River Thames: Tunnels
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her response to the Mayor of London's letter to her of 11 April 2012 on the Thames tunnel. [111116]
Richard Benyon: I have arranged for a copy of the Secretary of State’s reply to the Mayor of London's letter of 11 April 2012 to be placed in the Library of the House.
Roads: Lighting
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the ecological effects of street lighting. [112107]
Richard Benyon: The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's report on ‘Artificial Light in the Environment’ demonstrated the potential impact of street lighting on biodiversity but highlighted that there was a general lack of evidence in this area.
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DEFRA has subsequently commissioned a three-year research project on street lighting and biodiversity, due to be completed in April 2015. This will add to the developing evidence base from externally funded studies which is particularly focused on impacts on bats and invertebrates.
Rural Areas
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps her Department has taken to (a) support the farming industry in the UK, (b) promote the interests of rural people and (c) promote the interests of rural communities. [110987]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has set out clear objectives in its Business Plan to support and develop British farming and thriving rural communities, and this is embedded in all of its policy and wider work.
The Rural Payments Agency produced a Five-Year Plan in February setting out how it will build on recent improvements and work towards delivering both vastly improved service to its customers and much better value for money for taxpayers.
The independent Task Force on Farming Regulation published its report on 17 May and the Government their full response on 21 May. Most recommendations were accepted and work is now under way to implement our commitments.
DEFRA's £3.7 billion Rural Development Programme for England (2007-2013) provides investment to improve competitiveness in the agriculture and forestry sector; safeguard and enhance the rural environment; foster competitive and sustainable rural businesses and thriving rural communities. Under the programme new grant schemes have been introduced which provide small grants to enable the development of farm, forestry, and horticulture businesses, and large grants to enable the transformational change in the economic performance of farm, forestry, tourism, and agri-food businesses. A new skills and knowledge framework is to be introduced in the autumn.
DEFRA's Rural Communities Policy Unit acts as a centre of rural expertise supporting and informing Government policy to achieve outcomes for rural people and communities. DEFRA is engaging with a wide range of organisations that support and represent rural people including:
The Rural Community Action Network (RCAN): supports community-led action in rural areas and works to increase the long-term sustainability of rural community life.
The Rural Coalition: DEFRA meets regularly with the Rural Coalition to facilitate strategic input into key policy areas impacting on rural people and communities.
The Rural and Farming Network: established to identify and feedback local issues and concerns to DEFRA Ministers.
Rural Areas: Business
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps her Department has taken to support small businesses. [110888]
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Richard Benyon: I am keen to support small businesses as part of our economy. They play a major role in the economy in rural areas and throughout the agri-food and drink sector and DEFRA is working hard to promote them. For example, we are currently implementing a £165 million package of measures to stimulate rural businesses including the establishment of five Rural Growth Network pilots during 2012-13 which are designed to stimulate sustainable growth in the rural economy and to help businesses reach their full potential, the targeting of £100 million of Rural Development Programme for England funding at meeting Rural Economy Growth Review priorities, and driving through a reform of farming regulation to minimise the burdens on business.
Broadband connectivity is vital for small businesses to be able to compete and grow and access new markets. To complement the Government's £530 million investment to support the roll out of broadband across all rural areas, DEFRA and Broadband Delivery UK has established the Rural Community Broadband Fund. This £20 million fund provides grant support to enable communities and businesses to access superfast broadband in hard to reach locations.
UK Business as a whole could save £23 billion a year by being more resource efficient. Small and medium enterprises face particular challenges in accessing these savings, particularly access to capital and information. DEFRA funds WRAP to provide targeted services to help address these issues, including voluntary agreements, loan funds and business support. By 2015 WRAP aim to save SMEs £20 million a year through better resource use.
I also want to ensure our procurement is accessible to small businesses and DEFRA is committed to reaching the cross-Government target of 25% of business going to SMEs. We have also recently consulted across the country to encourage SMEs to play their part in the Rural Redevelopment Programme for England training procurement.
Schmallenberg Virus
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made in tracking the schmallenberg virus in the UK. [110992]
Mr Paice: A team of experts from DEFRA and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) constantly monitors diseases in the UK and across the world. As a result, we are well informed of the threat of both emerging and spreading diseases.
This new disease is not notifiable in the EU and as such there is no legal requirement to do surveillance for the virus. However, as little is known about the virus, the Government is supporting research to develop the schmallenberg virus knowledge base, but does not plan further intervention at this stage. There is little indication of infection in adult livestock, and it is their offspring born sometime after active infection during pregnancy that have been exhibiting clinical signs.
Following low winter midge activity, further cases may be reported, therefore DEFRA continues to provide free testing for the virus. Nevertheless, we would not expect a significant increase at this time of year. Through enhanced passive surveillance, animal keepers have been
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asked to be vigilant and report suspect cases for investigation on a voluntary basis. In addition, the AHVLA is shortly to release an online questionnaire available for completion by all GB sheep farmers which will provide additional details of the prevalence of the disease.
DEFRA is working closely with the farming industry and international scientific experts to ensure the most up-to-date information and advice is provided to livestock keepers.
Sharks: Conservation
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research her Department has undertaken into shark finning in the UK. [111110]
Richard Benyon: In 2008, the UK banned shark finning—the wasteful practice of removing shark fins at sea and discarding the carcass overboard—on board all UK vessels. Since then, it has not been necessary to conduct any research into this activity.
The UK wants to see improved conservation and management measures for sharks and supports the European Commission's proposal to tighten Regulation 1185/2003 on shark finning to ensure there is a complete ban on the removal of shark fins on board vessels.
Steart Peninsular
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the (a) cost of buying the land for the Steart Peninsular project, (b) overall cost of that project and (c) cost of completing the project. [111953]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency has spent £5.8 million on land acquisition costs for the Steart Coastal Management Scheme.
The full costs of the project including land purchase are estimated to be £18 million to £20 million.
The remaining costs to complete the project are £8.5 million.
