Japan Tobacco International
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010. [87619]
Anne Milton: No Minister or special adviser has received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.
Details of all hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers are published quarterly in arrears on the Department's website. Data from 1 January 2010 up to the end of June 2011 can be found at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartment Leaders/Departmentdirectors/DH_110759
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency: Redundancy
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many redundancies have been announced in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in each of the last 12 months; and how many people have been made redundant; [88378]
(2) whether his Department imposes a limit on the number of staff employed at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. [88654]
Mr Simon Burns: There are no limits placed on the amount of staff employed at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
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The MHRA has made a number of staff redundant during the period 1 December 2010 to 30 November 2011, all as a result of the requirements of the Government efficiency programme. During this period a total of 27 staff were given notice of redundancy and 16 of those have left as a result of redundancy. The remaining 11 members of staff are due to leave between 1 December 2011 and mid 2012. These are listed as follows:
| Date of leaving | |
Mental Health Services
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people in each age group under 25 years of age who have received mental health treatment in the last 10 years. [87927]
Paul Burstow: The majority of mental health treatment is given in primary care settings, for example, treatment for depression. This information is not routinely collected from primary care settings.
Accordingly, only information on treatment in secondary care can be provided. The Mental Health Minimum Dataset (MHMDS) covers secondary mental health services for adults arid a small group of patients under 16-years-old who have accessed adult services.
The following tables, from the “Mental Health Bulletin MHMDS annual returns, 2011”, present the number of adults using national health service funded secondary mental health services by treatment, gender, and age for each of the years for which figures are available:
| Number of people using adult NHS funded secondary mental health services by gender and five year age band, 2010-11 | ||||
| Admitted | Non-admitted | No care (1) | Total | |
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| (1) ‘No care’ refers to an open spell of care but there was no evidence of contact with services. This may include inappropriate referrals, people who did not attend for appointments and people whose treatment is yet to start. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre MHMDS) 2010-11 annual returns | ||||
| Number of people using mental health services by gender and age, 2006-07 to 2010-11 | |||||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre MHMDS 2006-07 to 2010-11 annual returns | |||||
Muscular Dystrophy
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to (a) provide integrated care processes and (b) establish managed clinical networks for neuromuscular conditions; and if he will make a statement. [87237]
Paul Burstow: During 2010-11, the 10 regional specialised commissioning groups (SCGs) and the national specialised commissioning team (NSCT) collaborated to produce a detailed work plan for neuromuscular services.
This neuromuscular workstream is led by East of England SCG, working with the individual SCG/NSCT neuromuscular leads. In July, a more formal group was established and the existing work plan was enlarged to include communications and engagement.
A workshop to which patients, carers and support organisations were invited was held in December 2011. At this workshop the SCGs presented draft service specifications for neuromuscular services and for wheelchair services. These service specifications, which set out the standards of service that all neuromuscular patients in England should expect to receive, will be consulted on and then finalised by April 2012, when the SCGs will start to implement them.
At this workshop it was also announced that a national lead for specialist neuromuscular care would be appointed.
Neurology
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the report by the National Audit Office on Services for people with neurological conditions, HC 1586, what steps he plans to take to ensure that people with neurological conditions are supported in the community and avoid unnecessary hospital stays. [88563]
Paul Burstow: We welcome the National Audit Office report on services for people with neurological conditions. The report is now being studied carefully and the Government note the report's recommendations. We will respond to the report at the Public Accounts Committee hearing on 18 January 2012.
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines in the convergence of commissioning policies for specialised neurosurgery across England. [88638]
Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published a number of clinical guidelines which have impacted on the delivery of specialised neurosurgery including those for head injury, epilepsy, back pain, metastatic spinal cord compression, Parkinson's Disease, stroke and the Improving Outcomes Guidance for Central Nervous System tumours. Each of these include standards of care which will be included in a national commissioning specification for specialised neurosurgery from April 2013. The performance against these standards will be assessed using service specific quality measures.
NHS
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of early implementer (a) health and wellbeing boards and (b) local healthwatch organisations in encouraging (i) children and young people and (ii) people with mental health problems to contribute to shaping local NHS services. [87911]
Paul Burstow: Health and wellbeing boards will increase the influence of local people in shaping services, so that local services can better meet local needs. They will have a duty to involve local people in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and joint health and wellbeing strategy.
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HealthWatch organisations must be inclusive and fully representative of all those in the communities they serve, including the interests of children and young people and those with mental health problems.
It is for health and wellbeing boards and HealthWatch organisations to establish their own local arrangements to meet these expectations and to engage effectively with local people. We are working with early implementer health and wellbeing boards through a National Learning Network, and with HealthWatch pathfinders, to support them as they establish how best to do this.
NHS: Drugs
Mr Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are made available to all patients in the NHS. [88277]
Mr Lansley: The national health service is required to fund drugs and technologies recommended in National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals, in line with the NHS Constitution.
The NHS chief executive's report, “Innovation, Health and Wealth” sets out plans to ensure rapid and consistent implementation of NICE technology appraisal recommendations throughout the NHS.
NHS: ICT
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS trusts procure third generation Picture Archiving and Communications Systems; [88111]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of the (a) second and (b) third generation Picture Archiving and Communications Systems. [88112]
Mr Simon Burns: Re-procurement of Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS), Radiology Information System (RIS) and imaging archives for when the original Local Service Provider (LSP) contracts expire are the responsibility of the local national health service trusts, in line with the Government's localisation agenda. The Department is providing support to trusts as they enter this process including provision of a set of NHS defined core requirements that trusts can use to develop their own locally tailored requirements. These requirements combine the best features of the current systems with innovative options that were not available when the LSP contracts were originally let, and will enable trusts to procure more innovative and updated technology according to local needs.
