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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Communities and Local Government
Asylum
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the integration of refugees in the UK; [89425]
(2) what steps his Department is taking to promote the effective integration of refugees in the UK; [89426]
(3) what plans he has to monitor the integration of refugees in the UK; [89427]
(4) what plans his Department has to develop a strategy for refugee integration in the UK. [89428]
Andrew Stunell: The Government plan to publish a document setting out its approach to integration shortly. The Government's role is to create the conditions which enable integration to happen in all places and with all communities. But integration including for refugees is essentially a local issue led by public and private sector organisations, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises and other local organisations. As such integration activity should in the main be designed, delivered and monitored locally.
As a result of the need to make significant savings across the UK Border Agency, in line with the Government's strategy to reduce the deficit, it is no longer possible for the UK Border Agency to fund a refugee integration service. In response to concerns about the resultant impact on refugees, the UK Border Agency established a cross sector working group in April 2011. The group's aim is to identify cost neutral activities that will help address the integration needs of refugees. In the meantime, individuals granted refugee status have full entitlement to access public funds and services and the UK Border Agency is committed to providing documentation that helps facilitate access to these entitlements.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), has discussed the Government's approach to integration with colleagues on a number of occasions.
Children
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what methods his Department uses to measure the effects of its decisions on the subjective well-being of children; [90147]
(2) whether he is taking steps to encourage local authorities to use children's subjective well-being as a key outcome; [90148]
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(3) what research his Department has commissioned to measure the subjective well-being of children by local area. [90150]
Andrew Stunell: The Department does not currently use any methods to measure the impacts of its decisions on the subjective well-being of children, and it has not commissioned any research to measure the subjective well-being of children by local area. However, we are engaging with the Office for National Statistics' work to develop well-being measures for children and young people as part of the overall measuring National Well-being Programme. The Department will be engaging with local authorities on how best to make available sub-national well-being data and to consider how local authorities and others could make best use of it.
Electrical Safety: Housing
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in circumstances attributable to unsafe electrical fittings in (i) privately rented housing and (ii) council housing in each of the last four years. [88745]
Andrew Stunell: The Department does not hold the specific data requested on deaths and injuries due to unsafe electrical fittings. However, we are currently analysing the electrical accident statistics that are available as part of our review of Part P of the Building Regulations (Electrical safety in dwellings) and will be publishing the results in due course.
Fire Services: Standards
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average response time was for a fire appliance to attend (a) a dwelling fire with persons involved, (b) a dwelling fire with no persons involved, (c) a fire in a non-dwelling building, (d) a road vehicle fire and (e) an outdoor fire in each (i) region, (ii) fire service family group and (iii) local authority in each of the last three years. [R] [90016]
Robert Neill: These data have been placed in the Library of the House. Latest response time data are derived from the Incident Recording System which has been in use nationwide since April 2009, while response times up to 2008 are as provided previously.
Housing: Regulation
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what regulations are in place to protect (a) freeholders, (b) leaseholders and (c) tenants in respect of estate management companies appointed by developers of residential housing estates; [89869]
(2) what rules or regulations govern the fees that can be charged by estate management companies to (a) freeholders, (b) leaseholders and (c) tenants. [89873]
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Grant Shapps: The rules and regulations applying to freeholders (homeowners), leaseholders and tenants (in either the private or the public sector) on an estate vary according to the particular housing tenure in which they live.
The fees that freeholders must pay—and arrangements for the upkeep of shared facilities, and the provision of additional services—will depend on the terms of the obligations between the freeholders of the individual properties and the person or company responsible for providing the services. These obligations may take various forms and are generally set out on the land register or in the title deeds. Owners of freehold properties can enforce their rights under such obligations, including in relation to service charges and estate rent charges, through the courts if necessary.
Leaseholders have a wide range of rights and protections which are set out in primary and secondary legislation, and are enforceable through a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. The fees and charges which a leaseholder must pay will be governed by their individual lease. When accounting for service charges and other fees paid by leaseholders, estate managers (and landlords) should comply with the law and best practice, including that set out in the two Codes of Practice approved by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Any fees and charges to be paid by tenants (in the private and social sectors) will depend, in the first instance, on the terms of their individual tenancy agreement. In the private sector, service charges are normally paid by landlords rather than tenants. However, where—exceptionally—private sector tenants do pay variable service charges, these can be challenged at a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
Local Government Finance: Waste Disposal
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have applied for funds for weekly bin collections in each (a) region and (b) local authority area to date. [90347]
Robert Neill: Further to the announcement by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), during the party conference recess in September, we will be publishing a prospectus shortly inviting bids for funding from the Weekly Collections Support Scheme.
Wales
Fuel Rebate
11. Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) others on a fuel rebate for remote areas of Wales. [89242]
Mr David Jones: This is a pilot scheme for remote islands only. Pump prices in these areas are particularly high when compared with the mainland. The Government will need to assess the results of this pilot first, but beyond this nothing has been ruled in or out.
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Youth Unemployment
12. Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate she has made of the level of youth unemployment in Wales over the next six months. [89243]
Mr David Jones: Today's youth unemployment figures in Wales clearly illustrate the need for us to work alongside the Welsh Government to ensure that young people are fully prepared to enter the labour market.
Police Numbers
13. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate she has made of police numbers in Wales between 2012 and 2015. [89244]
Mr David Jones: This information is not collected centrally. It is a matter for the chief constable and the police authority in each force to determine the police numbers that are deployed within the available resource.
