27 Feb 2012 : Column 1W
Written Answers to Questions
Monday 27 February 2012
Leader of the House
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Leader of the House which Ministers attended his meeting with IPSA on 19 January 2012; and what issues were discussed at that meeting. [96665]
Sir George Young: Neither my Deputy nor I met with IPSA on 19 January 2012.
Since the House returned in October 2011, I have met with the Chair or chief executive of IPSA on four occasions, on a range of issues. My Deputy has also met with the chief executive on one occasion.
Details of Cabinet Office Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and can be accessed on the data.gov.uk website at:
http://data.gov.uk/dataset/ministerial-data-cabinet-office
Details of meetings I have had with IPSA will be included in the next regular publication on the data.gov.uk website, with later meetings published regularly thereafter.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2012, Official Report, columns 456-7W, on animal welfare: circuses, what progress she has made on her consideration of the Austrian Constitutional Court judgment of 21 December 2011; and if she will make a statement. [95148]
Mr Paice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) on 1 February 2012, Official Report, column 668W.
Animals: Transport
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to review her policies on the six day rule on animal movement; and if she will make a statement. [95419]
Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statement of 21 February 2012, Official Report, column 73WS, announcing that the Government have published their full response to the Farming Regulation Task Force report. The full response is available on the DEFRA website.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 2W
Food Procurement
Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of food purchased by her Department was produced in the UK in each of the last five years. [93724]
Mr Paice: Between 2006 and 2009 estimated figures were published by DEFRA in annual reports on food procurement and are available in the Library of the House. The reports gave an estimate of the proportion of domestically produced indigenous food (i.e. excluding food such as pineapple, citrus etc.) in DEFRA as:
2006-07: 79.5%
2007-08: 85%
2008-09: 90.5%.
These figures refer to the contract that at the time covered only the DEFRA and latterly Department for Energy and Climate Change offices in Nobel House and Whitehall Place, London.
Data on the proportion of food procured from the UK were not collected again until DEFRA's current catering contract was awarded on 16 May 2011. Figures show that between May and September 2011 food sourced from the UK under the new DEFRA-wide contract was:
Meat: 43.5%
Poultry: 67.1%
Fruit and Veg: 23.3% of total, 38.5% of indigenous.
In the period between September and December 2011 this had increased to:
Meat: 57% (including 100% beef, 100% fresh pork joints)
Poultry: 90%
Fruit and Veg: 96% of indigenous, in-season products (not including potatoes)
Potatoes: 17%
And in total 61% by value of the food provided was sourced from the UK.
The figures before and after 16 May 2011 do not compare like with like. The figures for the current catering contract are representative of the whole of DEFRA including offices in Workington, Newcastle, York (Sand Hutton), York (Kings Pool), Worcester, London (Nobel House), London (DECC at Whitehall), Weybridge and Lowestoft, in all of which the caterer trades from the premises on a largely unsubsidised, commercial basis.
Recruitment
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search agencies in each month since May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [93562]
Richard Benyon: The following table shows how much core-DEFRA has spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search agencies in each month since May 2010.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 3W
27 Feb 2012 : Column 4W
| £ | ||||
| Recruitment services (excluding public appointments) | Executive search agencies (excluding public appointments) | Public appointment recruitment services | Public appointment executive search agencies | |
Environmental Stewardship Scheme
Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the installation of wind turbines will affect the allocation of additional funding for hill farmers under the Environmental Stewardship schemes. [95627]
Richard Benyon: Farmers with wind turbines on their land, who are considering applying for Environmental Stewardship, including Uplands Entry Level Stewardship, would need to consider how their presence may affect the delivery of the environmental management required by the scheme. The Environmental Stewardship handbook stresses that, in applying for the scheme, applicants will be making a long-term commitment to land management where failure to fulfil the commitment could result in penalties.
Where land is already under an agri-environment scheme agreement and wind turbines are being considered, farmers should discuss the implications for their agreement with Natural England, since these may have an adverse impact on the management being paid for.
Fossil Fuels: Exploration
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had discussions with the Geological Society on the toxicity levels of chemicals used in fracking. [94467]
Richard Benyon: Neither DEFRA officials nor officers at the Environment Agency have held discussions regarding the toxicity levels of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing with the Geological Society. The Environment Agency would not expect to consult with it on such matters.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the levels of methane in groundwater prior to hydraulic fracturing taking place. [94469]
Richard Benyon: No specific assessment of methane levels in groundwater was made prior to hydraulic fracturing in the Lancashire area. There is no major aquifer with usable water resources in the area of the current shale gas exploration. Some testing of methane in groundwater (in the Permo-Triassic sandstones) was undertaken previously by the Environment Agency.
Methane occurs in groundwater at low concentrations, where there are suitable natural conditions, and this is currently the subject of an investigation by the British Geological Survey.
Nature Improvement Areas
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to decide on the award of Nature Improvement Area status. [95702]
Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has today announced the results of the Nature Improvement Areas competition.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 5W
The 12 Nature Improvement Areas will begin work on 1 April 2012. Further details, including guidance, and time scales are available on the Natural England website. The 12 areas selected are:
Birmingham and Black Country Living Landscapes
Dark Peak
Dearne Valley Green Heart
Greater Thames Marshes
Humberhead Levels
Marlborough Downs
Meres and Mosses of the Marches
Morecambe Bay Limestone and Wetlands
Nene Valley
Northern Devon
South Downs Way Ahead
Wild Purbeck
Poultry: Animal Welfare
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects UK egg producers to fully comply with the laying hens directive banning eggs produced in battery cages; and if she will make a statement. [95417]
Mr Paice: Full compliance with the conventional cage ban as set out in Council Directive 1999/74/EC was achieved in the UK on 13 February.
Rights of Way
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made in implementing the recommendations of the report by Natural England, Stepping Forward, on the recording of pre-1949 public rights of way. [95887]
Richard Benyon: In “The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature”, the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper, we announced plans to consult on simplifying and streamlining the processes for recording and making changes to public rights of way, based on proposals made by Natural England’s Stakeholder Working Group on unrecorded rights of way in its report entitled “Stepping Forward”. We will be issuing a consultation document in due course.
