10 Sep 2012 : Column 37W
Certification Quality Marks: Iron and Steel
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the potential financial effect on small businesses of the requirement for CE marking of structural steel; and if he will make a statement. [119755]
Mr Foster [holding answer 6 September 2012]: The Department for Communities and Local Government carried out a public consultation as part of its preparation for negotiations on the European Construction Products Regulation. The consultation paper, the report on the consultation and the impact assessment are published on the Department's website:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/constructionsproductsconsult
The impact assessment produced after the public consultation includes information, reflecting responses gathered during the public consultation, on the how the new regulation will impact on industry including small businesses when it comes fully into effect on 1 July 2013.
Officials continue to work with industry to help understanding of and preparation for this new regulation, which includes derogations to reduce the impacts on smaller sized companies.
Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 17 April 2012, Official Report, column 315W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, how many and which local authorities in each region submitted a final bid to his Department's Weekly Collection Support Scheme by the deadline of 17 August 2012. [119527]
Brandon Lewis: My Department is currently assessing the final bids we received requesting funding from the Weekly Collection Support Scheme and Ministers will make a statement in due course. The Weekly Collections Support Scheme does not operate on the basis of the old Government office for the regions.
Empty Property
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate he has made of the number of empty residential properties (a) nationally, (b) in Gloucestershire and (c) in Tewkesbury. [119658]
Mr Prisk: Data on empty homes can be found in the Department for Communities and Local Government live tables on dwelling stock. Live table 615 shows empty homes by local authority district.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/
Housing
Neil Carmichael:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what comparative assessment he has made of the compatibility of Office for National Statistics census data and his Department's
10 Sep 2012 : Column 38W
projections for local authorities for household size in terms of their respective weighting when informing local decision-making for housing core strategies. [119908]
Nick Boles: The National Planning Policy Framework requires local planning authorities to identify the scale and mix of housing that the local population is likely to need which meets household and population projections. This evidence informs the Local Plan which is examined by the Planning Inspectorate. The Department for Communities and Local Government does not undertake central assessment of the data used by local planning authorities to inform local decisions on identifying housing need.
Housing Benefit
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the minimum standard of accommodation offered by landlords to tenants on housing benefit; and if he will make a statement. [119242]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 5 September 2012]:Local authorities have powers, under the Housing Act 2004, to assess the risks and hazards in all residential properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. If a property is found to contain serious (category 1) hazards, the local authority has a duty to take the most appropriate action. This could range from trying to deal with the problems informally at first to prohibiting the use of the whole or part of the dwelling. This system provides an important safety net, ensuring that homes are safe and decent. This legislation applies to all residential properties, irrespective of whether any tenants claim housing benefit.
In addition, the Localism Act 2011 contains provisions to give local authorities the flexibility to choose to offer private rented sector accommodation to homeless households, so increasing the availability of accommodation. The proposed draft Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012 specifies circumstances in which the private rented sector accommodation is not to be regarded as suitable. It will prevent the use of poor quality accommodation.
Housing: Greater London
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many housing (a) starts and (b) completions were made in each London local authority in each of the last five years; and how many and what proportion of housing starts and completions were for affordable homes. [120351]
Mr Prisk: Statistics on new housing starts and completions in each local authority in London, taken from the National Statistics on House Building, are published in live table 253 on the Department for Communities and Local Government's website which is available from the following link.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/housebuilding/livetables/
These statistics show starts and completions split by tenure according to whether the organisation responsible
10 Sep 2012 : Column 39W
for the development is a private company, a housing association or a local authority. The figures for housing associations and local authorities can together be used as a proxy for affordable housing starts and completions. However, these figures may underestimate affordable housing supply and overestimate private housing, as they are from building control records in which the ultimate tenure may be difficult to identify.
Statistics on the full extent of affordable housing supply by local authority are published in the Department's live tables 1006, 1007 and 1008, which are available at the following link.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/affordablehousingsupply/livetables/
From 1 April 2012, the Mayor of London has had oversight of strategic housing, regeneration and economic development in London.
Incinerators
Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of existing provision of incineration capacity for the disposal of municipal waste; and how the effect on capacity from proposed incineration plants will be (a) calculated and (b) judged in terms of planning decisions. [118582]
Nick Boles: The Government has made no recent assessment. However, in 2010 the Government published an assessment of Private Finance Initiative grants for local government-funded waste treatment infrastructure, which included an analysis of likely waste arisings and treatment capacity for the purposes of meeting the 2020 EU Landfill Directive target. The Environment Agency also published in 2011 a report setting out the locations of permitted waste management facilities in England and activities they carry out.
In line with national planning policy for waste management set out in Planning Policy Statement 10: ‘Planning for Sustainable Waste Management’, it is for local authorities, working together, to set out through their local plans their ambitions for additional waste management capacity, based on an assessment of existing and forecast waste arisings. Local authorities should then monitor arisings and review progress against their plans, to enable them to adapt to changing circumstances if required.
Planning legislation requires decisions to be taken in line with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where a proposal for an energy recovery facility is consistent with an up-to-date local plan, the expectation is that permission should be granted without delay, subject to consideration of the merits of the particular planning application.
Local Government: Assets
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects the Community Right to Bid regulations to come into force. [120210]
10 Sep 2012 : Column 40W
Mr Foster: The Assets of Community Value Regulations 2012 which will introduce the Community Right to Bid are completing their final parliamentary stage, and subject to approval, the regulations will come into force in October 2012.
Local Government: Video Games
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the removal of computer games from local government computers. [119438]
Brandon Lewis: As a matter of common sense, employers will want to ensure that their staff are not inappropriately using computers during working hours. But the management of individual council staff is a matter for local councils as employers, not for Whitehall.
