| Number of principal applicants | ||||
| 2008 | 2009 (7) | |||
| Country of nationality | Harmondsworth | Yarl's Wood | Harmondsworth | Yarl's Wood |
3 Feb 2011 : Column 923W
3 Feb 2011 : Column 924W
| n/a = not available (1) Figures rounded to the nearest five ( — = 0, * = 1 or 2). (2) Harmondsworth fast track centre opened in 2004; Yarl's Wood Fast Track centre opened in 2005. (3) The detained non-suspensive appeal process for females at Oakington moved in 2008 to Yarl's Wood alongside the female detained fast track process already there. (4) Serbia and Montenegro replaced Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 5 February 2003. Serbia and Montenegro comprises Republic of Serbia, Republic of Montenegro, and Kosovo. (5) Figures for China in 2008 and 2009 include Taiwan. (6) ‘Other nationalities’ data include figures for nationalities not listed here (2001-07) and unknown nationalities for all years. In 2008 and 2009, other nationalities are counted in ‘Other Europe’, ‘Other Americas’, ‘Other middle east’, ‘Other Asia and Oceania’ and ‘Other Africa’. (7) Provisional figures (8) Not applicable | ||||
3 Feb 2011 : Column 925W
Departmental Art Works
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pieces of artwork her Department has moved since May 2010. [37579]
Damian Green: Since May 2010 no pieces of artwork owned by the Home Office in its headquarters have been moved. The Government Art Collection is responsible for moving the Government Art in the building on loan to the Department. Since May 2010 a piece of public art situated in the building’s water feature was moved by the PFI supplier at its own expense for security reasons.
Departmental Furniture
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on furniture since May 2010. [37580]
Damian Green: Home Office Headquarters at Marsham street has spent £41,000 plus VAT on furniture since May. 50% of this was used to support the move of additional staff into the building as part of an estate rationalisation plan that delivers greater value for money from our office accommodation.
Departmental Procurement
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what single tender contracts her Department has awarded since her appointment; and what the monetary value is of each contract above the EU public procurement threshold. [36187]
Damian Green: The Home Department acquires goods and services through open and fair competition unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary. The Home Department has awarded the following single tender contracts since May 2010:
RS-740 Directional Capability
Repair of Fieldpro 5X Thermal Imaging Camera
Air Products gases and gas bottles
Universal digital CCTV replay software
Toppings of fields at Sandridge
Laboratory gases safety awareness workshops and connecting regulators
Intruder Alarm systems annual maintenance
Removal of L3 Provision Body Scanner Unit
Juno test and evaluation unit and training session
Premiair AS355 Space Pod—RSI700 Approvals
Facility hire for HOSDB trials
Vessel Arrest Launcher VA10/Vessel Arrest fence
TracER-532-6W Compact Forensic Laser System
Saliva-based Drug Tests at the Point-of-Arrest and extension
Support for management of “FALL” image data
Delivery of processed explosives to HOSDB site
V-OVG live CW/explosive calibration Vapour Generator
UV camera and IRIS software integration
Monitor and report on developments in XML specifications to IST/44 and HODSB and ensure timely and effective definition of UK portion for input
Workshops at University of Glamorgan
Access to Caerwent facility
FALCON hand held detector for hidden explosives and contraband. FALCON visual display
Use of Millbrook track and facilities
3 Feb 2011 : Column 926W
Flight trial over using C-VON Inc RS700 system. Fuel bowser and radio support/operator at Caerwent. STC modification for RS705
Research Project looking at CCTV imagery format structure
Flexible ballistics shield including removable armoured plates
Trial facilities
Health and Safety assessment of activities associated with examining chemicals at Heathrow and provisional advice on PPE and engineering controls
Preliminary review on strategic options for the closure of FSS
Community training tackling violence against women and girls.
The monetary value of one contract and its extension, on research on advanced non-bio chips for saliva-based drug tests, at a total value of £120,244 was above the EU public procurement threshold.
Departmental Video Recordings
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on film production, including the filming of speeches, since May 2010. [37576]
Damian Green: Film is used throughout the Home Office and its agencies for training purposes and to communicate with staff. The total cost of film production is not information which is either centrally held or readily collated so could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
Detention Centres: Children
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are held in immigration detention; and how many were so held in each month since September 2010. [37736]
Damian Green: As at 30 September 2010, the latest date for which National Statistics have been published, five children were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. This figure is rounded to the nearest five.