Travellers: Dogs
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made on the effect on heathland habitats of dogs emanating from Gypsy and Traveller sites; and what steps she plans to take on this matter. [95168]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has made no assessment of the effect on heathland habitats of dogs emanating from Gypsy and Traveller sites, although studies do exist that consider the impact of visitors' dogs on the wildlife of heathlands. In general, dogs may have three types of impact on heathlands: disturbance to ground-nesting birds, eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) from dog fouling, and conflicts with livestock.
Additionally, local authorities have the power to make dog control orders (DCOs) where it is deemed a necessary
27 Feb 2012 : Column 6W
and proportionate response to problems caused by the activities of dogs and those in charge of them. DCOs can be made to control: dog fouling, restriction of dogs from certain land, areas where dogs have to be kept on a lead, areas where dogs have to be kept on a lead when instructed and restrictions on multiple dog walking.
Attorney-General
Plea Bargaining
Mr Buckland: To ask the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse arising from the implementation of his guidelines for plea discussions; and if he will make a statement. [95792]
The Solicitor-General: No such estimate has been made. Data on costs in cases where plea discussions might be involved are not collated centrally by the prosecuting Departments and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Abu Qatada
Bob Blackman: To ask the Attorney-General if he will ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider evidence that Abu Qatada could be charged with offences under hate crime legislation. [96902]
The Attorney-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has no power to investigate allegations of crime. The police decide whether an investigation is required and how it should be conducted.
The CPS considers evidence provided to it by the police and will bring charges where there is both sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction for an offence and it is in the public interest to do so.
In the case of Abu Qatada the CPS has not to date received sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.
Action for Employment
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Attorney-General what contracts the Law Officers' Departments hold with A4e; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value is of each such contract. [97046]
The Attorney-General: The Law Officers' Departments do not hold any contracts with A4e.
Contempt of Court: Media
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to ensure that media organisations can be held to account through the law of contempt. [96425]
The Attorney-General:
Over the past year the Law Officers have instituted contempt proceedings against media organisations whose reporting appears to have breached the law of contempt. A recent example of this was the successful proceedings brought against the Daily Mirror and the Sun for their reporting of the arrest of Christopher Jefferies in connection with the murder of
27 Feb 2012 : Column 7W
Joanna Yeates. It should be remembered that in these cases the Law Officers act not as Government Ministers but rather as guardians of the public interest.
It is important to note that the Law Officers also work with the media to encourage responsible reporting. To that end the Attorney-General has actively engaged with the media, both broadcast and print, meeting with editors and reporters in an effort to explain his role. He also gave a speech recently at the City university school of journalism outlining the purpose of the Contempt of Court Act 1981—an Act which seeks to protect both the freedom of the press and the right to a fair trial.
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Speeches/Pages/ContemptAbalancingact.aspx
27 Feb 2012 : Column 8W
Recruitment
Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how much the Law Officers' Departments have spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search agencies in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [93532]
The Solicitor-General: Information on the payments made for recruitment services is contained in the following table by financial year (April to March).
| Recorded expenditure | ||||||||
| £ | ||||||||
| TSOL | HMCPSI | SFO | AGO | |||||
| Financial years | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
Since May 2010 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has spent nothing on recruitment services or executive search agencies.
The Attorney-General's Office made the following payments in 2011 to an executive search agency while recruiting a new director for the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). These charges will be recharged to the SFO in due course.
| Payments made (£) | |
There has been no expenditure by any of the remaining Law Officers' Departments on executive search agencies.
Fraud
Mr Buckland: To ask the Attorney-General how many fraud cases were defined as serious or complex under his guidelines on plea discussions in cases of complex or serious fraud in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011. [95791]
The Solicitor-General: Data are not collated on the number of fraud cases which might in principle be capable of falling within the list of criteria used to define “serious or complex fraud” as outlined under the above guidelines. Such information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Witnesses: Compensation
Mr Spellar: To ask the Attorney-General what discussions he has had on the recent case in which the Crown Prosecution Service and Metropolitan police paid compensation for revealing the identity of a witness; how much compensation was paid; how much was (a) paid and (b) incurred in legal costs by the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement. [96094]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Metropolitan police (MPS) have accepted that the normal standards of care due to a witness were not met in this case, which arose from events seven years ago in 2005 and was mediated between the parties in 2008.
Since then both the CPS and MPS have continued to make significant changes to witness protection and anonymity. This has included investment in training and the development of specialist expertise in supporting witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. In addition the use of anonymity has been enshrined in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, and this legislation allows for measures to be taken to ensure that the identity of a witness is not disclosed during criminal proceedings.
The total damages paid were £550,000, which was shared between the MPS and the CPS. The CPS paid £118,750 towards the claimant's legal costs.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 9W
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bangladesh
Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent communications he has had with the Government of Bangladesh concerning the human rights situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region; [96541]
(2) what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. [96542]
Alistair Burt: We follow developments in the Chittagong Hill Tracts closely, both through our high commission in Dhaka and through the EU.
EU Heads of Mission visited the region in early February to see how best the EU could support the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. The UK with the EU will continue to monitor the situation closely.
We regularly raise our concerns about human rights in Bangladesh both bilaterally with the Bangladesh Government and through the EU. The UK also supports a stronger, independent role for the National Human Rights Commission to investigate any instances of violence or discrimination against any individual or group because of their faith or belief.
British Overseas Territories
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many cars were (a) owned and (b) leased by UK (i) embassies, (ii) high commissions and (iii) Governors’ offices in overseas territories in the latest period for which information is available; [96338]
(2) what proportion of cars (a) owned and (b) leased by UK (i) embassies, (ii) high commissions and (iii) Governors’ offices in overseas territories are manufactured in the UK. [96339]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) overseas vehicle fleet comprises approximately 1,480 vehicles, most of which are owned by the FCO. The fleet comprises a mixture of protected and soft skin vehicles and vans and trucks.
