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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 16 January 2012
Defence
Armed Conflict: South Atlantic
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) recent assessment he has made of and (b) advice he has received from Defence Chiefs on (i) the UK naval capability and (ii) response time in the event of armed conflict involving British forces in the South Atlantic; and when any such advice was received. [88813]
Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of potential military threats to the Falkland Islands as with all UK Overseas Territories to ensure that we retain appropriate capabilities to address any emerging threats.
A range of military assets are deployed in defence of the Falkland Islands, including air defence aircraft, naval vessels and ground forces designed to ensure the security and territorial integrity of the Islands and its population. We also retain the ability to reinforce those assets with additional deployed forces, including naval capability, if required.
Armed Forces: Life Insurance
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the soldiers who served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq were covered by PAX life insurance but with fewer than 15 units of insurance; [89478]
(2) how many soldiers who have served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq did so while being covered by PAX life insurance; [89518]
(3) how many soldiers who have served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq served without having PAX life insurance or any other life insurance; [89519]
(4) how many soldiers who have served in the conflict in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq were killed without having either PAX life insurance or any other life insurance. [89559]
Mr Robathan: I will write to the right hon. Member with the information requested.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice is provided to military personnel on the life insurance options available to them. [89520]
Mr Robathan: Information on the personal insurance cover available is specifically provided to personnel during initial training and on pre-deployment briefings, including information on schemes specifically designed with the needs of service personnel in mind. Information is also readily available through units' human resources (HR) administrative staffs and through single service and central defence intranet sites.
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HR administrative staffs are prevented, however, by the Financial Services Authority regulations, from providing individuals with specific financial advice, and are instructed that they should inform individuals that they must seek financial advice from a suitably qualified professional financial adviser should it be required.
Recruitment
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas of his Department’s recruitment process are (a) currently and (b) scheduled to be outsourced; what assessment he has made of the benefit to his Department of outsourcing recruitment in each area currently outsourced; and what benefit he expects to achieve in each area to be outsourced. [88063]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 10 January 2012]: Since 2008, the Army has sought a commercial recruiting partner to transform Army recruiting by exploiting the expertise of the private sector while retaining a strong military interface with potential recruits at key stages, in particular the selection and nurturing stage. The aim of the Recruiting Partnering Project is to recruit the right quantity and quality of officer and soldier recruits, into both the Regular and Territorial Army, in order to maintain operational capability. The competition phase is now nearing an end and from an original five interested parties, the competition has now generated two draft bids which meet the requirement to deliver an integrated recruiting service consistently to meet the Army’s recruiting targets. The solution will also deliver essential information and communications technology to support Royal Navy and Royal Air Force recruiting operations as their contracts come to an end in 2012.
The project is currently subject to the approvals process with the intention that a recommended supplier will be appointed in the near future and a subsequent contract awarded in March 2012. As the project is still subject to competitive rules, no details can be released at this stage. However, generic benefits will include substantial hard cash savings and reductions in military manpower (although a proportion will remain in recruiting) and the MOD civilian work force.
There are no plans to outsource recruitment in respect of entry into the civil service.
Documents: Data Protection
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the criteria on which documents are marked (a) Protect, (b) Restricted, (c) Confidential, (d) Secret and (e) Top Secret; and if he will make a statement. [89083]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses the criteria in annex 1 of HMG Security Policy Framework (V7.0, October 2011) published by the Cabinet Office at the following link:
http://cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/security-policy-framework
This is a mandatory requirement on all Government Departments and agencies, the MOD does not independently set policy for protective marking.
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EU Law
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the regulations his Department brought into force through (a) primary legislation, (b) secondary legislation and (c) other means originated from proposals by the European Commission in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [88966]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence introduced one piece of secondary legislation during the period in question which originated from proposals by the European Commission. The Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (S.I. 201 1/1848) was laid before Parliament on 29 July 2011, and came into force on 21 August 2011.
These regulations transposed into domestic legislation the EU Defence and Security Directive (2009/81/EC), which had been agreed by the British Government when it was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on 13 July 2009.
European Fighter Aircraft: Exports
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of potential exports of Eurofighter to (a) Japan, (b) India and (c) the Middle East; and if he will make a statement. [88809]
Mr Gerald Howarth [holding answer 12 January 2012]:My hon. Friend will have been disappointed to hear that Japan announced on 20 December 2011 their decision not to purchase the Eurofighter Typhoon.
There remains strong interest in Typhoon. Typhoon is one of two aircraft to have been down-selected by India to participate in the final phase of its medium multi-role combat aircraft competition. An announcement was made by Downing Street on 2 April 2010 that the Sultanate of Oman intends to purchase Typhoon on which discussions are taking place. It is also competing in a number of other important markets in the middle east, including the UAE which recently invited the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium to submit proposals for their requirement.
I expect an increase in interest in Typhoon following its highly successful air defence and ground attack roles on recent operations in Libya, where it consistently demonstrated exceptional levels of reliability, performance, accuracy, and overall cost-effectiveness.
Japan: Military Aircraft
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with BAE Systems on the decision of the Government of Japan to choose to procure the F35 joint strike fighter. [88649]
Peter Luff: Her Majesty’s Government are clearly disappointed that the Eurofighter Typhoon bid for Japan’s F-X future fighter requirement, led by BAE Systems, was unsuccessful. I have not held any discussions with the company on the decision.
This Department is committed to providing support to defence export campaigns where there is a direct benefit to defence to do so. Ministry of Defence Ministers and officials are providing support to all Typhoon
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export campaigns as part of an active and innovative defence diplomacy initiative. Indeed, ministerial colleagues from across Government have travelled to Japan taking the opportunity to discuss the operational success of Typhoon. We will continue to work closely with BAE Systems, our Eurofighter partners and colleagues from across Government in support of ongoing Typhoon export campaigns.
