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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 1 March 2012
Attorney-General
Euthanasia
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Attorney-General what recent assessment he has made of the application of the Director of Public Prosecution's policy for prosecutors in respect of cases of encouraging or assisting suicide. [95843]
The Solicitor-General: The Director of Public Prosecution's assisted suicide policy provides clear guidance to prosecutors as to how to apply the existing law on assisted suicide. The policy outlines the relevant evidential and public interest factors which must be considered when deciding whether to bring criminal proceedings for assisted suicide. It sets out considerations that may be particularly relevant when deciding whether a prosecution for assisted suicide is in the public interest, and complements those contained in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
Since December 2008 all cases of assisted suicide have been dealt with by prosecutors in the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division in the CPS.
Immunity From Prosecution
Mr Dodds: To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions he was consulted on decisions to grant immunity from prosecution to assisting offenders as defined in the provisions of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 in each year since 2007. [97797]
The Solicitor-General: The Attorney-General should be consulted by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office or a prosecutor designated by them, before any decision is made on the granting of a full immunity under section 71 of the 2005 Act.
No immunity can be granted under section 71 of the 2005 Act by a Chief or Deputy Prosecutor at BIS or the FSA unless the Attorney-General has given consent to the granting of the immunity in accordance with section 71 (6)(c).
Information on the occasions where a Law Officer was consulted on such matters are not collated centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
Mr Dodds: To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received on the operation of the provisions of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 relating to the use of assisting offender evidence. [97104]
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The Solicitor-General: The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA) gave designated prosecutors powers in relation to offenders who are prepared to assist the Crown. The Law Officers meet with prosecutors on a regular basis to discuss their cases, including those where they might need to exercise their powers under SOCPA 2005.
The policy responsibility for the operation of these provisions of the Act belongs with the Ministry of Justice.
Leader of the House
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2012, Official Report, column 1W, on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether (a) he and (b) the Deputy Leader of the House met representatives of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in January 2012. [97594]
Sir George Young: The information is as follows:
(a) Yes
(b) No.
House of Commons Commission
Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology
Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate the House of Commons Commission has made of the number of hours that will be required to be worked by (a) Hardcat employees and (b) PICT staff to conduct the audit of IT on the Parliamentary Estate. [97445]
John Thurso: The estimated hours for conducting the current IT audit are 345 for Hardcat employees and 135 for PICT employees.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, on what date the audit of IT on the Parliamentary Estate (a) began and (b) is expected to be completed. [97446]
John Thurso: The audit began on 21 February and is due to be completed on 2 March. One day of preparatory work took place before 21 February.
Plants: Costs
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost of provision of indoor plants and trees is; and which organisations provide them. [96685]
John Thurso: The cost of hire and maintenance of trees in Portcullis House in each of the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11 was £32,500. Plantcare International provides this service.
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The cost of providing indoor plants including floral displays in the financial year 2010-11 was £36,900. In 2009-10 it was £41,300. The main suppliers of these services were Greenways and Nora Wool.
All contracts are being re-examined as part of the savings programme as they come up for renewal. Significant savings are being sought on the contracts for the trees.
Recess: Operating Costs
Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the additional cost to the House of Commons was of the difference in dates of the February recess between the two Houses for (a) security, (b) catering, (c) administration, (d) maintenance and engineering services and (e) other services. [96177]
John Thurso: No measurable cost to the House of Commons administration has arisen from the difference in dates of the February recess between the two Houses.
Prime Minister
Aung San Suu Kyi
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with Aung San Suu Kyi on the situation in Burma. [97152]
The Prime Minister: I last spoke to Aung San Suu Kyi on 28 January to congratulate her on the incredible progress that had been made in Burma in recent weeks, and to seek her advice on how the international community should respond.
She was optimistic about Burma's prospects and we share that optimism. We agreed on the need to make progress on ethnic conflicts, the release of the remaining political prisoners, and the holding of free and fair by-elections in April.
We are concerned about reports of restrictions on campaigning in recent weeks, and urge the Government of Burma to do all they can to ensure that elections are indeed free, fair and credible.
Wales
Public Expenditure
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the transfer of funding from Wales to HM Treasury as a result of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Scheme will be considered by the Commission on Devolution in Wales. [97202]
Mrs Gillan: Discussions are ongoing between the Government and the Welsh Government on Housing Revenue Account Subsidy arrangements for Wales. Any changes to the current arrangements would not require further devolution of functions, and therefore I would not expect the Commission on Devolution in Wales to consider this.
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Culture, Media and Sport
Broadband: Brighton and Hove
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2012, Official Report, column 791W, on broadband: Brighton and Hove, if he will (a) estimate the amount of public funding required to bring ultra-fast broadband to the Brighton and Hove area and (b) carry out a cost-benefit analysis of funding ultra-fast broadband in Brighton and Hove. [96904]
Mr Vaizey: The Department does not intend to make estimates of the amount of public funding required to bring ultra-fast broadband to any local authority area. Local authorities are best placed to assess their options for improving high-speed broadband access, in consultation with commercial communications providers. This is the approach adopted in the Super-Connected Cities Initiative by cities eligible to bid for the Urban Broadband Fund.
As the hon. Member may already be aware, East Sussex has an indicative funding of £10.64 million allocated out of the £530 million to bring superfast broadband to 90% of the population and standard broadband to everyone else.
Brighton and Hove is to be congratulated on achieving a broadband take-up of 80%, according to Ofcom data published last summer, with superfast broadband coverage of 92%.
Departmental Regulation
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress his Department has made on the Red Tape Challenge; and which regulations have been (a) abolished and (b) revised as part of the Challenge. [96996]
John Penrose: This Department has played a central role in the Red Tape Challenge, leading the Hospitality Food and Drink theme in partnership with other departments including, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office and the Department for Health. We will cut red tape in 62 of the 102 regulations which were looked at as part of this theme; 12 will be abolished, with a further 50 to be merged or simplified.
National Railway Museum
Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of the photographic material held by the National Railway Museum is indexed and available to the public; what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to work with external partners on the task of indexing the collection. [97507]
Mr Vaizey: The National Railway Museums is a branch of National Museum of Science and Industry, which operates at arm's length from Government. This Department does not collate information on the collections and has not taken steps to work with external partners on the task of indexing them for availability to the public. I have asked their chief executive to write to my hon. Friend directly on this matter. A copy of the letter will be placed in both House Libraries.
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Olympic Games 2012: Bexley
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many sports clubs in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and (b) the London Borough of Bexley have received funding for Olympic legacy projects. [97148]
Hugh Robertson: Since April 2007, Sport England has invested a total of £5,169,593 of Lottery funding and £38,000 of Exchequer funding into the borough of Bexley. This includes funding for projects from the mass participation Olympic Legacy fund, Places People Play such as the Europa Centre in Crayford, the Bexley Cricket Club and Danson Park Bowls Consortium Ltd.
