Tuberculosis
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider commissioning Find and Treat on contracts with a duration greater than one year. [104356]
Anne Milton: The commissioning of the Find and Treat services in London is a matter for local national health service organisations.
The NHS in London commissions Find and Treat services on behalf of London's primary care trusts using the standard NHS contract of one year's duration. This is in line with the vast majority of other NHS services. The current commissioners are working with emerging clinical commissioning groups in London to consider the sustainability and funding for Find and Treat services beyond 31 March 2013.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's guidance on hard to reach groups, whether local authorities will be required to commission (a) active case finding, (b) awareness raising activities, (c) diagnostic and treatment services, (d) directly observed therapy and (e) cohort review tuberculosis services. [104418]
Anne Milton: Under the reform of the national health service and public health system set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, local authorities will not be required to commission services to prevent and control tuberculosis (TB).
However, from 1 April 2013 unitary and upper tier local authorities will be required to take steps they consider appropriate for improving the health of their population. This will enable them to commission any services relating to TB which they consider appropriate under that duty, such as awareness-raising activities.
The majority of services to prevent and control TB are likely to be commissioned by clinical commissioning groups.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's public health guidance 37, ‘Identifying and managing tuberculosis among hard-to-reach groups’, published in March 2012, what steps he is taking to ensure that looked-after children are screened and treated for tuberculosis. [104512]
Anne Milton:
Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the children they look after have their
23 Apr 2012 : Column 714W
health needs met in partnership with local national health service organisations, as part of a child's individual care plan.
The recent public guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, ‘Identifying and managing tuberculosis among hard-to-reach groups’, will assist commissioners and providers of tuberculosis (TB) services and other statutory organisations, such as local authorities, in ensuring that hard-to-reach groups at risk of TB are tested and offered treatment where necessary.
Defence
AgustaWestland
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether his Department had discussions with AugustaWestland prior to its decision to withdraw work contracts from Vector Aerospace; [102758]
(2) whether any of his Department's contracts with AugustaWestland have been re-negotiated in the last 12 months. [102759]
Peter Luff [holding answer 16 April 2012]: The decision by AgustaWestland not to extend their subcontracts with Vector Aerospace for the repair and overhaul of Sea King and Lynx parts was taken for commercial reasons. The selection of subcontractors is a choice for the prime contractor. AgustaWestland did notify the Ministry of Defence in advance of this decision and of their intent to provide employment opportunities in Yeovil for staff impacted by this decision. They also provided assurances that these revised arrangements would not adversely impact either the provision of military capability or the cost of providing that capability.
We regularly review and amend our contracts with industry, including with AgustaWestland, to ensure they remain current and fit for purpose.
Aircraft Carriers
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his most recent estimate is of the funding required for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arrestor Gear; [99317]
(2) what his most recent estimate is of the cost of adapting the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to receive catapults and arrestor gear; how much has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement. [99319]
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the total cost of converting (a) one or (b) both Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to operate the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arrestor Gear; [99488]
(2) what design changes to the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers were needed to accommodate the larger F-35C variant; and what the cost to the public purse was of such changes; [99490]
(3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the purchase of long lead items for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arrestor Gear; and when he expects such contracts to be placed; [99547]
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(4) what estimate he has made of the cost to date of converting the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers with Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arrestor Gear; [99548]
(5) if he will estimate the cost of all end-to-end equipment for catapult and trap operations on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. [102513]
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what savings were expected to accrue from the decision to replace the Short Take-Off Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter with the carrier variant; [103337]
(2) what the additional cost was to the Queen Elizabeth- class aircraft carrier programme of the decision to replace the Short Take-Off Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter with the carrier variant; and how much of this expenditure will be written off in the event that a decision is made to return to a vertical take-off aircraft; [103360]
(3) what estimate of the cost of fitting catapult and arrestor technology was provided to Ministers in his Department when the decision to replace the Short Take-Off Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter with the carrier variant was taken. [103735]
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the costs incurred in converting the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to operate the F-35C to date. [100678]
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on examining the feasibility of the US Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System catapult and the US Advanced Arrestor Gear recovery system. [101817]
Peter Luff [holding answer 19 March 2012]: Our recent investigations have been assessing the time and cost implications of a conversion to Carrier Variant. We are currently finalising the 2012-13 budget and balancing the equipment plan. As part of this process we are reviewing all programmes, including elements of the carrier strike programme, to validate costs and ensure risks are properly managed. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, expects to announce the outcome of this process to Parliament soon.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officials of his Department and (b) service personnel have been assigned to the Queen Elizabeth-class carrier conversion project since October 2010. [100755]
Peter Luff [holding answer 19 March 2012]: The conversion of the Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carriers is not considered to be a stand-alone project, but rather an extension of the core QE build project. The Capital Ships project team currently has 64 staff members assigned to the QE class, of which 42 are MOD officials and 22 are military personnel. These posts have been providing support to both the core QE build and conversion investigations.
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Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether UK service personnel have served in the US to gain experience of handling and flying catapult-assisted take-off barrier arrested recovery aircraft; [101908]
(2) what the cost to the public purse has been of sending individuals to the US to gain experience of handling and flying catapult-assisted take-off barrier arrested recovery aircraft; [101917]
(3) how many (a) pilots, (b) service personnel and (c) civilian personnel have been trained to operate the catapult and arrestor gear as part of the conversion of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier announced in the strategic defence and security review; [101842]
(4) how much his Department has spent on training individuals to handle and fly CATOBAR aircraft. [101845]
Peter Luff [holding answer 26 March 2012]: Two Royal Navy personnel from the aircraft handling specialisation have previously undertaken preliminary training with the United States navy in the operation of catapult and arrestor gear aircraft operations. Seven Royal Navy pilots have also been trained to operate US navy aircraft utilising catapult and arrestor gear, as part of the training programme for the Queen Elizabeth- class aircraft carriers. No Royal Air Force or civilian personnel have taken part in such training programmes.
The costs associated with this training are currently being collated and I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as they are available.
Armed Forces
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the home base or headquarters is of each (a) Army regiment, (b) naval unit (excluding naval vessels) and (c) Royal Air Force group. [104372]
Mr Robathan: Due to the number of establishments involved, this will take some time to compile. Once it is complete, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the information in the Library of the House.
Army: Recruitment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much his Department expects to save by awarding Serco the contract to run recruitment to the Army; [104373]
(2) if he will estimate the number of recruitment offices which will close as a result of his decision to award Serco the contract to run recruitment to the Army. [104374]
Mr Robathan: Serco has not been awarded the contract to run recruitment for the Army. The contract for the Recruiting Partnering Project (RPP) has been placed with Capita Business Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Capita Group plc, to deliver Army recruiting in partnership with the Army. The contract was signed on 12 March 2012.
Although the detailed plan is still subject to negotiation between the Army and Capita, the Army anticipates that there will be an overall reduction of around 50% in the number of recruitment offices. This is a process that
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the Army started well before the RPP contract award, as the Army continually adjusts its footprint to reflect changing demand and demographics, and to realise efficiencies in the current operation. To illustrate, since March 2011 some 17 high street offices have closed or been relocated; a further 11 are due to close this year.