Timber: Smuggling
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to prevent the illegal smuggling of endangered hardwoods. [112088]
Richard Benyon:
We are committed to eliminating illegal timber from the UK market. We will therefore put in place the necessary legislation to implement the provisions of the EU illegal timber regulation in the United Kingdom by 3 March 2013 in accordance with the provisions of the regulation. The regulation prohibits the first-placing of illegal timber on the EU market which will restrict its purchase, possession and sale down the supply chain. Implementation will include putting in place a robust and proportionate enforcement regime, including appropriate penalties. With regard to the trade in endangered Rosewoods and Ebonies from Madagascar the UK CITES (convention on international trade in endangered species of fauna and flora) Scientific Authority for Plants is working with the national CITES
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authorities to increase international regulation of the trade and to improve mechanisms of detection of illegal trade.
Water Charges
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the average change in water prices charged to customers was in each of the last 10 years (a) in England and Wales and (b) by Severn Trent Water; and if she will make a statement; [112334]
(2) how much has been invested by the water industry (a) in England and Wales and (b) in Severn Trent Water in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [112560]
Richard Benyon: Information on the average change in unit water prices charged to customers is not held by Ofwat in the form requested and is available only at disproportionate cost. Ofwat holds information on average bill changes, not average change in prices. That information is held by individual companies.
The following table provides details of the average water and sewerage bills in England and Wales, and the average water and sewerage bills for Severn Trent, for the last 10 years:
| £ | ||
| Average waterand seweragebillinEngland and Wales | Averagewaterand seweragebillinSevern Trent | |
Capital expenditure in England and Wales and in Severn Trent in each of the last 10 years is given in the following table:
| £ million | ||
| Capital expenditure of all water and sewerage companies | Capital expenditure of Severn Trent | |
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Water: Conservation
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet representatives of the Environment Agency and the water suppliers to discuss lifting drought orders currently in force and allowing people who wish to use hoses for commercial or domestic purposes to do so. [111698]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 14 June 2012]: Following the continued wet weather in April and May, the Environment Agency has reported that most river flows and almost all reservoirs levels have returned to normal levels for the time of year. However, very low groundwater levels remain a concern across some parts of England. The Environment Agency continues to keep the water resources situation and drought status under constant review. No drought orders are currently in force.
The decision to lift water restrictions is down to individual water companies. Thames, Anglian and Southern Water have all announced that they will lift their restrictions as a result of their improved water situation. However the other four water companies with restrictions in place are more reliant on groundwater supplies. They are continuing to monitor their supplies but have indicated they are unlikely to be able to remove restrictions in the short term.
Should we have another dry winter and limited recharge of groundwater supplies the risk of drought will continue into 2013. The Government is continuing to work with the water companies to plan ahead for such an event and ensure they are able to maintain their supplies.
Wind Power
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effect of wind turbine developments on livestock. [111680]
Mr Paice: DEFRA has carried out no such assessment.
Cabinet Office
Average Earnings: Newton Abbot
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the average earnings of full-time employees in Newton Abbot constituency in April of each year since 2005. [109573]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 24 May 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for average earnings of full-time employees in the Newton Abbot constituency for April of each year since 2005. (109573)
Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
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The following table shows the median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees in the Newton Abbot constituency for April of each year since 2009, the first period for which figures are available.
| Median gross weekly earnings for full-time employee jobs(1), Newton Abbot constituency from 2009 to 2011 | |
| £ | |
| (1) Full-time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. As at April of each year. (2) 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2000. (3) 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2010. Notes: The district of Teignbridge was split into two parliamentary constituencies, Newton Abbot and Central Devon. This change was implemented on ASHE in 2009. Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180-220. Key: * CV > 5% and <= 10% ** CV > 10% and <= 20% Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics. | |
Average Earnings: South West
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average earnings were of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Newton Abbot constituency, (ii) Devon County Council Authority area and (iii) the South West in each of the last five years. [110016]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority, I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 24 May 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average earnings were of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Newton Abbot constituency, (ii) Devon County Council Authority area and (iii) the South West in each of the last five years. (110016)
Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
The following table shows the median gross weekly earnings for (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Newton Abbot constituency in April of each year since 2009, the first period for which figures are available, (ii) Devon County Council Authority area and (iii) the South West region in April each year from 2007 to 2011.
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| Median Gross Weekly Earnings—for full-time male, full-time female, part-time male and part time female employee jobs(1): (i) Newton Abbot parliamentary constituency, 2009 to 2011, (ii) Devon County Council Authority area and (iii) the South West region, 2007 to 2011 | ||||
| £ | ||||
| Newton Abbot parliamentary constituency | ||||
| Full-time male | Part-time male | Full-time female | Part-time female | |
| £ | ||||
| Devon County Council authority area(4) | ||||
| Full-time male | Part-time male | Full-time female | Part-time female | |
| £ | ||||
| South West region | ||||
| Full-time male | Part-time male | Full-time female | Part-time female | |
| (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2) 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2000. (3) 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2010. (4) Devon County Council Authority area comprises eight local authorities. Note: The District of Teignbridge was split into two parliamentary constituencies—Newton Abbot and Central Devon. This change was implemented on ASHE in 2009. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: CV ≤ 5% * CV > 5% and = 10% ** CV > 10% and = 20% X Unreliable CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics. | ||||
Charities
Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department issues guidance to charities on payments to suppliers and sub-contractors. [112492]
Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office has no plans to issue guidance to charities on how they should pay suppliers and sub-contractors. This would be a decision for charities.
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Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what arrangements are in place to ensure charitable resources are used transparently in establishing new IT processes in charities. [112494]
Mr Hurd: Under charity law, which is a devolved matter, charities are independent and trustees have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. Provided they act under their legal duty, trustees are free to make decisions relating to their charity if made properly and within the law, although the regulators encourage them to be as transparent as possible in the way they run their affairs.
The accounts and annual reports of all registered charities in England and Wales with an annual income of over £25,000 are published on the Charity Commission's website.
