Official Hospitality
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent for hospitality purposes on (a) Champagne, (b) wines, (c) spirits, (d) soft drinks, (e) flowers, (f) laundry, (g) porterage, (h) china, (i) cutlery and (j) venue hire since May 2010. [132880]
Mr Hoban: The Department does not hold specific expenditure information on (a) Champagne, (b) wines, (c) spirits, (d) soft drinks, (e) flowers, (f) laundry, (g) porterage, (h) china and (i) cutlery.
While expenditure on (j) venue hire, is collected, the information does not specifically identify hospitality-related expenditure.
Personal Independence Payment
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the delay of transferring existing lifetime and indefinite claimants of disability living allowance to personal independence payments from October 2013 to October 2015 will have an effect on jobs at his Department’s benefits centre in Warbreck. [134400]
Esther McVey: We recognise personal independence payment is a major change and are determined to get the delivery right.
Before we start to reassess the bulk of disability living allowance claimants, we will learn from our new claims experience, make sure our systems are working as we
18 Dec 2012 : Column 703W
intend, and consider the findings from the first independent review of personal independence payment, which is due by the end of 2014.
No decisions have been made at this time regarding the effect on jobs at the Blackpool benefits centre with regard to the delay of transferring existing lifetime and indefinite claimants of disability living allowance to personal independence payment from October 2013 to October 2015.
Police: Pensions
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely effect of changes to the consumer prices index on the police pension scheme. [133647]
Damian Green: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
No such assessment has been made.
Social Security Benefits: Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants attending the Jobcentre in (a) Hamilton, (b) Rutherglen, (c) Coatbridge, (d) Falkirk, (e) Barrhead, (f) Shettleston, (g) Parkhead, (h) Langside, (i) Auldhouse, (j) Govan, (k) Drumchapel, (l) Laurieston, (m) Maryhill, (n) Easterhouse, (o) Hillington, (p) Castlemilk, (q) Craigton, (r) Partick, (s) Springburn, (t) Newlands, (u) Bridgeton, (v) Provan, (w) Anniesland, (x) Pollok and (y) Airdrie have had benefit sanctions imposed on them in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012 to date. [134383]
Mr Hoban: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
Surveys
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the results of his Department's most recent staff survey; which organisation carried out the survey; and what the cost of the survey was. [132112]
Mr Hoban: DWP's People Survey results are published externally according to a timetable set by Cabinet Office. This applies to all 96 organisations participating in the Civil Service People survey 2012. Results for all departments will be published on data.gov.uk on 1 February 2013. DWP also publishes its results on its external site on the same date.
The Civil Service People survey, of which DWP's survey is part, is supported by Cabinet Office and the supplier organisation, ORC International. The cost of DWP's survey is £73,000 which is around 73 pence per person.
Telephone Services
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2012, Official Report, column 153W, on telephone services, if the termination rate is retained by the Department's telephone provider in full. [134374]
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Mr Hoban: The termination rate is set by the Department's telecommunications provider, British Telecom, and is not a matter for DWP. The Department for Work and Pensions does not receive any revenue from calls to its 08 services.
Unemployment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the implications for his policies are of the observation of the Office for Budget Responsibility report on Economic and Fiscal outlook that the unemployment rate will rise to 8.2 per cent in 2013. [134289]
Mr Hoban: We are aware of the challenges facing jobseekers in the labour market and have put in place a substantial menu of support to help them move into work. This includes support offered through Jobcentre Plus, who can offer claimants a comprehensive menu of support from Day 1, the Work programme which offers people tailored support to help them find and stay in employment and the Youth Contract which will provide nearly half a million new opportunities to young unemployed people over the next three years.
While there may be challenges ahead, recent labour market data have been encouraging with employment up by half a million more people in work and unemployment down by 128,000 over the last year. Despite this, we keep our labour market interventions under review, taking account of the economic conditions.
Universal Credit
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the Work and Pensions Select Committee's Third Report of Session 2010-12, HC576, on universal credit, what steps he will take to provide sufficient resources to meet any increase in demand from claimants needing advice during the implementation of universal credit. [134375]
Mr Hoban: It is anticipated that roles required to support the introduction of universal credit and to administer the credit will be resourced from within the Department for Work and Pensions and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs current headcount and that the challenges around resources are considered manageable. Discussions are still ongoing with local authorities regarding their future role in the delivery of universal credit.
Before universal credit starts to be introduced across the country from October 2013 we will test it through a phased roll out approach (Pathfinder) starting in April 2013. At this stage for Pathfinder, we do not anticipate significant increases in processing or advisory roles. The work force requirement for the initial phase of universal credit is currently being reviewed as part of a wider re-planning exercise. The work force requirement when known will be handled primarily through the transfer of staff from existing operational areas.