The contract will deliver benefits in excess of £300 million over the 10-year life of the contract, as well as providing assured and incentivised levels of recruiting performance for the Army.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff will be made redundant as a result of his decision to award Serco the contract to run recruitment to the Army. [104375]
Mr Robathan: Serco has not been awarded the contract to run recruitment for the Army. The contract for the Recruiting Partnering Project has been placed with Capita Business Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Capita Group plc, to deliver Army recruiting in partnership with the Army. The contract was signed on 12 March 2012.
The project will see upwards of 1,100 military staff released from recruiting tasks and redeployed to other military tasks across the Army. It will also see in the order of 300 civil service posts transfer to Capita.
In accordance with the requirements of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, the Ministry of Defence is now informing and consulting about the transfer with the recognised trade unions. This process will include providing information received from Capita about the measures they intend taking that will have an effect on those civilian staff in the affected posts on the day of transfer. Until the outcome of this process concludes, it is too early to comment on any potential redundancies that Capita may wish to make.
Army: Scotland
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the capacity review of the Army estate in Scotland to be completed. [103375]
Mr Robathan: The capacity review of the Army estate in Scotland is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2012.
Consultants
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many consultants work for his Department in each team under the Framework Agreement for Technical Support; and how many such staff had previously worked for (a) his Department and (b) the armed forces. [100595]
Peter Luff
[holding answer 19 March 2012]: The Ministry of Defence does not procure management consultancy, as defined by the Cabinet Office Efficiency Reform Group, through the Framework Agreement for Technical Support (FATS). Some firms who supply management consultancy services are also members of FATS, which reflects that they also have technical support capabilities within their portfolio. Any tasks placed with them will be for specialist technical support and
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not management consultancy where the necessary expertise does not exist within the MOD. The Department does not maintain a record of staff provided by suppliers under FATS.
Defence Exports Support Group
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who the members are of the Defence Exports Support Group; how often it meets; what its budget is; and who his Department's Director is with responsibility for export co-ordination. [102744]
Peter Luff: The core membership of the Defence Export Support Group (DESG) is:
Secretary of State for Defence
Minister with responsibility for defence equipment, support and technology
Minister with responsibility for international security strategy
Head, Defence and Security Organisation, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
Other Ministers and/or senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills may attend as appropriate.
The DESG meets quarterly or as appropriate for the business need. It is the forum through which Ministers plan and focus their support to UK defence exports; it does not have a budget. The Director Exports and Commercial Strategy is responsible for export co-ordination within the Ministry of Defence, an appointment made with effect from 1 January 2012.
Defence: Procurement
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his Department's development expenditure in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was the subject of a bundled contract in which an agreed research and development allocation was included within an overall procurement contract. [102743]
Peter Luff: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies and organisations have been invited to contribute to his consultation on the models being considered under his Department's Materiel Strategy. [104430]
Peter Luff: As part of the work to examine options for increasing the role of the private sector in the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation, a soft market testing exercise is under way to obtain the market's views and explore potential roles for the private sector in DE&S.
As a result of a Prior Information Notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union in March 2012, the following 15 organisations have been invited to present their ideas:
BAE Systems
Bechtel Corporation
Boeing
CH2M Hill (a combined response with PA Consulting and W S Atkins)
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Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
DHL
Fluor Corporation
Hewlett Packard
The International Centre for Complex Project Management
Jacobs Engineering Group
KBR
Kuehne + Nagel
Nichols Group
QinetiQ
Serco.
European Fighter Aircraft
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the Typhoon's potential as a carrier-borne aircraft; [103005]
(2) what assessment he has made of the Typhoon's ability to take off from a carrier in considering the value for money of the F-35C. [103044]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 September 2011, Official Report, column 1206W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt).
Ministerial Meetings
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what meetings (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have had with Sarah Southern since 12 May 2010; [103550]
(2) what meetings (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have had with Peter Cruddas since 12 May 2010. [103551]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 19 April 2012]: We have no record of any meetings between Ministers or Special Advisers and either Sarah Southern or Peter Cruddas.
We are not aware of any officials meeting with either individual but a definitive answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Guided Weapons
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Paveway IV guided munitions will be procured to replace those used in Operation Ellamy. [103926]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific number of its weapon systems as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. The contract to replenish Paveway IV stocks is progressing well, with first deliveries anticipated later this year.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees of his Department have undergone training on the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter since May 2010; and at what cost. [104376]
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Peter Luff: Since May 2010, four Ministry of Defence personnel have been embedded in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Integrated Test Force at NAS Patuxent River, USA. These personnel undertake common training for both Carrier and Short Take Off Vertical Landing variants of the JSF aircraft in order to facilitate test and analysis of both variants as part of their core duties. This is part of the UK's investment in the System Design and Development phase of the JSF programme and, as such, the costs are not attributable specifically to Carrier variant training.
Marines
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines will be permanently based. [103925]
Nick Harvey: 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines is based at HM Naval Base Clyde.
Merlin Helicopters
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made on the Merlin MK3/3a Life Sustainment Programme. [99963]
Peter Luff: As part of the annual planning round process, the Ministry of Defence routinely considers a variety of options for how to deliver military capability in the light of the latest financial and strategic context. Any major changes to our current plans are announced to Parliament in the usual way.
Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse has been of aircraft launch and recovery equipment manufactured in the US. [103923]
Peter Luff: We have not spent any money on US manufactured aircraft launch and recovery equipment (ALRE) as part of our current investigations into the conversion of the operational Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.
Military Bases
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it cost to install the Defence Information Infrastructure system at Waterbeach Barracks. [101724]
Peter Luff [holding answer 26 March 2012]: The cost to install Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) at Waterbeach Barracks was approximately £1.2 million. This figure includes the installation of IT hardware, cabling, servers, supporting infrastructure and remedial building works. The majority of this work was completed by July 2009.
All DII equipment that is currently installed at Waterbeach will be removed by the time the station closes on 31 March 2013 and, whenever possible, will be reused elsewhere on the defence estate.
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Military Bases: Renewable Energy
Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military bases have installed (a) wind turbines, (b) solar panels, (c) photovoltaic panels and (d) anaerobic digestion facilities; and what proportion of their energy is generated from these technologies. [103303]
Mr Robathan: Low carbon energy is generated on the defence estate utilising a number of technologies, including biomass boilers, ground and air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, solar heating and small wind turbines.
Details on the location and proportion of energy generated by these small scale installations, which only account for a small proportion of the Department's energy consumption, are not held centrally.
The Ministry of Defence continues to exploit opportunities to generate low carbon energy on the defence estate where this is compatible with defence activities, environmental constraints and value for money in terms of cost and carbon emission reductions.
