Diabetes
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to (a) provide information about and (b) offset the risk of diabetes among women aged between 15 and 34. [88356]
Paul Burstow: Type 1 diabetes is not currently preventable. Type 2 diabetes can be linked to obesity and inactivity. Information on diabetes for people of all ages is available on the NHS Choices website, including information on symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and on the risk factors and prevention of Type 2 diabetes. We are also committed to the Change4life programme. This promotes healthy lifestyles, encouraging people to make simple changes such as eating more fruit and vegetables, cutting down on fatty foods, reducing their calorie consumption and being more active. Reducing risk factors and following a healthy lifestyle will help to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Information is also available to the local commissioners of health care services. Clinical guidelines on diabetes and the NICE Quality Standard for Diabetes published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) emphasise the importance of patient education in helping people to manage their condition, and to reduce the risk of complications. The 2011-12 NHS Operating Framework also reiterates the need to commission patient structured education for people newly diagnosed with diabetes and at appropriate points in their life as their condition progresses.
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has put in place for better management of diabetes. [88570]
Paul Burstow: The Department asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce a clinical guideline and a Quality Standard for diabetes. These set out what good diabetes care and management looks like, for use by health care professionals and local commissioners in ensuring that local diabetes services are appropriate to their population's need.
The NICE clinical guideline and Quality Standard also emphasise the importance of patient education. Joint working between the patient and professional is key to the management of diabetes. Patients should be offered structured education about their condition and its management, to help reduce complications and unnecessary hospital admissions.
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In addition, the 2011-12 NHS Operating Framework signalled the need to commission patient structured education for people newly diagnosed with diabetes and at appropriate points in their life as their condition progresses.
Health: Children
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned to measure the subjective well-being of children. [90142]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department's Policy Research Programme and the National Institute for Health Research have not commissioned research specifically to measure the subjective well-being of children, but fund a wide range of research relating to the well-being of children.
The Office for National Statistics is working with a range of stakeholders to develop well-being measures for children and young people as part of the overall Measuring National Well-being Programme.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what methods are used by his Department to measure the effects of its decisions on the subjective well-being of children; [90143]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill on levels of subjective well-being of children. [90144]
Anne Milton: The Department has a wide range of indicators within the NHS Outcomes Framework and the forthcoming Public Health Outcomes Framework as a basis for indicating whether health related provision for children and young people is effective, and improving and contributing positively to their development. These include, infant mortality (and neonatal mortality and stillbirths) as well as reducing unplanned hospitalisation of children with asthma, diabetes and epilepsy. However, the Department does not have a formal measure of the contribution of health to a child's subjective well-being.
There is more to do and as our data improve, we want to ensure we have the best possible suite of measures to promote improvement. We have development work under way to improve the data collected on child health to ensure the outcomes frameworks as they develop can better drive the improvements for children's health.
The impact of the Welfare Reform Bill on the subjective well-being of children is a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions.
NHS: Procurement
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what changes he has introduced in healthcare procurement since the publication of the 35th report from the Committee of Public Accounts on the procurement of consumables by NHS acute and foundation trusts, HC 875; and if he will make a statement; [90363]
(2) what mechanism the NHS has put in place to measure the effectiveness of procurement in terms of (a) cost, (b) resources, (c) procedures and (d) output. [90374]
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Mr Simon Burns: There are a number of actions the Department has committed to within the 35th report from the Committee of Public Accounts on the procurement of consumables in the national health service acute and foundation trusts.
These are being monitored and progress reported to the Public Accounts Committee. The actions focus on providing guidance and networks for the NHS to use to improve NHS procurement.
Procurement networks have been established, and standards for procurement in the NHS have been developed which describe good practice at three levels of maturity for each standard. These will be launched in March 2012. The NHS procurement strategy is currently being drafted and will draw together all plans for improvements through local, regional and national initiatives as well as describing what has already been achieved.
The 35th Report from the Committee of Public Accounts and the Operating Framework for the NHS 2012-13 both make commitments on the publication of an NHS procurement strategy in April 2012.
This will include a set of standards for procurement in the NHS which will suggest key performance indicators for each standard. These standards will be launched in March 2012. In addition the strategy will indicate the core measures which could be used to measure procurement in the NHS. However, there are currently no plans for the Department to collect and collate any performance information centrally.
Opiates: Prescriptions
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the guidance issued to GPs on the prescription of opiate-based drugs and medicines. [90335]
Mr Simon Burns: We have made no such assessment.
Prescribers have access to a wide variety of impartial, trustworthy information resources to support their prescribing. These include:
the British National Formulary;
independent advice and guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence;
the Summary of Product Characteristics, provided by manufacturers as part of the regulatory process, for individual medicines; and
the wealth of information available through NHS Evidence, and various academic and professional journals.
National health service prescribers also have access to advice from the network of local drugs and therapeutics committees and primary care trust pharmaceutical advisers.
In addition, those opiate-based medicines classed as controlled drugs are subject to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as amended.
Prescriptions
Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made on the number of uncollected NHS prescriptions in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of uncollected prescriptions in each year; [90271]
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(2) whether he has any plans to take steps to reduce the number of uncollected NHS prescriptions. [90272]
Mr Simon Burns: There is no estimate of the number of prescriptions uncollected in 2010 and 2011. Also, as there is no actual supply of a drug to a patient there is no cost of the drug to the national health service.