Civil Servants
Mr McCann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure that senior civil servants maintain proper constitutional relations between the civil service and Parliament. [110881]
Mr Maude: As set out in the Civil Service Code, civil servants advising Ministers should be aware of the constitutional significance of Parliament, and of the conventions governing the relationship between Parliament and the Government.
Civil Servants: North West
Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many full-time civil service posts there were in (a) Warrington, (b) Cheshire, (c) Merseyside and (d) Greater Manchester (i) on the most recent date for which figures are available, (ii) in 2010, (iii) in 1997 and (iv) in 1992. [112551]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many full-time, equivalent civil service posts there were in (a) Warrington, (b) Cheshire, (c) Merseyside and (d) Greater Manchester in (i) at the latest date for which figures are available, (ii) in 2010, (iii) in 1997 and (iv) in 1992 (112551).
The Annual Civil Service Employment Survey has been carried out by ONS since 2006. Prior to this the survey was called the Mandate Collection and was carried out by Cabinet Office. Therefore the data provided are for the latest year available, 2011, and 2010. Cabinet Office holds data for previous years.
The data are provided for Warrington, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
The survey reference points for the data are 31 March for both 2010 and 2011.
The data for Warrington, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester are shown at Annex A.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 756W
| Civil service employment in Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Warrington(1,2) | ||
| All full-time employees | ||
| 2010(2) | 2011(2) | |
| (1) Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, and numbers less than five are represented by“..”. (2) Workplace postcode data are used to derive geographical information. Note: Survey reference date 31 March. Source: Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (2010-11) | ||
Civil Servants: Recruitment
Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will consider introducing a system in the civil service analogous to the Business Compact and name blank CVs. [107520]
Mr Maude: Government Departments operate their own recruitment and processes differ across Departments. Civil Service Resourcing was established in 2011 as an HR expert service to provide systems and services for use across the civil service.
Civil Service Resourcing has introduced an e-recruitment system that has the functionality to allow Departments to adopt a “blind” approach to the first stage sift. This means that all protected characteristics can be removed from defined fields within an application form.
Some Departments have already adopted the system and this approach. Other Departments are likely to review their approach over time as they consider uptake of the e-recruitment system.
Deaths: Heart Disease and Strokes
Mr Hepburn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many people died from heart disease in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each of the last five years; [112512]
(2) how many people died from a stroke in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each of the last five years. [112513]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
1. How many people died from heart disease in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each of the last five years. [112512]
2. How many people died from a stroke in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each of the last five years. [112513]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 757W
Table 1 provides the number of deaths where heart disease was the underlying cause for (a) Jarrow parliamentary constituency, (b) South Tyneside local authority, (c) the North East region and the UK between 2006 and 2010 (the latest year available).
Table 2 provides the number of deaths where cerebrovascular disease (stroke) was the underlying cause for (a) Jarrow parliamentary constituency, (b) South Tyneside local authority, (c) the North East region and the UK between 2006 and 2010 (the latest year available).
The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each year by sex, age, cause and place of death are published annually and are available here:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html?definition=tcm%3A77-27475
| Table 1: Number of deaths where heart disease was the underlying cause in the UK, the North East region, South Tyneside local authority and Jarrow parliamentary constituency, 2006-10(1,2,3,4) | |||||
| Deaths (persons) | |||||
| Area | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| (1) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year and include non-residents for the UK. (2) Cause of death for heart disease was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes I20-I25. (3) Figures are based on boundaries as of February 2012. (4) Figures for the UK include data provided by National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. | |||||
| Table 2: Number of deaths where cerebrovascular disease was the underlying cause in the UK, the North East region, South Tyneside local authority and Jarrow parliamentary constituency, 2006-10(1,2,3,4) | |||||
| Deaths (persons) | |||||
| Area | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| (1) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year and include non-residents for the UK. (2) Cause of death for heart disease was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes I60-I69. (3) Figures are based on boundaries as of February 2012. (4) Figures for the UK include data provided by National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. | |||||
Employment: York
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) males and (b) females were employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time (A) on the latest date for which figures are available, (B) in 2010, (C) in 1997 and (D) in 1992 in the areas covered in 2012 by (1) City of York Council and (2) York Central constituency. [111428]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
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Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) males and (b) females were employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time (A) at the latest date for which figures are available, (B) in 2010, (C) in 1997 and (D) in 1992 in areas covered in 2012 by (1) City of York Council and (2) York Central constituency. (111428)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor the Annual Labour Force Survey.
Table 1 shows the number of males and females in full-time and part-time employment resident in the City of York Council area for the 12 month APS periods ending September 2010 and September 2011, the latest period for which figures are available. Estimates for 1992 and 1997 are not available, but as an alternative estimates have been supplied for the nearest available periods: March 1994-February 1995 and March 1996-February 1997.
Table 2 shows estimates for the York Central parliamentary constituency for the 12 month APS periods ending September 2010 and September 2011. Estimates are not available for 1992 and 1997 for this area.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Table 1: Number in full-time and part-time employment in the City of York council area | ||||
| Thousand | ||||
| Men | Women | |||
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time | Part-time | |
| (1) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See following Guide to Quality. Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV <5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes Source: Annual Population Survey/ Annual Labour Force Survey | ||||
| Table 2: Number in full-time and part-time employment in the York Central parliamentary constituency | ||||
| Thousand | ||||
| Men | Women | |||
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time | Part-time | |
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| (1) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See following Guide to Quality. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV <5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes Source: Annual Population Survey/Annual Labour Force Survey | ||||
Employment: Newton Abbot
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what percentage of people in Newton Abbot constituency were employed in the (a) public sector, (b) private sector and (c) third sector in each of the last five years. [110015]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of people in Newton Abbot constituency were employed in the (a) public sector, (b) private sector and (c) third sector in each of the last five years. (110015)
Public and private sector employment statistics for local areas can be calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey.
Estimates of people employed in the third sector are currently not available from APS. Individuals employed in voluntary organisations, charities and trusts are generally included in private sector estimates.