These figures do not reflect the large amount of funding channelled through County Sports Partnerships, local authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport, where initiatives that have a county or region-wide remit may have assisted or benefited constituents and local sports clubs.
Public Libraries
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his strategy is for the future of the (a) library service and (b) standards and framework to support local delivery of library services. [96842]
Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England (ACE) has been given responsibility to advocate for and champion libraries' roles and the public value they provide. ACE will capture and disseminate good practice in making efficiencies and meeting the needs of communities. Where appropriate, libraries will be eligible for ACE strategic investment funding.
ACE will be leading a debate and research in 2012-13 on how libraries can respond to changing community needs and wider changes in society.
ACE's role on library development is one of providing advice and support. ACE has also launched the Libraries Development Initiative which has made grants totalling £230,000 to 13 library projects to help them explore ACE's vision of arts and culture working together.
ACE will shortly be writing to local authorities to make them aware of different ACE funding streams which can now be accessed by libraries.
We do not propose to reintroduce the ‘public library service standards'. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 gave local government greater flexibility in priority setting and greater discretion over how to meet them—the public library service standards were just 10 of over 1,000 indicators which authorities were no longer required to report performance against.
Energy and Climate Change
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what reduction in carbon dioxide emissions his Department has made under the 10:10 initiative. [97928]
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Gregory Barker: DECC signed up to the 10:10 campaign in November 2009, making a commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 compared to 2009. Under the new Government, we actually achieved more than double this—with a saving of 20.59% or 547 tonnes of CO2.
Fuel Poverty
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in the (a) private rented, (b) social and (c) owner-occupied sector in (i) England, (ii) Tameside and (iii) Stockport were classed as being in fuel poverty in the latest period for which figures are available. [97866]
Gregory Barker: The breakdown by tenure for 2009, the latest year for which figures are available, is shown in the following table. This level of detail is available only at country level.
| (a) Private rented | (b) social | (c) Owner-occupied | |
In Tameside in 2009, approximately 19,400 or 21% of households were in fuel poverty. In Stockport, approximately 22,300 or 18% of households were in fuel poverty.
Green Deal Scheme
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of (a) option 1, (b) option 2 and (c) option 3 of his Department's consultation document on levels of employment in the insulation industry, The Green Deal and Energy Change Obligation Consultation; and if he will make a statement. [97418]
Gregory Barker: Under the central policy scenario for the Green Deal, option 2 in the consultation, our analysis indicates that the insulation sector would support 65,000 jobs in 2015, a marked increase from current levels of c.27,000. Specific analysis of employment levels has not been carried out for the other options outlined in the consultation however broadly speaking employment levels would follow the levels of expected delivery of insulation measures.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the quantity of carbon dioxide which would no longer be emitted with the introduction of the Green Deal in option 2 of his Department's consultation, The Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation; and if he will make a statement. [97419]
Gregory Barker: Under the central policy scenario for the Green Deal, option 2 in the consultation, the total CO2 savings over the lifetime of the installed measures was estimated at 114 MtCO2 and 53 MtCO2 for non-traded and traded savings respectively.
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These figures and the analysis behind them were published in the Draft Impact Assessment accompanying the recent Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) consultation:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf
We are working with stakeholders to improve the data on which the Impact Assessment was based and updated analysis will be published in the summer.
Note:
Traded carbon emissions are those covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
Insulation
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of fully-trained solid wall insulation installers in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015. [97423]
Gregory Barker: DECC does not hold employment figures for the solid wall industry as a whole.
However, based on discussions with industry representatives, DECC estimates that by 2015 there could be between 8,000 and 10,000 competent solid wall installers operating under the Green Deal and Energy Company obligation. This is an increase from approximately 2,000 skilled operatives in 2011-12.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Green Deal and Energy Change Obligation Consultation, what recent estimate he has made of the number of cavity and loft installers who will need to retrain as solid wall installers to meet the targets set out in the consultation document; and if he will make a statement. [97509]
Gregory Barker: DECC does not have the responsibility for determining how many loft and cavity wall insulation installers will re-train as this is a matter for the market and the individuals concerned. However, discussions with industry representatives suggest that there are over 2,500 cavity wall and loft installers currently operating. Our analysis indicates that the insulation sector would support 65,000 jobs in 2015, a marked increase from current levels of c.27,000.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the cost of re-training individuals in the insulation industry in fitting solid wall insulation; and if he will make a statement. [97510]
Gregory Barker: DECC is working with the Green Deal Skills Alliance, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and industry representatives on the most cost-effective routes to training and up-skilling of existing operatives and new entrants.
Detailed announcements will be made on this shortly.
Renewable Energy
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much generation capacity from renewable energy sources was installed in each year between 1997 and 2011. [97953]
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Gregory Barker: The following table shows the change in generation capacity from renewable sources in each year between 1997 and 2010. Similar data for 2011 will be available in July 2012 when the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) is published. This table shows the change in capacity and includes capacity from new generators, increases to the capacity of existing generators, reductions in capacity of existing generators and closures.
| Change in capacity compared to previous year (MW) | |
Renewable Energy: Technology
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he has taken to encourage the development of early-stage renewable technologies. [97299]
Gregory Barker: The 2010 spending review allocated over £200 million to support low carbon technologies, of which up to £60 million was included to support the establishment of offshore wind manufacturing at port sites. In June 2011, the Department announced up to £20 million—subject to value for money assessments—to support the pre-commercial demonstration of marine array devices, and in July 2011 announced the allocation of up to £30 million for offshore wind technology development.
This funding for renewable technologies is part of a wider package of support which the Department is working on with other members of the Low Carbon Innovation Group(1).
The aim is to ensure that there is strategic alignment of public funding for the sector to maximise the benefits each funding stream generates.
The Renewables Obligation (RO) is another way that we support emerging technologies such as offshore wind and marine energy. Proposals in the recent consultation reviewing support levels reiterated our commitment to these technologies.
Non-financial support has also been put in place. For example, I chair the Marine Energy Programme Board which brings together technology developers, industrial manufacturers and the public sector to discuss accelerating the deployment of marine energy in the UK.
I also recently launched the UK's first Marine Energy Park in South West England which aims to create a collaborative partnership between national and local government, local enterprise partnerships, the regional universities and industry, including Cornwall's Wave
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Hub, thereby driving forward marine energy projects. Other areas are now working towards becoming a Marine Energy Park, for example Caithness and Orkney and Northern Ireland.
(1 )Includes Department for Business Innovation and Skills, Energy Technologies Institute, Technology Strategy Board, Carbon Trust, Research Councils UK.
Renewables Obligation
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect of increases in the Renewable Obligation charges on energy intensive industry from April 2012. [95599]
Charles Hendry [holding answer 29 February 2012]: DECC estimates that in 2012-13 the Renewables Obligation (RO) will add 6% to the electricity bill of an average energy intensive user (compared to what the bill would be in the same year in the absence of policies). This compares to 5% in 2011-12, and is an increase of 1 percentage point.
