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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 12 January 2012
House of Commons Commission
Former Members: Security
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many former hon. Members have passes to enter the Palace of Westminster. [88895]
John Thurso: On 11 January 2012 there were 358 ex-Member passes allowing access to the Palace of Westminster. These figures do not include former Members who are Peers or researchers for Members.
Parliamentary Education Service
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many schools visited Parliament (a) in total and (b) from Nottinghamshire through the Parliamentary Education Service in 2011. [88894]
John Thurso: 946 schools visited Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in 2011, of which 12 were from Nottinghamshire.
The total number of students visiting Parliament on these visits was 39,972; of these, 371 were from Nottinghamshire.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nature Conservation: Birds
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England's Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, what steps she plans to take to prevent the extinction of breeding bird species in England. [88871]
Richard Benyon: ‘Biodiversity 2020’ sets out a wide range of actions over the next decade. The strategy entails a shift in emphasis towards a more effective, more integrated landscape-scale approach to conservation, exemplified by our Nature Improvement Areas initiative. It also commits to the development of a prioritised programme of targeted action for those priority species whose conservation is not delivered through wider habitat measures.
Work is under way on producing the first delivery plan for the strategy which will set out more detailed actions.
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Cod: EU Law
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps she is taking to pause the implementation of European Council Regulation 1342/2008; [85819]
(2) what discussions she has had with the Prime Minister on (a) the implementation of European Council Regulation 1342/2008 and (b) the cod recovery programme; [85822]
(3) what recent steps have been taken at the European Council on (a) reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and (b) the cod recovery programme; [85820]
(4) what plans she has to meet with representatives of the fishing sector. [85821]
Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), meets regularly with the Prime Minister and updates him and Cabinet Office colleagues on important developments. As UK Fisheries Minister, I worked closely with Fisheries Ministers for Northern Ireland and Scotland to resolve the issues concerning implementation of the European Council Regulation 1342/2008, also known as the cod recovery plan.
I continue to meet and have discussions about (a) reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and (b) improvements to the cod recovery plan with a wide range of people and organisations. They include the EU Commission, Members of the UK and European Parliaments, ministerial colleagues of other member states and representatives of our fishing and related industries.
I met representatives of the Northern Ireland fisheries industry on 9 December 2011 and continued to meet with representatives from across the UK in the lead up to and during the annual fisheries negotiations at the December EU Fisheries Council, and my officials maintained close contact with industry representatives as discussions developed.
We have serious concerns about the way the cod recovery plan operates in practice and we have called for the existing plan to be revised as soon as possible. In the meantime UK fishermen were facing devastating reductions to the amount of time they could spend at sea catching their quota under this plan. The threatened reductions not only put in jeopardy the livelihoods of UK fishermen but would have also led to increased discards.
However, following three weeks of protracted discussions culminating in two days of intense negotiations, the Government successfully convinced the EU Commission that the UK approach to conservation was the right way forward. Fishermen in all affected member states will still face an expected reduction in the amount of time they are allowed to fish, but this concession from the Commission will allow the UK to develop more conservation measures and provide incentives for fishermen to take them up.
To ensure the future of cod in our seas, the Government will also build on their work with the fishing industry to adopt further measures to protect cod stocks and reduce discards. During the negotiations at Council, the
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Government also successfully protected the fishing industry in Northern Ireland by securing the same quota of nephrops as last year.
Giant Hogweed
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has issued to police forces to enable them to enforce section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in respect of giant hogweed; and if she will make a statement. [89036]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government have published guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for enforcement agencies, licensing authorities and other interested parties. The guidance covers all species including giant hogweed, to which section 14 applies, and is available on the DEFRA website at:
www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/wildlife-countryside-act.pdf
Culture, Media and Sport
Olympic Games 2012
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which Ministers will attend the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games (a) in an official capacity and (b) as official guests of third parties. [88815]
Hugh Robertson: No final decisions have been made as to which Ministers will attend the opening ceremony. Any Minister that does attend the opening ceremony on behalf of Government will do so in an official capacity.
The Government are committed to publishing information about hospitality received by Ministers from third parties in a ministerial capacity, valued at over £140. For the Department for Culture, Media and Sport this information is published on a quarterly basis on the Department's transparency website:
http://www.transparency.culture.gov.uk/
Tourism
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will provide funding for an additional traditional pier in Redcar and Cleveland for the purpose of promoting tourism. [88846]
John Penrose: No. The development of new piers is a matter for local businesses, working with local authorities and other partners as necessary. The Government do not provide funds specifically for this purpose.
Wales
Departmental Manpower
Mr Hain:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in her private office have left her Department
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since May 2010; and what the turnover rate was for staff in her private office between May 2010 and May 2011. [86294]
Mrs Gillan: Changes to the private office have occurred primarily as a consequence of steps the Department has taken to provide a more efficient and effective service to Ministers, including merging what were previously two separately staffed private offices and the establishment of a common parliamentary team supporting the Wales Office, Scotland Office and Northern Ireland Office.
11 members of private office (which includes the correspondence unit and the parliamentary team) have left the Department since May 2010, with a turnover rate of 50% between May 2010 and May 2011.
Of the staff who have left the Wales Office, four have taken the opportunity for voluntary exit; three returned to the Welsh Government; two had come to the end of their fixed term appointments and two took lateral transfers.
Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the staff turnover rate was in her Department in each of the last five years. [86295]
Mr David Jones: The levels of staff turnover are shown in the following table:
| Turnover rate (%) | |
Welsh Steel Industry
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the steel industry in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [88108]
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, and I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a range of issues affecting Wales.
My right hon. Friend met with representatives from the steel industry in Wales with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), in March and held a meeting of her Business Advisory Group at the Tata Plant in Port Talbot in October, and she is due to meet with Tata again later this month. We continue to work closely with industry leaders in Wales to better understand the specific issues affecting the sector and to help ensure the long-term future of the steel industry in Wales.
Mass Media
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the future of the media in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [88107]
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Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales has regular meetings with the First Minister to discuss a range of matters affecting Wales media issues.
I welcome the S4C and BBC Trust's announcement on 25 October 2011, which confirmed their agreement on the details of the partnership announced in the spending review and licence fee settlement. I would like to congratulate both parties for agreeing the details that have protected the editorial and managerial independence of S4C, while safeguarding the accountability of the BBC Trust for the licence fee.
The Government are also keen to ensure that the public have access to localised media, which is why we announced on 13 December that Cardiff and Swansea will be among the first 20 UK cities to trial the Local TV model, with Bangor and Mold included in a second tranche.
All media platforms in Wales, be it newspapers, radio, broadcasting or internet based, are important, which is why we are also undertaking a wide-scale review of the regulatory framework supporting the UK communications sector. The review will focus on establishing ways in which Government can drive growth and innovation in the sector by stripping away unnecessary red tape and removing barriers to growth.