Parish Councils
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on membership of parish councils of new rules requiring the declaration of personal and spousal financial interests; and if he will make a statement. [119671]
Brandon Lewis: The principle of members of parish councils disclosing personal interests, including interests of their spouse, is well established and is important for ensuring transparency, enabling the local electors and community to have confidence in those who serve them.
We are committed to undertaking a post implementation review of the new standards arrangements, and that will be the time for assessing how the new rules are working out in practice.
My Department has published a practical guide for councillors, which seeks to strike a common sense balance between electoral accountability and personal privacy. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Planning Permission
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at what stage in the development of a joint core strategy neighbourhoods are able to draw up their neighbourhood plans; and if he will make a statement. [119667]
Nick Boles: It is for a parish council or neighbourhood forum to bring forward proposals and drive the process and timetable for neighbourhood planning. A neighbourhood plan has to meet certain basic conditions including being in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan that is in force at the time of its independent examination.
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what representations he has received from local authorities on the ability of planning departments to enforce conditions approved by planning committees in giving consent for planning applications; [119933]
10 Sep 2012 : Column 41W
(2) what representations he has received from local authorities on (a) changes in the number of staff employed in planning departments in planning enforcement roles and (b) the effect that such changes will have on enforcement of (i) planning regulations and (ii) conditions made in respect of planning consents made by planning committees. [119934]
Nick Boles [holding answer 7 September 2012]: Ministers receive representations from local authorities regarding different aspects of the planning enforcement regime from time to time. I am not aware however, of any particular representations received recently either on local authorities' ability to enforce planning conditions approved by planning committees or regarding changes to the numbers of planning enforcement staff in local authorities.
Prefabricated Housing
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the use of prefabricated houses. [118603]
Mr Prisk: Off-site construction can create skilled jobs, improve the quality of homes and ultimately bring down costs. An industry-led group convened by DCLG and BIS, will look in detail at the barriers holding back the growth of this part of the sector and how increased use of such techniques can be incentivised. We will ask this advisory group of experts to prepare proposals by Budget 2013, with the aim of improving the efficiency of housing supply and unlocking high value jobs in the UK.
Right to Buy Scheme: Advertising
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on (a) direct marketing, (b) print advertisements and (c) broadcast advertisements to promote the right to buy scheme since November 2011. [119503]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 6 September 2012]: The Department has spent a total of £198,000 on direct marketing, including all creative, copywriting, print and postage costs for a door drop and direct mailing activity. In addition the Department has spent a total of £460,332 on print advertising comprising adverts in local newspapers, posters at bus stops near social housing and advertising in social housing newsletters. There has been no broadcast advertising on radio or television for the Right to Buy scheme since November 2011. The direct marketing and advertising has been placed since April 2012, when the Right to Buy scheme was reinvigorated, to ensure that eligible social housing tenants are aware of the increased discount now available if they wish to buy their home. We are committed to ensuring that tenants can make well informed decisions.
To place this spending on marketing and advertising in context, DCLG has cut spending on marketing and advertising from £9.9 million in 2009-10, to £898,000 in 2010-11 and £980,000 in 2011-12.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 42W
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many billboard sites his Department has purchased for the purpose of promoting the right to buy; and what the duration and cost has been of each advertisement on such a site. [118699]
Mr Prisk: The Department has purchased a total of 3,841 poster sites in areas with social housing, mainly at bus stops. Each site was booked for two weeks and the total cost was £338,543 giving an average cost per site of £88.14. We are committed to ensuring that tenants are aware of the increased discount levels and their rights, and helping them to make well informed decisions.
To place this spending on marketing and advertising in context, DCLG has cut spending on marketing and advertising from £9.9 million in 2009-10, to £898,000 in 2010-11 and £980,000 in 2011-12. I also refer the right hon. Member to the answer of 1 December 2011, Official Report, column 1025W, which gives examples of wasteful advertising and marketing spending by the Department under the last Administration.
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what has been spent to date on his Department's There's a Window of Opportunity advertising campaign relating to the right-to-buy scheme. [118700]
Mr Prisk: The Department has spent £966,674 to date on the campaign to ensure all eligible social housing tenants are aware of the increased discount available under the reinvigorated Right to Buy scheme. This will enable social housing tenants to make an informed choice about whether to buy their home. To place this spending on marketing and advertising in context, DCLG has cut spending on marketing and advertising from £9.9 million in 2009-10, to £898,000 in 2010-11 and £980,000 in 2011-12. I also refer the right hon. Member to the answer of 1 December 2011, Official Report, column 1025W, which gives examples of wasteful advertising and marketing spending by the Department under the last Administration.
Right to Buy Scheme: Private Sector
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will give consideration to introducing a discount scheme to allow long-term private tenants to acquire a right to buy from their private landlords. [119779]
Mr Prisk: It would not be appropriate for the Government to impose a requirement on private landlords to sell rented homes to tenants. Such a move would lead to landlords withdrawing their properties from the rental market, leading to less accommodation available for rent, which would not help landlords or tenants.
The Government are committed to helping people meet their aspiration to own their own home, and offers a range of products including NewBuy, FirstBuy and Shared Ownership.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 43W
Social Rented Housing
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the statement of recommended practice for registered social landlords has been updated to include component accounting as a requirement; what recent assessment he has made of the potential effects of this change on small landlords; and if he will make a statement. [118901]
Mr Prisk: The Statement of Recommended Practice is published by the National Housing Federation and approved by the Accounting Standards Board. The update to the practice issued in 2010, which came into effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2011, placed greater emphasis on the component accounting requirements set out in Financial Reporting Standard 15, which was issued by the Accounting Standards Board in 1999.
