Burma
18. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of bilateral relations with Burma; and if he will make a statement. [89822]
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Mr Hague: When I visited Burma earlier this month the President and I agreed that we were entering a new chapter in our relationship. Last week's historic ceasefire and the release of a significant number of political prisoners are extremely promising. As I made clear, progress on these and the other issues I set out could result in a fundamental shift in our bilateral relations.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of his recent visit to Burma; and if he will make a statement. [88953]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 16 January 2011, Official Report, columns 28-29WS.
This visit was an opportunity for the UK to recognise the efforts made by the Government to implement reforms in Burma. The Foreign Secretary met the President, Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Lower House and set out very clearly the further steps we need to see before a more fundamental shift in our relationship could take place. These include:
the release of all political prisoners;
free and fair by-elections; and
humanitarian access to conflict areas alongside a clear process of reconciliation.
He also met Aung San Suu Kyi and opposition groups, as well as representatives from the ethnic minority communities, and assured them of the UK's continued support for their efforts to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Burma.
We are all pleased to hear that a significant number of political prisoners in Burma were released last week, including 88 Generation and ethnic leaders. I warmly welcome these releases, as well as the historic ceasefire agreement with the Karen, as further demonstrations of the Burmese Government's commitment to reform. I hope that these positive steps will contribute to greater democratic participation in the upcoming parliamentary by-elections.
The British Government will continue to follow developments in Burma closely. We will continue to support progress, while making clear, both directly and through the UN, our human rights concerns, especially in the areas affected by ethnic conflict.
Tunisia
19. Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government are giving to the development of democracy in Tunisia. [89823]
Alistair Burt: Through the Arab Partnership Initiative, the UK is providing British technical expertise on democratic institutions, helping to strengthen freedom of expression and supporting economic development. We are also supporting Tunisia's reform efforts through the EU Neighbourhood programme, the Deauville Partnership and through our contributions to the international financial institutions.
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Turks and Caicos Islands
20. Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress he has made on the return of self-government in the Turks and Caicos Islands. [89824]
Mr Bellingham: In December 2010 the Minister of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan), and I set out eight milestones to be met before elections could be held. Significant recent progress includes: a new constitution and Crown land policy, recruitment of new senior public servants, and an ambitious programme of tax and public expenditure reform.
Middle East Peace Process
21. Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the status of the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement. [89825]
Mr Hague: The only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct negotiations between the parties. I welcome the efforts by Jordan to bring the parties together under the framework of the Quartet statement of 23 September. It is important for both sides to seize this opportunity and show the political leadership and courage needed to break the current impasse.
22. Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the status of the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement. [89826]
Mr Hague: The only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct negotiations between the parties. I welcome the efforts by Jordan to bring the parties together under the framework of the Quartet statement of 23 September. It is important for both sides to seize this opportunity and show the political leadership and courage needed to break the current impasse.
Diplomatic Network
23. Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of his Department's diplomatic network; and if he will make a statement. [89827]
Mr Hague: Our embassies and high commissions are the essential infrastructure of our country's influence overseas and of our economic recovery. We are making substantial progress with our plans to expand and use Britain's diplomatic network to the very full and expect to open embassies in Kyrgyzstan and El Salvador this year.
The Commonwealth
24. Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UK's role in reinvigorating the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement. [89828]
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Mr Bellingham: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011 agreed some of the most significant reforms in the organisation's history. The Government will continue to work with our Commonwealth partners to reinvigorate this important organisation.
Palestine
25. Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in Palestine; and if he will make a statement. [89829]
Alistair Burt: We continue to follow developments on Palestinian reconciliation closely, including recent meetings between Hamas and Fatah officials. We have been clear that any new Palestinian authority must uphold the principle of non-violence, be committed to a negotiated two-state solution, and accept previous agreements of the PLO. We will judge any future Palestinian Government by their actions and their readiness to work for peace.
Libya
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of UK relations with the Government of Libya; and if he will make a statement. [89806]
Mr Hague: The relationship between Libya and the UK has changed beyond all recognition during the last year. The British Government have close relations with the Libyan Transitional Government. We will build on the goodwill and gratitude for British support to the Libyan people to develop a new, stronger and more productive relationship in the interest of both Libya and the UK.
Bhutan
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Government Minister last visited Bhutan in an official capacity. [88850]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We have no record of a visit to Bhutan by a Minister in recent years. However, the last visit by a senior official was when our high commissioner to New Delhi, from where our relationship with Bhutan is managed, visited in October 2011.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the agreement to form a Government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [90303]
Mr Lidington:
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement on 13 January in response to the agreement among political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to form a state-level Council of Ministers. He said we welcomed this progress and the confirmation of Vjekoslav Bevanda as the new Chair of the Council of Ministers. It is now down to all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work together to address other outstanding issues, including
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the State Budget. Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves a secure and prosperous future in the EU; determination, compromise and leadership will be key for Bosnia and Herzegovina to progress on this path.
British Nationals Abroad: Homicide
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2011, Official Report, columns 872-3W, on British nationals abroad: homicide, for what reasons the memorandum of understanding has not yet been approved; and on what date he expects it to be approved. [89743]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is awaiting final approval and signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). ACPO is yet to confirm whether further approval is required by its Cabinet. As soon as the MoU is signed by ACPO it can be circulated to the Coroners Society of England and Wales and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for signature. The FCO is ready to sign.
Burma: Political Prisoners
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the issue of the release of prisoners during his recent visit to Burma. [89447]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 16 January 2012, Official Report, columns 28-29WS.
During his recent visit to Burma the Secretary of State met the President, Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Lower House and set out very clearly that the release of all political prisoners was one of the central conditions which we would expect the Burmese Government to fulfil before a more fundamental shift in our relationship could take place.