Table 1 shows the percentage of the resident population aged 16 to 64 of Newton Abbot constituency employed in the public and private sectors from APS for the period October 2010 to September 2011, which are the most recent data available and October to September for the previous four years.
As with any sample survey, estimates from APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
| Table 1: Percentage of the resident population aged 16 to 64 of Newton Abbot constituency employed in the private and public sector | ||
| Percentage | ||
| 12 months ending September: | Private | Public |
| Source: Annual Population Survey. | ||
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Government Estate
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what savings to the public purse have accrued from his Department's controls on the Government's property estate since May 2010; and how much he expects to save up to May 2015. [112290]
Mr Maude: As I announced last summer, we reduced the ongoing cost of our property estate by over £90 million between May 2010 and March 2011. Savings figures for 2011-12 are being audited and will be released in due course.
My officials are working closely with Departments to accrue further savings during this Parliament.
Investment and Contract Readiness Fund
Ann McKechin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether any Barnett consequentials arise from the formation of the Investment and Contract Readiness Fund. [112446]
Mr Hurd: No consequentials arise from the formation of the Investment and Contract Readiness Fund. The Investment and Contract Readiness Fund falls within the agreed spending review (SR10) budget for the Cabinet Office. Barnett consequentials were allocated at the time of the SR10 settlements, based on agreed budgets.
Public Policy Research: Members
Mr Chope: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department has commissioned or funded research into the opinions of hon. Members on issues of public policy since the 2010 general election. [112305]
Ministers
Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he will publish Ministers' figures for hospitality, gifts and overseas trips since September 2011. [107928]
Mr Maude: As part of my Department's transparency programme this information is published online. Details can be accessed at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-meetings-extemal-organisations-october-december-2011
Office for National Statistics
Stella Creasy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the route is from the opening page of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website to finding the entry for 1950 from data set 1.8 in the series FM1 (the proportion of first births which took place within eight months of a wedding); what the ONS policy is on the publication of historic time series data; and if he will make a statement. [112245]
18 Jun 2012 : Column 761W
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the route is from the opening page of the ONS website to finding the entry for 1950 from dataset 1.8 in the series FM1 (the proportion of first births which took place within eight months of a wedding); what the ONS policy is on the publication of historic time series data.
Table 1.8 from the series FM1 (percentage of first marriages with a birth within 8 months of marriage) is not available for 1950 or previous years. In 1950 the Registrar General's Statistical Review of England and Wales contained tables providing information on the interval between marriage and birth but did not separately identify first marriages so is not directly comparable to table 1.8. This publication is currently only available in hard copy format. Table 1.8 is available electronically from 1951 to 2008 and can be provided on request from the customer services team for vital statistics outputs,
vsob@ons.qsi.gov.uk.
Stella Creasy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the route is from the opening page of the Office for National Statistics website to access the time series for the Household Savings ratio for users who (a) know and (b) do not know the series registration code; if he will take steps to improve the accessibility of the information; and if he will make a statement. [112294]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, asking what the route is from the opening page of the Office for National Statistics website to access the time series for the Household Savings ratio for users who (a) know and (b) do not know the series registration code; if he will take steps to improve the accessibility of the information; and if he will make a statement. (112294)
The primary publication for the saving ratio is the UK Economic Accounts. The latest edition can be accessed from the ONS homepage
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/index.html
via the following route:
Select ‘Economy' theme
Select ‘UK Sector Accounts'
Select the latest UK Economic Accounts publication.
The Households' saving ratio series is included in Table A40.
Where the four character series identifier is known (for the seasonally adjusted Households' saving ratio series this is NRJS) this can be accessed from the ONS homepage via the following route:
Select ‘Data'
Search for “NRJS”
Select the latest Quarterly National Accounts publication.
The dataset can be opened and downloaded in a variety of accessible formats, in which the NRJS series can be found.
Commentary and analysis of the household saving ratio are also reported in the Quarterly National Accounts Statistical Bulletin
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/naa2/quarterly-national-accounts/index.html
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and the Quarterly Household Release
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/hsa/quarterly-household-release/index.html
Steps have been taken to improve the search criteria for these data on the ONS website, and further improvements are planned for the future.
Older Workers
Stella Creasy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the number of people between the ages of 60 and 65 claiming pension credit and entitled to, but not claiming, jobseeker's allowance is included in the UK's unemployment statistics. [112255]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether unemployment estimates include those people aged between 60 and 65 who claim pension credit and are entitled to, but do not claim, Jobseeker’s Allowance.
In accordance with international conventions, there is no upper age limit on people being recorded as in unemployment. Equally, whether or not a person is eligible for, or is claiming, any benefit is not a relevant factor in determining whether a person is unemployed.
The ONS also produces figures for the claimant count which measures the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
Pensioners: Newton Abbot
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people there were of pensionable age in Newton Abbot constituency on the latest date for which figures are available. [110014]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 8 June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people of pensionable age there are in Newton Abbot constituency (110014).
There were 24,110 people of pensionable age in Newton Abbot constituency at mid-2010. This is the latest year for which population estimates are available.
This estimate gives the number of women aged 60 and over, and men aged 65 and over, which is the closest available approximation to state pension age at mid-2010 that can be obtained for population estimates by parliamentary constituency.
Procurement
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that small companies can participate in the (a) first and (b) second round of G-Cloud procurement; [111471]
(2) what proportion of companies which (a) participated in and (b) were successful in the first round of G-Cloud procurement were small and medium-sized enterprises. [111479]
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Mr Maude [holding answer 14 June 2012]: The first round of the G-Cloud procurement received over 600 expressions of interest. The Government procurement service subsequently awarded framework agreements to around 250 suppliers, 74% of whom have identified themselves as SMEs.
The frameworks were the most SME-friendly in UK Government history. A number of aspects made them more accessible including simplified procurement processes, increased transparency, less detailed requirements specification, easier terms and education sessions to aid suppliers with the tender and accreditation process.