The re-procurement decisions for PACS, RIS and image archives are made by the local NHS trusts so a national estimate of costs has not been made.
NHS: Pensions
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid in pension payments from the NHS pension scheme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [87956]
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Mr Simon Burns: The following figures are pension payments made to pensioners, widows and dependants.
| £ billion | |
The data have been provided by the NHS Pensions Agency and the totals do not include lump sum payments.
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid in contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme by NHS (a) employees and (b) employers in 2008-09. [88077]
Mr Simon Burns: Contributions made to the NHS pension scheme in 2008-09 by employees were £2.547 billion and employer contributions were £5,007 billion.
These data were provided by the NHS Pensions Agency.
NHS: Redundancy Pay
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of redundancy payments to NHS staff was in 2011. [87907]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not collected in the format requested. Information from the Audited NHS (England) Summarised Accounts for the financial year 2010-11 shows that the total resource cost of staff exit packages for strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and national health service trusts in the 2010-11 financial year was £219.6 million. This figure includes £87.7 million for compulsory redundancies and £131.9 million for other departures. The figure for other departures includes early retirements (excluding those because of ill-health). It is not possible to separately identify this cost, or the cost of voluntary redundancies from the data collected.
The disclosure in the accounts reports the number and value of exit packages taken by staff leaving in the year. The expense associated with these departures may have been recognised in part or in full in a previous period.
The Department does not collect data from NHS foundation trusts. Where an NHS trust obtains foundation trust status part way through any year, the data provided are only for the part of the year the organisation operated as an NHS trust.
Out of Area Treatment: Scotland
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients ordinarily resident in Scotland have had elective surgery in hospitals in England in each of the last five years. [88158]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is shown in the following table:
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| Number of finished admission episodes where the patient is resident in Scotland and treated by the national health service (in England) for elective surgery, 2006-07 to 2010-11 | |||||
| Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | |||||
| Current strategic health authority of residence | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 |
| Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care | |||||
Pain: Clinics
Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2008, what steps he is taking to increase the availability of specialist pain clinics in the NHS. [87952]
Paul Burstow: We are putting front-line clinicians in charge of the commissioning of the services needed for their local populations, including specialist pain management services. Clinical guidance to support commissioners is already available from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and from professional organisations, and a series of clinical pathways for pain management is being developed by the British Pain Society. We have also asked NICE, subject to further scoping work, to develop one or more Quality Standards for pain management which will set out the standards of care to which all national health service organisations should aspire. The recently published Atlas of Variation, drawing on information from the National Pain Audit, will give commissioners an indication of where pain management services may in particular need to be improved.
Radiotherapy
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 312W, on radiotherapy, what steps he plans to take to ensure that primary care trusts can only use funding to expand radiotherapy capacity in 2012-13 for that purpose; [87718]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2011, Official Report, column 637W, on radiotherapy, if the recommendations made in the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group report, Radiotherapy: developing a world-class service for England, are the benchmark for providing patients with appropriate access to radiotherapy treatment; [87737]
(3) if he will impose penalties on commissioners who do not develop plans which ensure that local populations have appropriate access to radiotherapy treatment. [87738]
Paul Burstow: Additional funding for the expansion of radiotherapy capacity, as well as existing funding for radiotherapy, is included in overall primary care trust (PCT) baseline allocations which amount to around £85 billion nationally.
The Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), does not mandate how much PCTs are to spend on particular services within these overall allocations. PCTs have
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local discretion to decide how to use their overall allocation to commission services, including radiotherapy services, to meet the health care needs of their local populations. For the future, the national health service will be held to account for the delivery of improved outcomes and, in order to achieve them, commissioners will need to ensure that patients have access to radiotherapy where appropriate. The recommendations in the report ‘Radiotherapy: developing a world-class service for England’ by the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG), published in May 2007, remain relevant to ensuring that patients have appropriate access to radiotherapy treatment. The recommendations included collecting data nationally so that the public, the NHS and the Department can see radiotherapy activity. The Radiotherapy Dataset (RTDS) is now fully implemented and ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer’, published earlier this year, made the commitment to undertake a detailed analysis of the RTDS to ensure that metrics in the NRAG report remain meaningful and current.
The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group supported by the National Cancer Action Team has worked with cancer networks and radiotherapy centres to help them plan to meet the capacity and activity recommendations in the NRAG report of 2007.
The Health and Social Care Bill, subject to parliamentary approval, proposes that commissioning for specialised services at both a regional and national level will be in future directly commissioned by the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB), from April 2013. No decisions have yet been taken on which services will be directly commissioned by the NHSCB from April 2013.
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to the answer of 6 September 2011, Official Report, column 587W, on radiotherapy, what his policy is on penalties for commissioners who do not follow the guidance issued by the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group on providing access to stereotactic radiotherapy body treatment to cancer patients; [87719]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 127W, on radiotherapy, if he will publish the evidential basis for his statement that stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment is available to NHS patients in a quarter of all radiotherapy centres in England. [87739]
Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not issued any guidance on the use Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (now known as Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy, SABR). Any funding decisions in the absence of NICE guidance should be made by local primary care trusts based on an assessment of the available evidence and taking account of individual circumstances. The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group report provides useful information in the absence of NICE guidance. There are no penalties for commissioners who do not follow this type of guidance.
The Department does not monitor the availability of this treatment. However, the National Cancer Action Team (NCAT) undertook an informal survey of radiotherapy centres at the end of 2010. This survey concluded that SABR was available in a quarter of all centres. NCAT estimates that there are 20 or more
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machines capable of delivering SABR and that for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (mainly for cranial lesions) availability is greater.
Stem Cells
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on the future use of stem cells. [87742]
Anne Milton: The Department keeps developments in stem cell science under routine review in order to assess the potential for improved health care treatments.