The latest published management information for the numbers of children entering detention, held solely under Immigration Act powers were: 15 in October 2010, three in November 2010 and three in December 2010.
These figures may include age disputed cases.
The Home Office publishes National Statistics on the number of persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers on a quarterly and annual basis and management information on the number of children entering detention, held solely under Immigration Act powers, by month, 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
On 16 December 2010, the right hon. Member the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Clegg) announced a new package to deliver the coalition commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes and the immediate closure of the family unit to children at the Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre.
The UK Border Agency will now follow a new four stage process focused on engagement with families during the decision making process, giving parents the opportunity to engage in when and how they return, when they have
3 Feb 2011 : Column 927W
been found to have no legal right to stay in the UK. The new measures will ensure a family’s return home is safe and dignified. Most elements of this new approach will be in place in March.
Entry Clearances: Appeals
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reasons her Department has identified for the doubling in the number of appeals against refusals of entry clearance between 2005 and 2006; and for what reasons the number of such appeals has remained broadly constant since 2006. [33737]
Damian Green: The Control of Immigration: Statistics 2006, does not specify a reason for the increase in appeals lodged and there was no change in the immigration rules that could account for the increase. It is possible that a change in the method of recording appeals in 2006 may have been a contributory factor. However, in spite of best endeavours, the Department has been unable to account reliably for this increase.
The number of appeals reduced in 2010 due to the impact of the points-based system which attracts limited rights of appeal, on human rights and race relations grounds only.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entry visas her Department issued to non-EU nationals for the study of English as a second language in each year since 2006. [37737]
Damian Green: The information requested is not held centrally by the UK Border Agency. It could be provided by checking individual records, only at disproportionate cost.
Foreign Workers
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of non-EU nationals working in the NHS with an appropriate visa. [37991]
Damian Green: It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the number of non-EU nationals working in the NHS with an appropriate visa. This is because there are some migrants lawfully here who are free to access the labour market without informing the UK Border Agency where they are working at any given time.
Human Trafficking
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which non-governmental organisations (a) she has met to discuss and (b) were consulted on the formulation and content of the Government's policy on human trafficking between 14 October 2010 and 15 December 2010; and if she will make a statement. [37441]
Damian Green:
There were no ministerial discussions or consultations with non-governmental organisations about the forthcoming strategy during the period in
3 Feb 2011 : Column 928W
question. However, initial discussions between officials and non-governmental organisations about the strategy took place at the UK Human Trafficking Centre Prevention Group.
Internal work has been progressing on the human trafficking strategy and it is now being discussed with non-governmental organisations. I will be meeting them during this phase of developing the strategy.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she gave to the consulting non-governmental organisations on the formulation and content of the Government's forthcoming policy on human trafficking between 15 December 2010 and 26 January 2011; and if she will make a statement. [37442]
Damian Green: Internal work has been progressing on the human trafficking strategy and we are now in the process of discussing it with voluntary sector organisations.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will assess the compatibility of her Department's conduct of the consultation process on its policy on human trafficking with the Government's Big Society initiative; and if she will make a statement. [37443]
Damian Green: Internal work has been progressing on the human trafficking strategy and we are now in the process of discussing it with non-governmental organisations.
The voluntary sector plays a key role in the provision of support to victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking.
Ministers’ Private Offices
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on redecorating ministerial offices since May 2010. [37581]
Damian Green: Since May 2010, an estimated £2,000 has been spent on repainting and maintaining the Department's ministerial offices.
Police: Demonstrations
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if she will review guidance to police forces on the practice of kettling in policing demonstrations; and if she will introduce procedures for her Department to monitor compliance by police forces with such guidance; [37901]
(2) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department’s guidance to police forces on the use of kettling in policing demonstrations. [37904]
James Brokenshire: The use of police tactics, such as containment, is an operational matter for police forces. The courts have ruled that containment is a lawful tactic when used proportionately.
3 Feb 2011 : Column 929W
The Association of Chief Police Officers has recently published revised guidance on public order policing which includes guidance on containment. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary will shortly be publishing a report on how recommendations from its 2009 Adapting to Protest Report, including those on containment, have been met.
