackle cocaine supply and trafficking and I have recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bolivian Government to reinforce that close cooperation.
Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees being transferred (a) from Campsfield House immigration removal centre and (b) to Campsfield House immigration removal centre have required medical treatment in connection with their transfer in the latest period for which figures are available. [35190]
Damian Green: Details on the numbers of detainees being transferred to and from Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre who have required medical treatment in connection with their transfer could be provided only by detailed examination of individual records at disproportionate cost.
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All escorting officers are trained in first aid, should a detainee require medical assistance while in their care. Officers could also divert to a hospital if they thought it appropriate.
Every detainee is seen by a nurse within two hours of arrival at an immigration removal centre and is given an appointment to see a GP within 24 hours, unless an earlier appointment is required. This service extends to detainees who have transferred from another immigration removal centre.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees were transferred from other immigration removal centres and other immigration detention facilities to Campsfield House immigration removal centre in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009 and (e) 2010; and for what reasons each such transfer was made. [35228]
Damian Green: The following table shows the number of detainees who were transferred to Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in the calendar years 2008-10. Data are not available for prior years.
|
|
Number of detainees transferred |
The data provided includes transfers to Campsfield House from other IRCs and other immigration detention facilities, including short term holding facilities and holding rooms. It does not include transfers from prisons or police stations. The information is taken from data normally used for management information only. It has not been subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications and is provisional and subject to change.
Details on the reasons for each individual transfer are not available and could be provided only by examination of individual records at disproportionate cost.
The Detainee Escorting and Population Management Unit (DEPMU) is responsible for bed space management within the UK Border Agency's detention estate. The unit seeks to minimise movements within the estate in the interests of providing a settled regime and the efficient use of escorting resources.
Movement of detainees around the estate is required for operational reasons, most often to:
Position detainees close to airports prior to removal
Position detainees for court appearances
Position detainees for hospital appointments
Position detainees for embassy/documentation interviews
Facilitate the movement of detainees to more secure locations for security/behavioural reasons
Ensure bed space is fully utilised.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people at Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre have been detained for (a) more than and (b) less than one year; [35313]
(2) what the longest period is for which a detainee has been held at Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre in the last five years. [35315]
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Damian Green: As at 30 September 2010, management information shows that of the 215 people in Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre, detained solely under Immigration Act powers, 200 had been in detention for less than a year and 15 for a year or longer. These figures are rounded to the nearest five.
The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers on a quarterly and annual basis, which are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office’s Research, Development and Statistics website at:
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html
Local records show that the longest period for which a detainee has been held at Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre in the last five years was 1,041 days. The individual concerned had a very serious criminal record and was detained while attempts were made to document him for removal. This information is taken from data normally used for management information only. It has not been subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications. It is also provisional and subject to change.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the detainees in Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre were convicted of committing violent crimes in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010. [35314]
Damian Green: UK Border Agency internal management information shows that there are currently no detainees in Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre that have been convicted of violent crimes since 2007.
Cannabis
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to (a) locate and (b) close facilities manufacturing skunk cannabis; and if she will make a statement. [36117]
James Brokenshire: The unauthorised cultivation of cannabis and any subsequent supply and possession of cannabis is unlawful. The manufacture and trafficking in controlled drugs of all classes needs to be tackled robustly in order to reduce the harm drugs cause to communities and the organised criminality associated with their supply.
The Government have worked closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to support the policing of illegal cannabis production and use. On 17 August 2010 ACPO published the UK National Problem Profile Commercial Cultivation of Cannabis. The main finding of the report is that there has been a significant rise in the identification of cannabis factories in 2009-10, from 3,032 in 2007-08, to 6,866 in 2009-10. The number of cannabis plants seized has also increased, from 643,510 cannabis plants seized in 2008-09 to 758,700 in 2009-10.
ACPO is co-ordinating the police response to the issue of cannabis factories, which includes proactive operations to identify and close down these factories and disrupt the organised crime groups behind them,
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while improving police knowledge and understanding of the trade through activity-led intelligence gathering.