Following a review of current national health service stem cell transplant services the report “Future of Unrelated Donor Stem Cell Transplantation in the UK” was published in December 2010. A copy has already been placed in the Library. £4 million was made available for improving United Kingdom stem cell services in this financial year. Also, in July 2011, we published, with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, a document entitled “Taking Stock of Regenerative Medicine in the United Kingdom”, which included consideration of future stem cell therapies. A copy has been placed in the Library.
Discussions have taken place between the Department and others to agree an appropriate response to the recent European Court of Justice ruling on patenting human embryonic stem cells.
Sugar
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had on the merits of introducing a responsibility deal relating to drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. [87701]
Anne Milton: Ministers have held no discussions on the merits of introducing a responsibility deal relating to drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. However, Ministers have held discussions through the High Level Steering Group of the Public Health Responsibility Deal Food Network on developing a calorie reduction pledge, which could encompass relevant action on such drinks.
Telemedicine: Care Homes
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of likely savings from using telemedicine technologies in care homes. [87944]
Paul Burstow: The Department has not made any formal assessment of likely savings that might result from using telemedicine technologies in care homes.
Initial headline findings from the Whole System Demonstrator programme demonstrate that, in the national health service, appropriate use of telehealth can lead to significant reductions in mortality and hospital admissions, leading to efficiency gains. The Whole System Demonstrator programme was set up by the Department to provide an evaluated evidence base on the benefits of telehealth and telecare.
We consider that telemedicine also has the potential to offer benefits in care home settings.
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Treatment Centres: Runcorn
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to make a decision on the future use of the Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre in Runcorn. [88531]
Mr Simon Burns: Decisions regarding the future use of individual independent sector treatment centres are taken by national health service bodies locally in the context of their overall plans for commissioning local services.
A period of public consultation has recently ended. NHS Halton and St Helens is exploring options for the future utilisation of the building.
Tuberculosis: Drugs
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the implementation of the action plan on multi-drug resistant and extremely drug resistant tuberculosis. [88332]
Anne Milton: Although we have had no recent discussions with other European Ministers on the World Health Organization's (WHO) action plan, the European Union's Strategic Action Plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance published in November 2011 reinforces international commitment to implementing WHO's action plan. The Department is actively working with the EU to take forward the range of recommendations in their Strategic Action Plan.
University College Hospital
Mr Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the public purse was of (a) building and (b) demolishing the hybrid operating theatre at University College Hospital; what the cost to the public purse was of transferring functions for vascular procedures of the hybrid operating theatre at University College Hospital to the Royal Free Hospital; and what the cost was of employment of consultants as a result of transfer of functions. [87639]
Mr Simon Burns: This is a matter for the chair of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to the Foundation Trust Chairman, Richard Murley, informing him of the hon. Member's inquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Energy and Climate Change
Coal Fired Power Stations: Closures
Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which coal-fired power stations will close under the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive; and how many running hours remain for each plant. [87886]
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Charles Hendry: Decisions on operation and closure of coal-fired power stations under the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive are a commercial matter for generators.
The following table shows the coal-fired stations that will close under the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive, along with the running hours remaining for each plant, as at the end of October 2011.
| Plant | Hours remaining (as at end October 2011) |
Coal: Concessions
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he has any plans to buy out the national concessionary fuel entitlements of current recipients. [87905]
Gregory Barker: At present there are no current plans to change the existing arrangements of the fuel obligations under the national concessionary fuel scheme (NCFS).
The total number of beneficiaries currently in receipt of entitlements under the NCFS is c78,000, of which over 83% receive cash in lieu payments. Under the terms of the scheme, beneficiaries can move from solid fuel to cash entitlements at any time.
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the national concessionary fuel allowance scheme to end. [87906]
Gregory Barker: Based on the latest actuarial modelling, the national concessionary fuel scheme will exist for up to further 50 years, i.e. until around 2065.
Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013. [88727]
Gregory Barker: April 2010 to March 2011 DECC had 14 staff undertaking an apprenticeship programme. DECC's non-departmental bodies have had none.
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Between April and December 2011 we have had one new apprenticeship start (with the above continuing). DECC's non-departmental bodies have had none.
All future apprenticeships will be based on suitable vacancies arising within the Department. DECC's non-departmental bodies have none currently planned.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013. [88728]
Gregory Barker: DECC is responsible for four executive non-departmental public bodies:
The Civil Nuclear Police Authority
The Coal Authority
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
The Committee on Climate Change
Training in those organisations, including any apprenticeships, is a matter for their management. In each of these NDPBs their remit, very small size or highly specialist nature make it unlikely that they would be suitable for apprenticeships and none of these bodies has therefore allocated specific funding to sponsor internal apprenticeships. Indirectly the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority funds apprenticeship schemes (as it does other staff costs) run by the privately owned site licence companies, which run and decommission the 19 civil public nuclear legacy sites on behalf of the NDA under contract.
Debt Recovery
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement. [88368]
Gregory Barker: DECC has not used services of any debt recovery company since May 2010.
Equality
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case. [88580]
Gregory Barker: The Department has carried out 10 full equality impact assessments since May 2010. During that time, the Department has also carried out 21 initial screenings exercises assessing the impact of equality on its policies and procedures.
A full list of those decisions can be found in the table as follows
| Title and link to URL | Date |
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Energy
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the total cost of levy-funded energy policies in 2010-11 prices between April 2002 and the latest available date; and what estimate he has made of the VAT paid to the Exchequer from such levies. [87511]
Gregory Barker: Levy-funded policies, such as the renewables obligation (RO), feed-in tariffs (FITs), warm home discount (WHD), energy efficiency commitment (EEC), carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) and Community Energy Saving programme (CESP), place various obligations on energy suppliers in order to drive energy efficiency, renewable energy and to provide assistance with energy costs for vulnerable customers. It is expected that energy companies will pass the cost of these obligations onto their various energy customers through their energy bills. To help ensure that policies achieve their objectives cost effectively and affordably the Government introduced a framework to control levy funded spending by DECC at Budget 2011. This framework, covering FITs, RO and WHD forms part of the Government's public spending framework which Treasury has responsibility for.