Work and Pensions
Contracts: General Practitioners
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the British Medical Association on the devolution of GP work contracts to each of the devolved Administrations. [89016]
Chris Grayling: There have been no discussions between DWP and the British Medical Association on the devolution of GP work contracts to each of the devolved Administrations.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the devolution of GP work contracts to each of the devolved Administrations. [89017]
Chris Grayling: DWP has no plans in relation to the devolution of GP work contracts to each of the devolved Administrations.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the current system of negotiating GP work contracts. [89018]
Chris Grayling: DWP has not made any assessment of the current system of negotiating GP work contracts.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on GP work contracts. [89019]
Chris Grayling: DWP has not had any discussions with the devolved Administrations on GP work contracts.
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Remploy: Social Enterprises
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what consideration he has given to enabling individual Remploy factories to establish their own bank account for the purposes of trading as social enterprises; and if he will make a statement; [89095]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential development of a social enterprise model for Remploy factories; and if he will make a statement; [89097]
(3) what steps he has taken to assist Remploy factories to identify social enterprise opportunities; and if he will make a statement. [89099]
Chris Grayling: The Government consultation on the recommendations of the Sayce report, which included recommendations on the future strategy for Remploy, closed on 17 October 2011. Over 1,400 responses were received and it is taking time to analyse the consultation responses in detail and carefully consider the implications for future policy. During its consultation period a range of work is being done to consider the future for Remploy. We will publish a summary of responses received and a statement on future policy as soon as practicably possible. Until a decision is made, consideration will not been given to the detail of any arrangements that may need to be made, for example enabling factories to establish their own bank accounts for the purpose of trading. Prior to the consultation consideration has been given to The Social Enterprise Model.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what processes he expects Remploy factories to follow in employing additional staff to fulfil a new contract; and if he will make a statement. [89098]
Maria Miller: To secure additional staff to fulfil a new contract, Remploy are required to request approval, from the Department for Work and Pensions to recruit externally. This is in line with the cross-Government external recruitment freeze arrangements.
In considering the request, the Department for Work and Pensions considers the merits of the case for recruitment including whether failure to recruit would seriously affect Remploy's customer service, performance or reputation. All requests are considered on the merit of each case.
Social Security Benefits: Cardiff
Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of recipients of (a) disability living allowance, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) incapacity benefit in Cardiff West constituency whose claims have been refused have taken their case to tribunal since January 2011. [88808]
Maria Miller: We are unable to provide information of recipients on disability living allowance (DLA) in Cardiff West constituency whose claims have been refused and taken their case to tribunal. This is because we do not routinely report this level of detail and to obtain this would be at disproportionate cost to the Department.
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Data on outcomes of assessments for employment and support allowance (ESA) is not available for the Cardiff West parliamentary constituency. However data is available for the Cardiff unitary authority area. Between January 2011 and May 2011 (the latest data available) there were approximately 6,100 people from the Cardiff unitary authority area who underwent an initial work capability assessment (WCA) for ESA. Of these approximately 3,800, or 62%, were assessed as being fit for work and therefore not eligible for ESA.
The equivalent information for incapacity benefit (IB) is not available since IB was replaced by ESA in October 2008 and any new claims received after this date were directed to claim ESA instead.
Data on the assessment outcomes of the incapacity benefits reassessment programme is not available. Due to the overall length of the incapacity benefits reassessment process, information on the process including the final outcomes is not yet available. Individual level data are being collected and the Department plans to publish data on the outcomes of the reassessment process once it has been fully quality assured.
Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), who administer social security appeals do not hold any data specific to the Cardiff West constituency, but the majority of DLA, ESA and IB appeals made by people in the Cardiff West constituency are heard in the hearing venue in Cardiff, although this venue also hears appeals from other nearby locations.
The following table shows the number of appeals received in the Cardiff Tribunal venue for DLA, ESA, ESA (IB Reassessment) and IB from January 2011 to October 2011. The tribunal does not record the issue under appeal and, therefore, cannot isolate data relating to appeals on the basis of a claim for benefit having been refused.
Note that the figures in the following table cannot be used in combination with the figures on ESA provided above, since they relate to a different time period and do not cover claims from the same geographical area.
| Appeal type | Number of cases received in HMCTS Cardiff venue January 2011 to October 2011 |
| Notes: 1. The Department regularly publishes data on ESA and WCA the latest publication can be found on the departmental website, here: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca 2. Data on ESA assessments and outcomes are taken from administrative data held by the Department for Work and Pensions and assessment data provided by Atos Healthcare. 3. Appeals data are taken from HMCTS management information. 4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 and percentages to the nearest percentage point. | |
Communities and Local Government
Council Tax Arrears
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to support vulnerable people who are in council tax arrears. [78399]
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Grant Shapps: Further to my answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell), today (PQ 73962), and my answer to my hon. Friend today (PQ 76266), I intend to develop guidance to local authorities on the support they should be giving vulnerable people who are in council tax arrears—something which the last Administration failed to deliver.
Clearly, councils have an obligation to their local residents to collect council tax, as every penny of uncollected council tax effectively increases the tax burden on the law-abiding local residents who do pay their bills on time. Yet councils equally need to show compassion towards the vulnerable and recognise individual cases of hardship.
The use of bailiffs should also be a last resort, they should not be commissioned disproportionately and councils should take direct responsibility for ensuring they abide by acceptable practices.
I will now review this matter and report back to the House in due course.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the recovery of council tax arrears. [76266]
Grant Shapps: In 1993, when council tax was being introduced, the Department of the Environment published Council Tax Practice Note Number 9 on recovery and enforcement, this is primarily technical guidance on prevailing legislation. It recommended that councils draw up a code of practice on the use of bailiffs. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House, as the document is not available online.
From time to time, my Department also publishes Council Tax Information Letters, providing technical updates relating to the administration of council tax. The last letter which touched on these issues was in 2009. These letters are available at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localgovernmentfinance/counciltax/informationletters/
In 2004, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published “Council Tax Collection Good Practice Report”, an operational research report aiming to collate sources and information on good practice for activities that contribute to council tax collection. This can be found online at:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081205143343/http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ctax/goodprac.pdf
I would add that in June 2009, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Local Government Association published a “Collection of council tax arrears good practice protocol”.
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/pdf-ct-protocol.pdf
In July 2009, the last Administration published “A Better deal for Consumers: Delivering Real Help now and Change for the Future” (Cm 7669). It stated:
“We are considering the need to produce a new guidance document as an agreed statement of good collection practice for councils.”
Government Procurement Card
Guy Opperman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will list each spending transaction on a Government Procurement
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Card made by officials in his Department since April 2006; and if he will provide for each transaction the
(a)
amount,
(b)
supplier and
(c)
date. [76267]
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will publish details of expenditure below £500 by his Department on Government Procurement Cards. [78213]
Robert Neill: The details of every individual Government Procurement Card transaction from April 2006 until October 2011 have been deposited in the Library of the House. These include the (a) amount, (b) supplier, (c) date and (d) merchant category.