The procurement of vehicles for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is based on achieving value for money, normally by competition and in a manner that conforms with appropriate UK regulations and EU procurement directives. Within that approach, we prefer British missions abroad to buy British branded cars for heads of posts, where they are available and will represent value for money over the entire lifecycle of the asset.
The FCO’s preferred flag cars are Jaguar and Land or Range Rovers. This is supported by central contracts that have been negotiated against strict value for money criteria. Pool cars for day to day operational use by staff at posts are sourced locally on the basis of value for money. Information about how many cars overseas are leased or the proportion of those manufactured in the UK is not held centrally. To provide this would incur disproportionate cost.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 10W
Conflict Prevention
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made in establishing a single board to oversee the Building Stability Overseas Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [96290]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development, the three Departments jointly responsible for the Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS), in 2011 established a tri-departmental board at senior official level to oversee implementation of the strategy, including overall management of the £180 million conflict pool. The board report to a director- general level steering group, which is ultimately accountable for delivery of the commitments set out in BSOS. The head of the tri-departmental stabilisation unit and representatives of other Government Departments are invited to board meetings as required. The chair of the board rotates between the three Departments on an annual basis. The FCO is the current chair. The board aims to meet every two months. Parliament will be kept informed of progress in delivering BSOS through the Strategic Defence and Security Review and also through written ministerial statements. In addition, the Minister of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan), the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Mr Howarth), and I will be briefing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues on 14 March 2012 on progress made in delivering BSOS.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on entertainment at (a) external and (b) internal events in each of the last two years. [93505]
Mr Lidington: This information is available in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. Any expenditure is kept under rigorous scrutiny to ensure value for money and effectiveness and is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money.
Greece
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on civil unrest in Greece. [97011]
Mr Lidington: Our embassy in Athens regularly reports on developments in Greece. Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Greece is kept under regular review.
India
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department's Permanent Under-Secretary last visited (a) India and (b) his Department's posts in Mumbai and Delhi in an official capacity. [96305]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 11W
Mr Jeremy Browne: The last visit by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS) to India was in March 2010, when Sir Peter Ricketts visited the British high commission in Delhi. The PUS has not recently visited our deputy high commission in Mumbai.
Iran
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to protect Christians in Iran from persecution; and if he will make a statement. [96916]
Alistair Burt: I am especially concerned by the ongoing persecution of Iran's religious minorities, including widespread denial of the freedom to worship and an ongoing crackdown on the Christian house-church movement. The call by the Supreme Leader in October 2011 to prevent the spread of Christianity in Iran exposed the disturbing and dangerous view of Iran's leadership towards Christianity and wider freedom of religion. We are watching closely developments in the case of Pastor Nadarkhani, sentenced to death for apostasy, and maintain that he has no case to answer.
The British Government have put considerable effort into trying to address the dire human rights situation in Iran. In 2011 the UK played a leading role in introducing EU human rights sanctions and establishing a UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and human rights. Prior to the storming of the British embassy on 29 November, the UK frequently raised concerns about religious persecution with the Iranian authorities. We will continue to press publicly and in international forums for the Iranian Government to meet their international human rights obligations.
Lesotho
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to support the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Lesotho. [96016]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government are looking forward to seeing free and fair parliamentary elections in Lesotho later this year. We have provided a small amount of funding to regional non-governmental organisations involved in electoral work, but channel most of our funding to Lesotho via the UN and EU.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many electoral observers from the UK will be present during the parliamentary elections in Lesotho scheduled to take place in late February 2012. [96017]
Mr Bellingham: The Government of Lesotho have not yet formally announced the date of the parliamentary elections, or invited monitors and observers. EU diplomats observed the local government elections in October 2011.
Madagascar
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many electoral observers from the UK will be present during the parliamentary elections in Madagascar scheduled to take place in March 2012. [96015]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 12W
Mr Bellingham: The date for parliamentary elections in Madagascar has not been formally announced.
The British Government fully support the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) mediation efforts and has welcomed the signing of the SADC roadmap in September 2011 which sets out a process towards free and fair elections. We currently have no plans to send electoral observers to Madagascar. With the wider international community, we encourage the Malagasy parties to make progress on the implementation of the roadmap so that a date for elections can be confirmed.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to support the parliamentary elections in Madagascar scheduled to take place in March 2012. [96021]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government fully support the Southern African Development Community (SADC) led mediation efforts in Madagascar. We welcomed the signing of a SADC roadmap in September 2011 which sets out a process towards free and fair elections and we encourage the Malagasy parties to make progress on its implementation. In December 2011, we fully supported the gradual resumption of EU development funding to Madagascar in support of elections in line with agreed benchmarks under the framework of article 96 of the Cotonou agreement. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), announced in May 2011 that Britain intends to open an embassy and appoint an ambassador in Madagascar once the political conditions allow.
Mali
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact he has had with the authorities in Mali concerning the situation in that country, following the recent violence in Bamako and the growing insurgency by the Tuareg ethnic group. [96020]
Mr Bellingham: Britain, along with EU and international partners, is deeply concerned by recent incidents of violence in Bamako and northern Mali. Our ambassador in Bamako engages regularly with the Malian authorities and has raised our concerns with the Malian Foreign Minister. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current security situation in Mali, following the recent violence in Bamako and the growing insurgency by the Tuareg ethnic group. [96030]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government continue to monitor the situation of the Tuareg in Mali. We are concerned by recent reports of clashes between Tuareg rebels and Malian security forces. We do not condone armed action by rebel groups. We encourage all parties to find peaceful solutions. We are also concerned at the increasing numbers of displaced persons in the region as a result of the conflict.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 13W
We welcome President Touré’s appeal to the Malian people for unity, and call on the Malian Government to continue efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Malian citizens and on the Malian people to remain committed to tolerance and peace.
Occupied Territories
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Israel on proposed evictions and house demolitions in the Al Bustan area of Silwan in East Jerusalem. [95668]
Alistair Burt: We view demolitions and evictions in occupied territory as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, as harmful to the peace process and, in all but the most limited circumstances, as contrary to international humanitarian law.
