Public Sector: Pay
Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment she has made of the potential effect of regional pay on the salaries of public sector workers in Wales. [104609]
Mrs Gillan: Local pay was brought in by the last Government and was introduced to HM Courts Service in 2008. At the time of the 2011 autumn statement the Government asked the independent pay review bodies to consider how public sector pay can be made more responsive to local labour markets. The review bodies are expected to report by July 2012. Until formal proposals have been made by review bodies and civil service departments, it will not be possible to assess the effect on Wales or any other part of the UK.
Where pay arrangements are devolved in Wales, it will be for the Welsh Government to decide whether they wish to adopt any proposals to ensure that flexibility in the labour market is fully reflected in Wales.
Retirement
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) civil servants and (b) senior civil servants have retired from her Department since May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [104142]
Mr David Jones: Four staff have retired since May 2010; none of the staff were senior civil servants.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff of her Department retired in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many of such staff were taking early retirement in each such year; and if she will make a statement. [104590]
Mr David Jones: One member of staff retired in 2010-11, and three in 2011-12. No staff took early retirement.
Vacancies
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many job vacancies there were for (a) staff posts and (b) senior civil service posts in her Department on 31 March (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012; and if she will make a statement. [104591]
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Mr David Jones: There were five job vacancies on 31 March in 2010; eight vacancies in 2011; and three vacancies in 2012. None of these vacancies were for senior civil service posts.
Scotland
Devolution
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate-General has considered; and if he will make a statement. [104500]
David Mundell: The hon. Member asked a similar question on 28 February 2012, Official Report, column 216W.
Since 28 February 2012, the Advocate-General for Scotland has received a total of 42 minutes notifying him of devolution issues, one of which related to civil matters.
Legal Costs
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [104583]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office incurred no expenditure on external fees for legal work in 2010-11 or 2011-12.
Public Consultation
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [104058]
David Mundell: The analysis of all consultations undertaken by the Scotland Office since 2007 has been carried out within the Department.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department collects the IP addresses of respondents to its consultations. [104059]
David Mundell: We do not record the IP addresses of respondents to our consultations.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department accepts anonymous contributions to its consultations. [104060]
David Mundell: The Government's Code of Practice on Consultation states at paragraph 6.1 that
“All responses (both written responses and those fed in through other channels such as discussion forums and public meetings) should be analysed carefully.”
In the consultation on Scotland's constitutional future, the Scotland Office analysed all responses received, as long as they could be individually identified. 101 submissions that were not uniquely identifiable were not included in our analysis, as we could not be certain they expressed legitimate and individual views.
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Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether responses to his Department's consultation on Scotland's constitutional future that have been made anonymously without any identification can be reported on in the final analysis. [104461]
David Mundell: All responses to our consultation were received by email or by post. This means that all of our responses can be identified by a single unique identifier: either an email or postal address. 101 submissions that were not uniquely identifiable were not included in our analysis, as we could not be certain they expressed legitimate and individual views.
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any procedures for his Department's consultation on Scotland's constitutional future have differed from the standard procedures for government consultation. [104462]
David Mundell: The consultation was run in accordance with standard procedures, other than with the duration of the consultation, which was reduced to eight weeks, rather than 12. This was in order to enable respondents to consider whether the Scotland Bill should be used to facilitate a referendum and to ensure sufficient time was available to amend the Bill, if this was judged to be the best course of action.
Retirement
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [104145]
David Mundell: No Scotland Office staff have taken age retirement since May 2010.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff of his Department retired in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many of such staff were taking early retirement in each such year; and if he will make a statement. [104581]
David Mundell: No staff in the Scotland Office have taken age retirement in 2010-11 or 2011-12.
As all staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from other Government bodies, mainly the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice, these bodies remain the employer and have the responsibility for the operation of retirement arrangements. Seven staff left under voluntary departure arrangements run by their parent bodies during 2011-12.
Sovereignty
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will have discussions with the Scottish Government on its plans to withdraw from NATO in the event that Scotland becomes independent. [103813]
David Mundell:
The Scotland Office is not making plans for separation as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the United Kingdom in any referendum. The Scottish Government must set
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out their proposals for separation, including a clear position on membership of international organisations such as NATO.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses to the UK Government's consultation on Scotland's constitutional future have been submitted using a UK government computer. [104106]
David Mundell: We did not take account of which computers were used by people responding to the consultation on Scotland's constitutional future.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many anonymous contributions have been received to the consultation on Scotland's constitutional future. [104107]
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many anonymous submissions have been made to his Department's consultation on Scotland's constitutional future. [104124]
David Mundell: All of the responses to our recent consultation on Scotland's constitutional future were received by e-mail or by post. This means that all of our responses can be identified by a single unique identifier: either an e-mail or postal address.
101 responses which could not be uniquely identified in this way were not included in the consultation.
