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Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 15 December 2011

Notes:
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer.
+ Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled.
[N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered.
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Thursday 15 December 2011
(the 'Questions Book')

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 15 December 2011

This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Thursday 15 December of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

For other Written Questions for answer on Thursday 15 December of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Thursday 15 December see Part 2 of this paper.

Questions to the Attorney General
1
Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon): To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on fairness of proceedings of the proposal by the London Area Crown Prosecution Service for prosecutors to make oral rather than written applications for the admission of hearsay and bad character evidence in proceedings in magistrates' courts.
(86972)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
2
Hilary Benn (Leeds Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on the involvement of Local Enterprise Partnerships in the work of Local Nature Partnerships.
(87153)
3
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, from what budgetary source the running costs of the Green Investment Bank will be paid.
(87088)
4
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department are working on the Green Investment Bank.
(87089)
5
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department have duties which involve liaising with the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
(87090)
6
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate has been made of the annual staffing costs of the Green Investment Bank on the basis of his Department's assumption that it will employ between 50 and 70 members of staff over the period to 2015 in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015.
(87091)
7
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate has been made of the likely annual salary of the Green Investment Bank's Chief Executive Officer; and what remuneration the board members of the Green Investment Bank are expected to receive.
(87092)
8
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the recruitment process will be for the Green Investment Bank's (a) Chief Executive Officer and (b) other staff.
(87093)
9
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Green Investment Bank's staff will be paid annual performance-related bonuses.
(87094)
10
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Green Investment Bank will be a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
(87095)
11
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department are working in the UK Green Investment team.
(87096)
12
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the recruitment process for UK Green Investment (a) staff and (b) fund managers will be.
(87097)
13
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether UK Green Investment fund managers will be eligible for performance-related bonuses.
(87098)
14
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the proposed £775 million funding for UK Green Investment in the next financial year will come from the £3 billion proposed to capitalise the Green Investment Bank.
(87099)
15
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, who the members of the UK Green Investment Committee are.
(87100)
16
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether UK Green Investment will be providing support for the Green Deal.
(87101)
17
N 		Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the consequences for inbound tourism to London of planned changes to the art market in 2012.
(86785)
18
Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant the Answer of 8 December 2011, Official Report, column 449W, on copyright: arts, what consideration he has given to raising the threshold at which the levy is triggered to minimise the effect of the Directive on the art market.
(87192)
19
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(87004)
20
Toby Perkins (Chesterfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many requests the Insolvency Service has received under the Data Protection Act 1998 to view D1 reports submitted by insolvency practitioners under the provisions of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, in each year since 1998.
(86947)
21
Toby Perkins (Chesterfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many people disqualified under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 breached the terms of their disqualification order in each year since 2002.
(86948)
22
Toby Perkins (Chesterfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many D1 reports on the required conduct of directors under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 have been received by the Insolvency Service; and how many directors were disqualified under this Act in each year from 2005-06 to 2010-11.
(86949)
23
Andrew Stephenson (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to its programmes and services for people with hearing impairment.
(86933)
24
N 		Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what funding over £100,000 his Department's Finance and Commercial Directorate allocated to partner organisations in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.
(86888)
25
N 		Mike Weatherley (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he plans to take to implement the recommendations on exception in the Hargreaves Report on intellectual property.
(86789)
26
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many post offices in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland he expects to be converted into Post Office Locals.
(87013)
27
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many Post Office Locals in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland he expects will operate on a part-time basis.
(87014)
28
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, where Post Office Locals are located in premises which are open 24 hours a day over what period he expects post office services to be available.
(87015)
29
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many Post Office Locals in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland he expects will be located in (i) urban and (ii) rural areas.
(87016)
30
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, at which locations Post Office Locals services have been trialled; and what feedback his Department has received.
(87017)
31
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether (a) large parcel services, (b) applications for driving licences, (c) applications for passports, (d) issue of car tax discs, (e) cash withdrawals using cash books and (f) payments of benefits and pensions will be available at Post Office Locals.
(87018)
32
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his proposed timetable is for the introduction of Post Office Locals.
(87019)
33
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many sub-postmasters in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland have applied to convert their post office to a Post Office Local.
(87020)
34
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what arrangements will be put in place to provide post office services during the transition to Post Office Local.
(87021)
35
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what public information campaign his Department plans to conduct on service changes associated with the introduction of Post Office Local.
(87022)
36
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what security vetting will be undertaken of Post Office Local staff.
(87023)
37
Mr Mike Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether staff at Post Office Locals will receive the same training as Post Office staff.
(87024)
38
Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his Department's policy is on support for the aluminium industry; and if he will make a statement.