No assessment has been made of the impact of this change to the recommended practice issued by the National Housing Federation.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the actual and percentage change in cash terms was in social sector housing expenditure as a result of changes in social sector rents in each year since 1992. [120354]
Mr Prisk: Information on the change in social sector housing expenditure as a result of changes in social sector rents in each year since 1992 is not held centrally.
Data on social sector rents and housing expenditure are published on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/rentslettings/livetables/
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/housingfinance/livetables/
Sports
Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials in his Department work on policies relating to (a) the provision of community sports facilities and (b) other policies relating to sport; and how much of his Department's budget was spent on supporting such work in the latest period for which figures are available. [120130]
Mr Foster: Officials from my Department do not work directly on the provision of community sports facilities or any other policies relating to sport. However in July my Department launched a £19 million support programme managed by Locality to help eligible community organisations to take on the community ownership and management of assets that are important to them which could include local sports facilities. The Department funded Asset Transfer Unit and Sport England have launched an interactive online platform to guide organisations through the process of community asset transfer of sports facilities:
http://www.sportengland.org/support__advice/asset_transfer.aspx
10 Sep 2012 : Column 44W
The National Planning Policy Framework has also increased planning protection for community facilities. The new guidance asks local councils to consider the availability and viability of community facilities as part of the plan making process and to develop policies to safeguard against their unnecessary loss.
The Framework has introduced a new designation to protect valued local green spaces, which has the potential to provide additional planning protection to playing fields and other open green spaces.
Vulnerable Adults
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he has put in place to monitor the movement of vulnerable people between local authority areas. [120046]
Mr Prisk: In the context of homelessness, if a local authority secures accommodation in the district of another local authority, they are required by law to notify the other authority in writing within 14 days from the day the accommodation was made available to the applicant.
We recently consulted on how best to strengthen requirements in relation to the location of accommodation via the proposed Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012 which will help prevent households being placed miles away from their local area. We will also be monitoring cases where a homelessness duty is ended through the Localism Act 2011 and a person becomes homeless again in their new district within two years.
In addition, the Department collects data on the number of households in temporary accommodation in another local authority district and referrals of households with no local connection.
Leader of the House
Sinn Fein
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions he has held with the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland on hon. Members from Sinn Fein attending the House. [119475]
Prime Minister
Civil Partnerships
Chris Bryant: To ask the Prime Minister which Cabinet Minister now has responsibility for the consultation on same-sex marriage and marriage equality. [120324]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the list of Cabinet Ministers published on the No. 10 website. It can be found at:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/the-coalition/the-cabinet/
10 Sep 2012 : Column 45W
Attorney-General
Driving under Influence
Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General how many people were prosecuted for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs (section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988) in the latest period for which figures are available. [119689]
The Attorney-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold data related to the number of people prosecuted for each of the five separate offences created by section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, one of which is causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. Such data could not be reasonably obtained locally or nationally other than by a manual exercise at disproportionate cost.
Female Genital Mutilation
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Attorney-General how many people were prosecuted for carrying out female genital mutilation in the latest period for which figures are available. [119792]
The Solicitor-General: There have been no prosecutions for female genital mutilation (FGM) to date. However, there are a number of significant factors which may affect the police investigation and prosecutions relating to FGM. The criminal justice agencies are continuing to work closely together on this issue, and steps are being taken to raise awareness and to ensure that whenever cases are reported, they will be thoroughly investigated. In addition, any vulnerable victims and witnesses will be given support and protection throughout the criminal justice process.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 46W
Prosecutions
Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General what consideration is given to cost when deciding whether a prosecution is in the public interest. [119681]
The Solicitor-General: Each case is determined on its own facts and merits. However, when assessing the public interest in cases involving minor offences, prosecutors should consider whether the court would impose a nominal penalty on conviction. If so, the cost, delay and uncertainty of outcome involved in bringing criminal proceedings would usually mean that a prosecution is not a proportionate response to the offending, and it would not be in the public interest to proceed. Instead, prosecutors should consider whether an out of court disposal is likely to be more effective as a response to the offending and in deterring any future re-offending.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Attorney-General if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of cases pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service but withdrawn before their conclusion in each of the last five years. [119962]
The Attorney-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not gather separate information on prosecutions that have been withdrawn before their conclusion. Cases recorded by the CPS as dropped are those which are: discontinued; where no evidence is offered; where the prosecution is stayed or where the case is withdrawn. The cost of dropped cases, estimated on a per-defendant basis, has fallen by over £7.1 million or 22.1% over the past five years. The number of dropped cases has also fallen, from 108,022 in 2007-08 to 88,106 in 2011-12. Further details are provided in the following table:
| Dropped cases and costs | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
Serious Fraud Office
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Attorney-General with reference to the judgement of Sir John Thomas and Mr Justice Silber of 31 July 2012, Rawlinson and Hunter Trustees SA and others v Central Criminal Court and Tchenguiz v Director of Serious Fraud Office and others, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the Serious Fraud Office has adequate human and financial resources to carry out investigations and prosecutions of serious fraud. [119274]
The Attorney-General: The Prime Minister has previously made clear that if the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) needs more resources, they will be provided. We continue to keep this under review.
David Green CB QC was appointed as director of the SFO in April. He has set out a new system and structure to further enhance quality control and a number of key appointments have since been made to take these changes forward.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Regulation
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers; and if he will make a statement. [119665]
Mr Heath:
The independent Farming Regulation Task Force reported to Government in May 2011 and recommended over 200 ways of reducing regulatory
10 Sep 2012 : Column 47W
burdens on farmers and food processors. The Government published its full response to the task force on 21 February this year:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/farm-manage/farm-regulation/
The Government accepted 159 of the task force's recommendations and are considering what could be possible on a further 31. The Food Standards Agency also published an update on 18 recommendations directed to them. Good progress is being made on meeting the priority commitments which include reducing the burden of inspections and paperwork, and an independent-led group has been appointed to hold Government to account in delivering them.