This activity includes the development of a UK Baseline Assessment; a National Problem Profile of commercial cannabis cultivation; engagement with UK Revenue Protection Agency (UKRPA) and power companies and the publication of National Policing Improvement Agency and ACPO practice guidance on tackling commercial cannabis cultivation and head shops. The guidance can be found at:
www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Cannabis_Cultivation_R.pdf
Detention Centres: Northern Ireland
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent discussions she has had with the (a) Northern Ireland Minister of Justice and (b) Northern Ireland Policing Board on proposals for a new immigration detention centre in Northern Ireland; [35240]
(2) whether provision will be made for children to be held in the Northern Ireland immigration detention centre. [35241]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency successfully applied for planning consent to convert a disused police station in Larne into a residential short-term holding facility providing accommodation for up to 22 adults. No children will be held at the facility.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department has not personally met with the Northern Ireland Policing Board to discuss Larne. She met David Ford, Northern Ireland Minister of Justice on 8 September 2010 but Larne was not discussed.
The UK Border Agency Assistant Director responsible for Immigration Group in Northern Ireland met the Northern Ireland Policing Board on 18 March 2010 and briefed them on the Agency's plans for a short-term holding facility at Larne. Agency officials have since, on occasion, updated Members of the Legislative Assembly, which includes Policing Board members, on the proposals for the facility.
Drugs: Professor Nutt
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether licences, authorities or permissions were required for Professor Nutt to possess and inject the class A drug psilocybin into human subjects on the BBC programme, The Brain, A Secret History. [35745]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 24 January 2011]:A licence is required to possess psilocybin, which is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and listed in schedule 1 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Those working with schedule 1 drugs in their capacity as researchers and under Home Office licence to possess do not need a specific Home Office authority to administer.
The psilocybin used on the BBC programme, The Brain, A Secret History, was lawfully possessed by Bristol university under Home Office licence and was lawfully taken to Cardiff university, where the research took place, under the supervision of the licence holder.
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Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students from countries outside the EU entered the UK in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [35245]
Damian Green: The available statistics on the number of persons given leave to enter the United Kingdom as students, excluding European Economic Area and Swiss nationals, 1997 to 2009, are given in the following table:
| Passengers (1, 2, 3) given leave to enter the United Kingdom for the purpose of study excluding EEA and Swiss nationals, 1997 to 2009 | ||||
| Number of journeys | ||||
|
|
Total | Students | Tier 4-students | Student visitors |
| n/a = Not applicable (1) Excludes dependants. (2) Nationals of EU accession countries are included or excluded according to their accession date. (3) Figures rounded to three significant figures. Figures may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding (4) Provisional figures. | ||||
Statistics on passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom by purpose of journey are published annually in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, “Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom”. These publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html
Entry Clearances: Pakistan
Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether entry clearance decisions for visitors from the Punjab, India are taken by officials in (a) Delhi, (b) London or (c) elsewhere. [34779]
Damian Green: Decisions on all applications for entry clearance lodged in the Punjab, India, including those for entry as a visitor, are made by UK Border Agency officials in New Delhi. However, an entry clearance officer may, exceptionally, refer an application to London for consideration outside the immigration rules, e.g. if there are compelling, compassionate circumstances involved.
Hinkley Point Power Stations: Demonstrations
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to prevent protestors from accessing Hinkley Point nuclear power station via the Bristol Ports Habitat Wetland scheme. [35143]
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James Brokenshire: The policing of protest is an operational matter for the local police force.
Human Trafficking
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions by the competent authority regarding the National Referral Mechanism have been subsequently reversed through judicial review. [35226]
Damian Green [holding answer 21 January 2011]: We are not aware of any competent authority decisions being reversed by judicial review. There have been a very small number of cases where a judicial review application has caused the competent authority to reconsider the case and this has led to a negative decision being reversed.
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to support more effective enforcement internationally to combat human trafficking. [35321]
Damian Green: The Government work closely with international counterparts, including through regional bodies such as the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to strengthen joint enforcement activity in source and transit countries, to tackle criminal networks and to raise awareness among potential victims. Law enforcement partners work in collaboration with international counterparts, using Joint Investigation Teams where appropriate. The forthcoming human trafficking strategy will set out what steps we will take to reinforce these efforts.
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to encourage the reporting of human trafficking. [35350]
Damian Green: The reporting of human trafficking is crucial if the United Kingdom is to be successful in its effort to combat this brutal crime.
To this end, the UK Human Trafficking Centre, in conjunction with the National Policing Improvement Agency, has introduced mandatory training for all new police officers on human trafficking.