Work Capability Assessment
Tom Greatrex:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the oral evidence of the Permanent Secretary of his Department to the Public Accounts Committee of 19 November 2012,
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HC 744-i, Q165, (1) how many claimants undergoing the work capability assessment in each region waited longer than the Atos clearance target in
(a)
each month since May 2010,
(b)
2010,
(c)
2011 and
(d)
2012 to date; [131956]
(2) what proportion of claimants undergoing the work capability assessment waited longer than the Atos clearance target in (a) the UK and (b) each region in (i) each month since May 2010, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011 and (iv) 2012 to date. [131957]
Mr Hoban: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the oral evidence of the Chief Medical Adviser and Director for Health and Wellbeing of his Department to the Public Accounts Committee, 19 November 2012, HC 744-i, Q92, what evidence other than medical evidence can be taken into account by his Department. [131968]
Mr Hoban: The Department's decision makers (DMs) have to consider any evidence that will contribute to an overall picture of the claimant's functional capability in order to inform a decision on benefit entitlement.
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The majority of people making a claim to employment and support allowance (ESA) will be asked to complete the self-assessment questionnaire ESA50 to explain the effects of their condition, or conditions, in relation to the functional activities that make up the work capability assessment (WCA).
In addition claimants are encouraged to submit any further evidence which will enable a DM to make an entitlement decision. This can be either medical evidence, for example from a claimant's GP or consultant, or non-medical such as a statement from a social worker or family member.
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work capability assessments received zero points on initial assessment and were passed on appeal in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many people received between zero and six points in a work capability assessment and were passed on appeal in that period. [133104]
Mr Hoban: The following table shows points scored at the work capability assessment (WCA) and appeal outcomes for employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants who were found fit for work at the initial WCA and subsequently appealed the decision. The period covered is for ESA claims received between October 2008 and August 2011.
| Points scored at initial WCA for fit for work outcomes where an appeal has been heard by the Tribunal Service (ESA claims starting between October 2008 and August 2011) | ||||
| Outcomes of appeals heard on fit for work decisions in the initial functional assessment | ||||
| Points scored at initial WCA | Fit for work outcomes at initial WCA | Initial decision overturned | Initial decision upheld | Any outcome |
| Note: The data presented above come from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions, functional assessment data from Atos Healthcare and appeals data from the Tribunals Service. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Appeals data are only available for claims starting up to August 2011. | ||||
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2012, Official Report, column 388W, on the work capability assessment, what proportion of those work capability reassessments that took place within (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months, (d) 12 months, (e) 15 months, (f) 18 months and (g) over 18 months of the initial assessment were for those in the (i) work-related activity group and (ii) support group. [134460]
Mr Hoban: The following table shows the proportion of repeat assessments that were carried out for those in the support group and work-related activity group at the initial work capability assessment (WCA) for repeat assessments taking place three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months and over 18 months after the initial assessment WCA. The initial WCA outcome refers to the outcome adjusted to account for appeals heard.
| Repeat assessments by initial WCA outcome (adjust for appeals heard) and duration between initial and first repeat WCA | ||
| Percentage | ||
| Outcome at initial WCA | ||
| Duration between initial and first repeat assessment | Support group | WRAG |
| Note: Some claims are not included because the initial assessment outcome could not be determined. Source: The data presented above come from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions. | ||
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Work Programme
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what assessment he has made of the reasons why the Work programme key performance measure did not achieve the minimum performance standard in the first 14 months of the programme; and if he will make a statement; [134401]
(2) whether he expects the Work programme to achieve the minimum performance standard in its first two years. [134450]
Mr Hoban: Job outcome performance has built up more slowly than our initial assumptions suggested, partly because Work programme providers are taking longer than expected to track and claim outcomes. Job entry data released by the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) show the number of job entries per month has been rising and we would expect this to lead to increased job outcomes in the future. In addition we are working with all providers to improve performance and have issued formal contractual letters to those providers delivering contracts where performance is poorest. Our aspiration for the total levels of job outcomes to be achieved by providers remains the same.
Work Programme: Greater Manchester
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people successfully completed the Work programme in the Greater Manchester area in the last year. [132411]
Mr Hoban: The Work programme is a two-year programme for each participant so this information is not available at this stage.
Work Programme: Kilmarnock
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency have completed the Work programme since its inception; [131933]
(2) how many people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency who have undertaken the Work programme were in work six months after completing the programme. [131938]
Mr Hoban: The Work programme is a two-year programme for each participant so this information is not available at this stage.
Defence
Afghanistan
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effect of unmanned aerial vehicle strikes on the mental health and wellbeing of civilians in Afghanistan. [133769]
Mr Robathan:
We have no reason to believe that aerial strikes from whatever platform have had an adverse effect in general on the mental health and wellbeing of civilians in Afghanistan. Weapons released by the UK's
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Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft System are no different to those from other airborne platforms. Attacks are carried out under the command of a pilot bounded by Rules of Engagement which are no different to those used for manned combat aircraft. 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.
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) names of members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) killed on operations were read out during ceremonies at ISAF-headquarters to honour the dead, (b) Afghan nationals were killed on operations and (c) members of the Afghan National Army were killed on operations in each week of 2012 to date. [134287]
Mr Robathan: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters holds a service every Sunday morning, during which the names of ISAF personnel who have been killed in the intervening period are read out. Details of fatalities are released publicly as they are confirmed, not on a weekly basis. These press releases are available at the ISAF website at:
http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/casualty-report/index.php
Between 1 January 2012 and 18 December 2012, 274 ISAF soldiers have died on operations.