We have made clear to the Israeli authorities in various meetings our serious concern at the 40% increase during 2011, as recorded by the UN, in demolitions of Palestinian properties in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
I raised Israeli plans for the City of David National Park in Al Bustan area of Silwan in East Jerusalem most recently on 23 February 2012 with the Israeli ambassador to London. The British ambassador to Tel Aviv raised our concerns on 20 February 2012 with Interior Minister Yishai. We have also discussed the issue with the Jerusalem municipality.
We and our EU partners are continuing to follow closely developments in Silwan, East Jerusalem, including threatened and actual demolition of Palestinian homes.
Occupied Territories: Housing
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli government on the possible eviction of Palestinian citizens from the town of Silwan in East Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement. [96010]
Alistair Burt: We are urging the Israeli authorities to desist from the threatened demolitions and evictions from the town of Silwan in East Jerusalem, which we consider to be contrary to Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law; harmful to the peace process; as well as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians.
I raised the Israeli plans for the City of David National Park in Al Bustan area of Silwan with the Israeli ambassador to London on 23 February 2012. The British ambassador to Tel Aviv raised this issue with the Israeli Minister of Interior on 20 February. Embassy officials also lobbied the Jerusalem municipality on 21 February and were told that the municipality had no plans to conduct wide-scale demolitions in the immediate future. I issued a statement condemning the decision of the Jerusalem authorities to build additional Israeli structures in Silwan on 30 December 2011.
We and our EU partners are following closely developments in Silwan and East Jerusalem, including threatened and actual demolition of Palestinian homes.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 14W
Somalia
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether NATO will be represented at the London Somalia conference in February 2012; and if he will make a statement. [95912]
Mr Bellingham: Given the political, regional security and humanitarian focus of the Conference, and against tight space restrictions, we invited countries and multilateral organisations to take part who are active across the range of areas that the Conference discussed: Political Process, Security, Counter-terrorism, Piracy, Local Stability, Humanitarian and International Co-ordination. NATO was not represented at the 23 February London Conference on Somalia, though a number of Alliance members were present.
Third Sector
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least three months' notice to voluntary and community organisations and their service users when reducing or ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and community organisations and service users as early as possible before making a decision on the future of the service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide this service and the wider impact on the local community and (c) making provision for voluntary and community organisations and service users to put forward options on how to reshape the service or project. [95787]
Mr Lidington: The majority of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) expenditure takes place overseas. Nevertheless:
(a) FCO standard contract terms reflect a proportionate approach and provide for three month’s notice of Termination for larger valued contracts.
(b) We are implementing a category management approach and using the Cabinet Office LEAN Principles (including early market engagement) to manage our higher valued procurements, therefore we will develop appropriate procurement strategies to ensure our tenders are transparent, fair and non-discriminatory.
(c) Early market engagement also affords potential providers the opportunity to put forward innovative solutions to our requirements.
Home Department
Abu Qatada
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Abu Qatada was not brought to trial in the UK. [96657]
The Attorney-General: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Attorney-General’s Office.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has no power to investigate allegations of crime. The police decide whether an investigation is required and how it should be conducted. The CPS considers evidence provided to it by the police and will bring charges where there is both sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction for an offence and it is in the public interest to do so.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 15W
In the case of Abu Qatada the CPS has not to date received sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many items protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, by category, have been seized by the UK Border Agency in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [94615]
Lynne Featherstone: The following table provides data, taken from HM Revenue and Customs central records, relating to birds seized during financial years, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2010-11.
| Birds | |||||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| (1 )One seizure of 14 eggs. | |||||
These seizures were made using customs enforcement powers, in relation to live animals listed as endangered species under Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97, on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora. This regulation implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), within the EU. The UK Border Agency now has responsibility for enforcement of illegal imports and exports under this regulation.
The decline in seizures reflects the import ban on birds entering the UK other than for inter zoo transfers or personal pets following the avian flu outbreak.
Information on all CITES seizures made by the former HM Customs and Excise prior to 2005, is available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website, at the following link:
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/wildlife/trade-crime/cites/action-uk.htm#enforcement
Cybercrime
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether officials in her Department have met the (a) Internet Service Providers Association and (b) London Internet Exchange since October 2011; whether the interception of users' internet traffic in order to extract data was discussed at any such meeting; and if she will make a statement. [95871]
James Brokenshire: Home Office officials met with the London Internet Exchange on 9 December 2011 and the Internet Service Providers Association on 9 January 2012 as part of the Department's ongoing engagement with industry. The Government's commitment, as set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, to continue to work to preserve the ability of the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to obtain communications data and to intercept communications within the appropriate legal framework, was I am told discussed.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 16W
Internet
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions her Department has requested that YouTube remove material from its site since May 2010; what the reason was for each request being made; whether each such request was agreed to or refused; and from which agency or police force each request originated. [96499]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office has not requested that YouTube remove content from their site.
Police: Bahrain
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have held with Mr John Yates about his appointment as police adviser to the Government of Bahrain. [96123]
Police: Court Orders
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 516W, on police: court orders, (1) for what reasons the information requested is not available by police force; [96661]
(2) what recent estimate she has made of the number of applications for production orders by police forces. [96662]
Nick Herbert: The information requested is not provided by police forces because it does not form part of the Annual Data Requirement which the Home Office makes of police forces.
Because the data are not collected centrally, no reasonable estimate of the number of applications for production orders can be made.
Police: Greater Manchester
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers (a) have retired from and (b) have been recruited to Greater Manchester Police in the last 12 months. [96234]
Nick Herbert: The latest available figures show that 263 police officers retired from and 17 police officers were recruited to Greater Manchester Police from l April 2010 to 31 March 2011 (full-time equivalents). The figure for retirement includes normal and medical retirements. The figure for the number of police officers recruited to Greater Manchester Police includes transfers, rejoiners, police standard direct recruits and former special constables. Figures for the year 2011-12 will be published in July 2012.