He also discussed the issue of political prisoners with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
We are all pleased to hear that a significant number of political prisoners in Burma were released last week, including 88 Generation and ethnic leaders. I warmly welcome these releases as a further demonstration of the Burmese Government's commitment to reform. I hope that this positive step will contribute to greater democratic participation in the upcoming parliamentary by-elections.
Capital Punishment
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which countries his Department raised the use of the death penalty in 2011. [88856]
Mr Jeremy Browne: It is the longstanding policy of the UK to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We regularly make representations to Governments to abolish the death penalty.
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In 2011 the Government raised the death penalty at all appropriate opportunities and with a number of our priority countries as outlined in the Strategy for Global Abolition of the Death Penalty, including our top five priority countries and regions: China, Iran, the US, Belarus and the English-speaking Caribbean region.
I raised the death penalty with my counterparts when I visited the Caribbean in January 2011 and also made statements throughout the year on Iran, India and Belarus, among other death penalty priority countries. In 2011 we also raised the death penalty through the UN Universal Periodic Review process with some of our priority countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore and Antigua.
The Government have also intervened in a number of consular cases involving British nationals and, through the EU, in cases of third country nationals.
China: Democracy
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions China's ambassador to the UK was summoned to discuss democracy and human rights issues in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011. [88923]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Chinese ambassador has not been summoned during this period. However, democracy and human rights are a regular topic of discussion in meetings between Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers and the Chinese ambassador, and between senior FCO officials and the Chinese ambassador.
Common Agricultural Policy
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the net contribution of the (a) UK and (b) other EU member states to the common agricultural policy in each of the last five years. [89080]
Mr Hoban: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.
EU member states contribute to the EU Budget as a whole and not to individual spending programmes within it and there are not, therefore, specific contributions to common agricultural policy expenditure. Details of the UK contributions to the EU Budget are presented in the European Union Finances documents available on HM Treasury's public website at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/int_eu_statefraud.htm
The Commonwealth
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UK’s role in reinvigorating the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement. [89914]
Mr Bellingham: At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011, Commonwealth leaders agreed some of the most significant reforms in the organisation’s history, notably to strengthen the Ministerial Action Group. Britain welcomes this progress and will continue to work with our Commonwealth partners to reinvigorate this important organisation.
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Democracy
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries his Department regarded as not full democracies in 2011. [88854]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not categorise countries in this manner. While democracy is a universal ideal, it can have many different forms and there is no single set of criteria for defining democracy. Most democracies are based on common principles, such as respect for human rights and the rule of law, strong institutions, an accountable Government and a free press. The FCO supports democracy worldwide by seeking to uphold these principles.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many projects promoting democracy his Department supports in (a) Burma, (b) Cuba and (c) China. [88855]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The information is as follows.
(a) Our embassy in Burma manages £351,500 of projects this financial year that support the promotion of democracy, largely through building the democratic capacity of activists and civil society organisations.
(b) Our embassy in Cuba does not currently provide funding to projects promoting democracy. However, we are keen to see greater political and civil freedoms in Cuba and so we continue to engage with the Cuban Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, to encourage positive change. We promote values such as freedom of expression, assembly and information in Cuba through regular engagement with human rights defenders, and by monitoring public protests and reported abuses.
(c) Our embassy in China manages £485,000 of projects this financial year, which are focused on four areas: criminal justice, death penalty, freedom of expression and civil society.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the UK is playing in the delegation from the US National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems to the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the administration of the legislative elections in that country; and whether the UK is providing a financial contribution to the cost of the mission. [90439]
Mr Bellingham: The UK is not participating in the US mission and is not contributing to its costs. However, we remain in close touch with the US on a range of issues on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including elections and the findings of the US scoping mission should help inform future decisions on support to the DRC election process and institutions.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial contributions the UK has made to the (a) Carter Centre and (b) EU mission in connection with the monitoring of the recent elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [90440]
Mr Bellingham:
We lobbied to ensure that the EU deployed an observation mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo elections. Five UK observers participated in it. We provided 15% of the cost of the mission through our annual contribution to the EU budget. We also provided £5,900 for expert support to
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the Southern African Development Community Council of NGOs observation mission.
We did not help fund the Carter Centre election observation mission.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the outcome of the elections in that country. [90441]
Mr Bellingham: Polling in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) elections was largely peaceful. However, there were a number of serious incidents in the run up to and following the elections as demonstrators clashed with the security forces. We are concerned by reports that the security forces were responsible for 24 civilian casualties and have raised our concerns with the DRC Government. We assess that there remains some risk of political violence.
Since mid December there has been an increase in violence committed by armed groups in the east of DRC. However, we assess that this is unrelated to the elections. We are in close contact with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and key international partners and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Military Aid
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the UK Government have made to the training of the (a) army and (b) police force in Democratic Republic of Congo. [90408]
Mr Bellingham: The UK has contributed towards training of the Congolese army (FARDC) through the conflict prevention pool. We are currently supporting English language training which will allow better co-ordination between the FARDC and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the last 18 months we have also provided support to training the FARDC in the use of communications equipment and on gathering information against armed groups.
The Department for International Development is providing £60 million in a multi-year programme to improve security sector accountability and police reform. This is focused primarily on reforming the Congolese police (PNC). The programme has supported various PNC training programmes including: principles of community policing; respect for human rights; handling of sexual violence cases; use of communications equipment; and asset management.