While we investigate carefully all alleged incidents involving UK forces, the Government does not record total figures for insurgent or civilian casualties in Afghanistan because of the immense difficulty and risks that would be involved in collecting robust data. The UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan released its own most recent report on civilian casualties in July 2012, which recorded a total of 1,145 civilian deaths from 1 January to 31 June 2012, 80% of which were attributed to anti-government forces, and 10% of which could not be attributed.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan does not release figures for Afghan National Security Force fatalities.
Air Force: Military Bases
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on buildings for the use of civilian contractors at (a) RAF Leuchars, (b) RAF Lossiemouth and (c) RAF Marham in each of the last five years. [134261]
Mr Robathan: Details of expenditure on buildings for the use of civilian contractors across all three stations over each of the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Armed Forces: Scotland
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of the capacity review of the Army estate in Scotland in the Library. [134258]
Mr Robathan: Until a basing announcement is made it would be premature for me to place a copy of the capacity review of the Army estate in Scotland in the Library of the House.
18 Dec 2012 : Column 709W
Defence Equipment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, columns 261-4, on defence budget and transformation, what maritime patrol capabilities are part of the Core Equipment Programme. [132893]
Mr Dunne: Since the previous Government withdrew the Maritime Patrol Aircraft a range of complementary assets have been used to conduct maritime patrol including T23 Frigates, Merlin helicopters, attack submarines, Hercules and Sentry aircraft. All of these assets are in the core programme. A decision on any future requirement will not be made until the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015.
The maritime patrol boat capabilities in the core equipment programme consist of the following current in-service capabilities:
Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Sandown Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels
River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels
Clyde Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (Helicopter)
P2000 Patrol Boats
Gibraltar Patrol Boat Squadron
Ocean Survey Vessel
Coastal Survey Vessels
Depleted Uranium
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to paragraph III. 4 of the report of the UN Secretary-General on Effects of the use of armaments and ammunities containing depleted uranium, dated 17 September 2010, what assessment he has made of the recommendation by the UN Environment Programme that action be taken to clean up and decontaminate the polluted sites and that there should be a policy of awareness-raising among local populations; and if he will take steps to implement these recommendations. [133486]
18 Dec 2012 : Column 710W
Mr Robathan: The scientific consensus is that DU intakes are only likely to be a concern for those in or on vehicles at the time they are struck by DU or for those who enter immediately afterwards.
Lost Property
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which items were listed as (a) lost, (b) lost in transit and (c) missing at (i) COD Donnington and (ii) COD Bicester from 2010 to date; and if he will make a statement; [132901]
(2) what the total value was of items (a) lost, (b) lost in transit and (c) missing from Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2007; and if he will make a statement; [132902]
(3) what the total value was of items (a) lost, (b) lost in transit and (c) missing from (i) COD Donnington, (ii) COD Bicester, (iii) HMNB Clyde, (iv) HMNB Portsmouth, (v) ACIO Colchester and (vi) HMNB Devonport; and if he will make a statement. [132903]
Mr Dunne: This information is not held centrally and will take time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
Military Alliances
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military aviation collaboration projects his Department has taken part in with (a) EU countries, (b) non-EU countries, excluding the US and (c) the US in each of the last five years; and what the cost was of each such project. [132355]
Mr Dunne: Ministry of Defence expenditure on military aviation collaboration projects for each of the last five financial years is shown in the following table. The expenditure includes airframes, engines and other systems intrinsic to the aircraft. It does not include airborne weapons fitted to aircraft.
| £ million | ||||||
| Project | Collaborative partner:EU/non-EU/USA | F/Y 2007-08 | F/Y 2008-09 | F/Y 2009-10 | F/Y 2010-11 | F/Y 2011-12 |
| (1) Information for financial years 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 is not available. (2) Not available. | ||||||
The Hercules C-130J in-service software upgrade project includes a collaboration of EU, non-EU countries and the USA. This explains the cost in the ‘non-EU' category above.
Military Bases
Sir Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) he, (b) Ministers or (c) officials of his Department have (i) received written communication from or (ii) met representatives of (A)
18 Dec 2012 : Column 711W
Thales Training and Simulation Ltd, (B) Infrastructure Investment Ltd or (C) Robertson Group in relation to his Department's Basing Review. [134191]
Mr Robathan: It will take a little time to co-ordinate details of any possible written communications from Thales Training and Simulation Ltd, Infrastructure Investment Ltd or Robertson Group in relation to the Basing Review. I will write to the right hon. and learned Member when the information is available.
NATO
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department paid to (a) NATO, (b) the US Administration, (c) the US Treasury, (d) the Receiver General of Canada, (e) MAMSA, (f) NATO Consultation Command and Control Agency and (g) SHAPE in each of the last five years; and what the purpose was of each payment. [128004]
Dr Murrison: The total value of MOD payments made through Defence Business Services and the British Defence Staff (US Cash Office) to the organisations listed has been as follows in each of the last five years:
| £ million | |||||
| Organisation | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
All figures are exclusive of value added tax and are at current prices.