An initial assessment of the costs and benefits of all DEFRA's regulations was published in ‘The Costs and Benefits of DEFRA's Regulatory Stock’ in August 2011:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/08/16/pb13623-defra-regulatory-stock/
Bovine Tuberculosis
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that members of the public are protected from gunfire during nocturnal badger culls in the trial period; and if he will make a statement. [119694]
Mr Heath: Public safety will be paramount. Only specially trained individuals will be licensed to carry out badger control and safety arrangements will be comprehensively scrutinised with farmers and the local police force ahead of any activity, including dates, times and areas where badger control will take place. Anyone licensed to control badgers must meet strict firearms safety and competence criteria.
Marksmen must have an appropriate firearms licence and have passed a specific Government approved training course which will include public safety, including use of safe backstops for bullets/shots. The Best Practice Guidance for controlled shooting and the Training Course guidance are available at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2012/05/03/pb13716-shooting-guidance/
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB in each of the last three years; what estimate he has made of the number to be so slaughtered in 2012; and if he will make a statement. [R] [119764]
Mr Heath [holding answer 6 September 2012]: The information is as follows:
| Cattle slaughtered as reactors or inconclusive reactors in England | |
| Number | |
Up to the end of May 2012, 11,426 cattle have been slaughtered in England this year as reactors or inconclusive reactors.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 48W
Dairy Farming: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the implementation of the EU dairy package in Wales. [119644]
Mr Heath: My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James Paice), last met with his Welsh counterpart at the time of the Royal Welsh Show in July this year. Officials have remained in close contact with representatives from the Welsh Government as we each prepare for implementation of the EU Dairy package. Consultations are planned across each part of the UK for this autumn.
Fisheries: Arctic
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Arctic Council and (b) other bodies about future fishing restrictions in the Arctic region. [119042]
Richard Benyon: Ministers have had no specific discussions with the Arctic Council about these issues, but DEFRA officials attend annual negotiations with Norway, Greenland and the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission and North West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation where quota limits and other conservation measures are agreed.
In January 2012 there was a meeting between the UK and Norwegian Fisheries Ministers, and in February 2012 with the Icelandic Fisheries Minister, and a range of marine issues including Arctic fisheries were discussed.
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fishing rights are available to British fishermen in the High Arctic. [119043]
Richard Benyon: In 2012 the following quotas in Arctic waters were allocated to UK fishing vessels:
| Species | Tonnes |
10 Sep 2012 : Column 49W
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on future fishing opportunities for British fishermen in the Arctic region; and if he will make a statement. [119044]
Richard Benyon: The UK will continue to seek the best available fishing opportunities for British fishermen in the Arctic region. In doing so we will ensure that such opportunities are based on the best available science and follow the precautionary approach so that all fishing operations by British fishermen in the region are conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner. The scientific advice should also indicate the impacts of climate change on fisheries in the Arctic and where appropriate we would take relevant action in respect of UK fishing operations.
Flood Control
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to increase flood prevention in (a) Barnsley Central constituency, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) England and Wales. [119189]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 5 September 2012]: DEFRA funds the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities to undertake flood risk management across England. Flood risk management in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.
(a) In Barnsley Central constituency, the Environment Agency has completed work to reduce the risk of flooding to 72 houses.
(b) In South Yorkshire, the Environment Agency is working with other risk management authorities (RMAs) to reduce the risk of flooding to around 6,900 houses and 325 commercial properties. Schemes include:
Stainforth Flood Alleviation Scheme;
Ea Beck Embankment Reconditioning;
Rawcliffe Bridge Embankment Repairs, River Don;
Don Catchment Regulators—Contingency Bypass;
Rotherham Chapel on the Bridge;
Sheffield Lower Don Valley Flood Protection Project Study;
Whiston, Rotherham Property Level Flood Protection;
Aston, Aughton and Swallownest Flood Risk Reduction;
Rotherham—Station Road, Wath Upon Dearne;
Anston Brook—Cramfit Brook Laughton Common Desilting Scheme;
Darfield Bridge, Barnsley Property Level Flood Protection.
(c) In England, RMAs will begin construction on over 60 flood and coastal risk management schemes in 2012-13. This will reduce the risk of flooding to 24,800 houses. In addition, schemes completed this financial year (2012-13) will reduce the risk of flooding to 55,000 houses.
Game Birds
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department plans to undertake an investigation into the treatment of game birds and the shooting industry. [119610]
10 Sep 2012 : Column 50W
Richard Benyon: There are no proposals to undertake a review into the treatment of game birds or the shooting industry. The Government consider that the existing law in the form of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 provides the necessary protection for the welfare of game birds reared for sport shooting. In addition, there is also the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Game Birds Reared for Sport Shooting, which provides guidance for rearers of such birds and what they need to do to meet the welfare needs of their livestock. If anyone has any concerns about the welfare of game birds at a rearing establishment, they should report the matter to the local authority or the RSPCA.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department plans to conduct an assessment of the regulations concerning the breeding and rearing conditions of pheasants and partridges. [119612]
Mr Heath [holding answer 6 September 2012]: The welfare of breeding and rearing of gamebirds is provided under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which was reviewed in 2010. In addition, a separate Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes provides rearers of gamebirds with guidance on how to provide for the welfare of their livestock. The code is due to be reviewed in 2016.