In 2011 there was an increase of around 30% in wholesale electricity costs (which make up around 70-80% of the bill of an average energy intensive user), and this was driven by rising gas prices. This shows the importance of our action to increase the UK's renewable capacity in order to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel imports, and take us off the gas price hook. The RO and its successor scheme, Feed-in Tariffs with Contracts for Difference, aim to do this in the most cost-effective way possible for consumers.
Salix: Energy Supply
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how many applications for support from Salix loans for energy efficiency have been (a) submitted, (b) accepted and (c) rejected; [97955]
(2) how many organisations have received a Salix loan for energy efficiency; and what the amount of each such loan is. [97957]
Gregory Barker: Since the start of the Salix public sector energy efficiency loan scheme in 2004 a total of around 1,112 applications (from 776 organisations) across the UK have been submitted for loan funding. Of these around 1,016 have been accepted, supporting around 8,400 individual projects. The remaining 96 were rejected as they did not meet the scheme criteria. The average loan awarded to the 680 successful organisations has been £262,000.
Women and Equalities
Disability: Crime
Mr Burley: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to reduce disability hate crime. [96676]
Nick Herbert: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
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No one should fear abuse for who they are, and tackling hate crime against disabled people is an issue that this Government take very seriously. We are improving the recording of such crimes, and working with the voluntary partners to encourage more victims to come forward. We will publish the Government's new action plan on hate crime shortly.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the cost to the public purse was of the Equality and Human Rights Commission document entitled Human rights at home; and if she will make a statement. [97526]
Mrs May: Since the Equality and Human Rights Commission is an arm's length body, the following is based on information it has provided.
The cost of this report, excluding staff costs, was £14,964.
Northern Ireland
Anniversaries
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what discussions he has had with the (a) Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Irish Government on the decade of commemoration; [97595]
(2) what progress he has made on talks to plan for the decade of commemoration; and if he will make a statement. [97596]
Mr Paterson: I regularly meet the First and Deputy First Minister and Irish Government to discuss relevant issues including the forthcoming decade of key anniversaries. The latest discussions with the First and Deputy First Minister were on the 27 February, and on 2 February with the Irish Government. The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), will continue his discussions in the coming weeks with individuals and groups involved in planning events.
Senior Civil Servants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many senior civil servants left his Department and its public bodies 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. [96245]
Mr Paterson: Since May 2010, eight senior civil servants left the Northern Ireland Office and its public bodies. Of these, three retired; two returned to their parent organisation as their period of secondment/loan to the NIO came to an end; two began secondments with other organisations and will return in due course; and one left at the end of a fixed term contract. The monthly breakdown is as follows:
May 2010: One retired; One went on loan to another Government Department;
June 2010: One left at the end of their fixed term contract;
June 2011: One went on loan to another Government Department;
September 2011: One left at the end of their secondment;
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October 2011: One left at the end of their loan;
November 2011: One retired;
December 2011: One retired.
In 2010, there were 13 senior civil servants in the NIO; the rate of turnover at that time would be calculated at 23%. In 2011, there were 11 senior civil servants in the NIO; the rate of turnover at that time would be calculated at 45%.
The names of the individuals concerned have not been released for reasons of personal privacy.
Economic Situation
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress the Ministerial Working Group on Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy has made. [97478]
Mr Paterson: The Ministerial Working Group on Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy will meet for the second time on 7 March, in line with the work programme we agreed at our first meeting in December, officials have been working intensively. They have made good progress on issues surrounding the potential devolution of corporation tax, including the potential costs, benefits, legislative options and time scales involved.
Organised Crime
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on the operation of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. [97244]
Mr Paterson: I have not had any discussions with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on the operation of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Matters relating to the operation of this Act in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the devolved Administration. The Northern Ireland Justice Minister and his Department work closely with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), and her Department on such matters.
Politics and Government
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made with bilateral talks following his letter to the party leaders in Northern Ireland asking for discussions on how to deal with the past. [97604]
Mr Paterson: Since May 2010, the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), and I have undertaken a wide range of meetings involving political parties, community organisations, academics and victims groups on this matter.
I have recently held further meetings with representatives of some of the Northern Ireland parties and will meet with others shortly. I continue to seek their views on how consensus on this difficult issue can be achieved. While the Government have a role to play, any successful outcome will only be possible if agreement is found from within Northern Ireland.
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International Development
Africa
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds his Department plans to allocate to support agricultural research and development in Africa in the 2010-12 Parliament. [97586]
Mr Duncan: The UK Government have allocated approximately £91 million to support agricultural research and development in Africa in the 2010-12 Parliament.
Brussels
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) the Permanent Secretary in his Department have visited Brussels in an official capacity since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [97660]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Since May 2010 I have made three visits to Brussels; the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan), has made one visit; the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien) has made three visits; and the Permanent Secretary, Mark Lowcock, has made two visits.
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to help reduce delays in the availability of low-cost versions of new treatments for HIV in the developing world. [96740]
Mr O'Brien: In 'Towards zero infections: the UK's position paper on HIV in the developing world' published in May 2011 the UK Government outline our aim to reduce the costs of diagnosis and treatment. The UK is supporting UNITAID and the Clinton Health Access Initiative to work with originator and generic companies to negotiate sustainable reductions in drug prices, and to lower the unit costs of drug production. Our work with the Clinton Foundation to drive down treatment costs will generate enough cost-savings to purchase medicines for an additional 500,000 people by 2015.
UNITAID, with our financial support, is also achieving significant results in this field. For example they have supported the introduction of nine new priority HIV medicines which are now available for purchase through the World Health Organisation Prequalification programme; and there has been a 53% price reduction from 2008 to 2010 for a quality second line treatment regimen, and there are over 113,000 adults living with HIV who are now receiving quality second line medicines at these lower prices.
Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Mr Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what proportion of meetings of the Board of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have been attended by
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a UK Minister since May 2010; how many such meetings
(a)
he and
(b)
other Ministers plan to attend in 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [97657]
Mr Duncan: Neither UK Development Ministers nor Ministers from other donor countries attend board meetings unless there is an extraordinary reason to do so. Ministers have not attended the Global Fund board meetings since May 2010 and there are no current plans to attend in 2012-13. A Department for International Development official represents the UK/Australia on the board of directors and keeps Ministers fully abreast of the policy and governance issues. The chair of the Global Fund board is also a senior UK DFID official.
Somalia
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received on women's rights in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [97465]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I received letters from non-government organisations and MPs highlighting the importance of women's rights in Somalia in the run up to the London Conference on Somalia. I also discussed these issues during my recent visit to Somalia.
The Government recognise the serious human rights violations that women face in Somalia and we are committed to helping to address them. The London Conference on Somalia communiqué recognises the importance of women's participation in the political process and calls for action to address the human rights violations and abuses faced by women and children.
Equality and protection of women lies at the heart of our development programme in Somalia. We support women's inclusion in policy dialogue through our civil society funding; we have helped establish the first women's unit at the Attorney-General's Office in Somaliland; and our health support has seen a doubling of births attended by skilled birth attendants in Gedo region.