Military Bases: Waterbeach
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effects the refusal of South Cambridgeshire district council to grant planning permission for a new settlement at Waterbeach Barracks has had on his plans to relocate 39 Engineer Regiment from Waterbeach to Kinloss. [104482]
Mr Robathan: South Cambridgeshire district council has not refused planning permission for a new settlement at Waterbeach Barracks.
Plans to relocate 39 Engineer Regiment to RAF Kinloss remain unchanged.
Procurement
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department had with (a) Capita and (b) Serco in the last 12 months. [103164]
Peter Luff: The number of contracts the MOD had with Capita and Serco in the last 12 months is as follows:
| Number | ||
| Department/Trading fund | Capita | Serco |
Public Consultation
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department's consultations have been externally verified since 2007; for what reason and by whom such verification was carried out; and what the cost to the public purse was of such verification. [104088]
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Mr Robathan: Over the last five years, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has conducted on average four external consultations per year on a wide variety of defence-related topics. These consultations may be viewed on the departmental website at:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/ConsultationsandCommunications/PublicConsultations/
In conducting these public consultations, the MOD has not required the use of any external verifiers. Formal verification of compliance with the various obligations set out under the HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation is a matter that is handled internally, in accordance with the obligation under the code to monitor the effectiveness of consultation exercises.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department collects the IP addresses of online respondents to its consultations. [104089]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence publishes public consultations on its corporate website at:
http://www.mod.uk//DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/ConsultationsandCommunications/
and on the Defence Consultation website:
http://defenceconsultations.org.uk
The latter enables users to provide comments directly through that online platform.
The single public consultation currently open on the MOD website makes use of SurveyMonkey to provide an online questionnaire.
MOD does not capture the IP addresses of those responding through these sites.
The Defence Analytical Services and Advice DASA also publishes consultations on it website:
http://www.dasa.mod.uk
IP addresses are logged and therefore they are available where responses to consultations are provided by email, but they are not assembled or used to identify respondents. The details are not passed to any third party.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department accepts anonymous contributions to its consultations. [104090]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence publishes public consultations on its corporate website at
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/ConsultationsandCommunications/
and on the Defence Consultation website
http://defenceconsultations.org.uk
The latter enables users to provide comments directly through that online platform.
It is possible for anonymous contributions to be given through these online facilities and the single public consultation currently open does accept anonymous contributions. Furthermore, in some cases a postal address is provided which might receive such contributions.
Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) also publishes consultations on its website
http://www.dasa.mod.uk
I can confirm that for these consultations, anonymous responses are accepted.
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Public Expenditure
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the public purse of his decision to deliver further efficiencies in IT provision during the spending review period; and how such efficiencies will be achieved. [104761]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence's principal IT system is the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII). It supports all military and civilian personnel across defence, both in the UK and overseas, including in the operational environment. We already expect DII to deliver some £800 million of savings over the current spending review period.
In addition, the previous Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), announced to the House on 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 643-645, that bearing down on non-front line costs, including further substantial efficiencies in IT, is being considered as part of this year's annual budget setting process, known as the planning round. Estimated figures for further savings from this initiative will only be available after the planning round is complete and any proposals have been approved through the appropriate processes.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the public purse of his decision to deliver further efficiencies in estate spending during the spending review period; and how such efficiencies will be achieved. [104762]
Mr Robathan: The rationalisation of the defence estate includes the sale of surplus land and buildings, and reductions in running costs.
We expect that these savings will realise £350 million per year over the period of the spending review.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the public purse arising from his decision to withdraw the C-130J Hercules tactical transport aircraft during the spending review period. [104764]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has estimated that the likely savings to the public purse arising from the decision to withdraw the C-130J Hercules tactical transport aircraft from service are some £55 million over the spending review period.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the public purse arising from his decision to withdraw the VC-10 transport/tanker aircraft during the spending review period. [104765]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has estimated that the likely savings to the public purse arising from the decision to withdraw the VC-10 transport/tanker aircraft from service are about £75 million over the spending review period.
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Retirement
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) civil servants and (b) senior civil servants have retired from his Department since May 2010; and if he will make a statement; [104154]
(2) how many staff of his Department retired in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many such staff were taking early retirement in each such year; and if he will make a statement. [104554]
Mr Robathan: Although, since April 2010, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has not operated a normal retirement age for the vast majority its civil service work force, individuals who leave are still able to draw their accrued pension benefits where they have reached or passed the pension age. The following tables indicate how many civil servants and senior civil servants retired from the MOD during the time frame requested (excluding the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Trading Fund Personnel)(1).
(1) The data for 2011-12 cover the period 2011 to February 2012 only. Data for the final period, March 2012, are not available due to National Statistics pre-release conditions.
| Retirement | ||
| FY 2010-11 | FY 2011-12 | |
| (1 )Indicates a value of less than five. | ||
The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, in common with other pension schemes, allows personnel to leave at an earlier (minimum pension) age, but with reduced pension payments. This is commonly known as actuarially reduced retired. The number of MOD staff who took this option, during the time periods specified, is shown in the following table along with those who left with an early pension on ill health retirement.
| Early retirement | ||
| FY 2010-11 | FY 2011-12 | |
Scotland: Sovereignty
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications his Department has received from (a) NATO, (b) the US administration and (c) other foreign governments in relation to the Scottish Government's policy of seeking independence for Scotland, as it might affect existing treaty obligations and alliances. [92452]
Mr Philip Hammond: We have received no such communications. The Government are not making plans for independence. The Ministry of Defence footprint in Scotland is expected to increase as a result of the strategic defence and security review and the decision to base a multi-role brigade around RAF Leuchars. The decision to base the new Astute class attack submarines at HMNB Clyde will further increase personnel numbers.
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Sentry Aircraft
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the technical fault discovered in the Boeing Sentry E3D aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [103803]
Peter Luff: A fault has been discovered in the radome supports of two RAF Boeing E-3D Sentry aircraft. The cause of the fault has yet to be determined; a full technical examination is under way. The aircraft in the current forward fleet have been checked and show no sign of a similar fault. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, non-essential routine flying has been temporarily suspended until the cause of this fault is understood. The UK Sentry forward fleet has been declared at readiness and would be available for NATO and operational commitments if required.
Sovereignty: Scotland
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with the US Secretary of Defence on the operational effect of independence for Scotland on the Trident nuclear submarine fleet. [89463]
Mr Philip Hammond: I have no plans to discuss this with the United States Secretary of Defence. Scotland will benefit from the basing of the new Astute class submarines alongside the Vanguard fleet at Faslane. The Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the Union in any referendum.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of implications for national security of independence for Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [89465]
Mr Philip Hammond: The Government are not making plans for independence. The Ministry of Defence footprint in Scotland is expected to increase as a result of the strategic defence and security review and the decision to base a multi-role brigade around RAF Leuchars. The decision to base the new Astute class attack submarines at HMNB Clyde will further increase personnel numbers.