Gun Sports
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the findings of the League Against Cruel Sports set out in its documentary about the shooting industry entitled Gunsmoke and Mirrors. [119611]
Richard Benyon: We understand that there are those who oppose the shooting of game birds for sport. However, we consider that there is adequate legislation in place to protect the welfare of game birds reared for sport shooting. If anyone has any concerns about the welfare of game birds at a rearing establishment, they should report the matter to the local authority or the RSPCA.
Health Insurance
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department's (a) arm's length and (b) non-departmental public bodies are entitled to private health care as part of their remuneration package. [119354]
Richard Benyon: There are no staff in DEFRA's executive agencies who are entitled to private health care as part of their remuneration package.
53 staff in the Sea Fish Industry Authority, one of DEFRA's non-departmental public bodies, are entitled to private health care as part of their remuneration package.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 51W
Insects
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of trends in the populations of pollinating insects in the last five years. [119765]
Mr Heath [holding answer 6 September 2012]: In 2011, we published the UK National Ecosystem Assessment. This reviewed the available evidence on pollinator declines and concluded that since 1980 wild bee diversity had declined in most landscapes. Although there has been a decline in the number of managed honey bee colonies managed since the 1950's due to a number of factors, this trend has been reversed in recent years as more beekeepers have taken up the craft. There are now over 28,000 beekeepers managing approximately 137,000 colonies registered on the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit's voluntary BeeBase register compared to 16,000 beekeepers managing 80,000 colonies in 2008. Hoverflies and butterflies have shown losses and gains. Drivers of the observed decline include disease, habitat loss and the use of some pesticides.
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology support the Biological Records Centre. In addition to helping volunteer invertebrate recording schemes to record and publish distribution data, the Biological Records Centre is working with those voluntary groups to develop and test tools to assess pollinator trends across as wide a range of pollinating insects as possible, noting that over 30,000 species of insect and other invertebrates such as spiders play a role in pollination.
Although not funded directly by DEFRA, the European Union funds research, including the STEPS project—Status and Trends of European Pollinators. This project runs until 2015 but is already producing a number of papers on the status of pollinators in Europe and the UK which are available on the project website.
Invertebrates
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of trends in the populations of (a) bees, (b) moths, (c) butterflies, (d) beetles, (e) upwing flies and (f) other invertebrates in the last five years. [119766]
Mr Heath: Between 2005 and 2007, a wide-ranging review of the status of species in the UK was undertaken to identify priorities for conservation. Selection of UK species for the priority list followed consideration by expert working groups against a set of selection criteria based on international importance, trends in the UK and risk or threat to remaining populations. This resulted in a priority list of 413 terrestrial invertebrates.
Natural England is currently reassessing the status of groups of invertebrates in England, including bees, moths, butterflies, beetles and mayflies to identify those at greatest threat. It is expected that it will take three years to complete.
Although there has been a decline in the number of managed honey bee colonies since the 1950s due to a number of factors, this trend has been reversed in recent years as more beekeepers have taken up the craft. There
10 Sep 2012 : Column 52W
are now over 28,000 beekeepers managing approximately 137,000 colonies registered on the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit's voluntary BeeBase register, compared to 16,000 beekeepers managing 80,000 colonies in 2008.
Trends in butterfly populations are published annually in both the UK and England biodiversity indicators (and show declines on farmland and woodland habitats) and are available via the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme website. We have recently initiated a joint project with the voluntary sector—the Species Indicator Initiative —to assess and test options for broadening the scope of the indicator to include other insect groups such as moths.
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology support the Biological Records Centre (BRC). The BRC works closely with volunteer recording schemes for various invertebrate groups to produce atlases on, for example, bees, flies, beetles and other invertebrates. In addition, volunteer schemes are encouraged to publish their data via the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway, allowing others to access data and assess trends.
Finally, Rothamsted Research Station (funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)) works with Butterfly Conservation to publish information on moth trends as part of the Moths Count project, the information from which is widely available on the internet.
Licensing
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what permits and licences his Department and its public bodies issue to businesses. [118818]
Richard Benyon: The following table details the permits and licences issued to businesses by core DEFRA, its five Executive Agencies and other non-departmental public bodies.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 53W
10 Sep 2012 : Column 54W
10 Sep 2012 : Column 55W
10 Sep 2012 : Column 56W
Milk
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of liquid milk consumed in England was imported in the latest period for which figures are available; and from which countries it was imported. [119664]
Mr Heath: The figures available are for the UK only. In 2011, imports accounted for approximately 2% of the total supply of liquid drinking milk.
For these imports, the following table shows the breakdown by country of dispatch.
| Countries of dispatch for UK imports of liquid milk (2011) | |
| Country of dispatch | Percentage of UK liquid milk imports |
| Source: HMRC | |
10 Sep 2012 : Column 57W
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that contracts agreed between suppliers and purchasers of milk are fair; and if he will make a statement. [119666]
Mr Heath: My predecessor, the right hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James Paice), had supported the development of the dairy industry's own Code of Best Practice on contractual relationships. I can confirm that on Friday 31 August that code was agreed by industry representatives. I firmly believe that this code is the best solution to the contractual problems within the industry and is a key step in improving the structure and balance of the supply chain for the benefit of all.
Pets: Sales
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the sale of (a) exotic animals and (b) endangered species; and if he will make a statement. [119724]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA receives correspondence on a variety of exotic and endangered species. Correspondence received since 1 July 2012 has particularly focused on the trade in ivory and rhino horn.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what legislation the sale of exotic pets is regulated; whether he plans to propose amendments to such legislation; and if he will make a statement. [119726]
Richard Benyon: The Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended in 1983) requires that any person selling pet animals must be licensed by their local authority. Before granting a licence, the authority must satisfy itself that the animals are kept in accommodation that is suitable and clean, that they are supplied with the appropriate food and drink, and are protected from disease and fire.