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses to the consultation on Scotland's constitutional future have been received from political parties. [104108]
David Mundell: Responses were received from the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party, Scottish Labour, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National party.
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether pro-forma responses to his Department's consultation on Scotland's constitutional future will be treated differently from other responses to the consultation. [104125]
David Mundell: Each response to the consultation on Scotland's constitutional future was treated on its own merits. We are grateful to all those people who took the time to respond to the consultation, and we did not discount individual views, simply because individuals used a particular format to convey them.
Vacancies
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many job vacancies there were for (a) staff posts and (b) senior Civil Service posts in his Department on 31 March (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012; and if he will make a statement. [104582]
David Mundell: The number of vacancies is provided in the following table:
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| As at 31 March each year | |||
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
The filling of vacancies is kept under constant review and recruitment action is only taken when there is a business need to fill a post.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the report by Human Rights Watch entitled Afghanistan Moral Crimes; and what representations his Department has made to the Afghan Government on ending the wrongful imprisonment of women and girls. [103828]
Alistair Burt: The report highlights the significant challenges that women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face in their daily lives, reflecting deeply embedded traditional conservative social values and culture.
Embassy officials in Kabul work alongside our international partners to monitor the situation of Afghan women and to press the Afghan Government to uphold their national and international human rights commitments, including the Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Officials in Kabul and the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province are also supporting the Afghan Government to reform the prison sector in line with international standards, including the treatment of women.
Egypt
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support (a) security sector reform in Egypt and (b) Egyptian civil society to hold security and justice providers to account. [105068]
Alistair Burt: We believe it is important that effective state instruments of security are put in place in Egypt. Under the Arab Partnership Strategy the UK is providing support for media and civil society organisations to hold public officials and services to account. With other relevant Departments we are exploring ways to provide direct support for security sector reform in Egypt, including possible work with political influencers and relevant NGOs to increase their understanding of relevant issues, and the need to ensure their voice is heard in establishing an accountable security apparatus.
The British Government have continued to seek assurances from the Egyptian authorities of their commitment to implement human rights throughout the Ministry of Interior and its institutions. Ministers have also raised our concerns about recent action against NGOs. Following the violence in Egypt in November and December last year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary
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of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs called on the Egyptian authorities to respect the right of peaceful protest, hold those responsible to account, and release all those detained for peacefully expressing their views. He urged the authorities to make good on their promises to end military trials for civilians.
EU Staff
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals are serving as EU civil servants; and what proportion of the total number of EU civil servants this represents. [103877]
Mr Lidington: 2,157 British nationals work as EU civil servants across the EU institutions. An exact aggregate number of staff for all EU institutions is not available, so we cannot give this as an accurate proportion of the total. However, the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) estimates that the European Commission, European Parliament, Council Secretariat, European Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, EU Ombudsman, EU Committees, and the Data Protection Supervisor employ on aggregate around 47,000 staff in total. Based on these figures we estimate that around 4.6% of total staff in the major EU institutions are British nationals.
More specific figures are available for some of the major EU institutions. In the European Commission, 1,134 British nationals are employed, representing 4.8% of its staff. In the Council Secretariat, 96 British nationals are employed, representing 3.05% of its staff. The European Parliament estimates that it employs around 220 British nationals, representing 3.5% of its staff.
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on increasing the number of British nationals applying to be civil servants for the EU. [103878]
Mr Lidington: As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office communications campaign to increase the number of British nationals applying to be civil servants in the EU, I have engaged with the media and other interested parties to promote awareness of EU careers. A successful campaign last year resulted in a 30% rise in applications and we will continue our efforts to drive up the number of UK recruits to the EU institutions. A shortage of British staff in the EU undermines our influence in the EU. British nationals need to be equally represented throughout the EU institutions so that British culture, attitudes, laws and ways of thinking are considered when formulating policy or legislation.
Our 2012 Communications Campaign has included hosting an EU Careers event targeted at ‘message multipliers’ such as professional bodies and university lecturers to help raise awareness of the EU civil service, visits to UK universities by FCO officials, an event at the British embassy for British expatriates in Paris, the creation of a dedicated micro site containing all of the information a candidate would need to apply for a career in the EU, as well as online and print advertising, and use of social media.
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India
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received of (a) the use of anti-conversion laws in India and (b) the loss of scheduled caste status and its accompanying benefits for Dalits in India who adopt religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism; and if he will raise these issues with the Government of India; [103818]
(2) what assessment he has made of the statement by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on the use of laws and bills on religious conversion in several states of India to persecute Christians and Muslims; and if he will raise this issue with the Government of India. [103820]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We strongly support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and encourage states to engage with his recommendations.
We regularly raise issues faced by minority communities in India, including caste issues and anti-conversion laws, with the Indian Government both bilaterally and through the EU/India Human Rights Dialogue. We intend to raise these issues again at the upcoming dialogue due to take place in New Delhi later this year.