Territorial Army: Pay
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2012, Official Report, column 185W, on territorial army: recruitment, what steps he has taken to resolve the problems for reservists in receipt of benefits of territorial army remuneration. [95129]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 February 2012, Official Report, column 185W. We understand that there have been some issues surrounding jobseeker’s allowance and remuneration for the two-week Territorial Army annual camp and we continue to work closely to resolve such issues with the Department for Work and Pensions.
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Tornado Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many GR4 Tornado aircraft have been equipped with the Helmet Mounted Cueing System; how many such aircraft will be equipped; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the installation of such systems. [103924]
Peter Luff: It is intended that 25 Tornado GR4 will be modified to embody the Helmet Mounted Cueing System; of these, 12 will be equipped with the system at any one time. Nine Tornado GR4 aircraft have been equipped with the system to date. The cost of installing these systems is approximately £11.5 million.
Vodafone Group
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many contracts Vodafone has been awarded by his Department in the last 12 months; [103207]
(2) what contracts his Department has with Vodafone. [103208]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence currently has two contracts with Vodafone, one of which was awarded in the last 12 months.
One contract, for the period 17 October 2011 to 18 October 2011 was for the supply of Blackberry devices, licences and airtime. The other, for the period 5 November 2010 to 12 November 2013, is for the purchase of mobile phones and airtime via the Office of Government Commerce Mobile Solutions (II) Framework Agreement.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to respond to Question 92452 tabled by the hon. Member for North East Fife on 25 January for answer on 30 January 2012. [103441]
Mr Philip Hammond: I answered the right hon. and learned Member's question today.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Fisheries
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Government of (a) Uruguay and (b) Argentina on responsible fisheries since 2009. [103283]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The UK has made a number of proposals to Argentina for different types of co-operation and remains keen to foster a constructive relationship and to promote practical co-operation in the South Atlantic. These include specific proposals made in 2009 and 2010, to co-operate on the management of shared fish stocks, to which no formal response has been forthcoming. Argentine withdrawal from the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission has
23 Apr 2012 : Column 727W
endangered the long-term sustainable management of these stocks, and is in contravention of article 63 of the UN convention on the law of the sea. We continue to believe that fisheries offer an important opportunity for bilateral and wider co-operation in the South Atlantic. We have had no bilateral discussions with Uruguay on this issue but continue to encourage broader regional engagement by all interested parties.
Meat
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from UK producers of desinewed meat on the European Commission's proposal for a moratorium on such products. [103400]
Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which has policy responsibility in this area, has been in regular contact with businesses and industry representatives since the European Commission set out its position on desinewed meat. The FSA will continue its work on assessing the impact of the European Commission decision with industry bodies and affected businesses.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on (a) animal and (b) human health of the production process for desinewed meat. [103401]
Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
The Food Standards Agency, which has policy responsibility in this area, states that there is no evidence that eating meat produced by the low-pressure desinewed meat process is a health risk. The European Commission has stated that they do not consider this to be an identified public health concern. There are no implications for animal health.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has made to the European Commission on allowing the production of desinewed meat to continue; and if she will make a statement. [103402]
Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which has policy responsibility in this area, held urgent discussions with senior European Commission (EC) officials once the EC made its position known on desinewed meat, securing an extension to the original five-day deadline for action. The FSA continues to discuss this matter with the EC at all levels.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effect on UK meat producers of proposals by the European Commission on desinewed meat. [103403]
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Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which has policy responsibility in this area, is in regular contact with businesses and industry representatives to assess the impact of the European Commission (EC) decision regarding desinewed meat. The FSA continues to work with industry to build a clear picture of the overall impact of the EC decision and will present this information to the EC.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Airbus: China
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects on UK manufacturing of China's decision to suspend Airbus orders. [103710]
Mr Prisk: We are aware of concerns that possible action by Chinese airlines could have an impact on UK aerospace manufacturing activities. We are discussing this with the industry and are aware that similar discussions are taking place in other European nations.
Apprentices
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many employers in Warrington have received payments to take on their first young apprentice under the Government's incentive scheme since its inception. [104313]
Mr Hayes: The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) of 16 to 24-year-olds commenced in February 2012. Formal reporting will begin in the Statistical First Release published in June 2012.
Apprentices: Environment Protection
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to promote Green Deal apprenticeships. [104005]
Mr Hayes: Green Deal apprenticeships, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister in 2011, are funded and promoted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). They are distinct from the mainstream apprenticeship programme, funded by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Department for Education (DFE), and delivered through the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). Therefore NAS, and BIS, are not directly involved in the initiative.
On 8 March DECC announced £3.5 million in funding to help train people in key green skills ahead of the launch of the Green Deal, delivering on the Deputy Prime Minister's announcement to create 1,000 Green Deal apprenticeships.
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been working closely with the Green Deal Skills Alliance to ensure support goes where it is most needed.
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DECC is putting forward £3 million and one of the leading partners in the Alliance, CITB-Construction Skills, will provide a further £500,000 towards the training.
In addition to this, the National Apprenticeship Service, with funding from BIS and DFE, supports other apprenticeships in the energy and environment sectors. For example, NAS has identified energy and environment as a priority growth sector and is investing £2.25 million in the development of higher apprenticeship frameworks in this sector via the higher apprenticeship fund (HAF).
Billing: EU Law
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for what reasons his policy on bringing forward the transposition of the EU late payments regulations in advance of the latest date set out for full implementation was changed to see implementation by the final deadline. [104703]
Norman Lamb: It is a long-standing commitment of this Government not to gold-plate EU legislation by implementing early and we have confirmed many times our intention to transpose the EU Directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment by 16 March 2013, thereby providing business and especially smaller businesses, with certainty.
Business: Ethics
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has any plans to publish a corporate responsibility strategy. [103352]
Norman Lamb: The Prime Minister recently re-affirmed the importance of corporate responsibility in building a stronger economy and society, and our priorities for responsible business action to support this are set out in the Every Business Commits framework. I am currently considering whether to make a further statement in response to the EU's invitation to member states in its recent Communication on Corporate Social Responsibility.
Details of Every Business Commits and of the Prime Minister’s remarks are at
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/growth/every-business-commits
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/business-in-the-community/
Business: Research
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) number and (b) value was of Small Business Research Initiative competitions launched by each Department and agency (i) in total and (ii) for which no Phase Two contracts were awarded or planned in each quarter since April 2008. [102612]
Norman Lamb: The number and value of Small Business Research Initiative competitions launched by each Department and agency in total is:
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| Organisation | Number of competitions launched | Contract (£000) |
The number and value of Small Business Research Initiative competitions launched by each Department and agency for which no Phase Two contracts were awarded or planned is:
| Organisation | Number of competitions launched where there was no Phase Two contracts awarded or planned | Contract (£000) |
A quarterly breakdown by each Department and agency has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
Business: West Midlands
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises in (a) Birmingham, Ladywood constituency, (b) Birmingham City Council area and (c) the West Midlands. [103834]
Mr Prisk:
We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and the next decade to be the most entrepreneurial and dynamic in Britain's history. That is why, on 23 January 2012, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister launched “Business in You”, a major year-long campaign, to inspire people
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to realise their business ambitions and to highlight the range of support available for start-ups and growing businesses.