Police: Information and Communications Technology
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will (a) place in the Library and (b) publish a copy of the police ICT company programme risk register. [95872]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 17W
Nick Herbert: It is not the policy of the Home Department to publish live project or programme level risk registers as they are likely to contain sensitive commercial and/or operational information.
Police: Olympic Games 2012
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces she expects to give assistance to the policing in London of (a) London 2012 Olympics events and (b) the Diamond Jubilee. [95530]
James Brokenshire: The precise list of police forces expected to be involved in policing in London over the summer of 2012 is not finalised, but is likely to include most forces. Mutual aid is a common feature of major policing operations in the UK. Requests for mutual aid will be proportionate to the size and capacity of each force, and donor forces will be reimbursed in accordance with the prevailing arrangements.
Police: Pensions
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Government Actuary's Department on its interpretation of its duty under the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 between the early 1990s and late 2006; and what assessment she has made of its interpretation of its duty during this time. [95830]
Nick Herbert: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as 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.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish guidance arising from the review of police injury benefits. [96943]
Nick Herbert: The implications of recent judgments given by the Administrative Court on existing guidance are currently being considered. Home Office officials will consult the Police Negotiating Board on any revised guidance on police injury benefits.
Police: Vehicles
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the National Mandation Agreement for Vehicle Purchase by Police Authorities. [96096]
Nick Herbert: The police are mandated to use a specified framework agreement through the Police Act 1996 (Equipment) Regulations 2011. The regulations are available at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk
and I will place a copy in the Library.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 18W
Production Orders: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many production orders were issued by (a) Dyfed Powys Police, (b) Gwent Police, (c) North Wales Police and (d) South Wales Police in each of the last five years. [96006]
Nick Herbert: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 January 2012, Official Report, column 403W.
Serious Organised Crime Agency
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the initial takedown notice published by the Serious Organised Crime Agency on rnbxclusive.com; for what reason the notice was replaced; whether she authorised the original notice; what discussions she has had with the Chair of the Serious Organised Crime Agency on the notice; and whether she plans to authorise any such notices in the future. [96295]
Nick Herbert: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), is not directly involved in the Serious Organised Crime Agency's operational matters, which are the responsibility of its director-general.
Speed Limits: Training
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will encourage all police forces to hold speed awareness courses for drivers who break speed limits. [96125]
Nick Herbert: This is an operational matter for the police. I understand that most police forces make such courses available in appropriate cases.
Yvonne Fletcher
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trips officers in the Metropolitan police force have made to Libya in connection with the investigation into the killing of WPC Yvonne Fletcher since October 2011. [95868]
Nick Herbert: Since October 2011, there have been no visits by the Metropolitan Police Service to Libya in connection with the investigation into the killing of WPC Yvonne Fletcher.
Northern Ireland
Public Expenditure
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) on which dates he has discussed the 2012 Budget, with specific reference to the Northern Ireland economy, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer; [96105]
(2) what measures he has discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer for inclusion in the March 2012 Budget with respect to Northern Ireland. [96106]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 19W
Mr Paterson: I have regular and ongoing discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), and Treasury Ministers on a number of issues relating to the Northern Ireland economy. I am due to meet the Chancellor again on 7 March to continue our discussions in the Ministerial Working Group on Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy.
It is not the practice of this Government, or previous ones, to make public budget discussions in advance of the Chancellor’s statement to the House.
Third Sector
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department has taken to implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least three months' notice to voluntary and community organisations and their service users when reducing or ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and community organisations and service users as early as possible before making a decision on the future of the service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide this service and the wider impact on the local community and (c) making provision for voluntary and community organisations and service users to put forward options on how to reshape the service or project. [95782]
Mr Paterson: My Department does not currently fund any voluntary and community organisations. If it were to, the Best Value Statutory Guidance would be followed.
Scotland
Senior Civil Servants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many senior civil servants left his Department in each month since May 2010; what their names are; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants in his Department was during this period; and if he will make a statement. [96240]
David Mundell: One deputy director left the Scotland Office in March 2011. For reasons of personal privacy it would not be appropriate to provide the names of senior civil servants who are no longer in Government employment. The post was filled in July 2011. As there are only four senior civil servants in the Scotland Office, the rate of turnover during this period would be calculated to be 25%.
Wales
Senior Civil Servants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many senior civil servants left her Department in each month since May 2010; what their names are; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants in her Department was during this period; and if she will make a statement. [96243]
Mr David Jones: Of the four senior civil servants in post in the Wales Office in May 2010 only one has since left. As is usual practise, we do not release the name for reasons of personal privacy.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 20W
Domestic Visits
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what dates she made official visits to (a) Ceredigion, (b) Montgomery, (c) Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, (d) Caerphilly, (e) Gower, (f) Rhondda, (g) Dwyfor Meirionnydd, (h) Arfon and (i) Ynys Môn constituency since May 2010. [96147]
Mrs Gillan: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Constituency | Secretary of State | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State |
Manufacturing Industries: South West
Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether she has estimated the value of (a) manufacturing and engineering and (b) other supply chains linking the South West and Wales. [96109]
Mr David Jones: The manufacturing and engineering sector in Wales is diverse and has strengths across a wide range of areas including automotive technologies, the aerospace industry and opto-electronics. This industry provides highly skilled jobs for the people of Wales and plays an important role in the economy of Wales. The latest figures show that there are 142,000 work force jobs in the manufacturing sector in Wales.
There are a number of highly-valued multi-national manufacturing companies based in Wales, with Toyota in Deeside, Airbus in Broughton and Sharp in Wrexham,
27 Feb 2012 : Column 21W
as well as smaller family owned businesses who export their goods worldwide. Manufacturing and engineering businesses in Wales have built up supply chain links with businesses across the UK, including the South West, but more needs to be done to promote the goods and services that companies in Wales produce to encourage more links to be created and to strengthen existing ones.
The UK Government are committed to working with the Welsh Government in order to achieve these aims.
National Assembly for Wales
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times she has attended meetings at the National Assembly of Wales in an official capacity in the last four months. [96149]
Mrs Gillan: In the last four months I have attended meetings at Ty Hywel or the Senedd on seven occasions.