Where a patient presents a prescription form to a dispensing contractor for dispensing, the prescription item would then be prepared ready for collection. However, if the patient does not return to collect the item, a dispensing contractor cannot make a claim for reimbursement, as the drug has not been supplied to the patient.
While there are currently no plans to take steps to specifically reduce the number of uncollected prescriptions, pharmacies offer a range of services, which help patients to get the most out of their medicines, ranging from repeat dispensing, to the new medicine service and medicine use review.
Sunbeds
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the enforcement of the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure local authorities can take necessary enforcement actions; [90402]
(2) how many sunbed businesses have been prosecuted under the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 for allowing people aged under 18 to use sunbeds in England and Wales since April 2011. [90403]
Anne Milton: The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, which came into effect on 8 April 2011, provides that responsibility for enforcement of the Act is a matter for local authorities. The Act makes provision about powers of entry and related matters. The Department has issued guidance for local authorities on the implementation of the Act—“Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010: Guidance on the implementation of the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010”.
This was accompanied by—“Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010: Information for Sunbed Businesses”. Copies of the documents have been placed in the Library and are available at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_125656
The Department does not hold information on the number of sunbed businesses in England and Wales that have been prosecuted under the Act.
Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department provided to (a) The Art Room, (b) the National Portrait Gallery, (c) Mountain Rescue England, (d) the English Schools Swimming Association, (e) the Scout Association and (f) Missing Links UK in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [90748]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department can confirm that no funding has been made available to the named organisations in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
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Justice
Crime: Children
Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children under the age of 10 years were found to have committed (a) serious assault, (b) rape and (c) murder in each of the last 10 years. [90642]
Mr Blunt: The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years. This means that only individuals aged 10 years or over can be prosecuted for a criminal offence and Ministry of Justice records do not include children under the age of criminal responsibility.
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications for criminal injuries compensation were ruled eligible in each year from 1997 to 2011. [90753]
Mr Djanogly: Figures covering the specified period are shown in the following table. The figures given show how many applicants were offered and accepted awards in each financial year, but a proportion of these applications will have been lodged in previous years.
| Financial year | Number of eligible applications |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the backlog was of unprocessed applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on 1 January of each year from 1997 to 2012. [90779]
Mr Djanogly: CICA currently starts processing cases as soon as it receives them. Figures covering cases that were started but not yet closed at the beginning of each year are shown in the following table. These figures do not include cases lodged before CICA was established in 1996, which is why the figure increases sharply between 1997 and 1998.
| Number of unprocessed applications | |
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Prison Accommodation
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, columns 30-34W, on prison accommodation, whether the data include figures for privately-run prisons. [90751]
Mr Blunt: I can confirm to the right hon. Member that the data included in the answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, columns 30-34W, on prison accommodation included figures for privately-run prisons.
Defence
Army
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the size of the Army will be at the end of each calendar year from 2011 to 2015. [82201]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 23 November 2011]: The outcome of the strategic defence and security review in October 2010 announced a reduction by 7,000 personnel in the Regular Army, so that by 2015 the size shall be 95,000. Subsequently, the Defence Transformation announcement made by the then Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), on 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 643-645, confirmed that there would be an integrated Army of around 120,000 by 2020, comprising a trained strength of 82,000 Regulars and at least 30,000 Reserves, with a training margin of 8,000 Reserves. Across Defence, the Reserves will benefit from £1.5 billion investment over 10 years to reinvigorate their contribution to all three services.
Specific detail on the size of the Army by year from 2011 to 2015 is the subject of further work and has not yet been determined.
A redundancy process has already started, but natural turnover of personnel and a reduction in recruitment will be used before compulsory redundancy is applied.
Army: Uniforms
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value is of the contract for the new multi-terrain pattern uniform for the British Army; and where that uniform is being manufactured. [89951]
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Peter Luff: The new multi-terrain pattern camouflage Personal Clothing System Combat Uniform (PCS CU) is being procured as part of a larger contract supplying a wide range of military clothing. The cost of providing the PCS CU to UK armed forces personnel is approximately £12 million in total. The new uniforms are being supplied by a UK company which has subcontracted manufacturing work to a company based in China.
Harrier Aircraft
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what costs his Department incurred in respect of (a) legal, (b) consultancy and (c) currency brokerage costs associated with (i) the sale of the Harrier aircraft to the US and (ii) the retirement of the fleet; and if he will make a statement; [89040]
(2) whether his Department is likely to incur any costs or receive any further invoices from the retirement of the Harrier fleet and sale of 72 aircraft to the US; and if he will make a statement; [89041]
(3) whether payment for the 72 Harrier aircraft being sold to the US Marine Corps has been received in full; whether payment is being made in cash or in kind; and if he will make a statement; [89042]
(4) what revenue has accrued to his Department from the sale of Harrier aircraft spares and other associated support equipment; and if he will make a statement. [89090]
Peter Luff: No external legal or currency brokerage costs were incurred by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the retirement of the Harrier fleet or for the sale to the US Government. The external consultancy costs for these two activities were £0.7 million and £0.4 million respectively. We do not expect to incur any further costs relating to the retirement and sale to the US Government of the Harrier fleet.