Police: Powers
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on police powers on noise abatement rules in respect of the provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill. [36070]
James Brokenshire: The only measures relating to noise which the Government are bringing forward in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill are focused on regulating the use of loudhailers on Parliament square. The Government have discussed these provisions with Westminster city council, the Greater London authority and the Metropolitan police service.
3 Feb 2011 : Column 930W
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) C-17s, (b) TriStars and (c) VC10-s are owned and operated by the RAF; how many are serviceable at any one time; and how many have operated in the Afghan theatre in each month since January 2010. [34958]
Mr Robathan: The available information is provided in the following table. In service aircraft includes those undergoing planned depth maintenance but excludes those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal. The forward fleet (FF) comprises aircraft which are serviceable or short-term unserviceable. Fit for purpose (FFP) aircraft include only serviceable aircraft available to the front-line commands for operational and training purposes. The number of aircraft available in each category varies according to normal fleet management activities including requirements for mandated maintenance and upgrade programmes. Figures for FF and FFP are monthly averages for 2010.
| C-17 | Tri S tar | VC10 | |||||||
| Month | In service fleet | Forward fleet | Fit for purpose | In service fleet | Forward fleet | Fit for purpose | In service fleet | Forward fleet | Fit for purpose |
The number of aircraft operated each month in support of Operation Herrick cannot be broken down to individual airframe level. No VC10 has operated on the Airbridge since January 2010.
Armed Forces: Health Services
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether funding for the health for heroes campaign will be allocated to armed forces based in (a) Scotland and (b) Wales. [38131]
Mr Robathan: “Health for heroes” is an informal reference that has recently been applied by the press to the medical care provided for the armed forces and ex-service personnel, with a particular emphasis on mental health care. We have a wide range of current and planned initiatives across Government to support serving and former members of the armed forces, such as the ‘Fighting Fit’ review by my hon. Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) and our enhancements to health care services as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Any enhancements to health care for serving members of the armed forces will be applicable wherever they are based in the UK, including Scotland and Wales.
Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his proposal to increase compensation payments for ex-service personnel suffering mental health disorders will apply to service personnel based in (a) Scotland and (b) Wales. [38132]
Mr Robathan: Yes. The increased payments will apply to all eligible personnel in the UK armed forces, regardless of where they are based.
Army
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) required, (b) actual and (c) fit-for-task strength is of each corps of the Army. [35890]
Mr Robathan: In the table “required strength” and “actual strength” figures are shown as “funded liability” and “trained strength” respectively.
3 Feb 2011 : Column 931W
“Fit for Task” has been interpreted as fit to deploy for any form of duty on deployment, including personnel listed as having limited deployability.
“Funded Liability” means the number of personnel required in each corps. “Trained Strength” is the number of personnel in that corps who have completed initial training—which for the Army is Phase 1 and Phase 2 training—as at 1 November 2010. The trained strength will fluctuate according to the number of recruits successfully completing initial training and personnel leaving the Corps. The difference between “Trained Strength” and “Number Fit for Task” accounts for trained personnel who are classed as “non-deployable due to illness or injury.”
| Figures for the Regular Army (1) | |||
| Organisation | Funded liability | Trained strength | Number fit for task |
| (1) Trained strength and fit for task figures are rounded. These figures are provisional, and subject to review. | |||
Artillery: Training
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much ammunition was allocated to courses involving the training of artillery personnel and forward observation officers to call in fire in each year since 2008; and what the cost of such ammunition was. [37332]
Mr Robathan: The amount and cost of ammunition allocated on all courses involving the training of artillery personnel and forward observation officers in each financial year since 2008 is shown in the following tables:
3 Feb 2011 : Column 932W
| Financial year 2007-08 | |
| Ammunition type | Quantity/cost |
|
Shell 155MM SMK BE DM105A2 FZD L132A1/CHGE L8A1/PRIM DM191A1 |
|
| Financial year 2008-09 | |
| Ammunition type | Quantity/cost |
3 Feb 2011 : Column 933W
| Financial year 2009-10 | |
| Ammunition type | Quantity/cost |
| Financial year 2010-11 | |
| Ammunition type | Quantity/cost |
Departmental Photography
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on taking, mounting and hanging photographs of its Ministers since April 2010. [38133]
Mr Robathan: It is longstanding practice to display pictures of Ministers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Photographs of the new Defence Ministers were taken by in-house MOD photographers as part of their normal duty. No additional costs were incurred.