Israel: Palestinians
Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he had at the UN on the withdrawal of Israel from occupied Palestinian territories. [105065]
Alistair Burt: The UN Security Council (UNSC) discusses the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on a monthly basis.
The UNSC last discussed this issue on 23 April, when the UK underlined the need for a negotiated two-state solution.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs also discussed the middle east peace process during the UNSC debate on ‘The Situation in the Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities’ that he chaired on 12 March.
Overseas Companies
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of human rights issues faced by UK companies doing business abroad; and if he will publish such assessments on the Overseas Business Risk section of the UK Trade and Investment website. [104908]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
We are clear that companies have a responsibility to take full account of human rights considerations in their work abroad, which is why we strongly supported the endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights at the Human Rights Council in June 2011. As part of the forthcoming Government strategy on Business and Human Rights, we will be developing the Overseas Business Risk service further to include more specific information on human
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rights issues in the 96 markets listed on the service, as well as a new designated Human Rights page with links to further sources of information. We expect to implement these changes in June 2012.
Public Consultation
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department collects the IP addresses of online respondents to its consultations. [104101]
Somalia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the number of UK-registered ships that encountered pirates off the coast of Somalia but avoided capture in each of the last five years. [104260]
Mike Penning: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Transport.
The Department for Transport does not hold statistics on the number of UK-registered ships that have encountered pirates off the coast of Somalia but avoided capture in each of the last five years. However, data provided by the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) (MSCHOA) detail eight attacks on UK flagged merchant ships during the past three years.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the number of UK-registered ships captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia in each of the last five years. [104261]
Mike Penning: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Transport.
Two UK flagged ships have been captured by Somali pirates in this period. These were taken within two weeks of one another in December 2009 and January 2010. Both ships were eventually released on payment of a ransom; no UK nationals were involved.
In October 2009 Paul and Rachel Chandler were taken hostage by gunmen in the Indian Ocean while sailing their yacht from the Seychelles towards Tanzania. They were eventually released in November 2010.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to improve the safety of ships off the coast of Somalia. [104262]
Mike Penning: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Transport.
The Department for Transport strongly recommends all UK ships follow the advice included in “Best Management Practices” (BMP). This is industry and military developed advice to international shipping on measures to avoid, deter and delay acts of piracy while in the “high risk area” (HRA), including reporting to the counter piracy cell, UK Maritime Trade Operations, in Dubai.
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Compliance with BMP is not mandatory but where reports of non-compliant UK ships are received, the Department for Transport follows up with the shipping company. Current reporting shows UK flagged ships are over 95% compliant.
The Government recognise that the engagement of armed guards is an option to protect human life onboard UK registered ships from the threat of piracy in exceptional circumstances and when it is lawful to do so. In December 2011, the Department for Transport published “Interim guidance to UK flagged shipping on the use of armed guards to defend against the threat of piracy in exceptional circumstances”. The Department has committed to review the Interim Guidance within 12 months (by December 2012).
Sudan and South Sudan
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to reduce the possibility of armed conflict between Sudan and South Sudan over the Heglig Oilfield. [104031]
Mr Bellingham: As I made clear in my statement of 11 April, and as the statement issued by the President of the UN Security Council on 12 April also made clear, both countries must cease all provocative acts in each other’s territory. South Sudan must withdraw its forces from Sudanese territory immediately, and without preconditions. Sudan must end all cross-border military action, including aerial bombing. We are working urgently with our partners in the UN Security Council and the African Union to apply pressure to both parties to this end, and to bring them back to the negotiating table. Our embassies in Khartoum and Juba are delivering these messages locally at every opportunity.
Syria
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps (a) his Department and (b) the EU has taken to impose restrictive measures against the Government of Syria. [104174]
Alistair Burt: The British Government continue to work closely with EU partners to impose restrictive measures against the Syrian regime. Most recently, on 23 April the EU agreed a ban on the export of a further list of goods, technology and equipment which might be used in the future for internal repression to Syria, and includes items that could be used to produce chemical or biological weapons. The EU also agreed a ban on the export of luxury goods to Syria.
This latest round follows 13 previous rounds of EU sanctions aimed at increasing the political and economic pressure on the Syrian regime. Since 1 December 2011, the EU has agreed:
sanctions on additional individuals and entities, including close Assad family members. A total of 126 individuals and 41 entities are on the EU sanctions list;
additional sanctions on Syrian banks, including the Central Bank of Syria;
a ban on the export of equipment that could be used by the Syrian regime for communications surveillance;
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restrictions on Syrian Government access to gold and other precious metals markets;
an arms embargo; and
a ban on Syrian cargo flights operating in the EU.
The UK will continue to push for the EU and international partners to maintain the pressure on the Syrian regime, including through the Friends of Syria group.