The value of the sale is $180 million (around £110 million). This figure includes 72 Harrier airframes, spares and associated support equipment. The MOD will receive monetary payment from the US Government for the full value of the Harrier sale before 1 April 2012. Overall £1 billion will be saved from removing the Harrier from service. We continue to operate Tornado, Typhoon and, in the future, JSF.
As agreed with HM Treasury as part of the spending review process, the revenue from the sale of Harrier assets will be retained by the Ministry of Defence and reinvested by the Department in key priorities as part of the Defence Budget.
Military Aircraft: Helicopters
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost to the public purse was of the recent purchase of Danish Merlin HC.3A helicopters. [89988]
Peter Luff:
The previous Government purchased six Danish Merlin helicopters in 2007 to boost the UK fleet to 28. The cost of acquiring the helicopters was £203.3 million. This figure includes the cost of converting the ex-Danish aircraft for UK operational use, purchase of an initial stock of spares and the cost of procuring six replacement Merlin aircraft for Denmark. The modified
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UK Merlin Mk3a helicopters entered service in 2008 and the replacement aircraft were accepted by the Danish in 2009.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the ability to conduct helicopter operations of the postponement of the Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study decision until 2012. [89990]
Peter Luff: The Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study reported to the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in November 2011. The Vice-Chief asked for some further work to be done before the study is finalised, and this work is currently in progress.
The study has had no negative impact on current helicopter operations and completing the study will help us to continue to conduct helicopter operations in the most effective and efficient way into the future.
Type 26 Frigates
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the potential effect of implementing the Strategic Defence and Security review on the (a) overall capability and (b) in- service dates of Type 26 frigates. [89423]
Peter Luff: The strategic defence and security review (SDSR) decided to merge the two classes of Future Surface Combatant, previously known as the C1 and the C2 variants, into the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. The Type 26 combines advantages of both variants into a versatile ship, designed to readily change roles and capabilities depending on the strategic circumstances. The Type 26 in-service date has not been changed by the SDSR.
Type 45 Destroyers
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is still his Department's intention to fit Type 45 destroyers with the Co-operative Engagement Capability system. [89424]
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which ships will be fitted with Co-operative Engagement Capability. [89415]
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to install the Co-operative Engagement Capability in Type 45 destroyers. [90759]
Peter Luff: The Department's planning assumption is that the Co-operative Engagement Capability (CEC) is fitted on to Type 45 Destroyers and Type 26 Global Combat Ships. However, the decision on the ship fit plan will not be taken until the project achieves Main Gate approval. This is currently planned for mid-2012. If approved, it is anticipated that CEC will be installed on to Type 45s from 2018.
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food Waste
13. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce the level of food wasted by food retailers and manufacturers. [90506]
Mrs Spelman: Food waste in the UK is valued at £17 billion a year and when landfilled produces methane. Working with retailers and manufacturers, we are reducing food waste through the Courtauld Commitment, helping households waste less and save money through WRAP's Love Food Hate Waste campaign, and clearing up confusion with our date-labelling guidance.
Single Farm Payment
14. Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made on improving the process for making payments to farmers under the Single Farm Payment scheme. [90507]
Mr Paice: In December 2011, the Rural Payments Agency made the highest ever proportion of payments to English farmers under the Single Payment Scheme in the opening month of the scheme payment window. Latest figures show a total of £1.503 billion had been paid to 95,702 farmers as at 18 January. This demonstrates good progress, but I remain committed to ensuring continued improvements in the level of service farmers receive from RPA.
Conservation Zones
15. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for the future of marine conservation zones; and if she will make a statement. [90508]
Richard Benyon: This Government are fully committed to the establishment of marine conservation zones as part of a network of conservation sites under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Our plans for marine conservation zones were set out in a written ministerial statement on 15 November 2011, Official Report, columns 35-36WS.
Forestry
16. Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the chair of the Independent Forestry Panel on its interim report. [90509]
17. Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the chair of the Independent Forestry Panel on its interim report. [90511]
Mr Paice: The Chair of the Independent Panel on Forestry informed me on 28 November 2011 of the Progress Report's content.
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Jobs and Growth
18. Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to promote jobs and growth in the food production and environmental industries. [90512]
Richard Benyon: In the Rural strand of the Growth Review, published alongside the Autumn Statement, we announced an Exports Action Plan and an innovation summit to support the agri-food industry.
We also announced a new £15 million loan fund for community renewables, £15 million for Rural Growth Networks and support for mid-sized businesses to access the £6 billion a year of savings available from resource efficiency.
Coastal Areas
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress has been made by Natural England on reaching agreements for the new England Coastal Path to cross through park land in (a) Weymouth Bay between Portland and Lulworth, (b) the Durham, Sunderland and Hartlepool coast between Seaton Carew and South Bents, (c) the Norfolk coast between Weybourne and Sea Palling, (d) the Somerset coast between Minehead and Brean Down and (e) the Cumbria coast between Allonby and Whitehaven; [89563]
(2) what progress Natural England has made in discussions with landowners to find voluntary means for the passing of the English Coastal Path through park land. [89665]
Richard Benyon: Where park land may be affected by the possible alignment of the coastal route under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Natural England will hold discussions during the development of its proposals for each stretch of the coastal route with the landowner and those with a legal interest in that land to seek to agree an alignment of the route through the park.
In March 2011, Natural England submitted its coastal access report for the stretch of the English coast at Weymouth between Portland and Lulworth Bay. The report includes a proposal for the coastal route to pass through Nothe Municipal Gardens, Weymouth, which are owned by Weymouth and Portland borough council. The council has agreed to make a dedication of a coastal route through the Gardens.