The payments to NATO, its agencies and the Supreme Headquarters Europe mainly represent the UK's contribution to NATO common-funded military budgets, the amount of each payment being made in accordance with the cost-sharing formula agreed for each financial year. There are two distinct budgetary areas for common funding:
the military budget which covers expenditure of the NATO standing military headquarters and agencies; and
the NATO Security Investment Programme which covers expenditure for alliance capital investment costs (mainly infrastructure costs).
Expenditure in both these budgetary areas includes costs arising from alliance operations and missions.
Payments to the United States and Canada are for equipment, equipment support, and other commodities and services for UK armed forces.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for unmanned underwater vehicle programmes in the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [133645]
18 Dec 2012 : Column 712W
Mr Dunne: The Royal Navy Fleet Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Unit and the Fleet Diving Squadron operate a number of UUVs for trials, evaluation and the development of training, tactics and doctrine. As part of a wider programme, the Mine Countermeasures, Hydrographic and Patrol Capability project team is investigating exploitation of UUVs to deliver elements of these capabilities in the future. The programme is in its concept phase so the Department is not in a position to set out detailed plans at this stage.
Cabinet Office
Emergency Planning College
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to visit the Emergency Planning college at Easingwold; and if he will make a statement. [134524]
Mr Maude: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 5 December 2012, Official Report, column 760W.
Israel
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take steps to ensure that products from and companies based in Israeli settlements are excluded from public procurement. [134162]
Miss Chloe Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) on 23 May 2012, Official Report, column 766W.
Negligence: Ministry of Defence
Joan Walley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the potential effects of his proposals for closed material procedure in negligence claims brought by the families of service personnel against the Ministry of Defence. [133879]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Government are proposing to use closed material procedures (CMPs) for a very small number of cases involving relevant national security material, which the courts recognise cannot be disclosed in open court. Most cases involving service personnel are very different from those for which CMPs would be required. The MOD foresees no need to use CMPs in such cases.
Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) marriages, (b) divorces, (c) civil partnerships, (d) dissolutions of civil partnerships and (e) annulments of civil partnerships there were in each year since December 2005. [134204]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on how many (a) marriages, (b) divorces, (c) civil partnerships, (d) dissolutions of civil partnerships and (e) annulments of civil partnerships there were in each year since December 2005. (134204)
18 Dec 2012 : Column 713W
The table below shows the numbers of marriages, divorces, civil partnerships and civil partnership dissolutions in England and Wales for 2005-2011 where available. Divorce figures for 2011 are due to be published on 20 December 2012, while marriage figures for 2011 are due to be published March-April 2013.
ONS divorce and civil partnership dissolution statistics include both dissolutions and annulments.
| Numbers of marriages, divorces, civil partnerships and civil partnership dissolutions, England and Wales, 2005 to 2011 | ||||
| Marriages | Divorces | Civil partnerships | Civil partnership dissolutions | |
| (1 )The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005 in the UK, the first day couples could give notice of their intention to form a civil partnership. The first day that couples could normally form a partnership was 21 December 2005 in England and Wales (18 civil partnerships were formed under special arrangements before these dates. These are included in the figures) (2 )Denotes nil. (3 )Data are provisional. (4 )Denotes not available. Source: Office for National Statistics | ||||
The Vital Statistics: Population and Health Reference Tables on the ONS website provide the number of marriages, divorces, civil partnership and civil partnership dissolutions for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries. See Annual Time Series Data table at:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/vital-statistics--population-and-health-reference-tables/winter-2012-update/rtd-annual-table.xls
Deputy Prime Minister
Official Hospitality
Wayne David: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department has spent on hospitality in (a) 2012-13 to date and (b) 2011-12. [134367]
The Deputy Prime Minister: Costs on hospitality incurred by my office between April 2012 and November 2012 and the last financial year are £13,800 and £10,200 respectively.
Any expenditure on hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in “Managing Public Money” and the Treasury handbook on “Regularity and Propriety”.
Education
Family Justice Review
Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made in implementing the decision of the Family Justice Review on ensuring that children maintain relationships with grandparents and other family members if their parents separate. [133869]
Mr Timpson:
We agree with the Family Justice Review's recommendation that the importance of children's relationships with grandparents and other family members,
18 Dec 2012 : Column 714W
where safe and appropriate, should be emphasised in the dispute resolution process. Work will continue next year to develop a range of support to help separated parents resolve their disputes out of court. The importance of considering the benefits to children of maintaining relationships with wider family members will be stressed throughout this process, including through online support, parenting programmes for separated parents, and as part of the new ‘parenting agreement' which is being developed.
Freedom of Information
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment his Department has made of the relative cost to his Department of answering Written Parliamentary questions from hon. Members and requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [134273]
Further Education: Admissions
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to allow further education colleges to enrol 14 to 16 year olds; and if he will make a statement. [133821]
Matthew Hancock [holding answer 17 December 2012]: We are reforming education so it is rigorous and stretching and I want every child that wants to study high quality vocational courses alongside the critical academic core to be able to so do. One way we will be doing this is allowing outstanding, good and improving colleges to enrol full-time pupils from the age of 14. This will take effect from next September.