‘Merchant category’ is a broad description employed by the card issuing company to designate the business where the card was used not the type of product purchased. These spending data include updated figures for 2006-07 and 2007-08 from those given in an earlier reply, which understated the total level of spend due to a coding discrepancy in the data extraction.
My Department has put a series of checks and balances to protect taxpayers' money, following the recommendations made by Sir Philip Green's report into Government efficiency. Steps include:
Routinely publishing all spending over £500 each month, as part our transparency agenda.
Cutting the number of card holders from 210 in May 2010 to just 33 in October 2011.
Taking steps to cancel the cash withdrawal facility on the card (apart from two business continuity users).
Introducing new internal checks and audit trails, from pre-approvals to requiring post-transaction reporting.
As a result of these changes, monthly expenditure on these cards has reduced by three-quarters, from an average of £27,000 a month over the last two years, to an average of just £6,400 a month. I would encourage local authority users of the cards to take similar steps to help generate savings for their taxpayers.
I also refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 13 October 2011, Official Report, columns 483-84W, which provides all the transaction data from April 2004 to April 2006 under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Homelessness: Offenders
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what steps he is taking to reduce levels of (a) homelessness and (b) housing instability among former prisoners with mental health problems; [88082]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of homelessness and housing instability arising from former prisoners with mental health problems in 2010-11; and what estimate he has made of the likely cost in 2012-13. [88543]
Grant Shapps: This Government are committed to tackling homelessness and has established a ministerial working group to tackle the complex underlying problems, including the link between homelessness, offending and mental health. We have already included clear statements on homelessness in the Offender Rehabilitation Green Paper(1) and the Drugs(2) and Mental Health Strategies(3).
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In addition, the Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness' first report(4) includes a commitment to publish a more comprehensive expectations and guidance for prisons and for probation trusts on how to assist offenders to access stable housing. It also highlights the role of specialist services in treating homeless people, including those with a dual diagnosis of co-existing mental health problems and encouraging closer working between criminal justice agencies and homelessness organisations.
You may be aware that I recently announced a further £20 million funding for local authorities to prevent single homelessness and help them ensure that nobody is turned away without clear and useful advice when they are most in need. This is on top of the existing £400 million Government investment to prevent homelessness over the next four years and £12.25 million provided to Crisis to help single homeless people access stable accommodation in the private rented sector, with ex-offenders a priority group.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) recognises the significant costs to public services that results from homelessness and rough sleeping. For example, research commissioned by DCLG estimated that without housing support services, offenders, people at risk of offending and mentally disordered offenders would cost an additional £1,459 per household unit per annum from experiencing homelessness(5). We have secured £6.5 billion investment for Supporting People over the four years of the spending review which will protect the preventative services that help the most vulnerable live independently and retain their tenancies.
DCLG has not made any estimate on the cost to the public purse of homelessness and housing instability arising from former prisoners with mental health problems in 2010-11 or likely cost in 2011-12.
(1) Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders, 2010
(2) Drug Strategy 2010, Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life
(3) No Health Without Mental Health, 2011
(4) Vision to end Rough Sleeping; No Second Night Out
(5) DCLG (2009) Research into the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme, 2009
Population Growth
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance is offered by his Department to local authorities on estimating their population growth. [89022]
Robert Neill: No such guidance is given. Population statistics are published by the Office for National Statistics.
Treasury
Civil Servants: Pensions
John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to page 17, Box 3.B case study 1 of Public service pensions: good pensions that last, Cm 8214, what the old scheme calculation in this example would be using the (a) Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme classic scheme, (b) PCSPS premium scheme and (c) NUVOS Scheme. [83237]
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Danny Alexander [holding answer 25 November 2011]: On 2 November 2011, the Government published ‘Public service pensions: good pensions that last’, Cm8214, which includes several case studies that provide illustrative examples of the impact of the Government's preferred pension scheme design. These case studies were prepared for HMT Treasury by Hyman Robertson LLP using IFS data and HM Treasury assumptions.
HM Treasury has not made an assessment of what the old scheme calculation would be in the example of Case Study 1 using the PCSPS premium scheme or the NUVOS scheme.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the hon. Member for Walsall North to receive a reply to his letter of 22 November 2011 to the Child Benefit Office about a constituent. [87922]
Mr Gauke: Child Benefit Office replied to a letter from the hon. Member dated 22 November 2011 on 16 December 2011.
Stamp Duty Land Tax: Avoidance
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to reduce avoidance of stamp duty land tax. [89003]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will challenge all use of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) avoidance schemes, through the courts if necessary. All users of these schemes can expect to pay the full amount of SDLT due, plus interest, in due course.
HMRC has analysed a wide range of avoidance schemes. This analysis has not shown that the schemes are effective in reducing SDLT liability, either because they reflect an incorrect understanding of the law or because they are caught by targeted anti-avoidance rules..
HMRC will open an inquiry into an SDLT return in all cases where use of such a scheme is notified under the disclosure of tax avoidance schemes (DOTAS) rules. HMRC also compares transactions reported to the Land Registry against SDLT returns received. Where there is a discrepancy, HMRC will open an enquiry into the return, or issue an assessment of the SDLT due if no return has been received.
Recent Finance Acts have included a number of measures to put beyond doubt that particular avoidance schemes are ineffective. The draft 2012 Finance Bill, published on 6 December 2011, includes a measure to expand the scope of the DOTAS rules.
Inheritance and Capital Gains Taxation
John Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much revenue has been raised in inheritance tax from Scottish estates in each year since 1998; [89104]
(2) how much has been claimed in business relief from inheritance tax in each year since 1986; [89105]
(3) how much was claimed in forgiveness of capital gains tax at death in each of the last five years; [89109]
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(4) how much was claimed in spouse or civil partner exemption on gifts paid over a lifetime in each of the last five years; [89110]
(5) how much was paid in capital transfer tax in each year between 1982 and 1986. [89111]
Mr Gauke: Receipts of inheritance tax since 1998 are published in the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland publications published on the Scottish Government's website:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/GERS/Publications
The amounts of assets which are relieved from inheritance tax due to business property relief for estates over the inheritance tax threshold for 2004-05 to 2008-09 are published in National Statistics table 12.2 available from the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/inheritance_tax/table12-2.xls
Based on this table the amount of assets relieved since 1986-87 are given in the following table.
| Relief set against assets (£ million) | |
In addition, an estimate of the cost of business property relief is published by HMRC in Table 1.5 Main Tax Expenditures and Structural Reliefs available from the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-5.xls
An estimate of the cost of the exemption for capital gains tax accrued but unrealised at death is published by HMRC in Table 1.5 Main Tax Expenditures and Structural Reliefs available from the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-5.xls
Estimates of the historical costs of this relief are not available.
The information on spouse or civil partner relief on lifetime gifts is not available as these gifts do not need to be recorded on the inheritance tax return.