Ministerial Travel
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many journeys (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department made by (i) train, (ii) coach and (iii) Government car in an official capacity in each of the last six months. [103638]
Mr Lidington: During the period 16 October 2011 to 16 April 2012 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made 13 train journeys and no coach journeys in an official capacity. Details of car journeys cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
The following table sets out the journeys undertaken by train and coach by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne), the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Howell of Guildford, and myself. Details of journeys undertaken by my noble Friend Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint and details of car journeys cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
| Minister | Train | Coach |
Records of travel undertaken by officials are not kept in the form requested and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Value for money and budgetary restraints mean all Ministers and staff look to travel by the most cost effective means available.
Yemen
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the UK at the next Friends of Yemen meeting. [105070]
Alistair Burt: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the next Friends of Yemen meeting in Riyadh on 23 May 2012. There will be UK ministerial representation at the meeting.
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Treasury
Income Tax Threshold
20. Dr Huppert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in (a) Cambridge constituency and (b) the UK will no longer pay income tax as a result of changes to the income tax threshold announced since May 2010. [104809]
Mr Gauke: The Government's changes to the personal allowance will benefit 25 million individuals and take 2 million low income individuals out of income tax by April next year.
For the East of England, to which Cambridge constituency belongs, 176,000 will be brought out of tax. Reliable estimates of numbers taken out of income tax at constituency level are not available.
Unemployment
21. Gemma Doyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the Office for Budget Responsibility's most recent forecast of levels of unemployment in 2012. [104810]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Office for Budget Responsibility published the official forecast for UK unemployment on 21 March 2012, taking full account of Budget announcements.
This forecast was broadly unchanged since the autumn statement, with unemployment expected to fall back from the start of 2013 as growth picks up.
Since the autumn statement 2011, the Government have taken important steps to support private sector job creation and reduce unemployment. The £20 billion National Loan Guarantee Scheme launched last month will help smaller business across the UK access cheaper finance, and the £1 billion Youth Contract went live this month, providing employment and education opportunities for up to half a million young people.
23. Duncan Hames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the Budget on local and regional variations in unemployment trends. [104812]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Office for Budget Responsibility published the official forecast for UK unemployment on 21 March 2012, taking full account of Budget announcements.
This forecast was broadly unchanged since the autumn statement, with unemployment expected to fall back from the start of 2013 as growth picks up. The OBR has not published forecasts at the local and regional level.
The Government have taken key initiatives to support growth locally and in the regions, by introducing 24 new enterprise zones; allocating £2.4 billion to the Regional Growth Fund and providing £730 million to local enterprise partnerships through the Growing Places Fund and considering powerful incentives for local authorities to go for growth through the Local Government Resource Review.
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Interest Rates
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the effect on the economy of a rise in interest rates. [104794]
Mr Hoban: An increase in interest rates would be particularly damaging to an economy with the UK's level of indebtedness. A one percentage point rise in the cost of government borrowing would add around £21.4 billion to debt interest payments in total up to 2016-17. A one percentage point rise in effective mortgage rates would add around £12 billion a year to households' mortgage interest payments.
Bank Services: Fees and Charges
Simon Hart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with LINK on steps to make all cash machines free to use. [105140]
Mr Hoban: Ministers and officials meet a wide variety of organisations and individuals. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and representations.
Business
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses were registered for VAT in Bury North constituency on 31 December (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011. [104453]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate costs.
Communications Capabilities Development Programme
Mr Raab: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the sum required to fund the Communications Capabilities Development Programme; and whether such funds have been set aside for this purpose. [104997]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 23 April 2012]: The Home Office are responsible for costing their programmes, including the Communications Capabilities Development programme (CCD), which has been in place since 2011.
Home Office expenditure limits were set out at the time of the 2010 spending review, details of which are available here:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spend_index.htm
The costs of the Communications Capabilities Development programme will be announced by the Home Office alongside details of the proposals in due course.
Exports: Licensing
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the cost of export licences applied for by UK businesses to export goods abroad. [104327]
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Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Export Control Organisation (ECO) within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is responsible for the processing of export licences applications for strategic goods (military and dual-use items). The ECO does not charge for strategic export licence applications. The ECO has discussed with exporters the possibility of introducing fees to recover the cost of processing export licences, but there are no plans to introduce fees for the time being.
Ministerial Meetings
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will prepare and place in the Library a list of meetings between special advisers in his Department and external individuals, bodies and agencies since May 2010, with a description of the purpose of each meeting; [102760]
(2) what discussions staff in his Department have had with Mr Peter Cruddas or his representatives since May 2010; who took part in any such discussions; and what their purpose was; [102761]
(3) whether he has met Mr Peter Cruddas in (a) his Department, (b) 11 Downing street, (c) the Downing street flat and (d) Dorneywood since May 2010. [102762]
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have had with Peter Cruddas since 12 May 2010. [103540]
Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 18 April 2012]:Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations, available at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm
Income Tax
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of individuals in Bury North constituency who will no longer pay income tax as a result of the increase in the personal allowance from 6 April 2012. [104332]
Mr Gauke: The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above expected RPI indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.