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what proportion of Government-procured construction works were fully compliant with the health and safety competence in the Approved Code of Practice accompanying the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007 in each of the last two years; [R] [111947]
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that all construction firms involved in Government-procured construction work including contractors or sub-contractors comply with the core criteria for health and safety competence in the Approved Code of Practice accompanying the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007. [R] [111948]
Mr Maude: In September 2011 Cabinet Office published mandatory standards for government-procured construction work: “The Common Minimum Standards for the procurement of built environments in the public sector” which included a number of requirements on Departments.
The Common Minimum Standards document can be viewed in full at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Government_Construction_Common_Minimum_Standards_1.pdf
Individual Departments are responsible for the selection of their suppliers and ensuring that their construction projects comply with the law.
Public Sector
Mr Bone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress he has made in improving efficiency in the public sector. [111340]
Mr Maude: In its first year of operation, the Efficiency and Reform Group helped Departments to deliver £3.75 billion in efficiency savings for the taxpayer across central Government. This cash was released through coordinated action such as making large reductions in the amounts spent on consultants, renegotiating contracts with some of Government's largest suppliers, and consolidating the Whitehall property estate. For the first time, these savings were corroborated by both the National Audit Office and by independent auditors.
We are building on this success and are now auditing savings for 2011-12 which are expected to be a further £5 billion. These savings have not only driven out waste, but made an important contribution to reducing the deficit and protecting front-line services.
We now have in place an effective operations centre at the heart of Government that can drive efficiencies and deliver long term, sustainable reform. Innovations such as new delivery models like mutual joint ventures and
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digital services are not only more efficient, but will deliver better results for the users. The Efficiency and Reform Group will continue working to root out waste, deliver efficiency and generate savings for the taxpayer, year after year.
Regulation
Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which regulations his Department repealed between 1 February 2012 and 31 May 2012; and what the anticipated total savings will be from repealing those regulations. [112500]
Mr Maude: Information regarding regulation introduced (INs) and repealed (OUTs) by the Cabinet Office is published on a six-monthly basis in its Statement of New Regulation (SNR). This is available on the Cabinet Office Website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/statement-new-regulation
Sports Nutrition
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the total number of (a) jobs and (b) businesses in the sports nutrition industry. [112447]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many jobs and businesses there are in the sports nutrition industry. The requested information is not available.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Adam Pickles
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support and assistance his Department is offering the family of Adam Pickles. [111296]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was first notified of Mr Pickles’ case on 21 May 2012. Consular staff from our consulate in Pattaya visited Mr Pickles in hospital on 22 May and met his family. Mr Pickles' family have subsequently met the staff at our consulate in Pattaya and at our embassy in Bangkok, and have also been in contact by telephone.
Our consul in Bangkok has written to the Thai authorities to seek assurance that the circumstances that led to Mr Pickles' hospitalisation are fully investigated. The local police have kept our staff informed of the progress of their investigation and this information has been shared with Mr Pickles' family.
We continue to monitor the case closely and provide advice and support to Mr Pickles' family as appropriate.
Argentina
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Argentinian Government on its recent threats of legal action against British oil exploration firms. [111758]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: The British Government fully supports the Falkland Islanders’ right to develop their own economy, including the hydrocarbons sector. Argentine authorities do not have jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands. We have reiterated these points on many occasions to the Government of Argentina, to the governments of other Latin American countries and to others, including the United Nations. We will continue to offer support to all companies working in the Falkland Islands, including by reassuring those in the hydrocarbons sector in receipt of threatening correspondence from the Argentine Government.
Ascension Island
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are registered as permanently resident on Ascension Island. [112096]
Mr Bellingham: There is no right of abode on Ascension and there are no permanent residents.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on a right of abode on Ascension Island. [112098]
Mr Bellingham: There is no right of abode on Ascension Island. Permission to reside on Ascension Island is conditional on having an employment contract with one of the defined Employing Organisations or being the spouse or dependent of someone with such an employment contract. The Employing Organisations are the Ministry of Defence, the US Government, the Composite Signals Organisation, the BBC World Service, Cable and Wireless and the Ascension Island Government.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many trespassers have been evicted from the British Indian Ocean Territory in each of the last 10 years. [112094]
Mr Bellingham: The numbers of vessels which have been arrested or given a warning for activities which could be considered as trespassing are:
| Number of vessels | |
Most of these cases involved illegal fishing but some were vessels breaking immigration rules by not having valid permits.
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Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on a right of abode in the British Indian Ocean Territory. [112097]
Mr Bellingham: The two 2004 British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Orders in Council provide that no person has the right of abode in BIOT or the right to enter the Territory unless authorised.
British Nationals Abroad
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which 20 countries had the largest British expatriate populations in the latest period for which figures are available. [111702]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to respond to your question asking if he will estimate the 20 countries with the largest British expatriate populations in the latest period for which figures are available (111702).
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not collect information regarding UK nationals resident outside the UK. However, Eurostat publishes figures on population by citizenship for EU countries, these are available at:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/population/data/database
In 2006, the Institute for Public Policy Research produced a report on the British citizens living outside the UK “Brits abroad: mapping the scale and nature of British emigration”. This report can be accessed via the IPPR website on:
http://ippr.typepad.com/brits_abroad/2006/12/brits_abroad_pu.html
ONS produces estimates of long-term international migration flows which are primarily based on the International Passenger Survey (IPS). Detailed information on countries of next residence of emigrants from the UK is available using the IPS component of these estimates. Published estimates on the Top 10 countries of next residence for emigrants who are British citizens can be found in our Series 3 tables (3.20b) on the ONS website at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/long-term-international-migration/november-2010/long-term-international-migration-from-international-passenger-survey--ips--tables-1991---latest.zip
Burma
Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Burmese Government on inter-ethnic and inter-religious violence in the west of that country. [112058]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I issued a press statement on 10 June which expressed my deep concern at the ongoing violence in Rakhine state. I called on all parties to act with restraint, and have urged the authorities and community leaders to open discussions to end the violence and protect all members of the local population.