The UK Border Agency has introduced mandatory e-learning on human trafficking for all operational staff below the level of Assistant Director. This has helped to improve their ability to identify and report potential incidents of human trafficking, and where applicable to refer onwards via the National Referral Mechanism.
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the work of the UK Human Trafficking Centre's prevention sub-group in each year since its inception. [35351]
Damian Green: There has been no Home Office assessment of the UK Human Trafficking Centre's prevention sub-group.
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Immigrants: Detainees
Mr Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers have been detained at Britain’s ports and airports while travelling on forged or stolen travel documents in each of the last three years. [35310]
Damian Green: The following table outlines the number of false travel documents detected by Border Force officers at UK ports and airports and juxtaposed controls for each of the last three calendar years.
|
|
Total |
We are unable to provide figures based on the number of passengers detained in possession of forged documents because the data are not centrally recorded in this way. In order to retrieve the information in the requested format we would have to refer to individual records at disproportionate cost.
These figures do not include the number of inadequately documented passengers denied boarding by commercial carriers’ overseas, who work in conjunction with UK Border Agency immigration liaison officers and managers (formerly airline liaison officers). Since 2004, the number of immigration liaison officer deployments to key travel hubs has more than doubled resulting in significant numbers of passengers being stopped with false documents before they travel to the UK. Greater numbers are also subject to visa controls and the safeguards and biometric capture involved also has a significant deterrent effect.
Immobilisation of Vehicles: Private Land
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that plans to tax clamping and towing on private land do not leave property owners unable to tackle illegal parking on their land. [35693]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government intend to include in the Protection of Freedoms Bill, to be introduced by February, provisions that will make it an offence to immobilise or tow away a vehicle without lawful authority, with the intention of preventing the motorist from moving their vehicle.
This will not prevent landowners from using other forms of parking control which remain legal: for example, ticketing or fixed barriers. Where appropriate, the Government would expect landowners to use those other types of parking control.
The Bill will also include provisions to extend the powers of the police to move cars that are parked dangerously or obstructively on private land in the same way as they can do at present on public roads.
Legal Highs
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to identify new and emerging legal highs. [35965]
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James Brokenshire: The Government takes the issue of new psychoactive substances (so called ‘legal highs’) very seriously.
On 30 November 2010 we introduced to the House legislative proposals, in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 with provisions for temporary banning powers on new ‘legal highs’ and for the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD’s) membership to have the flexibility required to respond to a challenging drugs landscape.
On 1 January 2011 the Home Office launched a three month pilot to explore improvements to the current forensic early warning system for identifying new and emerging drugs. This includes working with forensic and chemical suppliers, law enforcement agencies and experts in the field to develop a co-ordinated UK-wide approach to laboratory testing and analysis of law enforcement seizures and wider test purchasing to identify new psychoactive substances more quickly. The creation of a ‘virtual reference library’ of characterised chemical reference standards is also being explored.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the letter from the right hon. member for Manchester, Gorton of 13 December 2010 in regard to Mr R Bestford. [36032]
James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 20 January 2011.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to review the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and if she will make a statement. [35957]
James Brokenshire: I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave on 6 December 2010, Official Report, column 103W.
Police: Demonstrations
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) resources, (b) the legal framework, (c) guidance issued by her Department and (d) her Department's policy for dealing with public order issues relating to public protests and ensuring public safety and proportionate policing. [28530]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 3 December 2010]: The Government's policy is to support the police in striking the right balance between facilitating peaceful protest and dealing robustly with individuals engaged in crime and disorder at demonstrations. The Government continue to work closely with the police and other agencies in respect of recent, current and forthcoming public order challenges to assess their impact on the police's responsibility in maintaining this balance.
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Sexual Offence Liaison Officers
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sexual offence liaison officers were employed in each police force in the latest period for which figures are available. [36057]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 25 January 2011]:The Home Office does not hold this information centrally. Decisions on the deployment of officers are for each force to make.
Vetting
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to announce the completion of the review into the future of criminal record checks and the vetting of volunteer workers. [35627]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government have commissioned a review of the criminal records regime which we expect to report within the next few weeks. We shall consider carefully and respond to the outcomes and recommendations of the review. The Government continue to be committed to reducing the barriers to volunteering.