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Receipts from capital transfer tax for the period 1982 to 1986 are published in archived Table 1.2 Annual Receipts of former Inland Revenue Taxes available from the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_receipts/1_2_v2_dec05.xls
Taxation: Switzerland
Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of the yield from the UK-Switzerland tax agreement of 24 August 2011 being at the upper end of the estimated range. [88847]
Mr Gauke: The current forecast for the yield from the UK-Switzerland tax agreement is expected to be in the range £4 billion to £7 billion.
A range has been used in estimating the expected revenue to reflect the degree of uncertainty around the estimates. No estimate has been made within HMRC as to where within the range we would expect the actual yield to lie.
However, the Swiss banks will make an upfront payment of CHF 500 million at the outset of the arrangement, which supports the expectation that the revenue generated from the agreement will be significant.
Home Department
Borders: Personal Records
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions officials in her Department have had with the Royal Yachting Association on the e-Borders programme. [88930]
Damian Green: Officials from the UK Border Agency last met with the Royal Yachting Association on 2 December 2011, to discuss and share progress on the e-Borders programme.
The UK Border Agency is working closely with the maritime community to strengthen the maritime border by building a way to electronically receive passenger and crew data on international journeys. This will maximise the UK Border Agency's intake of intelligence, optimise the use of resources and ensure the UK Border Agency is able to make effective, high value interventions on those who would seek to do harm to the UK.
British Nationality
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward legislative proposals to revoke the British citizenship of naturalised British citizens convicted of (a) treason and (b) acts of terrorism. [88955]
Damian Green:
There is already provision in the British Nationality Act 1981 (section 40 as amended) to deprive British citizens of their citizenship where the Secretary of State for the Home Department, is satisfied that to do so is conducive to the public good. The Act was amended in 2006 and statements were made to Parliament at the time explaining that the power would
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be available for use in cases including those involving national security and extremism.
Co-operatives
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps (a) her Department and (b) those bodies for which her Department is responsible are taking to mark UN Year of the Co-operative 2012; and if she will make a statement. [88595]
Damian Green: Departments will work closely with Cabinet Office, the Mutuals Taskforce and with Co-operatives UK to develop and take full advantage of opportunities to celebrate the achievements of co-operative organisations during the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.
The Mutuals Taskforce has recently indicated it will play a co-ordinating role for Departments to support the International Year of Co-operatives, with Co-operatives UK leading the Taskforce's work in this area.
Departmental Audit
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria (a) her Department and (b) its public bodies use when deciding whether and when to hold an internal audit; and if she will make a statement. [85640]
Damian Green: The Home Office criteria for deciding on which internal audits to conduct are in line with Government Internal Audit Standards. These state that the Chief Internal Auditor must establish risk based plans. Development of these risk-based plans takes account of the Home Office corporate risk profile, assurance framework and forward business plans. They also reflect input from the Accounting Officer, Audit and Risk Assurance Committee members, Management Board members and previous audit activity and findings. A number of lower level reviews are also considered to ensure the completeness of the overall annual opinion.
Delivery is based on audit resource approved by the Accounting Officer and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Internal audit work is based upon a cyclical planning horizon which can be amended if the risk profile changes in year. The plan, and individual reviews contained within it, require approval from the Accounting Officer and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and are subject to quarterly review to ensure the continued relevance of the plan and best use of resources. Individual reviews are prioritised on criticality to the Accounting Officer and any changes to the plan are agreed by the Chief Internal Auditor, the Accounting Officer and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. A small number of audit days are allocated for consultancy, advice and contingency work.
Detention: Women
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women detained for immigration purposes were subsequently (a) deported and (b) released in the last six months of 2011; and how many such women had been detained for more than (i) three months, (ii) six months, (iii) one year and (iv) two years. [88957]
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Damian Green:
The following table shows the latest published figures on the number of women leaving detention, held solely under Immigration Act powers in
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immigration removal centres or short term holding facilities in Q3 2011, by reason and length of detention.
| Females leaving detention by reason and length of detention, Q3 2011 | ||||||
| Total female detainees | Removed from the UK | Granted leave to enter/remain | Granted temporary admission/release | Bailed | Other | |
| Notes: 1. Data are provisional. 2. All people held are detained in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers and exclude those in police cells, Prison Service establishments, short-term holding rooms at ports and airports (for less than 24 hours), and those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers and their dependants. 3. Figures include dependants. 4. Relates to most recent period of sole detention. The period of detention starts when a person first enters the UK Border Agency estate. If the person is then moved from a removal centre to a police cell or Prison Service establishment, this period of stay will be included if the detention is solely under Immigration Act powers. | ||||||
The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of women leaving detention, solely under Immigration Act powers. Q4 2011 detention figures will be published on 23 February 2012 and will be available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, research and statistics webpages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Detention is a necessary part of the process to remove some individuals with no right to be in the UK. We always seek to remove those with no right to be here as quickly as possible but if detainees give false or incomplete information or submits spurious last minute appeals, then in such cases, it can delay their return and extend their detention.
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when gender equality impact assessments for all immigration removal centres and short-term holding facilities will be completed. [88956]
Damian Green: Gender equality impact assessments for immigration removal centres and short-term holding facilities where women are held will be completed by summer 2012.
Democracy: Diversity
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of progress in establishing a Democracy Diversity Fund to support disabled people who are parliamentary candidates as recommended in the Final Report of the Speaker's Conference on Parliamentary Representation; and if she will make a statement. [89222]
Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 12 January 2012]:This recommendation is being taken forward through the development of the Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Strategy. Last year, the Government held a public consultation which sought views on a range of policy proposals designed to provide additional support for disabled candidates applying for elected office to help them overcome disability related barriers.
The Government published their response in September 2011. Following the results of that consultation we are now working with political, disability and other stakeholders to take forward five proposals. These are: (i) setting up a dedicated fund to help individual candidates with disability related costs; (ii) new training and development opportunities; (iii) Raising awareness; (iv) guidance for political parties on fulfilling their legal obligations under the Equality Act; and (v) working with political parties to share and promote good practice on disability support.
Drugs: Law Enforcement
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions officials in her Department have had with law enforcement agencies in other countries on co-operation on drug profiling. [88410]
James Brokenshire: Home Office officials have dialogue with officials and law enforcement agencies in other countries where that facilitates closer co-operation in countering narcotics, which may include drugs profiling. Within the EU, this co-operation is facilitated by a Joint Action (a form of EU legislative instrument) concerning the exchange of information on the chemical profiling of drugs, in order to facilitate improved co-operation between member states in combating illicit drug trafficking.
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Entry Clearances: China
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for tourist visas by Chinese nationals were (a) granted and (b) refused in the last year for which figures are available. [89039]
Damian Green: The table sets out the number of applications for tourist visas made by Chinese nationals that have been issued and refused from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011.