Additionally, the UK provides personnel to deliver training for the EU police reform mission.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo on reports of violence by security forces in that country following the outcome of elections. [90407]
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Mr Bellingham: During the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) election process the UK ambassador to DRC stressed to the DRC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Interior and Security, the Chief of Police, and the head of the National Intelligence Agency the need for the security forces to respond professionally and proportionately to elections-related violence. The ambassador also raised our concerns about the conduct of the security forces with the Presidential Security Advisor and the President of the National Assembly following the release of the election results. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the US Government on the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [90409]
Mr Bellingham: Our officials work closely with their US counterparts on a range of issues on the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the security situation. The UK ambassador to DRC meets his US equivalent regularly. We also have discussions with the US at the UN and through the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) 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; [89145]
(2) 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. [89214]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) runs an apprenticeship scheme through FCO Services, the FCO's Trading Fund providing essential support services to the FCO and other Government Departments. New apprentices are taken on each September and the programme lasts three years. In 2010-11 £1,056,000 of funding was spent on the scheme. In 2011-12 an estimated £962,000 is being spent on the scheme. Funding details for 2012-13 have not yet been finalised but it is likely to be in line with the current financial year.
Departmental Records
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on record keeping for official meetings. [88994]
Mr Lidington:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) record-keeping is governed by relevant legislation as well as standards set by the National Archives. FCO staff are required to register all information of corporate value to the FCO in the FCO's electronic document registry system. This includes documents needed for the operational purposes of the FCO which have a medium or long-term value or interest and documents likely to
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be needed for the public record. Information of local or short-term value is kept in the shared drive of the FCO's computer system. Records of official meetings will be recorded in the appropriate location, as described above, according to their content. Corporate value records are stored until they are reviewed for destruction or transfer to the National Archive.
Internships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines his Department issues to its non-departmental public bodies on the employment of unpaid interns. [89391]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not issued specific guidance to its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) on the employment of unpaid interns. However, the FCO does keep in close contact with its NDPBs on issues relating to employment and public appointments and provides advice as necessary.
Within the FCO's NDPBs over the last 12 months, the British Council's UK offices have employed 15 interns on an unpaid/expenses-only basis. The British Council is currently reviewing policy on interns (UK) and will be offering a small, paid internship programme for summer 2012.
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy has had three short-term expenses-only internships over the last 12 months. Information can be found at:
http://www.wfd.org/who-we-are/internships.aspx
There are no other unpaid or expenses-only internships in the FCO's other NDPBs.
Global Response Centre
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse arising from his Department's Global Response Centre to date. [88798]
Mr Jeremy Browne: By using the Global Response Centre (GRC) to deliver out-of-hours consular support to British nationals, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been able to reduce payments to overseas out-of-hours duty officers.
The savings generated from this reduction fluctuate, because in some urgent circumstances overseas staff may still need to be called out. However, we estimate savings to be in the region of £500,000 per annum.
India: EU External Trade
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, with (a) article 25 of the General Declaration of Human Rights 1948, (b) article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the UN, (c) article 21 of the EU treaty and (d) article 207 of the treaty on the functioning of the EU. [89572]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: We have an agreed position with EU partners which is to push for clauses making compliance with UN human rights instruments an essential element of all EU bilateral free trade agreements (FTA). We are monitoring the current EU negotiation with India but, as this is not yet finalised, it would be premature to comment on the final text. Once the EU-India FTA is agreed, the FTA will be scrutinised by Parliament in the usual way.
Iran: Sanctions
Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on the effectiveness of the international community's Iranian sanctions programme. [89792]
Alistair Burt: I have had a wide range of discussions with the UK's international partners about the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran. The E3+3 group—made up of the UK, US, France, Germany, Russia and China—supports a policy of pressure on and engagement with Iran. The EU has supported a range of strong sanctions against Iran, designed to bring it back to the negotiating table on the nuclear issue and—separately—to highlight our concerns about Iranian human rights abuses. We and our partners believe that sanctions on the nuclear issue can slow the development of the Iranian programme, as well as pressing Iran to negotiate seriously with the international community.
Nigeria: Christianity
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Nigeria on the protection of Christian communities in that country. [89904]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government are concerned by recent increases in violence and terrorist attacks in Nigeria, and recognise the loss of life suffered by both Christian and Muslim communities.
I discussed the broad security situation with Nigerian Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, together with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), in September last year. At this meeting I emphasised our commitment to working with the Nigerian authorities to improve security for all Nigerians, in line with the Prime Minister’s agreement with President Jonathan in July 2011. Through our high commission in Abuja, we regularly engage with the Nigerian authorities in discussion of security. Most recently, the high commission supported a conference in Kano that brought together regional leaders from the north of Nigeria to discuss peace building and political engagement. This included discussing inter-religious tensions. In addition, the Department for International Development operates a number of programmes in Nigeria that aim to find lasting, peaceful solutions to a range of ongoing tensions in areas of conflict, such as in Jos.
Serbia: Kosovo
Karen Lumley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of (a)
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Serbia and
(b)
Kosovo on the resolution of the border dispute in the north of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [90304]
Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have discussed the current challenges in northern Kosovo with the Kosovan and Serbian Governments on a number of occasions recently. The Foreign Secretary raised this when he met Kosovan Foreign Minister Hoxhaj on 20 October 2011. I raised this with Serbian President Tadic and Foreign Minister Jeremic during my visit to Belgrade on 31 October to 1 November 2011. The Foreign Secretary again discussed this with President Tadic on 16 November 2011 (as did the Prime Minister) and with Foreign Minister Jeremic on 28 November 2011 during their visits to the UK.
The Government continue to believe that the best way for Serbia and Kosovo to resolve their differences and ensure stable progress towards eventual EU membership is through the EU-facilitated dialogue. I am pleased that an agreement was reached in the dialogue on 2 December 2011 on integrated border and boundary management, which, when implemented, should resolve the staffing of customs gates 1 and 31 on the Serbia-Kosovo border. I also welcome the implementation on 26 December 2011 of the agreement reached in the dialogue on freedom of movement. The removal of some barricades in northern Kosovo following calls by President Tadic is a further positive development but many challenges remain. The Foreign Secretary and I will continue to raise this with our Serbian and Kosovan counterparts at every opportunity.