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On 12 June our ambassador met Burmese President Thein Sein to discuss the ongoing peace negotiations with ethnic groups. The President emphasised his commitment to the peace process, and to resolving ethnic conflict. He said that the success of this process was essential to the sustainability of ongoing reforms.
Our ambassador informed the President of our concern over the recent hostility in Rakhine state, and made clear that we stood ready to support all efforts—including the President’s—to end the violence. The UK and international community continues to monitor the situation very closely.
Commonwealth: Diamond Jubilee 2012
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what programmes his Department has put in place to promote diamond jubilee celebrations in Commonwealth countries. [112095]
Mr Bellingham: It is for Commonwealth realms and countries to decide how they wish to celebrate Her Majesty's diamond jubilee and 60 years as head of the Commonwealth. However UK diplomatic posts promoted diamond jubilee celebrations in their host countries during diamond jubilee week in a variety of ways. Many examples of those events can be seen on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) diamond jubilee pinterest website:
http://pinterest.com/foreignoffice/diamond-jubilee/
Our high commissions, embassies and overseas territories joined the series of lighting jubilee beacons around the world to celebrate this occasion.
Lord Howell hosted a diamond jubilee dinner in March during Commonwealth week for London based high commissioners.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also supporting the work of Sir John Major and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (QEDJT) to ensure the QEDJT is a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth. The Trust will identify projects that will enrich the lives and opportunities for citizens across the Commonwealth.
A number of Commonwealth countries have already had visits by members of the Royal Family this year to celebrate the jubilee. These will continue during the diamond jubilee year.
Diplomatic Service
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the appointment of diplomats to the UK who have been accused of committing human rights abuses. [111623]
Mr Bellingham: The British Government takes seriously its commitment to upholding human rights. If evidence of human rights violations allegedly committed by diplomats seeking appointment in the UK is made known to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office we will, in conjunction with other parts of the British Government, carefully consider what our response should be. This could include, depending on the circumstances, a request to the sending state that such an application should be withdrawn.
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Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department made on private education for the children of diplomatic staff working overseas in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many children are being educated at each such school. [111719]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spent a total of £12,839,645 on UK schooling in financial year 2011-12 and £11,761,394 on day schooling for children who accompanied their parents overseas. Staff and family movements between the UK and overseas postings are frequent in either direction. At any given time there are around 500-550 children in UK boarding schools and more than 1,000 children aged between three and 18 years at school overseas.
It is a condition of their employment that members of the diplomatic service must be prepared to serve anywhere in the world at any time during their career, sometimes at very short notice. Most parents prefer to take their children with them abroad, but in some countries we do not permit staff to take their children either for health or security reasons. In others, free local English language schools comparable to those in the UK are not available, or teaching is not geared towards the final school leaving qualifications normally required for entry to British university or employment in the UK (ie GCSE and A-level or the international baccalaureate diploma).
The financial support for UK schooling is limited to standard term fees up to a ceiling which is reviewed annually. The ceiling is determined by an independent survey conducted by ECA International, which is used by public and private sector employers whose staff work across the world. Staff choosing a more expensive school must pay the difference in cost themselves. Where a child has boarded at a UK school while parents have served overseas, the FCO will also meet these costs to give the child continuity while their parent works in the UK between overseas postings. Continuity of education is particularly important at secondary school age.
We do not provide details of individual schools attended by children of staff in the UK and overseas, in order to avoid disclosures that, taken with other information, could identify individual members of staff and their families.
Euro 2012
Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the (a) Polish and (b) Ukrainian authorities on racism at the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament. [112066]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not had any discussions with either the Polish or Ukraine authorities on racism at UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament. However, there has been good bilateral co-operation between the UK and Polish and Ukrainian police on this issue. The FA and the UK football policing unit are confident that police from both countries will deal with any racist incident robustly and quickly.
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While not dismissing the risk of racist incidents or violence, we believe that both the England team and its fans will be made to feel welcome in Poland and Ukraine. No cases of racial abuse against British nationals in either Ukraine or in Poland have been reported to the FCO in recent years.
Foreign Students: North East
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate the British Council has made of the number of students from the north-east of England who have participated in (a) the Erasmus Programme and (b) the IAESTE programmes. [111014]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The British Council does not hold data on from where within the UK students participating in the Erasmus and the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) programmes originate. However, they collect data on the number of students attending universities in the north-east of England who participate in the Erasmus programme and the IAESTE programme. The following figures cover the period from the 2007-08 academic year, when the British Council first started administering the Erasmus scheme:
| (a) Erasmus | ||||
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| (b) IAESTE | ||||
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
Guided Weapons
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2012, Official Report, column 199W, on guided weapons, whether the Storm Shadow missile falls within Category I of the Missile Technology Control Regime; whether the missile has been exported to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [110949]
Alistair Burt: The Storm Shadow missile is assessed to be compliant with the MTCR guidelines. The specifics of current or potential weapons acquisitions by Saudi Arabia from UK are confidential between the two Governments.
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Israel
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in respect of discriminatory water supply policies in the Jordan Valley. [112154]
Alistair Burt: Water is one of the issues expected to be addressed in final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The UK continues to urge both parties to enter into direct talks to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The British Government have had detailed discussions with both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities on the issue of water supply policies in the Jordan Valley.
In addition to lobbying at political level, the UK is funding a project working with Palestinians and Israelis to help improve co-operation on water issues to the benefit of both parties.
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli authorities on Mahmoud Sarsak; and if he will make a statement. [112296]
Alistair Burt: We continue to monitor the situation of the three Palestinian detainees still on hunger strike, including that of Mahmoud Sarsak, who is detained under Israel's unlawful combatants law. We understand that his medical condition has deteriorated and that he has started to take some liquids. We are also aware of reports that there are ongoing negotiations around his case.
We have instructed our embassy in Tel Aviv to make clear our concerns to the Israeli authorities on this and related cases. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I have also regularly raised with the Israeli authorities the issues of conditions in Israeli prisons, administrative detention and the situation of hunger strikers in general.