(86943)
Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
39
Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people were employed in the financial services sector in (a) the South West, (b) the South East, (c) London, (d) the West Midlands, (e) the East Midlands, (f) the East of England, (g) the North West, (h) Yorkshire and the Humber, (i) the North East, (j) Scotland, (k) Wales and (l) Northern Ireland on the latest date for which information is available.
(87073)
40
N 		Bill Esterson (Sefton Central): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential for a reduction in the number of Government Ministers and advisers following the planned reduction in the size of the House of Commons.
(86846)
41
N 		Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the risks posed by malware downloaded onto people's computers via Adobe Reader on the basis of advice given on Government websites.
(86770)
42
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which information is available.
(87003)
Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
43
Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to encourage businesses in the financial services sector to develop in areas other than London and the South East.
(86980)
44
Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of UK gross domestic product generated by the financial services sector in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.
(87074)
45
Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people were employed in the financial services sector in (a) the North West and (b) the UK in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007, (iv) 2008, (v) 2009 and (vi) 2010.
(87075)
46
Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications of the transposition of the EU Capital Requirements Directive IV into UK law for the implementation of the recommendations of the Vickers Report.
(86978)
47
N 		Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which employers are working with his Department to collect real time income data in support of the universal credit.
(86707)
48
Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when HM Revenue and Customs expects to be able to answer all taxpayers' queries by email.
(86984)
49
N 		Robert Halfon (Harlow): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what communication he has had with the US Treasury on the activities of the Union of Good; and if he will make a statement.
(86594)
50
N 		Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of payments for tax refunds being fraudulently redirected as a result of websites that impersonate Government websites in the last three financial years.
(86764)
51
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which information is available.
(87007)
52
Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys.
(87162)
53
Graeme Morrice (Livingston): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the number of employees who use (a) cycle to work schemes, (b) employer-provided buses and (c) tax-free parking.
(87205)
54
N 		Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Barnett consequentials will be for each devolved administration as a result of the (a) National Infrastructure Plan 2011, (b) Youth Contract and (c) Regional Growth Fund.
(86719)
55
N 		Owen Smith (Pontypridd): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, by what date he expects the UK-Switzerland taxation agreement announced on 24 August 2011 to be implemented.
(86856)
56
N 		Owen Smith (Pontypridd): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of individuals who will incur a net loss as a result of the freezing of the Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount announced in the Autumn Statement.
(86857)
57
N 		Owen Smith (Pontypridd): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the additional funding for the Regional Growth Fund announced in the Autumn Statement is to be allocated.
(86859)
58
N 		Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) he, (b) his officials and (c) his political advisers have met representatives of (i) Bell Pottinger Group and (ii) clients of Bell Pottinger Group on the recommendation of that Group since May 2010; on what dates any such meetings took place; and what was discussed.
(86775)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
59
Peter Aldous (Waveney): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 143W, on housing: fire extinguishers, which US data was relied on extensively in the Final Regulatory Impact Assessment published on 13 December 2006.
(87118)
60
Peter Aldous (Waveney): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 143W, on housing: fire extinguishers, and with reference to the Building Research Establishment Report 204505: Effectiveness of sprinkles in residential premises - an evaluation of concealed and recessed pattern sprinkler products, which data from other countries was viewed as not directly applicable or appropriate for the UK situation.
(87119)
61
Hilary Benn (Leeds Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding his Department provides to the Local Government Association; and for what purposes.
(86986)
62
Hilary Benn (Leeds Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what lessons have been learned from Operation Watermark in respect of the fire and rescue service.
(87214)
63
Hilary Benn (Leeds Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is his policy to change the formula for allocating spending reductions to fire and rescue authorities in years three and four of the spending settlement to ensure that reductions are allocated on an equitable basis.
(87215)
64
N 		Robert Halfon (Harlow): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on the representation of people listed by his Department as supporters of the Union of Good on bodies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
(86882)
65
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86995)
66
N 		Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many co-operative pubs the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his Department with responsibility for community pubs has visited in his official capacity since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.
(86885)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport
67
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, if he will have discussions with the Sikh Council UK and Sikh Federation (UK) on policy matters relating to the Sikh community.
(87196)
68
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has taken to ensure practising Sikhs are able to wear articles of faith such as the Kirpan when visiting UK tourist attractions.
(87197)
69
N 		Bill Esterson (Sefton Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to support involvement in music by young people.
(86798)
70
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86996)
71
N 		Rachel Reeves (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, when he expects to meet his target to extend (a) mobile telephone coverage to 99 per cent. of the population and (b) superfast broadband to 90 per cent. of homes.
(86803)
72
Bob Russell (Colchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, for what reasons he did not name a town in Essex in his list of towns and cities to be permitted to have their own local television station.