Colleges will need to provide a dedicated space for students to go to for advice, tuition and some teaching although they will be able to use all college facilities. A senior member of the teaching staff will be responsible for the centre and ensuring the students receive the education and support they need.
Like all new education provision the colleges will be subject to Ofsted inspection within two years of opening.
Whether a child is academic or vocational minded, they deserve the chance of excellent education that meets their needs.
Further details are available on the DFE website:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/youngpeople/gandlearning/a00218341/wolf-review-recommendation-19
Young People
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of students aged 16 to 18 in (a) sixth form colleges and (b) further education colleges entered (i) higher education institutions and (ii) employment in each of the last five years. [133822]
Matthew Hancock [holding answer 17 December 2012]: The proportion of students in 2008/09 who entered an A Level or equivalent qualification in (a) sixth form colleges and (b) further education colleges who went on to a higher education institution in 2009/10 and participated for at least the first two terms is shown in the following table:
18 Dec 2012 : Column 715W
18 Dec 2012 : Column 716W
| Type | Total number of students (KS5 Cohort)(1) | Students who went to a higher education institution (Number)(2) | Students who went to a higher education institution (Percentage)(2) |
| (1) Students who entered a level 3 qualification. (2) Students who have been in an education destination for the first two terms. | |||
Information is only available for 2008/09 students going to a sustained education destination in 2009/10. These destination measures were published for the first time in a statistical first release (experimental statistics) on 17 July 2012.
http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STA/t001076/index.shtml
Data for the next available year, 2010/11 destinations, will be published in summer 2013. Data on employment destinations are currently being explored by officials in the Department to consider whether they can be included in the next publication.
Attorney-General
Christmas
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Law Officers' Departments are holding a Christmas party in 2012; and what the cost is. [134368]
The Solicitor-General: Only the Treasury Solicitor's Department, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and the Attorney-General's Office are holding office wide Christmas parties for their staff. No public funds are being used to pay for any entertainment and hospitality costs for these events. Any such costs are being met by members of staff and Ministers.
Crime: Damage
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has carried out for criminal damage in each of the last five years; and what the conviction rate was in each such year. [134398]
The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provide an analysis of the outcome of proceedings, divided into 12 principal offence categories which indicate the most serious offence with which the defendant was charged at the time of finalisation. The following table shows the number of prosecutions and convictions for defendants whose principal offence was “criminal damage”.
| Convictions | Unsuccessful | ||||
| Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | Total number | |
Crimes of Violence
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has carried out for (a) actual bodily harm and (b) grievous bodily harm in each of the last five years; and what the conviction rates were for each in each such year. [134372]
The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) identify the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts, rather than the number of defendants prosecuted. The following table, therefore, shows in each of the last five years the number of offences charged under section 47 (Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm), section 20 (Unlawful Wounding) and section 18 (Grievous Bodily Harm) of the Offences against the Person Act 1861.
| Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 47 | Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 20 | Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 18 | |
There is no indication of the final prosecution outcome, or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at the time of finalisation. It is also often the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one
18 Dec 2012 : Column 717W
offence against the same victim. To obtain the volume and rate of convictions it would be necessary to review individual case files which would incur a disproportionate cost.
Dangerous Driving
David Morris: To ask the Attorney-General how many drivers were prosecuted for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving where their speed was recorded at less than 35 mph in the last two years for which figures are available. [133908]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold any information centrally regarding the alleged driving speeds for any given offence, and therefore maintains no central record of the number of drivers that were prosecuted for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving where their speed was recorded at less than 35 mph. Such data could not be reasonably obtained locally or nationally other than by reviewing individual case files which would incur a disproportionate cost.
Domestic Violence: Prosecutions
Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General what guidance he gives to the Crown Prosecution Service on the consideration to be given to the terms of a reconciliation agreed via a Muslim Arbitration Tribunal when deciding whether or not to begin a prosecution for an offence that involves domestic violence. [134349]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers have not given any guidance to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on this issue. All domestic violence complaints, forwarded to the CPS following a police investigation, are reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors; prosecutors assess whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and if so, whether a prosecution is in the public interest.
Muslim Arbitration Tribunals are not a part of the criminal justice process, and do not deal with criminal matters. While the views of the victim in any case will always be taken into account, the CPS will not specifically consider the involvement of a Muslim Arbitration Tribunal before deciding on a criminal prosecution for a domestic violence offence.
Drugs: Prosecutions
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has carried out for drug possession and supply offences in each of the last five years, by each class of illegal drug. [134369]
The Solicitor-General:
Supply and possession of drugs offences are prosecuted under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) identify the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts, rather than the number of defendants prosecuted. The following tables, therefore, show the number of offences, rather than defendants, charged for supply and possession offences for the last five complete
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financial years. Offences for possession with intent to supply have been separated out for clarity.
| Class A | |||
| Supply | Possession with intent to supply | Possession | |
| Class B | |||
| Supply | Possession with intent to supply | Possession | |
| Class C | |||
| Supply | Possession with intent to supply | Possession | |
There is no indication of the final prosecution outcome, or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at the time of finalisation. It is also often the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one offence.