Violent Crime
14. Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government are taking to tackle violent crime in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [89246]
Mr David Jones: The Government are committed to reducing and preventing crime to ensure that people feel safe in their homes and communities.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Air Pollution: Heathrow Airport
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made on reducing levels of emissions of oxides of nitrogen at Heathrow. [89554]
Richard Benyon: In September 2011, the UK submitted updated air quality plans to the European Commission that set out how EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) will be met as soon as possible. The plan for Greater London sets out current and planned actions for achieving compliance with the NO2 limits around Heathrow, and can be viewed on the UK air website:
http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk
Heathrow Airport Ltd has published an air quality strategy for Heathrow airport for 2011 to 2020. A copy of this strategy is available from Heathrow Airport Ltd or online:
www.heathrowairwatch.org.uk
The UK plans package includes many measures to help reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The latest UK emissions data, published in December 2011, show that total UK emissions of NOx continued to fall in 2010. Total emissions are now within the UK's national emission ceiling for NOx, which is set under the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC).
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Food Labelling
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the food and catering services in (a) her Department and (b) public bodies for which she is responsible are taking to ensure the country of origin of foods are labelled on its menus and display boards. [85847]
Mr Paice: Government buying standards for food and catering were introduced for the first time in June last year. These standards include the overarching commitment that, in line with the industry principles on country of origin information, suppliers should be able to indicate the origin of the meat, meat products and dairy products either on the menu or accompanying literature, or at least when the information is requested by the consumer. These standards are mandatory for central Government and take-up is being encouraged across the public sector.
DEFRA's catering contract with Eurest covers the core of DEFRA, the Rural Payments Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, the Food and Environment Research Agency, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Natural England, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Country of origin information is already displayed on menus in core DEFRA sites and this is being rolled out throughout the sites covered by this contract.
The Environment Agency have a separate catering contract from DEFRA. Currently they do not display the country of origin on menus and display boards, however the caterers purchase meat, dairy and bread from local suppliers, within a 50 mile radius of each site. Where available the catering suppliers also buy locally produced vegetables and fruit.
Debt Recovery
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times her Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if she will make a statement. [88359]
Richard Benyon: The core Department does not use external debt recovery companies as it operates an in-house process for managing debt recovery.
Food Supply
Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Government food reserves are kept (a) on the Isle of Wight, (b) in England and (c) in the UK for emergencies. [89802]
Mr Paice: The Government do not hold reserve stocks of food. The UK is well prepared for unforeseen situations, such as disruptions due to extreme weather, fuel shortages, pandemic flu etc, and has a highly effective food supply chain, providing wide consumer choice. The food retailers have robust and resilient business continuity plans to deal with any threat of disruption and DEFRA works with all parts of the industry to ensure that Government support is provided.
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The UK also enjoys access to diverse sources of supply from the EU and other countries, which provides additional resilience in the event of any disruptions to avoid potential food shortages.
Recreation Spaces
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of applications to register new greens in (a) Chatham and Aylesford constituency, (b) Medway unitary authority, (c) Tonbridge and Malling borough council and (d) Kent in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [90340]
Richard Benyon: Top-tier local authorities (i.e. counties and unitaries) are responsible for determining applications to register new town and village greens under section 15 of the Commons Act 2005. There is no requirement to report data on greens registration applications to DEFRA. A survey of commons registration authorities was conducted in October 2011 and figures are available for the total number of applications received by Kent county council.
| Kent | |
| Number | |
No figures are available for Chatham and Aylesford constituency, Medway council or Tonbridge and Malling borough council.
Sewers: Planning
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the automatic inclusion of water and sewerage companies as statutory consultees when planning applications are submitted for developers of 10 or more properties. [89201]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA Ministers and officials have been in regular discussion with their counterparts in the Department for Communities and Local Government over the reform of planning and the importance of ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is secured to support development. Under the proposals for the reform of planning all planning applications should be considered in the light of the local plan. Water and sewerage companies, as a body affected by the local plan, should be consulted on local plans while they are being drawn up; they are also able to comment on them to the Planning Inspectorate during the validation process. It is for local authorities to ensure that their local plans are fit for purpose and that the necessary infrastructure is available where development is likely to take place.
Waste Policy Review
Martin Horwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2011, Official Report,
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column 658W, on the Waste Policy Review, and with reference to paragraph 101 of the review, what assessment she has made of the accuracy of the analysis on the costs and benefits of a UK deposit system. [89892]
Richard Benyon: On 16 December 2011, DEFRA published a consultation on targets for the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007. The consultation was accompanied by an impact assessment which includes a full economic assessment of the costs and benefits of introducing a bottle deposit scheme in the UK. DEFRA is now seeking views on the robustness of its analysis.
Water: Consumption
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department monitors the water consumption rates of individual water companies; and if she will make a statement. [87129]
Richard Benyon: The data for the average water consumption in litres per person, per day for 2010-11 for each water company, can be found on page 80 of the recently published Water White Paper in figure xi. An electronic copy can be found online on DEFRA’s website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/whitepaper/
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to answer question 77607, on applications from employees to run services, tabled on 26 October 2011 for answer on 31 October 2011; and if she will make a statement. [87679]
Richard Benyon: The answer to this question was published on 20( )December 2011, Official Report, column 1104W. The delay was due to administrative errors.
House of Commons Commission
Catering
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the House of Commons Commission has made of the availability of healthy food options in (a) the Jubilee Café and (b) all food outlets on the Parliamentary Estate. [89286]
John Thurso: The Jubilee Café provides a snack outlet primarily for the use of visitors to the Palace of Westminster. As such, the menu is designed with that use in mind. Although the lack of a kitchen limits the menu in the Jubilee Café, salads and fresh fruit are available as alternatives to sandwiches and cakes or other high-sugar snacks.