World Bank
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to propose a British candidate as next head of the World Bank, in succession to Robert Zoellick; and if he will make a statement. [97658]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Britain supports an open, merit-based and transparent selection process for the next World Bank president.
At present, there are no credible British candidates to nominate but I would actively consider one if they were to emerge before the end of the nominations process on 23 March.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Algeria
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 Algeria in May 2012. [96770]
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Alistair Burt: We welcome the decision by Algerian authorities to invite election observers to supervise the parliamentary elections on 10 May. We are encouraged by the number of organisations and non-governmental organisations which have expressed an interest in participating and hope that a diverse range of domestic and international observers will be able to take part.
The Algerian Government have invited the EU to monitor elections and the UK supports this initiative. As in previous Algerian elections, we expect polling stations to be set up around the UK to enable UK-based Algerian nationals to take part.
Burkina Faso
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 Burkina Faso in May 2012. [97437]
Mr Bellingham: There is no UK mission in Burkina Faso. However, we plan to send our non-resident ambassador, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, and our ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire to observe the parliamentary elections, which we understand have been delayed until November. They will be part of an informal election observation team along with other EU Heads of Mission based in Ouagadougou.
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 Burkina Faso in May 2012. [97438]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government, along with our international partners, support the democratic process in Burkina Faso and are committed to peace, security and stability across the whole of West Africa. There are no plans for the EU to send either an official observation or technical mission to monitor the Burkinabe elections, which we understand have been delayed until November.
While there are no plans for Britain to provide financial support to the electoral process, our non-resident ambassador to Burkina Faso, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, and our ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire will, together with local EU Heads of Mission in Ouagadougou, form an informal observer team. We believe the African Union may be sending a formal observer mission to cover the elections.
Christianity
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken on discrimination against Christians abroad. [96917]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to the right hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) on 9 February 2012, Official Report, column 365W.
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Conflict Resolution
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2012, Official Report, column 757W, on conflict prevention, when he expects to publish the updated National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. [97247]
Mr Bellingham: The Revised UK Government National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 Women, Peace and Security was published on 28 February and a copy placed in the Library of both houses.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2012, Official Report, column 757W, on conflict prevention, to how many diplomatic posts in his Department's overseas network the Women, Peace and Security toolkit has been distributed; and what assessment he has made of the utility of the toolkit. [97248]
Mr Bellingham: The Women, Peace and Security toolkit has been distributed to all Departments in London. The toolkit is aimed at helping Posts develop country based activity on women, peace and security issues.
The toolkit highlights practical work that can be done on this issue across our worldwide network. At six pages, it is very accessible, and includes guidance to post on prevention, participation and protection issues, as well as further information on access to resources and cross Government training. Civil society organisations have contributed to the development of the toolkit.
We have had good responses from Posts to the toolkit, for example, the UK Delegation in Vienna to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), proposed the use of the toolkit as an example of best practice at a recent OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation. Stakeholder feedback will be taken into account before the toolkit is updated later this year.
Departmental Recruitment
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage people leaving the armed forces to apply for positions in his Department. [97643]
Mr Bellingham: In line with the Government-wide recruitment freeze, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is only recruiting externally for a limited number of business-critical positions. The FCO has no plans specifically to encourage people leaving the armed forces to apply for these positions. All external recruitment into the FCO is based on merit, and all campaigns must be fair and open, in accordance with Civil Service Commission principles. Our recruitment policies and processes are designed to encourage applications from the widest possible range of backgrounds, including former armed forces personnel.
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Dogs: Meat
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage countries engaging in the trade and consumption of dog meat to cease such activities. [96280]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I continue to raise UK concerns over animal welfare with countries engaged in the trade and consumption of dog meat. I have raised this with the Governments of China and the Philippines. Our ambassador in Seoul also recently raised our concerns with the South Korean Government. They are aware of our view on this particular issue. However, in the absence of international norms, laws or agreements governing the trade and consumption of dog meat, the UK has no legal grounds to intervene or take trade measures against countries where consumption of dog meat is regarded as culturally acceptable. We also welcome the work that non-governmental organisations such as Animal Asia Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals undertake in Asian countries.
East Africa
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to use the Conflict Pool to fund peace and stabilisation activities in eastern Africa in the next three years. [97242]
Mr Bellingham: Conflict Pool allocations over the next three years have not yet been approved by the National Security Council. Once approved, Parliament will be informed through a written ministerial statement from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), and the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond). In light of the British Government's tri-departmental Building Stability Overseas Strategy, the Conflict Pool is moving towards multi-year funding to provide greater certainty for conflict prevention priorities. In the financial year 2011-12, the Conflict Pool funded nearly £27 million of activities in eastern Africa. Over the next three years in eastern Africa, our planned Conflict Pool activity is likely to fall into the following broad areas.
A key focus will be reducing violent conflict and instability within Somalia and on its borders, in pursuit of HMG's wider security (counter-terrorism and maritime security) and development objectives. Similarly, within Sudan and South Sudan, to reduce violent conflict and instability in both countries and to support the British Government's regional security and development objectives.
We will also support Kenya, in the run-up to, during, and after the elections in 2012, and in the longer-term—so it is increasingly able to address national and regional security concerns. We will also support Ethiopia's relative stability to be increasingly sustainable.
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Egypt
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to protect Christians in Egypt from persecution; and if he will make a statement. [96914]
Alistair Burt: The British Government continue to emphasise to the Egyptian Government the importance of protecting religious freedom and minorities, establishing the conditions for pluralist and non-sectarian politics, and enshrining the freedom of religion for all faiths in the new constitution and in law.
In response to sectarian violence in Egypt, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs issued a statement on 10 October. He also called the Egyptian Foreign Minister to raise our concerns and discuss the action that the Egyptian Government was taking to address sectarian tension, and maintain law and order while respecting minority rights. The Deputy Prime Minister also raised the issue with the Egyptian Prime Minister during his visit to Egypt on 20 October. The British embassy in Cairo maintains an open communication channel with representatives of the Coptic Church and arranged for the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee to meet a representative of the Church during the Committee's visit to Egypt in February.
Somalia
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had on inviting representatives from Somali civil society to the London conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012. [97462]
Mr Bellingham: The objective of the London Conference on Somalia was to re-energise the international community's approach to Somalia. As such, it was attended by representatives of Governments or international organisations active and influential on Somalia.