Natural England is developing its proposals for the coastal route in a further five areas and it has currently identified one area of park land in Somerset which may be affected by the possible alignment of the route. Natural England has scheduled its discussions with landowners and others with an interest in proposals which may affect park land in Somerset between January and the end of March this year. No other areas of park land have been identified in the remaining four areas.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of fish procured by (a) her Department and (b) its agencies is sourced from Marine Stewardship Council sustainable sources. [89666]
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Richard Benyon: DEFRA has contracted Eurest Services Ltd to provide catering services at nine sites; this covers the core Department, executive agencies (AHVLA, Cefas, Fera, RPA and VMD) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
Eurest's contract with DEFRA requires that it meet the mandatory Government Buying Standards (GBS) for Food and Catering Services, including that 100% of fish should be sustainably sourced. The Department is unable to provide information on the percentage of fish from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sources; however it can confirm that fish is not sourced from the Marine Conservation Society ‘Fish to Avoid’ list. Eurest has made assurances that it will work towards full compliance with the GBS requirements and will report the next quarterly performance against the standards, covering the period to December 2011, by the end of January.
Departmental Redundancy Pay
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in her Department in each month between September and November 2011. [88006]
Richard Benyon: Details of compensation payments made to staff leaving core-DEFRA in the period September to November 2011 are shown in the following table. These payments were made under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme to staff leaving the Department on a voluntary exit basis.
| £ | |
Fisheries
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made in negotiations on the regional management of fisheries. [88683]
Richard Benyon: As UK Fisheries Minister, I continue to have discussions on reform of the common fisheries policy, including on the regionalisation of fisheries management, with a wide range of people and organisations. They include the EU Commission, Members of the UK and European Parliaments, Ministers from other member states as well as representatives of our fishing and related industries.
DEFRA officials continue to work closely with those of other member states, through formal and informal discussions, to build on the Commission's reform proposals and identify practical, legally robust mechanisms to decentralise decision-making. I will continue to press the case for genuine reform as negotiations develop in the Council and European Parliament during 2012.
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Water: Climate Change
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department is providing for investment to improve infrastructure for the purposes of better conserving water supplies in light of changing rainfall patterns; and if she will make a statement. [90223]
Richard Benyon: Water companies have statutory duties to maintain adequate supplies of wholesome water, and prepare and maintain water resources management plans which set out how each water company will manage its water resources to ensure a sustainable supply and demand balance over the next 25 years. Water companies must take into account the implications of climate change in their water resources management plans.
It is also for the water company to justify any proposals for new water supply resources (e.g. reservoirs) in its water resource management plans on grounds of need, and it must take account of economic and environmental considerations when doing so. Water companies should look at the full range of options for reducing water demand. Where the projected demand reductions are insufficient or unjustified in terms of cost, water companies should also proceed with the development of sustainable new supply side measures.
Treasury
Children: Day Care
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of revenue that would be generated by (a) one parent and (b) two parent families returning to full-time work through the funding of 15 hours of nursery provision for three and four year olds; and if he will make a statement. [90357]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Treasury have not made any estimates of the impact of the free entitlement on tax revenues through higher labour market participation. The principal aim of the Government's foundation years provision is promoting child development, so that all children have a fair chance to succeed at school and in later life.
Corporation Tax
Frank Dobson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the reduction in the amount of corporation tax paid by (a) banks, (b) insurance companies, (c) hedge funds and (d) private equity as a result of the reduction in the rate of corporation tax since May 2010. [90263]
Mr Gauke: The reductions in the main rate of corporation tax (CT) announced in June Budget 2010 and Budget 2011 first came into effect from April 2011. The impact of this cut will be first seen in CT receipts figures for 2011-12.
Figures for CT net receipts from 2000-01 to 2010-11 paid by the financial sector are available in Table 11.1A of HMRC's CT Statistics publication. The CT receipts
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figures for 2011-12 will be available when this publication is updated in the summer. The current publication is available on the internet at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/corporation-tax-statistics.pdf
HMRC produced and published Official Statistics relating to Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and CT receipts from the banking sector on 31 August 2011. A link is provided here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/banking/menu.htm
As the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced in his first Budget, we also introduced a Bank Levy from 1 January 2011. This permanent levy on banks' balance sheets is expected to raise over £2.5 billion each year.