The estimated total gross cost (excluding the benefits) of each policy between April 2002 and the latest available data are shown in the following table.
| Policy | Time period considered | Estimated gross cost to date, excluding benefits of policies (£ billion, real 2010-11 p rices) |
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It should be stressed that the above figures do not account for the direct benefits to energy consumers from these policies and the impact they have in helping to offset costs. For example, the net impact of CERT and EEC I and II is estimated to be a reduction of £61 (in real 2010 prices) on the average household energy (electricity and gas) bill in 2011 (see:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/about-us/economics-social-research/3593-estimated-impacts-of-our-policies-on-energy-prices.pdf
There are no estimates of the VAT paid to the Exchequer from energy levies.
Energy: Billing
Mr Mark Williams: 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]
Charles Hendry: The Government are keen to ensure that all households have access to opportunities to manage their fuel bills. The Check, Switch, Insulate to Save campaign, signed up to by Ofgem and all major energy suppliers, is aimed at helping all consumers save on energy bills this winter, whether rural or urban. In addition, Government programmes which support the installation of household energy efficiency are GB wide and equally relevant and available to rural and urban households.
Energy: Prices
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has made to energy companies to ensure that consumers on prepayment meters can benefit from the most economical tariffs. [88151]
Charles Hendry: Ofgem is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply, including the rules that govern switching payment methods. New rules introduced by Ofgem in 2009 to prevent unfair price differentials, such as those between different payment methods, have shown that prepayment meter customers now pay, on average, £20 less than standard credit customers for their gas and electricity.
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 803W, on electricity prices, what the monetary value will be of a two to three per cent. increase in the average electricity bill in 2020. [88516]
Charles Hendry: DECC previously estimated that the CCS levy would have added 2-3% (£15-17 in 2009 prices) to average household electricity bills in 2020.
DECC is currently reviewing how CCS projects will be supported in a cost-effective manner as part of the electricity market reform.
Energy: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has received from the Welsh Government on the transfer of powers relating to energy generation above 50MW since May 2011. [88020]
Charles Hendry: At the British-Irish Council summit on 20 June 2011, the Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, raised the issue of the transfer of consenting powers for generating stations over 50 MW to the Welsh Government.
The First Minister subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister on 18 July 2011 requesting a formal review of decision making for major infrastructure projects in Wales. The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), replied on 2 August 2011 stating that the UK Government had not seen any compelling evidence to support such a change.
The Secretary of State met the Welsh Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, John Griffiths, on 24 November 2011. The issue of consenting for major energy infrastructure in Wales was discussed during the course of that meeting.
Environment Protection
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on support for combined heat and power units; what assessment he has made of the effect on users of such units of (a) a carbon floor price and (b) the removal of the levy exemption certificate; and if he will make a statement. [87842]
Gregory Barker: The Government recognises the carbon savings that Good Quality combined-heat and power (CHP) delivers and the role gas CHP plays providing highly cost-effective energy efficiency within the industrial sector.
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Budget 2011 announced that from 2013, the new relief from the carbon price floor for CHP will be introduced and the existing relief from climate change levy provided through levy exemption certificates removed.
A Tax Impact and Information Note on the removal of the exemption was published on 6 December, alongside the draft legislation, and is available at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tiin/tiin700.pdf
The Government are working with the CHP Association and its members in order to develop a simpler, direct and more cost effective means of support for combined heat and power stations.
The level of the relief from the carbon price floor for supplies of fossil fuels to Good Quality CHP stations that are intended to be used to generate electricity will be announced at Budget 2012.
EU Emission Trading Scheme
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the EU emission trading scheme in each year since its introduction. [87832]
Gregory Barker: We do not keep central records of the UK cost of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to the public purse for each year since its introduction in 2005. Such information could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost. I can however set out my Department's expenditure on this over the financial year 2010-11.
The EU ETS is largely implemented by the regulators—the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and DECC's Offshore Division for the Offshore Oil and Gas industry. All the regulators operate on a cost recovery basis, charging for their services according to published charging schedules. The Environment Agency also runs the UK registry, again on a cost recovery basis.
In addition DECC gives grant to the Environment Agency to cover set up costs of new activity. In 2010-11
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this covered the inclusion of aviation into the EU ETS (from 2012) and for Phase III (2013-20) as well as enforcement activity in England. In 2010-11 this grant amounted to £590,000.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) runs on behalf of my Department a number of auctions of EU emission allowances according to a published timetable. DECC pays the administration costs of the DMO delivering this service. For auctions in 2010-11 this payment was approximately £240,000.
In addition DECC staff are involved in the transposition of the 2009 EU ETS directive and development of future emissions trading policy. The devolved Administrations also employ staff working on similar issues. DECC staff costs for those working on EU ETS was approximately £675,000 for the year 2010-11.
Fossil Fuel Levy
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much revenue was held in the fossil fuel levy fund for England and Wales in the last financial year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the annual income to the fund in each year to 2018. [88396]
Charles Hendry: The Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) supported renewable electricity, and operated from 1994 to 2002. It awarded contracts on the basis of a set price for electricity over the period of the contract. Generators bid for renewable contracts, with the lowest bidder winning.