Singapore: Financial Services
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Singapore on the introduction of a global financial transaction tax. [89556]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has spoken to his Singapore counterpart on a range of issues, but not the global financial transaction tax. The British Government are not opposed to a financial transaction tax in principle but believe that such a tax can only be viable if applied globally. While the Government could support a global financial transaction tax, it was clear from discussions at G20 meetings last year that the necessary international consensus does not currently exist.
United Nations
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total contribution of the UK to the UN was in each of the last five years; and what comparative assessment he has made of the level of the UK's contribution and those of other EU member states. [88853]
Mr Bellingham:
The UK makes numerous contributions to the many different parts of the UN system and UN-led activities. Payments come from a wide range of
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UK Government Departments. Our two largest assessed payments are for the UN Regular Budget and the UN Peacekeeping Budget.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office pays the UK’s share of the UN Regular Budget, which covers core UN Secretariat costs and the UN’s political activities. During the last five calendar years the UK made assessed contributions to the UN Regular Budget as follows:
| $ | |
Currently the UK pays its share of the UN Regular Budget at an assessed rate of 6.604% of the total. This rate, set in 2009, is the second highest rate among the EU member states, after Germany. EU member states, collectively, pay almost 39% of the UN Regular Budget. These assessed payment rates are based on a formula which uses economic data based on relative shares of the world’s Gross National Income from the six previous years and then applies various adjustments on the basis of, for example, low per capita income or relative debt burdens. These rates are subject to change when the scale of assessment is revised again at the end of 2012 using new economic data.
The UN Peacekeeping Budget follows the UN’s financial year (July-June). The UK’s assessed contributions in the last five UN financial years were:
| UNFY | $ |
| (1) Does not include data for International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia—data unavailable. | |
The UK currently pays into the Peacekeeping Budget at an assessed rate of 8.1474%—reflecting the premium that the UK pays as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The UK is the world’s third highest peacekeeping contributor behind the US and Japan, and the largest contributor among the EU member states, ahead of Germany (8.02%), France (7.55%), Italy (5.00%) and Spain (3.18%).
The UK, typically through the relevant lead Department in the appropriate field, also makes many other substantial payments into the UN system. For UN specialised agencies these are mostly voluntary contributions, with some assessed contributions e.g. for core costs. Additionally there are many significant voluntary contributions to UN funds and programmes and other UN bodies depending on how they support UK objectives and priorities. Of UK Government Departments, the Department for International Development (DFID) is the largest contributor of voluntary funding. For illustrative purposes, DFID core contributions to UN bodies in the last five calendar years are set out in the following tables (not including funding that is channelled via country offices as multilateral or bilateral aid, or other HMG Departments’ contributions to these bodies).
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| United Nations Development p rogramme | |
| £ | |
| United Nations Children's Fund | |
| £ | |
| United Nations Population Fund | |
| £ | |
| World Health Organisation | |
| £ | |
| United Nations Sports for Development and Peace | |
| £ | |
| United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation | |
| £ | |
| Food and Agriculture Organisation | |
| £ | |
| International Fund for Agricultural Development | |
| £ | |
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Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the content of meals provided to personnel serving in Afghanistan; when the views of personnel were last sought about their rations; and if he will make a statement. [89287]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 December 2011, Official Report, column 750W, to the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr Murphy).
Ministers take a close interest in the quality of food provided in Afghanistan and recognise that its importance extends beyond nutritional value and has a significant impact on overall morale.
Food quality standards are maintained and monitored by in-theatre catering staff on a daily basis. Regular assessments of food quality are also carried out by Front Line Command inspection teams. Service personnel are encouraged to provide feedback on the quality and content of meals at the point of service.
Assessments of operational ration packs (ORPs) are regularly undertaken by review panels which include military personnel who have recently returned from operational deployment and feedback is generally very positive. In addition, each ORP contains a feedback form to enable service personnel to comment on the specific quality and content of that individual ORP. These forms are then used by the Defence Fuel and Food Services team to carry out trend analysis of current food selection and meal components and adjust them appropriately.
Animals: Euthanasia
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) horses and (b) dogs have been euthanised by his Department in 2011; and for what reasons in each case. [88312]
Mr Robathan: A total of 90 military working dogs were euthanased in 2011, for the following reasons:
| Number | |
In comparison, a total of 125 military working dogs were euthanased in 2009, for the following reasons:
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| Number | |
A total of 28 horses were euthanased in 2011, for the following reasons:
| Number | |
In comparison, a total of 12 horses were euthanased in 2009, for the following reasons:
| Number | |
Armed Forces: Animals
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2012, Official Report, columns 9-10W, how much his Department spent on the (a) Swaledale ram, (b) three mountain goats and (c) two Shetland ponies. [90289]
Mr Robathan: The Department incurred no costs in acquiring any of these animals.
Information related to the cost of maintaining these animals is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Armed Forces: Diamond Jubilee 2012
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel his Department expects to deploy for the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations; and at what cost to the public purse. [90193]
Mr Robathan: Details of the armed forces involvement in events to mark Her Majesty the Queen's diamond jubilee remain at the planning stage and it is too early to say how many armed forces personnel will be involved or what the costs associated with their participation might be.
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Armed Forces: Redundancy
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have been subject to selection for compulsory redundancy in the last year; how many of those so selected would lose pension payments; and how many of those losing pension payments were selected three days before the period when they would have been entitled to full pension rights. [89116]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 12 January 2012]: All armed forces redundancies are compulsory, although personnel in a redundancy field may apply to be considered for selection. A total of 2,860 personnel were selected for compulsory redundancy in Tranche 1 of the current Armed Forces Redundancy programme, of whom 62% were applicants.
Personnel serving on pension-earning engagements who are selected for redundancy before they have reached the point where they qualify for an immediate pension (IP) or early departure payment (EDP) do not ‘lose’ pension payments; they receive preserved pensions which are payable at the normal retirement age. In addition, they receive redundancy compensation in the form of tax-free lump sums which, depending on the scheme to which they belong, can be up to three times greater than personnel who have passed this point. They could also qualify for tax-free resettlement grants to which longer-serving personnel are not entitled.
