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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 26 April 2012
Home Department
Arrest Warrants
Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the Serious Organised Crime Agency has refused to certify a request under the European arrest warrant in each of the last five years; and for what reasons in each case. [104734]
James Brokenshire: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) does not refuse to certify European arrest warrant (EAW) requests that it receives which meet the criteria set out in part 1 of the Extradition Act 2003.
SOCA does not record data on the number of EAWs issued to the UK that do not meet these criteria.
Arrests: Children
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children (a) in total, (b) under the age of 14 years and (c) who are girls were arrested in each division in the South Wales police area in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement. [103412]
Nick Herbert: Available information relates to the number of persons aged under 18 arrested by South Wales police between 2007-08 and 2010-11 and is provided in the table.
Arrests data reported to the Home Office are at police force area only and aggregated for specific age groups (under 10, 10-17, 18-20, 21 and over).
| Persons aged under 18 arrested for notifiable offences by sex, South Wales police force area, 2007-08 to 2010-11 | |||
| Males | Females | Total | |
Civil Disorder
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment she has made of the adequacy of police officer numbers trained to deal with public order offences during the public disorder of August 2011; [103752]
(2) what estimate she has made of the number of (a) level one and (b) level two public order police officers in each of the last 10 years; [103689]
(3) if she will consider establishing a central record of the number of level 1 and level 2 public order police officers. [103753]
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Nick Herbert [holding answer 18 April 2012]: Training is an operational matter for the police service. The Home Office does not collect information about the number of public order trained officers.
In response to the disorders of August 2011, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) was asked by the Home Secretary to review the national policing response. HMIC's report “Rules of Engagement: A review of the August 2011 disorders” was published in December 2011. This report made four overarching recommendations, three of which directly relate to ensuring the adequacy of public order trained officers. We are working with the police service to ensure that they are prepared for the public order challenges of the future.
Computers: Crime
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to bring forward proposals to amend the provisions in Part III of the Police Act 1997 that allow the police to remotely access personal computers without the owner's consent. [104003]
James Brokenshire: As part of the UK's Cyber Security Strategy, published in November 2011, the Government are reviewing existing legislation to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
Crime: Haringey
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of (a) robberies, (b) burglaries, (c) serious violence and (d) gang-related crime there were in the London borough of Haringey in each quarter since January 2005. [104740]
James Brokenshire: Data on recorded offences of robbery, burglary and violence against the person (the term “serious violence” is not used by the Home Office for categorising offences) are provided in Table A. Data are available for each quarter requested until December 2011.
The requested data on gang-related offences are not available centrally.
| Table A: Recorded offences of burglary, robbery and violence against the person, Haringey CDRP, 2005 to 2011 | |||
| Burglary | Robbery | Violence against the person | |
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Crimes of Violence: Sports
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in one punch attacks in (i) Nottinghamshire, (ii) the East Midlands and (iii) England in each of the last five years. [105494]
Nick Herbert: The requested data on the number of people killed or seriously injured in one punch attacks are not available centrally.
Databases: Telecommunications
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the technical viability of the Communications Capabilities Development Programme. [104305]
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James Brokenshire [holding answer 23 April 2012]:The technical capabilities required for the Communications Capabilities Development Programme have been selected on the basis of proven technology. Technical viability is kept under review through periodic external assurance reviews and by consulting with industry, suppliers and other Government Departments.
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what formal advice she has received from the Information Commissioner on the Communications Capabilities Development Programme since October 2010. [104306]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 23 April 2012]: Home Office officials have consulted the Information Commissioner on the Communications Capabilities Development Programme and continue to work with his team on the privacy impact assessment which will accompany any proposals.
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which (a) Government Departments, (b) external experts and (c) private companies have been consulted on the Communications Capabilities Development Programme since May 2010. [104307]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 23 April 2012]: The Home Office has engaged with other Government Departments, the National Security Council, external experts and operational stakeholders. There is ongoing engagement with relevant industry representatives.
Smuggling
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the monetary value of illegal (a) drugs, (b) alcohol and (c) tobacco sales in the UK in each of the last five years. [104880]
Miss Chloe Smith: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.
Owing to the variations in the potential sales values, estimates of the monetary value of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco sales are not available.
HMRC estimates losses in revenue associated with illicit sales of tobacco products, beer and spirits. These estimates are published in “Measuring Tax Gaps 2011”, which can be found at the following link:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps.htm
The Home Office publishes statistics on the number and size of drugs seizures in “Seizures of drugs in England and Wales 2010/11”, which can be found at the link:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what deadline her Department has set for completing the process of transferring to Sheffield all Tier 4 applications remaining in Croydon. [104536]
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James Brokenshire: The process of transferring to Sheffield all Tier 4 applications remaining in Croydon was completed on 29 March 2012.
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time was for processing an application to extend a Tier 4 visa in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [104537]
James Brokenshire: The UK Border Agency records this information but it is not held in a format compatible with National Statistics protocols.
However, published statistics are available on the percentage of migration applications decided within service standards. This publication is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, Research and Statistics website at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/percentage-of-migration/
Forensic Science: Manpower
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent staff worked for the (a) NPIA, (b) Forensic Transition Board and (c) Forensic Regulator in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many staff are expected to work for those organisations in 2012-13; and if she will make a statement. [104171]
Nick Herbert: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Full-time equivalent staff working for the NPIA, Forensic Transition Board and Forensic Regulator | |||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| (1) On 1 April 2012 the NPIA has 1,440 full-time equivalent staff. (2) The Forensic Transition Board is a programme board and does not carry a permanent headcount | |||
National Crime Agency: Northern Ireland
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to establish ministerial accountability for the direction and control of officers of the National Crime Agency in Northern Ireland. [104929]
Nick Herbert: Subject to the passage of legislation, the National Crime Agency will be under the direction and control of the director general, including in Northern Ireland. In terms of ministerial accountability, the director general will be accountable to the Home Secretary.