3 Feb 2011 : Column 934W
Some hard copy photographs were produced for the two display boards in MOD’s Main Building using in-house resources. The cost of materials involved in producing and displaying these was £72.
There have been no other additional costs associated with ministerial photographs.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which programmes funded by his Department are taking place in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Angola, (c) Burkina Faso, (d) Burma, (e) Burundi, (f) Central African Republic, (g) Chad, (h) Congo, (i) Ivory Coast, (j) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (k) Ethiopia, (l) Guinea, (m) Guinea Bissau, (n) Haiti, (o) Iraq, (p) Kenya, (q) Liberia, (r) Malawi, (s) Nigeria, (t) Pakistan, (u) Somalia, (v) Sri Lanka, (w) Sudan, (x) Uganda, (y) Uzbekistan, (z) Yemen and (aa) Zimbabwe; and what the cost of each such programme was in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [38129]
Mr Robathan: In the past 12 months, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has funded programmes to contribute to the delivery of defence engagement objectives in: Afghanistan, Burundi, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uganda, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
In the past 12 months, the MOD has not funded any programmes in: Angola, Burkina Faso, Burma, Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Uzbekistan.
The programmes aim to enhance bilateral relationships and build stability overseas as part of the Government's wider foreign policy goals. They consist of a wide range of activities including (but not limited to):
Providing places on defence education and training courses in the UK (such as the Army, RAF and Navy Junior Officer Training and the Joint Services Advanced Command and Staff Course);
The deployment of UK personnel in support of permanent British Peace Support Teams and British Military Advisory and Training Teams;
The deployment of Short Term Training Teams to deliver subject specific training in country;
Advisory visits, Defence Staff Talks and Senior Leadership engagement either in the UK or in country.
In addition to MOD-specific funds, some of these activities receive funding from the tri-departmental Conflict Pool.
It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the cost and details of individual programmes as its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice relations between the UK and other states.
Lynx Helicopters
Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the terms under which the Future Lynx contract was awarded. [37183]
Peter Luff:
There are currently no plans to review the terms under which the Future Lynx contract was awarded. The strategic defence and security review has confirmed
3 Feb 2011 : Column 935W
that Lynx Wildcat continues to represent the best solution to deliver the combined requirement of both the Royal Navy and Army. However, as part of the Department’s wider contract re-negotiating strategy all major equipment procurements will be reviewed for possible savings measures.
Military Exercises
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of training exercises were cancelled in 2010; and what exercises those were. [36076]
Mr Robathan: The following list shows the exercises that had been scheduled and subsequently cancelled in the calendar year 2010:
Jordan Express
Malaysian Express
Steppe Eagle
Cossack Steppe
French Connection
Tricolour
Asterix
Winged Star
Glow Worm/Rattlesnake
Gobi Dust
African Thorn
Oman Express
Bald Eagle
Chartered Flight
Citadel
Crown Eagle
Destier/Aurige
Silver Eagle
Steam Drive
Top Kitten
Tunuk Warrior
Wet Gap
Work Sheet
Roman Eagle
Turtle Truss
Lion Sun 1
Lion Sun 2
Crown Pinnacle 10-4
TLP 10-5
Crown Condor
Ark Royal R2
Blue Flag
2 X Calfex
Devils Hat
Devils Horizon
First Eagle
First Rock
Guibert
Horizon
Kleiber
Gaulish
Longboat Warrior
Larksong Foxtrot
Marble Tor
3 Feb 2011 : Column 936W
Medoc
Modulex
Pathfinder
Pony Express
Ponte Vecchio/Tower Bridge
Readiness Challenge
Lion Star 1
Lion Star 2
Iron Ram/Ferro Ariete
Bass Rock
Anatolian Eagle 10
Green Flag West 10-9
Torpedo Focus 10-3
Pitch Black
Bold Avenger 10
TLP10-4
Tactical Leadership Training (TLT)
Emerald Move
RM CT2 Coy Trg
Auriga US Enterprise C2X
Rimpac 10
The proportion of cancelled exercises is normally calculated on a financial year basis. In financial year 2009-10, there were 436 scheduled training events of which 59 (13.5%) were cancelled. Figures for financial year 2010-11 will be released as part of the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts.