The money needed to support the NFFO was originally raised by a fossil fuel levy on consumer bills set at 10%. The levy is now set at 0% as the money raised from the auction of electricity from NFFO projects covers the payments to the NFFO generators. It also produces an excess due to the high electricity price and the sale of the ROCs attached. This Fossil Fuel Levy account is managed by Ofgem, and transferred to the consolidated fund held by HMT.
The following table shows the revenue held in the Ofgem Fossil Fuel Levy Account for 2010-11.
| 2010-11 England and Wales FFL | |||
| Transfer to HMT | |||
| Period | Balance (£ million) | Date | £ million |
The NFFO scheme is no longer open to new generators, but existing contracts will continue until the last of them expires in 2019. No estimate has been made of the annual income to the fund in each year to 2018. However, since April 2002 the levy rate has remained at 0% and it is reviewed annually based on accumulated income in the Fossil Fuel Levy account.
Green Deal Scheme
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to include energy efficient heating circulation pumps on the list of items eligible for funding under the terms of the Green Deal. [88521]
Gregory Barker: Energy efficient heating circulation pumps are not currently on the list of proposed qualifying improvements for the Green Deal, which are set out in Annex A to the consultation document. There is an existing process for new technologies to be assessed for inclusion into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) methodology to then be included in the Green Deal.
Mr Hanson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the Green Deal will
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require that all payments to sub-contractors be made within 30 days of the completion of work; and if he will make a statement. [88645]
Gregory Barker: Payment terms will be a matter dealt with in the commercial contracts which will exist between different Green Deal participants. We have, however, included a requirement in the Green Deal code of practice that participants must undertake to pay suppliers on time, provide clear guidance, and encourage good practice, in accordance with the Prompt Payment Code.
Natural Gas: Exploration
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what assessment he has made of the report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency into the effect of hydraulic fracturing on water pollution; and if he will make a statement; [87805]
(2) what recent reports he has received on any link between hydraulic fracturing and water pollution; and whether he plans to investigate any such links. [87844]
Charles Hendry: Consideration of issues relating to potential water pollution are a matter for the respective environment agencies in the UK, and assessment of any relevant information is a matter for them.
Both DECC and the Environment Agency are aware of the recent draft report issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on investigations in the Pavillion area of Wyoming. We note that this report is in draft form and subject to review. The Government and their agencies continue to look at reports and analysis emerging from the US in relation to unconventional gas exploration and production and to consider its implications for UK legislation.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has met representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss the link between hydraulic fracturing and water pollution; and if so, when he last met them. [87843]
Charles Hendry: Neither I nor other DECC Ministers have met with representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss issues relating to hydraulic fracturing. However my officials are involved in a regular dialogue with all of the UK environment agencies, and other key UK regulators, on issues relating to unconventional gas exploration and hydraulic fracturing.
Nuclear Power
Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of the domestic energy supply has been provided by nuclear power in each of the last 10 years; and what targets he has set for the proportion of domestic energy provided by nuclear power in each of the next 10 years. [87867]
Charles Hendry: Table 1 reports the proportion of UK primary energy supply provided by nuclear power in each of the last 10 years, 2001-10. Table 2 reports the proportion of ‘gross electricity supplied’ provided by nuclear power in each of the last 10 years, 2001-10.
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The Government are responsible for setting the framework for nuclear policy; ultimately it will be the market that determines the proportion of electricity to be provided by nuclear power in the future.
| Table 1: Nuclear energy supply as a percentage of UK primary energy supply, 2001-10 | |||
| UK primary energy supply (ktoe) | Nuclear energy supply (ktoe) | Nuclear as a percentage of UK primary energy supply | |
| Source: Primary energy supply and nuclear energy (primary electricity) supply data from DUKES (Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics) table 1.1-1.3, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/total/total.aspx | |||
| Table 2: Nuclear electricity supplied as a percentage of total electricity supplied, 2001-10 | |||
| Total electricity supply (GWh) | Nuclear (GWh) | Nuclear as a percentage of total electricity supply | |
| Source: DUKES (Digest of UK Energy Statistics), Electricity: Commodity Balances, Table 5.1, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/electricity/electricity.aspx | |||
Nuclear Reactors
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the use in (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) India of thorium reactors to provide a domestic source of low-carbon energy; and whether he has any plans for the use of such reactors in the UK. [87953]
Charles Hendry: DECC has not undertaken formal assessments of any development projects for thorium fuelled nuclear reactors in China, India or Russia, although we are aware of these countries' intentions to develop such technologies.
Nonetheless, the Department is aware of the potential of thorium reactor designs and is in the process of assessing claims over its suitability as an alternative to uranium based reactors in the longer term.
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The current view of thorium reactor technologies from the nuclear industry is that, while the science is reasonably sound, developing reactors based on a thorium fuel cycle would carry major technological and commercial risks. The resources required to develop these technologies to the point at which they might be deployed successfully at a commercial scale are also very significant.
To date, both in the UK and elsewhere in the world, this has prevented private industry and government from investing significantly in the development of the technology. No thorium reactor design has yet been implemented as a commercial power reactor, while many either exist only on paper or have only had specific subsystems demonstrated. As an indicator of the challenge of taking this technology further, the Chinese Academy of Sciences estimates a development period of at least 20 years will be required before a demonstration thorium molten salt breeder reactor might be available.
While thorium does not appear to have a part to play in the UK's near to mid-term energy market, we do maintain an interest in its development. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), has asked the National Nuclear Laboratory to look further into the wider benefits of next generation reactor designs and to compare the use of thorium and uranium fuels in them. We are expecting the findings to be available in due course.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policy on nuclear power of the Office for Nuclear Development's recent decision to grant interim design acceptance of generic designs for two nuclear reactors. [88179]
Charles Hendry: The decision to grant interim Design Acceptance Confirmations (iDACs) of generic designs for two nuclear reactors was made by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the UK's independent nuclear safety and security regulator. The decision to grant interim Statements of Design Acceptability (iSoDAs) was made the Environment Agency.