Police and Crime Commissioners
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to give police and crime commissioners the powers they need to reduce crime. [100494]
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Nick Herbert [holding answer 19 March 2012]: Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be elected to cut crime; for the first time the public will know who leads the fight against crime in their community. They will have all the powers that they need to put the public's priorities first and hold the chief constable to account for the police's response to crime. PCCs will provide strong local leadership in preventing crime, especially reoffending, and will work with local community safety and criminal justice partners. PCCs will hold a budget to reduce crime through the community safety fund, which will focus on tackling drugs and crime, reduce reoffending and improve community safety.
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency will apply to police and crime commissioners as it applies to police authorities. [104732]
Nick Herbert: The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency will not apply to police and crime commissioners. Instead, section 11 of the Police Reform Act 2011 and the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 set out information to be published by commissioners. The content of the Code was taken into account in drafting the Order.
Police Custody
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many custody suites, with how many cells, there are in use in police stations in each English region; and if she will make a statement; [104169]
(2) if she will list the location of police stations with a custody suite and the number of cells contained therein in London in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement; [104168]
(3) how many police holding cells were mothballed in each London borough in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement. [104664]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 23 April 2012]: The information requested is not held centrally. The designation of police custody facilities under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is an operational matter for chief officers of police.
Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police holding cells have been mothballed in the Metropolitan police area since April 2011; [104666]
(2) how many holding cells were available to the Metropolitan police in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011. [104667]
Nick Herbert: The information requested is not held centrally. The designation of police custody facilities under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is an operational matter for chief officers of police.
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Police: Consultants
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former police officers have been hired by their former force as a consultant (a) in an individual capacity and (b) through a private security company in each of the last five years; and what estimate she has made of the cost of such consultants. [103928]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 19 April 2012]: This information is not held centrally by the Department.
Police: Football
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by police forces on policing football matches in the most recent year for which figures are available. [105105]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 24 April 2012]: This information is not held centrally. The amount spent on policing football matches is a matter for the relevant police authority.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much funding the Merseyside Police force received in respect of the policing of football matches from (a) Everton Football Club and (b) Liverpool Football Club in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement; [105690]
(2) how much funding the Metropolitan police received in respect of the policing of football matches from (a) Chelsea Football Club, (b) Fulham Football Club, (c) Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, (d) Queens Park Rangers Football Club and (e) Arsenal Football Club in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement. [105693]
Nick Herbert: The information is not held centrally. The amount charged to football clubs in respect of policing football matches is a matter for the relevant police authority.
Police: Nottinghamshire
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Nottinghamshire police have been retired under the provisions of Regulation A19 since May 2010. [105103]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 24 April 2012]: The requested information is not collected centrally.
Public Consultation
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of her 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. [104091]
James Brokenshire: Home Office consultations are carried out internally in consultation with stakeholders. It is not Home Office policy to verify consultations externally.
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Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department accepts anonymous contributions to its consultations. [104093]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office policy is to accept anonymous contributions to consultations.
Public Order Offences: Police
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department provided for level (a) one and (b) two training of police officers to deal with public order offences in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [103839]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 19 April 2012]: The Government allocate funding for police authorities using the police allocation formula (PAF). The PAF distributes funding based on the estimated work load of the force. The funding provided to police authorities is not ring-fenced and therefore the amount spent on training provision is a matter for the relevant chief officer and the police authority.
Serious Organised Crime Agency: Northern Ireland
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on ministerial accountability for the direction and control of officers of the Serious Organised Crime Agency in Northern Ireland. [104928]
Nick Herbert: The director general of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is responsible for the direction and control of SOCA officers, including in Northern Ireland. In cases where SOCA officers are providing assistance to another law enforcement agency (under provisions in the Serious Organised Crime Act 2005), they will be under the direction and control of the chief officer of that agency.
The Home Secretary is accountable for SOCA.
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for the direction and control of officers dealing with organised crime carried out by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [104930]
Nick Herbert: The chief officers of the relevant agencies are responsible for the direction and control of their officers.
Metal Theft
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to provide information to local authorities on changes to the law on scrap and itinerant metal dealers. [105331]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office is in discussion with the Local Government Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers on how to communicate these changes to local authorities and police forces.
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Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps she has taken to prevent metal theft. [104918]
James Brokenshire: [holding answer 23 April 2012]: The Government are delivering a coherent package of measures to tackle metal theft. We have amended the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal, to increase the financial penalties of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 and to review police entry powers into scrap metal yards. In addition, the Government have enhanced enforcement activity through the additional Government funded National Metal Theft Taskforce and are developing innovative design solutions that both improve traceability of stolen metal and act as a stronger deterrent for thieves and unscrupulous scrap metal dealers.
UK Border Force
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget is for the UK Border Force in 2012-13. [103383]
James Brokenshire: The net resource budget for the UK Border Force for 2012-13 is £400 million.
Job Vacancies
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [104570]
James Brokenshire: The number of job vacancies for staff posts and senior civil service posts on the dates specified could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Scotland
Aviation: Scotland
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) Scottish Ministers on steps to ensure continuity of air services to and from Scotland. [105361]
David Mundell: Scotland Office Ministers meet regularly with ministerial colleagues and Scottish Ministers to discuss a range of transport issues affecting Scotland, including air services. The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), visited Scotland last month and met with Scottish Minsters responsible for transport infrastructure, along with the Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore).
Transport connectivity is a major issue for businesses. Under the auspices of this Department's Scottish Business Board, a connected Scotland specialist group was established earlier this year to advise the UK Government on connectivity issues affecting Scottish consumers and businesses, including air services to and from Scotland.
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This group first met in February 2012, bringing together representatives from the Department for Transport, HM Treasury, Transport Scotland, local businesses and industry bodies.
Prime Minister
Nuclear Power Stations
Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has made an assessment of the letter and briefing on the financing of new nuclear power plants sent to him by four former directors of Friends of the Earth on 13 March 2012. [101254]
The Prime Minister: A reply to the letter will be sent shortly.