Financial Services: EU Law
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what his policy is on the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; [88978]
(2) whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment of the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; [88979]
(3) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [88985]
(4) what his policy is on the proposed packaged retail investment products directive; [88988]
(5) what assessment he has made of the European Commission's proposed reform of credit rating agencies; [88992]
(6) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's review of the undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities directive; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90046]
(7) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposal for central securities depositories; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90047]
(8) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed revision of the markets in financial instruments and market abuse directives; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90048]
(9) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposals for a framework for crisis prevention and management for banks; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90049]
(10) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed Single Euro Payments Area regulation; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90050]
(11) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed directive on mortgage credit; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90051]
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(12) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed CRD4 Revision of the capital requirements directive for banks; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90052]
(13) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's recommendation on access to a basic bank account; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90053]
(14) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's review of the insurance mediation directive; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90054]
(15) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's packaged retail investment products directive; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90055]
(16) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposal for a venture capital regime; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90056]
(17) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed reform of the audit sector; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90057]
(18) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's credit rating agency reforms; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90058]
(19) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed solvency II implementing measures; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90059]
(20) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on deposit guarantee schemes; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90060]
(21) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed regulation on over-the-counter derivatives; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90061]
(22) what internal papers have been prepared by his Department on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on investor compensation schemes; and if he will place a copy of each such paper in the Library; [90062]
(23) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed reform of the audit sector; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed reforms; [90065]
(24) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposal for a venture capital regime; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposal; [90069]
(25) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposal for central securities depositories; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposal; [90073]
(26) what his policy is on the European Commission's recommendation on access to a basic bank account; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the recommendation; [90077]
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(27) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed revision of the markets in financial instruments and market abuse directives; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment of the proposals; [90081]
(28) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposals for a framework for crisis prevention and management for banks; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposals; [90085]
(29) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed Single Euro Payments Area regulation; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposals; [90089]
(30) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed directive on mortgage credit; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed directive; [90093]
(31) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed CRD4 Revision of the capital requirements directive for banks; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed revision; [90097]
(32) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on investor compensation schemes; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed revision; [90101]
(33) what his policy is on the European Commission's review of the undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities directive; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the review; [90105]
(34) what his policy is on the European Commission's review of the insurance mediation directive; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment of the review; [90109]
(35) what his policy is on the European Commission's packaged retail investment products directive; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the directive; [90113]
(36) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed regulation on over-the-counter derivatives; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed regulation; [90117]
(37) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on deposit guarantee schemes; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment of the proposed revision; [90121]
(38) what his policy is on the European Commission's proposed solvency II implementing measures; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed measures; [90125]
(39) what his policy is on the European Commission's reform of the regulation of credit rating agencies; and whether he has carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the reform. [90129]
Mr Hoban:
When EU legislation is being reviewed or prepared, responses by the UK authorities to a public consultation will be made available on the Commission website. When EU legislation is proposed an explanatory memorandum is prepared outlining the Government's
19 Jan 2012 : Column 949W
views. A provisional assessment of the proposal is also prepared. These are public documents that are available in the Library of the House.
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; [88980]
(2) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; [88981]
(3) what recent representations he has received from industry on the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; [88982]
(4) what recent discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive; [88983]
(5) when he next plans to discuss the European Commission's (a) review of accounting directives and (b) transparency directive with his EU counterparts; [88984]
(6) what meetings he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) his EU counterparts on the proposed packaged retail investment products directive; [88989]
(7) what representations he has received from the financial industry on the European Commission's proposed packaged retail investment products directive; [88990]
(8) what representations he has received from the (a) Bank of England and (b) financial sector on the European Commission's proposed reform of credit rating agencies; [88991]
(9) what meetings he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) his EU counterparts on the European Commission's proposed reform of credit rating agencies; [88993]
(10) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with, the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed reform of the audit sector; [90063]
(11) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed reform of the audit sector; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed reform with his EU counterparts; [90064]
(12) how many meetings with the European Commission officials in his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed reform of the audit sector; [90066]
(13) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposal for a venture capital regime; [90067]
(14) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposal for a venture capital regime; and when he next plans to discuss the proposal with his EU counterparts; [90068]
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(15) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposal for a venture capital regime; [90070]
(16) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposal for central securities depositories; [90071]
(17) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's central securities depositories; and when he next plans to discuss the proposal with his EU counterparts; [90072]
(18) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposal for central securities depositories; [90074]
(19) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's recommendations on access to a basic bank account; [90075]
(20) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's recommendation on access to a basic bank account; and when he next plans to discuss the proposal with his EU counterparts; [90076]
(21) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's recommendation on access to a basic bank account; [90078]
(22) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed revision of the markets in financial instruments and market abuse directives; [90079]
(23) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed revision of the market in financial instruments and market abuse directives; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed revision with his EU counterparts; [90080]
(24) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed revision of the markets in financial instruments and market abuse directives; [90082]
(25) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposals for a framework for crisis prevention and management for banks; [90083]
(26) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposals for a framework for crisis prevention and management for banks; and when he plans to discuss the proposals with his EU counterparts; [90084]
(27) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposals for a framework for crisis prevention and management for banks; [90086]