The number of redundees whose exit date falls three days or less before the date on which they would have qualified for an immediate pension, and will now therefore receive their pension entitlement in the form of a preserved pension, is sufficiently small that National Statistics rounding conventions require it to be categorized as between one and five to prevent the inadvertent identification of individuals.
Armed Forces: Training
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to train landing signals officers. [89994]
Nick Harvey: Landing signals officers are also operational pilots and fulfil both roles concurrently on a Carrier Vessel type aircraft carrier. As part of the Long Lead Specialist Skills Programme, the UK has instigated a F18 pilot non-reciprocal exchange programme with the US Navy. This will generate both trained pilots for carrier operations and provide experienced pilots for the landing signals officer roles.
Astute Class Submarines
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether there is a defence requirement for an eighth Astute class submarine. [89421]
Peter Luff: As part of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, we conducted a detailed review of all military capability, which confirmed that we could deliver the necessary military tasks with seven Astute class submarines which are significantly more capable than their predecessors.
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Conflict Prevention: Finance
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department contributed to the Conflict Pool in each of the last three financial years; to which countries such funding is directed; and how much he plans to contribute in each financial year to 2014-15. [90444]
Nick Harvey: Conflict Pool resources are part of a separate Treasury settlement on conflict resources and are managed jointly by DFID, FCO and MOD. This is separate from departmental budget allocations. Over the last three financial years, the MOD has not made any contribution to the Conflict Pool from its departmental budget.
Conflict funding for 2008-09 and 2009-10 was provided as part of the 2007 comprehensive spending review (CSR) settlement. In 2008-09 the Conflict Prevention Pool and the Stabilisation Aid Fund disbursed around £185 million. In 2009-10, the two funds were merged to create the Conflict Pool, which disbursed approximately £180 million in both 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Counter-Terrorism: Finance
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's counter-terrorism budget was in 2011-12. [90446]
Nick Harvey: Funds are allocated to Defence Engagement Counter Terrorism (CT) activities under the Defence Assistance Fund (DAF). The total budget for the CT element of the DAF for financial year 2011-12 was agreed at £2.42 million.
Diamond Jubilee 2012: Medals
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the information held on the Joint Personnel Administration system is sufficient to ascertain whether a member of the reserve forces is eligible to receive the Diamond Jubilee Medal. [89561]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 16 January 2012]: The information held on the Joint Personnel Administration system (JPA) is sufficient to identify whether a member of the reserve forces is eligible to receive the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, provided individuals and units have effectively maintained their JPA profiles. Any individual who believes they are entitled to the medal and have not received one by the National Thanksgiving Service on 5 June 2012 will be able to appeal to the Ministry of Defence Medal Office.
Ex-servicemen: Health Services
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2011, Official Report, column 962W, on Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, whether patients referred to the medical assessment programme presenting with physical health problems will no longer be eligible for support under the programme. [90240]
Mr Robathan: The Medical Assessment Programme offers mental health assessments rather than physical ones as the number of physical health referrals fell to a very low level. However, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 19 December 2011, Official
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, column 962W. The Ministry of Defence continues to provide advice should a GP or 1990-91 Gulf veteran require information on Gulf health issues.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many joint strike fighters his Department plans to purchase; and when he expects such aircraft to be first delivered to the Royal Navy. [88811]
Peter Luff: As announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), we plan to deliver a Carrier Strike capability from around 2020. We have yet to make final decisions on the timing and overall numbers of the F-35C aircraft we intend to order and will not do so before the next planned SDSR.
In line with our usual practice, we will not set a firm in-service date for the aircraft until after our next Main Gate decision, currently planned for 2013.
Libya: Bombs
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the presence of unexploded ordnance left by British Forces in Libya during world war two. [88661]
Nick Harvey: We have not specifically assessed the presence of unexploded world war two ordnance in Libya. However, we are working with the UN and international partners to address the very serious issue of unexploded ordnance and weapons contamination caused during the recent uprising. This is preventing Libyan people from returning to their homes and we are urging our allies to increase their contribution to the UN Mine Action Service and other NGOs in order to help the stabilisation and reconstruction of Libya.
Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many BAe 146 aircraft he intends to lease; and at what cost. [89991]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence does not currently intend to lease any BAe 146 aircraft.
Approval has been obtained from the Treasury to investigate the potential purchase of two BAe 146 aircraft in response to an urgent operational requirement specifically to support operations in Afghanistan. Expressions of interest were sought on 21 December 2011 with the intention of tendering in late January 2012.
Royal Artillery
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which of the Royal Artillery's six close support regiments will be disbanded; and when such closures will take place; [89992]
(2) what estimate he has made of the potential saving to the public purse of the disbandment of a Royal Artillery close support regiment. [89993]
Nick Harvey:
The Defence Transformation announcement of 18 July 2011 set out our strategic
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long-term direction on the structure of the Army and its basing requirements across the United Kingdom. It also included the outcome of the review into Reserve Forces “Future Reserves 2020”, which, if the Territorial Army develops in the way we intend, will allow a progressive adjustment of the regular/reserve balance of the Army over the coming decade.
This is a complex piece of work which requires the Army to review and rebalance its structure and to identify when and how these changes can be made. This detailed work is now under way but no decisions have as yet been taken.
This detailed work is expected to be completed during 2012.
Somalia: Piracy
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on use of force onshore against pirates in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [89909]
Nick Harvey: Any use of force by the military must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate and comply with applicable international law. Applicable international law includes UN Security Resolution 1851(2008)(renewed). Any further details remain classified for reasons of operational security.