Culture, Media and Sport
Charitable Donations
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) if he will place in the Library all representations he has received on the proposed cap on tax relief for philanthropic donations announced in the Budget 2012; [105394]
(2) how many representations he has received in respect of the proposed cap on tax relief for philanthropic donations announced in the Budget 2012; and what proportion of such representations were in favour of the proposal. [105395]
Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 25 April 2012]: It is not the Department's usual practice to publish correspondence other than when it is in response to public consultation.
The Department has received a number of representations expressing numerous opinions on the Budget 2012 philanthropic tax relief cap.
Listed Buildings
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many listed buildings are in community ownership. [105788]
John Penrose: I am afraid this information is not available. English Heritage's Listed Building System does not record types of ownership of listed buildings.
St George's Day
Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make St George's Day a public holiday. [105328]
John Penrose:
The Government regularly receive representations requesting additional bank holidays, or moving existing ones, but there are no plans to change the existing pattern at present. As part of the Government's tourism strategy, a pre-consultation was launched last year on moving the May Day bank holiday. A decision about the outcome of the pre-consultation will be made
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in due course. Any discussions would need to involve the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), which has overall policy responsibility for bank holidays, together with other Departments and the devolved Governments.
Television
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of (a) the system for rating television and films in respect of violent content and (b) arrangements for monitoring that system; and whether he plans to commission a formal review of that system. [105262]
Mr Vaizey: No assessment has been made. The rules on media content standards are the responsibility of media regulators who are independent of Government. It is these regulators who assess the sort of material that is appropriate for different audiences. In relation to broadcasting, Ofcom is responsible for maintaining standards to protect children and the wider public from harmful material. Ofcom's Broadcasting Code therefore includes specific requirements to protect people under 18. Within this framework, it is the broadcasters' job to make judgements about what individual programmes should contain and the time at which they are broadcast.
The statutory powers for controlling access to cinema films lie with local authorities. They are generally guided by the age ratings awarded by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what Government-funded studies have been carried out into the impact of television and screen violence on actual violence, giving (a) the amount spent on each study, (b) the name of the university or research institution that carried out the study and (c) any Government scheme that resulted from these studies in each of the last five years for which information is available. [105264]
Mr Vaizey: No Government-funded studies have been undertaken into the impact of television and screen violence on actual violence in the last five years.
In relation to television, the rules on broadcast content standards are the responsibility of Ofcom, which is independent of Government. It is for Ofcom to assess the sort of material that is appropriate for different audiences, and it has put in place strict rules to ensure that broadcast content is appropriately scheduled and children are not exposed to inappropriate material. Ofcom's rules must be robust and based on the best evidence. If new evidence which clearly showed existing levels of TV violence as a major problem in the UK, then Ofcom would need to consider this fully and act accordingly.
Similarly, in relation to cinema films and DVDs, while no Government-funded studies have been undertaken, we keep in touch with academic research on the subject.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of excessive watching of television on (a) aggressive behaviour, (b) childhood obesity and (c) sleeping disturbance. [105267]
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Mr Vaizey: No assessment has been made. The rules on broadcast content standards are the responsibility of Ofcom, which is independent of Government. It is for Ofcom to assess the sort of material that is appropriate for different audiences, and it has put in place strict rules to ensure that broadcast content is appropriately scheduled and children are not exposed to inappropriate material.
To do this, Ofcom undertakes occasional studies of particular areas of concern to consumers. For example, following a review of research into the effects of television advertising on food preferences, Ofcom concluded that the findings pointed to ‘modest direct effects on food preference, consumption and behaviour'. As a result, Ofcom introduced a ban on the scheduling of high-fat, salt and sugar advertising and sponsorship during children's airtime and around programmes with a disproportionately high child audience, and it imposed content rules on all food and drink advertising aimed at children.
Writers: Females
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of female television and film scriptwriters employed in the UK. [105606]
Mr Vaizey: The Government have not undertaken any assessment of female scriptwriters in television and film.
The public service broadcasters are required to meet obligations on the promotion of equality between men and women arising from the BBC Charter and Communications Act 2003. The Government are aware of the broadcasters' strong commitment to diversity in the workplace. For film, the lead public agency, the British Film Institute, has a proud track-record of commitment to diversity, both in the workplace and in its cultural programme.
Church Commissioners
VAT: Listed Buildings
Richard Graham: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what estimate the Church Commissioners have made of the potential cost to the Church of England of the Government's proposals to charge VAT on alterations to listed buildings. [105440]
Tony Baldry: The Church of England has calculated the potential and additional VAT burden on the Church as a result of charging standard rate VAT on alterations to listed buildings as up to £20 million a year. We estimate that £100 million was spent on alterations to listed churches and cathedral buildings in 2011.
From our estimates, 88% of Church of England churches in the Gloucester Diocese are listed. Many of these churches are already taking on substantial local fundraising projects in order to finance the necessary upgrades to their heating, lighting and general fabric, to enable the buildings to be used for community activity.
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Churches: Repairs and Maintenance
Dr Phillip Lee: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of the financial effect of the removal of VAT relief on maintenance and restoration of churches, abbeys and cathedrals with listed building status on parochial church councils. [104383]
Tony Baldry: The Church of England has calculated that the ending of the VAT exemption for listed building alterations is likely to cost it £20 million per year nationally. The Church of England has responsibility for the care and upkeep of 12,500 listed churches and cathedrals across England, which is largely met by the voluntary giving and activity of its congregations. The majority of alterations to listed church buildings take place in order to improve access to them and to broaden their use by the wider community.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Air Quality: London
14. Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to improve air quality in London. [105416]
Richard Benyon: The Mayor of London's Air Quality Strategy sets out a detailed plan for improving air quality in London. The Government are working closely with the Mayor to support delivery of these plans, including through significant investment in cleaner, more sustainable transport.