(87219)
73
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, which organisations in Torbay constituency received Arts Council England funding in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2010-11 and (e) 2011-12.
(87102)
74
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, how many organisations with cinema presentation facilities are regularly funded organisations of Arts Council England.
(87103)
75
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, how much Arts Council England spent in each local authority area (a) in total and (b) per head of local population in each of the last three years.
(87104)
76
N 		Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the extra lottery funding that will become available for good causes after the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement.
(86886)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
77
N 		Ian Austin (Dudley North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans last met Commander Eddie Grenfell; and what plans he has to meet him in the future.
(86763)
78
N 		Ian Austin (Dudley North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the comments by Commander Eddie Grenfell on the contribution by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans on 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 51-8WH, on Arctic convoys.
(86765)
79
N 		Ian Austin (Dudley North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the contribution by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans on 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 51-8WH, on Arctic convoys, and his statement that those who served did not face risks; and if he will make a statement.
(86766)
80
N 		Ian Austin (Dudley North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the risks taken by those who served on Arctic convoys.
(86767)
81
Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people are employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly by his Department and its contractors in (i) Castlemartin, (ii) Manorbier and (iii) the Territorial Army centre, Carmarthen.
(87212)
82
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(87002)
83
Patrick Mercer (Newark): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Commonwealth service personnel of each country of origin in UK forces have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in (i) Afghanistan since 2001 and (ii) since Iraq since 2003; and what the (A) regiment and rank and (B) date of death or injury was in each case.
(87080)
84
N 		Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the 2010 survey by the Career Transition Partnership on the employment destinations of service leavers.
(86771)
85
N 		Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many wills of service personnel were lost by his Department or the armed services in each of the last five years; and how many of these were of service personnel who died on operations.
(86772)
86
N 		Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, columns 1293-4W, on departmental public expenditure, under what categories of cost within his Department's Efficiency programme he expects savings to be made for each of the next four financial years.
(86844)
87
Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy not to sell the wrecks of Royal Navy ships on which there was loss of life.
(86945)
88
Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to cease using depleted uranium in ammunition.
(87161)
89
N 		Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to reply to the letter of 25 November 2011 from the hon. Member for Harrow West to the Mininster for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans; and if he will make a statement.
(86887)
90
Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the contribution of Ministry of Defence Police to the security of the defence estate in Scotland.
(87011)
Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister
91
N 		Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when the proposals for new parliamentary constituencies in Wales will be published.
(86854)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Education
92
N 		Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evaluation his Department plans to undertake on his proposed phonics screening at age six (a) 12 months and (b) 24 months following the commencement of the programme; and whether he plans to evaluate the effects of screening on children with speech, language and communication needs.
(86805)
93
N 		Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to primary schools on implementing the phonics screening at age six; and whether any such guidance will include information on how to assist children with speech, language and communication needs.
(86806)
94
N 		Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effects of his proposed phonics screening at age six on children with (a) special educational needs and (b)speech, language and communication needs; and if he will make a statement.
(86807)
95
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 month period for which information is available.
(86997)
96
Karen Lumley (Redditch): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people undertook a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course in England in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of them went on to jobs teaching in England.
(87113)
97
N 		Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether funding for specialist education support services for children with special educational needs in academies will be (a) considered a relevant factor in the calculation of local authority central spending equivalent grants and (b) recouped from local authorities in 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.
(86769)
98
Andrew Stephenson (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to promote deaf awareness amongst schoolteachers.
(86935)
99
N 		Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers he expects to undertake training in the reading recovery intervention in 2011-12.
(86712)
100
N 		Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many qualified reading recovery teachers there are in schools.
(86713)
101
N 		Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children receiving reading recovery intervention are eligible for free school meals.
(86714)
102
N 		Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much matched funding his Department has provided to schools for phonics products and services since May 2010.
(86715)
103
N 		Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support his Department is providing to the national co-ordination of the reading recovery intervention.
(86716)
104
Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to record the number of children who experience neglect.
(87157)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
105
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what arrangements have been made for the meeting of the G20 energy ministers which the UK is hosting in 2012.
(87086)
106
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the (a) location and (b) agenda is of the meeting of the G20 energy ministers in April 2012 which the UK is hosting; what other arrangements have been made for the meeting; and if he will make a statement.
(87087)
107
Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether he plans to provide any additional financial support to private sector tenants whose landlords have carried out the maximum package of measures funded under the Green Deal or Energy Company Obligation, but continue to be classified as being in fuel poverty.
(86975)
108
Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what process his Department plans to follow to determine whether a landlord has carried out the maximum package of measures funded under the Green Deal or Energy Company Obligation for improving energy efficiency in housing under the provisions of the Energy Act 2011.