In addition the UK Government is a party to the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES), which is implemented in the UK, and other EU member states, through directly applicable EU wildlife trade regulations. Those regulations require the retention of export and import permits for most species, and additional internal trade certificates for the most endangered species, if they are sold commercially. Import permits and internal trade certificates are issued by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
In addition, a licence is required to buy, sell, advertise for sale or possess any wild species listed in Annex IV(a) of the European habitats directive.
The welfare of all kept animals is protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare.
We have no current plans to propose amendments to the legislation that regulates the sale of pets.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 58W
Sustainable Development
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the development of a cross-Government progress report on Mainstreaming Sustainable Development to be complete. [119478]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA's business plan includes a commitment to publish a cross-Government progress report on mainstreaming sustainable development with the Minister of State for Government Policy by February 2013.
White Fish
Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the review of the Cod Recovery Plan will be completed. [119918]
Richard Benyon: We expect to receive the Commission's proposals for revisions to the Cod Recovery Plan later this autumn. Any changes to the Plan will have to be agreed through co-decision with the European Parliament. We would expect that this would be completed by early 2013.
Energy and Climate Change
Electricity
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department has considered to prevent the credit collateral requirements under electricity market reform becoming a barrier to new entrants to the energy retail market. [119559]
Mr Hayes: The Department continues to work to reduce barriers to entry and growth. In designing the policy for Electricity Market Reform (EMR), the Department is considering the impact elements of the policy will have on new and existing market players. More information on the credit and collateral arrangements for the EMR policies will be announced in the autumn alongside the Energy Bill.
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has undertaken of the extent to which electricity market reform proposals will encourage greater vertical integration of energy wholesale and retail markets. [119562]
Mr Hayes:
Wider participation and more diversity are key to a competitive market and securing the investment we need. Vertical integration can reduce the costs of capital and help to keep down costs to consumers. However, these large companies cannot alone deliver investment at the scale and pace that we need—one of the key aims of EMR is, therefore, to encourage new entrants and new sources of finance. The EMR mechanisms will reduce risks to investment, for example the support for low carbon generation (the Feed-in Tariff with Contracts for Difference) and Capacity Market will reduce price risk and provide a more stable revenue stream, supporting investment from a wide range of sources. The Government are also considering the issue of how independent generators sell their power and in July issued a Call For Evidence, which has now closed.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 59W
The Government are now considering the responses received and will act where necessary to tackle any structural barriers to market entry that are not addressed through the actions taken by Ofgem.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of the UK's electricity production is serviceable by interconnectors. [119985]
Mr Hayes: The UK has 89GW of electricity generation capacity. The total capacity that can flow over interconnectors between GB, North West Europe and the island of Ireland is currently 3.5GW. This will rise to 4GW after the 500MW interconnector with Ireland is opened on 20 September.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of (a) the volume of electricity traded in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012, (b) electricity generation volume in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012 and (c) churn ratio in those years. [120239]
Mr Hayes: UK electricity generation was approximately 347.5 TWh in 2011 and 99.6 TWh in the first quarter of 2012 . Ofgem's reported churn indicators for the GB electricity market were 3.1 in 2011 and 2.9 in the first half of 2012 (estimates have been used for May and June 2012). DECC does not hold complete data on traded volumes. However, data are publically available from certain sources, e.g.
http://www.leba.org.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id =59&title=leba_data_notifications
http://www.n2ex.com/marketdata/reports/
http://www.apxendex.com/index.php?id=466
Electricity: Business
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of small and medium-sized businesses that connected to the National Grid in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in 2011. [118985]
Mr Hayes: DECC has made no estimate of the number of small and medium-sized businesses connecting to the grid. Chapter 6 of Ofgem's Electricity Distribution Annual Report 2010-11 contains information on connections to the lower voltage distribution network:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/MoreInformation.aspx? docid=702&refer-Networks/ElecDist/PriceCntrls/DPCR5
and National Grid publishes information on the (mostly large) generation projects connecting to the high voltage transmission network:
http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/Codes/systemcode/tectrading/
10 Sep 2012 : Column 60W
These do not specifically identify small and medium-sized businesses.
Electricity: Merseyside
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to improve the local distribution and high voltage transmission networks on Merseyside. [119926]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 7 September 2012]: Significant investment is under way or planned for GB's regional distribution and national high voltage transmission networks, including on Merseyside. The operation and reinforcement of these networks is the responsibility of network companies, regulated by Ofgem, the independent regulator.
Scottish Power Energy Networks are responsible for the distribution network which covers Merseyside, and Ofgem approved an investment allowance of up to £547 million for that area for the period 2010 to 2015.
National Grid are responsible for the transmission network in England and Wales. Ofgem published Initial Proposals for National Grid in July which would see around £11.6 billion of investment for the 2013-21 period. Details of National Grid's major projects, including a new 2.2 GW high voltage line through the Wirral, are available at:
http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/MajorProjects
Ofgem plans to publish their Final Proposals in December.
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the level of electricity prices in Merseyside; and if he will make a statement. [119999][Official Report, 18 October 2012, Vol. 551, c. 3-4MC.]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 7 September 2012]: DECC Ministers and officials meet with Ofgem on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues. Electricity and gas pricing for household consumers is a commercial matter for the companies, concerned and is regulated by Ofgem.
In 2011, the average bills for domestic electricity customers living in Merseyside who consumed the standard consumption of 3,300 k Wh per annum were:
£493 for pre-payment, £502 for standard credit and £452 direct debit (DECC Quarterly Energy Prices Publication June 2012, table 2.2.3).