Food Exports
15. Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to support the food industry and promote food exports. [105420]
Mrs Spelman: DEFRA works closely with the food industry to encourage innovation, competitiveness and growth. The joint Government-industry action plan, “Driving Export Growth in the Farming, Food and Drink Sector”, published in January, details how we will work together to open up and take advantage of key markets to boost our economy and generate jobs.
Agriculture
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to recruit the 60,000 new entrants it estimates are needed in the agricultural sector over the next 10 years. [105012]
Mr Paice:
The agricultural industry leads itself in recruiting young entrants. The Government are supportive of measures to encourage people to work in the agricultural sector and we aim to create the right climate for the industry to grow. DEFRA works with the industry through the Agri-Skills Forum to help develop the current and future skills base. The Government have
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recently announced a number of measures to support apprenticeships which can be used in the agricultural sector.
Air Pollution
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to improve air quality. [105419]
Richard Benyon: Air quality in the UK is much improved, though more needs to be done, especially in cities where transport is the main issue. We must strike a balance between protecting health and the environment and supporting sustainable economic growth. Working with local authorities and others, we are investing significantly in cleaner, more sustainable transport. Underperformance against European vehicle emission standards is making compliance on nitrogen dioxide challenging for us and many other member states.
Animals
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps her Department has taken on animal health legislation within Europe to improve disease prevention. [104175]
Mr Paice: As noted in my response to the hon. Member for North Antrim (Ian Paisley) on 19 March 2012, Official Report, columns 538-39W, the European Commission is currently developing a new legal framework for managing animal health in the EU and UK officials are closely and pro-actively involved with this. We expect the Commission to come forward with final proposals to Council in the autumn of 2012 and are actively engaged with industry to ensure we take best advantage of the opportunities this presents.
On a disease-specific basis, with the agreement of member states, and where justified, the European Commission introduces safeguard measures to prevent disease spread. DEFRA pro-actively monitors the global disease situation and risk assessments are used to inform the Commission measures.
Crops
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) yellow and (b) brown rust on susceptible crops across the UK. [105014]
Mr Paice: DEFRA, through the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) and its collaboration partners, has several measures in place to assess and manage the impact of yellow rust and brown rust of wheat and brown rust of barley.
Fera conducts an annual assessment of diseases in commercial wheat crops which determines the severity and incidence of both these rust diseases. The results allow their impact on crop yield and their influence on agronomic practice to be monitored and fed back to Government and the industry. Surveys undertaken after fungicides have been applied show that between 2001 and 2010 yellow rust affected an average of 1% of crops each year while brown rust affected 10%. Fera scientists also lead a project (CropMonitor) which reports weekly
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intelligence on disease development in wheat and provides early warnings of changes in disease pressures (including yellow rust and brown rust), which assists farmers in making decisions on crop management.
EU legislation requires National Listing (registration) of cereal varieties as a condition for marketing seed. The UK listing process includes testing new varieties for their resistance to these diseases, to prevent highly susceptible varieties from reaching the market and to encourage plant breeders to develop increased resistance. Data produced for National Listing are added to by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) in further testing for the UK Recommended List, providing information on the best varieties for UK conditions.
Fera and HGCA jointly fund the UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS), which monitors populations of yellow rust and brown rust of wheat and brown rust of barley for changes in virulence and the ability to infect previously resistant varieties. In the last two years, the UKCPVS has provided advance warning of significant changes in both wheat pathogens, helping farmers to manage their crops and to select more resistant varieties for their new plantings.
Dangerous Dogs
Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a statement relating to the introduction of enhanced dog control measures. [105124]
Mr Paice: I am pleased to say that on 23 April, the Government announced a consultation on measures to tackle irresponsible dog owners. These measures include extending the existing dangerous dogs law to cover all private property in England and bring forward measures whereby all dogs are compulsorily microchipped.
Droughts
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had on the extent of drought; and if she will make a statement. [105418]
Mrs Spelman: Drought is a natural phenomenon and so the Government, together with the Environment Agency and water companies, have contingency plans. Since May 2011, we have held three drought summits and established the National Drought Group to co-ordinate actions to manage the impacts of the drought. Water companies are taking action to conserve the public water supply.
We put resilience at the heart of the Water White Paper precisely because of the future challenges that we will face.
Horses
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department plans to take steps to promote the safety of horses in future Grand Nationals. [104032]
Mr Paice: Naturally, we are sad to hear of the deaths of two racehorses at this year's Grand National.
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We understand that the British Horseracing Association (BHA) is examining the incidents which led to the deaths of the two horses. I am sure the BHA will conduct a very thorough examination and we look forward to seeing its conclusions in due course. In the meantime, I think it would be premature to suggest that there needs to be any Government intervention.
Inland Waterways
Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to secure the long-term future of rivers and waterways. [105402]
Richard Benyon: We are making excellent progress with our plan to transfer British Waterways' navigations in England and Wales to the Canal and River Trust. Funding has been agreed; the charity has been registered; the Board of Trustees is in place; the Charity's Council has had its first meeting; and recruitment of members of the Waterways Partnerships is well under way. Subject to parliamentary approval, we plan to transfer the waterways in July, ensuring the network's long-term future.
Rural Areas: Finance
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications she expects to be made for the Rural Economy Grant. [105101]
Mr Paice: The Rural Economy Grant was launched on 29 February and the first outline application round closes on 30 April. Eligible applicants will be able to apply for up to 40% of their project costs.
As of 23 April, 91 applications had been submitted, but it is usual in schemes such as this to receive most applications in the last few days of the given application window. There has been a high level of interest, with over 1,000 telephone and e-mail inquiries received.
Depending on take-up, a further two outline rounds will be held by the end of June 2013. A second application round, including support for renewable energy, is planned to be launched this autumn.
Veterinary Services
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish any impact assessment her Department has carried out on the closure of animal health and veterinary laboratories. [105015]
Mr Paice: No impact assessment was carried out as it was not a requirement in this case, as the decision was a change to the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agency's operational delivery and did not require any policy or regulatory change.