However, we were active in consulting civil society and the Somali Diaspora in the weeks before the conference. I hosted a seminar for academics and non government organisations on Somalia on 2 February, and on 9 February I met community leaders at the Finsbury Park Mosque. On 8 February, Chatham House hosted an event for Somali leaders and Somalia experts attended by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and on 20 February the Prime Minister met representatives of the Somali Diaspora at 10 Downing street. On the eve of the conference, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs hosted a reception for the Somalia Diaspora at Lancaster House, the same venue that played host to the Conference itself the next day.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) men and (b) women were members of the Somali delegations to the London conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012. [97463]
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Mr Bellingham: A total of eight Somali delegations attended the London Conference on 23 February. These delegations consisted of 29 men and one woman.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the rights of women in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [97464]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives regular reports on the parlous state of women's rights in Somalia. Somalia is widely regarded as being one of the worst places in the world to be a woman, not only because they are widely excluded from politics, or because of the continued practice of female genital mutilation, but because maternity health care is very limited, meaning that many women die needlessly in childbirth. The humanitarian crisis caused by last year's drought in the Horn of Africa has increased the vulnerability of women to sexual violence by predatory armed groups.
In the run up to the London Conference on Somalia, I personally met a number of women activists to hear their views. The conference communiqué called for women's inclusion in the political process, and for action to address the grave human rights violations suffered by women in particular. We stand ready to work with the Transitional Federal Government and other Somali partners to implement these commitments.
Syria
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Syrian government, (b) the United Nations and (c) the rest of the international community about allowing humanitarian organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, access to Syria; and if he will make a statement. [97564]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the ‘Friends of Syria' meeting in Tunis on 24 February, where more than 70 countries discussed humanitarian access. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs supported the call by the Friends of Syria for the Syrian Government to immediately cease all violence and to allow free and unimpeded access by the UN and humanitarian agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Discussions on access for Humanitarian organizations into Syria are being led by the UN. Baroness Amos, as head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Humanitarian Envoy to Syria is currently in the region working on plans to facilitate the movement of humanitarian assistance. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), has been in regular contact with Baroness Amos and the ICRC and the Department for International Development is participating in the UN-led Syria Humanitarian Forum to ensure the UK is providing all necessary support in line with the assessed needs in the country.
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Turks and Caicos Islands
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Romford of 23 February 2012, Official Report, columns 943-4W, on the Turks and Caicos Islands, what the cost to the Government was of the Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar System; and from which departmental budget that expenditure came. [97585]
Mr Bellingham: The majority of the costs of the coastal radar station have been funded by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, including the building, tower and radar equipment.
In order to ensure that the radar station can become operational as soon as possible, and so that it can play a role in assisting the Marine Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to operate more effectively, the FCO agreed to fund the cost (£207,672) of the replacement items of electronic equipment which includes installation, testing and training.
Western Sahara
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the application of the Geneva Conventions to the conflict between Western Sahara and Morocco. [97421]
Alistair Burt: We do not consider there to be an armed conflict within the meaning of the Geneva Conventions. Since 1991, there has been a UN monitored ceasefire in Western Sahara, a disputed territory whose status we regard as undetermined. At present, the territory is under the de facto administration of Morocco. The UK is fully supportive of the continuing UN process to provide a mutually acceptable political solution for the parties to ongoing negotiations which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
The UK supported the adoption of UNSCR 1979 which stressed the importance of improving the human rights situation in Western Sahara. We regularly raise the issue of human rights with the Moroccan authorities.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the Moroccan Ambassador progress on a referendum on independence from or integration with Morocco in Western Sahara. [97447]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has no plans to discuss progress on a referendum on the status of Western Sahara with the Moroccan ambassador. However, Ministers in this Government and our ambassador in Rabat have established a strong dialogue on the issue of Western Sahara with the Moroccan authorities.
This Government strongly support UN-led efforts to encourage Morocco and the Polisario Front to agree a long lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
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Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the establishment of a UN Council for Natural Resources in Western Sahara. [97452]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to support the establishment of a UN Council for Natural Resources in Western Sahara. However, we are aware that Morocco and the Polisario Front have discussed issues relating to natural resources as part of the negotiation process. We would look to support proposals resulting from those discussions.
Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged to ensure full compatibility with international law with regards to any agreements concerning the natural resources of the disputed territory.
Deputy Prime Minister
Domestic Air Travel
Mr Crausby: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times he has taken flights within the UK on official business since August 2010; what class of travel he used; and who accompanied him on each such flight. [96759]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 February 2012, Official Report, column 772W.
Work and Pensions
Action for Employment
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what contracts with his Department and its agencies A4e (a) is bidding for and (b) has been awarded but have not yet commenced either independently or in partnership with other companies. [97481]
Chris Grayling: This information is commercially sensitive and not available as it would prejudice negotiations.
Charities
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in the Cabinet Office have had with charities on the sharing of information between organisations which support people on benefits. [92032]
Chris Grayling: DWP shares information about its benefits and services with charitable organisations that support benefit claimants through our advisers and intermediaries website, our monthly stakeholder bulletin, and our monthly Touchbase e-zine. In addition, we speak with a number of the main national organisations that support our claimants, as part of our ongoing dialogue that supports operational delivery.
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Children: Day Care
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support towards childcare costs is available for those working fewer than 16 hours per week from the Flexible Support Fund; whether it is time-limited; and what the conditions for entitlement are. [97467]
Chris Grayling: Lone parents in receipt of a qualifying benefit, such as income support (full list in footnote), are eligible to apply for support from the Flexible Support Fund towards the cost of child care, at a maximum of £87.50 per week for one child and a maximum of £150 per week for two or more children.
This subsidy is paid for a maximum period of 52 weeks from when the customer first starts work. No further funding is generally provided after that. To be considered for a child care subsidy the parent must be moving into employment or self employment.
undertaken on the recommendation of the adviser as an agreed step on their action plan for return to the labour market;
for up to 16 hours;
waged employment or self employment i.e. not voluntary work or work experience
be expected to last at least five weeks and be based in the UK (subject to UK employment legislation and taxation).
Note:
Attendance allowance
Bereavement benefits
Widowed parent's allowance
Widowed mother's allowance
Bereavement allowance
Widow's pension
Carer's allowance
Child tax credit
Disability living allowance
Employment and support allowance
Housing benefit/council tax benefit
Incapacity benefit (or invalidity benefit if claim prior to 1995)
Income support
Industrial injuries disablement benefit
Jobseeker's allowance
Maternity allowance
Pension credit
Retirement pension
Severe disablement allowance
War disablement pension; and/or
War widows/widower's pension
Child Maintenance
Dame Anne Begg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution by the Minister for Disabled People of 1 February 2012, Official Report, column 916, what estimate he has made of how the £200 million that the Minister for Disabled People has stated will be saved as a result of his Department's proposals to charge parents with care and non-resident parents for use of the statutory maintenance service will arise in terms of (a) the cost savings per annum in the current spending review period and the following one,
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(b)
cost savings per annum attributable to fewer parents with care choosing to use the statutory system,
(c)
cost savings per annum as a result of more non-resident parents choosing maintenance direct arrangements and
(d)
annual revenue raised as a result of charging (i) parents with care and (ii) non-resident parents to use the statutory service. [95231]
Maria Miller: Based on assumptions about charges and the behaviour of both parents with care and non-resident parents, a total of £234 million in savings are projected by 2014-15 compared to the 2010-11 baseline. This estimate comprises the following:
£12 million from fewer parents choosing to use the statutory service;
£71 million from charging—around a third of which is assumed to come from the parent with care;
£4 million from non-resident parents choosing maintenance direct arrangements;
£147 million from efficiencies, including those from CMEC becoming part of DWP not a non-departmental public body.