(86976)
109
Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what measures he plans to put in place to protect tenants from eviction in cases where they request energy efficiency improvements.
(86977)
110
N 		Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what diary engagements he undertook on the afternoon of 31 October 2011.
(86861)
111
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86988)
112
Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he will ensure that the same opportunities for fuel bill management are provided to those living in rural areas and those living in urban areas.
(87155)
113
Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what account his Department's consultation on smart meters and methods of connecting them will take of the difficulties encountered in the provision of broadband to rural areas.
(87158)
114
Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps his Department is taking to assess (a) wireless, (b) cellular and (c) other options for the installation and subsequent operation of smart meters.
(87159)
115
Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans he has to consult the Welsh Government on technology for the operation of smart meters.
(87168)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
116
Mary Creagh (Wakefield): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the proportion of land in the UK that is not farmed under Pillar 2 agri-environment schemes.
(86946)
117
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support the Government is providing through international organisations to tackle the poaching of elephants in Central and West Africa.
(87154)
118
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.
(86987)
119
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many live (a) cats and (b) dogs have been (i) imported into and (ii) exported from the UK in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.
(87165)
120
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, from which countries live (a) cats and (b) dogs are imported into the UK; and if she will make a statement.
(87166)
121
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of live (a) cats and (b) dogs which have been illegally imported into the UK in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.
(87167)
122
N 		Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place in the Library a copy of her Department's response to the British Standards Institution's recent consultation on its position for the European Committee for Standardisation vote on establishing a new European traceable and sustainable cocoa standard.
(86722)
123
Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the EU Egg Marketing regulations to be amended.
(87217)
124
Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost to (a) manufacturers, (b) food processors and (c) retailers of policing the illegal import of non-compliant eggs under the EU Directive on Welfare of Laying Hens.
(87218)
125
Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the proportion of water-bill payers in (a) the South West and (b) other regions of the UK who spend more than five per cent. of their income on their water bills.
[R] (86937)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
126
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will have discussions with the Sikh Council UK and Sikh Federation (UK) on policy matters relating to the Sikh community.
(87195)
127
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to met the Sikh Federation (UK) to discuss Italian airport security checks on British Sikhs.
(87198)
128
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Italian government on airport security checks on British Sikhs.
(87199)
129
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to meet representatives of the Sikh community to discuss the case of Professor Darinderpal Singh Bhullar.
(87201)
130
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has mde to the Indian authorities on the case of Daljit Singh Bittu.
(87202)
131
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Indian authorities on the case of Professor Darinderpal Singh Bhullar.
(87203)
132
Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many of his Department's UK-based staff are serving in overseas postings; and how many of them have completed the extensive level language qualification which is linked to additional remuneration.
(86983)
133
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his most recent assessment is of Croatia's readiness to join the EU.
(87206)
134
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his most recent assessment is of the human rights situation in Belarus.
(87209)
135
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his most recent assessment is of the political situation in Sri Lanka.
(87210)
136
N 		Robert Halfon (Harlow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the US government on the Union of Good; and if he will make a statement.
(86593)
137
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86999)
138
N 		Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what dates Mr William Browder visited his Department to discuss the case of Sergei Magnitsky; and which (a) Ministers and (b) officials he met on each such occasion.
(86848)
139
Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of alleged election fraud in the recent Croatian election.
(87163)
140
Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will have discussions with Council of Europe election monitors on alleged irregularities in the recent Croation elections.
(87164)
141
N 		Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 56W, on Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12, and with reference to his confirmation of the UK's commitment to the Ruggie principles, what assessment he has made of the letter sent by Professor Ruggie to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Huntingdon, on the effects of his proposed reforms in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill on the ability of impecunious people to secure representation and justice in cases (a) against businesses and (b) of human rights abuse.
(86843)
142
N 		Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Saudi Arabia on Khaled al-Johani.
(86724)
143
N 		Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterparts on a proposed anti-terror law for Saudi Arabia.
(86725)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Health
144
Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people under the age of 18 years have been treated by NHS hospitals in 2011 up to the most recent date for which information is available; and what the equivalent figure is for the same period in 2010.
(86985)
145
Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times stomach pumping was used in NHS hospitals for the treatment of excessive alcohol consumption since 1 January 2011; what proportion of patients so treated were under the age of 18; and how these figures compare to the equivalent time period in 2010.
(87120)
146
Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) males and (b) females under the age of 18 have been treated for (i) alcohol-induced and (ii) obesity-induced illness in NHS hospitals (A) since 1 January 2011 and (B) in the equivalent period in 2010.
(87121)
147
Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government plans to take to tackle HIV stigma; and if he will make a statement.