Visas: Internet
Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has plans to enable (a) students and (b) other visitors from abroad to submit applications for visas entirely online. [34778]
Damian Green: There are three main parts to the overseas visa application process:
Application form
This may be submitted online
Biometric (fingerprint) enrolment and core biometric verification (checking passport details)
This is done in person by the applicant at one of our Visa Application or Biometric Enrolment Centres
Supporting document submission (may be done in person or sent depending on location)
Given that an applicant will be required to submit biometrics in person, there are no plans to enable (a) students and (b) other visitors from abroad to submit applications for visas entirely online.
Young Offenders
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people aged 10 to 16 years were (a) arrested for an offence, (b) charged with an offence, (c) cautioned for an offence and (d) convicted of an offence in 2009. [35880]
James Brokenshire: The arrests collection held by the Home Office is an aggregate collection covering specific age bands. Figures are collected on arrests of persons in the 10-17 age band, rather than the 10-16 band requested.
In 2008-09 (latest available) the number of persons aged 10-17 arrested for notifiable offences in was 273,041.
Data provided by the Ministry of Justice on the number of 10-16 year olds given reprimands and final warnings (juvenile cautions), proceeded against at
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magistrates courts (provided in lieu of charges as charges data are not available) and found guilty at all courts for all offences in 2009, are provided in the table.
The arrests data provided by the Home Office covers notifiable offences only, whereas the data provided by the Ministry of Justice covers all criminal offences, therefore the data are not directly comparable.
| Number of offenders aged 10 to 16 years given a reprimand or warrning (1, 2) and the number of defendants aged 10 to 16 proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts, for all offences, England and Wales, 2009 (3, 4) | |
|
|
Number |
| (1) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. (2) The reprimand or warning statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When an offender has been given a reprimand or warning for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (3) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. | |
International Development
Burma: Overseas Aid
Malcolm Wicks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding was allocated by his Department to (a) the Mao Tao Clinic and (b) Backpack Health Worker teams operating in Burma in the last year for which figures are available. [35614]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) provided £119,999 in 2009-10 to the Mao Tao Clinic. We are considering a proposal for additional health aid for displaced people in conflict-affected parts of eastern Burma.
Malcolm Wicks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has allocated aid to ethnic Karen refugees in response to the current political situation in Karen State, Burma. [35615]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing approximately £1.6 million this financial year for food, housing, other supplies and improved access to legal assistance for the 146,000 Burmese refugees living in camps in Thailand. We have not provided additional funding in response to the recent upsurge in fighting in Karen state.
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Departmental Communication
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures he has undertaken to reduce jargon and promote plain English in departmental communications. [35790]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is committed to ensuring that UK taxpayers understand where their money goes and the results it achieves. DFID aims to communicate this as clearly as possible to the public.
There is an expectation that staff use plain English, as set out in guidance on how to present advice to Ministers, and respond to inquiries from the public. Work is routinely returned for redrafting if it does not meet this expectation. Staff are supported through face-to-face and online training; the latter is provided in partnership with the Plain English Campaign. Professional editors produce all content for DFID's online and print publications.
Ministers have been forceful in requiring clear prose and high standards of punctuation and grammar.
Malaria: Disease Control
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the unit cost of (a) anti-malarial mosquito nets and (b) pentavalent vaccines provided by his Department. [36265]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) uses a variety of channels to fund and deliver long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) including through its support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNITAID and through bilateral support at country level. The purchase and delivery cost of LLINs varies between countries and by delivery channel. Recent analysis of 55 countries reporting on procurement by the Global Fund, which accounted for 35% of global purchases, estimated the average unit cost of purchasing a LLIN to be US $5.30 in 2009. This does not include distribution costs.
DFID provides funds through the GAVI Alliance to roll out the pentavalent vaccine. Due to increased demand for the vaccine and a reduced price offer by an emerging market vaccine manufacturer, GAVI estimates that in 2011 the average weighted price for the vaccine will go down to US $2.58, compared to the current average price of US $2.97.
Nigeria: Education
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will provide additional funding and capacity for the element of the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria that supports the development of schools-based management committees. [36675]
Mr O'Brien: Support for school management committees is one of the four main elements of the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN). To date ESSPIN has supported nearly 1,000 school management committees, which has led to significant improvements in local accountability and involvement.
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There is no plan at present to provide additional resources for this particular aspect of ESSPIN's work. However, a mid-term review which will begin in May 2011 will look at how funds can be best utilised within the programme to ensure greatest benefits to students, schools and communities. We are also supporting school management committees through other partners, including UNICEF, and will be reviewing how to achieve greatest results and best value for money.