The House of Commons catering service ensures that healthy foods are available in all its food outlets. It does not specifically belong to any formal healthy
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eating assessment or accreditation scheme, but the guidance available from such schemes is regularly used to inform and educate chefs in the design and development of menus and recipes served throughout the parliamentary estate. In the cafeterias, used by many staff and MPs daily for their main meal, information is provided about the most healthy menu options available through the use of a ‘traffic light' marking scheme on printed and on-line menus. Fish and vegetarian dishes feature daily on each cafeteria menu. A very high percentage of cooked meals served in the cafeterias is prepared daily from fresh ingredients, and fresh fruits, salads, low-fat dairy produce and high fibre breads and cereals are always available. Meals served in the dining rooms are similarly prepared from fresh ingredients and include fish and vegetarian options.
Newspaper Press
John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many newspapers were ordered other than for the Members' Library in 2011. [88862]
John Thurso: Excluding the Members' Library, the House ordered 71,118 copies of newspapers in 2011 (figures for December 2011 include estimates where invoices have not yet been received). Free copies of the Evening Standard were also provided on the estate.
Orders for newspapers in 2012 onwards will be significantly lower than the 2011 total in line with savings commitments and environmental targets.
Home Department
Coroners
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for how many of the deaths requiring an inquest which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 in each short-listed ICD10-code grouping which accounted for 500 or more of the cases, the waiting time between date of death and date of death registration was longer than (a) 183 days and (b) 365 days; [90368]
(2) for how many of the deaths requiring an inquest which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 in each ICD-10 chapter which accounted for 1,000 or more of the deaths, the waiting time between date of death and date of death registration was longer than (a) 183 days and (b) 365 days; [90369]
(3) what the underlying cause of death according to (a) ICD-10 chapter and (b) short-listed ICD10-code grouping was of coroner-certified deaths which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008; [90370]
(4) for how many deaths registered in England and Wales which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 (a) were certified by a coroner and (b) an inquest was held; [90371]
(5) how many deaths were registered in England and Wales with a date of death between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008. [90372]
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Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking:
1. How many of the deaths requiring an inquest which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 in each short-listed ICD10-code grouping which accounted for 500 or more of the cases the waiting time between date of death and date of death registration was longer than (a) 183 days and (b) 365 days. (90368)
2. How many of the deaths requiring an inquest which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 in each ICD-10 chapter which accounted for 1,000 or more of the deaths, the waiting time between date of death and date of registration was longer than (a) 183 days and (b) 365 days. (90369)
3. What the underlying cause of death according to (a) ICD-10 chapter and (b) short-listed ICD-10 code grouping was of coroner-certified deaths which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008. (90370)
4. For how many deaths registered in England and Wales which took place between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 (a) were certified by a coroner and (b) an inquest was held. (90371)
5. How many deaths were registered in England and Wales with a date of death between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008. (90372)
In response to Question 1 (a, b) and Question 3 (b) above, we are unable to provide figures for the number of deaths certified by a coroner, or for which an inquest was held, broken down by short-listed ICD-10 code. This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
In response to Question 2, Table 1 provides the number of deaths for which an inquest was held where the waiting time between date of death and date of death registration was longer than (a) 183 and (b) 365 days, in England and Wales, for deaths that occurred between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008. This is broken down by each ICD-10 chapter which accounted for 1,000 or more of the deaths.
In response to Question 3 (a), Table 2 provides the number of coroner-certified deaths grouped by the underlying cause of death according to ICD-10 chapter, that occurred in England and Wales, between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008.
Trusted Statistics - Understanding the UK
In response to Questions 4 (a, b) and 5, Table 3 provides (i) the number of deaths registered, (ii) the number of deaths certified by a coroner and (iii) the number of deaths for which an inquest was held, in England and Wales, for deaths that occurred between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008.
The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each year by sex, age, cause, marital status and place of death are published annually and are available here:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html?definition=tcm%3A77-27475
| Table 1: Number of deaths for which an inquest was held where time between registration and date of death is greater than 183 or 365 days, by ICD-10 chapter, underlying cause of death, England and Wales, 2005-08 (1,2,3,4) | |||
| Deaths | |||
| Over 183 days | Over 365 days | ||
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| Table 3: Number of deaths, England and Wales, 2005-08 (1,2) | |
| Deaths | |
| (1) Figures are for deaths occurring between 2005 and 2008 and include deaths of non-residents. (2) Coroner-certified deaths include cases where an inquest and/or post mortem is held and cases where the death is certified without an inquest. Source: Office for National Statistics | |
Cybercrime: Prosecutions
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has recently had discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service on steps to improve the prosecution of offences under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. [90220]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 17 January 2012]: No, the Home Secretary has had no such discussions recently.
Border Control
Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many frontline UK Border Agency personnel will be on duty at UK borders between 23 December 2011 and 5 January 2012. [87809]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency undertook careful planning for the deployment of resources between 23 December 2011 and 5 January 2012. The plan was developed using data from previous years and data provided by port operators. The UK Border Agency deployed the appropriate level of resources on the information provided to manage the volumes of traffic over this period and responded to adverse weather conditions by redeploying to the areas of greatest need. We are unable to provide an overall figure for deployment at the border as sourcing this information would incur disproportionate cost.
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Entry Clearances: Married People
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2011, Official Report, column 673W, on sham marriages, how many of the 81 non-European nationals granted leave to remain have been (a) traced and (b) had their leave revoked; and what the outcome has been of the investigation of the remaining 298 cases examined under Operation Gomozia. [89956]
Damian Green: The latest management information from Operation Gomozia shows that the number of non-European nationals who were granted leave to remain as a result of marriages at the Church St. Peter and St Paul in St. Leonard's, Sussex has increased from 81 to 105. Of these, 32 have had their leave revoked and are being actively traced by the UK Border Agency. A further 53 of the marriages have been deemed genuine, either by the UK Border Agency or an independent tribunal. A further 20 of those granted leave are still under investigation.