As a result of these measures, the Government estimated that in 2012-13 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether. Information at Government office region is provided in the following table:
| Government office region | Number taken out of income t ax (Thousand) |
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These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected to 2012-13 using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.
Reliable estimates are not available at parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.
The Government are committed to supporting lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, and removing the lowest income individuals out of income tax. Decisions on future changes in the personal allowance will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.
Maternity Payments
Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average was of the three highest statutory maternity payments to an individual recorded by HM Revenue and Customs' National Insurance Recording System in the most recent year for which figures are available. [105227]
Mr Gauke: The information requested could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
Public Appointments
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appointments of people earning (a) over £142,500 per annum and (b) over £142,500 per annum pro rata he approved between (i) April 2010 and March 2011 and (ii) April 2011 and December 2012; and how many approved appointments were related to GPs working in clinical commissioning groups. [103505]
Danny Alexander [holding answer 18 April 2012]:In May 2010, it was announced that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury would be required to sign-off the salaries of any individuals earning over a full-time equivalent of £142,500, in areas under ministerial control.
As of 17 April 2012, I have been asked to approve the remuneration of 191 individuals. None of these appointments relate to GPs working in clinical commissioning groups.
I usually approve salaries at a range, prior to advertisement. The Treasury does not hold information about the date on which the final appointments were approved, or whether the final appointments were made on a full or part time basis, and therefore whether salaries were pro rata or not.
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Tax Allowances: Charitable Donations
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax relief was provided for charitable donations to bodies and individuals promoting free schools in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and how much has been budgeted by his Department for such tax relief in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15. [105288]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not separately identify tax relief for charitable donations by the types of organisation or individual.
Tobacco
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount spent on (a) tobacco, (b) alcohol and (c) prescription drugs in each of the last five years. [104879]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated April 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for an estimate of the amount spent on (a) tobacco (b) alcohol and (c) prescription drugs in each of the last five years (104879).
Office for National Statistics (ONS) Household expenditure estimates for tobacco and off-trade alcohol in the UK economy are provided in table 1 as follows. It is not currently possible to separate on-trade alcohol expenditure from other consumption in on-trade establishments.
ONS does not compile aggregate estimates for household expenditure on prescription drugs, nor does it compile estimates of government expenditure on prescription drugs.
Estimates of government expenditure on prescription drugs are compiled by the Department of Health, England, and by the respective devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and for Northern Ireland.
| Table 1: Household expenditure on tobacco and off trade alcohol. Current prices | ||
| £ million | ||
| 02.1 Alcoholic beverages | 02.2 Tobacco | |
| Note: The estimate for alcoholic beverages is for off-trade only. It is not currently possible to separate on-trade alcohol expenditure from other consumption in on-trade establishments. Guide to quality: Consumer Trends estimates are consistent with the expenditure approach to measuring GDP for National Accounts. However, National Accounts estimates do not have a readily available measure for quality because of the combination of different sources. Estimates are consistent with the Quarterly National Accounts published on 28 March 2012. Source: Consumer Trends Statistical Bulletin | ||
VAT
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect that the abolition of zero-rated VAT on approved alterations to listed buildings will have on the heritage sector. [104246]
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Mr Gauke: Annex B—tables of impact for individual measures in HM Revenue and Customs consultation document “VAT: Addressing Borderline Anomalies”, published at Budget 2012, sets out estimates for VAT which will be raised from approved alterations to listed buildings and a summary of impacts upon which comments are invited.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many swimming pools have been installed in listed buildings where VAT was exempted from the build costs in each of the last 10 years. [105115]
Mr Gauke: Annex B—Tables of Impact for Individual Measures—in HM Revenue and Customs consultation document “VAT: Addressing Borderline Anomalies”, published at Budget 2012, sets out a summary of impacts upon which comments are invited:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf
Working Tax Credit
Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Warrington North became ineligible for working tax credit from 1 April as a result of the increase in the number of hours of work required. [105223]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available.
International Development
Children's Rights
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what training his Department provides to staff in country teams and headquarters on child rights and child protection. [104345]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not provide specific training for staff on child rights and child protection. DFID officials are encouraged and supported each year to complete structured learning to enhance skills and competencies that can assist them to do their jobs more effectively. This includes training on human rights for those that require these skills.
Climate Change
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on mitigating the effects of climate change in the developing world. [104644]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government, led by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), engage in negotiations through formal Conferences of the Parties, Inter-sessional meetings and work programmes under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) lead for the UK in these negotiations on climate adaptation and mitigating the effects of climate change.