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether farms will have access to post-mortem facilities within one hour following the proposed closure of animal health and veterinary laboratories. [105016]
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Mr Paice: The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency (AHVLA) rationalisation does not close any AHVLA laboratory sites but separates the need for post-mortem facilities to be co-located with laboratory testing services.
AHVLA is seeking to identify ways to undertake veterinary surveillance both more effectively and at an affordable cost to the taxpayer. Work in this area has been on going since 2010, and the merger of the former Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has created opportunities to review how veterinary surveillance can best be delivered.
The Surveillance Advisory Group (chaired by Dirk Pfeiffer, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College, and including representatives from Government, the veterinary profession and the livestock farming and private laboratory industries) was established so all those with an interest in veterinary surveillance could help shape a future delivery model for veterinary surveillance in England and Wales and ensure that all issues were thoroughly considered.
Surveillance has historically been based on in-depth investigation of disease incidents with an emphasis on post-mortem examinations carried out at AHVLA's regional laboratories. This system is a key element in the Government's risk-based approach to the management of animal disease related threats.
One of the recommendations made, and accepted by Government, is the establishment of a tiered surveillance network that provides an improvement from the current level of approximately 50% of holdings and animals having access to a post-mortem facility or collection point within an hour's travel time, with the aim of achieving such access for 95% of holdings and animals. AHVLA will be engaged in taking forward work to implement the SAG report's recommendations and will explore delivery and implementation options, and a project team will be established to develop a detailed implementation plan.
Energy and Climate Change
Energy
Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to encourage local energy generation for local communities. [105318]
Gregory Barker: The Department recently announced that the second round of renewable heat premium payments will offer £8 million to communities. The Department is also working with the Energy Saving Trust on monitoring the outcomes of the £10 million Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF), which helped 237 communities across England and Wales.
The Department is working with DEFRA on a rural development fund which will offer loans to help community groups in rural areas get planning permission for local energy projects.
The Government website "Community Energy Online" provides information on developing community energy policies and can be accessed at:
http://ceo.decc.gov.uk/
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As part of the Phase 2b consultation on feed-in tariffs (FITs), we are seeking views on the definition of “community” and how it could be used in practice. The consultation will close on 26 April and we intend to publish the response in the summer.
In order to ensure that these and any new developments have input from community energy practitioners across the country, I have also established an informal ministerial advisory group on community energy.
Energy: Conservation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will have discussions with the US Department of Energy on the potential effects on the energy saving market of its Apps for Energy competition. [105463]
Gregory Barker: Ministers and officials in DECC regularly meet with their counterparts in the US Department of Energy to discuss a range of energy issues.
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), last met with US Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, on 24 April.
DECC ran a similar exercise to Apps for Energy with app developers as part of National Hack the Government Day 2012. Officials in the Department are happy to discuss this and share any learning that might benefit the Apps for Energy competition with the US Department of Energy.
Energy: Housing
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to reduce leakage points and permeability in homes in order to increase energy efficiency. [105571]
Gregory Barker: We will launch the Green Deal later this year and this will radically improve take-up of energy efficiency measures in homes and businesses.
The coalition Government have also established the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office to develop, by the end of the year, an overarching strategy to drive greater energy efficiency across the economy.
Green Deal Scheme
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure customers are not charged more for home improvements under the Green Deal than they save in cheaper energy bills. [103716]
Gregory Barker: People who have a Green Deal can expect to save. At the centre of the Green Deal is a robust assessment methodology for calculating the amount of finance that can be offered by a Green Deal provider. The Golden Rule, the principle that savings should be equal to or more than the costs, will help ensure customers realise savings from the outset if desired. In addition, the occupancy assessment will help to ensure the Green Deal is appropriate for the customer in question.
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It is not possible for the Government to guarantee people will save money as they may change the way they use energy, for example by heating their home for longer each day. They should, however, still save money compared to what it would have cost to power their home in that way without a Green Deal.
In addition, it would not be reasonable for the Government to prevent people from knowingly investing in measures which only partially pay for themselves if they desire to improve the energy efficiency of their building further. Trials have shown the option of blending Green Deal finance with other finance options or upfront payments is desirable.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the answer of 19 April 2012, Official Report, columns 487-8W, on the Green Deal scheme, how long he expects training leading to a Green Deal adviser qualification to take for those not already trained and qualified as energy assessors. [105613]
Gregory Barker: The length of training required for each candidate will depend on their existing level of skills. Those starting from scratch are likely to require approximately 32 days of training while those with other relevant skills are expected to receive credit, reducing the length of the training required.
The Government recently announced £1 million for the training of up to 1,000 advisors in readiness for the rollout of the Green Deal. Details will be announced shortly.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the answer of 19 April 2012, Official Report, column 488W, on the Green Deal scheme, what estimate he has made of the likely cost of training leading to a Green Deal assessor qualification for individuals not already trained and qualified as energy assessors. [105614]
Gregory Barker: Training costs will vary depending on the existing skills possessed by the candidate and the learning providers in question. Early discussions with the sector indicate that those starting from scratch could expect a cost of approximately £4,500 while those with other relevant skills are expected to receive credit, reducing the length of the training required and the cost.
The Government recently announced £1 million for the training of up to 1,000 advisors in readiness for the rollout of the Green Deal. Details will be announced shortly.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the costs and benefits of window film as a potential green deal measure for non-domestic properties. [105626]
Gregory Barker: DECC is in the process of reviewing Green Deal consultation responses, including views and evidence we have received as to which measures could qualify for Green Deal finance in the non-domestic sector. The finalised list of measures will be published shortly.