Submarines
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in negotiating with BAE Systems to achieve the Government's target of reducing the cost of submarine contracts by £900 million over the next decade. [89422]
Peter Luff: The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review announced that the Submarine Enterprise Performance programme (SEPP) was expected to deliver over £900 million of savings over the next ten years. SEPP will enable the three tier-1 suppliers within the submarine enterprise, BAE Systems Maritime Submarines, Rolls-Royce and Babcock, to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Defence to transform the way the enterprise is delivered and managed.
In May 2011 a Joint Programme Office was established, which brings together expertise from the four parties to develop and manage a joint view of the submarine programme, and in October 2011 the four parties signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) that enshrines the overarching principles for the programme. Negotiations are continuing within this framework, and individual MOUs will be agreed with each tier-1 supplier on how their SEPP contribution will be delivered; the BAE Systems MOU is expected to be signed in the spring of 2012.
Tornado Aircraft: Repairs and Maintenance
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what product is used to wash Tornado jet screens and windows; who provides it; and how much was spent on this product by his Department in each of the last five financial years; [90036]
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(2) what (a) the guidelines are and (b) the regularity is of wash bottles for Tornado jets being replenished; and whether (i) his Department and (ii) the Royal Air Force have decided to (A) stop and (B) decrease the frequency of such replenishment. [90037]
Peter Luff [holding answer 16 January 2012]: AL-36 Kilfrost WWF/Mod3 is the windscreen wash fluid used on Tornado aircraft and is supplied by Kilfrost Ltd. AL-36 has a number of different uses within the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Procurement costs of AL-36 for the entire MOD, rounded to the nearest £100, are contained in the following table. I am unable to break this figure down to show cost of stocks that were then issued from centrally procured holdings to Tornado GR4 Force units.
| Cost of MOD procurement of AL-36 (£) | |
All Tornado wash bottles are checked in accordance with the Tornado Master Maintenance Manual, which stipulates they are replenished at every ‘After Flight’ servicing and all windscreens and canopies are cleaned by flight servicing personnel immediately prior to each flight. The Department has neither stopped, nor decreased the frequency of, the Tornado Windscreen Wash Bottle replenishment.
UK National Codification Bureau
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) service personnel and (b) civilians were employed at the UK National Codification Bureau in each of the last five years; [90043]
(2) what plans he has to relocate the UK National Codification Bureau to Abbey Wood; [90044]
(3) what the annual personnel costs were for the UK National Codification Bureau in each of the last five years. [90045]
Mr Robathan: We are considering the future size, shape and location of the UK National Codification Bureau (UKNCB) and the Engineering and Through Life Support (ETLS) Team, which works alongside the UKNCB. This includes the possibility of locating the UKNCB and the ELTS Team to MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol alongside its parent organisation and main user of its services: Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). However, no final decisions will be taken until the outcome of a value for money study is known and trade unions consultation has been completed. The study is expected to report in February 2012.
Information on the number of civilian posts in the UKNCB and the ETLS Team is contained in the following table:
| Financial year | UKNCB | ETLS Team |
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| (1) Information for 2007-08 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. (2) Includes posts at MOD Abbey Wood: two posts in 2008-09 and three posts in each subsequent year. (3) This includes 13 posts at MOD Abbey Wood relocated from DE&S sites (other than Glasgow) as part of the wider DE&S Collocation Project. Note: No service personnel are employed in either team. | ||
Manpower costs for the last three full financial years are contained in the following table:
| £ million | ||
| Financial year | UKNCB | ETLS Team |
| Note: Information for 2006-07 and 2007-08 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. | ||
War Pensions: Tribunals
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what costs his Department has incurred in respect of the ionising radiation appeals at the war pensions tribunals in respect of (a) solicitors, (b) barristers, (c) experts fees and (d) other costs to date; [89874]
(2) what estimate he has made of the projected costs of the ionising radiation appeal hearings at the War Pension Tribunal in January 2012. [89937]
Mr Robathan: To date the Ministry of Defence has been notified of bills as follows:
| £ | |
These figures exclude VAT and do not include the cost of any associated MOD resourcing or obtaining security clearances for individuals involved in the cases.
Due to matters outside the MOD's control it is difficult to estimate future costs at this time. We are still awaiting confirmation of a hearing date for the ionising radiation appeal.
We remain keen to work with the tribunal and appellants with a view to ensuring that costs relating to all war pensions appeals are proportionate and kept to a minimum.
Wellington Barracks: Repairs and Maintenance
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order the repainting of the facade of Wellington Barracks. [90211]
Mr Robathan: There are no plans at the current time for the façade of Wellington Barracks to be repainted. In the current economic climate spending on the defence estate must be prioritised.
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total support to agriculture her Department provided to each parliamentary constituency in 2011. [88819]
Mr Paice: Details of financial support under Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) schemes in the UK may be found on the following website:
http://cap-payments.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx
These data relate to the CAP budget year running from 16 October 2009 to 15 October 2010. Data for the 2010-11 budget year are expected to be available on the website in April this year.
Unfortunately, following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), EU law currently only allows us to publish this information for recipients of support who are defined as legal persons; data on natural persons may not be published. This significantly limits the coverage of the available data (legal persons make up less than 10% of the total number of recipients and account for around 20% of the total funding). The Government are committed to full transparency in the use of CAP funds and are pressing the European Commission to propose new legal requirements that would allow us to publish relevant data on all recipients, while addressing the concerns set out in the CJEU judgment.
The data on the above website can be sorted by postcode area, but including information about parliamentary constituency would require a separate exercise which could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of 13 October 2011, Official Report, column 468, on wild animals in circuses, what the international legal responsibilities are which prevent a ban on wild animals in circuses. [83719]
Mr Paice: The House has previously heard that the legal advice we have taken indicates that there is a strong risk that a ban could contravene either article 16 of the European Services Directive 2006 and Article 1 Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which was given further effect by the Human Rights Act 1998 and which sets out the conditions which must be met by a state which seeks to restrict or control the use a person may make of his own property.