Sri Lanka: Food
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received from the World Food Programme on the effect on food rations in Sri Lanka of insufficient donor funding in 2011; and if he will make a statement. [35721]
Mr Duncan: The British high commission in Colombo has recently discussed food aid funding issues with representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Our understanding is that, at present, WFP only has sufficient funding for its food aid programme in Sri Lanka until April 2011.
Sri Lanka: Internally Displaced People
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees on the provision of shelter cash grants to internally-displaced families being resettled in Sri Lanka. [35876]
Mr Duncan: The British high commission in Colombo is in regular contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sri Lanka on this and other issues. In 2010, the Department for International Development (DFID) provided £300,000 to UNHCR for shelter cash grants. In total, more than 70,000 families returning to their home areas have now benefitted from UNHCR’s cash grants programme.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made on the level of involvement of (a) Tamil community groups and (b) independent politicians in the process of resettlement in Sri Lanka. [35877]
Mr Duncan: Tamil community groups, such as rural development societies, are helping internally displaced people to re-establish their livelihoods on their return to their home areas. Opposition and minority parties and politicians have raised concerns over issues such as the pace of resettlement with the relevant authorities.
Sri Lanka: Schools
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received from UNICEF on the effect on the schooling of children in Sri Lanka of the use of school property in the Northern Provinces for military or rehabilitation purposes. [35728]
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Mr Duncan: The British high commission in Colombo is in regular contact with UNICEF about humanitarian issues in Sri Lanka. We have received no representations from UNICEF on this particular question.
UN Agencies: Finance
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department contributed to the UN Division for the Advancement of Women in each of the last four years. [35874]
Mr Duncan: The Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) is part of the UN Secretariat. It is funded from UN member states' assessed contributions to the UN regular budget. The UK's contribution to the regular budget is managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The Department for International Development (DFID) has not made any additional contribution to DAW in the last four years.
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department contributed to the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues in each of the last four years. [35887]
Mr Duncan: The UN Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues (OSAGI) is part of the UN Secretariat. It is funded from UN member states’ assessed contributions to the UN regular budget. The UK’s contribution to the assessed budget is managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The Department for International Development (DFID) has not made any additional contribution to OSAGI in the last four years.
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department contributed to the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women in each of the last four years. [35888]
Mr Duncan: The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) is part of the UN Secretariat. It is funded from UN member states' assessed contributions to the UN regular budget. The UK's contribution to the assessed budget is managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The Department for International Development (DFID) has not made any additional contribution to INSTRAW in the last four years.
Defence
Armed Forces
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where each regiment of the (a) Royal Artillery, (b) Royal Engineers, (c) Royal Signals and (d) Household Cavalry is stationed; [35889]
(2) where each infantry battalion is stationed. [35902]
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Nick Harvey: The name and location of each Regular and Territorial Army Infantry Battalion is shown in the following table:
| Name of Infantry Battalion (Bn) | Barracks (Bks)/Station/Location |
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The name and location of each Regular and Territorial Army Regiment of the (a) Royal Artillery, (b) Royal Engineers, (c) Royal Signals and (d) Household Cavalry is shown in the following tables:
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| The Royal Engineers | |
| Name of Regiment | Barracks (Bks)/Station/Location |
| The Royal Signals | |
| Name of Regiment | Station/Location |
|
1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment |
|
|
3rd (United Kingdom) Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment |
|
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| The Household Cavalry | |
| Name of Regiment | Barracks (Bks) Station/Location |
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will estimate the cost per unit of renovating (a) Mastiff, (b) Ridgback and (c) Jackal vehicles to long-term service; [36078]
(2) how many (a) Mastiff, (b) Ridgback and (c) Jackal vehicles will remain in long-term service. [36079]
Peter Luff: The Mastiff, Ridgback and Jackal vehicles were purchased as urgent operational requirements, specific to the conditions and threats faced in Afghanistan by our armed forces. No decision has yet been taken as to whether any of the 1,000 plus vehicles so far purchased will be taken into the core equipment programme. The cost of renovating any vehicles will depend on the number of vehicles to be taken into the core equipment programme and the state of repair of these vehicles on their return from theatre.