Government are supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK in a number of ways:
Ensuring SMEs can access the support and advice they need to start and grow
We have transformed the way that we enable people to access the information, guidance and advice they need to start and grow a business. We have put in place a range of services including;
An improved www.businesslink.gov.uk website including: a new Growth and Improvement Service and “My New Business”, a comprehensive start-up service.
A Business Link Helpline which will support those who are unable to access the internet.
A mentoring portal www.mentorsme.co.uk providing an easy route to find experienced business mentors.
Started to introduce the new Business Coaching for Growth service, providing high quality coaching support for up to 10,000 SMEs a year with high growth potential.
A streamlined Solutions for Business support portfolio was announced in March 2011, targeted at help for business, for example on helping businesses sell overseas and dealing with technology developments.
Ensuring businesses can access the finance they need
Ensuring the flow of credit to viable SMEs is essential for supporting growth and is a core priority for this Government. We want to ensure that the financial sector can supply affordable credit that businesses need, and we would like to see more diverse sources of finance for SMEs including, where appropriate, access to equity finance. Government have:
Launched the national loan guarantee scheme: up to £20 billion of guarantees for bank funding will be available over two years allowing banks to offer lower cost lending to SMEs.
Increased the funds available to invest through the Business Finance Partnership (BFP) to £1.2 billion. Government have invited the first round of proposals to help businesses access non-bank finance through the BFP, and will allocate £100 million of the BFP to invest through non-traditional lending channels.
Announced the continuation of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme until 2014/15, providing, subject to demand, over £2 billion in total over the next four years.
Continuation of the Government's Enterprise Capital Funds programme, increasing our commitment by £200 million over the next four years, providing for more than £300 million of venture capital investment to address the equity gap for early stage innovative SMEs.
Announced that we will pilot the best way to introduce a programme of enterprise loans to help young people set up and grow their own businesses.
Encouraged Business Angel investment through a new £50 million Business Angel Co-Investment Fund.
Welcomed the report of the industry review of non-bank lending chaired by Tim Breedon and will take forward its recommendations over the course of this year, including: considering how to simplify access to Government support for smaller businesses; encouraging prompt payment by larger firms; and supporting industry work to remove barriers to alternative sources of finance.
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The Regional Growth Fund is a £2.4 billion fund operating across England from 2011 to 2015. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment creating economic growth and sustainable employment.
Ensuring that regulation supports business growth
Introduced a 'one-in, one-out' rule whereby no new regulations which impose costs on businesses can be brought in without regulation of an equivalent value being removed.
Introduced a three-year moratorium on new domestic regulation affecting micro businesses and genuine start-ups.
The Red Tape Challenge is tackling the stock of regulation via a comprehensive thematic review which aims to identify regulations that could be removed, simplified or done in a different way. By the end of December 2011 we had scrapped or simplified over 600 regulations.
Reforming the way in which regulations are implemented, including a review of regulators to ensure enforcement arrangements are appropriate and proportionate. Government will also launch sector-based reviews of regulation to ensure it is enforced at the lowest possible cost to business.
To reduce barriers to businesses taking on new staff Government have announced significant deregulation of employment law, including increasing the unfair dismissal qualifying period from one to two years.
Government will spend £35 million to double, from 25,000 to 50,000, the number of SMEs that UKTI supports a year by 2015. Many components of the UKTI product are aimed at SMEs:
Passport to Export is a trade development programme offering new and inexperienced exporters help and support to build the capability to start exporting proactively and make their first visit to an export market. Launched in 2001, it has helped around 14,000 SMEs as of January 2012.
Gateway to Global Growth offers experienced SME exporters the opportunity to increase their exporting skills and awareness of what is on offer from UKTI and private sector suppliers. The aim is to help them enter more difficult markets or expand in existing ones.
Market Visit Support provides assistance to new to export and/or new to market SMEs visiting overseas markets, individually or in groups as part of their trade development process.
Budget 2012 set out an ambition to more than double annual UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020 through additional measures including expanding the overseas role of UK Export Finance to enable it to develop finance packages that could help UK exporters secure opportunities identified through UK Trade and Investment's High Value Opportunities programme; helping secure temporary private sector office space overseas for new UK exporters in high growth countries where such services are difficult to obtain; and continuing to increase UK Export Finance's regional presence in the UK to support SMEs seeking trade finance.
More specifically in the west midlands, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), together with the other partnerships across the west midlands, is putting in place a range of local initiatives to complement these national measures. GBSLEP has established the Birmingham Business Hub at Baskerville House in Birmingham city centre which provides a one-stop shop for business support. Further details are available from the website:
www.centreofenterprise.com
Civil Servants: Code of Practice
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many investigations into breaches by civil servants of the Civil Service Code of Conduct occurred in his Department in each month from May 2010 to March 2012. [103154]
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Norman Lamb: During the period May 2010 to March 2012 there have been no allegations of breaches of the Civil Service Code of Conduct within BIS. Consequently there have been no investigations.
Consumer Direct: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff were employed by the Consumer Direct helpline in Scotland in 2011; and how many of these were transferred to the Citizens Advice service in April 2012. [103566]
Norman Lamb: In 2011 the Consumer Direct helpline in Scotland, based in Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis, employed 21 staff. All staff were offered the opportunity to transfer to the Citizens Advice service through TUPE and 20 staff transferred on 2 April 2012.
In addition 18 new positions have been created at the new Citizens Advice consumer service located in refurbished premises in Stornoway. These are a combination of full- and part-time roles. Throughout the transition from the Consumer Direct service, formerly run by the Office of Fair Trading, to the Citizens Advice consumer service, Citizens Advice Scotland has worked closely with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to protect jobs and ensure sustainable employment in Lewis for years to come.
This has been a very welcome and positive development for the Isle of Lewis and for nearly a quarter of a million consumers who will continue to benefit from expert advice each year.
Consumer Focus Scotland: Manpower
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff are employed by Consumer Focus Scotland; and how many of these will be transferred into the Regulated Industries Unit when it is established in April 2013. [103564]
Norman Lamb: Following a consultation last summer, the Government announced their intentions for the future of consumer advocacy last week (11 April). The Government response stated that Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland will become the publicly funded voice of consumers from April 2013, championing their needs and empowering them to make the right choices for themselves. The Citizens Advice Service and Consumer Focus (including Consumer Focus Scotland) are currently considering what impact this will have on Consumer Focus staff.
The Government have also decided to create a small Regulated Industries Unit (RIU) by April 2013, initially with responsibility for postal services and energy across England, Scotland and Wales with additional responsibility for water in Scotland. The RIU will not be a new public body but will consist of the parts of Consumer Focus that currently carry out these functions and will ensure that the existing skills, knowledge and expertise are retained. The intention is that the RIU will be transferred to Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland in 2014, although this will be subject to the decisions made on Scottish devolution. Staff numbers have not yet been allocated, but the Government have confirmed that the RIU will include a physical presence in Scotland (and Wales). As we move into transition of both parts of this
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project, the Government will work closely with Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland and Consumer Focus (including Consumer Focus Scotland and Wales) to ensure minimum disruption to all staff.