Public Expenditure
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent estimate she has made of the current public spend per head of population in Wales. [96501]
Mr David Jones: In 2010-11, total spending per head of population in Wales was £9,829.
Women and Equalities
Equality and Human Rights Commission: Audit
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent discussions she has had with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the qualification of the Commission's accounts in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [96044]
Lynne Featherstone: The Minister for Women and Equalities, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) and I have regular discussions with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about a range of issues.
These include the EHRC's financial management.
We have been clear from the start that problems with the EHRC's accounts are not acceptable, and we welcomed the news last November that the EHRC had produced a satisfactory set of accounts for the first time since it was set up. We will continue to work with the EHRC including holding regular performance meetings to ensure it stays on track. Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent discussions she has had with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the weaknesses identified by the auditor of the Commission in respect of (a) procurement, (b) disbursement of grants, (c) senior management governance and (d) pay remit; and if she will make a statement. [96045]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 22W
Lynne Featherstone: The Minister for Women and Equalities, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) and I have regular discussions with the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about a range of issues.
These include the EHRC's financial management. My officials receive monthly performance reports, and hold formal quarterly performance review meetings to assess EHRC's financial and operational performance.
Following the spending review, we announced in October 2010 that we will be reducing the EHRC's budget by over half, from £55 million in 2010-11 to £26 million in 2014-15. And in March 2011, we set out our plans to reform the EHRC. We will respond to the consultation shortly.
Work and Pensions
Asthma
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the role of trade union health and safety representatives in reducing occupational asthma. [95756]
Chris Grayling: No formal assessment of the role of trade union health and safety representatives in reducing occupational asthma has been carried out.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) works with a wide range of employers and employee representatives to address the issue of occupational asthma. Trade union health and safety representatives contribute to this by working with the HSE in specific areas where occupational asthma is prevalent including motor vehicle repair, welding, and bakeries. Trade union nominees also participate actively as members of the HSE-led Asthma Partnership Board (APB).
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the change in the level of occupational asthma since 2003. [95757]
Chris Grayling: Based on an assessment of the latest evidence available from The Health and Occupation Reporting (THOR) network, the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) best estimate is that the incidence of occupational asthma (i.e. new cases occurring each year) had approximately halved in 2010 compared with 2003.
There is some uncertainty about this estimate because the underlying statistics relate only to those cases referred to respiratory specialists or among workers with access to occupational physicians. The numbers may be influenced by a range of factors, such as the number of participating physicians within the scheme and their reporting habits, and some of these have been taken into account in making the estimate.
Further information is available at:
www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asthma/asthma.pdf
27 Feb 2012 : Column 23W
Atos Healthcare: Data Protection
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, column 346W, what penalties an Atos Healthcare employee would face should he or she breach the Medical Services Agreement in relation to confidentiality. [96574]
Chris Grayling: The penalties an Atos Healthcare employee would face should he or she breach the Medical Services Agreement in relation to confidentiality would be dependent upon the circumstances of the case. The matter would be pursued in accordance with the Atos Healthcare disciplinary process which may lead to dismissal.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, column 346W, how many Atos Healthcare employees were prosecuted for breach of confidentiality rules in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012 to date. [96576]
Chris Grayling: No Atos Healthcare employees have been prosecuted for breach of confidentiality rules in the specified period from 2008 to date.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, column 346W, how many Atos Healthcare employees were prosecuted for breach of confidentiality rules in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales in the latest period for which figures are available. [96577]
Chris Grayling: There were no Atos Healthcare employees prosecuted for breach of confidentiality rules in any of the areas (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales.
Atos Healthcare: Incentives
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, column 346W, whether any employees of Atos Healthcare who are not approved health care professionals received a performance-related bonus payment as part of the contract with his Department in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011. [96575]
Chris Grayling: No performance-related bonus payments are made as part of the medical service contract.
Atos Healthcare: Manpower
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1082W, when Atos Healthcare will be in a position to reintroduce the deployment of health care professionals in benefit centres. [96578]
Chris Grayling: As a result of health care professional capacity issues it was not possible to progress this initiative beyond the trial period.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 24W
As an alternative, from the start of December, DWP and Atos have agreed the implementation of a telephone help line pilot, which gives decision makers direct access to health care professionals, and advice on complex cases. This pilot will be subject to evaluation in April 2012.
Any decision to re-introduce health care professionals into benefit centres will now be made taking into account the results of evaluation of the telephone help line pilot along with a review of the support requirements for decision makers.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2011, Official Report, columns 115-6W, on departmental public expenditure, if he will publish his latest assessment of how he plans to achieve efficiency savings of £1.45 billion. [94485]
Chris Grayling: The National Audit Office published its findings on Departmental savings in its report, “Reducing costs in the Department for Work and Pensions” published in June 2011 (1089 Session 2010-12). This report refers to the £1.45 billion of savings for the financial year 2011-12. The Department is intending to publish progress on these savings in its 2012-13 Delivery Plan.
Employment Schemes
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many lone parents have applied for financial support from the flexible support fund since its establishment; [96744]
(2) how many lone parents are in receipt of financial support from the flexible support fund; and for what purposes. [96745]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
Information regarding how many lone parents are in receipt of financial support from the flexible support fund (FSF) is not available.
The types of financial support that are provided to lone parents from the flexible support fund include travel and child care costs to cover training and other work related activities and support to help overcome barriers to taking up employment such as clothing, tools, training and certificates.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many participants in the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme have been placed with private companies. [96746]
Chris Grayling:
The information requested is not available. Mandatory Work Activity is delivered by contracted providers who source the placements. The Department for Work and Pensions does not specify what the placements should be, but does specify that all placements under the Mandatory Work Activity scheme must be of benefit to the local community. Although the Department does not rule out the possibility that placements in the private sector could meet this requirement, for example with the community outreach service of a
27 Feb 2012 : Column 25W
privately owned sports club, it is likely that the majority of Mandatory Work Activity placements will be outside the private sector.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2012, Official Report, column 645W, on employment schemes, what the (a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average payment to providers, across the range of providers, was for mandatory work activity. [96753]
Chris Grayling: The payments made to mandatory work activity providers are Commercial in Confidence. Release of those data could compromise any future commercial negotiations about mandatory work activity.