Military Attachés
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to review the role military attachés play in promoting UK defence interests abroad. [88810]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 12 January 2012]:The role of defence attachés is kept under review, and the forthcoming Defence Engagement Strategy, which we expect to publish in the near future, will enable the process to be undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
NATO
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the UK's total financial contribution to NATO was in each of the last five years; and what comparative assessment he has made of the level of the UK's contribution compared to the other NATO partners. [88814]
Mr Gerald Howarth: The United Kingdom's financial contribution to NATO common funds for each of the years in question is set out in the following table. National cost shares are calculated using an agreed formula which reflects the relative economic strength of the allies.
These contributions complement the considerable military capability which we make available to NATO, and the manpower which we provide to help run the alliance command and force structures, and agencies. Allies have agreed that they should aim to invest at least 2% of GDP in Defence and we continue to encourage others to work towards this goal.
| UK contribution | |||
| £ million | |||
| Financial year | NATO military common funds (1) | NATO civil budget (2) | NATO operations and missions (1) |
| (1) Funded by the Ministry of Defence. (2) Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. (3 )Estimated contribution. For other financial years the figures show the final out-turn. | |||
Wales
Co-operatives
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps (a) her Department and (b) those bodies for which her Department is responsible are taking to mark UN International Year of Cooperatives 2012; and if she will make a statement. [88598]
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Mr David Jones: The Government are working closely with the Mutuals Taskforce and Co-operatives UK to develop and take full advantage of opportunities across the UK to celebrate the achievements of co-operative organisations during the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives. We are also seeking discussions with the Welsh Government about the plans.
Equality
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what equality impact assessments her Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case. [88592]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has not brought forward any proposals requiring an equality impact assessment and therefore has not carried out any such assessments since May 2010.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many speechwriters her Department employs at each pay grade. [89413]
Scotland
Aviation
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Ministers in other Departments on future aviation links between Scotland and London following the proposed sale of BMI to International Airlines Group. [89152]
David Mundell: Scotland Office Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Department for Transport on air connectivity in Scotland, including on implications of the proposed sale of BMI to International Airlines Group. I most recently discussed the issue with the Minister of State, Department for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), last week and we continue to keep in close contact on the matter.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many speechwriters his Department employs at each pay grade. [89412]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ speechwriters. Staff from different grades may be involved in speechwriting work, but this would be done alongside undertaking other duties.
Pay
Priti Patel:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid to officials in his Department in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other payments additional to basic salary in each of the last two years
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for which figures are available; what categories of payment may be made to officials in addition to basic salary; what the monetary value is of each category of payment; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest such payments made in each of the last two years. [89707]
David Mundell: All staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from other Government bodies, in the majority of cases, the Scottish Government or the Ministry of Justice and therefore staff may be eligible for bonuses, allowances and other payments additional to basic salary in different ways through their parent bodies' pay arrangements.
The Scotland Office is not responsible for payments made through end of year performance payments or allowances under staffs' parent bodies' pay arrangements and does not hold information centrally on these matters.
The Scotland Office is however able to directly authorise non-consolidated and non-pensionable bonus payments (including small and instantaneous awards, eg vouchers) in recognition of special effort, achievement and commitment. The following table shows the cost of such payments:
| Financial year | Total cost of payments (£) |
The only other category of payment made to officials in addition to basic salary was overtime/travel time payments totalling £73,649.76 in 2009-10 and £46,228.63 in 2010-11. The monetary value of the twenty largest overtime/travel time payments made in 2009-10 was £29,093.90, and in 2010-11 was £27,207.77.
EU Law
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the regulations his Department brought into force through (a) primary legislation, (b) secondary legislation and (c) other means originated from proposals by the European Commission in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [88975]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not brought into force any regulations in primary legislation in 2010 or 2011.
The Scotland Office is responsible for managing a programme of secondary legislation, under order making powers provided in the Scotland Act 1998.
In 2010 we brought forward one order which included proposals that originated from the European Commission. This was the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010, which was made in consequence of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 of the Scottish Parliament, which introduced management tools to deliver requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Housing Benefit
Ann McKechin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the (a) Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and (b) Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to discuss the effects in Scotland of changes
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to housing benefit regulation in Scotland; and whether he intends to meet them in order to discuss this issue in 2012. [89896]
David Mundell: The Department for Work and Pensions is in contact with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations concerning current changes to housing benefit regulation in Scotland. The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), is soon due to meet the President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss issues relating to Government policy.
Sovereignty
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the case that agreement is not reached with the Scottish Government on proposals for a referendum on separation, the issue would be referred to the disputes procedures under the Joint Ministerial Agreement with the devolved Administrations. [89895]
David Mundell: On 10 January 2012, Official Report, columns 51-52, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), set out the Government's clear view that it is not within the powers of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum on independence and published a consultation on how to deliver a legal referendum.
I am confident that we can work with the Scottish Government to deliver a legal, fair and decisive referendum.
Northern Ireland
Correspondence
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the letter he has sent to political parties in Northern Ireland inviting them to talks on how to come to terms with the past; and if he will make a statement. [89976]
Mr Paterson: It is clear that no consensus currently exists on the issue of dealing with the past in Northern Ireland. In my forthcoming meetings with the political parties, I intend to seek their views on how consensus can be found. The Government are ready to make their own contribution on the matter but they do not ‘own' the past and cannot impose solutions; all those with an interest in Northern Ireland have a part to play.
Copies of the letters sent to the political parties have been placed in the Library of the House.
Departmental Manpower
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many speechwriters his Department employs at each pay grade. [89384]
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EU Law
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the regulations his Department brought into force through (a) primary legislation, (b) secondary legislation and (c) other means originated from proposals by the European Commission in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [88976]
Joint Ministerial Group on Corporation Tax
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the outcome of the recent meeting of the Joint Ministerial Group on Corporation Tax; and if he will make a statement. [89987]
Mr Paterson: We had a very constructive first meeting on 15 December of the Ministerial Working Group on Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy, bringing together the First and deputy First Ministers, the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, the right hon. Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) and I, under the chairmanship of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for South West Hertfordshire (Mr Gauke).