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he would consider taking against Israel if it continues with its policy of detentions without charge or trial; and if he will make a statement. [112297]
Alistair Burt: We remain concerned about Israel's extensive use of administrative detention and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, and continue to call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law.
I raised our concerns most recently with the Israeli ambassador to London on 8 May 2012 and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs did likewise with the new Israeli Vice Prime Minister on 11 May. The British ambassador in Tel Aviv also discussed this issue with the Israeli Foreign Minister on 10 May. We are also in close contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross and with Palestinian human rights organisations as well as with the Palestinian Authority.
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Mexico
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with his Mexican counterpart regarding Clean Technology Fund projects and the land rights of the indigenous population. [111136]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I have discussed this specific subject with my Mexican counterpart. However, Mexico is a strong and progressive supporter of action to tackle climate change, and we have a productive relationship in this area, led by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
The UK supports the Clean Technology Fund (CTF). From our position on the committee which reviews each country's investment plans and projects we have been instrumental in ensuring that the CTF meets both climate and development objectives, providing broader benefits for local populations. This includes Mexico's plan, which was endorsed in 2009.
Morocco
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that negotiations on a new EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement (a) address the need for the consent of and (b) are beneficial to the Saharawi living in refugee camps near Tindouf. [112142]
Alistair Burt: The UK is committed to upholding the primacy of international law in negotiations on a new EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement. This means that any agreement must be compatible with international law. UK officials discuss the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement with both Morocco and the Polisario Front on a regular basis as the two parties to the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
There are no independent figures on the number or distribution of Saharawi living in the refugee camps near Tindouf. The UK supports the language contained in UNSCR 2044
“Re-iterating the request that UNHCR maintain its consideration of a refugee registration in the Tindouf refugee camps.”
Nigeria
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals have been injured by attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria. [112233]
Mr Bellingham: No British nationals have been injured in terrorist attacks claimed by Boko Haram. However, one British national was tragically killed by terrorists associated with Boko Haram, linked to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Palestinians
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with Israel and Egypt in order to reduce fuel shortages in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. [112326]
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Alistair Burt: We hold Israel, as the occupying power of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, responsible for ensuring that the basic needs of the population in Gaza are met. This includes the provision of fuel.
Israel continues to provide 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity per day directly to Gaza which meets approximately 43% of Gaza's power needs and is paid for by the Palestinian Authority. Egypt provides a further 17MW and the balance of Gaza's power needs (approximately I40MW) should be met by the Gaza power plant. The Gaza Electricity Distribution Company is now buying diesel fuel, which is sourced via tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, to operate two turbines in the power station to produce 60MW, and has not requested any industrial fuel from Israel since 5 January 2011.
The majority of the population still experience power cuts. While these are now shorter in duration and less frequent than in late 2010, they continue to cause significant hardship and unnecessary suffering to ordinary Gazans. There are ongoing discussions between relevant parties on how to enhance the provision of electricity and other fuel supplies in Gaza.
The UK regularly raises issues relating to the situation in Gaza, and the restrictions faced by the local population, with the Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian authorities.
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to secure the release of Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak; and if he will make a statement. [112327]
Alistair Burt: We continue to monitor the situation of the three Palestinian detainees still on hunger strike, including that of Mahmoud Sarsak, who is detained under Israel's unlawful combatants law. We understand that his medical condition has deteriorated and that he has started to take some liquids. We are also aware of reports that there are ongoing negotiations around his case.
We have instructed our embassy in Tel Aviv to make clear our concerns to the Israeli authorities on this and related cases. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I have also regularly raised with the Israeli authorities the issues of conditions in Israeli prisons, administrative detention and the situation of hunger strikers in general.
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with his EU counterparts in order to (a) lift restrictions on exports from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing and (b) reduce the permitted fishing limit off the coast of Gaza from 20 nautical miles to three; and if he will make a statement. [112328]
Alistair Burt: In close co-ordination with our EU partners and the Office of the Quartet Representative, we continue to press the Israeli Government at ministerial and official level to ease restrictions on access, imports and exports, including access to fishing areas. We welcome some recent steps in this direction, including the first exports of textile goods from Gaza to the UK.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council issued conclusions on 14 May 2012 stating:
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“Fully recognising Israel's legitimate security needs, the EU continues to call for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from the Gaza Strip, the situation of which is unsustainable as long as it remains politically separated from the West Bank. Despite limited progress, the EU urges the government of Israel to take further meaningful and far-reaching steps allowing for the reconstruction and economic recovery of the Gaza Strip, including by allowing trade with the West Bank and Israel.”
The full text of the conclusions can be found at:
www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/130248.pdf
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the civilian population of the economic blockade of the Gaza strip; and if he make a statement. [112332]
Alistair Burt: As I saw when I visited Gaza in July 2011, the Israeli restrictions on movements of goods and people, including on access to agricultural and fishing areas, are doing significant and measurable damage to the economy and living standards of ordinary people in Gaza. It has been estimated that the Israeli movement and access restrictions as a whole are costing the Palestinian economy up to 85% of its gross domestic product every year. It is our firm belief that, whilst the restrictions have been imposed by Israel on security grounds, their effect is contrary to Israel's long-term security interests by fostering radicalisation, enriching Hamas and punishing the ordinary population.
The UK frequently raises with the Israeli authorities our concerns on the impact of restrictions on Gaza. We welcomed some recent steps in this direction, including the first exports of textile goods from Gaza to the UK. Together with EU partners, we are urging Israel to:
“take further meaningful and far-reaching steps allowing for the reconstruction and economic recovery of the Gaza Strip, including by allowing trade with the West Bank and Israel”,
in the words of the EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of May 2012.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the introduction of VAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement. [112100]
Mr Bellingham: The introduction of VAT is a decision for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Their decision was based on thorough research and an assessment that VAT would offer a simpler, equitable and stable revenue source. A decision to introduce VAT was announced in the 2011-12 budget statement. A Green Paper on VAT implementation was published in May and consultation is under way on this.