Departmental Pay
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what allowances and payments in addition to salary were available to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; and what the monetary value was of payments and allowances of each type in each such year. [18726]
Peter Luff: The Department currently has over 500 pay-related allowances and payments in addition to salary available to civilian staff, the majority of which are listed on the People, Pay and Pensions Agency (PPPA) website:
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=us131&cat=pay_and_expenses &actp=list.htm
26 Jan 2011 : Column 361W
Travel and subsistence claims and transfer allowances are payable to civilian staff, in addition to salary. These are listed on the PPPA website:
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=pr200&cat=travel_and_subsistence &actp=list.htm
Information on the monetary value of each type of allowance and payment in each year since 1997 is not held in the format requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information is available from July 2007, but will take a short while to compile. I will write to my hon. Friend with the information as soon as possible.
As the strategic defence and security review made clear, we intend to simplify the allowance structure, as part of an update of the current package of terms and conditions of service.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each year since 1997; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the largest 20 payments made in each such year. [18725]
Mr Robathan: The information is as follows:
Non-consolidated performance awards—MOD: A close and effective link between pay and performance is a key element of the reward arrangements for the civil service. The performance element of pay is colloquially known as a bonus, but it is a misleading description because the performance-related element of pay is not additional, it is part of the departmental pay bill.
For the senior civil service (SCS) performance incentives are paid primarily as non-consolidated performance payments. Any award is based on a judgment of how
26 Jan 2011 : Column 362W
well an individual has performed against their peers and awards are made to those judged to have made the greatest in-year contribution to business objectives. There is no restriction on the nature of the contribution but it must benefit the Department or defence more widely. Recommendations for awards are considered by moderation committees and must be linked to clear evidence of delivery.
All satisfactory performers at SCS level were eligible to be considered for a non-consolidated performance award in line with Cabinet Office guidelines and the MOD pay strategy.
Financial year 2003-04 was the first year in which the MOD paid non-consolidated performance awards to any of its staff.
The following table details how much was paid to members of the SCS in non-consolidated performance payments by financial year.
Senior fixed term employees are individuals who are recruited through fair and open competition from outside the civil service. Those employed as senior fixed term appointees (FTAs) are on individual contracts and have a higher percentage of pay set to performance awards which are judged against stringent and stretching delivery based objectives. Some have staged payments and it is now usual to pay a smaller annual performance award with the remainder deferred for two to three years and judged against the delivery of medium to longer term objectives. Performance is judged by line management with assistance from senior officials, stakeholders, remuneration committees and in some cases internal audit.
Details of how much has been paid in non-consolidated awards and to how many SCS each year are shown in tables 1 and 2. Table 3 shows the monetary values of the largest non-consolidated payments made in each year to the combined SCS population of permanent staff and fixed term appointees.
| Table 1—SCS permanent staff | |||||||
| Performance year | |||||||
| 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | |
| Financial year | |||||||
|
|
2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 |
| Table 2 —SCS fixed term appointees | |||||||
| SCS FTA performance year | |||||||
| 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | |
| Financial year | |||||||
|
|
2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 |
| (1) Six yet to be decided | |||||||
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| Table 3—Top 20 highest non-consolidated awards for combined SCS population | |
| Financial year | £ |
26 Jan 2011 : Column 364W
26 Jan 2011 : Column 365W
For staff below the SCS, non-consolidated performance awards are paid to staff who meet the eligibility criteria. Higher levels of award are available for those who have contributed most to the business. These awards are distributed on the basis of relative assessment among peers and are designed to encourage continuous high attainment against stretching objectives.
The MOD also operates an in-year non-consolidated payment scheme, the special bonus scheme (SBS), which rewards eligible MOD civilians for exceptional performance in a specific task or for the achievement of a professional qualification the use of which benefits MOD and the individual. Separate arrangements apply to Ministry of Defence police (MDP) officers.
26 Jan 2011 : Column 366W
In 2007 the Department moved to a new pay system and the ability to interrogate payments made through the SBS before this date has been diminished and therefore any effort now to try and access this data would require a disproportionate cost. SBS data is though available for financial years 2003-04 to 2006-07 because it was reported in previous parliamentary questions.
The following table details the total value of payments made to staff below the SCS by way of non consolidated performance payments and SBS awards by financial year.
| Financial year | Total value of awards made (£) | Total number of awards made (1) |
| (1) It is not possible to state how many individuals received awards since the data is held as number of awards made and not the number of recipients. Note: Figures for financial year 2010-11 will not be available before 30 April 2011 since SBS awards are payable in year. | ||
This response excludes information on staff below the SCS in MOD trading funds which have separate pay delegations.