Industrial Health and Safety
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met the chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive; and what the principal topics of discussion were. [95535]
Chris Grayling: As the Minister with responsibility for employment, I have responsibility for health and safety, and hold regular meetings with both the chair and chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive to discuss a range of topical matters. The last such meeting was on Wednesday 8 February.
Mortgages: Government Assistance
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people received assistance from his Department with the cost of meeting mortgage interest repayments in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Cumbria in each of the last five years. [96344]
Steve Webb: The available information is presented in the following table. The information is not available for recipients of employment and support allowance.
| Recipients of support for mortgage interest as part of award of income support, jobseeker's allowance or pension credit, May 2007 to May 2011 | |||||
| Area | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Notes: 1. Case loads are rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. Figures are based on 5% sample data. All figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. 3. Data are not available for recipients of employment and support allowance. 4. Numbers marked * are based on very few sample cases and are subject to a high degree of sampling variation. 5. ‘—’ denotes nil or negligible. 6. Case load figures have been uprated by using 5% proportions against 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) data. 7. Figures provided are a point in time estimate at May in each year. Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information, Governance and Security Directorate, 5% samples | |||||
Social Security Benefits
Mr Byrne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the level of
27 Feb 2012 : Column 26W
benefit expenditure in each of the next five years. [94483]
Chris Grayling: The information is in the table.
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | |
| Notes: 1. Figures cover only benefits falling within the Department for Work and Pensions' annually managed expenditure, along with those elements of housing and council tax benefits funded from local authorities' own revenue. 2. Figures do not include Northern Ireland, except for over-75 TV licences. Source: Office for Budget Responsibility autumn forecasts. | |||||
This information has been published at the following address:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/autumn_2011.xls
A copy of these tables has also been placed in the Library.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's timescale is for providing a benefit claimant with a proof of income statement. [95901]
Chris Grayling: The internal target for providing claimants with a proof of income statement, following a request received through the post, or over the telephone, is three days. This target applies to jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), employment and support allowance (ESA) and income support (IS).
Our year to date performance against this measure as at January 2012 currently stands at:
an average clearance of 2.7 days for JSA
an average clearance of 2.8 days for ESA
an average clearance of 2 days for IS.
Social Security Benefits: Asylum
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the maximum number of benefits is for which (a) an asylum seeker and (b) an asylum seeker's dependants can be eligible whilst residing in the UK. [96940]
Chris Grayling: Asylum seekers are people subject to immigration control and cannot claim income-related benefits such as income-based jobseeker's allowance, income support, income-related employment and support allowance, pension credit, housing benefit or council tax benefit.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 27W
Support for asylum seekers is administered by the Home Office and is delivered by the Asylum Support Service.
Third Sector
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least three months' notice to voluntary and community organisations and their service users when reducing or ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and community organisations and service users as early as possible before making a decision on the future of the service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide this service and the wider impact on the local community and (c) making provision for voluntary and community organisations and service users to put forward options on how to reshape the service or project. [95780]
Chris Grayling: The Best Value Guidance does not legally apply to Central Government Departments or their Executive agencies.
However, as the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), made clear in his foreword to the revised Best Value Guidance, Central Government Departments support the fair standards set out in the guidance and have re-affirmed their commitment to the national Compact. The issues raised are covered by the Compact. In January the National Audit Office published ‘Central Government's implementation of the national Compact', a report which provides commentary on the implementation of the national Compact across Government. DCLG participated fully in the National Audit Office's review of the national Compact implementation and will be following up as appropriate the recommendations within the National Audit Office report in order to ensure that the Department continues to be a strong model of collaborative working between Government and the voluntary sector.
Vacancies
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken was for posting new job advertisements in each Jobcentre Plus centre in the latest period for which figures are available. [94489]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not hold the figures requested because job vacancies are no longer placed via Jobcentres. There are three ways in which employers can contact us to place a vacancy via our national service:
Employer Direct (ED). This is a national telephone service, which is open 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday. Most vacancies that are placed over the telephone will go “live” immediately, which means that they will be available on the directgov website and jobpoints. Where a vacancy requires additional paperwork to be completed, for example, if it states a person of a certain age or gender is required, then the vacancy will not be live until the employer has completed and returned the paperwork to the contact centre.
Employer Direct Online (EDON). This is an online service, which is available at all times, and can be found on the directgov website. Frequent users of EDON have the option to complete
27 Feb 2012 : Column 28W
checks and sign paperwork to become EDON Approved. This means that when they place vacancies, they will go live straight away. However, there are system checks that may hold a vacancy, meaning that it will require further checking by DWP staff before going live. These checks are cleared within two working hours. If the employer is not EDON Approved, then the vacancy will not go live until it has been checked, again within two working hours.
National Email Team (NET). This is a national service provided between 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, employers can email their vacancies into the Department. NET has four working hours to complete the necessary checks and post the vacancy.
During January 2012, ED received 57,820 calls and the average handling time was 6 minutes and 12 seconds, meaning that most vacancies were posted within that time, except when supplementary paperwork was required.
During January 2012, EDON received 17,596 vacancies that required-checks from DWP staff. Of these 48 were cleared outside of the two hour target.
During January 2012, NET received 45,547 vacancies. Of these 8,517 were cleared outside of the four hour target.
Young People: Unemployment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to mandate participation on the 16 to 17 not in education, employment or training programme under the Youth Contract; and how he plans to do so. [96743]
Chris Grayling: On 21 February, the Deputy Prime Minister announced further detail on how Government will help the most disengaged 16 to 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET). This programme will form part of the new Youth Contract; a package of support for unemployed people aged 16 to 24 worth almost £1 billion over the next three years.