The group agreed an intensive programme of work by officials aimed at examining in detail a range of issues associated with the devolution of corporation tax which need to be pursued before final decisions are taken. That work is now under way.
Police: Intelligence Services
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of implementation of Annex E of the St Andrews Agreement; what the status is of memoranda of understanding between the Security Services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement; [88805]
(2) what high-level memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between the Security Services and (a) the Police Service of Northern Ireland and (b) others have been published since the St Andrews Agreement; what other levels of MOUs exist; and whether they are available. [88806]
Mr Paterson: The Government believe that the arrangements for national security in Northern Ireland are operating effectively. We are confident that the five key national security principles relating to the sharing of intelligence between the PSNI and the Security Service are fully embedded.
As set out in my written ministerial statement to the House on 19 December 2011, Official Report, columns 145-46WS, Lord Carlile of Berriew's latest independent assessment of the arrangements has found that there are no difficulties of any significance in the inter-operability between the PSNI and the Security Service and identifies this is a sound working partnership and one that is to be commended.
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Memorandums of understanding between the Security Service and others, including the PSNI, exist. The relationship between the Security Service and PSNI was set out in a statement in January 2007 by the then Prime Minister.
Poverty
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the effect of Government policies on (a) pensioner and (b) child poverty. [89975]
Mr Paterson: These are matters which I and the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), discuss regularly with Northern Ireland Ministers. They were also raised at a meeting with the Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Employment and Learning and the Minister for Welfare Reform my noble Friend the Lord Freud, last year.
Culture, Media and Sport
Advertising
Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the application of controls on subliminal advertising to (a) cinemas, (b) television programmes and (c) computer programmes; and if he will make a statement. [89888]
Mr Vaizey: Advertising in the UK is controlled through a system of co-regulation and self-regulation, which is administered by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). This regulatory system is independent of Government and is ultimately responsible for setting the standards in advertising, including those adverts shown at cinemas, on television, as well as computer/video in-game advertising.
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) are the bodies responsible for writing and maintaining the advertising codes.
“Broadcast advertising rule 3.8 [misleading advertising] states ‘No advertisement may use images of very brief duration, or any other technique that is likely to influence consumers, without their being fully aware of what has been done.’ A similar provision exists in the video-on-demand section of the CAP Code, which reflects the requirements of the 2003 Communications Act. Whilst the CAP Code does not itself contain a specific rule on subliminal advertising, complaints would likely be considered under the social responsibility clause.”
Arts
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will instruct English Heritage to take steps to prevent the dispersal of the collection of marbles formed by Henry Blundell now in the grounds of Ince Blundell Hall, Merseyside. [89970]
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John Penrose: The removal of marbles at Ince Blundell is subject to Listed Building Consent and the decision rests with the local planning authority. Initially English Heritage advised that, if consent was given, the marbles should not be removed for one year to allow time for money to be raised for public or charitable acquisition. This condition was not accepted by the owner of Ince Blundell so English Heritage has advised refusal of consent for the removal of the marbles. However, some items have suffered serious deterioration and English Heritage has therefore advised their immediate removal for conservation purposes.
Arts: Expenditure
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the total expenditure was in each parliamentary constituency by his Department on the arts in 2011. [88825]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) gives its expenditure on the arts to an arm’s length body—Arts Council England (ACE)—to distribute independently of Government. Therefore, DCMS does not distribute funding for the arts to individual constituencies. So far, in 2011-12, DCMS has given £342,343,485 in grant in aid to ACE (some of which is spent on running costs). ACE also receives funds from the National Lottery Distribution Fund, which it also distributes independently of Government.
ACE has produced a table with its total expenditure on the arts by parliamentary constituency to date, in the financial year 2011-12. In this period, of ACE's expenditure that can be attributed to individual constituencies, £372,602,410 was distributed in 470 different constituencies. The geographical location of the investment reflects where the administrative base of the arts organisation is located, and therefore constituencies may be benefiting from work toured by or visiting from arts organisations with an administrative base located outside of the recipient constituency.
A copy of the table will be deposited in the Library of both Houses.
Audio Equipment
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on how many occasions wireless microphones have been used at events hosted by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [89661]
John Penrose: The Department uses audio-visual equipment at some events, as necessary, but we do not keep a record of the types of microphones used.
BBC
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether the BBC received any grants or loans from the EU between 2005 and 2011. [89228]
Mr Vaizey: This is a matter for the BBC and I have asked the BBC to write direct to my hon. Friend. A copy of the BBC's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to encourage the BBC to exercise greater restraint in its spending on hospitality. [89973]
Mr Vaizey: Under the terms of the BBC Charter and Agreement, the BBC is independent of Government and there is no provision for the Government to intervene in the BBC's day-to-day activities. It is the responsibility of the BBC Trust to ensure that the BBC delivers financial efficiency and to hold the BBC Executive to account for its performance in delivering value for money.
The Government expect the BBC to achieve the highest standards of value-for-money for licence fee payers.
Broadband
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport to which areas he has extended the roll-out of superfast broadband by Broadband Delivery UK up to 2015. [89537]
Mr Vaizey: Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) has been engaged in vital preparatory work over the past few months in readiness for a large number of local procurements and project implementations during 2012. There are currently eight projects in procurement. Five other projects have had their local broadband plans approved and all other local broadband plans should be submitted by the end of February 2012 and approved by the end of April 2012. The BDUK framework will be available to local authorities from April 2012 with the first five procurements under the framework taking place commencing immediately, and with others to follow over the ensuing months. All procurements are scheduled for completion by the end of 2012. The projects are therefore all scheduled for completion by the 2015 deadline.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when his Department and the Scottish Government's joint working group on broadband coverage will next meet. [89966]
Mr Vaizey: The Scottish Government have not yet confirmed their agreement to establishing the proposed working group. However, officials from Scottish Government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Scotland Office met on 12 January and agreed initial work that could be undertaken on broadband coverage.