Credit Cards
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase competition in the market for payment cards. [103321]
Mr Hoban: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.
The Office of Fair Trading is pursuing a competition investigation into multilateral interchange fees charged on payment cards. It is supporting legal action being taken by the European Commission before deciding on the way forward.
Employment: Regulation
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 857W, on employment: regulation, what his priorities are in respect of employment regulation reform; how much funding he has allocated to this issue; and how many officials in his Department are engaged in this issue. [104904]
Norman Lamb: We have committed to review employment laws for employers and employees, both within BIS and elsewhere, to ensure that employment laws provide the flexibility and competitiveness that businesses need to grow without compromising fairness to employees.
A priority of the Employment Law Review is to tackle those issues which impinge on business confidence to take on new staff. For example, we have undertaken a significant programme of reform to make the employment tribunal system more efficient and effective. We have already implemented measures to streamline the tribunal process and will be bringing forward proposals to encourage parties to resolve disputes before they reach tribunal at the earliest opportunity, when parliamentary time permits.
There are 3.25 full-time equivalent members of staff leading work on the Employment Law Review in BIS. A number of policy teams are involved in specific elements of the review as part of their general policy maintenance and development responsibilities. There is no programme funding allocated to the review.
Higher Education
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 858W, on higher education, whether due diligence checks will be retrospectively applied to courses that have been designated by his Department. [103883]
Mr Willetts: Due diligence checks are currently applied to all organisations applying for specific designation for the first time and we are currently considering whether to apply these checks retrospectively to organisations that already have courses designated.
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As we set out in the Higher Education White Paper, our intention is that all providers that access student support funding will, in future, be subject to the same standards for quality, dispute resolution, information, access (if charging above the basic tuition charge), financial sustainability, reformed student number controls and tuition charge caps.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 858W, on higher education, if he will publish the criteria included in the due diligence checks. [103884]
Mr Willetts: Due diligence checks are currently applied to all organisations applying for specific designation for the first time.
The due diligence checks include consideration of management and governance, financial sustainability and longevity of an organisation. They involve a review of the publicly available information on the organisations and their directors and, in most cases, a review of further information we request from the organisations.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 858W, on higher education, who in his Department is responsible for carrying out due diligence checks on higher education providers. [104349]
Mr Willetts: Officials within the Department review specific designation applications on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. In so doing, they liaise with a range of organisations so as to ensure that they have information that may be relevant to the applications being examined.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 858W, on higher education, for what reason he introduced due diligence checks for designated higher education courses. [104350]
Mr Willetts: Over the last 12 months we have seen a significant change in the range and type of organisations applying for specific designation. We introduced the due diligence checks to provide both the Department and potential students with additional assurance over the providers who as a result of designation could potentially be in indirect receipt of public funds.
This is in line with our intention that all providers that access student support funding will, in future, be subject to the same standards for quality, dispute resolution, information, access (if charging above the basic tuition charge), financial sustainability, reformed student number controls and tuition charge caps.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 858W, on higher education, on what date due diligence checks were introduced. [104351]
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Mr Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills first started undertaking due diligence reviews following the publication of the Higher Education White Paper last summer. Initially the checks were undertaken only on providers that were applying for specific designation of courses that were not validated by bodies with UK degree awarding powers and where initial searches identified issues of concern relating to the providers.
Since November 2011 the checks have been undertaken on all organisations applying for specific designation for the first time.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer given by the Minister for Universities and Science of 8 March 2012, Official Report, column 858W, on higher education, on what basis the criteria for due diligence checks were decided by his Department. [104942]
Mr Willetts: The due diligence checks include consideration of management and governance, financial sustainability and longevity of an organisation. These were considered the key factors that the Department needs to consider in order to protect the use of public funds.
Higher Education: Admissions
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the total (a) cost and (b) number of staff hours spent administering bids for contestable student places in higher education. [103955]
Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) managed the administration of bids from higher education institutions for contestable places in higher education, for students starting courses in September 2012. HEFCE have not made an estimate of the cost and staff hours spent administering this process. It would be difficult to provide a reliable assessment given it was integrated into a number of people's role alongside other responsibilities.
Insolvency
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to prevent companies which have gone into administration from making payments to administrators and solicitors ahead of repaying creditors. [103951]
Norman Lamb: The Government believe that existing safeguards for creditors in an administration are adequate.
There is a strict statutory hierarchy governing payments in an administration, which provides clarity and certainty to all affected parties. The basis of an administrator's remuneration is not set by the administrator—it is set by creditors (or the court in the absence of agreement from creditors). Administrators must report to creditors every six months and such reports must include details of the remuneration and expenses charged in the period. Creditors that consider such charges excessive have a right to challenge them at court.
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Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that small businesses and individuals who are creditors of companies which have gone into administration are prioritised in the repayment of debts. [103952]
Norman Lamb: The Government have no plans to extend the existing categories of preferential debt.
Payments in an insolvency can only be drawn from the available assets of the insolvent. If one group of creditors is given priority over the finite available assets, it can only mean that other groups will lose out. Additionally, as preferential debts must be paid in full before funds are returned to floating chargeholders, increasing the number of preferential debts may have a detrimental effect on the cost of borrowing for all businesses.
Insurance
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to discourage insurers from charging high car and home insurance premiums as a result of consumers making changes to their policies, choosing to pay by instalments or cancelling their policies; and if he will make a statement. [104161]
Mr Hoban: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.
The Financial Services Authority (FSA), which regulates the insurance industry, has produced an Insurance Conduct of Business Sourcebook (ICOBS) in order to set the standards required of insurance firms in relation to their business. Insurers are expected to follow sales rules and treat customers fairly.
Under ICOBS 4.3 and 2.2 all fees (including mid-term changes) must be disclosed to the customer before they incur the liability to pay the fee or the contract is concluded and communicated in a way that is clear, fair and not misleading. ICOBS 7.2 sets out specific rules on the amount that customers can be required to pay on cancellation.
Intellectual Property
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the economic costs to (a) industry and (b) the economy of (i) trade mark infringement (ii) copyright infringement and (iii) design infringement. [102726]
Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has made no estimates of the economic costs of infringement. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) publishes an annual Intellectual Property Crime Report
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipcreport10.pdf
that brings together a range of industry estimates on the economic costs of infringement to their sectors.
As part of its research programme the IPO is looking at how to develop clear and robust methodologies that can be used by industry sectors to standardise the collection of data. In addition under the Digital Economy Act, Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition
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authority for the UK communications industries, has a duty to quantify the level of on-line copyright infringement. This work is under way.
Food Labelling
Mrs McGuire: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage retailers to (a) simplify unit pricing of and (b) provide clearly-labelled information on fruit and vegetables. [103406]
Norman Lamb: None. The Price Marking Order 2004 (PMO) requires traders to indicate in an unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible manner a selling price and, where appropriate, a unit price to goods so that consumers can compare prices.
