Health Services: Young People
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department will publish a response to the report of the Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum; [120054]
(2) if he will implement the recommendations relevant to his Department contained in the report of the Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum; [120055]
(3) if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the recommendations of the report of the Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum; [120056]
(4) if he will appoint a deputy responsible for health services for children and young people reporting to the Chief Medical Officer. [120058]
Dr Poulter: The Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum published its report to the Secretary of State for Health on 26 July 2012 and the recommendations made, including appointing a deputy responsible for health services for children and young people reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, are being carefully considered.
The forum's report is being used as a basis for compiling the Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Strategy. Discussions are under way with groups and organisations that have an interest in and responsibility for improved health outcomes for children and young people, including the Department for Education, in order that they can agree their commitments to meeting the objectives of the strategy. The strategy itself is due to be published in the autumn.
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ask the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to expand and prioritise its Quality Standards work programme as it applies to children and young people. [120057]
Dr Poulter:
The library of around 180 Quality Standard topics already referred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) includes a number
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of topics specific to children and young people, as well as topics that will cover adults, children and young people together. We have asked NICE to give due weight to matters affecting children and young people in developing Quality Standards intended to be relevant to services for people of all ages.
The independent Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum, which reported in July 2012, made several recommendations in relation to what NICE could contribute in order that improved outcomes can be delivered for children and young people. Department of Health officials are liaising with NICE and the NHS Commissioning Board on the forum's recommendations. The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for referring NHS Quality Standard topics to NICE from April 2013.
Health Visitors
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to implement any new policies or issue guidelines on maximum caseload sizes for health visitors. [120047]
Dr Poulter: The Department is not intending to implement any policies or issue guidance relating to the maximum caseload for health visitors. This is most effectively and safely determined at the local level by the organisation providing the service through local monitoring and support for individual health visitors. This ensures that local factors, particularly the demographics of the population and the associated level of need, can help determine not only caseload size, but also the appropriate skill mix of staff in local health visitor teams.
The Department acknowledges that relatively high caseload sizes can be challenging. However, the Government are increasing the number of health visitors by an additional 4,200 (by April 2015) from a baseline of 8,092 (May 2010). This will ensure availability of more staff, thereby allowing local services more flexibility in how they respond to demand for support for mothers and families.
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent qualified health visitors were employed in the NHS in (a) March 2012 and (b) March 2010. [120064]
Dr Poulter: The total number of qualified full-time equivalent (FTE) health visitors in the national health service in England in March 2012 was 8,199. In March 2010, the number of qualified FTE health visitors was 8,175. Many additional health visitors are currently being trained.
The figures are taken from the monthly workforce statistics published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. They do not include health visitors employed by organisations that do not use the Electronic Staff Record (ESR), such as local authorities and some social enterprises.
The health visitor minimum data set has collected the number of health visitors that are not captured by the ESR since August 2011 from strategic health authorities. In August 2011, the total number of non-ESR health visitors was 192. In March 2012, this had risen to 258.
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Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent qualified health visitors he expects to be employed across the NHS in each month from April 2012 to April 2015. [120065]
Dr Poulter: The total number of full-time equivalent health visitors employed by national health service organisations in England in April 2012 was 8,396.
The currently planned total number employed will be 9,265 in April 2013, 10,822 in April 2014 and 12,336 in April 2015.
The monthly breakdown of planned health visitor numbers are not collected centrally.
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to maintain the number of full-time equivalent qualified health visitors employed in the NHS after the Health Visitor Implementation Programme. [120066]
Dr Poulter: Our commitment is to increase health visitors by 4,200 (from a May 2010 baseline) by April 2015. The Government's four-year transformational programme will develop health visiting services that are universal and energised, and will improve health outcomes for mums and families. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) health visitors(1) has increased by 339 (4.2%) since May 2010. The total number is now 8,431 (as at 31 May 2012). The number of health visitor trainees has increased markedly, with around 1,600 in training 2011-12.
The Department of Health is facilitating the spread of good practice and innovation stemming from the health visitor early implementer sites, which are working to deliver the new health visiting service model, thereby helping to lead a step-change and improvement in the way services are provided across the country, which will make a tangible difference to the lives of mums and families looked after by health visitors.