An additional 157 applications for leave to remain from non-European nationals under Operation Gomozia have been refused by the UK Border Agency. These individuals are also being actively traced. Of these, nine non-European nationals have been removed from the United Kingdom. The remaining cases are still being investigated or have been granted leave under another category.
Khat
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the amount of khat purchased for extraction of cathine and cathinone. [89995]
Damian Green: No formal assessment has been made by the Home Office on the amount of khat purchased for the extraction of its active ingredients, cathine and cathinone.
North Yorkshire Police
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers in the North Yorkshire Police were working on front-line duties on (a) 31 March 2010 and (b) 31 March 2011; and how many she expects to be doing so on 31 March (i) 2012, (ii) 2013 and (iii) 2014. [69847]
Nick Herbert: The available information shows the number of officers in North Yorkshire police working on front-line duties on 31 March 2010 and 31 March 2011. Decisions about the size and deployment of the police workforce are a matter for chief constables to take locally in conjunction with their police authority and, from November 2012, their elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs); therefore estimates for the number of police officers on front-line duties for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 are not available centrally.
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| (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. (2) Front-line duties accords with definition used in HMIC's "Demanding Times" report: "The police front-line comprises those who are in everyday contact with the public and who directly intervene to keep people safe and enforce the law". The report also shows the functions which are front-line duties, in some cases roles cut across more than one category, and where this is the case the percentage split is shown. This report can be found from the following link: http://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/demanding-times-062011.pdf Source: Home Office using data received from police forces via the Annual Data Requirement ADR601 |
The functions included are shown in the following table.
| Functions (front-line duties) | |
| Percentage | |
Police Custody: Death
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths in police custody there were in each month since 1 January 2010. [89512]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this information. These matters are for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The IPCC has written to the right hon. Member about the information sought. A copy has been placed in the House Library.
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Police Stations: Opening Hours
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects of (a) police station closures and (b) changes to the opening hours of police stations since May 2010. [90002]
Nick Herbert: Decisions about the most effective use of available resources, including the number and operating hours of police stations, are a matter for the chief constable and the police authority to take locally.
Police: Misconduct
Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on whether police officers found to have tampered with records of evidence should retain their pension rights. [89776]
Nick Herbert: A police authority or elected local policing body can apply to have part of a police pension forfeited where an officer is convicted of an offence, committed in connection with their service as a member of a police force, which is either gravely injurious to the interests of the State or liable to lead to a serious loss of confidence in the public service.
Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on disciplining police officers found to have tampered with records of evidence. [89777]
Nick Herbert: In addition to the criminal and civil law, police officers are also subject to the Police Conduct Regulations which contain the standards of professional behaviour that police officers are expected to maintain.
Where a police officer has breached those standards, it is for the chief officer or police authority/elected local policing body of the force concerned to consider what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken on a case-by-case basis.
Prostitution
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of whether the raids and closures of brothels undertaken by the Metropolitan Police during the last 12 months has resulted in a dispersal of sex workers. [90136]
Nick Herbert: These are operational matters for the Metropolitan Police Service.
Stephen Lawrence
Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment she has made of the conduct of the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the families and acquaintances of suspects in the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence; [89082]
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(2) whether she plans to examine reports of collusion and corruption between members of the Metropolitan Police and the families and acquaintances of suspects in the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence; [89117]
(3) what assessment she has made of whether reports of corruption and collusion in the investigation by the Metropolitan Police into the murder of Stephen Lawrence have been properly and fully investigated. [89175]
Nick Herbert: Allegations of corruption and collusion between members of the Metropolitan Police and families and acquaintances of suspects in the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence were examined by the MacPherson inquiry. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also investigated complaints from Neville and Doreen Lawrence. If new allegations are made, it will be for the Metropolitan Police Service and the Independent Police Complaints Commission to decide what action to take.
Defence
Afghanistan: Defence
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative assessment he has made of the defence manpower contribution in Afghanistan of the UK and other NATO members. [88851]
Mr Philip Hammond: The UK operates in Afghanistan as part of the UN-mandated 50 nation ISAF coalition, with all 28 NATO nations contributing troops. We regularly monitor the manpower contributions of each nation through the ISAF placemat which is publicly available at the following web address:
http://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/2012-01-06%20ISAF%20Placemat.pdf
Armed Forces
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) armed forces personnel and (b) service families live in each county council area in England; [90275]
(2) what the location is of each (a) barracks and (b) garrison within each county council area in England; and how many (i) armed forces personnel and (ii) services families each site accommodates. [90276]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 17 January 2012]: The information is not held in the format requested.
Counter-Terrorism: Finance
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent in each country on counter-terrorism programmes in each financial year from 2000-01 to 2010-11; and how much he plans to spend on such programmes in each country in each financial year from 2011-12 to 2014-15. [90447]
Peter Luff [holding answer 17 January 2012]:Funds are allocated to Defence Engagement Counter Terrorism (CT) activities under the Defence Assistance Fund (DAF). The DAF(CT) total worldwide budget since 2007 has been as follows:
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| Financial year | DAF (CT) Budget (£ million) |
In each financial year the budget is divided into individual projects with key partner nations. Due to the sensitive nature of CT activities we cannot provide details of spend in particular countries.
Before FY 2007-08 CT activities were not allocated under a separately identifiable fund. Future budgets for DAF(CT) have yet to be agreed and are under consideration as part of the wider departmental annual budget setting process.
Defence Equipment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries UK military equipment is based. [90445]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 17 January 2012]: There is no central list of UK military equipment holdings worldwide but Ministry of Defence equipment, such as communications, will be used by British personnel in all 80 locations where there is an enduring military presence. This presence may be a military base, Defence Staff in an embassy, Loan Service personnel or another UK contingent conducting long term training missions or supporting a multinational operation.