(87122)
148
Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which organisations that provide private healthcare services (a) he and (b) each other Minister in his Department has met since May 2010; and on what date each such meeting took place.
(87076)
149
Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which NHS organisations other than hospitals (a) he and (b) each other Minister in his Department has visited since May 2010; and on what date each such visit took place.
(87077)
150
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what targets he has set for the Tobacco Control Plan; whether a behaviour change plan has been produced to reduce smoking in cars around children; and what steps he plans to take to evaluate the effect of such a plan on parents' behaviour.
(86974)
151
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to work with the national media to raise awareness of the risks in exposing children to second-hand smoke.
(87224)
152
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase early diagnosis of endometriosis.
(87207)
153
Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the levels of alcohol abuse amongst military veterans.
(87108)
154
Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the levels of (a) homelessness and (b) mental health problems amongst military veterans.
(87109)
155
Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has spent on hospitality since May 2010.
(87156)
156
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86998)
157
Karen Lumley (Redditch): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what account is taken by specialised commissioning groups of (a) in-year costs of treatment and (b) long-term savings in making their funding decisions.
(87114)
158
Karen Lumley (Redditch): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of whether the West Midlands Specialised Commissioning Group is following expert clinical opinion in its commissioning policy on vagus nerve stimulation for patients with refractive epilepsy.
(87115)
159
Karen Lumley (Redditch): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to ensure that counterfeit medications do not enter the NHS supply chain; and what effects such medications have had on the pharmaceutical industry.
(87116)
160
Mark Menzies (Fylde): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the likely effect of his proposed reforms of the NHS on dementia care for the elderly.
(87211)
161
Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when (a) he and (b) officials of his Department last (i) met and (ii) corresponded or otherwise communicated with representatives of (A) Herbalife UK Ltd and (B) any other member of the Herbalife International group; and for what purpose.
(87082)
162
Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when (a) he and (b) his officials next plan to raise with (a) the European Commissioner, (b) his Ministerial counterparts in other EU Member States and (c) officials in other Member States his plans for the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under the provisions of Article 5 of the EU Food Supplements Directive.
(87083)
163
Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he last discussed with the European Commission his plans for the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under the provisions of Article 5 of the EU Food Supplements Directive; and what response he received.
(87084)
164
Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when his plans are for the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under the provisions of Article 5 of the EU Food Supplements Directive; and whether he plans to seek to repatriate to the UK competence for legislation in this area.
(87085)
165
Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2011, Official Report, column 351W, on organs: donors, on what evidential basis he expects a 50 per cent. increase in deceased donor numbers in 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.
(87081)
166
N 		Chris Skidmore (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of users of adult social care services are not self-funding in each local authority area.
(86718)
167
Andrew Stephenson (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to promote deaf awareness amongst (a) staff in care homes and (b) doctors, nurses and hospital staff.
(86936)
168
N 		Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, by what process (a) local authorities and (b) hon. Members can seek to initiate a reconfiguration of NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement.
(86717)
Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department
169
Hilary Benn (Leeds Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is her policy to prioritise consideration of valid in-time applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) over other applications for ILR.
(87216)
170
Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons she has decided to discontinue the production and publication of a human trafficking strategy jointly with the Scottish Government.
(86931)
171
Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what meetings she has had with the Scottish Government to discuss a UK-wide approach to tackling (a) human trafficking and (b) child trafficking since May 2010.
(86932)
172
N 		Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many care homes in (a) Hampshire and (b) Southampton have been subject to police investigations in the last two years.
(86597)
173
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the provisions of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 in deterring metal theft.
(87223)
174
N 		Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued any covert licences for security guards at Thames Water.
(86598)
175
N 		Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many covert licences were issued in the last two years.
(86599)
176
N 		Robert Halfon (Harlow): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the US government on the Union of Good; and if she will make a statement.
(86592)
177
N 		Robert Halfon (Harlow): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the representation of people listed by her Department as supporters of the Union of Good on bodies funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement.
(86881)
178
Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many DNA samples of people from each ethnic group were retained by the police in respect of people arrested but not subsequently convicted of any crime in the latest period for which figures are available.
(87170)
179
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(87000)
180
N 		Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2011, Official Report, column 457W, on EU Justice and Home Affairs, what progress has been made in compiling the list of police and criminal justice instruments adopted under the pre-Lisbon Treaty third pillar arrangements which would be liable to transfer to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in 2014 should the UK opt to accept the transfer at the end of the transitional period granted under Article 10 of Protocol 36 to the consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union.
(86853)
181
N 		Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to reply to the letters from the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling dated 26 January, 17 May and 8 July 2011 regarding correspondence received from Mr F. G. Thurygill.