Broadband: Brighton and Hove
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to permit the City of Brighton and Hove to enter the competition to bid for funding from the urban broadband fund for super-connection of broadband. [89416]
Mr Vaizey:
The Government’s Super-Connected Cities Initiative is seeking to transform how people and organisations interact with each other, handle information,
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access services and do business. We believe that our major cities, where there is a high density of people and businesses, offer the greatest potential to achieve this effect. We have defined these cities as the four national capitals, the eight English core cities and any other city with more than 150,000 dwellings. Brighton and Hove does not meet any of these criteria and will therefore not be eligible to bid for the Urban Broadband Fund.
Civil Wars
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the adequacy of levels of protection for the Civil War battlefield of Naseby. [89967]
John Penrose: The Battle of Naseby battlefield is included in English Heritage's Register of Historic Battlefields and is therefore subject to the policies set out in Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment. We are satisfied that it is currently afforded the level of protection appropriate to such a site.
Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding his Department allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and how much such funding he plans to allocate in 2012-13. [89149]
John Penrose: The Department had five apprentices in the period April 2010 to March 2011 and these were funded at a cost of £22,680. In 2011-12, to date, the Department does not have any apprenticeships and has no specific funding set aside to support the scheme. We pledged to accept up to five apprenticeships/work placements during 2011-12 and have taken on three work placements, but do not plan to offer any more for the remainder of the year. Similarly, for the period 2012-13 there is no specific funding set aside to sponsor apprenticeships, any funding towards the scheme will be made from our existing pay budget.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many apprentices were employed by his Department between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he plans that his Department will sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April and March 2013. [89219]
John Penrose: The Department had five apprentices in the period April 2010 to March 2011. The Department had no apprentices between April and December 2011 but supported two summer work placements. There are currently no plans to sponsor apprenticeships between January 2012 and March 2013, while the Department focuses on delivering the Olympic Games and reorganisation following the Games. The Department will review the pledge again post-Olympics.
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Digital Broadcasting: Northern Ireland
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of homes in Northern Ireland that have not switched their televisions to digital. [89450]
Mr Vaizey: The Government do not collect these statistics. The matter is primarily one for Digital UK, the independent not-for-profit company leading the implementation of switchover. Data from Digital UK's switchover tracker survey shows that in December 2011, 10 months before the digital switchover, 81% of Northern Ireland households were already watching digital television on at least one set, meaning 19% of Northern Ireland households had not yet switched to digital TV.
Digital Broadcasting: Radio
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on switching radio from FM to digital; what assessment he has made of the potential effects of this switch on vehicle users; and if he will make a statement. [89857]
Mr Vaizey: A radio switchover would only begin following the satisfaction of the Digital Radio Switchover criteria, which are:
(i) When 50% of all listening is to digital;
(ii) When national DAB coverage is comparable to FM; and local DAB reaches 90% of the population and all major roads.
The Digital Radio Action Plan launched in 2010 and sets out the process for assessing the impact of a digital radio switchover for vehicle users, as well as what would be required to minimise any negative impacts.
The action plan is updated on a quarterly basis and is available on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Digital_RadioActionPlanDec11.pdf
Direct Selling
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of unwanted and unsolicited telephone marketing calls; and if he will make a statement. [88887]
Mr Vaizey:
Direct marketing is a legitimate business activity and it is particularly important to businesses trying to grow in difficult economic circumstances. However, unwanted and unsolicited calls can be a nuisance, so regulations are in place which enable consumers to opt out of such calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Scheme (TPS). The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003 provides the legislative underpinning for the scheme and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has enforcement responsibility and considers complaints about breaches. In May of last year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) increased the ICO's powers in relation to the regulations, enabling the ICO to issue a fine of up to £500,000 for the most serious breaches. In addition, DCMS is discussing the effectiveness of the TPS with
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Ofcom, who are responsible for the contract, to ensure that consumers continue to be effectively protected and improvements are made where necessary.
EU Law
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many of the regulations his Department brought into force through (a) primary legislation, (b) secondary legislation and (c) other means originated from proposals by the European Commission in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [88964]
John Penrose: The number of such items brought into force, done so through secondary legislation only, in 2010 and 2011 respectively, were:
1. Four—the Communications Act 2003 (Disclosure of Information) Order 2010 SI 2010/282), the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/419), the Audiovisual Media Services (Product Placement) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/831) and the Audiovisual Media Services (Codification) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/1883).
2. Four—the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1208), the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) (Amendment) Order 2011 (SI 2011/1209), the Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1210) and the Communications Act 2003 (Maximum Penalty for Contravention of Information Requirements) Order 2011 (SI 2011/1773).
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which EU (a) Directives, (b) Regulations and (c) other legislation affecting his Department require transposition into UK law; and what estimate he has made of the cost to (i) the public purse and (ii) the private sector of such measures. [89693]
John Penrose: The Commission Decision of 10 October 2011 (Decision 2011/667/EU) on modalities for co-ordinated application of the rules on enforcement with regard to mobile satellite services (MSS) is currently being considered by the Department as it may require the amendment of the Authorisation of Frequency Use for the Provision of Mobile Satellite Services (European Union) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/672) which implement the previous decisions in relation to mobile satellite services. No decisions as to whether UK legislation must be amended have yet been taken, and therefore I am unable to provide an estimate of the cost to the public purse and the private sector.
I am not aware of any other EU legislation currently requiring transposition for which this Department is responsible.
Libraries and Museums
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he plans to take to ensure that the provisions of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 are applied consistently nationwide; and what steps he plans to take to ensure proposed new community managed libraries remain part of the statutory service. [89530]
Mr Vaizey:
The powers and duties of the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 only apply
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to library authorities in England. It is a matter for each local authority to configure their library services to fulfil the statutory duty placed on them under the 1964 Act—namely to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” public library service for their local library users. There is no absolute or single standard. Local authorities must assess local need and arrange their services to meet that need in light of available resource. It is for elected council members and local officials, in consultation with their communities, to make any necessary decisions about how money is being spent, to fulfil all their legal duties and having regard to all their community needs.