Energy
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of energy consumers who pay for their domestic energy supplies by (a) direct debit, (b) standard credit and (c) pre-payment meter. [119954]
Mr Hayes: DECC estimates of the number of customers for each fuel by payment method in 2012 quarter one are shown in the following table:
| Direct debit | Standard credit | Pre-payment meters | ||||
| No. (million) | % | No (million) | % | No. (million) | % | |
10 Sep 2012 : Column 61W
10 Sep 2012 : Column 62W
Data on payment methods are published quarterly in tables 2.4.2, 2.4.3 and 2.5.2 in Quarterly Energy Prices, available in the House of Commons Library and online at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/prices/prices.aspx
Data for 2012 quarter two will be published on 27 September.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the (a) regional and (b) national Herfindahl-Hirschman indices for the (i) electricity and (ii) gas supply market. [119955]
Mr Hayes: Ofgem's reported Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) was 1,766 for the national electricity supply market and 2,560 for the gas supply market in July 2011. The regional HHI have not been calculated.
The Government continue to work with Ofgem to improve competition in the gas and electricity markets. The Government have cut red tape to help small suppliers to compete on a more equal footing with large suppliers. We welcome the objectives of Ofgem's retail market review to boost liquidity in the wholesale electricity market and to simplify tariffs and bills.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has made an estimate of the regional market share of each of the big six energy suppliers in each region. [119956]
Mr Hayes: DECC does not hold the information requested. Ofgem produced information about market share as part of its review of the retail market (published in March 2011):
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/rmr/Documents1/RMR_Appendices.pdf
The following tables show the market share of the largest electricity and dual fuel supplier in August 2010 in each of the former electricity regions.
| Electricity only | ||
| Region | Largest supplier | Market share (%) |
| Dual fuel | ||
| Region | Largest supplier | Market share (%) |
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of domestic energy transfers that were blocked by energy suppliers because of consumer debt in the latest period for which figures are available. [119957]
Gregory Barker: DECC does not hold the information requested.
Ofgem is responsible for the regulation of gas and electricity supply, including the rules that govern switching energy supplier.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effects of Ofgem's supply licence review, 2005-2007, on the protection of consumers in the energy market. [119958]
Mr Hayes: Licences are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator of the gas and electricity markets and it is for Ofgem to consider the effectiveness of its review.
Since the supply licence review of 2005-07 Ofgem has carried out its Energy Supply Probe in 2008 and more recently is investigating the effectiveness of the Retail Energy Market in its Retail Market Review (RMR).
As a result of the Energy Supply Probe Ofgem introduced new rules to help protect consumers and help the retail energy markets function more effectively.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 63W
As part of the RMR Ofgem is due to publish further proposals for reform, including additional consumer protection measures, before winter.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of online energy customers. [119960]
Mr Hayes: DECC estimates for the number of online domestic energy customers in 2011 are as follows:
| Number | Percentage | |
| (1) Percentage of standard electricity customers | ||
Energy Bill
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change under what timetable he expects to achieve state aid clearance for (a) contracts for difference and (b) investment instruments; and how this timetable will affect the timetable for the passage of the Energy Bill in 2012 and subsequent secondary legislation. [118677]
Mr Hayes: We are working closely with European Commission officials regarding our proposals. In common with other policy areas, these discussions cover whether or not state aid may be present and, if there is state aid, whether it is approvable under the treaty. Once the Government make a formal notification of their arrangements, we expect the Commission to make a decision as soon as possible, consistent with the proper exercise of its responsibilities. We do not anticipate there being any impact on the timetable for the passage of the Energy Bill or secondary legislation.
Energy Supply
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to maintain energy security and resilience. [119501]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 6 September 2012]: The Government has a wide range of policies to maintain energy security and resilience, based on effective market arrangements combined with robust regulation.
For example, in order to ensure security of electricity supply, the Government has said it will legislate for a ‘Capacity Market' to ensure the UK can meet electricity demand at all times.
To ensure gas security, Ofgem are currently carrying out their "Significant Code Review" of gas emergency arrangements, and DECC has asked Ofgem to study the case for further interventions in the gas market to ensure gas security.
To help ensure energy resilience, the UK has robust plans and arrangements in place to reduce and mitigate against risks, such as natural hazards, accidents or threats, and to respond and recover from disruptive
10 Sep 2012 : Column 64W
events should they occur, including through the use of the National Emergency Plan for Fuel and the National Emergency Plan for Downstream Gas and Electricity depending on the sector affected.
The Government plan to publish an Energy Security Strategy in the autumn setting out these issues in more detail.
Energy: Conservation
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent progress his Department has made towards the Government's target to achieve £5.5 billion in domestic energy efficiency schemes between 2008 and the end of this year. [120124]
Gregory Barker: Around £5.5 billion is the estimated cost to suppliers of delivering the carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) over the period 2008-12. The target itself is set in output rather than money terms.
Ofgem report that as of March 2012 suppliers had collectively achieved 83% of their overall CERT target and that CERT had helped insulate 2.1 million cavities and three million lofts (excluding DIY) since 2008.
Energy: Iceland
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of an energy interconnector with Iceland; [119199]
(2) whether his Department has made an assessment of the relative benefits for the UK of an energy interconnector between (a) Iceland and England and (b) Iceland and Scotland. [119200]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 5 September 2012]: My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), signed a memorandum of understanding with the Icelandic Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism on co-operation in the energy sector on 30 May 2012. In this the two ministries agreed, inter alia, to explore the possibility of developing an electricity interconnection between Iceland and the UK. The viability of such a project is being considered by commercial parties. No assessment has as yet been made of issues such as routing of the line and potential overall benefits to the UK and Iceland.