It is the Government's view that the recent decisions by Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency to grant iDACs and iSoDAs respectively of generic designs for the UK EPR (designed by Areva and EDF Energy) and the AP1000 (designed by Westinghouse Electric Company) reactor designs is a key moment and an essential step on the critical path for delivering safe and secure nuclear new build in the UK. This signals significant progress, taken by Government, towards completion of the facilitative actions to encourage investment in new nuclear build in the UK.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Office for Nuclear Development's recent decision to grant interim design acceptance of generic designs for two nuclear reactors, when he expects new nuclear power stations in the UK to be operational. [88180]
Charles Hendry:
The decision to grant interim Design Acceptance Confirmations (iDACs) of generic designs for two nuclear reactors was made by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the UK's independent nuclear safety
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and security regulator. The decision to grant interim Statements of Design Acceptability (iSoDAs) was made the Environment Agency.
The timing of new nuclear power stations becoming operational in the UK is a matter for industry. Industry currently has plans to build 16GW of new nuclear capacity by 2025.
The Government will continue to deliver on their facilitative actions and work with industry to achieve the aim of having the first new nuclear power stations generating electricity from around 2018.
Renewable Energy
Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of domestic energy supply has been provided by renewable energy in each of the last 10 years; whether future targets for such supplies have been agreed for the next 10 years; what corresponding targets for reducing carbon emissions have been agreed; and if he will make a statement. [87868]
Gregory Barker: The proportion of UK primary energy supply provided from renewable sources over the last 10 years is set out in the following table.
| UK primary energy supply (ktoe) | Renewable energy supply | Percentage | |
| Source: Primary energy supply data from DUKES (Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics) table 1.1-1.3, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/total/total.aspx * * To note that this is not the same measure as the renewable energy directive measure also referred to in this PQ, which is renewable energy consumption as a proportion of capped gross final energy consumption. Renewables supply data from table DUKES 7.1-7.3, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/renewables/renewables.aspx | |||
The UK has a binding target under the renewable energy directive 2009 to produce 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, with interim targets of 4% in 2011-12, 5.4% in 2013-14, 7.5% in 2015-16 and 10.2% in 2017-18. The Renewable Energy Roadmap published in July sets out the trajectory towards meeting our 15% renewable energy target and the related interim targets, available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/re_roadmap/re_roadmap.aspx
The roadmap includes illustrative ‘central ranges’ for eight key renewables technologies and while they do not represent technology specific targets or the level of our ambition, they do show what could be deployed by 2020.
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We also have an EU target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. The October 2011 emissions projections in the Carbon Plan (published on 1 December) suggest that the UK is in a strong position to deliver on more ambitious carbon budgets out to 2020. We continue to lobby strongly in Europe for a move to a more ambitious EU 2020 emissions target and, if successful, we will amend our second and third carbon budgets accordingly, following effort share negotiations with other member states, to ensure that they are consistent with new EU obligations. Further information is available in the Carbon Plan at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate-change/carbon-plan/3702-the-carbon-plan-delivering-our-low-carbon-future.pdf
Renewable Energy: Costs
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate has been made of the cost to the public purse of the EU Renewable Energy Directive in each year since its introduction. [87955]
Gregory Barker: The EU renewable energy directive (RED) was introduced in April 2009. Contributing towards renewable deployment under the directive are the renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs, the combined gross costs of which were £1.1 billion in financial year 2009-10 and £1.3 billion in 2010-11, in nominal prices based on data from Ofgem. A large proportion of this cost is the renewables obligation, which pre-dates the directive.
We do not yet have full cost data for 2011-12 which will include spend on the policies as above, as well as:
the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme;
Phase I of the Renewable Heat Incentive which commenced on 28 November 2011; and
transport elements of the RED, which were implemented on 15 December 2011.
It should be stressed that the above cost figures do not account for the direct benefits of renewables for the UK economy. Renewables play a key role in the decarbonisation of our energy supply, necessary to meet our obligations under the Climate Change Act. They are crucial to help protect consumers from fossil fuel price fluctuations, help contribute to our long-term energy security, and drive investment in the UK.
Total renewable energy consumption increased by 27% from 42.6 TWh in 2008 to 53 TWh in 2010—representing 3.3% of total energy consumed. In addition, latest estimates show that, in the current financial year, companies have already announced plans for almost £2.5 billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK. See:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn11_115/pn11_115.aspx
Renewable Energy: Heating
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which companies (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met to discuss the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in the last six months; and if he will meet representatives from the oil heating industry to discuss the RHI. [87862]
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Gregory Barker: In the last six months, I have met with a number of companies where a range of energy issues including the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) have been discussed. None of these meetings have been exclusively concerning the RHI.
I have asked my officials to engage with Oftec (Oil Firing Technical Association) who represent members of the oil-fired heating industry. They have provided useful evidence which we are considering. I therefore do not propose to meet members of the oil-fired heating industry at this time.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to announce a decision on whether bioliquids will be included in the Renewable Heat Incentive; and if he will make a statement. [87863]
Gregory Barker: As stated in the Renewable Heat Incentive policy document (published in March 2011), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme. In the light of the later than expected launch of phase one of the Renewable Heat Incentive and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of phase two and will confirm the timetable early in 2012.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with (a) Ministers and (b) officials in HM Treasury about the inclusion of bioliquids in the Renewable Heat Incentive. [87864]
Gregory Barker: My officials and I have regular discussions with HM Treasury about a range of issues but there have been no discussions specifically about the possible inclusion of bioliquids in the Renewable Heat Incentive.