In addition to the offence of supplying a controlled drug, the offences of offering to supply, being concerned in the supply and being concerned in offering to supply a controlled drug are also included.
Personation
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has carried out for identity theft in each of the last five years; and what the conviction rates were in each such year. [134371]
The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) identify the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts, rather than the number of defendants. There is no specific offence of identity theft however, the Identity Documents Act 2010 created offences under sections 4(1), 5(1) and 6(1), relating to the possession, manufacture and use of false identity documents or of using another person's identity documents. These are specific identity documents such as passports or driving licences.
During the last three years, for which data are available, the number of these offences was as follows:
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
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No central records of the prosecution outcomes of offences are held by the CPS. To obtain the volume and rate of convictions a manual exercise of reviewing individual case files would need to be undertaken at a disproportionate cost.
In addition to the above offences, the use of another person's identity may result in other charges such as theft, fraud by false representation, possession of articles for use in fraud, obtaining services dishonestly and false accounting. No central record of the circumstances of an offence is maintained. Such data could not reasonably be obtained locally or nationally other than by undertaking a manual exercise of reviewing individual case files at a disproportionate cost.
Serious Fraud Office
Mike Wood: To ask the Attorney-General what amount has been spent on refurbishing the Serious Fraud Office premises at Cockspur street, London in the last two years. [133652]
The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office moved to its Cockspur street premises in November and some refurbishment was required prior to the move. To date, the cost of refurbishment works is £732,000, and the total cost is expected to be £779,000 (excluding VAT).
Energy and Climate Change
Coal
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to publish his Department's coal strategy. [134457]
Mr Hayes: The proposition of a coal strategy was first raised with me by the Coal Forum at a meeting last month. The future of coal in a low carbon economy is inextricably linked to CCS and I can see there are arguments for bringing together the different strands of Government policy relating to coal in our future energy mix. I wrote to the Coal Forum on 13 December 2012 to confirm that I will be considering its suggestion further and will respond to this and its other recommendations early in the new year.
Electricity Generation
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 2.8 of his Department's Gas Generation Strategy, published on 5 December 2012, for what reasons his Department has increased the expected deployment of new CCGT capacity by 2030. [133242]
Mr Hayes: DECC's latest modelling incorporates a new modelling approach and updated assumptions. The latest analysis suggests that there will be more CCGT retirements and assumes higher demand projections towards 2030, resulting from higher population projections and higher transport electricity demand. This leads to a need for more new CCGTs.
Energy Company Obligation
Alex Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with energy suppliers on the reporting of (a) the
18 Dec 2012 : Column 720W
costs incurred by suppliers and
(b)
the costs to be passed on to consumers in consequence of delivering the Energy Company Obligation. [133941]
Gregory Barker: The Department has had a number of discussions with representatives from energy companies to ensure that there is timely and accurate reporting of the costs of delivering the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), and of how costs are passed on to consumers.
Energy: Co-operatives
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what funding he has allocated for energy co-operatives in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; to which organisations it has been allocated; and if he will make a statement. [133370]
Gregory Barker: DECC does not hold data on the allocation of funding to energy co-operatives.
However, the Department is planning shortly to commission a piece of research to improve the evidence base around community energy in the UK which will feed into the development of the DECC Community Energy Strategy.
As part of this research, the current scale of the community energy sector will be estimated, and a typology of community energy schemes will be developed. The main factors in the success of community energy schemes will also be explored, including what levels of funding have been made available to community energy schemes, and from what sources.
Fish: Conservation
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consider promoting the use of offshore wind turbines to protect fish stocks in UK waters. [133839]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 17 December 2012]: The Government support offshore wind because of its potential to play a key part in the UK's energy mix and as a source of investment and economic benefit to the UK.
I am aware of scientific research that indicates that large permanent offshore structures, such as offshore wind turbines, can create feeding grounds for fish, with a potentially beneficial effect on fish stocks. The responsibility for UK fisheries policy rests with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, although some aspects have been devolved.
Fuel Oil: Prices
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what discussions his Department has had with domestic heating oil suppliers on recent trends in heating oil prices; and if he will make a statement; [133948]
(2) what discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on recent trends in domestic heating oil prices; and if he will make a statement. [133949]
Mr Hayes:
Pricing is a commercial matter for individual domestic heating oil suppliers. Competition and consumer protection is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading. It
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has taken enforcement action following the Off-Grid Energy Market Study in 2011. My officials continue to work closely with the OFT.
The Government are sympathetic to the predicament of those faced with rising costs. That is why we have worked with consumer representative organisations and industry to launch the Buy Oil Early campaign to encourage domestic heating oil consumers to buy oil early before the winter demand increases prices. Oil buying clubs can be one way of reducing the costs to consumers and providing access to competitive prices. I wrote to Members about this on 19 October 2012 signposting guidance and information about oil buying clubs, which may be of use to their off-grid constituents.