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Ministerial Meetings
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had any meetings with (i) Simon Hoare, (ii) CGMS, (iii) Freshwater UK, (iv) Intermodality LLP, (v) BNP Paribas Real Estate, (vi) Helio Europe and (vii) Bircham Dyson Bell LLP since May 2010; and whether he has received any recent representations from each such individual or organisation since May 2010. [105186]
Gregory Barker: Meetings between DECC Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the Department's website, as are meetings between the Permanent Secretary and external organisations. For quarters which have not yet been published, these will be published in due course.
BNP Paribas Real Estate is acting as DECC's agent on the rent review of 3 Whitehall Place and one official has had two meetings with BNP Paribas since May 2010, as well as some telephone and e-mail contact.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had any discussions on (i) the Helioslough Radlett rail freight exchange proposal and (ii) other rail freight issues since May 2010; and whether they have received any representations on these issues since May 2010. [105187]
Gregory Barker: Meetings between DECC Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the Department's website, as are meetings between the Permanent Secretary and external organisations. For quarters which have not yet been published, these will be published in due course.
I am not aware of any contact between officials and the organisations mentioned since May 2010.
Public Consultation
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department accepts anonymous contributions to its consultations. [104057]
Gregory Barker: Yes, the Department accepts anonymous contributions to consultations. Where contributors wish to remain anonymous, their contact details are removed from the published Government response.
Renewable Energy: Heating
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the time taken for the introduction of the renewable heat incentive on achievement of the UK's renewable heat targets. [105274]
Gregory Barker: DECC has estimated in the RHI impact assessment, see
www.decc.gov.uk/rhi
that the RHI will promote 56.5 TWh of renewable heat by 2020. This is on top of the 12 TWh (Dukes 2010) that already exist. DECC estimates that the delay to the RHI could impact renewable heat produced in 2020 by around 8 TWh. However, this is a central deployment
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estimate for a demand-led scheme and is the result of a number of uncertain assumptions around demand and supply chain growth. It is possible that in practice deployment could be faster or slower than DECC's central estimates.
These estimates do not include further anticipated additions to the non-domestic RHI scheme and the domestic scheme, which are yet to be launched.
There are no specific targets for renewable heat or electricity within the overall 15% renewable energy target for 2020, but there is a 10% sub-target for renewable transport. The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap, published in July 2011, provided illustrative ‘central ranges' for deployment for a number of renewable technologies based upon modelling of variables such as technology cost, build rates and the policy framework. This builds on the UK National Energy Action Plan (2010), which provided indicative sectoral shares.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had on including recycled oils in the second phase of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment. [105559]
Gregory Barker:
While we have considered the use of bioliquids in renewable heat incentives prior to any consultation on the long-term support for renewable
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heat in the domestic sector, bioliquids are not part of the renewable heat premium payment as this scheme provides grants towards the installation of renewable heating systems certified under the microgeneration certification scheme (MCS); there are no bioliquid-fuelled renewable heating systems certified under the MCS.
Renewable Energy: Research
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which 10 renewable energy technologies have received the most investment for research and development purposes in each year since 2005; and how much the Government spent on research and development for each such technology in each year since 2005. [91005]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 20 January 2012]:I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) provides funding to the Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to support research and development. These bodies are each responsible for determining detailed distribution between priorities. The following tables show expenditure on research and development into all renewable energy sources for all years available since 2005.
| Table 1: Research Councils UK Energy Programme | |||||||
| £00 0 | |||||||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | Total | |
| Table 2: Technology Strategy Board | |||||
| £000 | |||||
| 2007- 0 8 | 2008- 0 9 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | Total | |
| Note: TSB was set up in July 2007 and took over the management of a large set of projects that had been launched in late 2006-07, plus announced its own new group of competitions in 2007-88. This meant that there was insufficient head room in its budget to implement new competitions in 2008-09—hence there is a significant reduction in commitment and spend in this year. | |||||
A number of organisations, including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), fund renewable energy innovation, including demonstration projects. Full data are published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) at:
http://www.iea.org/stats/prodresult.asp?PRODUCT=Renewables
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Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had on including recycled oils in the Renewable Heat Incentive. [105558]
Gregory Barker: My officials have held discussions with a range of stakeholders on the possibility of including bioliquids (including recycled oils) in the RHI. The Government will be consulting on this and other issues in relation to the extension of the RHI to additional technologies and fuel types in September 2012.
International Development
Sri Lanka
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the International Crisis Group report on Sri Lanka: Women's Insecurity in the North and East, if he will provide aid to non-governmental organisations in Sri Lanka to assist women who are, or are at risk of becoming, victims of sexual violence and exploitation. [105677]
Mr Duncan: There are no plans for DFID to provide further bilateral aid to non-government organisations in Sri Lanka. Her Majesty's Government continue to have concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka and the High Commission in Colombo regularly meets with the Sri Lankan Government to discuss a range of these issues, including those of women in the North and East.
Defence
Addison Lee
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have had with John Griffin of Addison Lee since 12 May 2010. [105108]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 24 April 2012]: Details of meetings between Ministers and senior officials with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis. Meetings from October 2011 will be published in due course.
The special advisers have not held any meetings with John Griffin.
We are not aware of any meeting between officials and John Griffin but a definitive answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Armed Forces: Elections
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that military personnel are registered and encouraged to vote in elections. [105076]
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Mr Robathan [holding answer 25 April 2012]: On 21 February 2012 a publicity campaign was launched to encourage all service personnel and their families to register to vote. The Minister for the Armed Forces, the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey), attended the Service Voter Registration Day held in the Ministry of Defence, and similar events were held on military establishments both in the United Kingdom and overseas. A Defence Instruction Notice has also been published advising how service personnel can register to exercise their vote.
We continue to work closely with the Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission to promote Service Voter registration in line with the commitment made in the coalition programme for Government. We will also make special arrangements to allow service personnel serving overseas to vote in general elections.
Armed Forces: Pay
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the Tri-Service Regulations for pay and charges. [R] [105060]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 24 April 2012]: The Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) provides independent advice to the Defence Secretary on the remuneration and charges for the armed forces. The review for 2012 was published in March 2012 and made a number of recommendations, all of which have been accepted in full. The AFPRB retains a fundamental, independent role in ensuring that the remuneration package for our service personnel is sufficient to recruit and retain the right people. There are no plans to change this important principle.