The standard units of quantity to be used for unit pricing purposes are one kilogram, litre, metre, square metre and the price of one unit for goods sold by number. Some exceptions are allowed and the PMO contains a list of products that must be unit priced using different units of quantity—usually 100g or 100ml.
Enforcement of the PMO is by local authority trading standards services.
Legal Costs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on fees for legal work in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [104541]
Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spent £7.8 million in 2010/11 and £6.4 million in 2011/12 on fees for legal work.
Mobile Phones
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to his answer of 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 532W, on mobile phones, what estimate he has made of the level of provision of a standardised mobile phone charger and compatible mobile phones since 1 January 2012. [103886]
Mr Prisk: No such estimate has been made by the Government and we have no plans to do such an assessment.
National Careers Service
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in which locations he expects the new National Careers Service to be based. [104621]
Mr Hayes:
The National Careers Service can be accessed online, over the telephone and in around 3,250 local community locations. As well as dedicated National Careers Service premises, the service co-locates with a wide range of other organisations. In around 650 of these locations the other organisation is delivering the service as a sub-contractor. The following table gives a summary of the latest position. These locations vary over time. Local contractors regularly review the position
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and to ensure the service is accessible to all potential customers may seek additional or better locations. The Skills Funding Agency, which is responsible for delivering the National Careers Service, is currently trialling co-location with a broader group of organisations to maximise its reach into and accessibility from the community.
| Location type | Number |
| (1) Other includes: Unionlearn, charities, community/social interest, PCT/health care including addiction support, schools, chamber of commerce, local authorities | |
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's further education and skills system reform plan for the National Careers Service, what the maximum duration is of face-to-face guidance sessions that will be available to young people aged between 18 and 24 years. [104622]
Mr Hayes: Young people aged between 18 and 24 who are on out of work benefits are a priority group for face to face guidance from the National Careers Service. Priority groups are entitled to up to three separate careers guidance sessions free of charge. The duration of a session is not predetermined and will depend on the needs of the individual. Further sessions are at the discretion of the provider. Under the Youth Contract the National Careers Service will make available to this group a face to face guidance session within the first three months of claiming job seekers allowance.
Any other young person aged between 19 and 24 is entitled to one free face to face guidance session. All young people can access one to one information and advice through the telephone and webchat helplines provided by the National Careers Service.
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what financial resources will be available to further education colleges for the provision of information, advice and guidance as part of the National Careers Service. [104623]
Mr Hayes: The National Careers Service is administered by the Skills Funding Agency who contract with 11 prime contractors for the delivery of face to face guidance and support. Prime contractors make their own arrangement for meeting their contractual responsibilities. In some locations delivery is through their own resources; in others they sub-contract delivery to other local organisations including FE colleges.
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Further education colleges receive funds to deliver the National Careers Service only where they are a sub-contractor. Financial terms vary and will depend on the individual contractual arrangements agreed with the local prime contractor, which are a matter for them. We do not hold details of these financial arrangements. There are currently 59 FE colleges acting as sub-contractors. The National Careers Service has a presence in a further 139 FE colleges through other contractors. I announced in my speech to the Institute of Careers Guidance Annual Conference in November 2011 that I expect the total number of FE colleges where the service is present to be 250 by December 2012 and we are on track to achieve that aspiration. FE colleges also have a statutory duty under the Education Act 1997 to provide persons attending the college with access to both guidance materials and reference materials relating to careers education and career opportunities.
OECD: Multinational Companies
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions representatives of his Department have had with representatives of other Government Departments on the OECD guidelines on multi-national enterprises. [103891]
Mr Prisk: The UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises is based in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The NCP holds discussions as appropriate with all Government Departments with an interest in both particular cases and the wider policy issues covered in the guidelines. Those Departments which have the most significant policy interest in the work of the NCP—Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Work and Pensions, UK Trade & Investment and Export Credits Guarantee Department—are represented on the independent Steering Board, which oversees the work of the NCP and meets quarterly.
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps he has taken to promote the OECD guidelines on multi-national enterprises. [103892]
Mr Prisk: The UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises is based in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). As part of its published working arrangements—and as part of its obligations set out in the guidelines—it has a responsibility to promote the guidelines to interested stakeholders, both domestically and overseas. In line with this, BIS officials in the NCP regularly participate in meetings and speak at conferences with a wide range of stakeholders, including the business and legal communities, non-governmental organisations, and academia to promote the guidelines. Recent examples include an event organised by the Institute for Human Rights and Business on 23 March 2012 for representatives from the extractive sector, and an event organised by the Centre for the Study of Governance and Transparency at Kellogg College, University of Oxford on 19 January 2012 which was attended mainly by NGOs and academics.
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Officials also have regular contact with officials in other countries to raise awareness of the guidelines and share best practice on their implementation. Most recently, the NCP hosted a visit from officials from the Governments of Colombia and Norway on 28 February 2012, and is participating in an OECD peer review of the Japanese NCP taking place during April 2012.
Postage Stamps
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will discuss with Royal Mail the inclusion of British Paralympics gold medallists on first class stamps issued by Royal Mail following the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. [104758]
Norman Lamb: Operational matters, which include matters relating to Royal Mail's special stamp programmes, are the direct responsibility of the company's management.
I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Moya Greene, to respond direct to the hon. Member. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Public Sector: Staff
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of employees in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales were employed in the public sector work force in each of the last five years. [104954]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the proportion of employees in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales who were employed in the public sector workforce in each of the last five years (104954).
Estimates of public sector employment for the UK and the proportion of employees who were employed in the public sector are published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These estimates are only available on a consistent basis back to 2008.
The requested data for the period 2008-2011, for which consistent data are available, are attached at Annex A.
Annex A
| Regional public sector employment as a proportion of the total number of employees (1,2,3,4) | ||||
| Headcount, per cent, not seasonally adjusted | ||||
| All employees | ||||
| England | Wales | Scotland (5) | Northern Ireland (6) | |
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| (1 )Annual figures relate to June quarter (Q2). (2) Estimates are based on where people are employed. (3) Northern Rock classified to the public sector from 9 October 2007, Bradford and Bingley classified to public sector from 26 September 2008. Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Lloyds Banking Group classified to public sector from 13 October 2008. (4) Figures use Labour Force Survey—All in employment aged 16 and over as a denominator. Data refer to May-July. (5 )Estimates of public sector employment for Scotland are supplied by Scottish Government. (6) Estimates of public sector employment for Northern Ireland will differ to those published by DFPNI. The ONS figures include HM Forces personnel. These ONS figures also use Labour Force Survey employment as a denominator as opposed to the Quarterly Employment Survey employee estimate used by DFPNI. Source: Office for National Statistics. | ||||
Retirement
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) civil servants and (b) senior civil servants have retired from his Department since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [104159]
Norman Lamb: The following tables show the number of civil servants and senior civil servants who have retired from Department for Business, Innovation and Skills since May 2010.