(28) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with, the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed Single Euro Payments Area regulation; [90087]
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(29) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed Single Euro Payments Area regulation; and when he next plans to discuss the proposals with his EU counterparts; [90088]
(30) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed Single Euro Payments Area regulation; [90090]
(31) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with, the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed directive on mortgage credit; [90091]
(32) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed directive on mortgage credit; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed directive with his EU counterparts; [90092]
(33) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed directive on mortgage credit; [90094]
(34) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with, the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed CRD4 Revision of the capital requirements directive for banks; [90095]
(35) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed CRD4 Revision of the capital requirements directive for banks; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed revision with his EU counterparts; [90096]
(36) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed CRD4 Revision of the capital requirements directive for banks; [90098]
(37) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on investor compensation schemes; [90099]
(38) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on investor compensation schemes; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed revision with his EU counterparts; [90100]
(39) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on investor compensation schemes; [90102]
(40) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's review of the undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities directive; [90103]
(41) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's review of the undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities directive; and when he next plans to discuss the review with his EU counterparts; [90104]
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(42) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's review of the undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities directive; [90106]
(43) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's review of the insurance mediation directive; [90107]
(44) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's review of the insurance mediation directive; and when he next plans to discuss the review with his EU counterparts; [90108]
(45) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's review of the insurance mediation directive; [90110]
(46) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's packaged retail investment products directive; [90111]
(47) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's packaged retail investment products directive; and when he next plans to discuss the directive with his EU counterparts; [90112]
(48) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's packaged retail investment products directive; [90114]
(49) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed regulation on over-the-counter derivatives; [90115]
(50) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed regulation on over-the-counter derivatives; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed regulation with his EU counterparts; [90116]
(51) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed regulation on over-the-counter derivatives; [90118]
(52) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on deposit guarantee schemes; [90119]
(53) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on deposit guarantee schemes; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed revision with his EU counterparts; [90120]
(54) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed revision of the directive on deposit guarantee schemes; [90122]
(55) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with the banking industry on the European Commission's proposed solvency II implementing measures; [90123]
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(56) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's proposed solvency II implementing measures; and when he next plans to discuss the proposed measure with his EU counterparts; [90124]
(57) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's proposed solvency II implementing measures; [90126]
(58) what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with, the banking industry on the European Commission's reform of the regulation of credit rating agencies; [90127]
(59) on which occasions he has discussed with his EU counterparts the European Commission's reform of the regulation of credit rating agencies; and when he next plans to discuss the reform with his EU counterparts; [90128]
(60) how many meetings with the European Commission officials of his Department have attended on the European Commission's reform of the regulation of credit rating agencies. [90130]
Mr Hoban: Ministers and officials, as part of the process of policy development and delivery, have meetings with and receive representations from many European and international counterparts, and a wide variety of organisations and individuals in the public and private sector. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and representations.
Minimum Wage
Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 in each of the last three financial years. [89329]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 16 January 2013]: The cost of national minimum wage enforcement in HMRC for each of the last three financial years has been:
| £ | |
Non-domestic Rates
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of calculating the rateable value of premises occupied by small businesses on a zonal basis; [90338]
(2) on what basis premises are defined as non-retail for the purpose of calculating business rates. [90420]
Mr Gauke: All rateable property is assessed by estimating its rental value in the open market at the standard valuation date, currently 1 April 2008. To arrive at this, valuation officers may use different valuation methods for different types of property but will follow the normal market practice.
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It is usual for the market to value most standard type shops by dividing them into a number of zones. Zones are measured from the front of the property with the zone nearest the front of the shop (Zone A) being the most valuable, with the zone behind that being half as valuable and so on. In contrast the market tends to value large shops at a price per metre on the overall area and valuation officers will usually adopt this approach.
Premises are generally valued for rating on the basis of their current use. Properties used for retail purposes are valued on the basis of their rental value for retail; premises used for non-retail purposes are valued on the basis of their general non-retail use.
Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property
David Mowat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reform Empty Property Rate Relief to help small and medium-sized businesses; and if he will make a statement. [90186]
Mr Gauke: As with all taxes and reliefs, HM Treasury keeps the application of business rates to empty property under review. The Government are committed to supporting business and as part of the Autumn Statement announced a further six month extension of the Small Business Rate Relief holiday until April 2013, which will benefit over half a million small businesses.
PAYE
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2011, Official Report, columns 1157-58W, on PAYE, how many employers joining the PAYE Real Time Information pilot in (a) April 2012 and (b) July 2012 will be businesses with (i) zero to nine, (ii) 10 to 49, (iii) 50 to 249 and (iv) more than 250 employees. [90799]
Mr Gauke: The number of employers expected to join the PAYE Real Time Information pilot during the first quarter of 2012-13 can be broken down as follows:
| Number | |
We do not yet have a breakdown for employers joining the PAYE Real Time Information pilot from July 2012 as the numbers and participants have not yet been confirmed.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2011, Official Report, columns 1157-58W, on PAYE, whether his Department has sought the consent of the employees of the 300 firms in the pilot of PAYE Real Time Information; and if he will make a statement. [90800]
Mr Gauke: HMRC has not sought the consent of the employees of the firms in the pilot of PAYE Real Time Information. We are unaware whether the firms participating in the pilot have sought such consent or informed their employees.
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An employer's responsibility for calculating and recording PAYE deductions will be largely unchanged under Real Time Information but PAYE information will be reported more regularly to HMRC as an integral part of payroll activity. Employees of pilot employers should not notice any difference to how their PAYE affairs are dealt with.
The reporting of Real Time Information to HMRC by pilot employers will be covered by amendments to the PAYE regulations.
Public Expenditure
Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding his Department provided for (a) the childcare element of working tax credit, (b) electronic childcare vouchers, (c) income support for the lone parent group, (d) child tax credits, (e) working tax credits, (f) tax credits in total, (g) child benefit, (h) maternity leave and (i) nurse family partnerships in each year since 1997. [89108]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 12 January 2012]: HMRC finalised National Statistics for personal tax credits provide total tax credits entitlement split by working tax credit (WTC), child tax credit (CTC), and the child care element of WTC entitlement for all years since 2003-04 when tax credits in their current form were introduced. These can be found in the HMRC publication ‘Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics Finalised annual awards' here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/final-award-main.htm
Table 1.1 on page 20 of the 2009-10 Finalised Statistics (link as follows) provides this information in a time-series going back to 2003-04 for total tax credits, CTC and WTC:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-final-awards-may11.pdf
Child care entitlement is not included separately in this table, but is available elsewhere in the statistics: in table 2.4 in the publications up to and including 2007-08. Beyond that it can be found in table 3.2.