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On 22 March 2012, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for International Development met Karl Hood, the Foreign Minister of Grenada and outgoing chair of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS). Their discussions covered the effects of climate change on Grenada, and other small island states, as well as negotiations under the UNFCCC.
Developing Countries
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department conducts social exclusion analyses and country government assessments; and to what extent these inform the design of country programmes. [104283]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development has guidance in place and conducts both country governance analysis and gender and social exclusion analysis. These inform the design of country strategies and programmes.
Country governance analysis is mandatory and normally prepared in the context of the country planning process. At least 25 country offices have one in place. Gender and social exclusion analysis are mandatory in South Asia division, other divisions decide on a country by country basis.
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department uses child rights situation analysis in the development of its country programmes. [104346]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) uses a wide range of research and evidence on poverty to develop its Country Assistance Plans. This includes information about human rights including the rights of children, where available. All Country Assistance Plans are available on the DFID website.
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on social protection programmes in Tanzania for (a) children and (b) pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such programmes. [104508]
Mr O'Brien: In 2008-11 the Department for International Development's office in Tanzania had no social protection programmes. We are currently in the process of designing a new social protection programme with a focus on pregnant women and children, and expect this to become operational in 2012-13.
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on social protection programmes in Tanzania intended to improve nutritional outcomes for (a) children and (b) pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such programmes. [104509]
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Mr O'Brien: In 2008 and 2009 Department for International Development's office in Tanzania did not directly fund any nutrition programmes. In 2010-11 we provided nutritional feeding supplements for 8,031 children, pregnant and lactating women and tuberculosis cases in refugee populations and vulnerable host populations in surrounding areas as part of £4 million of support for the World Food programme's emergency appeal. In 2012-13 we will commence our National Food Fortification programme, which is expected to reach around 20 million people (about half the population of Tanzania) at a cost of £2.9 million over three years.
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much his Department spent on social protection programmes in Kenya intended to improve nutritional outcomes for (a) children and (b) pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such programmes; [104510]
(2) how much his Department spent on social protection programmes in Kenya for (a) children and (b) pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such programmes. [104511]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: More than 540,000 people, 67% of whom are women, orphans and vulnerable children, are directly benefitting from the Kenya Social Protection Programme. In the Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Programme, poverty levels are 13% lower among beneficiaries.
The Kenya Social Protection Programme includes two safety net programmes: the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) and the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme (OVC). Both have rigorous monitoring and evaluation systems.
Total programme spend on the Kenya Social Protection Programme is shown in the following table together with the number of beneficiaries.
| Financial year | OVC Households reached (5.7 people per household) | HSNP Households reached (7.2 people per household) | Total amount (£) |
The OVC cash transfer is provided nationally to very poor households taking care of OVC, 85% of which are headed by women. A February 2012 survey shows that the programme is making a real difference to poor people's lives. Children in OVC households are 19% more likely to be enrolled in primary school and 7.8% more likely to be in secondary school. The programme has also had positive health impacts, notably reducing depression and diarrhoea and increasing measles vaccinations.
The Hunger and Safety Net Programme (HSNP) was developed to reduce food aid dependency and hunger of the most vulnerable people in Northern Kenya. 66% of HSNP beneficiaries are female. Monitoring reports show that recipients have spent the majority of the cash
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transfer on food, education and health. Among beneficiaries receiving cash transfers there has been a reduction in the proportion of households within the poorest 10% of Kenyans. 69% of beneficiaries report having more and/or larger meals and 20% are seeking alternative livelihood options. While asset holding in Northern Kenya has declined across the board, there has been less of a decline in asset holding in HSNP households compared to households not receiving the transfers. 20% of beneficiary households reported increased expenditure on education and 11% report spending on health services.
Source:
Regular HSNP monitoring reports, World Bank Aide Memoire on the mid-term review of the OVC programme (April 2012). Cash transfer programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), Kenya, operational and impact evaluation, Oxford Policy Management (OPM), October 2010.
Developing Countries: Females
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the progress towards the 2015 targets set out in its document Choices for Women. [103895]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Progress towards the 2015 targets, as set out in the document ‘Choices for women: Planned pregnancies, safe births and healthy newborns’ will be published in the Department for International Development's (DFID) annual report, in the summer. This will include results achieved to date, as well as information on progress against our public results commitments. The annual report will be posted on DFID's website:
www.dfid.gov.uk
DFID will also undertake a mid-term review, planned for 2013, and an evaluation in 2016. The initial monitoring and evaluation framework can be found on DFID's website, under the publications section, at:
www.dfid.gov.uk/rmnh
Developing Countries: Health Services
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to help poor countries provide free health care for (a) pregnant women and children and (b) other people. [104109]
Mr O'Brien: In poor countries, the heavy reliance on direct out-of-pocket payments for health care creates financial barriers that prevent people from using services they need and cause financial hardship, even impoverishment for millions who do seek care. Where this is the most effective way to expand access to good quality essential health care for poor people, the Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting poor countries to provide services free at the point of use through both public and private providers.