A community supported library can be used in addition to the public library service or, in a measured way, as part of it but only in appropriate circumstances and after careful analysis.
Radio Frequencies
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on how many occasions (a) he and (b) his officials have met representatives of (i) mobile operators and (ii) the entertainment industry to discuss matters relating to spectrum use and availability in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [89585]
Mr Vaizey: My officials and I have had numerous meetings with all interested stakeholders including all the mobile network operators and the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group at which spectrum has been among the matters discussed. Spectrum matters are also covered as appropriate in meetings with industry where spectrum use and availability is not the sole topic of discussion.
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what recent discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on the auction of the 600MHz band; and if he will make a statement; [89659]
(2) what consideration his Department has given to designating the 600MHz spectrum band for use by licensed programme making and special events users; and if he will make a statement. [89660]
Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Our recent discussions with Ofcom on the award of the 600 MHz band have been to understand the current status of their work on this. My officials have spoken to Ofcom, who advised:
“Ofcom are currently considering how to make spectrum at 600 MHz available. In doing this they are taking account of all the potential uses of the-spectrum, including its use for programme making and special events. They intend to consult on this once they have developed a longer term strategy for this and related bands”.
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on implementing the recommendation of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee that Ofcom includes a provision to revoke licences in the 800 MHz band in cases of interference. [89662]
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Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised:
“Ofcom has extensively analysed and tested the potential for new services in the 800 MHz band to cause harmful interference to users of neighbouring bands. It is confident the technical and other licence conditions it includes in the new 800 MHz licences will give neighbouring users an appropriate level of protection from harmful interference.”
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Environment Protection
Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the global environmental impacts of UK livestock farming including greenhouse gas emissions arising from overseas land use change; [87460]
(2) what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the potential for replacing imported soy with protein crops grown in Europe for animal feed use in the UK. [87461]
Mr Paice: DEFRA is funding research in partnership with industry to evaluate the environmental impacts of the production of UK poultry (Project LK0693) and pigs (Project LK0682) using life cycle analysis, including green house gas emissions arising from overseas land use change. Project LK0682 is evaluating the environmental consequences of replacing imported soy with home-grown peas and beans in UK pig diets.
In 2009 DEFRA published a paper commissioned from ADAS on the potential to replace imported soya and maize with other feeds in livestock diets. This research is available on the website at:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/gm/crops/documents/foodmatters-otherfeeds-1308.pdf
Under the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), in partnership with DEFRA, BBSRC and the Scottish Government, is investing up to £15 million in collaborative R&D focusing on the challenge of sustainable protein production, which includes increasing the domestic supply of sustainably produced vegetable protein for farmed animals (including land and marine based aquaculture).
Agriculture: Subsidies
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate has been made of the total amount allocated to each region of the UK through the (a) single farm payment, (b) European Fisheries Fund and (c) Rural Development Programme in each of the last five years. [88018]
Mr Paice: The information is as follows:
The amounts paid under the Single Payment Scheme, in millions of pounds per scheme year, are shown in table 1 as follows:
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| Single Payment Scheme | |||||
| £ million/pa | |||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is intended to help secure a sustainable and profitable fisheries industry. It will grant financial support during the programme period 2007-13, with a view to help the fisheries sector adapt to changing circumstances.
The budget for the European Fisheries fund was profiled over the period 2008-13, and has been allocated to England and the devolved Administrations of the UK. There was no budget profile in 2007, as the EFF
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Operational Programme was not finalised with the European Commission until 2008.
The budget is further allocated to convergence and non-convergence regions within the UK. The convergence objective is aimed at supporting the least economically developed regions of the UK. This makes funding available for regions with average gross domestic product per capita below 75% of the European Union average. In terms of the EFF, the convergence objective results in more favourable aid intensity rates for convergence areas.
The convergence regions in the UK are:
(i) Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly;
(ii) West Wales and the Valleys; and
(iii) Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
The total EFF budget allocated to convergence and non-convergence regions is shown in table 2. A summary of spend to 31 December 2010 is included in table 3.
| Table 2: Summary of European Fishe ries Fund b udgets allocated to devolved Administrations, by convergence and non-convergence regions | |||||||
| €000 | |||||||
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Total | |
| Note: The budget is profiled in calendar years. | |||||||
| Table 3: Summary of European Fisheries Fund spend to 31 December 2010 by devolved Administrations, covering convergence and non-convergence regions | |||||
| €000 | |||||
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Total | |
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| Note: 2011 figures reflect expenditure incurred to 31 October 2011. The table reflects expenditure incurred in calendar years. | |||||
(c) Rural Development Programme
Table 4 as follows sets out the total expenditure figures for the 2007-13 Rural Development Programmes.
| Table 4: Rural Development Programme expenditure | ||||
| £ million/pa | ||||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
Only figures for 2007 onwards are provided as previous years were made under a separate EU fund and are not readily available. The figures have been established by converting EU amounts declared to the Commission at an average exchange rate for each EU financial year.
Animal Feed
Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to increase the usage of permissible waste food products in animal feed by UK livestock farmers since March 2011. [87459]
Mr Paice: Certain waste retail and factory food (e.g. vegetables, bread, cakes, biscuits) can be fed to livestock if it comes from premises with appropriate separation procedures to prevent any contact with animal by-products such as meat and fish, and we have been working with supermarkets and feed businesses to ensure this can be done safely.
However, under EU legislation, both ruminant and non-ruminant farm animals may not be fed catering waste. The practice of feeding catering waste to livestock was banned in the UK and then the rest of the EU following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001. The ban stayed in place following a recent revision of the EU animal by-products regulations because it was recognised that the disease risks remain.
The Government are keeping their position on feeding of catering waste under review, and further examination of the scientific evidence base is important to ensure that our policy is founded on strong evidence. DEFRA is currently funding a review of the available evidence on the benefits and risks of using food waste in animal feed. This desk-based study is being conducted by the Food and Environment Research Agency. We commissioned this study in May this year and it is due to report in May 2012.