The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) will take on the responsibility for commissioning health visiting services from April 2013, including implementation of the new service model and workforce growth. By April 2015, the commitment is to transfer the commissioning of these services from the NHS CB to local authorities.
Through their contribution to joint strategic needs assessments, local authorities develop a range of information enabling them to understand the health needs of individuals and communities. They are therefore best placed to decide where to employ health visitors so that they effectively support young mothers and families.
Given the vital role that health visitors play in supporting families, it is anticipated that as part of preparation for this onwards transfer of commissioning responsibility, the NHS CB will want to engage its partner organisations in focusing on maintaining the current drive to increase health visitor numbers and hence maintain the number of full-time equivalent health visitors employed in the NHS from that point onwards. Availability of relevant information about improvements in outcomes within the Public Health Outcomes Framework(2), would inform activity that demonstrates the case for sustaining the numbers employed.
(1 )This figure is taken from the health visitor minimum data set, which collects from strategic health authorities the number of health visitors on the electronic staff record (ESR) in addition to those not recorded on ESR.. The total figure provided includes
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over 200 health visitors not counted by the ESR, (e.g. directly employed by local authorities and social enterprises). The data do not include bank and agency staff.
(2 “)Improving outcomes and supporting transparency. Part 1: A public health outcomes framework for England, 2013 to 2016”, (published January 2012).
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent qualified health visitors who had left the profession returned to the profession between April 2010 and April 2012. [120067]
Dr Poulter: The number of health visitors who left the profession and returned to practice is not held centrally for the time period requested.
We are currently trialling a data collection that may provide this information in the future. The health visitor minimum data set has collected the number of health visitors that returned to practice, but only since July 2012. If the trial proves successful in providing reliable data, we hope to be able to publish from November 2012.
It is important to note that as part of commitment to increase the number of health visitors, the number of trainees increased from 545 in 2010-11 to 1,606 in 2011-12, an increase of 1,061.
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified health visitor roles existed in the NHS in (a) March 2012 and (b) March 2010. [120068]
Dr Poulter: The total number of qualified health visitor roles in the national health service in England in March 2012 was 10,220. In March 2010, the number of qualified health visitor roles was 10,397.
Role count is the total count of specific roles within an organisation and some people may have multiple roles either within or across organisations. This is determined by the unique assignment number given to individuals and each of their roles within the electronic staff record (ESR). Role count is only collected through the ESR and therefore the above figures will not include health visitor roles in employers who do not use the ESR.
Role count differs to full-time equivalent, which is based on the proportion of time staff work in a role. The reduction in the number of health visitor roles may be because a greater number of posts are being held by an individual (single role) as opposed to job shares (multiple roles). However, the size of the workforce increased over the same period. Just looking at the ESR, the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of health visitors increased by 24 (0.3%), meaning that there are fewer health visitors were working more hours in fewer roles.
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned to monitor the effect of increased health visitor numbers on child and family health. [120069]
Dr Poulter: The Department expects to see the beneficial impact for mothers and families of the increased number of health visitors by 2015. The resultant improvements to care and support for children and families are outlined in the Public Health Outcomes Framework(1).
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(1 “)Improving outcomes and supporting transparency. Part 1: A public health outcomes framework for England, 2013 to 2016” (published January 2012)
Hepatitis
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that public health commissioners reduce the gap between the number of people being diagnosed with hepatitis C and the number of people who receive treatment for the condition. [120368]
Anna Soubry: From 1 April 2013, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will have a statutory obligation to arrange for the provision of health services it considers necessary to meet the requirements of those patients for whom they are responsible. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 will require CCGs to act with a view to securing continuous improvement in the quality of services provided to individuals in relation to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, including hepatitis C.
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department is providing for public health commissioners within local authorities to ensure hepatitis C services are appropriately commissioned from 1 April 2013. [120369]
Anna Soubry: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing public health guidance for health care professionals and the national health service on promoting and offering hepatitis C (and hepatitis B) testing to those at risk.