We are unable to provide information for a period that goes beyond the period covered by our published statistics. This information presents the latest statistics available on visa decisions.
| Nati onality: Chinese | |
| Number | |
Forensic Science: Co-operation
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions officials in her Department have had with law enforcement agencies in other countries on co-operation on forensic science. [88411]
James Brokenshire: Home Office officials have regular contact and collaboration with the following groups/countries, primarily in relation to fingerprint research and development but also on other areas of forensic science:
Germany—Bundeskriminalamt (BKA)
Italy—Carabinieri
Canada—Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Israel—Israeli National Police Force
USA—Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, National Institute of Justice
Netherlands—Netherlands Forensic Institute
Australia—Australian Federal Police.
Malaysian officials have made a VIP visit to the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology but this has not yet led to any further collaboration.
Home Office officials also have contact with law enforcement agencies through a number of groups such as International Fingerprint Research Group (IFRG), European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), Facial Identification Scientific Working Group (FISWG) and Scientific Working Group for Imaging Technology (SWGIT).
Home Office have met representatives of the Abu Dhabi police to discuss the delivery of an existing FSS contract following the Government decision to wind down the Forensic Science Service.
Home Office officials have additionally been involved in a series of discussions with the EU institutions and key EU policing agencies on a vision of future forensic science and on the development of forensic science infrastructures in Europe.
Although not a Home Office official, the Forensic Science Regulator has liaised with organisations from a number of countries in developing quality standards in
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forensics including the Republic of Ireland, Australia, USA, European countries through the ENFSI Board as well as the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Heroin
Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many doctors have a licence from her Department to prescribe heroin for the treatment of drug addiction. [88128]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 10 January 2012]: The Home Office does not licence the prescription of heroin for the treatment of addiction. Licenses to prescribe diamorphine for the treatment of addiction are issued by the Home Office; a total of 18 licences were issued to individual doctors in 2011.
Immigration Controls
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many staff not cleared to SC level and deployed to work on border controls had access to the Warning Index on 30 November 2011; [86090]
(2) how many non-UK Border Agency employees who were re-deployed to cover the work of staff involved in industrial action on 29 and 30 November 2011 were not cleared to SC level; how many of these had applied for SC level clearance in advance of the training; and how many of these applications were processed. [86091]
Damian Green [holding answer 13 December 2011]: All staff who were trained and deployed to ports and airports during the period of industrial action 29 and 30 November 2011 carried the appropriate level of security clearance that allowed them to operate safe and effective border checks. SC level is required only where staff need to have regular access to ‘Secret’ and ‘Top Secret’ assets. An appropriate security regime was in place on 30 November 2011, taking into account the risks being managed in ensuring border security on the day.
Immigration: Employment
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to revise documents sent to people granted leave to remain to place more emphasis on employment opportunities. [89196]
Damian Green: There are no plans to revise these documents. The documents are specific in advising an individual about their conditions of leave in terms of employment.
Olympic Games 2012 : Security
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff will be employed on security for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic Games from (a) private security contractors, (b) the Metropolitan police, (c) other police forces and (d) the armed services. [88882]
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James Brokenshire: Up to 23,700 personnel will be deployed on venue security roles during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The majority will be private security staff provided by G4S. These contractors will be supported by military personnel and volunteers recruited by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG). Together, they will help protect more than 100 competition and non-competition venues across the United Kingdom. All roles will be performed by people who are appropriately trained and qualified.
It is estimated that around 12,000 police officers will be deployed on Games-specific duties across the UK on peak days, including up to 9,000 in London alone. These will be a mixture of local officers and officers supplied through mutual aid, though the exact composition for each local area is still to be determined.
In total, up to 13,500 armed forces personnel will be deployed on Games security duties. This includes military support to the LOCOG venue security operation: 3,500 personnel throughout the Games period, rising to 7,500 personnel during the Olympic Games. Military personnel will also provide a range of specialist and other support to the police, and a reserve force in case of emergency.
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirements have been placed on private security companies that have won contracts to provide security at the London 2012 Olympic Games to recruit staff from (a) Newham and (b) other Olympic boroughs in London. [88883]
James Brokenshire: The London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) appointed G4S as its Official Security Services Provider in March 2011. As with all its main contractors, LOCOG's Employment and Skills Charter formed a central part of the procurement process. This included its target to recruit 15-20% of its Games work force from residents of the six host boroughs.
LOCOG are now working with G4S on how to contribute to this target. As a result, G4S is running daily recruitment events in Newham, at West Ham football club. Another centre will open in Stratford in the coming weeks. A series of recruitment events from LOCOG contractors are taking place across the host boroughs with partners such as the job brokerages, Jobcentre Plus, FE colleges and community groups such as The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO). Already more than 70 such events have taken place, with more to follow.
Six months before the Games, LOCOG is achieving its overall target—with 20.4% of its work force resident in the host boroughs.
Police: Accountability
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to ensure awareness of the method of election for police commissioners. [87388]
Nick Herbert: The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 gives the Electoral Commission a statutory duty to raise awareness of these elections, including how to vote in them, as it currently does for all UK elections. The Government are working closely with the Commission on this.
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Terrorism: Technology
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the role of Dart-MS technology in terrorism prevention and investigation. [88414]
James Brokenshire: There has been some work undertaken within Government laboratories into the potential of the Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) technique in support of forensic work, such as the rapid identification of explosives. Initial studies were undertaken in 2005 but the technique was not sufficiently advanced at that stage. Further work (funded by the Home Office) is planned for 2012 into DART-MS and a number of related direct analysis techniques. This would give a detailed assessment of the value of the technique for counter-terrorism work.
Women and Equalities
Child Care
6. Thomas Docherty: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the effect of Government policies on access to child care for women. [88216]
Maria Miller: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Providing help with the costs of formal child care, and improving access, continues to be at the forefront of our policies to help children get the best start in life and to ensure that parents can balance work and family commitments.
The Government spend £2 billion on formal child care support within the current tax credit and benefit systems and it has committed an additional £300 million under universal credit.
Domestic Violence
7. Sarah Newton: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent representations she has received on male victims of domestic violence. [88217]
Lynne Featherstone: I met with my hon. Friend and the charity Esteem, which provides services to male victims of domestic violence in Cornwall, in October last year. I will be visiting the Men's Advice Line shortly.
In December, I announced funding of £225,000 to support services focusing on male victims of domestic and sexual violence over two years. This is in addition to the funding provided to the helplines: Men's Advice Line and Broken Rainbow.
Flexible Working
8. Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to encourage flexible work arrangements and home working. [88218]
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Mrs May: We have consulted on proposals to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, which could include working from home. We will respond to that consultation in due course.
Jobcentre Plus also support employers in considering how jobs can be advertised on a flexible basis and we are working with businesses to identify what more can be done on a voluntary basis to encourage flexible working opportunities.
Business Enterprise: Women
9. Fiona Bruce: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to encourage the participation of women in business enterprise. [88219]
Mrs May: It is vital that women are able to fully use their skills in order to support economic growth. That is why we are providing up to £2 million over three years in order to support women setting up or growing their business in rural areas. The Government are also recruiting and training 5,000 mentors to support women setting up or growing their business. The funding will ensure that training and support for both mentor and mentee reflect the specific needs of women.