(86372)
182
N 		Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when Oxbridge-IT Ltd was awarded a contract with the UK Border Agency; when and for what reason this contract was terminated; and if she will make a statement.
(86884)
183
Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding the Serious and Organised Crime Agency will receive in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.
(87105)
184
Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the National Policing Improvement Agency in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.
(87106)
185
Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding the National Policing Improvement Agency will receive in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.
(87107)
186
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when (a) each of the three centres in China and (b) the centre in Vietnam which provide non-human primates to UK designated user establishments (i) are due next to be reviewed and (ii) were last reviewed.
(87110)
187
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the findings were of the most recent reviews of the two Mauritian centres which have supplied animals to the UK for scientific procedures in the last two years.
(87111)
188
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her Department plans to implement EU legislation on reducing the number of animals used in scientific research and replacing them with non-animal methods wherever possible.
(87112)
189
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, what her policy is on the use of alternative centres that do not restock their breeding animals from the wild and whose non-human primates are all purpose and captive bred.
(87117)
190
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much and what proportion of research funding was allocated to the development of alternatives to the use of non-human primates (NHP); and how much and what proportion of funding was allocated to research using NHPs in the latest period for which figures are available.
(87225)
191
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will impose a moratorium on the development and testing of vaccines against malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB on non-human primates.
(87226)
192
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will impose a moratorium on the use of non-human primates (NHP) for the development of treatments of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's due to differences in the brain structures between humans and NHPs.
(87227)
193
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many licences under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were granted for research on non-human primates (NHP) that included water deprivation as a permissible motivational tool in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010; to which species of NHP such licences related; and for what reasons such licences were granted.
(87228)
194
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on the prospects for successful implementation of her policy to reduce dependence on wild caught animals for breeding and supply of animals for scientific purposes to the UK of (a) the location of supply centres outside the jurisdiction of the UK and (b) the need to identify different generational offspring.
(87229)
195
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is a formal requirement for all institutions carrying out regulated procedures using non-human primates (NHP) to have in place formal confirmation from the supply centre that the NHP was not weaned at less than six months of age; and what the source is of any such requirement.
(87230)
196
Chris Williamson (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of non-human primates authorised to be used in regulated procedures in the last 12 months were weaned at under six months of age because they were abandoned or orphaned.
(87231)
197
David Wright (Telford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has any plans to allow police forces to charge fees for firearms licences that reflect the cost of administering them.
(87204)
198
N 		Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources she plans to provide for (a) publicity and (b) measures to encourage a diverse range of candidates in respect of the positions of Police and Crime Commissioners; and what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse of such resources.
(86802)
Questions to the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission
199
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much the House spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(87006)
Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development
200
Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what projects his Department is sponsoring in Kashmir; and how much it has spent in Kashmir since May 2010.
(87078)
201
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking together with the Afghan government to prevent exploitation of Afghanistan's mineral wealth.
(87169)
202
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86992)
203
N 		Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what contribution his Department plans to make to the development of a new European standard for sustainable and traceable cocoa; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that the standard meets the demands of smallholder cocoa producers in developing countries and acts as a driver to improve their social and economic development.
(86720)
204
N 		Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with the Turkish government on the recent earthquake in that country.
(86723)
205
N 		Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the development of an official development assistance monitoring strategy.
(86726)
206
Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with UK-based pharmaceutical companies to encourage their participation in the medicine patent pool.
(87012)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
207
N 		Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that his forthcoming proposals for reform of the probation service do not place the public at risk.
(86623)
208
N 		Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many care homes in (a) Hampshire and (b) Southampton have been subject to (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful prosecutions in the last two years.
(86596)
209
N 		Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the introduction of a six day week for HM Courts and Tribunals Service to hear appeals on decisions of the work capability assessment.
(86847)
210
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86993)
211
Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people the Youth Justice Board recorded as injured in each young offenders' institute in each of the last eight years; how many injuries were recorded in total; how many were recorded as serious injuries; and if he will make a statement.
(86929)
212
N 		Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has contacted any potential candidates for the role of Chief Coroner.
(86773)
213
N 		Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he expects to provide a substantive reply to Question 84642 tabled on 29 November 2011 for named day answer on 5 December 2011.
(86706)
214
N 		Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reasons the round table consultation meeting on matters relating to personal injury was postponed; and when he expects the round table to be held.
(86711)
215
N 		Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he had expected to publish the Government's response to the consultation on solving disputes in the county courts; for what reasons publication of the Government's response has been delayed; and when he expects to publish the Government's response.
(86727)
216
N 		Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which organisations his Department had discussions with on the consultation on solving disputes in the county courts (a) before and (b) after the consultation closed; and how many submissions to the consultation were received.