Apprentices
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013; [88740]
(2) 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. [89136]
Mr Robathan: The armed forces draw down approximately £38 million per year from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to support apprenticeship delivery. Little change is envisaged in this figure over the next two years.
The MOD costs associated with this exercise cannot be separated from other areas of the business and therefore could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The civilian apprenticeship schemes ran at an approximate operating cost of £710,000 for financial year 2010-11. The estimated operating costs for FY 2011-12 are approximately £660,000. Operating costs for FY 2012-13 are not finalised but are estimated to have little or no change to the FY 2011-12 figure.
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Data Protection
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who in his Department can access (a) protected, (b) restricted, (c) confidential, (d) secret and (c) top secret documents. [90412]
Mr Robathan: The MOD operates from the fundamental security principles set out in the Cabinet Office's Security Policy Framework. Access to sensitive information or assets is only granted to those who have a business need and who meet the appropriate personnel security controls (Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) or National Security Vetting (NSV)). This ‘need to know' principle is fundamental to the security of all protectively marked Government assets.
This principle applies to all protective markings. However, the number of people with a need to know top secret information will be substantially fewer than the number with a need to know restricted information.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance is provided to officials in his Department to ensure that protective marking of documents is used for national security purposes and does not restrict the principles of open and transparent government. [90413]
Mr Robathan: On the subject of guidance provided to officials I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2012, Official Report, column 421W. Further to that answer, the Protect marking is available for material whose loss or compromise would have a negative impact but which does not involve any National Security concerns.
The MOD is fully committed to the Government's Transparency and Open Data policies and proactively releases information that it believes will be of interest to the public, commerce and industry. The application of a protective marking does not in itself exclude the authorised disclosure of information (such as requests under the Freedom of Information Act). Departmental guidance on disclosure of information includes procedures for declassifying information to permit release.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were employed in the private office of (a) each Minister in his Department, (b) each of the service chiefs, (c) the Chief of Defence Staff, (d) the Permanent Under-Secretary and (e) the Second Permanent Under-Secretary; and what the cost to his Department was of such employment. [88311]
Mr Philip Hammond: As at 9 January 2012, there were a total of 61 members of staff employed in the private offices of Defence Ministers, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Permanent Under-Secretary and the Second Permanent Under-Secretary, at an estimated cost of £3,983,567 per annum. However, the Second Permanent Under-Secretary shares a combined private office with the Vice Chief of Defence Staff and this combined office size (and cost) is reflected in the figures provided.
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Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many speechwriters his Department employs at each pay grade. [89388]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Ministry of Defence has two full-time speechwriter posts. They are both civil service posts, one at Band B1 and one at Band C1.
Pay
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other payments additional to basic salary in each of the last two years 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. [89676]
Mr Robathan: A close and effective link between pay and performance is a key element of the reward arrangements for the civil service. The performance element of pay is colloquially known as a bonus, but it is a misleading description because the performance-related element of pay is not additional, it is part of the departmental pay bill. This total pay bill was agreed by the previous Government as part of a three year pay deal.
For the senior civil service, performance incentives are paid primarily as non-consolidated performance payments. Any award is based on a judgment of how well an individual has performed against their peers and awards are made to those judged to have made the greatest in-year contribution to business objectives. There is no restriction on the nature of the contribution but it must benefit both the Department or Defence as a whole. Recommendations for awards are considered by moderation committees and must be linked to clear evidence of delivery.
All satisfactory performers at SCS level were eligible to be considered for a non-consolidated performance award in line with Cabinet Office guidelines and the MOD pay strategy.
Table 1 as follows details how much was paid to members of the SCS in non-consolidated performance payments in financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Senior fixed term employees are individuals who are recruited through fair and open competition from outside the civil service. Those employed as senior fixed term appointees (FTAs) are on individual contracts and have a higher percentage of pay allocated to performance awards which are judged against stringent and stretching delivery based objectives. Some have staged payments and it is now usual to pay a smaller annual performance award with the remainder deferred for two to three years and judged against the delivery of medium to longer term objectives. Performance is judged by line management with assistance from senior officials, stakeholders, remuneration committees and in some cases internal audit.
Details of how much has been paid in non-consolidated awards in financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 are shown below in Table 2.
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Table 3 shows the monetary values of the largest non-consolidated payments made in the last two years to the combined SCS population of permanent staff and fixed term appointees.
| Table 1: SCS permanent staff | ||
| £ | ||
| Performance year | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
| FY | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
| Table 2: SCS Fixed Term Appointees | ||
| £ | ||
| SCS FTA Performance year | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
| FY | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
| (1) One yet be decided | ||
| Table 3: Top 20 highest non-consolidated awards for combined SCS population | |
| £ | |
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Note:
Figures for FTA awards for FY 2010-11 differ from those published previously but now reflect outstanding award decisions which were still under consideration when figures were published initially.
For staff below the SCS, non-consolidated performance awards are paid to staff who meet the eligibility criteria. Higher levels of award are available for those who have contributed most to the business. These awards are distributed on the basis of relative assessment among peers and are designed to encourage continuous high attainment against stretching objectives.
The MOD also operates an in year non-consolidated payment scheme, the Special Bonus Scheme (SBS), which rewards eligible MOD civilians for exceptional performance in a specific task or for the achievement of a professional qualification the use of which benefits MOD and the individual. Separate arrangements apply to Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers.
The following table details the total value of payments made to staff below the SCS by way of non consolidated performance payments and SBS awards by financial year.
| Financial year | Total value of awards made (£) |
Payments made since 1 April 2011 are detailed in the departmental transparency data
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Salaries/NonconsolidatedPerformanceAwards.htm
This response excludes information on staff below the SCS in MOD Trading funds which have separate pay delegations.