We are working to overcome the legal obstacles. In the meantime, the Government continue to develop regulations for a licensing scheme for the welfare of wild animals in travelling circuses.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the effectiveness of licensing systems for the use of animals in circuses. [85227]
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Mr Paice: We are aware that there are some other countries with licensing systems that cover the use of animals in circuses. Given that we have the experience of a number of animal welfare focused licensing schemes already operating effectively in England and the information on experience elsewhere, we have not found it necessary to hold discussions with international ministerial counterparts.
Fiona O'Donnell: 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 plans to introduce a licensing scheme for the use of wild animals in circuses; and if she will make a statement. [89893]
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.
Animal Welfare: Farms
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition her Department uses of higher welfare of farm animals; and if she will make a statement. [89179]
Mr Paice: There is no formal definition of “higher welfare standards”. The Government are, however, keen to see a consistent approach to high animal welfare standards across the EU.
Animal Welfare: Licensing
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the potential effect of her Department's cormorant licensing policy in England on cormorant populations in special protection areas in England, Scotland and Wales; [89932]
(2) what assessment she has made of the level of illegal killing of cormorants; [89933]
(3) what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Wetland Bird Survey in monitoring cormorant population trends in response to licensed killing; [90039]
(4) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of licensed killing of cormorants in (a) reducing and (b) preventing serious damage to fisheries. [90040]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA is currently undertaking a review of cormorant licensing policy in England. This review is assessing current licensing policy in relation to the management of cormorants where they are causing, or are likely to cause, serious damage to inland fisheries. As part of this review consideration is being given to the impact of any revision to the current policy on: cormorant populations in special protection areas; the level of unlawful lethal control of cormorants; the adequacy of the Wetland Bird Survey in monitoring cormorant population trends in response to licensed killing; and the effectiveness of licensed killing of cormorants in reducing and preventing serious damage to fisheries.
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A document detailing the scope and aims of the review is available on the DEFRA website. The outcome of the review is expected to be published this summer.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cormorants were killed under licence in England in winter 2010-11. [90041]
Richard Benyon: 1,798 cormorants were killed under licence in England for the season that ran from 1 September 2010 to 15 April 2011.
Batteries: Recycling
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that the UK meets the 2012 target for battery recycling under the EU Battery Directive; and if she will make a statement. [88932]
Richard Benyon: The EU Battery Directive has been transposed in the UK by the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (SI 890) in a manner intended to ensure achievement of the 2012 target for the collection of waste portable batteries. The regulations establish a system of producer responsibility which requires each producer of portable batteries, apart from small producers who place one tonne or less on the market each year, to finance the net costs arising from the collection, treatment and recycling of its share of all portable batteries collected in the UK. The producer's share of the net costs is equal to the specified percentage (the collection target for a given year) of the average annual quantity, in tonnes, of portable batteries placed on the market in the UK by the producer.
Furthermore, regulation 8 establishes interim collection targets for 2010 and 2011. The Environment Agency carries out regular checks on progress against these targets to ensure we remain on track to meeting the 2012 target established by the directive and identify whether corrective action is necessary.
Birds: Nature Conservation
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which bird species have been identified by her Department as being in danger of becoming extinct as a breeding species in England by 2020. [88869]
Richard Benyon: We have not specifically identified a list of bird species in danger of becoming extinct as a breeding species in England by 2020. However, under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, DEFRA publishes a list of species of principal importance for conservation in England. There are 49 species of birds included in this list. Although not necessarily at risk of extinction in England by 2020, these are the species found in England which have been identified as priorities for conservation action. This list will inform conservation action under Biodiversity 2020, the biodiversity strategy for England 2011-20.
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Bovine Tuberculosis
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mammals other than cattle were identified with or slaughtered for bovine tuberculosis as a result of (a) a microbial culture sample, (b) reports from local veterinary practitioners, (c) gross pathology examinations by veterinary investigation centres, (d) disclosing diagnostic tests including intradermal skin or blood assays and (e) reports from Meat Hygiene Service examinations at abattoirs in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007, (iii) 2008, (iv) 2009 and (v) 2010. [89799]
Mr Paice: The risk to non-bovine species from TB is assessed as generally low and the surveillance system is therefore proportionate to these risks. This means figures are not collected or broken down by the specific categories the hon. Member has requested. Moreover, these scenarios are not mutually exclusive for a particular case and it would be difficult to allocate each case to one of these scenarios. In addition, TB in non-bovine species is not considered to have been “identified” until positive culture results are confirmed.
Figures from 1997 on the annual number of total samples from non-bovine animals that are (a) processed by the AVHLA laboratories and (b) found positive for M. bovis infection are broken down by species and are available on DEFRA's website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/files/defra-stats-foodfarm-landuselivestock-tb-other-otherspecies-111124.xls
(These figures do not include the number of animals slaughtered from a herd where TB has been confirmed when M. bovis is not cultured from that animal.)
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions her Department has invoiced (a) members of the public and (b) owners of mammals other than bovines for post-mortems on animals suspected of having bovine tuberculosis in each of the last five years. [89800]
Mr Paice: DEFRA does not invoice members of the public and owners of non-bovine animals for the cost of post-mortem examinations conducted on animals where a reasonable suspicion of TB infection exists.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency occasionally receives badgers for a privately funded examination for TB. There were 14 such badgers in the last five years (2007 to 2011 inclusive).
British Waterways
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the funding requirement of British Waterways in the next 10 years; how much funding her Department is planning to provide following the transfer of British Waterways to the charitable sector; and if she will make a statement. [89480]
Richard Benyon:
The Government are committed to a sustainable and prosperous future for inland waterways. A new waterways charity, the Canal and River Trust
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(CRT), will take over responsibility for inland waterways operated by British Waterways in England and Wales. The Government will give the new charity the best start we can afford. The Government have already agreed to transfer the British Waterways property portfolio, valued at about £460 million, to CRT.