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to address any difficulties associated with the implementation of common animal welfare and public safety standards to a range of sites used by touring circuses in the UK. [87547]
Mr Paice: We are proposing to introduce a new licensing regime to promote animal welfare standards at those travelling circuses in England that use wild animal acts. It will be the responsibility of each circus to maintain those standards at each site it visits in England. Public safety standards are covered by other regulatory regimes.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with regard to her Department’s development of a licensing regime for the use of wild animals in circuses, whether she has received evidence to indicate that the welfare needs of wild animals can be met in a circus environment. [88901]
Mr Paice: Since the 2007 Radford report, which examined the available evidence then on the welfare of wild animals in travelling circuses, we have not seen any new scientific evidence that would support the argument that circuses, by their very nature, cannot meet the welfare needs of wild animals. The Radford report found that there was little evidence to demonstrate that the welfare of animals kept in travelling circuses is any better or worse than that of animals kept in other captive environments. As there are already licensing regimes in place that secure the welfare needs of the same species of animals in other captive environments, we are satisfied that it will be possible to introduce a set of enforceable welfare standards that will ensure that wild animals in travelling circuses are provided with an environment that provides for each animal’s welfare needs.
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the consequences of the upholding of the ban on the use of wild animals in circuses by the Austrian Constitutional Court for her Department's progress towards the introduction of such a ban in the UK. [88939]
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the recent decision by the Austrian Constitutional Court, when she expects to make progress on banning of wild animals in circuses. [88940]
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Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for West Bromwich East of 12 May 2011, Official Report, column 1348, on Animal welfare: circuses, what steps she plans to take following the ruling of the Austrian Constitutional Court on the use of wild animals in circuses. [89081]
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the contribution by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food of 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 581, whether she has received legal advice on a ban on wild animals in circuses following the ruling of the Austrian Constitutional Court of 1 December 2011; and if she will make a statement. [89115]
Mr Paice: The judgment of the Austrian Constitutional Court was published on 21 December 2011 and we are considering its relevance to the legal position here.
British Waterways: Pensions
Martin Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the current pension liability of British Waterways is; and whether it will be transferred to the Canal & River Trust. [89014]
Richard Benyon: The last triennial valuation of the British Waterways pension fund was carried out by the Scheme Actuary on 31 March 2010. The actuarial valuation of the British Waterways Pension Fund pension deficit was £65.6 million. No formal valuation has been prepared since March 2010, although estimated updates have been prepared by the Scheme Actuary for the pension fund trustees.
The Government are negotiating a long-term funding agreement with the trustees of the Canal & River Trust (CRT). Those negotiations are considering a range of issues which could impact on funding to maintain the canal network, including future liabilities arising from CRT’s pension arrangements.
The outcome of the negotiations will be announced before the Government lays the necessary order under the Public Bodies Act to transfer British Waterways’ functions to CRT.
Cattle: Transport
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the backlog of cattle movements following the introduction of the new Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency cattle movement computer system. [83217]
Mr Paice: The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency's (AHVLA) IT system (SAM) is used to record the location and disease status of livestock in Great Britain.
SAM now enables the AHVLA to record information relating to TB testing. There were issues with the system that resulted in delays inputting TB test chart data in several regions and some TB reactor animals in the Midlands and South West Region not being removed within the 10 day target.
The AHVLA has put in place measures to address this issue and is continuing to monitor the situation.
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Common Agricultural Policy
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of proposed reform of the common agricultural policy on tenant farmers under the stewardship level schemes. [88933]
Mr Paice: At this early stage in the common agricultural policy reform negotiation process, it is not possible to assess with any degree of accuracy the likely impact on tenant farmers with Entry Level Stewardship agreements.
I have however pledged to do everything possible to make sure farmers are not disadvantaged because they have been ahead of the game on environmental management (such as having an Entry Level Stewardship agreement). If changes do have to be made to these agreements, we will want to make sure that farmers will be able to opt out without penalty.
Co-operatives
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [88597]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA currently has no plans for specific activities to mark the UN Year of the Co-operative.
Services: Social Value
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure social value is included when services are commissioned by (a) her Department and (b) its public bodies; and if she will make a statement. [85656]
Richard Benyon: UK public procurement policy is to award contracts on the basis of value for money, which means the optimum combination of cost and quality over the lifetime of the project. Sustainability is achieved by using Government Buying Standards within tenders. These standards are developed on the basis of rigorous cost-benefit analysis and seek to deliver value for money over the lifetime of a product or service.
Public sector procurers are required to assess value for money from the perspective of the contracting authority using criteria linked to the subject matter of the contract, including compliance with the published specification. Wider socio-economic benefits that do not accrue to the contracting authority cannot be taken into account at tender evaluation stage if they do not relate to the subject matter of a contract from the point of view of the contracting authority.
Dredging
Martin Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of dredging works which will not have been completed at the proposed time of transfer of British Waterways’ canals and rivers to the Canal & River Trust. [89013]
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Richard Benyon: Dredging is an operational matter for British Waterways (BW) and it applies a risk-based prioritisation to its maintenance expenditure. The Government require BW to operate and maintain waterways to standards that reflect use and prospects of use.
BW estimates that the cost of clearing the current backlog of dredging would be approximately £40 million. BW has not set a time scale for dealing with the dredging backlog because it is subject to BW’s need to prioritise expenditure on its major infrastructure assets and therefore it is not possible to confirm which dredging works will remain outstanding when the charity is vested. However, BW prioritises dredging at locations that cause particular boating constraints.
Once BW’s assets and functions are transferred to the Canal & River Trust, it will be a matter for the trust to prioritise expenditure on the operation and maintenance of the waterways.
Flood and Water Management Act 2010
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to implement section 45 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. [89198]
Richard Benyon: We will shortly be consulting on draft regulations specifying the details to be provided to the water and sewage undertakers under section 45 of the Act. We will also consult on an alternative, non-regulatory option. We will take appropriate next steps in response to the outcome of the consultation.