With the exception of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force Museum, figures for the Department's non-departmental public bodies are included in the figures above.
Non consolidated performance awards—The National Museum of the Royal Navy:
The following table details the total value of payments made to staff by way of non consolidated performance payments awards by financial year.
| Value of largest 20 payments | |||
| Financial year | Total value of awards made (£) | Number | (£) |
The National Museum of the Royal Navy has no special bonus scheme.
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Non consolidated performance awards—The Royal Air Force Museum:
The following table details the total value of payments made to staff by way of non consolidated performance payments awards by financial year.
| Value of largest 20 payments | |||
| Financial year | Total value of awards made (£) | Number | (£) |
The Department currently has over 600 pay-related allowances and payments in addition to salary available to civilian staff. The majority of which are listed on the People, Pay and Pensions Agency services website:
http://www.pppaservices.qinetiq-tim.com/https@knowledge.chris.r.mil.uk/pppa/index@page=content&id=us131&cat=pay_and_expenses &actp=list.htm
Information on the monetary value of each type of allowance and payment is available, but will take a short while to compile. I will write to the hon. Member with the details as soon as possible.
HMS Affray
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will re-open a full inquiry into the causes of the sinking of HMS Affray on 16 April 1951. [90454]
Peter Luff: The loss of HMS Affray on 16 April 1951 was a tragic accident resulting in the loss of all 75 on board. While I fully sympathise with those families affected by the loss, I can see no reason to disagree with the findings of the Board of Inquiry undertaken at the time, or what purpose would be served by a new Inquiry.
Military Aircraft: Helicopters
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Danish helicopter pilots have been trained on the Merlin Helicopter at RAF Benson; and for how many flight hours. [89989]
Nick Harvey: A total of eight Danish personnel comprising five pilots and three rear crewmen (air loadmasters) have trained on Merlin helicopters alongside their British counterparts at RAF Benson. The flying hours can be broken down as follows:
| Merlin flying hours | Simulator hours | |
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Military Bases
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Livingston (Graeme Morrice) of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 89W, on military bases: Kirknewton, on what dates he discussed the proposed creation of an Army base at Kirknewton; what the (a) names and (b) positions held are of those who attended the discussions; and whether a written record was taken of the discussions. [86642]
Nick Harvey: The creation of an Army base at Kirknewton was considered as part of the 2010 Basing review. The previous and current Secretaries of State for Defence have taken a detailed interest in the review and have held numerous discussions on the review with officials within the Ministry of Defence; with colleagues across Government, with local and national Governments; and in response to representations from members of the public.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries the UK has basing rights; and for how many bases in each such country. [90035]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 16 January 2012]:The UK has established basing agreements for its armed forces with a number of countries for operational and training purposes. The countries and number of locations in each country for which we have a basing agreement are set out as follows:
Afghanistan—4 main operating bases
Bahrain—1 location
Belize—1 location
Brunei—1 location
Canada—1 location
Germany—4 main garrison locations
Kenya—3 locations
Oman—1 location
Qatar—1 location
UAE—1 location
These are in addition to bases operated by the UK in Cyprus, Gibraltar, Diego Garcia, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands.
Navy: Manpower
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the retention rates were for (a) female and (b) male (i) officers and (ii) ratings in the Royal Navy in each of the last five years. [89783]
Mr Robathan: The information requested is not available. Information on Voluntary outflow, together with length of service information (although this is not available by gender) is available on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice website at:
http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/apps/publications/pubViewFile.php?content=2710&date=2012-01-12&type=pdf&PublishTime=09:30:00
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Radioactive Waste: Dalgety Bay
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Minister of State to visit Dalgety Bay; and whether he plans to meet representatives of the (a) local community council and (b) sailing club. [90473]
Mr Robathan: I will be visiting Dalgety Bay at the end of January 2012. This visit will include meeting representatives of the local community council and sailing club.
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his meeting with the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to discuss radiation contamination at Dalgety Bay to take place. [90474]
Mr Robathan: Estates matters such as the issue of radiation contamination at Dalgety Bay fall under my area of responsibility as Minister for Defence Personnel Welfare and Veterans. I will be visiting the site at the end of January 2012 to discuss the issue.
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will delineate the areas at Dalgety Bay where radiation contamination is believed to be present. [90475]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence remains committed to assisting the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in identifying areas where radioactive material is believed to be buried and delivering a credible investigation plan for Dalgety Bay.
Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on acceptance of liability for remedial action in relation to radiation contamination at Dalgety Bay; and if he will make a statement. [90476]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence policy on the acceptance of liability pertaining to alienated sites is set out in our Memorandum of Understanding with the Environment Agency and Joint Service Publication 418 volume 2 leaflet 2. Copies of these will be placed in the Library of the House.
The MOD is currently considering the draft Summary of Evidence provided by Scottish Environment Protection Agency and is undertaking its own investigations.
Until such time as our inquiries are completed the Ministry of Defence is not in a position to comment further on liability in relation to Dalgety Bay.
Security
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work his Department undertakes on (a) security management and (b) security prevention with (i) Canada, (ii) China, (iii) France, (iv) Belgium, (v) Ireland, (vi) Italy, (vii) Norway, (viii) Spain, (ix) Sweden, (x) Switzerland, (xi) Poland, (xii) India, (xiii) Russia, (xiv) Denmark, (xv) South Africa, (xvi) Turkey, (xvii) Mexico, (xviii) Japan, (xix) Germany, (xx) the US and (xxi) the Netherlands. [90465]
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Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence has in place a number of bilateral relationships with the 21 countries listed by the right hon. Member, which allows it to address defence and security issues of mutual or common concern. These relationships range from Defence Attaches through to full Defence Treaties. I will write with the details on each. In addition, the UK's engagement in various multilateral forums, including the UN, NATO and the EU, further ensures that defence and security issues are regularly discussed with the majority of these nations.