Armed Forces: Redundancy
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundancies have been announced as part of Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 for each (a) Army regiment, (b) naval unit and (c) Royal Air Force group. [104371]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 23 April 2012]: The available information will be placed in the Library of the House. However, two important provisos must be noted.
First, redundancies relate to individuals, not to their posts. This means that in many instances, personnel who leave a particular unit on redundancy will be replaced by re-assigning personnel from elsewhere. The locations and units in which personnel are serving when notified for redundancy do not therefore necessarily represent a reduction in the strength of those locations or units.
Secondly, service personnel typically change appointment every 18 to 36 months; the units in which personnel were serving when notified will, in some instances, be different from those in which they are serving on exit.
While the redundancy fields and maximum yields required in Tranche 2 have been published, the selection process is still under way and notices of redundancy will not be given until 12 June 2012. The disposition of redundancies for Tranche 2 is therefore not known at this stage.
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Egypt
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [105066]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 24 April 2012]: As part of the Building Stability Overseas Strategy, the Ministry of Defence, together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, is looking to identify ways to provide support for security sector reform in Egypt. This work will include engagement with key decision makers to increase their understanding of security sector reform. It will also help to inform them of the requirements to ensure an accountable security apparatus which operates in accordance with international human rights standards.
Harrier Aircraft
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Harrier pilots have been made redundant since May 2010; [105533]
(2) how many Harrier pilots have been redeployed to other duties since May 2010. [105534]
Nick Harvey: Since May 2010,109 Royal Air Force and 28 Royal Navy former Harrier pilots have been redeployed to other duties and 12 Royal Navy former Harrier pilots have been made redundant.
Media Monitoring
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2012, Official Report, column 465W, on Departmental contracts, how much his Department has spent on (a) contracts with media companies and (b) media campaigns in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [102915]
Mr Robathan: Approximately 97% of advertising and marketing expenditure by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is for the purpose of recruitment to the armed forces. Advertising and marketing spending exceeding £25,000 has been published centrally on the
http://data.gov.uk/
website since June 2010. Total figures for 2011-12 are not yet available. Information held does not discriminate between the costs of contracts with media companies and costs of media campaigns.
It is important to note that, despite a process of redundancies, to reduce the size of the armed forces due to the current financial difficulties, the services need to maintain a strong recruitment process. Although this may appear counter initiative, the services depend on high-quality young people and, to prevent gaps in specialist skills and to have the appropriate personnel at all levels of the services, they need to carry on recruiting.
In addition to the advertising and marketing figures published online, there are a number of MOD contracts let to media companies for the support of service welfare.
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These contracts, which provide internal service television and radio broadcasts, among other welfare services, cost £27.7 million in 2009-10, £26.6 million in 2010-11 and £24.5 million in 2011-12.
Service welfare broadcasts are used to inform our servicemen and women in operational theatres about national and international news and to provide entertainment for them during the limited down time available to them.
Military Bases: Scotland
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) civilian and (b) service staff were employed at 2nd Division headquarters at Craigiehall in each year since 2009; [104285]
(2) how many (a) civilian and (b) service staff were employed at Edinburgh Castle in each year since 2009. [104286]
Mr Robathan: Headquarters 2nd Division was closed at the beginning of April 2012. The following tables provide details of the number of Headquarters 2nd Division posts at both Craigiehall and Edinburgh Castle, in each year since 2009:
| Craigiehall | |||
| April 2009 | April 2010 | April 2011 | |
| Edinburgh Castle | |||
| April 2009 | April 2010 | April 2011 | |
Figures are based on the 2nd Division Army Establishment Table for these locations and do not include other Defence units that may be based at these sites.
Navy: Housing
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the Royal Navy are exempt from single living accommodation charges; [R] [105061]
(2) how many members of the Royal Navy are homeowners but not exempt from single living accommodation charges. [R] [105062]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 24 April 2012]: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Submarines
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy has the capacity to man more than a seven-boat attack submarine fleet. [105321]
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Nick Harvey: If required, the Royal Navy would be able to complement more than a seven-boat attack submarine fleet through the application of normal manpower planning and submarine programming.
War Widows
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many post-2005 widows are in receipt of survivors' guaranteed income payments. [104738]
Mr Robathan: Since the introduction of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme in April 2005, payments are issued to surviving adult dependants of the bereaved by way of an index-linked survivors’ guaranteed income payment for life. As at 30 September 2011, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 215 recipients.
Communities and Local Government
Affordable Housing: Construction
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what the number of new units of affordable housing built was expressed as a proportion of the number of people on the housing waiting list at the last count date in that year for each local authority in England in each of the last five years; [104120]
(2) how many new units of affordable housing were built in each of the last five years for each local authority in England. [104121]
Grant Shapps: Statistics on additional affordable housing delivered in each local authority in England are published on the Department's website at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/affordablehousingsupply/livetables/
These statistics cover both new build supply and acquisitions of affordable housing as both routes provide additional affordable supply in an area.
Figures on the number of households on housing waiting lists are reported by local authorities through their Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix. These data are published in Live Table 600 at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/rentslettings/livetables/
It should be noted that current legislation does not allow local authorities to set qualification criteria for social housing, and not everyone on housing waiting lists will necessarily be in housing need. Through the allocation provisions in the Localism Act, we are giving back to local authorities the power to decide who should qualify for social housing in their area, and to develop solutions which make best use of the social housing stock. These reforms will help to address the situation within which housing waiting lists have almost doubled over the last decade, with many people left languishing on the waiting list for several years.
Under the new Affordable Rent model, 146 providers will deliver 80,000 new homes for Affordable Rent and Affordable Home Ownership with Government funding of just under £1.8 billion. We now expect to provide up
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to 170,000 new affordable homes by 2015, compared to 150,000 originally estimated. The total funding from providers, including the borrowing capacity generated by conversions to Affordable Rent, is almost £10 billion.