Water Charges: South West
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the autumn statement, from what source funding for the £50 discount to the annual water bill of each South West Water customer will be drawn; and by what mechanisms the funding will be disbursed. [88318]
Richard Benyon: In the autumn statement 2011, the Government announced:
“Households in the South West face by far the highest water bills in the country. The Government has decided to fund South West Water to enable it to cut bills by £50 per year for all household customers.”
Legislation will be required to enable Government to make the payment so this is subject to the necessary legislation passing through Parliament.
The scheme will commence in 2013 and for the years 2013-14 and 2014-15 this will be funded by a call on the HM Treasury Reserve. After this spending review, from 2015-16 onwards, the payment will be funded through DEFRA's budget (the Departmental Expenditure Limit set by HM Treasury).
DEFRA will make a payment to South West Water on the basis of a clear agreement that South West Water will reduce each household customer's bill by £50. The administration of the scheme will be undertaken by South West Water. This deduction will be shown in the customer's bill.
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Water: Meters
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to ensure that water meters are produced to a satisfactory standard. [88997]
Richard Benyon: The water fittings regulations are national requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances. The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme aims to develop criteria for testing materials and fittings, to assess the results of the testing of materials and fittings, to determine their compliance with the regulations specifications, and to publish up-to-date lists of satisfactory materials and fittings in the scheme's water fittings and materials directory.
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints Ofwat has received on defective water meters. [88998]
Richard Benyon: Ofwat received 215 meter-related written inquiries and complaints between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011. Ofwat does not specifically record how many of its meter-related contacts relate to defective water meters.
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to make providers responsible for the financial cost of replacing water meters. [88999]
Richard Benyon: Under the law, household customers currently have the right to opt to pay for their water on a metered basis and have a meter installed with no installation charge. If a meter is defective or reaches the end of its lifetime, the water company will replace or repair it with no cost to the individual customer.
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to increase the number of water companies introducing compulsory meter programmes. [89199]
Richard Benyon: Under the law, household customers currently have the right to opt to pay for their water on a metered basis and have a meter installed with no installation charge. Their right to remain charged on an unmeasured basis (by rateable value) can be set aside and they can be compulsorily charged by a meter where the Secretary of State designates their water company area as one of “serious water stress” and where the company has included a programme of metering in their water resource management plan.
The Secretary of State, after consulting the Environment Agency, can determine all or part of a water company's area to be an area of serious water stress, where the Secretary of State considers that:
(a) the current household demand for water in that area is a high proportion of the current effective rainfall which is available to meet that demand; or
(b) the future household demand for water in that area is likely to be a high proportion of the effective rainfall which is likely to be available to meet that demand.
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In 2007, the then Secretary of State designated some water company areas as being seriously water stressed. This means that if those companies include a programme of metering in their water resource management plan, they are able to roll out universal metering programmes. Currently, two companies in areas of serious water stress, Southern Water and South East Water, are doing so.
During the next water resource management planning round the Government will reflect on the latest evidence to review the areas designated as water stressed.
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on a national roll-out of smart water meters. [89608]
Richard Benyon: Most households in England and Wales are charged for water and sewerage on the basis of the rateable value of their home rather than the amount of water they use, with only 37% of households currently charged for their volumetric use. The Government recognise that metering can have advantages for customers and is a fair way of charging for water. It also provides a direct incentive to reduce water usage. However, the costs and benefits of increasing levels of water metering to help reduce demand will vary from region to region. Because of these complexities, the recently published water White Paper, “Water for Life”, explained that the Government will not impose a blanket approach to metering across the country. We believe that water companies are best placed to find the appropriate local solution in discussion with their customers.
The Government recognise that smart or intelligent water meters can offer further benefits for customers. Ofwat have established a Smart Metering Advisory Group which brings together the Government, industry and regulators. The group is exploring the business case for smart metering and an understanding of the potential benefits to customers. We will look to companies to demonstrate the business case for implementation with the agreement of their customers.
Leader of the House
Times of Sittings
John Mann: To ask the Leader of the House what assessment he has made of the possible cost saving of bringing forward sittings of the House by two hours on each day. [88921]
Sir George Young: I have made no such assessment. The main cost effects of any changes to sitting hours are likely to fall within the responsibilities of the House of Commons Commission and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I look forward to considering the evidence received by the Procedure Committee during its current inquiry on sittings of the house and the parliamentary calendar on this and other matters, and to giving oral evidence to the committee in due course.
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Home Department
British Nationality: English Language
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the citizenship data tables in Immigration Statistics April-June 2011, table cz.09, on refusals of citizenship by reason, if she will give the details of the language threshold that those who were rejected for language reasons failed to obtain. [89745]
Damian Green: A person applying for naturalisation as a British citizen is required to have sufficient knowledge of language and of life in the United Kingdom. This can be demonstrated by either passing the Life in the UK Test, or by attending and making relevant progress on an English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) course which uses the stipulated citizenship-based materials and which is delivered by an accredited institution.
ESOL courses are normally taken by those whose English is at ESOL Entry Level two or below. The Life in the UK test is intended for those whose English is equivalent to or better than ESOL Entry Level three or above.
Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much funding her Department allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in her Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and how much such funding she plans to allocate in 2012-13; [89143]
(2) how many apprentices were employed by her Department between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships her Department will sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April and March 2013. [89212]
Damian Green: No apprentices were recruited to the Department during the periods in question and therefore no funding was allocated to sponsor apprenticeships. Funding has not been specifically allocated for apprenticeships in 2012-13. The Department will, however, provide the necessary funding for apprentices as suitable opportunities to recruit them arise.
Due to the recruitment freeze in the civil service, there has been limited opportunity to employ apprentices. None were externally recruited by the Department during the periods in question. The Department plans to introduce schemes when the freeze ends and make best use of apprenticeships as suitable opportunities arise.
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines her Department issues to its non-departmental public bodies on the employment of unpaid interns. [89381]
Damian Green: The Home Office has not issued guidelines to its non-departmental public bodies on the employment of unpaid interns.