Security prevention is not a term used by the MOD or Her Majesty's Government. The Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS) outlines HMG's approach to conflict prevention and sets out clear proposals for how we can improve the way we identify and prevent instability and conflict overseas by using our diplomatic, development, defence and security tools; and by working with our international partners.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) security situation and (b) threat level in (i) Canada, (ii) China, (iii) France, (iv) Belgium, (v) Ireland, (vi) Italy, (vii) Norway, (viii) Spain, (ix) Sweden, (x) Switzerland, (xi) Poland, (xii) India, (xiii) Russia, (xiv) Denmark, (xv) South Africa, (xvi) Turkey, (xvii) Mexico, (xviii) Japan, (xix) Germany, (xx) the US and (xxi) the Netherlands. [90466]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence regularly feeds into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's travel advice which is a public central focal point for security and threat assessments including the 21 nations listed.
Treasury
Adam Werritty
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department's premises and (ii) elsewhere. [78867]
Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 7 November 2011]: No meetings have taken place between Treasury Ministers or special advisers and Adam Werritty since May 2010.
Information relating to officials' meetings is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Care Quality Commission: Redundancy Pay
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the monetary value of special severance payments notified to HM Treasury by the Care Quality Commission in each of the last three years. [89477]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 16 January 2012]: Special severance payments notified to HM Treasury by the Care Quality Commission over the last three years involved varying sums between £500 and £50,000, amounting to up to £107,000 in total.
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The Treasury's aim is to ensure payments are justifiable. The first part of this process is to assess whether settlement itself is justified (e.g. in the case of an employment tribunal claim, that legal advice indicates that the body would lose the case). The second part of the process then concentrates on whether the level of settlement is justified (again, in the case of employment tribunal claim, the comparator would the legal assessment of the likely tribunal award) and provides value for money (for the Exchequer as a whole, rather than simply the body concerned). The final part of the process is to consider whether lessons can be learned and systems improved to avoid future occurrences.
Children: Day Care
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making child care fully tax deductable; and if he will make a statement. [90356]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government currently have no plans to make child care fully tax deductable.
The Government realises that the cost of child care is one of the most important factors for parents when considering returning to, or progressing in, work. However, providing universal free or subsidised child care is unaffordable. Allowing tax exemptions for child care would result in a shortfall of revenue, and mean either further reductions in spending or raising revenue elsewhere, for example through increasing overall tax limits to account for the loss. In a world with limited resources, the Government have to prioritise support for child care on those who need it most.
Devolution: Finance
Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Barnett consequentials will accrue to each devolved Administration from expenditure on the High Speed 2 rail network. [90262]
Danny Alexander: Allocations to the devolved Administrations are made in the form of block grants. It is not possible to identify consequentials for individual spending items within the total grant. Once the detailed budgeting and funding arrangements have been decided Barnett consequentials will be allocated in the normal way.
Import Duties: China
Mr Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent reports he has received of the underpricing of imports from China for the purposes of import duty evasion; and if he will make a statement. [89847]
Mr Gauke: The European Commission has advised member states of concerns regarding the undervaluation of certain imports into the European Union from China. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is working with its EU partners to establish the extent of the undervaluation. Where undervaluation is identified HMRC will take appropriate enforcement action.
Mr Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss of import duties through the underpricing of goods from China in the latest period for which figures are available. [89848]
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Mr Gauke: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs do not have the estimate requested as they do not break down the information in this way. HMRC carries out regular audit checks on importers to ensure that they are declaring the correct value for their imports.
Insurance
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Financial Services Authority on mutual insurers and friendly societies in relation to with-profits business since May 2010. [R] [90238]
Mr Hoban: The Treasury has regular discussions with the Financial Services Authority on a wide range of insurance sector issues, including issues linked to mutual insurers and friendly societies. It is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Pensions
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government Actuary Department's decision to reduce the limit on withdrawals from income drawdown pension schemes from 120% to 100%; and if he will make a statement. [90341]
Danny Alexander: The decision to reduce the maximum annual withdrawal limit for drawdown pensions from 120% to 100% of the value of a comparable annuity was taken by the Government following extensive public consultation on reforms to remove the effective requirement to purchase an annuity by age 75.
The impact on people with income drawdown pension schemes is as follows:
if younger than 75, their maximum income withdrawal is around 17% lower than it would otherwise have been and
if aged 75 or over, their maximum income withdrawal is around 11% higher than it would otherwise have been.
A Taxes Impact and Information Note for the measure was published on 9 December 2010 on the website of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
Public Sector Debt
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the national debt can be attributed to each economic sector; and how much of the national debt is owed to each (a) country, (b) private company and (c) other organisation. [90411]
Miss Chloe Smith: It is not possible to apportion Public Sector Net Debt to specific economic sectors. Debt reflects accumulated deficits, which in turn reflects the difference between total Government spending and whole-economy tax receipts.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics and Bank of England shows that at end-September 2011:
(a) The market value of gilt holdings by overseas investors totalled £354.7 billion (30.7% of the total stock);
(b) The market value of gilt holdings by private companies (insurance companies, pension funds, bank, building societies, other financial institutions and private non-financial companies) totalled £571.7 billion (49.5% of the total stock); and
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(c) The market value of gilt holdings by other organisations (Bank of England Asset Purchase Facility, households. local authorities and public corporations) totalled £227.7 billion (19.7% of the total stock).