From 1 April 2013, Public Health England and local authorities will support commissioners to use evidence and guidelines published by NICE when commissioning services, including those for hepatitis C.
Hospitals: Admissions
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which areas the five highest increases for admissions to hospital occurred in each of the last five years. [119889]
Anna Soubry: The information is shown in the following tables:
| Count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)(1) by primary care trust of responsibility(2 )and year-on-year change for the years 2006-07 to 2010-11(3) | |||
| PCT name | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | Percentage change |
| PCT name | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | Percentage change |
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| PCT name | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | Percentage change |
| PCT name | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | Percentage change |
| (1) A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) Commissioning responsibility for individual patients rests with the primary care trust (PCT) with whom the patient is registered. This means that patients with a GP in one PCT area may reside in a neighbouring or other area but remain the responsibility of the PCT with whom their GP of registration is associated. PCTs are also responsible for non-registered patients who are resident within their boundaries. (3) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Note: PCT boundaries changed in 2006, so annual comparisons from 2007-08 onwards are presented. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre. Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. | |||
Hospitals: North West
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions have taken place about the possibility of a merger between St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals and North Cheshire Hospitals; and who has been involved in any such discussions. [120549]
Anna Soubry:
We are aware that the board of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has discussed a partnership with Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as one of the options they will consider in determining a strategy that will secure the sustainable provision of high quality healthcare services. This options appraisal is in support of the trust's plan for achievement of foundation trust status as a stand alone organisation or as part of some new
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organisational configuration. No process has yet been initiated to formally seek a partner by the trust and would only be commenced if the options appraisal were to conclude that approach as the future strategy for the organisation with the necessary stakeholder support for this.
Hyperactivity: Children
Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to encourage research into the extent of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder amongst children. [119879]
Dr Poulter: The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made.
The findings of a study of the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in a community sample of children in the United Kingdom were published in 2010 in the ‘Journal of Attention Disorders’. This research was supported by a grant awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to monitor the prescription of psychotropic drugs to children; [119880]
(2) how many prescriptions for drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were issued free of charge because the patient was under 16 years of age in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [119881]
Dr Poulter: The prescription of psychotropic drugs to children is not monitored or collected centrally.
Information on the number of prescriptions issued to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to patients under 16 is not collected centrally.
Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that psychotropic drugs are only prescribed to children in accordance with the guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. [119882]
Dr Poulter: Health care professionals are expected to fully take into account the guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) when exercising their clinical judgment.
In December 2011, a letter was sent by the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and NHS Medical Director to a variety of health care professionals, including general practitioners and Medical Directors of NHS trusts, which reminded them of the relevance of NICE guidelines in delivering mental health care to children and young people.
Health care professionals do have the right to prescribe these drugs if they feel it is clinically justified and in keeping with specialist consensus given the individual care needs of the child and in consultation with the parent or guardian.
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Injuries: Animals
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people of each (a) age and (b) sex were hospitalised with suspected animal attack injuries in each area in each of the last five years; and what type of animal caused the injury in each case. [119976]
Anna Soubry: The information requested has been placed in the Library.
NHS: Internet
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many unique visitors to the NHS Information Service for Parents website were recorded in each month since its launch; [120048]
(2) how many unique views of videos on the NHS Information Service for Parents website were recorded in each month since its launch. [120049]
Dr Poulter: The following table gives a breakdown of information service for parents (ISP) visits, each month, since the launch of the service in May 2012, together with pregnancy and baby pages visits to which users are directed:
| Unique visitors to ISP Microsite | Visits to “Pregnancy and baby” pages on NHS Choices | |
Users of the service can access new specially commissioned short videos on pregnancy and parenting skills. The following table gives a breakdown of unique video views of information service for parents videos, each month, since the launch of the service:
| Videos viewed on NHS Choices site | Videos viewed on YouTube | |
| (1) Monthly breakdown not available from YouTube | ||
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many individuals signed up to receive (a) text messages and (b) emails from the NHS Information Service for Parents website in each month since its launch; [120050]
(2) how many individuals are signed up to receive (a) text messages and (b) emails from the NHS Information Service for Parents website. [120051]
Dr Poulter: Users of the service can sign up to receive emails and/or SMS text messages related to the service and their baby. The information service for parents monthly sign-up rate and totals for emails and SMS text is as set out in the following table:
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| Date | Total sign ups | Email sign up | SMS sign up |
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much it cost to set up the NHS Information Service for Parents website; [120052]
(2) how much the NHS Information Service for Parents website cost to run and maintain in each month since its launch. [120053]
Dr Poulter: On 18 May 2012, the Government launched a new digital service for parents. Parents are invited to sign up from early pregnancy to receive regular free e-mail and SMS messages offering high quality advice, and signposting them to trusted sources of information.
The cost of setting up the Information Service for Parents website was £404,190.
The monthly cost to run and maintain the Information Service for Parents website is £23,226.
Service support for the website itself is not costed, charged or invoiced separately and is part of the overall cost of the provision of NHS Choices.
NHS: Reorganisation
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances he would intervene in the case of a major configuration of NHS services; and if he will make a statement. [119977]
Anna Soubry: The reconfiguration of health services is a matter for the local national health service. There should be public consultation and any changes are subject to the four tests namely:
first, that they have support of general practitioner commissioners;
second, arrangements for public and patient engagement, including local authorities, must be strengthened;
third, there must be greater clarity about the clinical evidence base underpinning any proposals; and
fourth, any proposals must take into account the need to develop and support patient choice.
If plans are contested, the Overview and Scrutiny Committees of the relevant local authority can refer these to the Secretary of State for Health. The Independent Reconfiguration Panel considers the objections and advises the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State can then accept or reject advice.
Older People: Day Centres
Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government ways to market council-run day centres for the elderly in (a) hospitals and (b) GP surgeries; what the cost to his Department would be of such marketing; and if he will make a statement. [120380]
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Norman Lamb: We currently have no plans to discuss this aspect of integrated working. It is important for older people and their carers that they experience care which is joined-up between the national health service and social care to meet their individual needs. The availability of services to meet the needs of individuals is an issue best addressed locally by Health and Well-being Boards. They provide the forum for local authorities, the NHS and wider partners to come together, understand local needs, and work towards integrating local provision as informed by their Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. The local authority has a duty to inform its population of care services available in its area and can do so with NHS partners.
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Out-patients: Attendance
Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital appointments were missed in (a) Gloucestershire, (b) the South West and (c) England in each of the last five years. [119902]
Anna Soubry: The information is shown in the following tables:
| South Gloucestershire PCT | |||||
| Number | |||||
| First attendances seen | First attendances missed (did not attend) | First appointments | Subsequent attendances seen | Subsequent attendances missed (did not attend) | |
| Number | ||||
| Subsequent appointments | Total attendances seen | Total attendances missed (did not attend) | Total appointments | |
| Gloucestershire PCT | |||||
| Number | |||||
| First attendances seen | First attendances missed (did not attend) | First appointments | Subsequent attendances seen | Subsequent attendances missed (did not attend) | |
| Number | ||||
| Subsequent appointments | Total attendances seen | Total attendances missed (did not attend) | Total appointments | |
| South West Strategic Health Authority | |||||
| Number | |||||
| First attendances seen | First attendances missed (did not attend) | First appointments | Subsequent attendances seen | Subsequent attendances missed (did not attend) | |
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| Number | ||||
| Subsequent appointments | Total attendances seen | Total attendances missed (did not attend) | Total appointments | |
| England | |||||
| Number | |||||
| First attendances seen | First attendances missed (did not attend) | First appointments | Subsequent attendances seen | Subsequent attendances missed (did not attend) | |
| Number | ||||
| Subsequent appointments | Total attendances seen | Total attendances missed (did not attend) | Total appointments | |
| Note: Out-patient appointments, Consultant led. All specialties, 2007-08 to 2011-12. Source: Department of Health Quarterly Activity Return. | ||||
Palliative Care
Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to aligning the indicators in the NHS Outcomes Framework and Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework to ensure better integration of health and social care at the end of life. [120071]
Norman Lamb: Better integration of health and social care at the end of life was highlighted as a priority in the recent Care and Support White Paper. The Government have already committed to including an indicator in the NHS Outcomes Framework on the quality of end of life care, based on the VOICES survey of bereaved carers.
There are several shared outcomes between the NHS, Adult Social Care and Public Health, and the frameworks were designed to enable this. However, the extent to which outcomes in these frameworks can be aligned is determined by the availability of indicators and data, and the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework does not have a corresponding indicator on end of life care.
However, work continues to identify future areas for inclusion in the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework.
Defence
Armed Forces: Career Development
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in each of the services were promoted to a higher rank in each year since 1995; and what proportion such people formed of the total number of personnel in their service in each year. [119064]
Mr Francois: The information sought is not available prior to 2000. The following tables set out the position since 2000.
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| Trained UK Regular promotions by service in each financial year as a proportion of the trained strength at the start of each year | |||
| Naval Service | |||
| Financial year | Promotions | Strength | Promotions (percentage) |
| Army | |||
| Financial year | Promotions | Strength | Promotions (percentage) |
| Royal Air Force | |||
| Financial year | Promotions | Strength | Promotions (percentage) |
| (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, except for numbers ending in ‘5' which are rounded to the nearest 20 in order to avoid systematic bias. (2) DASA is reviewing its administrative data post April 2009 and until this work is complete, data from 1 May 2009 to 1 October 2011 are provisional and subject to review. | |||
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in each rank in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy were promoted to a more senior rank in each year since 2000. [119068]
Mr Francois: The information available is set out in the following table:
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| Trained UK regular promotions by service in each financial year | |||
| Financial year | (a) Naval Service | (b) Army | (c) Royal Air Force |
| Note: Promotions from other ranks to officers are excluded. (1 )Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, except for numbers ending in ‘5' which are rounded to the nearest 20 in order to avoid systematic bias. (2 )Denotes not available. (3 )DASA is reviewing its administrative data post April 2009 and until this work is complete, data from 1 May 2009 to 1 October 2011 are provisional and subject to review. | |||
Armed Forces: Redundancy
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether length of service was a consideration in the selection of individuals for redundancy announcements made in tranches 1 and 2; [118601]
(2) if length of service was a consideration in the selection of individuals for redundancy announcements made in Tranches 1 and 2 of the Armed Forces Redundancy Programme; [118733]
(3) whether his Department took length of service into consideration when determining the redundancies to be made in Tranches 1 and 2. [119803]
Mr Francois [holding answer 6 September 2012]: No. We have been clear that the length of service was not a consideration in the selection of individuals for redundancy and we have worked hard to ensure that that many more individuals have received an immediate income for which they otherwise would not have qualified. Only 1.2% of individuals who have been selected for redundancy are within one year of qualifying for their immediate pension. These personnel will receive a significantly larger tax free lump sum, which could total over £100,000, and still get all their accrued pension rights at the age of 60 or 65.
Departmental Responsibilities
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior responsible owners have been designated within his Department; and to which project each such person is currently assigned. [119502]
Mr Francois [holding answer 6 September 2012]: The Permanent Secretary has appointed 16 senior responsible owners, who are responsible to the Defence Board, and who currently lead 18 major business change and military capability programmes, which are as follows:
Asset Management Programme (AMP)
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Basing Optimisation Programme (BOP) (formal appointment pending)
BORONA (formal appointment pending)
Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) (formal appointment pending)
Corporate Services Systems Convergence Programme (CSSCP)
Corporate Services Transformation Programme (CSTP)
Defence Core Network Services (DCNS)
Defence Cyber Security Programme (DCSP) (formal appointment pending)
Defence Information Infrastructure (DII)
Defence Infrastructure Transformation Programme (DITP)
Defence Reform Programme (DRP)
Future Reserves 2020 (FR20)
Logistics Commodities Services Transformation (LCST)
New Employment Model (NEM)
Submarine Enterprise Performance Programme (SEPP)
Successor Deterrent Submarine Programme (SDSP)
The Materiel Strategy (TMS) (formal appointment pending).
HMS Victory
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the ownership status is of monetary items discovered at the site of HMS Victory 1744. [119219]
Mr Francois [holding answer 5 September 2012]: The Deed of Gift signed in January 2012 transferred ownership to the Maritime Heritage Foundation of the wreck of HMS Victory 1744 and all that is associated with her in the vicinity of where she is lying, except for personal property not belonging to the Crown.
An Advisory Group has been established comprising representatives of English Heritage and the National Museum of the Royal Navy and chaired by the MOD; the DCMS has an observer role. The Group provides advice to both the Foundation and the Secretary of State on the extent to which actions proposed by the Foundation are consistent with archaeological principles set out in Annex A to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. Any physical activity undertaken on the site will require the prior consent of the Secretary of State, who would of course be advised by the Advisory Group.
Ramil Safarov
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of NATO on the case of Ramil Safarov. [120225]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence has not had any discussion on the case of Mr Safarov with NATO.
Indonesia
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) his Department and (b) the armed forces provided advice or training to Indonesian security and defence forces in the last five years. [119135]
Mr Robathan:
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to provide advice and training to the Indonesian Defence of Security forces in support of Indonesia's security sector reform process. This includes places on
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MOD courses in the UK, the local provision of defence education, senior officials' level engagement and training on conducting Peace Support Operations and maritime/border security.
Israel
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any members of the Israeli armed forces have been attached to HM armed forces in each of the last five years. [120356]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 10 September 2012]: No members of the Israeli armed forces have been attached to the UK armed forces in the past five years.
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any members of HM armed forces have been attached to the Israeli armed forces in each of the last five years. [120357]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 10 September 2012]: No members of the armed forces have been attached to the Israeli armed forces in the past five years.
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any members of the Israeli armed forces and security forces have attended training courses in the UK provided by his Department in each of the last five years. [120358]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 10 September 2012]: Members of the Israeli Defence Force attended UK defence education courses in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Museums
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the value of the assets and property at each location of the Royal Navy Museums and the Royal Air Force Museums. [119542]
Mr Francois: The total net book value for the Royal Navy museums, as at 31 March 2011, is £23.386 million. This is taken from the 2010-11 audited accounts and is broken down by each of the Royal Navy museums in the following table. For the 2011-12 accounts all Royal Navy assets are consolidated under the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
| £ million | ||
| Museum | Land and buildings | Other assets |
The total net book value of the RAF museum as at 31 March 2011 is £61,614,018. However, it should be noted that although the top level figures are held within the Ministry of Defence, the assets themselves are owned
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by the RAF Museum. The MOD does not hold the detailed breakdown between the two sites at Hendon and Cosford.
This information is in the public domain and can be found on:
www.official-documents.gov.uk
NATO
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assets have been assigned to (a) Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, (b) Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, (c) Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 and (d) Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 in the last seven years; and for how long they were assigned to each such group; [119547]
(2) what assets have been requested by (a) Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, (b) Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, (c) Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 and (d) Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 for future deployment. [119548]
Mr Robathan: The following table shows the frigates or destroyers assigned to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups in the last seven years. Where there are two ships assigned in one year the periods of support is six months per ship.
| Standing NATO Mine Group 1 | Standing NATO Mine Group 2 | |
In 2011, the ship assigned was re-tasked to the NATO Operation Unified Protector. Since that time no dedicated ship has been assigned to Standing NATO Mine Group 1 or 2. The Royal Navy continues to offer a frigate or destroyer to NATO Immediate Reaction Force activation as required.
The following table shows the mine counter measures (MCM) vessels and coastal survey vessel assigned to the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Groups (SNMCMG) in the last seven years. The MCMs have undertaken varying periods of support from four to 12 month deployments.
| SNMCMG 1 | SNMCMG 2 | |
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SNMG MCM Group deployments for the future have been planned with three units of four month deployments allocated per year from 2013 to 2018.
Reserve Forces
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what personal contribution volunteer reservists have been required to make towards travel to their place of duty since April 2011; [120259]
(2) what changes have been made to travel contributions for volunteer reservists since April 2011. [120260]
Mr Francois [holding answer 10 September 2012]: Service personnel, including the volunteer reserve, are in some cases able to claim home-to-duty travel allowance (HDT). This allowance requires a daily personal contribution to the cost of the journeys to work for which they make a claim. In April 2011 the HDT claim could be made for every mile after the first. Since 1 May 2011, the personal contribution to home-to-duty travel allowance distance has been increased from one mile to three miles. The volunteer reserve may claim HDT when travelling from home or their normal civilian place of work to attend training.
In April 2011 the personal contribution ranged from 18p per day to 50p subject to the mode of transport. From 1 May 2011 the contributions increased to range from 53p to £1.50, still based on transport type.
There were further planned incremental increases to this qualifying distance taking it to six miles from 1 April 2012 and nine miles in 2013. I am pleased to confirm that these measures are no longer deemed necessary, so the three-mile qualifying distance remains extant.
Submarines
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the fully manned establishment is of the Submarine Service; [120254]
(2) how many nuclear engineers are available to the Submarine Service; and if he will make a statement; [120255]
(3) what recent assessment he has made of manning levels in the Submarine Service; and if he will make a statement. [120256]
Mr Francois [holding answer 10 September 2012]: Manpower levels within the Submarine Service are monitored on a monthly basis in order that management action can be taken to match strength to the Naval Service requirement.
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The fully manned establishment of the Royal Navy Submarine Service is 4,053 trained officers and ratings and the Royal Navy currently has 1,490 trained nuclear engineers (including nuclear technicians).
Syria
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many personnel in the Syrian armed forces were trained by the UK armed forces by (a) rank, (b) location of training and (c) duration of training in each of the last 10 years; [119601]
(2) what training his Department provided to Syrian armed forces personnel in each of the last 10 years; [119602]
(3) what the cost was to the public purse of training Syrian armed forces personnel in each of the last 10 years; [119603]
(4) whether any personnel from the Syrian armed forces being trained in the UK have claimed political asylum; [119604]
(5) how much money his Department has received from the Syrian government for training its armed forces personnel in each of the last 10 years; [119605]
(6) what rank and positions were held by Syrian armed forces personnel who have been trained in the UK in the last 10 years (a) at the time of their enrolment for training and (b) now. [119608]
Mr Robathan [holding answers 6 and 7 September 2012]: The Ministry of Defence has a long tradition of providing defence education to international military personnel at its training establishments throughout the United Kingdom. Over the period in question, the UK has provided the following training to five Syrian armed forces personnel:
2003 to 2004: One Syrian officer cadet completed the commissioning course at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) at a cost of approximately £40,000.
2004 to 2005: A Syrian lieutenant colonel attended the advanced command and staff course at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, and associated language training at a cost of £69,000.
2005 to 2006: Two Syrian lieutenant colonels attended the diploma in Defence Diplomacy course, which was subsequently renamed as the Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context. The cost of both officers was £10,600.
2008: One Syrian colonel attended the Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context course, at a cost of £7,300.
No personnel from the Syrian armed forces being trained in the UK have claimed political asylum while undergoing training in the UK.
The Ministry of Defence has received no money from the Syrian Government in respect of this training.
As the British embassy in Damascus was closed on 29 February 2012, there is currently no mechanism for ascertaining either the current ranks or positions of these five individuals.
In view of the current circumstances in Syria, the UK is not providing any defence education to Syrian armed forces personnel.
Fabian Hamilton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that any plans to intervene in (a) Syria and (b) other countries with
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military action involving (i) USAF Lakenheath and (ii) other US bases in the UK will be brought before hon. Members for debate and decision. [120318]
Mr Robathan: The potential use of bases in the United Kingdom by United States forces would be a matter for joint decision by the two Governments in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.
Ulster Defence Regiment
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of recognition payments were made to part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment; who was eligible for such payments; and whether any other types of recognition payments will be considered. [120235]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 10 September 2012]: Part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who transferred over to the Royal Irish Regiment Home Service in 1992 and were in service on 31 August 2006 received an ex-gratia payment which was part of a package intended to recognise the unique circumstances surrounding the disbandment of the home service element of the regiment. The criteria for this payment would not therefore have been applicable to former part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who left prior to that qualifying date.
Other types of payments, where appropriate, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Yorkshire Regiment
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited into the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) at the Middlesbrough Armed Forces Career Office in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012 to date. [120433]
Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 July 2012, Official Report, column 755W.
Information showing how many people were recruited from specific towns and areas is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Work and Pensions
Benefit Deduction Orders
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit deduction orders were requested by HM Courts and Tribunals Service but not granted by his Department in the latest period for which figures are available. [119521]
Mr Hoban: We do not have statistically robust figures relating to the inquiry.
Children: Day Care
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure that good quality affordable child care is available for jobseekers. [119869]
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Steve Webb: Providing help with the cost of and improving access to formal child care continue to be at the forefront of our policies.
The Government invest around £5 billion each year in early education and child care. Investment in the free early education entitlement is around £2 billion and nearly £2 billion each year goes to help working parents with the cost of child care, mostly through working tax credit. Around £800 million is provided through tax and national insurance relief on child care vouchers, directly contracted child care and workplace nurseries.
The Government are investing an extra £300 million for child care support under universal credit which will help around 80,000 more families, for the first time supporting parents who work under 16 hours a week.
While parents are looking for work, they can receive help with child care costs when they attend employment programmes. Additional financial support in the first weeks of starting employment can be available through Childcare Assist and Childcare Subsidy, both part of the Flexible Support Fund.
On 19 June, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister announced the Childcare Commission which will look at how to make child care more affordable for parents and reduce unnecessary burdens on employers. The Commission will report in the autumn.
Employment and Support Allowance
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason employment and support allowance payment to claimants who are in the process of submitting an ESA3 form are terminated until the application has been processed. [120437]
Mr Hoban: A limit of 365 days of entitlement to contributory employment and support allowance for claimants other than those in the support group was introduced from 1 May 2012. Any days of entitlement falling before that day are taken into account.
Those people who have not already been assessed for the income-related element of employment and support allowance are contacted eight weeks before their entitlement to contributory allowance is due to end.
They are informed of the forthcoming change to their benefit entitlement and asked if they wish to be considered for an income-related allowance. If they do, they are asked to complete form ESA3 which provides us with the necessary information about their financial circumstances to enable their entitlement to be decided before contribution-based employment and support allowance ends.
If, at the time the claimant has been entitled to a contributory allowance for 365 days, their entitlement to an income-related allowance has not, for whatever reason, been decided, their award of employment and support allowance will necessarily terminate in accordance with the legislation. If it is subsequently decided that the claimant is entitled to the income-related allowance, they will be awarded arrears as appropriate.
Claimants who are entitled only to income-related Employment and Support Allowance are not affected by the introduction of the time limit.
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Employment Schemes: Brigg
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent progress has been made on mandatory work activity and voluntary work experience schemes in Brigg and Goole constituency. [120280]
Mr Hoban: For the period May 2011 up to and including February 2012, there have been 40 referrals to MWA and 20 starts on mandatory work activity in Brigg and Goole.
For the period January 2011 up to and including May 2012, there have been 90 starts to a work experience placement in Brigg and Goole.
The values have been rounded to the nearest 10.
For further information on the official statistics, see the following:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/index.php?page=pwp
Housing Benefit: South East
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much Discretionary Housing Payment funding has been allocated to each local authority in the South East in 2012-13. [120530]
Mr Hoban: The following table shows the Government contribution towards discretionary housing payments allocated for 2012-13, the amount of unspent Government contribution from 2011-12 that has been permitted to be carried forward into 2012-13, and the overall total expenditure limit for discretionary housing payments for 2012-13 for each local authority in the south east of England.
| £ | |||
| Local authority | Government contribution towards discretionary housing payments 2012-13 | Carry over of unspent Government contribution towards discretionary housing payments from 2011-12 | Total discretionary housing payments expenditure limit for 2012-13 |
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Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much Discretionary Housing Payment funding was (a) allocated and (b) spent by each local authority in the South East in 2011-12. [120531]
Mr Hoban: The following table shows the Government contribution towards discretionary housing payments made available in 2011-12 and the total expenditure on discretionary housing payments for 2011-12 for each local authority in the south east of England.