Further details will follow in the impact assessments which will accompany the charging regulations.
Employment and Support Allowance
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the benefits of allowing Jobcentre Plus advisers to contribute to the assessment of people in receipt of employment and support allowance. [97460]
Chris Grayling: Information provided by personal advisers working for Jobcentre Plus is not specifically sought as part of the work capability assessment evidence gathering process. The role of the personal adviser is to support an individual to move towards employment, not to make an assessment of benefit entitlement.
However, DWP decision-makers have to consider all the available information before making a decision on benefit entitlement. Any evidence available, including that provided by claimants and advisers, is both very important and fully considered.
Employment Schemes
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the reasons for the difference in the projected and actual number of referrals to mandatory work activity; and if he will make a statement. [97466]
Chris Grayling: Statistics released on 15 February 2012 showed that between May and November 2011, there were 24,010 initial referrals to the mandatory work activity scheme. The Department has not set out an expectation for the number of referrals to the scheme. On 10 May 2011, the Minister for Welfare Reform (Lord Freud) set out to the House of Lords that the Department had funding for around 19,000 mandatory work activity places per year, Official Report, House of Lords, column 863. However, this figure refers to the number of places available for claimants to start on the scheme, not the number of referrals expected to be made, and so is not comparable to the figures released on 15 February 2012.
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Not every claimant referred to mandatory work activity starts on the scheme. This can be for a variety of reasons; for example, they may cease to claim jobseeker's allowance before the start of their placement, their circumstances may change, or they may remain on jobseeker's allowance and fail to start a placement. Where a claimant fails to participate in mandatory work activity without good cause, this results in the sanction of jobseeker's allowance for three months. This rises to six months for a second breach.
We have not released statistics on the number of claimants who have started an MWA placement. We are currently considering what further information might be provided for future statistical releases.
Employment Schemes: Young People
Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people aged between (a) 16 and 18 and (b) 18 and 25 years have undertaken Get Britain Working work experience in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Edinburgh since January 2011. [97664]
Chris Grayling: Official statistics for the work experience strand of the Get Britain Working measures, up to and including November 2011, were published on 15 February 2012.
Between January and November 2011 in Great Britain, there were 32,200 starts to a Get Britain Working work experience placement. Of these 32,200:
in Great Britain, 50 were aged 16 or 17 and 31,540 were between 18 and 25;
in Scotland, 10 were aged 16 or 17 and 2,280 were aged between 18 and 25;
in the City of Edinburgh local authority, less than 10 were aged 16 or 17 and 140 were aged between 18 and 25.
Source:
Data Source: DWP LMS opportunities evaluation database February 2012. Due to Data Protection protocols, values less than 10 are not revealed to avoid unnecessary disclosure and any figures above 10 are rounded to the nearest 10.
Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many young people aged between (a) 16 and 18 and (b) 18 and 25 years who undertook Get Britain Working work experience have obtained permanent employment with the employer with which they undertook that work experience in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Edinburgh since January 2011; [97665]
(2) how many young people aged between (a) 16 and 18 and (b) 18 and 25 years who undertook Get Britain Working work experience have obtained permanent employment with an employer other than that with which they undertook work experience in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Edinburgh since January 2011. [97666]
Chris Grayling: The Department does not hold information on the number of young people who participated in work experience and obtained permanent employment broken down by whether their employer was one with which they undertook their placement or not.
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The available statistics on work experience participant outcomes were published on 9 November 2011. These showed that 51% of those who started on the programme in January-March 2011 were not in receipt of benefit 13 weeks later.
Housing Benefit: Private Rented Housing
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of tenants in the private rented sector who are in receipt of housing benefit. [95998]
Steve Webb: Accurate estimates of the proportion of tenants in the private rented sector who are in receipt of housing benefit are not available. For instance the 2009-10 Family Resources Survey (FRS) reported that 25% of households in the private rented sector were in receipt of housing benefit(1). This is an underestimate owing to under-reporting of benefit receipt.
Our more recent estimate derived from combining the FRS and administrative data is that around one-third of households in the private rented sector are in receipt of housing benefit. There remains considerable uncertainty around this estimate. This estimate used the number of claims to housing benefit from the Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) expressed as a proportion of the number of benefit units renting in the private rented sector from the FRS, excluding from the number of benefit units non-dependants in the same household with no rental liability. These non-dependants would not be present in the SHBE data.
Benefit units were used because households can include a number of people not related who share the living accommodation, one or more of whom might have a separate claim to housing benefit.
(1) Table 3.5:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/frs/2009_10/frs_2009_10_report.pdf
Notes:
1. SHBE is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct from local authority computer systems.
2. Benefit unit is defined as a single adult or couple living as married and any dependent children.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had on the support available for people not in receipt of jobseeker's allowance but looking for employment. [97461]
Chris Grayling: Working or non-benefit customers can still access light touch support through Jobcentre Plus, for example using the Jobseekers Direct service to search online for jobs and volunteering opportunities. Providing this free job brokerage service helps to maintain a healthy and dynamic labour market by providing vacancy information to a wide range of people.
Stephen Timms:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason the words “Where you are providing support for JSA participants, which is work experience, you must mandate participants to this activity. This is to avoid the National Minimum Wage Regulations, which will apply if JSA participants
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are not mandated” have been removed from paragraph 14, chapter 3 of the Work Programme Provider Guidance. [97468]
Chris Grayling: All the Department's guidance is constantly reviewed.
Social Security Benefits: Industrial Diseases
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of claims under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme were paid within (a) six weeks, (b) three months and (c) six months in the latest period for which figures are available. [97521]
Steve Webb: The information as requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been paid in compensation under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme, broken down by (a) year and (b) region; how many payments were made in each (i) year and (ii) region; and what the average payment was in each case. [97522]
Steve Webb: The information is in the table:
| Total payments made (£) | Number of payments | Average award (£) | |
| Notes: 1. Regional data is not available. 2. Awards were first made from October 2008. 2011-12 is latest available data: payments to and including December 2011. 3. Total payments have been rounded to nearest £100,000; number of payments have been rounded to nearest 10; and average awards have been rounded to nearest £10. Source: DWP statistical and accounting data. | |||
Universal Credit
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent progress he has made on introducing the universal credit. [97600]
Chris Grayling: We are making good progress towards the delivery of universal credit in 2013. Design work is well under way, and is being continually tested with staff and claimants.
Subject to the passage of the Welfare Reform Bill, development of the necessary IT systems will continue in parallel with planning for implementation and migration.
Work Capability Assessment
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are presently waiting longer than 13 weeks to undergo a work capability assessment since completing the ESA 50 questionnaire. [95556]
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Chris Grayling: There are currently 37,909 ESA initial referrals open and awaiting an assessment that are in excess of 13 weeks from the date that the questionnaire was returned.