Western Sahara
Cathy Jamieson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any reports of the boarding of a Swedish operated vessel, Meya, in Dakhla, Western Sahara, on 23 April 2012 by Saharawi fishermen protesting about
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economic marginalisation; and whether he has any plans to raise the issue with the Moroccan or Swedish ambassadors. [112144]
Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not received any reports regarding this incident and has no plans to raise the issue with the Moroccan or Swedish ambassador. However, we discuss issues surrounding the natural resources of Western Sahara with Morocco on a regular basis.
The UK abstained on the European Council vote to extend the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement in February 2012. We will continue to encourage Morocco to demonstrate that all economic activity off the coastline of Western Sahara is conducted to the benefit and according to the wishes of the population of Western Sahara.
International Development
Atos
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total monetary value of each contract between his Department and Atos is. [111202]
Mr Duncan: DFID has four centrally awarded contracts with Atos.
Details of the contracts including title, total monetary value and type, are in the following table.
Two of the four contracts are framework agreements. Until mini-competitions are run with all the suppliers on the framework against an actual requirement, there is no commitment and no guarantee of the value of business which may be awarded.
| Contract title | Contract type | Total monetary value (£m) |
| (1)Total estimated framework value. | ||
Biofuels: EU Action
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission about the forthcoming Commission report on the social sustainability of biofuels; and if he will propose that the Commission puts forward suggestions for corrective action that will address issues raised in that report. [112061]
Mr O'Brien:
The Government takes the issue of biofuel sustainability seriously and the Department for Transport has had discussions with the European Commission on biofuel sustainability, including the issue of indirect land use changes (ILUC) and wider
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sustainability issues. ILUC occurs when changing the use to biofuel production can result in net increases in greenhouse gas emissions or when biofuels are grown on land that was or would otherwise have been used for an alternative use.
The Department for International Development has not yet had discussions with the European Commission about the forthcoming report on the social sustainability of biofuels. As agreed under the renewable energy directive (RED) adopted by the EU in 2009, this report is required to address issues of land use rights, and also state whether the production of raw material for biofuel for use in the EU complies with conventions of the International Labour Organisation. If necessary, also according to the RED, the Commission must propose corrective action. The Government will press for proper account to be taken of the social impacts of bioenergy production in EU policy.
Developing Countries: Poverty
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of trends in the incidence of hunger in (a) China and (b) the poorest 20 countries over the last 20 years. [111650]
Mr O'Brien: DFID does not have its own assessment of trends in the incidence of hunger in China. But research has shown that between 1990 and 2006 the share of undernourished people in China fell from 15% to 10%. We are collaborating with China to strengthen global agriculture and food security and to help poor countries reduce their hunger levels.
Global hunger has declined since 1990, but not enough progress has been made. Some of the poorest countries have reduced their hunger levels, but often not sufficiently to meet the Millennium Development Goal on hunger. Countries which have not made progress or where hunger has increased, suffer from fragility and conflict, climate change and high levels of disease. Between 2011 and 2015, UK funding will help 4 million people to have enough food to eat throughout the year. In addition, we will reach 20 million children and their mothers at risk of malnutrition. In particular, we will help people in fragile countries. Our social protection programmes help people cope with shocks, including high food prices, which threaten to undermine success in reducing hunger.
Developing Countries: Rabies
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make it a condition of providing overseas aid to improve health services in order to deal with rabies eradication or prevention that dog culls will not occur as part of the containment response. [111718]
Mr O'Brien: DFID does not provide assistance to developing countries for the eradication of rabies.
Our bilateral aid programme provides assistance to developing countries to help them strengthen their health systems, including the capacity of health workers, access to essential medicines and treatment for those suffering from a wide range of health problems. It is for those
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countries to determine how they tackle specific health challenges that emerge. This would include rabies in those countries where this has been identified and included in the national health plan.
International Assistance
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his priorities are for the work of the UN High Level Panel on post-Millennium Development Goals. [111497]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I am very pleased that the Prime Minister has been asked by the UN Secretary General to co-chair the High Level Panel on a framework to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Our immediate priority is for the High Level Panel to hear from others about their priorities. I want to encourage all parties to engage, including citizens (especially the most vulnerable and marginalised), the private sector, and civil society.
Procurement
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total (a) number and (b) value of contracts issued by (i) his Department and (ii) bodies for which he is responsible which were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises was in the latest period for which figures are available. [111204]
Mr Duncan: DFID's spend with small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) has been reported in the Cabinet Office report, “Making Government business more accessible to SMEs—One Year On”. This can be found at:
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/making-government-business-more-accessible-smes-one-year
Sahel
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on responding to the food crisis in the Sahel. [111265]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Britain has responded quickly and consistently to provide assistance to the worst affected areas, but it is vital that other donors step forward to carry their share of the international response. To this end I have personally spoken with Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, and Pascal Canfin, the French Development Minister.
Officials from my Department have also met with representatives from the Governments of France, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden and the Netherlands; lobbied a group of officials from Nordic countries, and raised the Sahel crisis at a meeting attended by representatives from EU member states.
We will continue to engage in regular discussions with our counterparts in other governments, within the European Union and beyond, to help ensure an effective response.
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Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to respond to the food crisis in the Sahel. [111266]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: In direct response to severe food shortages in the Sahel region of West Africa, I have announced three packages of UK support to help mitigate the crisis, one in January, one in March and one earlier this month.
Through this assistance, British aid will support over 1.4 million people at risk of hunger across Mali, Niger,
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Chad, Mauritania and Burkina Faso. More than 100,000 children at risk of starvation in across the region will receive immediate lifesaving treatment.
As well as responding to the current crisis, the UK is supporting efforts to promote resilience in the Sahel. We believe that helping communities to become more resistant to climatic and economic shocks must be a priority, to prevent future food insecurity in the region.
UK officials continue to monitor the situation closely and liaise with their opposite numbers in other Governments to ensure that other countries take their fair share of the response.