(86728)
217
Andrew Stephenson (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to promote deaf awareness amongst police officers and prison staff.
(86934)
Questions to the Leader of the House
218
N 		Hugh Bayley (York Central): To ask the Leader of the House, if he will bring forward proposals for a supplementary ballot for additional private Members' bills in any future Parliamentary session which lasts for longer than one year.
(86683)
219
N 		Claire Perry (Devizes): To ask the Leader of the House, what recent assessment he has made of the House's sitting hours.
(86681)
220
N 		Mr John Spellar (Warley): To ask the Leader of the House, on what date the Queen's Speech will be held in the next Session of Parliament.
(86768)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
221
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
(86990)
Questions to the Prime Minister
222
Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on (a) the potential use of the veto and (b) other matters relating to the European Council meeting of 8 and 9 December 2011 since the Joint Ministerial Committee held on 21 December 2011.
(87220)
223
Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he had on (a) the potential use of the veto and (b) other matters relating to the European Council meeting of 8 and 9 December 2011 at the Joint Ministerial Committee held on 21 November 2011.
(87221)
224
N 		Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth): To ask the Prime Minister, what the (a) name and (b) payscale is of each special adviser appointed since 14 October 2011.
(86855)
225
N 		Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down): To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he had with the Office of First and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland on the most recent European Council meeting.
(86709)
226
N 		Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down): To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the effect on Northern Ireland of the outcome of the most recent European Council meeting.
(86710)
227
Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he had with the (a) Scottish Executive, (b) Welsh Government, (c) Northern Ireland Executive and (d) Mayor of London on use of a veto by the UK before the recent European Council.
(87008)
228
Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Prime Minister, from which Departments Ministers and officials who accompanied him to the recent European Council were drawn.
(87009)
229
Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Prime Minister, when he next expects the Joint Ministerial Committee to meet.
(87010)
230
N 		Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East): To ask the Prime Minister, whether his (a) Chief of Staff and (b) Director of Strategy has met representatives of (i) Bell Pottinger Group and (ii) clients of Bell Pottinger Group on the recommendation of that Group since May 2010; on what dates any such meetings took place; and what was discussed.
(86774)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland
231
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 month period for which information is available.
(86989)
232
Angus Robertson (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the effect on Scotland's interests in the EU following the Prime Minister's use of a veto at the recent European Council.
(86982)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
233
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Sikh Council UK and Sikh Federation (UK) on policy matters relating to the Sikh community.
(87194)
234
Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with management of East Midlands Airport on the swabbing of religious headgear of (a) passengers and (b) airport workers.
(87200)
235
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Network Rail about further redoubling of the Oxford to Hereford railway line.
(86938)
236
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to propose revised specifications for the Cotswold line franchise to increase the frequency of trains from Great Malvern to London.
(86939)
237
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Network Rail on the creation of a Worcester Parkway station.
(86940)
238
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what additional services she plans to specify in the new North Cotswold Line franchise invitation to tender.
(86941)
239
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish an invitation to tender for the North Cotswold line franchise from 2013.
(86942)
240
N 		Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's Structural Reform Monthly Implementation Plan, what progress has been made on work to review the Highways Agency.
(86804)
241
N 		Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the business case for the Intercity Express programme fleet to be deployed on the (a) Great Western Main Line and (b) East Coast Main Line.
(86849)
242
N 		Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the annual number of additional car journeys to take place attributable to (a) the end of concessionary coach travel funding and (b) reductions in funding from the Bus Service Operators Grant.
(86850)
243
N 		Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on increasing the number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
(86851)
244
N 		Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2011, Official Report, columns 262-64W, on Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, what contribution her Department plans to make to the budget of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in each year of the current spending review period; and how much her Department contributed in each of the last five years.
(86852)
245
N 		Bill Esterson (Sefton Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential effects on public safety of the closure of Liverpool coastguard station.
(86845)
246
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what services are delivered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency regional offices in Scotland.
(87025)
247
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, at how many locations in Scotland the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency shares office accommodation with other Government agencies.
(87026)
248
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices in Scotland proposed for closure was funded through the private finance initiative.
(87027)
249
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the staff (a) turnover and (b) absentee rate was at each Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency office in Scotland in each of the last five years.
(87028)
250
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the running costs were of each Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) office in Scotland in each of the last five years; and what the fixed accommodation cash running costs of DVLA office buildings in Scotland were over each of the last five years.
(87029)
251
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average length of service is of staff currently employed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency at each of its locations in Scotland.
(87030)
252
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with which estate partners the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency holds contracts relating to accommodation and facilities management for its regional offices in Scotland.