Energy: Meters
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to the content of smart metering information packs; and if he will consider including basic electrical safety advice to consumers as part of the packs. [118830]
Mr Hayes: Suppliers will be required to establish an Installation Code of Practice. Among other things, they will be required to give customers complete and accurate information about smart metering, including how the smart meter can be used to improve energy efficiency. Suppliers will determine the content of any written information that is given to customers.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 65W
The industry is actively considering how best to establish arrangements in respect of electrical safety advice for the installation visit.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) whether smart meters installed in a domestic setting will record both gas and electricity consumption if the consumer is not a dual fuel customer; [118841]
(2) how many smart meters will be installed for a domestic consumer who is not a dual fuel customer. [118842]
Mr Hayes: Separate gas and electricity smart meters will be installed to replace existing meters and the respective energy supplier for each fuel will be responsible for arranging installation. This applies regardless as to whether or not the customer is a dual fuel customer with supply from one energy company, or receives their gas and electricity from different energy companies. All smart meters will be. capable of recording energy consumption information.
At installation, an In Home Display (IHD) will also be offered to the customer and will be capable of showing real time and historical energy usage communicated by the smart meter. Technical specifications for the smart meters and IHD's are still being finalised but the aim is that, where smart meters are supplied by two different energy suppliers, a single IHD will be compatible with both.
Energy: Storage
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to improve energy storage in the UK. [118997]
Mr Hayes: The Government are taking a range of actions to improve energy storage.
Ofgem are currently consulting on proposals to sharpen the incentives on gas shippers to prepare for low probability/high impact events. Their proposals, which could be implemented in time for winter 2013-14 through use of the new powers they gained through the Energy Act 2011, should help underpin commercial demand for a range of gas supply infrastructure, including storage.
DECC has identified storage as one of the specific technology areas which should be supported with energy innovation funding—from the approximately £200 million allocated for the Department to support low-carbon technologies over the four financial years from April 2011.
DECC expects to launch a scheme to support energy storage innovation soon.
As a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and EU, the UK holds emergency stocks of crude oil and petroleum products that can be released to market in the event of short-term oil supply disruptions. The EU currently requires the UK to hold 67.5 days of annual daily inland consumption.
10 Sep 2012 : Column 66W
DECC has launched an innovation competition to assess the performance of advanced thermal, storage, which can be integrated with heat technologies as an effective means to mitigate potential strain on the electricity grid in scenarios of increasing loads from low carbon heat technologies (such as heat pumps). DECC is currently reviewing the applications.
Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when his Department plans to publish a statutory strategy and policy statement on responsibilities and context for Ofgem's independent regulatory role. [119959]
Mr Hayes: The Government have committed to clarifying and strengthening the alignment between energy policy and regulation through a new statutory strategy and policy statement. The draft energy Bill contains powers to designate a statutory strategy and policy statement; provisions setting out the matters the statement must contain; the duties on Ofgem and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in relation to the statement; and the process to be followed in designating it.
The energy Bill is being prepared for introduction in the autumn, subject to parliamentary time. Following Royal Assent, a two-stage consultation on the draft statement will be required, followed by parliamentary approval and designation.
Green Investment Bank
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 434-36, on energy efficiency, where support for the Green Deal from the Green Investment Bank will be targeted. [118640]
Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
As already announced, support for the Green Deal is one of the five priority sectors for investment by the UK Green Investment Bank (UKGIB). UK Green Investments, the forerunner to the UKGIB, is currently exploring proposals to support the financing of the Green Deal, including the Green Deal Finance Company. All investments by UK Green Investments or the UKGIB will need to be compatible with the principle of sound finances, whereby capital will be deployed as a responsible investor and risks managed to achieve positive portfolio returns. Any individual investment or financial commitment by UK Green Investments or the UKGIB will be limited to £300 million.
National Grid
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will request National Grid to expand the UK's interconnector programme. [118996]
Mr Hayes:
There is not currently a UK interconnector programme. Interconnection is a commercially-driven market with a number of different companies involved. We committed in our recent publication ‘Electricity System: Assessment of Future Challenges' to further
10 Sep 2012 : Column 67W
develop the evidence base on the impact on Britain of different interconnection scenarios. This should assist the market as it develops future interconnection proposals.
Nuclear Power
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the value is of his contract with KPMG to advise on the talks with EDF Energy and Centrica on new nuclear power plants. [119130]
Mr Hayes: DECC's contract with KPMG for this advice does not specify a fixed sum in advance but sets the daily rates for each grade of consultant that DECC can access. These rates are commercially confidential. As with other contracts, total payments to KPMG will form part of the regular financial disclosure by HM Government through the No. 10 Transparency website
http://www.number10.gov.uk/transparency/how-your-money-is-spent
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what submissions he has received from prospective investors in new nuclear power generation on increasing the legal robustness of contracts for difference. [119297]
Mr Hayes: The Department has had regular engagement with a variety of prospective investors in low carbon electricity generation, including new nuclear, on its proposals for reforms to the electricity market. As part of this engagement prospective investors have expressed views on the legal robustness of contracts for difference.
Radioactive Waste
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of options for community involvement in the process of deciding on the location of a geological disposal facility for intermediate and high-activity radioactive waste; and if he will give consideration to involving communities other than the nominated prospective host communities, in cases where they have a relevant local interest such as being sited on proposed transport routes. [119903]
Mr Hayes: In March 2012, following a public consultation, the Department of Energy and Climate Change published a Framework for the desk-based identification and assessment of potential candidate sites for geological disposal of higher activity radioactive waste. This includes flexible provisions for engagement, with details to be agreed by local stakeholders in volunteer communities.
The consultation material, and Framework document, are available on the DECC website:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/mrws_siting/mrws_siting.aspx