Apprentices
Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many apprentices are working in the Government Equalities Office. [88220]
Lynne Featherstone: As of 1 April 2011, the Government Equalities Office has been part of the Home Office. The Department takes seriously the need to create opportunities for apprenticeships. However, due to the recruitment freeze in the civil service since May 2010, there has been limited opportunity to employ apprentices. One member of staff has been directly recruited as an apprentice to the Home Office before the freeze took effect, and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission has employed three apprentices. We will look to introduce schemes when the freeze ends.
Transport
High Speed 2
16. Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she plans to revise the timetable for the publication of the route for High Speed 2 between Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds. [88237]
Justine Greening: HS2 Ltd will be providing me with advice on route options for Phase 2 of HS2 in March 2012. We will then undertake a process of engagement to inform the selection of a preferred route. The Department's business plan foresees a decision being made by Ministers on the preferred route by December 2014, following consultation. However, we will keep this timetable under review with a view to moving as fast as practicable to ensure we deliver the benefits of the Y network.
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Speed Limits
17. Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations her Department has received on the consultation on increasing motorway speed limits. [88239]
Mike Penning: The Department has received several hundred items of correspondence about changing motorway speed limits during the last three months.
The Government announced in October that they intended to consult about increasing the national motorway speed limit for England and Wales. The consultation is planned to start during the next few months.
Crossrail
18. Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations she has received on the financing of the Crossrail project; and if she will make a statement. [88240]
Mrs Villiers: Ministers regularly discuss a variety of Crossrail matters, including financing, with senior management at Crossrail Ltd and with the project's co-sponsor, the Mayor of London. The funding package for Crossrail was agreed as part of the spending review, and we expect the project to cost no more than £14.5 billion.
Margaret Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account her Department took of the Government's review of procurement in preparing the tender for the Crossrail scheme. [88355]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 10 January 2012]:Crossrail Ltd is delivering the procurement of Crossrail rolling stock and depot on behalf of Rail for London—the future operator of Crossrail services. The co-sponsors of the project, Transport for London and the Department for Transport, have agreed that any relevant conclusions of the Government's review of public procurement will be taken into account in the tender process. As announced in August 2011, we expect the tender documents to be released early this year.
Insurance Companies
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Ministers in her Department have had recent meetings with (a) members of the board and (b) senior management at (i) Broker Direct and (ii) Zurich UK. [89112]
Norman Baker: Neither the Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), nor any other Ministers in the Department have had any recent meetings with members of the board and/or senior management at Broker Direct or Zurich UK.
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Railway Stations: Manpower
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2011, Official Report, column 422W, on railway stations: manpower, what discussions (a) she, (b) her predecessor and (c) her officials have had with the Chair of the Rail Value for Money Study on the calculations used to reach the recommendations in the report of the Rail Value for Money Study on (i) ticket office opening hours, (ii) ticket office staffing and (iii) the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement. [88127]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 10 January 2012]:Ministers and officials met with Sir Roy McNulty and his team regularly over the course of the Rail Value for Money Study to discuss a wide range of issues.
The conclusions of the independent study, together with the detailed supporting material, can be found on the websites of the Department and the Office of Rail Regulation.
The Department is now considering the findings of the study and will shortly be publishing a Command Paper setting out a strategy for improving the efficiency and performance of the railway network.
Railways: Disability
Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to improve disabled access at railway stations. [88230]
Norman Baker: The Access for All programme will deliver accessible routes to 153 stations before 2015 and a further £7 million a year is available to train operators to use for smaller access enhancements. We have also recently introduced a new Mid-Tier programme worth £37.5 million to fund projects needing up to £1 million of Government support.
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with the Association of Train Operating Companies on eligibility for disabled persons railcards following changes to disability living allowance. [88881]
Norman Baker: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) review of social security benefits is still ongoing, and is expected to be completed in 2012. DWP will be introducing personal independence payments (PIP) to replace disability living allowance (DLA) in 2013. Once the new eligibility criteria have been confirmed, ATOC will work with Disability Rights UK, the Department for Transport and other key stakeholders to evaluate the required revisions to the Disabled Person's Railcard eligibility criteria. Implementation will be timed to coincide with the introduction of PIP.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she plans to take to increase access to train services for disabled people (a) nationally and (b) in Coventry. [88898]
Norman Baker: The information is as follows.
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(a) We are committed to improving access to rail stations and we have therefore continued the previous Government's Access for All programme, which will deliver accessible routes to 153 stations before 2015. £7 million a year is available for smaller access enhancements and a new Mid-Tier programme worth £37.5 million was recently introduced.
(b) All three stations in Coventry (Canley, Coventry and Tile Hill) have step-free access.
Stratford International Station
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what works are required to enable Stratford International Station to receive international trains; and what the cost is of such works. [88186]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 10 January 2012]:The outer two platforms of Stratford International Station are already designed to take international trains.
The main work required to commence an international service would be the provision of border control and security facilities, along with ticket office fit-out and gate lines for the train operator and associated telecommunications and IT.
Although no detailed costings have been undertaken, it is estimated that the total value of work should not exceed £2 million.
Justice
Approved Premises: Female Offenders
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many probation trusts have approved premises for female offenders. [89197]
Mr Blunt: Six probation trust areas have approved premises for female offenders. Three are operated by the trusts themselves and three by independent bodies.
Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance he has provided to (a) local authorities and (b) magistrates' courts on assessing costs reasonably incurred under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992; whether local authorities are permitted to accrue revenue from such costs; and if he will make a statement. [73962]
Grant Shapps: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
The Ministry of Justice and the Department for Communities and Local Government have issued no guidance to (a) local authorities and (b) magistrates courts on assessing costs reasonably incurred under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992. What is reasonable in a particular case is a matter for the magistrates court to determine following submissions by the billing authority.
Schedule 5 to the Regulations sets out the sums an authority may charge where goods are seized to satisfy a council tax liability order. An authority may only charge the amounts stated in that Schedule, which may be a
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fixed amount or be limited to the reasonable costs and fees incurred, depending upon the matter in relation to which costs are incurred.
If a taxpayer believes charges made under Schedule 5 are incorrect, he should, in the first instance, contact the local authority or the Local Government Ombudsman.
There may also be scope for the district auditor to consider whether the local authority has proper arrangements in place to review, approve and pay bailiff fees, if complaints are brought to its attention.
I also note the 1993 Department of the Environment Council Tax Practice Note 9 states that:
“while it is likely that authorities will have discussed a scale of fees with the Clerk to Justices it should be recognised that the Court may wish to be satisfied that the amount claimed by way of costs in any individual case is no more than that reasonably incurred by the authority” (p. 8).
I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.
I am aware of recent press reports that suggest (a) some local authorities are over-charging council tax debtors for the issuing of summonses and liability orders, over and above what is reasonable, (b) unacceptable practices by private firms of bailiffs collecting unpaid council tax on councils1 behalf and (c) councils receiving commission payments for the use of bailiffs.
I also note the concerns raised on 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1206, by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman).