The Government are negotiating a long-term funding agreement with the Trustees of the CRT. Those negotiations are considering a range of issues which could impact on the future funding of the canal network.
The outcome of the negotiations will be announced before the Government lay the necessary order under the Public Bodies Act to transfer British Waterways's functions to CRT.
Canal and River Trust
Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms will be in place to ensure that the business plan for the Canal and River Trust is sustainable and financially viable. [89330]
Richard Benyon: British Waterways is carrying out financial analysis by preparing financial projections for the Canal and River Trust (CRT) based on various sets of assumptions. This analysis is work in progress and is not yet complete due to the ongoing negotiations between the Government and the CRT transition trustees on the funding agreement. A business plan will be prepared when the funding position is more certain.
Financial sustainability is assessed by projecting the future condition of the infrastructure assets and the standard of maintenance of the waterways and comparing these against target standards. The financial projections, projected future asset condition and maintenance standards will be considered by the CRT transition trustees as part of their due diligence supporting the formation of the new trust.
Coastal Erosion: Bournemouth
Mr Ellwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress
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her Department has made on the plans to protect Hengistbury Head from further sea erosion; and if she will make a statement. [87321]
Richard Benyon: Bournemouth borough council is the competent Coastal Erosion Risk Management Authority for Bournemouth and led on the recent Shoreline Management Plan for this area. The policy (Hold the Line) for the Hengistbury Head Long Groyne considers that the Groyne will require future improvements to sustain levels of protection against coastal erosion and flooding.
Bournemouth borough council and the Environment Agency are working together as part of the Poole Bay Strategy. This aims to include the eventual long-term replacement of the Long Groyne and the managed realignment of the adjacent coastline at Solent Beach and Double Dykes. This alignment may be forwards or backwards of the existing line. This strategy is due to go to public consultation in 2012-13.
Bournemouth borough council has submitted a funding bid for a 10-year sustainable management plan for the Hengistbury Head Long Groyne and Bournemouth beach frontage.
Design Services
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contracts her Department has awarded for design services since May 2010; and what information her Department holds on the location of such companies. [80180]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has identified the following contracts that have been awarded since May 2010 where design was a key element of the purpose of the contract. The design services identified fall into three categories—Publicity, Facility Management Services and Exhibition Stands. DEFRA holds only the address each company uses to administer its contracts.
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Equality
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what equality impact assessments her Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case. [88581]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has undertaken equality impact assessments since they became a legal requirement in 2005. Under the Equality Act (2010) there is now no legal obligation on public bodies to complete equality impact assessments, but DEFRA has committed to continue to complete equality assessments as good business practice.
Between May 2010 and December 2011 DEFRA completed 24 equality impact assessments (EqIAs):
| Business area | Name of EqIA | Date |
|
Rural Development Plan for England—policy revisions post 2010 spending review |
||
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Speechwriters
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many speechwriters her Department employs at each pay grade. [89400]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA employs one member of staff who writes speeches for Ministers, along with other duties. Her pay grade is Senior Information Officer.
Procurement
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures her Department has put in place to ensure value for money on purchases; and what savings have been realised through use of such procedures in the last year. [83642]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA complies with the Cabinet Office central spending controls to ensure value for money on purchases. These are set out in my answer of 11 January 2012, Official Report, columns 359-62W, to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Owen Smith). In addition, core DEFRA is continually improving its purchasing systems to deliver greater value for money.
Not all the savings realised will be attributable to these controls and improvements. However, overall procurement expenditure in core DEFRA in the year to October 2011 was £368,371,348—around 2% less than initial estimates. This is approximately 20% lower than in the previous year, in which £459,362,066 was spent from November 2009 to October 2010.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) other civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) lobbying organisations Ministers and senior officials in her Department have given speeches in each month since May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [77372]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not record ministerial or senior official speeches by the specific categories of organisation requested and to provide the detailed information would incur disproportionate cost.
However, the Department publishes speeches given by Ministers on the departmental website at the following link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/category/speeches/
Details of the Permanent Secretary's meetings with external organisations dating back to 1 October 2010 can also be found on the website at the following link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/management/
Voluntary Work
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volunteering (a) she and (b) other Ministers in her Department have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted. [76240]
Richard Benyon: All DEFRA Ministers have pledged to undertake the One Day Challenge to give time to help others. The following is a list of activities undertaken to date:
| Date | Location | Volunteer work | |
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|
Clearing scrub and ragwort for the Friends of the Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys |
My noble Friend Lord Taylor will undertake the Challenge this year.
Dogs
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to introduce a minimum age for dog ownership. [89941]
Mr Paice: The Government have no plans to introduce a minimum age for dog ownership. I consider that the existing law which makes it an offence to sell a pet animal to anyone under the age of 16 provides the necessary safeguards.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to require owners of breeding dogs to be accredited. [89942]
Mr Paice: The independent Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding (DAC) was set up to make recommendations about ways to improve the health and welfare of dogs bred and sold in this country. DAC has been meeting with key stakeholders on this issue and the Government will consider any recommendations DAC make for improving the health and welfare of dogs bred in this country.
Dogs: Tagging
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what research her Department has undertaken on compulsory microchipping; [89943]
(2) what plans she has to improve protection from dangerous dogs; and if she will make a statement. [89944]
Mr Paice: DEFRA is considering a number of options to promote more responsible ownership of dogs and reduce the number of dog attacks. One option being considered, and which has been discussed with key stakeholders, is the issue of compulsory microchipping of dogs. While the main purpose of microchipping is to promote good welfare by helping to reunite dogs with their owners should they become lost or stolen, the ability to link dog with owner also serves as an example of responsible ownership. The Government will make an announcement on ways of promoting more responsible ownership of dogs and reducing dog attacks shortly.