In some countries this is being done through our country programme, such as in Sierra Leone where DFID is supporting the removal of fees at government-run health facilities for pregnant women and children under five. Also, in Bangladesh, DFID is supporting a voucher scheme for maternal health services that enables women to receive antenatal care, safe delivery and postnatal
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care free of charge from both public and private providers. In other countries support is provided through international organisations. DFID is providing both funding and a health financing expert to the World Health Organisation to enable it to support poor countries to reduce their reliance on out-of-pocket payments for health care, both for women and children and for populations as a whole.
Developing Countries: Minerals
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the proposed EU transparency rules for the extractive industry. [103861]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government recognise the importance of transparency for the extractive industries and the positive impacts it could have on governance, development and the reduction of corruption. Extractive industries have the potential dramatically to boost economic growth and help resource rich developing countries to pull themselves out of poverty. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor have made clear that the UK will support action at EU level for requirements to be placed on EU extractives companies to disclose the payments they make to foreign governments. Such disclosures can help empower the citizens of resource-rich countries and improve accountability, by enabling them to see what their governments receive from the exploitation of their countries' natural resources. The Government are already engaged in the EU negotiations on this issue.
The Government have held constructive discussions with those representing civil society and industry about developing a solution that will ensure information disclosed will assist citizens in holding their governments to account, and is proportionate in relation to the costs imposed on industry. This valuable dialogue is ongoing and will help to inform EU negotiations.
Developing Countries: Sustainable Development
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the proposed Sustainable Development Goals. [103909]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development supports the development of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and I hope that significant progress on this agenda can be made at the Rio+20 summit this June. SDGs could help to provide incentives for greater global cooperation to address major sustainability challenges such as food security, access to sustainable energy, and water—issues which are of critical importance to development and poverty eradication.
Egypt
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to support (a) security sector reform in Egypt and (b) Egyptian civil society to hold security and justice providers to account. [105067]
Mr Duncan: DFID is working closely with other UK Departments to support strengthened governance and greater public voice in Egypt, including exploring ways to provide direct support for security sector reform.
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Through the joint DFID-FCO Arab Partnership, the UK is providing support for media and civil society organisations to hold public officials and services to account in Egypt. For example, work led by the FCO and part-funded by DFID, is supporting Aswat Masriya, a local media organisation, to provide high quality and objective information to the public.
Horn of Africa
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received on the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa; and what assistance his Department has offered to aid the peoples of Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti. [104029]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The humanitarian situation in the Horn has improved in recent months, but enormous needs remain. UK officials based in the region receive regular reports from NGO and UN partners in the affected areas. Fragile gains could be reversed if early warnings of potentially below average rains in April to June are realised, and if security issues continue to limit humanitarian access in Somalia.
Since July 2011, the UK has allocated over £182 million for humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. British support has fed over 3.3 million people. UK contributions to multilateral agencies including the UN's Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) have also benefitted these countries, as well as Djibouti.
In addition to humanitarian assistance, the UK is also working through its development programmes to strengthen the resilience of poor people in the Horn of Africa to withstand and recover from future shocks. Long term investments in resilience and development represent much better value for money than emergency humanitarian aid alone.
Ministerial Meetings
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have had with (i) Sarah Southern and (ii) Peter Cruddas since 12 May 2010. [104826]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Details of all Ministers’ external meetings are available on the Department for International Development website:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Our-organisation1/Ministers/
and are published every quarter in the normal way.
Special advisers have not held meetings with Sarah Southern and Peter Cruddas since 12 May 2010.
No information is held on officials’ meetings.
Morocco
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking to help progress women's rights in Morocco; and if he will make a statement. [105203]
Mr Duncan:
The UK Government are strengthening women's rights across the middle east and North Africa, particularly by securing greater political and economic participation for women. As part of our Arab Partnership Participation Fund (APPF) we have worked effectively
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with project partners to ensure that gender issues are taken into account For example we have ensured that training courses provided for journalists or MPs have a balance of female and male participants. This year we will support a project in Morocco which will support women MPs through the Parliamentary Women's Forum to influence and promote key bills, particularly those entailing changes to the constitution.
Through our Arab Partnership Economic Facility (APEF) we are working with the International Financial Institutions to provide greater economic opportunities for women. This support will increase access to finance for female entrepreneurs across the region to set up and develop micro, small and medium sized enterprises.
Official Secrets Act
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether any person employed by (a) his Department and (b) any private firms contracted by his Department is bound by any part of the Official Secrets Act. [104849]
Mr Duncan: The Official Secrets Act 1989 applies to all British citizens, Ministers of the Crown, civil servants, and government contractors.