As stated in the Renewable Heat Incentive policy document (published in March 2011), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme. In the light of the later than expected launch of phase one of the Renewable Heat Incentive and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of phase two and will confirm the timetable early in 2012.
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) whether the introduction of phase two of the Renewable Heating Incentive will coincide with the commencement of the Green Deal programme; [87891]
(2) whether he plans to publish further guidance in respect of the proposed introduction of phase two of the Renewable Heat Incentive. [87892]
Gregory Barker: We are currently developing our proposals for supporting domestic heat and we intend to publish these for public consultation in due course. In the light of the later than expected launch of Phase One of the RHI and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of Phase Two. We will be able to confirm the exact timing early in 2012.
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Renewables Obligation
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential effects of his proposals to reform the banding of renewables obligation certificates for gasification and pyrolysis technologies on (a) investor confidence in the development of generating plant, (b) local authority procurement for residual waste treatment processes and (c) the potential development of such processes as alternatives to fossil fuels. [87889]
Gregory Barker: The Government’s policy aim is to bring on the deployment of gasification and pyrolysis technologies, including the most advanced forms, which can generate renewable energy efficiently and cost-effectively from waste resources that would otherwise go to landfill. Our assessment of these issues is set out in the renewables obligation banding review consultation published in October
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/ro-banding/3235-consultation-ro-banding.pdf
As part of the consultation process DECC officials are actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best possible evidence base for determining support for gasification and pyrolysis technologies in the next banding period. The Government are due to publish their response to the consultation in spring 2012.
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to the definition of eligible gasification and pyrolysis technologies in his proposals to reform the banding of renewable obligation certificates for gasification and pyrolysis technologies. [87890]
Gregory Barker: The renewables obligation banding review consultation published in October proposed new definitions for gasification and pyrolysis alongside proposed levels of support from 2013 to 2017. Our proposals are based on deployment evidence and work undertaken by Arup that the existing definitions are not fully achieving the Government's policy aim to incentivise efficient and cost-effective generation by this sector. Officials are actively engaging with developers during the consultation period on what technologies will be eligible for what level of support and will use the further evidence provided to inform our response to the consultation due in spring 2012.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his proposed changes to the renewables obligation will result in the cancelling of any proposed renewable projects. [88401]
Charles Hendry:
The changes to the renewables obligation (RO) proposed by Government are intended to bring on the most cost-effective and affordable deployment and to result in substantially higher levels of renewable electricity generation than if we were to leave the bands unchanged. We expect the support levels proposed in the RO banding review consultation, published on 20 October 2011, to help deliver around 70-75 terrawatt-hours (TWh) of large-scale renewable electricity per year by the end of the banding period in April 2017. This is around three times the amount generated by renewable
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electricity in 2010 (25.7TWh)
(1)and in line with our long-term goal for large-scale renewable electricity to contribute 108TWh/y of the 234TWh/y of generation needed to meet our 2020 renewable energy target. Our consultation proposals will also encourage substantial investment, providing opportunities for jobs and wealth creation.
(1) UK Renewable Energy Roadmap, DECC, July 2011, URN 11D/698.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/re_roadmap/re_roadmap.aspx
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has calculated the potential change in the level of generation from advanced thermal technologies as a result of the Government's proposed reform of the renewables obligation in respect of gasification and pyrolysis technologies. [88402]
Charles Hendry: The renewables obligation banding review consultation published in October 2011 sets out the Government's proposals in respect of gasification and pyrolysis technologies. The impact of our proposals on these technologies is discussed in the consultation stage impact assessment published last November. Both documents are available on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cons_ro_review/cons_ro_review.aspx
The Government's policy aim is to bring on the deployment of gasification and pyrolysis technologies, including the most advanced forms, which can generate renewable energy efficiently and cost-effectively from waste resources that would otherwise go to landfill. Because of the small size of the advanced conversion technologies sector, the information on costs and deployment potential used to inform our consultation proposals was limited. We have therefore invited further evidence on costs and deployment potential as part of the consultation process to inform our final decision on the support levels for gasification and pyrolysis technologies from 1 April 2013. DECC officials are actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best possible evidence base for determining support for gasification and pyrolysis technologies in the next banding period. The Government are due to publish their response to the consultation in spring 2012.
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on levels of employment in the renewable energy sector of his proposals to reform the Renewables Obligation Certificate regime for gasification and pyrolysis technologies; [88675]
(2) whether he has made an estimate of the number of infrastructure projects in the advanced thermal technology sector which will not proceed under his proposal to reform the Renewables Obligation Certificate regime for gasification and pyrolysis technologies; [88676]
(3) what level of savings he expects to accrue from reducing the Renewables Obligation Certificate payment for electricity generated by standard gasification and pyrolysis; [88677]
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(4) what assessment he has made of the likely effect on investor confidence of his proposal to reform the definitions for the award of Renewables Obligation Certificates for gasification and pyrolysis technologies after the passage of the Renewables Obligation Order 2009 and before the introduction of electricity market reforms. [88678]
Charles Hendry: The Renewables Obligation banding review consultation published in October 2011 sets out the Government's proposals in respect of gasification and pyrolysis technologies. The impact of our proposals on these technologies is discussed in the consultation stage Impact Assessment published last November. Both documents are available on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cons _ro_review/cons_ro_review.aspx
The Government's policy aim is to bring on the deployment of gasification and pyrolysis technologies, including the most advanced forms, which can generate renewable energy efficiently and cost-effectively from waste resources that would otherwise go to landfill. Because of the small size of the advanced conversion technologies sector, the information on costs and deployment potential used to inform our consultation proposals was limited. We have therefore invited further evidence on costs and deployment potential as part of the consultation process to inform our final decision on the support levels for gasification and pyrolysis technologies from 1 April 2013. DECC officials are actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best possible evidence base for determining support for gasification and pyrolysis technologies in the next banding period. The Government are due to publish their response to the consultation in spring 2012.