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Deportation
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were removed from the UK in each (a) week and (b) month in each of the last five years. [89923]
Damian Green: The following table shows the total number of removals and voluntarily departures from the UK in each month from January 2007 to September 2011.
| Monthly total removals and voluntary departures (1, 2) , January 2007 to September 2011 | |
| Number of departures | |
| Grand total | |
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| (1) Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. (2) Includes enforced removals, persons departing voluntarily after notifying the UK Border Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by Refugee Action from April 2011 (previously run by the International Organisation for Migration) and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. (3) Provisional figures. Figures will under record due to data cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. | |
The available published data for removals from the UK are collated and verified monthly and not weekly. Therefore, only monthly figures are provided for the last five calendar years.
The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within Immigration Statistics. The data on removals and voluntary departures are available in the latest release, Immigration Statistics: July-September 2011, tables rv.01 to rv.08, from the Library of the House and from the Home Office science, research and statistics web pages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Data for October 2011 onwards are not yet available, but quarterly data for October to December 2011 will be published as part of the regular Home Office publication scheme on 23 February.
Detention Centres: Children
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women detained for immigration purposes in 2011 (a) had children living in the UK and (b) were separated from their children during their detention; and what arrangements there are for such separated children to maintain contact with their mothers. [88959]
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Damian Green: The information sought is not recorded centrally by the UK Border Agency and can be obtained only through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
The UK Border Agency has a policy of not separating parents from children although it will sometimes have to deal with circumstances in which such a separation has already taken place. Separation is always in exceptional circumstances and only after full consideration has been given to possible alternatives. A key consideration is to ensure that no child is left unaccompanied by a responsible adult/carer.
In cases where a parent detained in an immigration removal centre has a child in the community, the UK Border Agency will seek to facilitate contact between the parent and child, subject to the wishes of the family, and in liaison with the local authority where appropriate.
Detention Centres: Pregnant Women
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many pregnant women were detained for immigration purposes in 2011 for (a) up to six weeks, (b) more than six weeks and (c) more than three months; [88958]
(2) how many pregnant women detained for immigration purposes have been released in the late stages of pregnancy as a consequence of that pregnancy. [89195]
Damian Green: If a pregnant woman chooses to inform the UK Border Agency of her condition, the detail would be held on her medical file which is confidential between patient and doctor. The UK Border Agency does not hold such information centrally.
The UK Border Agency's published guidance makes clear that pregnant women should not normally be detained. The exceptions to this general position are where removal is imminent and medical advice does not suggest confinement before the due removal date would be harmful or, for pregnant women of less than 24 weeks gestation, at Yarl's Wood as part of a fast-track asylum process.
Embassies: Tehran
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance is available to those who have submitted documentation to the British Embassy in Tehran to enable them to travel to the UK; and if she will make a statement. [89335]
Damian Green: With the help of neighbouring German, Australian and Canadian missions, the vast majority of passports retrieved from the British Visa Section on 19 and 20 December have been returned to their holders.
Those applications that had been refused in the processing hub in Abu Dhabi prior to the closure of the Visa Section in Tehran were informed of the decision when they collected their documents in Tehran from the neighbouring friendly mission.
Those applicants who were granted visas but had not yet had the visa issued in Tehran were advised to bring their passports to Abu Dhabi for issue. Those who were refused in Abu Dhabi were sent a refusal notice by e-mail.
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Once clear which passports had been collected and which applicants did not wish to pursue their applications, consideration of outstanding applications began on 8 January. Applicants who are refused will have the refusal notice e-mailed to them. Applicants who are issued visas will be advised to travel to the UAE at their own cost to submit their passport for visa issuance.
EU Immigration
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the proposed directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a member state and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a member state; what legislative changes will be required to implement this directive; what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing the directive; and if she will make a statement. [89747]
Damian Green: The United Kingdom has not opted into this directive and is not therefore required to implement it.
European Commission: Legislation
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the regulations her Department brought into force through (a) primary legislation, (b) secondary legislation and (c) other means originated from proposals by the European Commission in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [88972]
James Brokenshire: No provisions of Home Office primary legislation which was brought into force in 2010 or 2011 implemented EU measures originally proposed by the European Commission. Three statutory instruments entered into force in 2010, and two in 2011, as a result of the need to implement EU measures originally proposed by the European Commission. Administrative means were used once, in 2011.
Human Trafficking
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of country business plans in tackling human trafficking. [89333]
Damian Green: Country business plans cover financial years, April to March, and are formally reviewed at the mid-year point (October). Foreign Office posts in priority countries have been asked to ensure that the objectives of the human trafficking strategy are reflected in their business plans and work to do this is currently ongoing.
Human Trafficking: Sexual Offences
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports she has received of (a) attempts by individuals to obtain protection money from women sex workers and (b) women sex workers being threatened with (i) eviction from their premises and (ii) arrest on the grounds that they were working from a brothel. [88793]
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Lynne Featherstone: No such reports have been received. We are committed to tackling the harm and exploitation that can be associated with prostitution. Controlling prostitution for gain and blackmail are serious offences to which the police are best placed to respond to at a local level.
The Home Office recently published a Review of Effective Practice in Responding to Prostitution, developed in consultation with the police and partners who support people involved in prostitution. The effective practice is designed to empower local authorities and partners to develop effective local responses to issues related to prostitution, including improving the safety of prostitutes and their confidence to report crimes to the police.
Independent Police Complaints Commission
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints there were to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in 2011, by constabulary. [88844]
Nick Herbert: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is responsible for the publication of annual statistics relating to complaints about the police in England and Wales. The 2010-11 report was published in December 2011 and is available on the IPCC website. Since April 2009, the IPCC has collected data from police forces every quarter and publishes quarterly force bulletins. These can also be found on the IPCC website at:
www.ipcc.gov.uk
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will consider replacing the Independent Police Complaints Commission with a new independent oversight body. [88954]
Nick Herbert: The Government have no plans to replace the Independent Police Complaints Commission with a new independent oversight body.