With the exception of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force Museum, figures for the Department’s non-departmental public bodies are included in the figures above.
Like the MOD, financial year 2003-04 was the first year in which non-consolidated performance awards were paid to staff at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The following table details the total value of payments made to staff by way of non consolidated performance payments awards by financial year.
| Financial year | Total value of awards made (£) | Number of staff receiving awards | Value of largest 20 payments |
The National Museum of the Royal Navy has no special bonus scheme.
The Museum does not keep records going back to 1997, but since 2004 non-consolidated performance awards and other payments have been available for staff employed by the museum and its trading subsidiary through one or more of the following:
a special bonus scheme (typically £7,000 per annum in total has been set aside and payments to staff have been of the order of £250 to £1,000, generally under 10 awards each year),
performance related pay (where the level of award has varied between a percentage-based amount or cash sum—both non consolidated—and is linked to the annual appraisal—individual
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payments typically being between £400 and £1,000 although in individual cases have been up to £3,000), costing the Museum approximately £100,000 per year,
‘incentivised’ contracts for key trading subsidiary managers (head of retail or head of corporate events) where payments have varied from zero to over £3,000, depending on the trading subsidiary’s performance and a percentage-based award for more junior trading subsidiary staff (typically 1% of salary) the cost falling on the trading subsidiary,
in the case of the director general (until this year) through the non-consolidated performance award scheme applicable to senior civil servants, again linked to the annual appraisal process where payments in excess of £10,000 have been made, No award was made in 2009 and the system does not apply to the newly-appointed director general.
The largest payments made were to the director general under the conditions set out in the last paragraph and the directors (where performance awards were percentage-based) although these would have generally been below £5,000.
Other payments: The Department currently has over 500 pay-related allowances and payments in addition to salary available to civilian staff. The majority of which are listed on the People, Pay and Pensions Agency services website:
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=us131&cat=pay_and_ expenses&actp=list.htm
In addition allowances and payments in addition to salary in regard to civilian travel and subsistence claims and transfer allowances are payable. These are listed on the PPPA services website:
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=pr200&cat=travel_and_ subsistence&actp=list.htm
Information on the monetary value of each type of allowance and payment in each year since 1997 is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost for such a large number of allowances and payments. Information is available from July 2007, but will take a short while to compile. I will write to my hon. Friend with the details as soon as possible.
Substantive answer from Andrew Robathan to Priti Patel, dated 25 January 2011:
I undertook to write to you in relation to my answer to your Parliamentary Question on 11 November 2010 (Official Report, columns 439-45W), regarding bonuses and other payments in addition to salary paid to officials in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and its Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs). My hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (Peter Luff), also undertook to write to you in relation to his answer to your Parliamentary Question on 27 October 2010 (Official Report, column 374W) regarding the same subject. I shall respond to both questions.
The MOD currently has over 500 pay-related allowances and payments in addition to salary available to civilian staff, the majority of which are listed on the People, Pay and Pensions Agency services website:
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=us131&cat=pay_and_ expenses&actp=list.htm
In addition, allowances and payments in addition to salary in regard to Civilian Travel and Subsistence Claims and Transfer allowances are payable. These are listed on the PPPA Services website:
26 Jan 2011 : Column 368W
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=pr200&cat=travel_and_ subsistence&actp=list.htm
Information on the monetary value of each type of allowance and payment in each year for financial years 1997 to 2007 for the Department is not held in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost for such a large number of allowances and payments.
Information is available from 2007-2008. However, due to a change in pay systems not all personnel were on the payroll until July 2007. This information is attached for your reference, and will be placed in the Library of the House.
The MOD has two NDPBs which have separate pay and grading delegations, the National Museum for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force Museum. Information on the National Museum for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force Museum from 2004 will be placed in the Library of the House. Information on the monetary value of each type of allowance and payment in each year for financial years 1997 to 2004 is not held by the Royal Air Force Museum in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Trident
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparatory work for the assessment phase for the replacement programme for Trident has been commissioned on (a) the hull structure and structural fittings, including on castings and forgings and on steel and control surfaces, (b) primary and secondary propulsion systems and (c) electrical generation, conversion and distribution, including turbo generators, platform management system software, main switchboards, internal communications, diesel generators, main static converters, main DC distribution, distribution convertors, cathodic protection system, the degaussing system, computer information systems, main battery, and remote visual surveillance system; from which companies such work has been commissioned in each case; and what the value is of each such contract. [35910]
Peter Luff: Two of the purposes of the concept phase of the programme to replace the Vanguard submarines are to identify technology and procurement options for meeting the requirement, and to provide information to support initial gate decisions.