I also refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1114W.
Community Development
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many community mobilisers are operating nationally. [105150]
Andrew Stunell: We are not currently aware of any community mobilisers operating nationally outside the local programme funded by Milton Keynes council. As this is a local programme, rather than a DCLG or Government programme, we do not currently retain any records on their numbers.
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effect of community mobilisers on local communities. [105151]
Andrew Stunell: DCLG has not made any formal assessment of the community mobilisers operating as part of the local programme funded by Milton Keynes council. As this is a local programme, rather than a DCLG or central Government programme, we currently have no plans to do so.
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to continue to provide support for work of community mobilisers. [105152]
Andrew Stunell: Community mobilisers is a local service funded by Milton Keynes council and operated by local charities and which currently receives no funding from central Government. However, we are making it easier for community groups, charities and social enterprises to play an active role in their areas through new community rights, by reducing bureaucracy and increasing transparency and accountability in the public sector.
Fires: Housing
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many domestic fires in England were caused by electrical faults in each of the last five years; and what estimate has been made of the cost of such fires to the fire and rescue services. [105680]
Robert Neill: The number of fires in dwellings recorded by fire and rescue authorities as being caused by electrical faults for each of the last five years are shown in the following table.
The Department has not made any estimate of the costs relating to these incidents.
| Accidental dwelling fires due to electrical faults, England | |
| Number | |
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| Note: One fire and rescue authority did not manage to transfer a complete set of records in 2009-10, and this authority recorded around 200 fewer such incidents in 2009-10, compared to 2010-11. If the totals are indeed undercounting by exactly 200, then the England total for 2009-10 would have been 6,742. Source: Fire Data Report forms (to 2008-09), Incident Recording System (from 2009-10) | |
In preparing this answer, an inaccuracy was spotted in the response given on 21 June 2011, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA290, to a similar previous question asked by Baroness Hamwee. The answer given included all fires whose source of ignition was electrical appliances and installations, thereby also including fires due to misuse as well as due to faults. The number of dwelling fires in England and Wales recorded as being due to faults in electrical installation and products was 5,514 in 2008-09, 5,367 in 2009-10 and 5,285 in 2010-11. These figures are different from the table because the earlier question asked for appliances and installations, and thus does not include incidents due to electrical faults in the wiring of the buildings, and because it was for England and Wales.
Risk Assessment
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2012, Official Report, column 204W, on risk assessment, if he will list the risk registers maintained by (a) the Neighbourhoods Group, (b) the Finance and Corporate Services Group, (c) the Localism Group and (d) the Strategy and Programme Team in his Department. [104663]
Robert Neill [holding answer 23 April 2012]: The Localism Group maintains the Localism Group Strategic Risk Register and the Strategy and Programme Team maintains the Strategy and Programme Team Directorate Risk Register. The Neighbourhoods Group and Finance and Corporate Services Group does not maintain a risk register at group level, and it is not a requirement of our risk management policy to maintain a register at group level.
Departmental Travel Costs
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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. [103630]
Robert Neill: In the six month period ending March 2012 there have been:
(i) 8,868 journeys by train, 92 of which were undertaken by Ministers,
(ii) No journeys by coach,
(iii) 522 journeys by official car, 514 by Ministers and 8 by officials.
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The number of journeys undertaken by official car is drawn from usage of the Government Car and Dispatch Agency pool car service. Information relating to individual journeys and mileage undertaken by the Department's allocated car is not held.
This Government have taken a series of steps to reduce the cost of ministerial travel. Departmental spend with the Government Car and Despatch Agency has been reduced from £488,276 from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010, to £268,953 from 13 May 2010 to 31 March 2011.
Job Vacancies
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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. [104549]
Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not keep a central record of job vacancies as responsibility for recruitment lies with individual line managers.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to answer question 104641 on zero-carbon homes. [105709]
Andrew Stunell: Question 104641 was answered on 24 April 2012, Official Report, column 785W.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to answer Question 104642 on public sector land. [105710]
Grant Shapps: Question 104642 was answered on 24 April 2012, Official Report, column 787W.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) when he plans to answer question 104120 on affordable housing; [105711]
(2) when he plans to answer question 104121 on affordable housing. [105712]
Grant Shapps: Questions 104120 and 104121 have been answered today.
Transport
Dual Carriageways
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of single carriageway A roads were dualled between May (a) 1997 and (b) 2010. [103386]
Mike Penning: The Highways Agency dualled 64 miles of single carriageway, major A roads between May 2002 and May 2010.
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Note s :
1. The HA is responsible for managing only the strategic road network in England.
2. The figure above relates only to major A road improvements delivered by the Highways Agency (HA).
3. The HA holds details only of major A road improvement schemes completed since May 2002.
4. The figure includes only HA major schemes improvements. Data are not held centrally for HA minor schemes improvements.
5. Only schemes where the A road has been dualled in both directions are included. The miles quoted are total scheme lengths.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her policy is on the period for which e mails sent and received by (a) Ministers, (b) officials, and (c) special advisers in her Department are retained; and whether such emails are recoverable from the IT systems in her Department after that period. [102950]
Norman Baker: E-mails in the Department for Transport are retained in accordance with the terms of The Public Records Act 1958 and the guidelines from the National Archive.
Liverpool Cruise Terminal
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential economic and employment effects on other ports and communities of permitting turnaround operations at the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal. [105683]
Mike Penning: I have considered representations about such effects made in responses to the Department's consultation. The proposal for grant repayment itself reflects a recognition that there are material competition implications for other ports and their hinterlands.
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 26 January 2012, Official Report, column 26WS, on the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal, whether the Government have sought independent advice on the repayment of public subsidy used to finance the terminal. [105686]
Mike Penning: Yes. I am considering that advice and intend to make a further announcement shortly.