I will now review what action can be taken to address this public concern, and will make a further statement in due course.
The Government have also committed in the coalition agreement to:
“provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs and unreasonable charging orders”.
Crime: Victims
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many victims of crime there were in each year between 1997 and 2010. [87335]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 19 December 2011]: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
There are two sources of data collected by the Home Office namely the British Crime Survey (BCS) and the police recorded crime statistics. However, neither source provides a full picture of the extent of crime.
The available information relates to BCS incidents of crime and the number of offences recorded by the police and is given in tables 2.01 and 2.04 of ‘Crime in England and Wales 2010/11’.
Human Rights and Business Claims
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2011, Official Report, columns 862-3W, on Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12, whether unnecessary and avoidable international business and human rights claims have progressed to court. [89113]
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Mr Djanogly: The Government do not hold data on the number or detail of such claims, and whether they progress to court or settle.
Legal Opinion
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many defendants dismissed their legal teams during a trial in the Crown court in each year from 2000 to 2011. [89023]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice holds statistical information in relation to the status and changes to the legal representation of a defendant during their trial in the Crown court. However, the central administrative databases for courts do not store information on the reason for changes in legal representative or their legal representation status. As such, the information requested can be obtained only through the manual inspection of individual case files held by the courts at disproportionate cost.
Statistics are published on the representation status of each defendant England and Wales where it has been recorded, in the Ministry of Justice's statistical bulletin ‘Judicial and Court Statistics’, the most recent edition of which was published on 30 June 2011. The number of defendants and their representation status can be found in table 11.5. The report is available on the Ministry's website at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/courts-and-sentencing/judicial-annual.htm
Business, Innovation and Skills
Apprentices: East Midlands
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many (a) men and (b) women enrolled on apprenticeships in (i) information and communication technology and (ii) engineering and manufacturing technology in (A) the East Midlands, (B) Leicester South constituency and (C) Leicester City constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; [87658]
(2) how many people aged from 16 to 24 years participated in a modern apprenticeship scheme in (a) the East Midlands and (b) Leicester City in 2010-11. [87659]
Mr Hayes: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts by gender in information and communication technology, engineering and manufacturing technologies and all sector subject areas in the East Midlands region, Leicester local authority and Leicester South parliamentary constituency, in the 2010/11 academic year, based on provisional data. Data for Leicester local authority have been provided as there is not a parliamentary constituency for Leicester City. Data are based on the home postcode of the learner.
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| Table 1: Apprenticeship starts by gender and sector subject area in Leicester South parliamentary constituency, Leicester local authority and the East Midlands, 2010/11 (1) | |||
| Information and communication technology | Engineering and manufacturing technologies | All apprenticeships | |
| (1)Provisional data. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Total figures may not add up due to rounding. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: Individualised Learner Record. | |||
Table 2 shows the number of apprenticeship starts by age in the East Midlands region and Leicester local authority, in the 2010/11 academic year, based on provisional data. Data are based on the home postcode of the learner.
| Table 2: Apprenticeship starts by age in Leicester local authority and the East Midlands, 2010/11 (1) | |||
| 16-24 | 25+ | Total | |
| (1 )Provisional data. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Total figures may not add up due to rounding. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. 3. Age is based on age at the start of the programme. 4. A small number of learners aged under 16 are included. Source: Individualised Learner Record. | |||
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 27 October 2011:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
Information on apprenticeship starts by geographic breakdown, gender and sector subject areas are available in the SFR Supplementary Tables:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/Apprenticeship_sfr_supplementary_tables/
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Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which employers offer modern apprenticeships in (a) the East Midlands and (b) Leicester City. [87698]
Mr Hayes: I have made available in the Libraries of the House tables regarding employers which offer modern apprenticeships in (a) East Midlands and (b) Leicester City. Tables 3a and 3b show a list of all companies offering one or more apprenticeship vacancies as at 21 December 2011 in the East Midlands region and Leicester City ward. Please note December is not a typical month for vacancies.
Tables 4a and 4b show a list of all of the providers funded for apprenticeships in the East Midlands region and Leicester local authority based on the providers’ postcode.
Apprentices: Industrial Health and Safety
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough of 29 November 2011, Official Report, column 846W, on apprenticeships, which health and safety requirements he intends to remove. [89114]
Mr Hayes: We have removed all Skills Funding Agency health and safety requirements relating to apprenticeships that go beyond what health and safety legislation requires.
Construction Industry Training Board: Finance
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding his Department allocated to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many full-time equivalent staff worked for the CITB in each such year; and if he will make a statement. [87910]
Mr Hayes: The CITB do not receive any funding from the Department. They raise funds through a levy on employers in the construction industry. The levy depends on the continued consent of employers and is periodically debated in Parliament.
CITB-Construction Skills is also the sector skills council (SSC) for the construction industry. As an SSC they receive some funding through contract from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. In 2010-11 Construction Skills received £2,035,292 and in 2011-12 expect to receive £1,902,998. This is the total strategic funding, including sums received for National Occupational Standards and qualifications.
CITB had 1,389 full-time equivalent staff as at 31 December 2010. The current full-time equivalent staff figure, as at 30 November 2011, is 1,295.
Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) 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; [88701]
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(2) 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. [88702]
Mr Hayes: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has a large network of partner organisations of different types: executive, advisory and tribunal non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), agencies, public corporations, and non-ministerial departments. Some 80% of the Department's resources pass through these organisations, so they are vital to delivering our objectives.
Employment Tribunal Service
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to ensure that employers and employees are aware of changes to the Employment Tribunal system. [89012]
Mr Davey: We will ensure that changes to the employment tribunal system are notified to employers and employees, through the usual channels, after they have completed the relevant parliamentary processes. We will continue to work with stakeholders, including representative bodies, to support the circulation of relevant guidance and information.
Further and Higher Education
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has any plans to amend the process by which further education colleges validate their own higher education qualifications; and if he will make a statement. [88303]
Mr Hayes: Our plans for Higher Education are laid out in the White Paper, “Students at the Heart of the System”, published June 2011, and have been the subject of a technical consultation, “A New Regulatory Framework” published in August 2011. The proposals that we have set out therein include a review of the criteria and process by which higher and further education institutions apply for degree awarding powers, in order to create a simpler and more transparent system that allows for greater diversity of provision.
The Government response to the White Paper and consultation responses will be published in early 2012.
We have also committed to reviewing Foundation degree awarding powers in 2012 and will consider whether any changes are needed in the context of that review.
Higher Education Courses
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what procedure is in place for the approval of courses of higher education as designated courses. [86033]
Mr Willetts
[holding answer 14 December 2011]: Eligible higher education courses provided by publicly funded institutions in the UK are automatically designated under the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2009, as amended. Eligible courses delivered at privately
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funded institutions may be specifically designated on a course by course basis for the purposes of student support at the discretion of the Secretary of State.