During the concept phase the Ministry of Defence has placed contracts with Rolls-Royce Power Engineering plc that include design and development work for the primary propulsion plant, with design verification and validation activities, to a value of some £220 million. A number of technical demonstrator contracts have also been placed with industry and other bodies to inform work on the options and recommendations made in the initial gate business case.
Some of this work will inform decisions on the purchase of the long lead items listed in the question, but further information is not held centrally and to attempt to reconcile the information against the list of long lead items given could be done only at disproportionate cost.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what work his Department has commissioned on spatial arrangements covering boat compartments under the assessment phase of the Vanguard submarine replacement for Trident programme to date; and what the monetary value is of each contract for such research and design work; [35907]
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(2) what enabling work has been contracted on (a) value engineering and (b) the management of design margins under the assessment phase of the Vanguard submarine replacement for Trident programme; what the monetary value is of each such contract; and how much has been spent under each such contract to date; [35908]
(3) what contracts have been placed to undertake research and development work on (a) combat system design and engineering and (b) primary and secondary propulsion design and engineering for the assessment phase of the replacement programme for Trident; and what the value is of each such contract; [35911]
(4) what contracts have been placed to undertake research and development work on (a) combat system design and engineering and (b) primary and secondary propulsion design and engineering in respect of the assessment phase for the Vanguard submarine replacement programme for Trident; and what the monetary value is of each such contract; [36065]
(5) which companies have been contracted to date (a) to deliver System Drawings and Equipment Technical Specifications and (b) to demonstrate system performance and compliance with system functional requirements under the assessment phase for the Vanguard submarine replacement for Trident programme; and what the monetary value is of his Department’s contract with each such company. [35923]
Peter Luff: No such contracts have been placed as the programme to replace the Vanguard Class submarine has yet to enter the assessment phase.
Health
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of long-term trends in hospital admittances for alcohol consumption by teenagers. [35802]
Anne Milton: Alcohol misuse is a major public health issue. We know that teenagers can be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of drinking. ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People’, published in December 2010, sets out how we can best harness the effects of individuals, families, local and national government and the private, voluntary and community sectors to take better care of our children's health and development.
The Government's new drug strategy, published in December 2010, includes measures to prevent young people's alcohol misuse by providing accurate information, simplified guidance for schools and a review of Personal Social Health and Economic education (PSHE).
Data on the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions are collected by the Health and Social Care Information Centre and published in their annual Statistics on Alcohol, England report. The most recent estimates show that hospital admissions of teenagers aged 13 to 15 have started to decrease, while hospital admissions for 16 to 19 and 20 to 24-year-olds are still increasing. Estimates of the number of teenage alcohol-related hospital admissions is given in the following table.
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| Estimate of alcohol-related admissions for selected age groups for the years 2002-03 to 2009-10 in England | |||
| Admissions | |||
|
|
13-15 years | 16-19 years | 20-24 years |
| Notes: 1. Estimate of Alcohol-related admissions Alcohol-related admissions The number of alcohol-related admissions is estimated, based on the methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO). Figures for under 16s only include admissions where one or more of the following alcohol-specific conditions were listed: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (I42.6) Alcoholic gastritis (K29.2) Alcoholic liver disease (K70) Alcoholic myopathy (G72.1) Alcoholic polyneuropathy (G62.1) Alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome (E24.4) Chronic pancreatitis (alcohol induced) (K86.0) Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol (G31.2) Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol (F10) Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol (X45) Ethanol poisoning (T51.0) Methanol poisoning (T51.1) Toxic effect of alcohol, unspecified (T51.9) The application of the NWPHO methodology was updated in summer 2010 and is now available directly from HES. As such, information about episodes estimated to be alcohol related may be slightly different from previously published data. 2. Age at start of episode This derived field, calculated from episode start date (epistart) and date of birth (dob), contains the patient's age in whole years 3. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 4. 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 national health service practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care | |||