Natural Gas: Exploration
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) with reference to the answer of 23 April 2012, Official Report, column 617W, on natural gas: exploration, when he intends to make a decision about the resumption of fracking operations; [133395]
(2) when he intends to publish his Department's response to comments on the report published on 17 April 2012 on hydraulic fracturing. [133396]
Mr Hayes: As announced in the House on 13 December 2012, Official Report, column 431, we have concluded that, in principle, fracking for shale gas can be allowed to resume, subject to new controls to mitigate the risk of seismicity. A full written statement was tabled in both Houses on 13 December 2012, Official Report, columns 44-52WS, accompanied by a response to comments made on the report published on 17 April.
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the ownership of the mineral rights to shale gas extraction on the UK mainland. [133832]
Mr Hayes: The Petroleum Act 1998, like its predecessor, the Petroleum Act 1934, vests the right to explore, drill for and produce oil and gas in the Crown, and empowers the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), to issue licences enabling the licensee to carry out such activities, subject to other regulatory checks and permits. I have no proposals for change in these matters.
Petroleum Act 1998
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many notices he has served under section 29 of the Petroleum Act 1998 in each year since 1998; and on whom such notices have been served. [133835]
Gregory Barker: Approximately 4,400 section 29 notices have been served since 1998. Section 29 notices are served on appropriate parties as defined in the Petroleum Act 1998 (and as amended by the Energy Act 2008). These parties include operators, licensees, owners, parties to joint operating agreements or similar, parent companies and associates.
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Renewables Obligation
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consider extending the Renewables Obligation to 2020 to ensure there is a clear transition in place so that investors can adjust to the new financing mechanism for all types of energy generation and prevent a freeze in investment. [134392]
Mr Hayes: The renewables obligation (RO) is subject to a 2037 end date, and we have no plans to extend this. Any accreditations after 31 March 2017 would receive less than 20 years of RO support. The Government's decision was announced in July 2011 in response to the White Paper on “Electricity Market Reform”—six years in advance of the closure date.
We intend to start letting CfD contracts in early 2014 so investments should not be delayed during the transition period.
Sellafield
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what safety breaches have been reported at Sellafield nuclear plant in the last year; and on which occasions the emergency services were required to respond to such alerts. [134445]
Mr Hayes: A total of 24 incidents and events have been formally reported to the Office for Nuclear Regulation since 1 January 2012. The majority of these related to minor procedural breaches and equipment faults and also included were a small number of incidents relating to the loss of site services such as steam, electrical power and uncontrolled lowering of a load. For each incident the ONR is satisfied that Sellafield Ltd took appropriate action without compromising nuclear safety on the site. None of these incidents required the attendance of the Sellafield site or external emergency services.
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's latest estimate is for the total cost of decommissioning the Sellafield plant. [134446]
Mr Hayes: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's latest estimate of the total lifetime cost of decommissioning the Sellafield site is £36.6 billion (discounted) as set out in its annual report and accounts for 2011-12.
Sickness Absence
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2012, Official Report, column 713-4W, on sick leave, what assessment he has made of the difference in the proportion of working days lost due to ill health between officers at AA grade and at SCS grade; and what assessment he has made of the use of mindfulness-based therapies in reducing the proportion of working days lost in his Department. [132708]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) takes the health and well-being of its staff very seriously. It continues to look at ways in which it can support staff of all grades, in work and to return to work.
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Since DECC provided the Member with data for the 12 month period ending March 2012, the average working
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days lost due to ill health at nearly all grades have continued to improve, as shown in the following table:
| Period ending: | ||||
| March 2012 | June 2012 | September 2012 | Percentage change from March 2012 to September 2012 | |
DECC understands that mindfulness-based therapies can be used as a treatment for depression and recognises that this can be one of the factors involved in staff ill health absences. However if this is the case, DECC would leave the treatment to the medical profession, using our occupational health partners to advise us of the most appropriate approach.
Warm Front Scheme
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2012, Official Report, column 312W, on the Warm Front scheme, how many of the 21,956 eligible applications for a Warm Front grant have had energy efficiency or insulation measures installed in 2012-13 to date. [134451]
Gregory Barker: 6,006(1) households which applied to Warm Front in 2012-13 have had at least one main heating or insulation measure installed to date.
(1) Figure as at end of November 2012. The reported figure is a snapshot at a point in time and excludes households that have been surveyed but whose works have yet to be allocated to an installer.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2012, Official Report, column 312W, on the Warm Front scheme, how many successful applications for a Warm Front grant are awaiting energy efficiency or insulation measures to be installed in 2012-13 to date. [134452]
Gregory Barker: 3,202(1) households which applied to the Warm Front scheme in 2012-13 are awaiting the installation of a heating measure and 406 are awaiting the installation of insulation measures. Some households may be awaiting both heating and insulation measures.