Privately funded institutions that wish to have a course specifically designated apply to the Student Loans Company (SLC). Applications are assessed by the SLC against the course designation criteria in the Education (Student Support) Regulations which include course type, duration and mode of study. In addition all courses must be validated by a recognised UK awarding body such as a university. This provides quality assurance. The SLC then makes a recommendation to BIS on whether to designate courses or not.
BIS undertakes further checks on organisations that are applying for specific designation for the first time. These include consideration of the management, governance, and financial stability of the organisation. If the Department is satisfied that the course meets the course eligibility criteria; and that the provider does not pose a risk to the use of public funds; the course may be specifically designated.
Higher Education: North East
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UCAS applications had been made by residents in (a) Hartlepool constituency, (b) the Tees Valley and (c) the North East in the 2011-12 admissions cycle by 19 December 2011; and how many such applications had been submitted by 19 December 2010 in the 2010-11 admissions cycle. [89006]
Mr Willetts: The latest information is in the tables and has been provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS have stated that year-on-year changes for all courses at this early stage in the cycle are often different from the position later in the cycle, and that it is too early in the cycle to extrapolate applicant volumes forward. The second table includes only those applicants who applied to courses with a deadline of 15 October. The main deadline for the majority of UCAS courses is 15 January.
| All applicants to UCAS as at 19 December by parliamentary constituency/region | ||
| Application cycle | ||
| Area of domicile | 2010-11 (1) | 2011-12 (2) |
| (1) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2011, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2012. (2) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2012, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2013. | ||
| On time applicants to courses with an 15 October deadline (1) by parliamentary constituency/region | ||
| Application cycle | ||
| Area of domicile | 2010-11 (2) | 2011-12 (3) |
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| (1) These are courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, and courses at Oxbridge. (2) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2011, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2012. (3) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2012, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2013. (4) Revised figures. These correct the figures provided in PQs 84160 and 84356 (254 for 2010-11 and 227 for 2011-12). The figures for the Tees Valley include the constituencies of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton North, Stockton South, Darlington, and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. | ||
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UCAS applications had been submitted by residents of (a) Stockton North constituency, (b) the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, (c) Tees Valley and (d) the north-east in the 2011-12 admissions cycle by 19 December 2011; and how many such applications had been submitted by 19 December 2010 in the 2010-11 admissions cycle. [89015]
Mr Willetts: The latest information is in the following tables and has been provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS have stated that year-on-year changes for all courses at this early stage in the cycle are often different from the position later in the cycle, and that it is too early in the cycle to extrapolate applicant volumes forward. The second table includes only those applicants who applied to courses with a deadline of 15 October. The main deadline for the majority of UCAS courses is 15 January.
| All applicants to UCAS as at 19 December by parliamentary constituency/region | ||
| Application cycle | ||
| Area of domicile | 2010-11 (1) | 2011-12 (2) |
| (1) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2011, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2012. (2) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2012, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2013. | ||
| On time applicants to courses with an 15 October deadline (1) by parliamentary constituency/region | ||
| Application cycle | ||
| Area of domicile | 2010-11 (2) | 2011-12 (3) |
12 Jan 2012 : Column 410W
| (1) These are courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, and courses at Oxbridge. (2) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2011, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2012. (3) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2012, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2013. (4) Revised figures. These correct the figures provided in PQ 84356 (254 for 2010-11 and 227 for 2011-120). The figures for the Tees Valley include the constituencies of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton North, Stockton South, Darlington, and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. | ||
Insolvency
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when insolvency figures for 2010 will be published; and if he will make a statement. [89021]
Mr Davey: A statistical release showing insolvency figures for 2010 was published on 4 February 2011, and is available at:
http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/201102/index.htm
Time series data for all insolvency procedures, from 2001 to Q3 2011 are available at:
http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/201111/alltables.xls
Minimum Wage: EU Countries
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the minimum wage in each EU country in (a) the local currency of that country and (b) pounds sterling in purchasing power parity terms. [89020]
Mr Davey: Information about minimum wage levels in other countries, including EU member states, is contained in Appendix 3 of the Low Pay Commission's 2011 report at:
http://www.lowpay.gov.uk/
Music: Licensing Laws
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses associated with the requirement to hold a public performance licence for playing music. [88408]
Mr Davey:
The Government are in regular contact with the music collecting societies and encourages them to license in a manner which reduces the administrative burden for small businesses. The functions of collecting societies are not regulated by the Government at present. However, the Government accepted a recommendation made by Professor Ian Hargreaves, in his independent review of Intellectual Property and Growth, that collecting societies be regulated through codes of conduct that enshrine minimum standards of fairness and which
12 Jan 2012 : Column 411W
govern their relations with licensees. The Government are currently consulting on the implementation of this recommendation.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to inform small businesses of the need to obtain a public performance licence for playing music. [88409]
Mr Davey: The collection of royalties in respect of public performance licences is undertaken by collecting societies. These are private commercial organisations, and the primary responsibility for raising awareness of their activities rests with them. However, the Government aims assist by providing the relevant information through the Intellectual Property Office website and public information helpline, and by encouraging collecting societies to work with organisations which represent the interests of small businesses.
Qualifications
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to assess the operation of organisations which deliver degree programmes overseas who are applying for degree awarding powers in the UK. [86758]
Mr Willetts: In the BIS Technical Consultation “A new fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for the higher education sector”(1) we sought views as to whether, when considering applications for degree awarding powers, the track record criterion could be applied more flexibly including, for example, when considering applications from organisations whose track record relates to teaching overseas. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will publish the Government's response in due course.
(1) The Technical Consultation closed on 27 October and can be found at “A new fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for the higher education sector”
Student Loans
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many borrowers in the student loans scheme were (a) making repayments and (b) not earning enough to make repayments at the end of the 2010-11 financial year. [89005]
Mr Willetts: The repayment status of borrowers who take out Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) loans is published by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in the Official Statistics release 'Income Contingent Repayments by Repayment Cohort and Tax Year'.
The most recent release was published in June 2011 and refers to financial year 2010-11:
http://www.slc.co.uk/media/77960/SLCOSP022011.pdf
The publication contains a breakdown of the repayment status of all ICR borrowers which can be found in table 1(i).
TICC Skill Centres: Redundancy
Mr Betts:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 159W, and
12 Jan 2012 : Column 412W
with reference to the answer of 29 October 2008,
Official Report,
column 1077W, on TICC Skill Centres: redundancy, whether any employees who were made redundant did not receive ex-gratia payments. [88700]
Mr Davey: It is now more than 20 years since the company went into liquidation and there are no known records of any redundant TICC Ltd employees who did not receive ex-gratia payments. A search of all the remaining documents to find any records of redundant TICC Ltd employees who did not receive ex-gratia payments could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost with no certainty of finding any such records (if any previously existed).
I regret that there was an administrative error in my reply to the hon. Member's previous question of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 159W. The correct answer should have read:
“I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Jonathan Shaw) on 29 October 2008, Official Report, column 1077W and to the then Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Pat McFadden), on 16 October 2008, Official Report, column 1428W and 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 292W”.