Palestinians
Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of Palestinian textbooks are audited by UNESCO. [104950]
Mr Duncan: In its reports on Palestinian school textbooks, including the study “Fragmented Foundations: education and chronic crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” (2007) and “Studies on the Palestinian Curriculum and textbooks: Consolidated Report” (2006) United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) does not specify the total number of Palestinian textbooks covered.
Public Consultation
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [104073]
Mr Duncan: 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.
It is normal practice for DFID to publish all non-confidential responses to formal written consultation exercises, consistent with the code. Publication of consultation responses promotes transparency and provides the opportunity for external scrutiny of the consultation process independent of Government. A list of DFID's consultations can be found at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Work-with-us/Consultations/Closed-consultation/
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Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department accepts anonymous contributions to its consultations. [104075]
Mr Duncan: In accordance with paragraph 6.1 of the ‘HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation', DFID accepts anonymous contributions to its consultations.
South Sudan
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to support refugees in South Sudan. [104655]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK's humanitarian programmes in South Sudan are addressing emergency needs for refugees, returnees and internally displaced people. In December, I approved a two-year package of support for the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Common Humanitarian Fund in South Sudan. We are working on a further package of support to meet the current significant regional difficulties.
St Helena: Airports
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the (a) Prime Minister and (b) Chancellor of the Exchequer on the construction of an airport on St Helena. [104643]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I held no discussions with either the Prime Minister or the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the construction of the St Helena airport. I exchange letters with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as is appropriate for an investment of this size.
Health
Abortion
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Care Quality Commission to publish its report on abortion clinics; if he will place copies in the Vote Office; and if he will make a statement. [R] [104319]
Anne Milton: Reports of the recent inspections of providers of termination of pregnancy services will be published from mid-May. The Care Quality Commission publishes a report following every inspection of a provider of a regulated activity that it carries out. These reports are available on the Commission's website.
Aerials: Health Hazards
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the potential health risks of mobile telecommunications masts. [104639]
Anne Milton:
The independently managed Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, has supported a number of studies into the possible health effects of radiofrequency technology relating
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both to mobile telecommunications masts and hand-held mobile phones. Further details of the research programme are available on the MTHR website at:
www.mthr.org.uk/
None of the research supported by MTHR to date has demonstrated that biological or adverse health effects are produced by radiofrequency exposure from mobile phones or mobile telecommunications masts.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises the Government in relation to the protection of the public from radiation hazards, including those associated with exposure to non-ionising radiation such as the radio waves from telecommunications masts. The HPA is advised on science and on research priorities by its independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR). AGNIR is reviewing recent evidence of risks from radiofrequency radiation, and will be updating its 2003 report. AGNIR's new review will take account of studies worldwide and is expected to be completed by late spring or early summer 2012. Further information on AGNIR's work is available at:
www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/RadiationAdvisoryGroups/AdvisoryGroupOnNonIonisingRadiation/
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the London Borough of Bexley received treatment for alcohol dependency in each of the last three years. [104454]
Anne Milton: The number of people receiving treatment for alcohol dependency in Bexley for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 is given in the following table. Alcohol treatment data are reported only at primary care trust level. The data refer to community and residential-based specialised assessment and treatment that is care co-ordinated and care planned.
| Bexley Care Trust (TAK) | |
| Number of clients (18+) in contact with structured alcohol treatment in the year | |
| Source: National Alcohol Treatment Monitoring System. | |
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Birth Certificates
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has a policy on the level of sole registration of births; and whether health professionals provide guidance to new and prospective parents on the process, function and significance of birth registration. [104328]
Anne Milton: The Department does not have responsibility for the registration of births. Practical advice on how to register a birth is available on the Directgov website at:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Birthandadoptionrecords/Registeringorchangingabirthrecord/DG_175608
The Department funded ‘Reaching out: Involving Fathers in Maternity Care and Top Tips: Involving Fathers in Maternity Care’, which was published by the Royal College of Midwives on 15 November 2011 at their annual conference. The guide provides top tips and useful insight into how all maternity service staff might best encourage fathers' involvement throughout pregnancy and childbirth, and into fatherhood and family life. The guide is supported by the Fatherhood Institute and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and available at:
http://www.rcm.org.uk/college/policy-practice/government-policy/fathers-guide/?locale=en
Cancer
Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes for sentinel lymph node biopsy took place in each NHS acute trust in England in each of the last 10 years for which data are available. [104239]
Paul Burstow: Information concerning the number of finished consultant episodes for sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures that took place in each NHS acute trust in England for which data are available is set out in the following table.
Prior to 2006-07 it was not possible to identify biopsy of lymph node procedures as these procedures were recorded using the coding ‘Excision or biopsy’ of the lymph node. To protect patient confidentiality, figures between one and five have been replaced with ‘*’ (an asterisk). Where it was still possible to identify numbers from the total an additional number (the next smallest) has been replaced with an asterisk.
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Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
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