(87031)
253
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has to transfer its delivery of services from Scotland to other parts of the UK; at what locations offices are being retained by the DVLA in Scotland; and what functions these offices will fulfil.
(87032)
254
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent on refitting, repairs and general maintenance of each Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency regional office in Scotland proposed for vacation or closure in each of the last five years.
(87033)
255
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of her Department's liability for redundancy payments consequent upon the planned closure of each Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency office in Scotland.
(87034)
256
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices in Scotland identified for vacation following the announcement of the rationalisation programme are (a) owned or (b) leased; what estimate her Department has made of the costs of relinquishing leases; and what estimate it has made of the cost of vacating those offices.
(87035)
257
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the possible effects of the proposed closure of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices in Scotland on the time taken to issue licences.
(87036)
258
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland on the proposed closure of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices in Scotland.
(87037)
259
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much her Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 month period for which information is available.
(86994)
260
N 		Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle Upon Tyne North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Oral Statement of the then Secretary of State for Transport of 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 178, on transport (investment), whether the £4 million funding to accelerate the upgrade of the Tyne and Wear Metro announced in section A.26 of the Autumn Statement 2011 is additional to the £350 million investment announced in the Oral Statement.
(86708)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales
261
N 		Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions her Department has had with the (a) Welsh Government and (b) Driving Standards Agency on (i) the provision of drink drive rehabilitation courses in Wales and (ii) ensuring a consistent approach to such courses in each constituent part of the UK.
(86595)
262
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much her Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 month period for which information is available.
(86991)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
263
Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government's response to the Sayce Review, what further consideration he has given to the recommendations in the Sayce Review on data collection on disability; and if he will make a statement.
(86979)
264
Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the effectiveness of the Work programme will be measured; and if he will make a statement.
(87160)
265
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people in the work-related activity group of contributory employment and support allowance with (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) other long-term degenerative conditions.
(86973)
266
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of reassessing those on contributory employment and support allowance in the work-related activity group to see if they qualify for the support group at the end of the 12 month time limit.
(86981)
267
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people unable to work due to endometriosis.
(87208)
268
Chris Evans (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people unable to work due to inflammatory bowel disease.
(87222)
269
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 month period for which information is available.
(87001)
270
Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to improve the speed of administration of the winter fuel allowance for those aged over 80 so that people who turn 80 after 27 September in a given year receive the higher level that winter; if he will consider paying a proportion of the over 80 rate of winter fuel allowance to people who turn 80 after 27 September in a particular year once their claim has been processed; and if he will make a statement.
(86927)
271
Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people claim jobseeker's allowance (JSA) in Bridgend constituency; how many people he estimates would receive JSA if the work capability assessment (WCA) were applied to all existing recipients of employment and support allowance (ESA) and incapacity benefit (IB) in Bridgend constituency; how many people he estimates would be in the work-related group of ESA if the WCA were applied to all existing recipients of ESA and IB in Bridgend constituency; how many job vacancies originating in Bridgend constituency were advertised by Jobcentre Plus in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
(86928)
272
Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the annual level of savings to the public purse which will accrue from reforming pension credit to require both partners to be eligible for pension credit in order to qualify for the couples rate; how many couples in Bridgend constituency comprise one person of working age and one person eligible for pension credit; and if he will make a statement.
(86930)
273
Toby Perkins (Chesterfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people over the age of 50 years have found paid employment as a result of the Work programme.
(86944)
274
N 		Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to make an announcement on the arrangements for the consultation for changes to the Independent Living Fund.
(86729)
Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
275
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Downing Street Estate spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
[Transferred] (87005)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
276
N 		Owen Smith (Pontypridd): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many mortgages supported by the Government's new build indemnity scheme he expects to be additional mortgages; and how many such mortgages he estimates would have been issued in any case.
[Transferred] (86860)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport
277
N 		Bob Blackman (Harrow East): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, what recent progress he has made on reforming football governance.
[Question Unstarred] (86795)
278
N 		Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the closure of community sports facilities as a result of reductions in local authority funding.
[Question Unstarred] (86800)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
279
Hilary Benn (Leeds Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on the participation of local authorities in Local Nature Partnerships.
[Transferred] (87152)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
280
Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much the South Asia Conflict Prevention Programme has spent in Kashmir in each year since 2007.
[Transferred] (87079)
Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development
281
N 		Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how the development of a new European standard for sustainable and traceable cocoa will take into account the interests of smallholder cocoa producers in developing countries and ensure they are consulted and involved in the standard setting process; and if he will make a statement.
[Transferred] (86721)
Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
282
N 		Owen Smith (Pontypridd): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Youth Contract on the level of employment.
[Transferred] (86858)

Prepared 15th December 2011