However, Atos Healthcare and the Department are negotiating a realignment plan to ensure the increases in outstanding referrals are cleared as soon as possible and additional practitioners are being recruited and trained to address this.
Work Programme: Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2012, Official Report, column 889W, on work programme: Scotland, which organisations were used by the JHP Group when delivering mandatory work placements in Scotland in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012. [97557]
Chris Grayling: The Department does not hold details of organisations which have provided mandatory work placements for the JHP Group. Furthermore, we cannot provide details of these organisations. The information requested could potentially damage the commercial interests of organisations offering work placements and impact on the ability of the Department to obtain services to help people make the transition into work.
Education
Schools: Finance
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students (a) in care, (b) leaving care and (c) on income support have accessed the Bursary Fund since its inception. [96156]
Mr Gibb: This data is not currently available. Provided the necessary regulations are put in place, data collection will be in place during the academic years 2012-13 and 2013-14 although it will only show the total number of vulnerable group bursaries and not a breakdown of the categories.
Treasury
Customs: Cross Border Co-operation
Mr Raab: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the EU Council Act of 18 December 1997 drawing up the Convention on mutual assistance and co-operation between customs administrations, on how many occasions since 1998 (a) pursuing officers from another EU member state have continued their pursuit into UK territory without prior authorisation under Article 20 of the Convention, (b) customs officers from another EU member state have conducted covert investigations on UK territory under Article 23 of the Convention and (c) UK authorities have participated in joint special investigation teams under Article 24 of the Convention. [97654]
Mr Gauke: HMRC records show the number of occasions as follows:
(a)—nil
(b)—nil
(c)—nil
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Mutuals and Co-operatives
Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department spend at least 75 per cent. of their time assisting financial mutuals and co-operatives; and if he will make a statement. [97627]
Mr Hoban: In line with the Government's wider transparency agenda the Treasury's organisation chart is published at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/hmt_orgchart.pdf
The Government are committed to promoting mutuals and fostering diversity within financial services. Responsibility for financial mutuals and co-operatives lies in the Financial Services group.
Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether registered Equitable Life policyholders will receive details of the calculation used to decide the level of compensation they are awarded. [97842]
Mr Hoban: All policyholders receiving a payment from the Equitable Life Payment Scheme receive a statement setting out how their payment was calculated.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether pre-September 1992 Equitable Life annuitants will receive compensation; and what proportion of the (a) caseload and (b) expenditure of compensation is represented by people in this group. [97843]
Mr Hoban: Pre-September 1992 annuitants are not eligible for the Scheme, and therefore no assessment of the caseload or expenditure has been made.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of progress towards meeting the objective of targeting the oldest policyholders in the Equitable Life Scheme; and what proportion of the (a) caseload and (b) expenditure of compensation is represented by over 75 year-olds. [97844]
Mr Hoban: The Scheme has recently published a progress report on its website:
http://equitablelifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk/faq/question71.htm
setting out the progress it has made to date. The report published by the Independent Commission on Equitable Life Payments suggests that there are c.37,000 non With-Profits Annuitants over 75, who are due payments of £107million.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of registered Equitable Life policyholders will receive compensation of £500 or less. [97845]
Mr Hoban: The Independent Commission on Equitable Life Payments suggested that around 238,000 non With-Profits Annuitants will receive a payment of £500 or less from the Scheme.
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Members: Correspondence
Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 2 February 2012 sent to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and transferred to his Department, on the transparency of criteria used in establishing conveyancing panels of solicitors and licensed conveyancers. [97455]
Mr Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member.
Moody's Investors Service
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 840W, on Moody's Investors Service, other than the requirement to submit a draft ratings assessment to his Department in advance of publication, what communications took place between his Department and Moody's Investors Service on (a) 12, (b) 13 and (c) 14 February 2012; who was involved in those communications; and what their purpose was; [97559]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) draft ratings assessments submitted by Moody's Investors Services to his Department in advance of formal publication of its assessment on 14 February 2012 and (b) communications that his Department submitted to the agency in response to those draft assessments. [97561]
Mr Hoban: Consistent with the requirements of European legislation (No 1060/2009 of 16 September 2009), Moody's Investors Services informed Treasury officials on 13 February 2012 of their intention to announce a change in the outlook of the UK sovereign rating and. shared a draft press release in confidence in order for the Treasury to draw attention to any factual errors contained within that release.
The Moody's press release is available on their website. Credit rating agencies have ultimate editorial control over the form and content of all their publications. Consistent with practice under previous Administrations, it would be inappropriate to release information shared in draft and would constitute a breach of confidence that would be detrimental to future relations with the organisation sharing that information.
Revenue and Customs: Finance
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission an independent review of his decision to reduce spending at HM Revenue and Customs during this Parliament. [97072]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs' settlement for this spending review period is in line with spending reductions agreed with other Departments. However, recognising its important role in reducing the deficit, HMRC's settlement reinvests over £900 million of savings. This investment will allow HMRC to better tackle evasion, criminal attacks, unpaid tax debt and avoidance and bring in additional revenues of £7 billion a year by 2014-15.
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Justice
Action for Employment
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what contracts with his Department and its agencies A4e (a) is bidding for and (b) has been awarded but have not yet commenced either independently or in partnership with other companies. [97483]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: A4e are bidding for:
Community Payback Services as part of a joint venture with MITIE, called ComPACT.
A4e have been awarded framework agreements (zero value) for:
Probation Trust Payment By Results Pilot schemes;
Public Sector Prison Payment By Results Pilot schemes;
Innovation Payment By Results Pilot schemes.
Compensation: Industrial Diseases
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average duration was of a civil compensation claim case brought by a person with mesothelioma in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average claim was. [97523]
Mr Djanogly: Personal injury cases, while logged onto the administrative computer systems used in the county courts, cannot be distinguished from other types of cases brought for an unspecified amount of money. Exact identification of personal injury cases and whether compensation is being sought for mesothelioma would require the inspection of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made in speeding up civil compensation claims for people with mesothelioma. [97524]
Mr Djanogly: The Government have implemented several changes in recent years to improve the processing of compensation claims in mesothelioma cases. In addition the Government continue to work with the insurance industry which recently introduced an Employers' Liability Tracing Office (ELTO), which will maintain a comprehensive electronic database of all new and renewed EL policies, old EL policies that have a new claim made against them, and all successful traces.
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Jarrow of 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 915W, on mesothelioma: compensation, if he will publish the advice received. [97588]
Mr Djanogly: The advice referred to in my previous answer was internal policy advice from officials which it would not be appropriate to publish.
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Departmental Contracts
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department applies a fit and proper persons test in (a) awarding and (b) maintaining existing contracts; and what its policy is on the assessment of fit and proper persons in relation to such contracts. [97348]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice uses the government standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to determine the suitability of a company or individual to deliver services to the Department. The PQQ includes questions about the appropriateness of companies and individuals providing a service and covers areas including criminal convictions, fraudulent activity and bankruptcy. These questions can lead to automatic exclusion from further participation in the procurement competition. Our policy is to ensure these checks are undertaken before a contract is awarded. Follow up checks are not routinely undertaken during the contract period.