Solar Power
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with industry to encourage the take-up of integrated solar systems; and if he will make a statement. [88644]
Gregory Barker: Ministers and officials meet regularly with a range of stakeholders from the solar photovoltaic industry.
Details of meetings between DECC Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the DECC website.
Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many companies his (a) Department and (b) consultants contacted directly for cost information to inform the proposals to change feed-in tariffs in respect of (i) rent a roof or free solar, (ii) social housing and (iii) private installations; and if he will list the average cost per kilowatt of installed capacity in each of these categories. [88520]
Gregory Barker:
DECC officials and consultants have met with a broad range of companies during the process of reviewing the Feed-in Tariffs scheme. The cost information gathered during these meetings is reflected
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in the consultants' report (“Updates to feed in tariff model—documentation of changes for solar PV consultation”) and specifically Annex B (“References for cost and potential data updates”), which supplements the Impact Assessment and can be found on our website:
www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fits_comp _rev1/fits_comp_rev1.aspx
Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to publish his response to the consultation on the solar power feed-in tariff. [88755]
Gregory Barker: The consultation will conclude on 23 December 2011. This will be followed by consideration of responses to consultation, after which a Government response will be published and any changes will be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny. We are proposing that changes to the tariffs will come into effect on 1 April 2012.
Wind Power: Planning Permission
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what directions he has issued on the treatment of the viability of a wind farm application as material planning consideration. [88560]
Charles Hendry: Current planning policy advises that the economics of a scheme are a matter for the technical and commercial judgement of the wind farm applicant, as with all other planning applications.
International Development
Arms Trade
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) bi-lateral and (b) multi-lateral meetings (i) he and (ii) his officials have had with their international counterparts to discuss the importance of securing a robust Arms Trade Treaty in preparation for the final Preparatory Committee in February 2012. [88049]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Securing a robust and effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a priority for the Government. Department for International Development officials regularly raise the Treaty with their international counterparts to highlight the importance of an ATT and to understand the positions of other states. The UK delegation to the Arms Trade Treaty has regular meetings with other states—for example, with the European Union and with the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P5).
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's officials at each grade are working on the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations; whether there has been any change in the personnel leading on this matter; and whether he expects any further changes to be made before July 2012. [88060]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Proliferation Department lead on the negotiation of an Arms Trade Treaty and are supported by officials from the Department for International
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Development (DFID), as well as from other Departments. DFID is committed to continuing its presence on the UK's Arms Trade Treaty delegation.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which representatives from his Department have attended each of the UN Preparatory Committee meetings for the International Arms Trade Treaty; and which representatives from his Department will attend the meeting in February 2012. [88617]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Delegation has included an official from the Department for Intentional Development at each of the UN preparatory committees and will continue to do so at the Treaty Negotiating Conference.
Debt Recovery
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement. [88371]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development has not used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010.
Developing Countries: Water
Mr Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he plans to publish the outcome of his Department's review of its support for water and sanitation programmes. [87865]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently reviewing its work on water and sanitation to see how we can achieve even more results and better value for money. This includes looking at the effectiveness of programmes in improving health outcomes.
The results of this review will be available early in 2012.
Nigeria: Equality
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what development programmes funded by his Department aim to promote equality in Nigeria. [87553]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Equitable economic growth and fair access to health care and education are critical for sustained development in Nigeria. The Department for International Development (DFID) programmes in Nigeria promote equality.
Home Department
Stalking And Harassment: Internet
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether she has any plans to negotiate a code of conduct in respect of stalking and harassment with social media providers; [87530]
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(2) if she will consider introducing a duty on social media providers to co-operate with the police during any investigation into stalking or harassment under the provisions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. [87531]
Lynne Featherstone: The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 covers all situations where a perpetrator pursues a course of conduct which amounts to harassment. It does not matter whether the conduct was committed online or offline.
This is a challenging international problem, with social media providers and internet servers often located outside UK borders. On 11 July 2011, the Home Office helped to organise a ministerial seminar on personal harm on the internet with internet service providers, social media providers, charities and victims. One of the key themes of the seminar was cyber-stalking, and a range of perspectives from victims, academics and operational experts has informed the Government's ongoing work in this area.
The Government launched a consultation on stalking on 14 November 2011 to ask for views on how we can protect victims of stalking more effectively. The consultation incorporates a number of issues, including cyber-stalking, current legislation, and search powers. The consultation will remain open until 5 February 2012.
Age: Discrimination
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish her response to her Department's consultation on ending age discrimination in services, public functions and associations. [87939]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government response to the consultation on exceptions to the proposed ban on age discrimination will be published in due course.
Alcoholic Drinks: Antisocial Behaviour
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps she is taking to encourage the use of temporary banning orders by police forces to deal with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement; [88417]
(2) what steps she is taking to encourage the use of drink banning orders; and if she will make a statement. [88416]
James Brokenshire: The Government are committed to ensuring that alcohol is no longer the driver of crime and disorder and unacceptable harms that it has been over the past decade. We are giving the police and statutory authorities the powers to enable them to do this. We are currently reviewing the effectiveness of drink banning orders and interim drink banning orders following our consultation on reforming powers to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Animal Experiments
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many independent inspections of laboratories conducting animal research there have been in each year since 1997; and how many such inspections she expects to take place in 2012. [88419]
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Lynne Featherstone: The number of visits to establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate from 1997 to 2010 is in the table. The number of visits for 2011 will not be available until the end of January 2012.
I am not in a position to estimate future numbers of inspections by the Home Office Inspectors. The inspectorate will continue to take a risk-based approach to the planning and execution of the inspection programme.
| Number of visits for the purpose of inspection or work in progress | |