| All civil servants leaving on retirement—1 May 2010 to 31 March 2012 | |
| Number | |
|
Retirements at or above normal retirement age, or on grounds of ill health |
|
| Senior civil servants leaving on retirement—1 May 2010 to 31 March 2012 | |
| Number | |
|
Retirements at or above normal retirement age, or on grounds of ill health |
|
In order to reduce its costs over the spending review period the Department ran a voluntary exit scheme in 2010 and a voluntary redundancy scheme in 2011. Under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) staff who left under these schemes and who were above minimum pension age (generally age 50) had the option of taking early retirement on the terms specified in the CSCS in lieu of receiving compensation for severance.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff of his Department retired in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many such staff were taking early retirement in each such year; and if he will make a statement. [104539]
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Norman Lamb: The following tables show the number of staff in BIS who retired in 2010-11 and 2011-12, detailing the different categories of retirement.
| Civil servants leaving on retirement—1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 | |
| Number | |
|
Retirements at or above normal retirement age, or on grounds of ill health |
|
| Civil servants leaving on retirement—1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 | |
| Number | |
|
Retirements at or above normal retirement age, or on grounds of ill health |
|
In order to reduce costs over the spending review period the Department ran a voluntary exit scheme in 2010 and a voluntary redundancy scheme in 2011. Under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme(CSCS) staff who left under these schemes and who were above minimum pension age (generally age 50) had the option of taking early retirement on the terms specified in the CSCS in lieu of receiving compensation for severance.
Student Finance England
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Student Finance England on the release of student e-mail addresses. [102831]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 16 April 2012]: I have regular discussions with Student Finance England (SFE) on a range of matters including data protection and fraud and error. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and SFE take the integrity and security of student information very seriously.
BIS officials have been in contact with SFE concerning the most recent incident in March 2012 when some customer e-mail addresses were made available in error to other customers. SFE has contacted all affected customers to let them know this has occurred. I am informed that no other personal student data was shared and SFE has reported the error to the Information Commissioner's Office.
Student Loans
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2012, Official Report, column 230W, on higher education, whether (a) his Department and (b) the Higher Education Statistics Agency hold data on non-completion rates for (i) students at private higher education providers with their own degree awarding powers who have access to student loans and (ii) students at private higher education institutions whose courses are designated higher education courses and have access to student loans. [104679]
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Mr Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the agencies reporting to the Department, do not hold the data requested on non-completion rates in private higher education institutions of students who are eligible to receive student loan funding. The Higher Education White Paper of June 2011 and the subsequent Technical Consultation stated that in future we intend to ensure that all higher education providers whose students access student support funding are required to provide sufficient and proportionate information to students and the public.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how his Department tracks non-completion rates at private higher education institutions whose students are eligible to receive student loans. [104704]
Mr Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not hold the data requested on non-completion rates in private higher education institutions of students who are eligible to receive student loan funding. The Higher Education White Paper of June 2011 and the subsequent Technical Consultation stated that in future we intend to ensure that all higher education providers whose students access student support funding are required to provide sufficient and proportionate information to students and the public.
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to monitor the performance of the Student Loans Company. [104951]
Mr Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills reviews the performance of the Student Loans Company (SLC) on a continuous basis. Regular meetings are held at official level, including as part of the shared governance arrangements in place for overseeing student finance delivery. Formal performance reviews are held quarterly, most recently on 7 February 2012, and twice yearly are chaired by me.
Sunday Trading
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what impact assessment he has made of the effects of a change in Sunday trading hours on small businesses in (a) London and (b) the West Midlands. [103942]
Mr Prisk: To make an accurate assessment of the potential impact would be difficult due to the unique nature of the Olympics and Paralympics. A separate study of the impact on different parts of the country has not been carried out.
In 2006, as part of a wider review of Sunday trading restrictions, the Government commissioned Indepen Consulting Ltd to carry out an analysis of the economic costs and benefits of easing restrictions on large shops trading on Sundays. The conclusion of the cost-benefit analysis was that the net economic benefit of full liberalisation could be worth around £1.4 billion per annum.
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Should the Government ever decide to look at a more permanent relaxation of these regulations then a full impact assessment, including the impact on small shops, would be carried out.
Sunday Trading: Olympic Games 2012
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the potential effects of changes to Sunday trading laws during the London 2012 Olympics on small shops in (a) Warrington and (b) the North West; [104320]
(2) whether he plans to take steps to safeguard staff pay and conditions if Sunday trading laws are relaxed during the London 2012 Olympics. [104487]
Norman Lamb: To make an accurate assessment of the potential impact would be difficult due to the unique nature of the Olympics and Paralympics. A separate study of the impact on different parts of the country has not been carried out.
In 2006, as part of a wider review of Sunday trading restrictions, the Government commissioned Indepen Consulting Ltd to carry out an analysis of the economic costs and benefits of easing restrictions on large shops trading on Sundays. The conclusion of the cost-benefit analysis was that the net economic benefit of full liberalisation could be worth around £1.4 billion per annum. However, there are no plans to pursue full liberalisation.
The Government are considering an amendment to part 4 of the Employment Right Act 1996 (by using the existing opt out right under part 4) to reduce the notice period for workers to opt out of Sunday working from three to two months during the suspension period. Workers will keep all their protections that are currently in place, including the right to opt out of Sunday working.
It is not the role of Government to intervene in terms and conditions of workers. This will be a matter for individual employers and employees to discuss and agree terms locally.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what recent representations he has received from (a) individuals and (b) organisations on the proposed relaxation of Sunday trading laws during the London 2012 Olympics; [103262]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the relaxation of Sunday trading laws during the London 2012 Olympics on (a) small to medium-sized and (b) large retailers in (i) London, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) Dudley; [103263]
(3) what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of businesses in (a) London, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Dudley that will open longer as a result of the proposed relaxation of Sunday trading laws during the London 2012 Olympics. [103264]
Mr Prisk: The Government have received a number of recent representations regarding the proposal to suspend paragraph 2(1) of schedule 1 to the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which restricts Sunday opening for some large shops, between 22 July and 9 September.
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The Government recognise that the speed of this Bill has led to some confusion about what the Bill actually does. To address this and to highlight the temporary nature of this Bill we have held a number of discussions with representatives of small shops, including the Association of Convenience Stores and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW)—the trade unions for shop workers, large retailers and their representatives, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the big four supermarkets and the Church of England. We have also received representations from members of the public regarding the Bill.
The unique nature of the Olympics and Paralympics makes an accurate assessment of the potential impact difficult and no separate study of the impact of the Bill on different parts of the country has been carried out.
In 2006, as part of a wider review of Sunday trading restrictions, the Government commissioned Indepen Consulting Ltd to carry out an analysis of the economic costs and benefits of easing restrictions on large shops trading on Sundays. The conclusion of the cost-benefit analysis was that the net economic benefit of full liberalisation is worth £20.3 billion over 20 years or £1.4 billion per annum.