Public Sector Pay
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible are paid (i) £100,000 and (ii) £142,500 or more per annum. [97028]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The information is as follows:
(a) As of 30 September 2011, there are 40 officials within the Ministry of Justice and its agencies (including the National Offender Management Service and Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service) earning £100,000 or more per annum and 10 officials earning £142,500 or more per annum (full-time equivalent).
(b) As of 30 September 2011, there are 14 officials within the Ministry of Justice's non-departmental public bodies earning £100,000 or more per annum and four officials earning £142,500 or more per annum (full-time equivalent).
Employment Tribunals Service
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many costs awards were made by employment tribunals against (a) claimants and (b) respondent employers in each quarter of 2011-12 to date, by the sum awarded; [96831]
(2) how many deposit orders were made by employment tribunals in each quarter of 2011-12 to date. [96832]
Mr Djanogly: In employment tribunals, applications/orders for costs (in Scotland, expenses) can be made at any time during the proceedings, for example where a party has brought or conducted proceedings in a manner that is vexatious, abusive, disruptive or otherwise unreasonable or misconceived.
Statistical data is collated on costs awards made and this information is published annually in the Employment Tribunals Annual Statistics, which are freely available online:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/tribunals/employment-tribunal-and-eat-statistics-gb.htm
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Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) does not report quarterly on costs awards made. However, using preliminary administrative data available, the following tables set out a breakdown of the costs awards made in
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employment tribunals, respectively, in each of the first two quarters of 2011-12. Information on the third or fourth quarters is not yet available.
| Table 1: Costs awarded in quarter 1 April to June 2011 | |||||
| Costs | No. of cases awarded to claimant | No. of cases awarded to respondent | Costs | No. cases awarded to claimant | No. of cases awarded to respondent |
| Table 2: Costs awarded in quarter 2 July to September 2011 | |||||
| Costs | No. of cases awarded to claimant | No. of cases awarded to respondent | Costs | No. cases awarded to claimant | No. of cases awarded to respondent |
| Notes: 1. There are five cases with cost awards over £10,000, four of them are subject to final determination at a County Court. One of the cases has costs awarded against two respondents totalling approx. £12,000. All judgments are available at the Public Registry in Bury St Edmunds. 2. This data includes costs awards, but does not include awards/orders made covering preparation time or wasted costs. Caveats: These data are management information, and as such subject to change. Only minimal data cleansing has been performed on this data. HMCTS does not normally publish quarterly cost data, so the figures are provisional, with final figures to be collated and validated on an annual basis and published in the ET Annual report. | |||||
Where a claim or response—or any part thereof—in an employment tribunal is deemed by an Employment Judge to have “little reasonable prospect of success”, the judge may make an order requiring the relevant party to pay a deposit as a condition of being permitted to continue to take part in the proceedings relating to that matter.
Based on administrative data that are collated centrally, there were 410 deposit orders made in the calendar year 2011. Information by quarter is not currently available in this format. To provide that information, a report would have to be commissioned centrally, exported separately into each employment tribunal office and collated centrally once data was extracted. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many employment tribunal cases were struck out in each year since 2004. [97589]
Mr Djanogly: An employment tribunal claim or case can be made on a number of different grounds, known as jurisdictional complaints. Any claim (or indeed any response to a claim) can be struck out in whole or in part during a pre-hearing review, so long as the relevant criteria are satisfied. A strike out is also possible without the need for a hearing where there has been non-compliance with an order of the tribunal, again so long as the relevant criteria are satisfied.
Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service publishes data on employment tribunal receipts and disposals annually and quarterly. These data include a breakdown of how many jurisdictional complaints (as opposed to claims/cases) were disposed of during the relevant period; and the manner of that disposal (for example, whether/how the complaint was determined at a final hearing, conciliated by ACAS, withdrawn or otherwise).
Using that publicly available data, the following table shows the total number of jurisdictional complaints disposed of during the financial years 2004-05 to 2010-11 and for the first two quarters of 2011-12 (rounded). It also shows the number of complaints that were dismissed at a pre-hearing review (which includes being struck out), and the number that were struck out otherwise than at a hearing.
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| (1) ‘Jurisdictional complaints dismissed at a preliminary hearing’ are complaints dismissed (including struck out) at a pre-hearing review. For 2004-05 and 2005-06 these cases were recorded as “dismissed at hearing (out of scope). (2) Jurisdictional complaints struck out not at a hearing will include complaints struck out because of non-compliance with an order of the tribunal. For 2004-05 and 2005-06 these cases were recorded as “disposed of otherwise”. | ||||||||
Equivalent information on claims/cases (as opposed to jurisdictional complaints) is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Data on the proportion claims/cases that were struck out at a pre-hearing review, and those that were otherwise dismissed, are not collated centrally and would similarly be available only at disproportional cost.
The Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal Annual Statistics Reports contain (at Table 2) details of the outcome of jurisdictional complaints and can be found online:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/tribunals/employment-tribunal-and-eat-statistics-gb
Legal Profession: Fees and Charges
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had on further regulation of the no-win no-fee insurance sector. [97454]
Mr Djanogly: A fundamental reform of no win no fee conditional fee agreements is being taken forward in part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Bill. This includes provisions to abolish recoverability of success fees and after the event (ATE) insurance premiums from the losing side. It also contains provisions to ban the payment and receipt of referral fees in personal injury cases.
My officials and I have had a number of discussions with stakeholders, representing both claimants and defendants, about various aspects of the reforms and how the insurance market might respond. These discussions will continue as we finalise the detail of the proposals in time for implementation in April 2013.
Magistrates: Payments
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction of the mileage allowance for magistrates working in rural areas. [97453]
Mr Djanogly: There has been no reduction to the mileage allowance for magistrates and therefore no assessment made on the rural impact of such a reduction.
Witnesses: Payments
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to (a) review the allowances for expert witnesses and (b) reduce the discretion court administrators can exercise over such allowances. [97357]
Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) who are responsible for the administration of the legal aid scheme, do not contract with or pay expert witnesses directly. They are instructed and paid by legal aid solicitors. Following the consultation “Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales” new rates for expert witness services in legal aid cases came into force on 3 October 2011 via two Funding Orders for civil and criminal work. The rates apply to all legal aid cases where certificates are issued on or after that date. The new rates were based on the LSC's benchmark rates, subject to a 10% reduction in line with similar changes made to solicitors' rates.
At the present time, the Government have no plans to reconsider any of the new rates. In the longer term, the Government intend to proceed to putting in place a more detailed and prescriptive scheme of fixed and graduated fees for experts.
Expert witnesses who attend court in criminal cases are entitled to an allowance from central funds. There are no plans to change the guideline rates or to reduce the discretion court staff exercise when assessing claims.