Total expenditure on child benefit going back to 2003-04 can be found in the HMRC Inland Revenue Trust Statements found here:
Prior to this, child benefit for Great Britain was administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. Expenditure for each year going back to the 1950s can be found here (row 8 of table 1a):
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http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/autumn_2011.xls
The Family Nurse Partnership programme is primarily funded locally by primary care trusts, in some cases with a contribution from local authorities.
Funding from primary care trusts is drawn from the funding which the Department of Health allocates annually to PCTs. The Government do not collect information centrally on how much each PCT chooses to spend on the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme.
However, early evaluation suggests that the approximate local cost of delivering FNP is approximately £3,000 per family per year.
Families receive assistance from FNP for up to two and a half years.
The total number of clients to have received assistance from the FNP programme to date is over 8,000.
The approximate number of new families who have joined FNP each year from 2007 was 1,189 in 2007-08, 889 in 2008-09, 2,331 in 2009-10, 2,583 in 2010-11 and 1,367 so far in 2011-12.
In addition to local funding, the Government have provided a small amount of central funding which is used to support the implementation of the programme, usually in the first year of local delivery.
The value of the relief from income tax and national insurance for employer-supported child care vouchers, introduced in 2005, is estimated to be as follows:
| Value (£ million) | |
Estimates are not available for 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Total expenditure on income support for lone parents (using the National Statistics definition) is estimated to be as follows:
| £ million | |
Please note that this includes cases who continue to receive the child element of child tax credit through benefits. These cases are also included in HMRC's child tax credit expenditure statistics.
IS for lone parents is defined hierarchically so that any lone parents on income support receiving an incapacity benefit are not classed as lone parents are not included in the expenditure figures above.
Expenditure for IS lone parents under the current National Statistics definition is not available pre-2000-01.
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However, expenditure figures under the previously used definition can be found in DWP's Benefit Expenditure Tables:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/autumn_2011.xls
Total expenditure for statutory maternity pay, and maternity allowance (National Statistics definition) is estimated to be as follows:
| £ million | ||
| Statutory maternity pay | Maternity allowance | |
| (1) Provisional outturn figure from HMRC and subject to change following late recoveries or adjustments by employers. (2) DWP Autumn Statement 2011 forecast no official outturn data yet available. | ||
Outturn figures are consistent with those in latest published DWP benefit expenditure tables available here:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=medium_term
Radio Frequencies
Andrew Percy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has assessed the Deloitte report on the economic impact of the deployment of 4G mobile technology in the US published in August 2011; what assessment he has made of the likely economic impact of the deployment of 4G in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [90801]
Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as the Minister with responsibility for spectrum policy.
I have not made any assessment of the Deloitte report to which the hon. Member refers and my Department has made no estimate of the economic effect of the deployment of 4G services in the UK. In June 2009, Ofcom concluded that the net benefit of clearing the 800 MHz band so that it was suitable for 4G use, over and above that of releasing the UK's digital dividend as then constituted, could lie within the range of £2-3 billion.
Currently, officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Shareholder Executive are in the process of commissioning work to identify major users of spectrum and estimate their value to the economy (both overall value and what is attributable to spectrum use). The values to be ascertained would be current (2011) and future (over 5, 10 years). The results are expected to be made available to the Department in July.
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Tax Evasion
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce (a) tax evasion and (b) money laundering. [89664]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 16 January 2012]: The Government are determined to tackle tax evasion of all kinds and ensure that the tax system operates fairly and efficiently for all. As part of the 2010 Spending Review settlement we announced that just over £900 million would be made available to HMRC to step up their activity in tackling tax loss. So for the four-year period from April 2011 HMRC will reinvest £917 million of the savings they make to maximise additional revenues, which will include putting extra resource into tackling both evasion and avoidance. This reinvestment will fund a range of measures which will enable HMRC to bring in around £7 billion each year by 2014-15 in additional revenues.
HMRC acts as a supervisor under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 for the following four business sectors:
Money service businesses
High value dealers
Trust or company service providers
Accountancy service providers.
The regulations have been put in place to make money laundering more difficult for criminals and terrorists by increasing awareness of how businesses could be used to launder money and putting in place processes to allow them to report any possible instances of such. All businesses that are covered by the regulations also have to put in place suitable anti-money-laundering controls to prevent them being used for money laundering. These include appointing a “nominated officer”, checking the identity of customers and keeping all relevant documents. Businesses must also report any suspicious activity to the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Businesses that fail to comply with the regulations and other related legislation are subject to financial penalties or prosecution. Money service businesses and trust or company service providers may also have their registration cancelled.
Taxation: Multinational Companies
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the likely effect on developing countries of the proposed changes in the Finance Bill to the rules governing Controlled Foreign Companies. [90619]
Mr Gauke: Written representations have been received from NGOs on the potential impact of the reform of the Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules on developing countries.