Nimrod Aircraft
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect withdrawing RAF Nimrods will have on the armed forces’ ability to (a) detect and (b) track foreign military operations; and if he will make a statement. [38018]
Mr Robathan: The armed forces retain a number of assets capable of detecting and tracking foreign military operations. In view of the sensitive and classified nature of some of the military tasks for which the Nimrod MRA4 was theoretically designed, I cannot comment further on these capabilities.
Nuclear Weapons
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when preliminary discussions commenced with the French government on the scope of the treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the French Republic relating to joint radiographic/hydrodynamics facilities; and which teams from (a) his Department and (b) the Atomic Weapons Establishment were involved in preparation of the treaty. [37493]
Peter Luff: Substantive discussions on the potential scope of a treaty between the UK and France for the construction and operation of joint radiographic facilities at Valduc, France and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), commenced in July 2010. These followed preliminary discussions based on an earlier proposal made in January 2009.
Within the Ministry of Defence these discussions were led by a multidisciplinary team including policy,
3 Feb 2011 : Column 937W
technical and legal experts. Support from AWE was provided by the Directorate of Research and Applied Science.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts (a) have been awarded and (b) are expected to be awarded for the inception, design and construction of Project Hydrus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. [37495]
Peter Luff: Project Hydrus is part of the Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme and is, therefore, incorporated in the management and operation contract between the Ministry of Defence and AWE Management Ltd.
Work under this contract, in relation to Hydrus, includes the awarding of subcontracts by AWE plc for inception, design, site preparation and construction. I am withholding the details of these contracts as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
The collaborative Anglo-French programme, Teutates, announced by the Prime Minister on 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 32WS, means that Hydrus will not now proceed as originally envisaged. Construction activities will therefore not be undertaken.
Rescue Services: Helicopters
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects the RAF’s Hercules Fleet to retain the requisite systems and equipment for humanitarian search and rescue missions following the Strategic Defence and Security Review; and if he will make a statement. [38016]
Peter Luff: The equipment used by the C-130 Hercules aircraft has not changed as a consequence of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. This includes the ability to deploy Air Sea Rescue Apparatus for the Search and Rescue role.
Territorial Waters
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his officials have had with (a) Canadian, (b) US, (c) Norwegian and (d) French defence officials on maritime reconnaissance and patrol of UK territorial waters. [37265]
Mr Robathan: Ministry of Defence officials regularly discuss maritime patrol issues with their counterparts from allied nations, including Canada, the United States, Norway and France. Through these regular discussions we have worked towards better co-operation for mutual benefit.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether MQ-9 Reaper pilots are licensed under the Civil Aviation Authority for that aircraft. [37691]
Peter Luff:
MQ-9 Reaper pilots are not licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Military pilots gain military flying qualifications following successful completion of theory, simulator and practical training. Their continuing
3 Feb 2011 : Column 938W
competency to fly specific aircraft types is then the responsibility of the Military Aviation Authority and the relevant single service.
World War II
Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has plans to bring forward proposals to recognise the contribution made by munitions workers to the defence and security of the UK during the second world war. [37096]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
The Government fully recognise the courage and fortitude of those who worked in munitions factories during world war II. I am considering how we can best acknowledge the contribution they made to the war effort and will provide a substantive response in due course.
Justice
Courts: Closures
Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for future use of the building used by Kidderminster county court after its closure. [37772]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice is not vacating a building as a result of the closure. The county court currently forms a small part of the much larger operational magistrates courthouse in Kidderminster.
Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the closure of Kidderminster County Court. [37773]
Mr Djanogly: The decision to transfer the Kidderminster county court counter service to Worcester combined court while retaining county court hearings within the existing Kidderminster building was taken in order to provide a more consistent level of service for court users. Therefore, my Department did not anticipate that there would be (non staff) operational cost savings. Consultation with the trade unions is still ongoing and therefore we are not in a position to confirm savings related to staff costs.
Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the effects of closing Kidderminster county court on the status of the private finance initiative contract with Kidderminster magistrates court. [37774]
Mr Djanogly: There will be no impact on the status of the private finance initiative contract, which will continue to provide magistrates court buildings at Hereford, Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.
Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department plans to renegotiate the Kidderminster court house private finance initiative contract after the closure of Kidderminster county court. [37775]
3 Feb 2011 : Column 939W
Mr Djanogly: There are currently no plans to renegotiate the private finance initiative contract after the closure of Kidderminster county court.
Legal Aid
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future provision of legal aid in respect of advice on social welfare law; and if he will make a statement. [37591]
Mr Djanogly: On 15 November 2010, the Government published proposals for reform of legal aid including social welfare law. We propose that legal aid be retained in the highest priority cases—in debt and housing when someone's home is at immediate risk, for homelessness case, and disrepair cases where health or life is at serious risk. We will retain legal aid in Community Care cases. Legal aid will also continue to be available where it is now for unlawful discrimination employment cases. Under these proposals legal aid would no longer be routinely available in other social welfare law matters.
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate (a) his Department and (b) the Legal Services Commission has made of the number of legal aid funded cases that were unnecessary in the last four years. [37632]
Mr Djanogly: Neither my Department nor the Legal Services Commission has made any such assessment. Cases granted legal aid funding will have satisfied the current merits test (for civil legal aid) or the interests of justice test (for criminal legal aid). The proposals set within the recent legal aid consultation are designed to encourage people to explore alternative methods of dispute resolution and, where possible, to resolve their problems without recourse to the courts. The aim is to create a stable and sustainable system that ensures access to public funding in those cases that really require it, the protection of the most vulnerable in our society and the efficient performance of our justice system.
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what funding the Legal Services Commission provided from the legal aid budget for legal assistance and representation relating to multi-party actions in each of the last 10 years. [38177]
Mr Djanogly:
Multi-party action legal aid expenditure for each of the last 10 years, net of the legal aid costs
3 Feb 2011 : Column 940W
recovered from the opposing party in cases where the party in receipt of legal aid succeeds, is shown as follows.
|
|
£ million |
| (1) Recovery | |
The reduction in the net expenditure is due to a number of factors, including, the removal of personal injury from the scope of legal aid, and the introduction of ‘risk rates’ for multi-party actions where legal aid is paid at a third of the market rates throughout the duration of those cases where the full legal costs are likely to be recovered from the opposing party. The high spend in the early 2000s was due to discontinuing a number of very expensive actions, and the recoveries in the mid 2000s were due to success in a number of child abuse cases.
Legal Aid: Cumbria
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in (a) Cumbria and (b) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency received legal aid in each of the last five years. [37986]
Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) does not record the number of people who receive legal aid, but instead records the number of ‘acts of assistance’. One individual may receive a number of separate acts of assistance, and one act of assistance can help more than one person.
The LSC does not record the grant of legal aid by constituency. However, the following tables show the numbers of acts of assistance based on legal aid providers with postcodes falling within (a) the Cumbria procurement area and (b) the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.
The figures do not include legal aid received via telephone advice, Community Legal Advice Centres, the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme, telephone triage, or family mediation. These figures are unavailable at a constituency level.
| Cumbria Procurement Area: Acts of assistance | |||||
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency: Acts of assistance | |||||
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
3 Feb 2011 : Column 941W
3 Feb 2011 : Column 942W
Legal Aid: Greater London
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in (a) London and (b) Bethnal Green and Bow constituency received legal aid in each of the last five years. [37623]
Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) does not record the number of people who receive legal aid, but instead records the number of ‘acts of assistance’. One individual may receive a number of separate acts of assistance, and one act of assistance can help more than one person.
The LSC does not record the grant of legal aid by constituency. However, the tables below show the numbers of acts of assistance based on legal aid providers with postcodes falling within (a) London and (b) Bethnal Green and Bow constituency.
The figures do not include legal aid received via telephone advice, Community Legal Advice Centres, the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme, telephone triage, or family mediation. These figures are unavailable at a constituency level.
| London—acts of assistance | |||||
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| Bethnal Green and Bow constituency—acts of assistance | |||||
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |