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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Transport
Heathrow Airport
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the removal of westerly preference operations at Heathrow airport. [126666]
Mr McLoughlin: I refer my hon. Friend to the then Aviation Minister's, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), written statement of 7 September 2010, Official Report, columns 13-14WS.
King's Cross-Hartlepool Railway Line
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the punctuality rate for the Grand Central Train service (a) from Hartlepool to King's Cross and (b) from King's Cross to Hartlepool in (i) November 2011 to October 2012 and (ii) November 2010 to October 2011. [126759]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not hold specific punctuality information requested for the Grand Central route between King's Cross and Hartlepool.
The punctuality figures for Grand Central as a whole (showing the percentage of trains arriving less than 10 minutes late) for the years requested are shown in the following table:
| Percentage | |
| Note: Latest available data. Annual data based on rail periods. | |
London Midland: Franchises
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the defined performance criteria against which his Department will judge whether to end the London Midland franchise at the initial expiry date. [126643]
Norman Baker [holding answer 5 November 2012]: The contractual criteria relating London Midland's franchise continuation review are detailed in schedule 18 of the National Rail Franchise Terms, a copy of which is already available on the Department's website at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-passenger-franchise-agreement-london-midland/lm-franchise-agreement.pdf
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Motorcycles: Training
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the locations were of motorcycle approved training bodies in each main postcode district in April (a) 2008 and (b) 2012. [126036]
Stephen Hammond: As on 30 October 2012, 633 approved training bodies deliver approved training courses from 1,646 approved sites. A list showing the location of each training site has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
The Driving Standards Agency does not retain information on the training bodies that held such approval in April 2008 and 2012.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of motorcycle approved training bodies which were operating in April (a) 2008 and (b) 2012. [126108]
Stephen Hammond: The Driving Standards Agency's (DSA's) reporting systems do not allow for retrospective interrogation for certain data sets. Therefore, no data are available for the number of approved training bodies (ATBs) in 2008. However, in October 2009, there were 696 ATBs registered with the DSA.
The number of ATBs that are currently registered is 633.
Railways: Freight
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which ports have functioning rail freight facilities; and how much freight by tonnage was moved at each such facility in the last 10 years for which figures are available. [126903]
Stephen Hammond: Information is not held centrally in the form requested. Information about the location of rail terminals including those at ports is available on the Network Rail website at:
www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/10520.aspx
Port freight statistics are at:
www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/port-freight-statistics-2011-final-figures
West Coast Railway Line: Franchises
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2012, Official Report, column 532W, on West Coast railway line franchises, what other firms were considered for the work taken on by WS Atkins; and what range of fees was submitted by other bidders. [126397]
Mr McLoughlin: Bids for this work were received from Atkins, Aecom, Booz & Co, Halcrow, Leigh Fisher, Mott Macdonald and URS Scott Wilson. Capped maximum fee bids were made against a number of work packages. The fees bid are commercially confidential.
Maria Eagle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2012, Official Report, column 532W, on West Coast line franchises, which other legal firms were involved in the
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competitive procurement process referred to; and what the range of fees was submitted by the other bidders for work on the InterCity West Coast franchise competition. [126398]
Mr McLoughlin: All of the firms listed at Lot 8 (Major Projects) of the Government Procurement Service Legal Services Framework were given the opportunity to participate. Bids were received from Eversheds LLP, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Norton Rose LLP. Capped maximum fee bids were made against specified scenarios. The fee bids are commercially confidential.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 770W, on West Coast railway line franchise, what fee his Department paid to Eversheds LLP for acting for his Department as legal advisers for the judicial review. [126399]
Mr McLoughlin: As of 29 September 2012, the Department has been billed £538,888 for work as legal advisors for judicial review of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the hours for work billed to his Department by Eversheds LLP were for (a) writing the invitation to tender and (b) awarding the franchise. [126400]
Mr McLoughlin: The categorisation provided in the question does not exactly match the categories used to record working hours. However, Department records show that Eversheds LLP staff were billed to work 149 hours on the initiation and specification of the franchise, and 1,015 hours on the procurement of the franchise.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the staff provided by Eversheds LLP working for his Department on the InterCity West Coast franchise competition were engaged in (a) writing the invitation to tender and (b) awarding the franchise. [126401]
Mr McLoughlin: The categorisation provided in the question does not exactly match the categories used to record this information. However, Department records show that eight Eversheds LLP staff worked on the initiation and specification of the franchise, and 17 worked on the procurement of the franchise.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the WS Atkins staff working for his Department on the InterCity West Coast franchise competition were engaged in (a) writing the invitation to tender, (b) advising his Department on bids and (c) evaluating bids. [126402]
Mr McLoughlin: The categorisation provided in the question does not exactly match the categories used to record this information. However, Department records show that 20 WS Atkins staff worked on the initiation and specification of the franchise, and 20 worked on the procurement of the franchise.
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Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the hours for work billed to his Department by WS Atkins were for (a) writing the invitation to tender, (b) advising his Department on bids and (c) evaluating bids. [126403]
Mr McLoughlin: The categorisation provided in the question does not exactly match the categories used to record working hours. However, Department records show that WS Atkins staff were billed to work 2,406 hours on the initiation and specification of the franchise, and 2,544 hours on the procurement of the franchise.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps were taken by (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department to ensure that the amount of the subordinated loan facility (SLF) required of bidders for the InterCity West Coast franchise competition was determined in line with his Department's own SLF guidance; [126404]
(2) with reference to paragraph 5.9 of the Laidlaw Review into the collapse of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition, how many officials of each grade determined the subordinated loan facility levels for bids; and when Ministers were (a) consulted on, (b) informed of and (c) asked to endorse the levels; [126405]
(3) with reference to paragraph 5.3.7 of the Laidlaw Review into the collapse of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition, what the grades were of the officials who decided to accept the risk of challenge identified; and when Ministers were (a) consulted, (b) informed and (c) asked to confirm the recommendation of such officials; [126406]
(4) what the grade was of the most senior official in his Department who had the awareness referred to in paragraphs 5.3.1 to 5.3.4 of the Laidlaw Review into the collapse of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition; and when Ministers were informed of the risks identified; [126407]
(5) which Minister approved the quality assurance processes for the operation of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition; and on what date such decisions were taken; [126408]
(6) which Minister approved the arrangements for the governance structure to be applied to the InterCity West Coast franchise competition; and when such a decision was made; [126409]
(7) which Minister approved the structure and personnel arrangements for the InterCity West Coast franchise project team; and when such decisions were taken; [126410]
(8) whether his Department considered that the effect of the reorganisation of the departmental structure which took place between December 2010 and May 2011 was a risk factor when conducting the InterCity West Coast franchise competition; and what steps were taken to mitigate against such risks; [126411]
(9) when Ministers in his Department decided that the GDP model should be the mechanism for determining the annual franchise payment that the franchisee should pay his Department in the InterCity West Coast franchise competition; [126412]
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(10) when Ministers in his Department decided that there should be a minimum subordinated loan facility requirement in the new rail franchise process. [126413]
Mr McLoughlin: I refer the hon. Lady to the statement I made to the House on 15 October 2012, Official Report, columns 46-47, along with the terms of reference of the Laidlaw Inquiry and a copy of his interim report, both of which have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. These issues will be considered by the Laidlaw Inquiry. I am not going to prejudice the findings of his final report, which is due by the end of November.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Laidlaw Inquiry will be given full access by his Department to the full base case and risk-adjusted bidder models. [126414]
Mr McLoughlin: The Laidlaw Inquiry has been given access to this information.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to conduct an e-mail capture and review in order to assist the conduct of the Laidlaw Inquiry. [126415]
Mr McLoughlin: I refer the hon. Lady to my statement to the House on 15 October 2012, Official Report, columns 46-47, along with the terms of reference of the Laidlaw Inquiry and a copy of his interim report, both of which have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. The Laidlaw Inquiry interim report stated that it had not instructed the Department to conduct an e-mail capture and review at that stage. The Laidlaw Inquiry has subsequently requested an e-mail capture and the Department is co-operating with the Laidlaw Inquiry on this issue.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made by his Department on investigations into the suspensions of three employees following the collapse of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition; and when he expects such investigations to be completed. [126416]
Mr McLoughlin: The Permanent Secretary asked Bill Stow to lead an independent investigation to establish the facts about the roles individuals had in relation to the letting of the InterCity West Coast Franchise. The investigation is working as quickly and diligently as possible and will form the basis for a report to the Permanent Secretary, which will be submitted as soon as he is able to.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has sought the permission of third parties to waive their confidentiality for the purpose of passing documentation to the Laidlaw Inquiry. [126417]
Mr McLoughlin: Yes, where necessary.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the detailed criteria by which he has judged which documents will not be produced for the Laidlaw Inquiry. [126418]
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Mr McLoughlin: There are no such criteria. The Laidlaw Inquiry team has had the full co-operation of the Department throughout the 10 day initial review process and this remains the case.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date his Department will forward to the Laidlaw Inquiry all the documentation which it has requested in order to complete its work into the reasons for the cancellation of the West Coast franchise competition. [126419]
Mr McLoughlin: The Laidlaw Inquiry is an ongoing inquiry and requests for information held by the Department have been and continue to be made at regular intervals. The Department for Transport endeavours to meet all of these requests as soon as possible. The inquiry team has had the full co-operation of the Department throughout the 10 day initial review process and this remains the case.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) at what level in his Department the decision was taken not to waive legal professional privilege in respect of co-operation with the Laidlaw Inquiry into the West Coast franchise competition; [126420]
(2) for what reason his Department has declined to waive its legal professional privilege in respect of Eversheds LLP for the purposes of assisting the Laidlaw Inquiry into the West Coast franchise competition; [126421]
(3) if he will waive the legal professional privilege Eversheds LLP owe to his Department in order to pass relevant documentation to the Laidlaw Inquiry in respect of the West Coast franchise competition. [126422]
Mr McLoughlin: The Department is considering the basis upon which it can facilitate the giving of evidence by Eversheds to the inquiry. Some discussions between the inquiry and Eversheds have already taken place.
Communications between legal advisers and their clients—generally—are protected by legal privilege. For the Department to seek to protect the confidentiality of legal advice provided to it is, therefore, to be expected. By the same token, and in circumstances where litigation is extant or may be contemplated, the Department will want to consider the importance of retaining privilege and the implications of waiving it.
Advice in relation to privilege issues is provided by the Department's General Counsel, taking advice from independent counsel as appropriate. Decisions on whether to waive privilege are taken by Ministers or administrators.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
British Indian Ocean Territory
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with US officials on the future of the leasing arrangement held by the US on Diego Garcia. [126915]
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Mark Simmonds: The 1966 Exchange of Notes with the US provides that the islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), including Diego Garcia, shall be available to them until 2016 and continuing thereafter for a further period of 20 years unless terminated by either Government in the period 2014-16. There have been no substantive discussions to date with the US on the future of the US presence in BIOT post-2016.
Bülent Ecevit
Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what files his Department holds on Bülent Ecevit. [126605]
Mr Lidington: In line with standard departmental record-keeping policy, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office does hold files that may contain information relating to Bülent Ecevit. However, a full list of files is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Cayman Islands
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) officials, (b) staff, (c) contractors and (d) people under employment of his Department will be involved with the independent assessment ordered by the Cayman Turtle Farm into reports of animal cruelty. [126618]
Mark Simmonds: No one under the employment of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be involved in the independent assessment commissioned by the Cayman Turtle Farm into allegations of inhumane turtle husbandry at the farm.
Responsibility for the Cayman Turtle Farm rests with the Cayman Islands Government. We understand that the Cayman Islands Government are still in the process of organising the assessment, and selecting the people who will carry it out.
We are aware that the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has conducted an investigation into the Turtle Farm, and that it has recently made its findings public. The British Government place great importance on conserving the biodiversity of the Overseas Territories and takes seriously reports of animal cruelty throughout the world. We understand the farm has carried out a review of its operations and found no basis for WSPA's allegations; and that the independent assessment will take place in December.
We encourage WSPA, the management of the farm and the Cayman Islands Government to continue to engage constructively.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the outcome of the review undertaken by the Cayman Turtle Farm following reports of animal cruelty by the World Society for the Protection of Animals; and whether he plans to take any further steps. [126619]
Mark Simmonds:
Responsibility for the Cayman Turtle Farm rests with the Cayman Islands Government. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not seen the
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internal review that has been carried out by the Cayman Turtle Farm following allegations of inhumane turtle husbandry at the farm made by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
The British Government place great importance on conserving the biodiversity of the Overseas Territories and takes seriously reports of animal cruelty throughout the world. We understand the farm has carried out a review of its operations and found no basis for WSPA's allegations. The farm itself has ordered that an independent assessment take place in December. We encourage WSPA, the management of the farm and the Cayman Islands Government to continue to engage constructively.
Iceland
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether his Department has given consideration to an exchange of Icelandic territory or property with the UK in return for the writing off of outstanding loans from that country; [126588]
(2) if he will discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence the potential benefits of exchanging Icelandic territory or property for outstanding loans from that country. [126589]
Mr Lidington: Iceland has not made such a proposal. Nor has the Foreign and Commonwealth Office given consideration to such an exchange. The UK Government, like the Icelandic Government, are awaiting the ruling of the European Free Trade Area Court. With regard to settling the outstanding loans, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), on 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 621W.
Pakistan
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to discourage the oppression of (a) Christian and (b) other minority communities in Pakistan. [126338]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 15 October 2012, Official Report, column 72-73W.
Prime Minister
Leveson Inquiry
Chris Bryant: To ask the Prime Minister whether he was asked to provide a witness statement and documents to the Leveson Inquiry under Section 21(2) of the Enquiries Act 2005. [126937]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to him on 5 November 2012, Official Report, column 453W.
Chris Bryant: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2012, Official Report, columns 449-50W, on Leveson Inquiry, how often he has (a) corresponded with and (b) spoken to Andy Coulson since he left No. 10 Downing Street. [126941]
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The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Downing street press conference I gave on Friday 8 July 2011. A transcript of the press conference is available on the No. 10 website:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/prime-ministers-press-conference/
Chris Bryant: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2012, Official Report, columns 449-50W, on Leveson Inquiry, how many texts, emails and other forms of correspondence between his office and News International he reviewed when responding to the Leveson Inquiry. [126942]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to him on 31 October 2012, Official Report, column 230.
Meetings: Media
Helen Goodman: To ask the Prime Minister which newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives he has met since 1 July 2012. [127011]
The Prime Minister: Details of my meetings with external organisations, including meetings with newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives are published on a quarterly basis. Details can be accessed on the Cabinet Office website.
Defence
Afghanistan
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent reports he has received on the availability of protective glasses and uniforms in theatre in Afghanistan. [125990]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 31 October 2012]: I have received no reports regarding shortages of protective glasses or uniforms to service personnel currently deployed on operations in Afghanistan.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians have been killed or injured in drone strikes undertaken by the RAF since operations commenced in Afghanistan. [126285]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the then Minister for the Armed Forces, the hon. Member for North Devon (Sir Nick Harvey), on 26 June 2012, Official Report, column 187W, to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr Godsiff).
Defence: Procurement
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many projects being delivered by (a) Babcock, (b) Boeing, (c) Cobham, (d) European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, (e) Finmeccanica, (f) General Dynamics, (g) Kellogg-Brown-Root, (h) Lockheed Martin, (i) Marshall Aerospace, (j) Northrup Grumman, (k) Rolls-Royce, (l) Thales and (m) Ultra Electronics for his Department are overrunning in (i) time and (ii) budget; and where each project is located. [111560]
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Peter Luff: The information will take time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
Substantive answer from Philip Dunne to Angus Robertson:
My predecessor undertook to write to you in his answer of 10 July 2012 (Official Report, column 199W) regarding your parliamentary question about Defence projects.
The following table demonstrates the number of procurement and support projects managed by Defence Equipment and Support involving the contractors you asked about where the projects are presently considered to be overrunning regarding time or budget.
Performance against contract can be affected by a number of reasons not all of which are in the contractor's control. For the purpose of answering this question these contracts have been limited to those with a value of £1 million or more, and where the Ministry of Defence has let a contract directly to the named company as a Prime Contractor. The locations of where the contractors are carrying out the work are also set out in the table.
| Table 1: Companies overrunning in time and budget | ||||
| Company | No. of contracts over-running in time | Location | No. of contracts over budget | Location |
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which projects have had their in-service dates deferred since May 2010. [126445]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 2 November 2012]: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 15 October 2012, Official Report, columns 31-32W, to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck).
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Devonport Dockyard
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investment his Department has made at Devonport Dockyard and Naval Base since May 2010. [125650]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 31 October 2012]: Investment at Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport, which covers investment in infrastructure projects, plant and machinery and facilities from May 2010 to the end of September 2012 amounts to some £162 million.
European Fighter Aircraft
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average hourly cost was of flying the Typhoon fighter (a) with and (b) without fuel costs. [126215]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 1 November 2012]: The standard marginal flying hour cost for a Typhoon is £3,875, including the cost of fuel. Excluding fuel costs the figure reduces to approximately £2,670.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 809W, on joint strike fighter aircraft, what air-to-ground weapons will be available for selection for use on the Joint Strike Fighter F35-B. [125841]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 30 October 2012]: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 809W.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Joint Strike Fighters he plans to be deployable at any one time. [126142]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 1 November 2012]: The number of Lightning II aircraft available to deploy at any one time will depend on how many aircraft are procured. The Government will not take a final decision until the strategic defence and security review in 2015, at the earliest.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected unit cost is of each Joint Strike Fighter which his Department plans to purchase. [126143]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 1 November 2012]: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the then Minister for defence equipment, support and technology, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1140W.
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 809W, on Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, when the decision on the exact mix of weapons to be used on the F35-B will be taken. [126503]
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Mr Dunne [holding answer 2 November 2012]: I have nothing to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 809W.
Libya
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the agreement to forward-base Storm Shadow missiles at Gioia del Colle during Operation Ellamy was signed; [126086]
(2) whether Storm Shadow missiles were forward-based for use by Tornado at the Gioia del Colle air base in Italy. [126344]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 1 and 2 November 2012]: During Operation Ellamy last year, Storm Shadow missiles were forward-based at Gioia del Colle airbase in Italy. Agreement to base munitions in Gioia del Colle was covered by a pre-existing Government to Government arrangement signed in 2004.
Marine Sciences
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its Executive agencies spent on marine sciences in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and what spending for each is forecast in (A) 2012-13 and (B) 2013-14. [126740]
Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies have not spent and do not forecast any spending on marine science.
Military Aircraft
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the competition for aircraft service provision for the UK Military Flying Training System. [125788]
Mr Dunne: The UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS) will incrementally procure all flying training for Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force aircrew. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and its Training System partner, Ascent Flying Training, continue to consider the optimal strategy for the delivery of future flying training services.
While the MOD expects the competition for aircraft service provision for the fixed wing elements of the UK MFTS to commence in the near future, due diligence work is still in progress and a precise timetable will not be confirmed until this work is completed.
Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies supply (a) mobile telephones and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [125733]
Mr Dunne:
The majority of mobile telephones supplied to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are provided by Vodafone through an enabling arrangement under the Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) contract with British Telecom. A small number, less
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than 1%, are procured outside this arrangement to meet local operational demands, typically at MOD establishments overseas.
Mobile data services supplied to the MOD are provided through the DFTS contract direct with British Telecom.
Somalia
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are attached to Headquarter Operation Atlanta; and what the (a) rank and (b) duty is of each such person. [126438]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 2 November 2012]: Forty-nine UK service personnel are currently attached to the Operational Headquarters of the EU's Operation Atalanta. The military personnel by rank and roles are shown in the following table. I am withholding the actual number of personnel at each rank as it contains personal data which cannot be released.
Syria
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK has undertaken military missions to Syria in the last three years. [126117]
Mr Robathan: The only UK military commitment to Syria was a small Defence section at the British embassy in Damascus. This ceased in February 2012 when the embassy was closed due to the deterioration of the security situation.
Trident
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it remains his policy that the development costs of the replacement for Trident will be met from the core defence budget. [126931]
Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Gentlemen to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 263, in which he stated that the successor nuclear deterrent is included within the core programme.
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United Arab Emirates
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the nature and extent is of the Defence Co-operation Agreements signed between the UK and the United Arab Emirates; and if he will place in the Library a copy of those agreements. [126699]
Dr Murrison [holding answer 5 November 2012]: The Defence Co-Operation Accord signed between the UK and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1996 provides a framework for current and future defence engagement activity including training and capacity building in order to enhance the stability of the wider region. There are a number of short complementary agreements—for example, those relating to Ministry of Defence intellectual property. We have had a long-standing maritime presence off the UAE with continuous Royal Navy patrols in the Gulf since the 1980s protecting Britain's interests. We also regularly conduct joint air exercises with our Emirati counterparts. It is not normal practice to publish such agreements, or to place copies in the Library of the House.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 812W, on unmanned air vehicles, when the urgent operational requirement for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships was first agreed; and when the subsequent procurement project will be delivered. [126134]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 1 November 2012]: The urgent operational requirement to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships was agreed on 3 August 2012. The capability will be delivered as soon as is practicable.
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on follow-up drone strikes; and what steps he is taking to ensure that rescue workers and people providing assistance to the injured are not targeted as part of such missions. [126293]
Mr Robathan: Any weapon released by the UK's Reaper remotely piloted air system is done so under the command of a pilot bounded by Rules of Engagement which are no different from those used for manned UK combat aircraft. The targets are always positively identified as legitimate military objectives, and strikes are prosecuted in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict and UK Rules of Engagement. Strikes should not be directed against non-combatants, including any individuals assisting the wounded or deceased, or individuals who are “hors de combat”.
Culture, Media and Sport
Broadband
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2012, Official Report, column 259W, on broadband, if she will publish an assessment of the likelihood of the UK meeting its target on the proportion of premises to be covered by superfast broadband. [124440]
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Mr Vaizey [holding answer 23 October 2012]: The Government remain confident that the target of ensuring 90% of premises have access to superfast broadband will be achieved, as part of the objective of having the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015.
Broadband: Rural Areas
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether she proposes that the Independent Assurance review of networks procured under the BDUK rural procurement process will be made public. [126944]
Mr Vaizey: The full report from the Independent Assurance review will be shared with the National Audit Office and relevant suppliers appointed to the Broadband Delivery Framework. A summary report will be shared with those local authorities that have initiated call-off procurements using the framework. At that stage the reports will not be made available to the general public because they will contain commercially sensitive information sourced from a number of different contracts.
Children
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding her Department provided to projects targeted at children up to the age of 12 in each year since 2005; and if she will estimate the proportion such funding represents of all funding allocated by her Department in each such year. [126463]
Hugh Robertson: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) works to make sure the communications, creative, media, cultural, tourism, sport and leisure economies have the framework to grow and have real impact on people's lives, including children and young people. DCMS does not directly fund projects specifically targeted at children up to the age of 12. DCMS funding to deliver our policy objectives is predominantly distributed via our arm's length bodies (ALBs), and it is for the ALBs to prioritise which programmes and projects receive funding. Examples of such new and ongoing programmes can be found as follows.
Government funding for the arts is distributed through Arts Council England (ACE), the development agency for the arts in England. ACE is investing in the development of arts and cultural practice and programmes that are inspired by, and produced for, children and young people, such as Artsmark, Arts Award and the museums and schools programme. Youth Music (a Delegated Lottery Distributor of the Arts Council) has a specific focus on supporting young people's music making, particularly for those with least opportunity. Also, through the £171 million of Department for Education (DFE) funding administered by the Arts Council, a network of 123 music education hubs are taking forward the work of local authority music services, helping improve the quality and consistency of music education across England, both in and out of school. In partnership with DFE and the Department's ALBs, we are investing a further £15 million in cultural education initiatives for children and young people.
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The School Games, a new Olympic and Paralympic style competition, is giving every school and child in England the opportunity to participate in competitive sport, including meaningful opportunities for disabled children. More than £100 million of Lottery and Government funding is being invested in the School Games over the next three years. More information can be found here:
https://www.yourschoolgames.com/
Exchequer and Lottery investment in sporting initiatives, aimed at children and young people, is predominantly made via Sport England. An example of one such initiative is Sporting Champions aimed at bringing world-class athletes face-to-face with young people and young adults to inspire and motivate them. Full details of the work Sport England do can be found at the following link:
http://www.sportengland.org/about_us.aspx
Crimes of Violence: Females
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport with reference to the Government's action plan on violence against women and girls, what steps she is taking with media regulators and industry stakeholders to tackle the inappropriate portrayal of women and children; by what means she is communicating the guidance for journalists on reporting issues relating to violence against women, as set out in the action plan; what the reasons are for the time taken to implement the action plan; and if she will make a statement. [127054]
Mr Vaizey: The Department meets regularly with media regulators, including Ofcom, and industry stakeholders, to discuss a range of issues. We have worked closely (alongside the Department for Education) with the sector on the implementation of the “Letting Children Be Children” report, and will continue to address any other issues concerning the inappropriate portrayal of women and girls should the evidence of a problem in this area come to light.
Draft guidance has been produced by Against Violence and Abuse, which is currently liaising with the National Union of Journalists to agree sign off, after which guidance will be published.
Leveson Inquiry
Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which Ministers of her Department who were witnesses to the Leveson Inquiry were required by notice to provide answers and material under Section 21(2) of the Enquiries Act 2005. [126936]
Maria Miller: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 5 November 2012, Official Report, column 482W.
Meetings: Media
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives she has met since 1 July 2012. [127009]
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Mr Vaizey: The Department regularly publishes details of ministerial meetings with outside interest groups including newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives, full details of which can be found at the following link:
http://www.transparency.culture.gov.uk/category/other/meetings/
Since being appointed, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), has met with Lord Black, Chris Blackhurst and James Harding.
Parliament Square: Flags
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if she will give consideration to flying the flags of the countries of the Commonwealth from the flagpoles in Parliament Square on a more regular basis. [126886]
Hugh Robertson: The flags of the Commonwealth nations are flown on the ceremonial route on occasions including Trooping the Colour and associated events, London state visits and Commonwealth Day. There are no plans to fly them more regularly.
Public Libraries: Closures
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect on pensioners, people with disabilities and people on low incomes of the closure of libraries in (a) Sefton Central constituency and (b) England. [126939]
Mr Vaizey: The Department is aware of Sefton council's plans for their library service, including its assessment of local need, and continues to monitor on an on-going basis proposed changes to public library services across England. The Department takes very seriously compliance by local authorities with their statutory duty to understand the local needs for library services and to provide a comprehensive and efficient service to match those needs.
Departmental Staff
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of her Department's staff are (a) male and (b) female. [126168]
Hugh Robertson: At 31 October 2012, 57% of staff were male and 43% female.
Northern Ireland
Constituencies
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of expenditure on work associated with the Parliamentary Boundary Review in Northern Ireland in the time between the latest revised proposals being produced and the final review being brought before the House. [127023]
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Mike Penning: The estimated cost of the boundary review in Northern Ireland between September 2012 and the end of the review is £320,000. A significant portion of that sum has already been committed.
| Projected expenditure from 1 September 2012 to review end (30 September 2013) | |
| Budget component | £ |
Home Department
Assaults On Police
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many assaults on police officers there have been in each of the last 10 years. [126372]
Damian Green: Figures on the number of assaults on police officers in each of the last 10 years are provided within the following table:
| Number of assaults on police officers 2002-03 to 2011-12(1,2,3) | |
| Number of assaults on police officers | |
| (1) Figures are provisional and have not been verified by police forces. (2) Figures are provided on a headcount basis. (3) Figures on the number of assaults include the number of assaults on police officers on duty as well as those assaults on officers off duty, while acting in their capacity as police officers. | |
Asylum
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken is to find accommodation for people presenting to the UK Border Agency as asylum seekers. [126615]
Mr Harper: Any asylum seeker who needs accommodation is immediately placed into one of the UK Border Agency's initial accommodation centres located across the United Kingdom. The support application is then considered in detail, including the accommodation needs of the person and any family members. The time taken to obtain suitable longer term accommodation varies according to the complexity of the case. Data on the average time it takes are not held in a format that is compatible with National Statistics protocols, but I am satisfied that applicants are housed within a reasonable timeframe.
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Asylum: Democratic Republic of Congo
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report into the treatment of failed asylum seekers upon their return to Democratic Republic of Congo will be published; and how she plans to make this report available. [126472]
Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency will publish a country policy bulletin for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on its web site this month. This will confirm the agency's position on returns to the DRC, following allegations made of mistreatment, amounting to torture, of returnees from the UK.
Crime: Cumbria
John Woodcock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidences of violence against a person there have been for each type
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of offence in
(a)
Barrow and Furness constituency and
(b)
Cumbria in each of the last five years; [126963]
(2) how many drug offences there were in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and (b) Cumbria in each of the last five years, by the nature of the offence; [127005]
(3) how many instances of criminal damage there were in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and (b) Cumbria in each of the last five years, by the nature of the offence. [127006]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Statistics are not available for the constituency of Barrow and Furness. The available information relates to offences recorded in the combined Community Safety Partnership areas of Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland and is given in the table along with the same offences for Cumbria police force area. Offences are given for violence against the person, criminal damage and drug-offence groups broken down by offence classification.
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|
Racially or religiously aggravated harassment/public fear, etc. | |||||||||||
|
Racially or religiously aggravated public fear, alarm or distress | |||||||||||
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