Ministers and officials have an ongoing dialogue with NGOs on issues with which they are concerned.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on developing countries of the proposed changes in the Finance Bill to the rules governing Controlled Foreign Companies. [90620]
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Mr Gauke: The Government have not produced an assessment of the effect on developing countries of the proposed changes to the CFC rules as these rules are designed to prevent artificial diversion of UK profits. The Government work through a variety of channels to deliver high quality capacity building in developing country tax administrations to ensure that these countries are in a position to collect the tax they are owed.
Welfare Tax Credits: Public Houses
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of publicans who are in receipt of tax credits. [90200]
Mr Gauke: This information is available only at disproportionate cost.
Education
Academies: Finance
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements are in place to audit financial expenditure in academies. [90228]
Mr Gibb: Academies are operated by charitable Trusts that are incorporated as companies limited by guarantee. Academy Trusts must comply with the Companies Act 2006 and this includes the preparation of annual financial statements (“accounts”). The accounts must report a Trust's income and expenditure during its accounting year, and its assets and liabilities at the end of the year. Under the Act the accounts must be audited by a registered auditor and filed with the registrar of companies to provide public access. The statutory requirement to produce annual accounts, to have them audited and to publish them is also set out in Academy Trust Funding Agreements with the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove). Additionally Funding Agreements allow for the books and accounts of the Trust to be open at all reasonable times to officials of the Department for Education and the National Audit Office for inspection.
Curriculum
Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made on his plans to increase the length of the school day for maintained schools. [89906]
Mr Gibb: The Government have made it easier for schools that want to change their school hours to do so. We have given schools greater freedom and responsibility as to how they plan their school day by revoking the Changing of School Session Times (England) Regulations 1999, which prescribed the circumstances for changing the length of a school day for community and voluntary controlled schools. Since September 2011, schools and their governing bodies can take decisions about the length of the school day in whatever way they consider appropriate according to local needs and circumstances. Academies, foundation schools and voluntary aided schools already had this freedom.
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Curriculum: Design
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the learning objectives are of the design and technology curriculum. [89969]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 16 January 2012]: The learning objectives for design and technology within the current National Curriculum are for pupils to learn how to:
develop, plan and communicate their ideas about design projects;
work with tools, equipment, materials and components to make quality products;
evaluate the appropriate processes and products required for individual projects; and
develop knowledge and understanding of materials and components.
In addition, at Key Stage 3, pupils are expected to develop knowledge and understanding of structures, and (where appropriate) knowledge and understanding of systems and control.
Free School Meals
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils (a) eligible and (b) not eligible for free school meals were entered for (i) GCSEs and (ii) A levels awarded by the (A) AQA, (B) Edexel and (C) OCR exam board in each year since 2000; and what proportion of the total number of pupils entered for (1) GCSEs and (2) A levels these figures represent. [84575]
Mr Gibb: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
GCSE
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what the (a) average mark and (b) equivalent grade achieved by students sitting a GCSE was in (i) English, (ii) mathematics, (iii) French, (iv) religious education, (v) geography, (vi) physics, (vii) double science and (viii) overall through (A) Edexcel, (B) WJEC, (C) OCR and (D) AQA in each of the last 10 years; [87794]
(2) how many students were entered for a GCSE in (a) English, (b) mathematics, (c) French, (d) religious education, (e) geography, (f) physics, (g) double science and (h) total through (i) Edexcel, (ii) WJEC, (iii) OCR and (iv) AQA in each of the last 10 years. [87795]
Mr Gibb: The Department does not hold information on the average marks obtained in GCSE or equivalent qualifications. Information on entries and attainment of pupils in GCSE qualifications by subject is published regularly, most recently in “GCSE and Equivalent Results in England, 2010/11 (Provisional)” (Tables 7-11) available from our website:
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001034/index.shtml
The information requested for 2009 and 2010 is shown in the following table. Information for 2011 will not be available until late January. Further information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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| GCSE attempts and achievements (1) in selected subjects for selected awarding bodies of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in schools (numbers) (2) , Year: 2008/09 and 2009/10 (3) (Final), Coverage: England | ||||||||
| (A) Edexcel, 2008/ 0 9 | ||||||||
| Subject | ||||||||
| (i) English (Single Award) | (ii) Mathematics | (iii) French | (iv) Religious Studies | (v) Geography | (vi) Physics | (viii) Total— single awards (includes subjects not listed) | ||
| Subject | |||
| (i) English (Double Award) | vii) Double Science | ||
| Edexcel, 2009/10 | ||||||||
| Subject | ||||||||
| (i) English (Single Award) | (ii) Mathematics | (iii) French | (iv) Religious Studies | (v) Geography | (vi) Physics | (viii) Total—single awards (includes subjects not listed) | ||
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| Subject | ||
| (i) English (Double Award) | ||
| Note: Edexcel offers a double award in English, double grades not available here for subjects other than English and Double Science. | ||
| (B) WJEC, 2008/09 | |||||||||
| Subject | |||||||||
| (i) English | (ii) Mathematics | (iii) French | (iv) Religious Studies | (v) Geography | (vi) Physics | (vii) Double Science | (viii) Total (includes subjects not listed) | ||
| WJEC, 2009/10 | ||||||||
| Subject | ||||||||
| (i) English | (ii) Mathematics | (iii) French | (iv) Religious Studies | (v) Geography | (vi) Physics | (viii) Total (includes subjects not listed) | ||
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