Over the next three years, Government will be investing £126 million in England to deliver a new programme of support designed to get disengaged 16 to 17-year-olds back into education, apprenticeships or work with training. Participation in this programme will not be mandatory.
To achieve the best results for young people, the programme will give freedom to those delivering the new service so that they can tailor support to meet individuals' needs. We will reward providers when they achieve sustained outcomes.
The Young People's Learning Agency (the Education Funding Agency from April 2012) will manage the commercial exercise in most parts of England and is now running an open competition which invites providers from all sectors to bid to deliver this programme.
Electoral Commission Committee
Electoral Register: Tower Hamlets
Mr Scott: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if he will ask the Electoral Commission to undertake an investigation into recent reports of fraud on the electoral roll in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. [96881]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 29W
Mr Streeter: Electoral malpractice may involve a criminal offence and, as such, any allegation should be referred to the relevant police force for investigation. In this case, the Commission has been assured by the police and Tower Hamlets electoral registration officer (ERO) that the issue is being treated with the appropriate seriousness. The Electoral Commission will provide advice or support if requested by the investigating force.
The Electoral Commission takes electoral malpractice very seriously, and works closely with the UK associations of chief police officers to provide guidance and advice to police forces and EROs on preventing and detecting electoral malpractice. The Commission also brings together electoral administrators, police forces, prosecutors, political parties and UK Government officials for regular roundtable discussions on electoral malpractice. The Commission will consider the outcome and implications of any investigation with this group.
Mr Scott: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what recent assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the level of (a) over-registration and (b) fraudulent registration in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. [96882]
Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that it has made no specific assessment of the level of (a) over registration or (b) fraudulent registration in the London borough of Tower Hamlets.
The Commission carries out research on the completeness and accuracy of electoral registers, and last reported on this in December 2011. This provided estimates for Great Britain as a whole and did not provide any specific estimate for Tower Hamlets.
The Commission publishes annually, with the UK associations of chief police officers, an analysis of reported cases of alleged electoral malpractice. The most recent analysis, published in February 2011, found that there were two cases of alleged electoral malpractice in Tower Hamlets relating to electoral registration offences during 2010. Following a four month investigation by the Metropolitan police, neither case resulted in any further police action or prosecution.
The Commission monitors the performance of electoral registration officers (EROs) in Great Britain, including their plans for preventing and detecting electoral malpractice. The most recent report of performance against the standards set by the Commission found that the ERO for Tower Hamlets exceeded this standard in 2010.
All of these reports are available on the Commission's website and have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.
Defence
Air Training Corps: Disciplinary Proceedings
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people were suspended from duty as an officer of the Air Training Corps in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement; [95979]
(2) how many suspensions from duty as an officer of the Air Training Corps are outstanding from (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and if he will make a statement. [95982]
27 Feb 2012 : Column 30W
Mr Robathan: The available information for the number of Air Training Corps (ATC) RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training) (RAFVR(T)) officers suspended in each of the years requested and for those still outstanding is as follows:
| Number of officers suspended | Outstanding suspensions from duty (1) | |
| (1 )Up to 20 February 2012.( ) (2) Data collated from August 2010. | ||
Armed Forces: Hotels
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force on hotel rooms for service personnel in the latest period for which figures are available. [R] [95677]
Mr Robathan: The value of hotel room bookings made through the Defence Travel contract for each of the three armed forces during financial year 2011-12 (as at the end of January) has been as follows:
| £ million | |
Room bookings are generally made on bed and breakfast terms. A small proportion of hotel bookings are not made through the normally mandated Defence Travel contract, but we do not hold a breakdown of such bookings by individual service.
Hotel and guest house accommodation for members of the armed forces is generally only arranged where the provision of service accommodation is not a practical alternative, for example in support of military operations and exercises.
Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Dr McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department is providing to families of those who are experiencing mental health disorders as a result of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. [93549]
Mr Robathan: The Government take very seriously their responsibility to ensure that service personnel, their families and veterans are properly looked after. We provide support to families of service personnel who experience mental health difficulties through the national health service and social services. In addition to a 24 hours mental health helpline, the Department of Health, together with Combat Stress, has made available to service personnel and their families, ‘The Big White Wall’, an online well-being network staffed by professional counsellors both day and night. Additional local support is available through HIVE, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, and WRVS.
27 Feb 2012 : Column 31W
Armed Forces: Training
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of Package 1 of the Defence Training Review; and what payments were made to (a) the Welsh Government and (b) Metrix. [95635]
Nick Harvey: The total cost of the Defence Training Rationalisation Package 1 programme was some £158.5 million. This includes items such as personnel, training transformation and early works at Ministry of Defence St Athan. Of this total, £95.964 million was paid to Metrix. I can confirm that no payments have been made to the Welsh Government.
Departmental Conditions of Employment
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward legislative proposals to establish a mandatory break period for senior (a) military officers and (b) civil servants of his Department between leaving employment by his Department and taking up employment in private sector defence companies or companies with defence divisions. [95637]
Mr Robathan: Former Ministry of Defence civil servants and military officers are subject to the Business Appointments Rules which form part of their terms and conditions of service and apply for two years after leaving Crown service. The rules include a requirement for those at permanent secretary and equivalent levels to serve a minimum waiting period of three months between leaving paid civil service employment and taking up an outside appointment or employment. Copies of the rules are accessible at:
http://acoba.independent.gov.uk/former_crown_servants.aspx
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2012, Official Report, column 422W, on permission requirements for former civil servants taking jobs in industry, what rules and internal procedures apply to personnel in his Department below the level of senior civil servant accepting outside employment. [95911]
Mr Robathan: Decisions on applications below the level of senior civil servant are considered in line with the Business Appointment Rules and processed and approved internally based on the grade or rank of the applicant.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2012, Official Report, column 422W, on permission requirements for former civil servants taking jobs in industry, how many personnel below the rank of senior civil servant have moved from into positions in the defence and security industry since May 2010. [95914]
Mr Robathan: This information in not held in the format requested. I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 12 January 2012, Official Report, column 422W and on 21 February 2012, Official Report, column 776W.