Renewable Energy: Scotland
Mr Davidson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding has been provided to the Scottish Government as Barnett consequentials as a result of expenditure on the promotion and use of renewable energy sources in each of the last five years. [90364]
Danny Alexander: Allocations to Scotland and the other devolved Administrations are made in the form of block grants. It is not possible to identify consequentials for individual spending items within the total grant.
The following table contains the Barnett consequentials since 2009-10 in relation to changes to the budget of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
| £ million | ||||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the monetary value is of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) contracts with (a) Teleperformance and (b) Sitel for 12-month trials of provision of telephony services in HMRC's contact centres in (i) Bathgate and (ii) Lillyhall; [90021]
(2) for what reason Teleperformance's advertisement for staff to work on the 12-month contract with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for telephone advice services from HMRC's contact centre in Bathgate is for permanent staff; and if he will make a statement. [90022]
(3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the contracts for 12-month trials of private sector telephony services in HM Revenue and Customs contact centres in Bathgate and Lillyhall. [90023]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 January 2012, Official Report, column 69W.
The payment terms in each contract are commercially sensitive and it would not be appropriate to disclose them at this time. However I can confirm that HMRC have estimated the combined total cost to the public purse of both contracts over the expected 12 month life of the trial, to be around £4 million. The terms private sector companies decide to offer to potential employees when advertising private sector posts are matters for them and not for Ministers nor HMRC.
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Taxation: Bingo
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to reduce the level of gross profit tax levied on bingo club operators. [90469]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government keep all taxes under review and tax policy is made at Budget.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the bingo industry on the relationship between bingo gross profits tax and total tax revenue from the gaming sector. [90470]
Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials meet, and receive representations from, a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on bingo taxation. [90471]
Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the rate of gross profit tax levied on (a) bingo clubs and (b) bookmakers; and for what reasons there is a difference between the two rates. [90472]
Miss Chloe Smith: The rates of both general betting duty and bingo duty were set by the previous Government. Bingo duty is charged at 20% of gross profits and general betting duty is charged at 15% of gross profits. The March 2011 Budget left rates unchanged. All taxes, including gambling taxes, are kept under review.
Taxation: Self-assessment
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the average tax underpayment calculated for those using the online self-assessment service. [89907]
Mr Gauke: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Travel: Insurance
Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the insurance industry on affordability of travel insurance for people with secondary cancer which has been dormant for a prolonged period. [90462]
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Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
I understand that some cover is available for people with cancer wishing to travel abroad and finding insurance is getting easier for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Advice and information are available from industry and relevant cancer charities.
VAT: Sanitary Protection
Mr Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to reduce the level of VAT levied on sanitary products for women to zero per cent; and if he will make a statement. [89957]
Mr Gauke: It is not possible to reduce the rate of VAT on women's sanitary products to zero. The UK retains its zero rates of VAT under longstanding formal agreements with other member states. Under the terms of those agreements, we cannot extend the scope of existing zero rates nor introduce new ones. The current rate of VAT on women's sanitary products is 5%, the lowest rate allowed under our agreements with European partners.
Economic Policy
Mr Carswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have read “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith. [89938]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials consider a wide range of views from a variety of sources to provide the historical and international context to the UK's economic policy.
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will review the operation of the licence fee to ensure that the BBC's operations and expenditure in the West Midlands will continue to support the regional economy and creative arts. [89440]
Mr Vaizey: The Government supports regional television production as it benefits regional economies and is good for the UK's cultural diversity.
Within the framework of the BBC Charter, however, the BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government and there is no provision for the Government to intervene. The BBC is required to meet quotas for television production outside of London but it is for the BBC to determine how the quotas are achieved.
The BBC's Delivering Quality First (DQF) review includes a proposal to move factual programming for
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BBC television and Radio 4 out of Birmingham but to increase television production investment with independent producers in the Midlands. The Government awaits the conclusions of the DQF review with interest.
The creative arts benefit from licence fee funding in a number of ways, for example, support for The Space, an exciting digital arts media project being run by the BBC in partnership with the Arts Council.
Speechwriters
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many speechwriters his Department employs at each pay grade. [89404]
John Penrose: This Department currently employs one speechwriter at Grade A (Civil Service Grade 7 equivalent). In addition to their role as a speechwriter, they also have responsibility for strategic communication.
Pay
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much was paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other payments additional to basic salary in each of the last two years 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. [89694]
John Penrose: The information in table 1 shows how much officials in this Department received in (a) performance related payments, (b) allowances and (c) other payments in additional to basic pay in each of the last two years.
| Table 1 | ||
| Financial year 2009–10 | Financial Year 2010-011 | |
| Type of payment | Total (£) | Total (£) |
The categories of payment that may be made available to officials are:
(a) Performance r elated p ayments:
These payments were made to employees for two purposes: in year payments to reward outstanding contributions in particularly demanding tasks or situations with small one-off payments, and performance related payments to reward highly successful performance over a whole appraisal year. Awards were made in line with Cabinet Office principles, Civil Service Pay guidelines on performance-related pay.
There are a small number of people within the Department, primarily in Olympic related roles, who are employed on fixed term contracts with performance related elements.
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In addition to base salaries, allowances are paid to assist in the recruitment and retention of staff in certain specialist posts. Since 2009, the Department has used an allowance system in place of overtime for those staff working in ministerial offices.
There are times when it may be necessary for employees to work overtime to meet business needs. Overtime is a short term measure to deal with a specific situation such as a backlog of work or exceptional pressure of work.
The information in table 2 shows what the monetary value was of the 20 largest payments made in each of the last two years:
| Table 2 | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
| Type of payment | ||||||
| Performance related payments | Allowance | Overtime | ||||
| Largest 20 payments | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 |