(1) Figure as of end of November 2012.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2012, Official Report, column 311W, on the Warm Front scheme, what the average length of time was between a survey being completed for a Warm Front grant and an energy efficiency measure being installed in (a) 2012-13 to date and (b) in each of the previous 10 years. [134453]
Gregory Barker: The data required for this PQ are not held centrally. To provide a response would entail disproportionate cost. However, the following table shows the average time in working days for the installation of heating and insulation measures from the point of allocation to an installer to the point of installation. Carillion Energy Services, the Warm Front scheme manager, routinely monitors time scales from the point of allocation to an installer to the completion of work in order to measure installer performance under the scheme.
| Average install time | ||||||||
| Working days | ||||||||
| 2005-06(1) | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| (1) Data are not available prior to 2005. | ||||||||
Wind Power
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind turbines have been erected in the last three years; and how many such turbines were manufactured in the UK. [133830]
Mr Hayes [holding answer 17 December 2012]: In the last three years, 490 offshore and 2,150 onshore turbines (of which 1,312 are domestic-scale, under 10kw) have become fully operational in the UK. The Department does not hold data on when they were erected.
While whole turbines are not currently manufactured in the UK, UK companies supply components for wind turbines which are exported to overseas manufacturers. The Government have set aside £60 million to attract large turbine manufacturing to assisted areas in England, with similar support provided by the Scottish Government, and companies such as Gamesa, AREVA and Siemens have announced intentions to establish UK facilities.
18 Dec 2012 : Column 725W
Wind Power: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to make a decision on the Brechfa West wind farm application. [133794]
Mr Hayes: The Planning Act 2008 requires the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), to take a decision on cases submitted to him by the Planning Inspectorate under that Act within three months of the day following their receipt. In the case of the Brechfa West application, the Secretary of State received the report from the Planning Inspectorate on 12 December 2012 and his decision must, therefore, be made by 13 March 2013.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Business: Finance
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills following his announcement on 12 December 2012, by what date he expects (a) the first and (b) all funds under the Small Business Tranche of the Business Finance Partnership to be drawn down; and what deadlines, benchmarks and targets he has set for this process. [134158]
Michael Fallon: Drawdown of the first round of funds made available under the Small Business Tranche of the Business Finance Partnership is subject to legal and commercial terms being agreed with the selected applicants and in, two cases, parliamentary approval. I therefore expect drawdown to start in January 2013.
With regard to the remaining funds, due diligence on applicants is ongoing. It is important that in supporting new types of finance the Government are confident taxpayers' money is being targeted in the right way, and that small businesses will be able to benefit fully from this support. I hope to be able to announce allocation of the remaining funds in January 2013.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what timetable he has set for legal and commercial terms to be finalised in relation to the Small Business Tranche of the Business Finance Partnership following his announcement on 12 December 2012. [134159]
Michael Fallon: Completion of legal and commercial negotiations is subject to selected applicants' agreement, and in two cases, investments are subject to parliamentary approval. I anticipate completion of negotiations and investments in January 2013.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills following his announcement on 12 December 2012, by what date he expects 1,000 business finance advisers to be (a) recruited and (b) available to provide advice to firms; and what deadlines, benchmarks and targets he has set for this process. [134160]
Michael Fallon: As of 12 December 2012, there are over 1,300 accountant offices recruited to the Business Finance Adviser Scheme, which are already available to offer small and medium-sized enterprises advice.
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Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills following his announcement on 12 December 2012, whether business finance advisers will be available through the mentorsme online portal. [134161]
Michael Fallon: No, but the accountancy bodies will shortly publish a dedicated online portal to signpost businesses to Business Finance Advisers.
Business: Loans
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he made of changes in the rate of net lending to businesses in each English region in the last year for which figures are available. [134444]
Michael Fallon: Pursuant to my response to the hon. Member's previous question of 11 December 2012, Official Report, column 231W, there are a variety of sources of bank lending, including providers of asset, invoice and trade finance, bank lending, overdrafts and trade credit. Many of these sources are informal and unregulated and Government do not produce aggregate statistics on their entirety. While the Bank of England collects lending statistics on lending by monetary financial institutions at a national level, these are not broken down by region. The British Bankers Association does however publish statistics on bank lending to small and medium-sized enterprises which are split by region on a quarterly basis, which are freely available on their website.
Business: Recruitment
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to employ staff; and if he will make a statement. [132309]
Michael Fallon: The Government want to support growth by breaking down barriers and boosting opportunities by creating the right conditions for businesses to start up and thrive. We have continued to make good progress on our Parliament-long review of employment laws, which is about improving labour market regulation and focusing on those issues which matter to employers, without undermining important protections for individuals. Adding to changes already in place, such as the extension of the qualifying period for unfair dismissal, in September we announced further reforms that will give greater certainty and clarity to employers around dismissal processes, the unfair dismissal compensatory award and settlement agreements, as well as further streamlining employment tribunals. These proposed changes will also give small and medium-sized enterprises confidence to take people on.
We have also launched an online tool to make it easier for first-time employers to access the information they need when taking on their first member of staff, which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/employing-staff
and the Business in You campaign has Government and the private sector working together to promote a range of business help and support on issues which include recruitment.
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Business: Regulation
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which regulations affecting business his Department has withdrawn or amended in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which regulations affecting business his Department expects to withdraw or amend in (i) 2013 and (ii) future years; and what estimate he has made of the net cost to business of each withdrawn or amended regulation. [133728]
Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) publishes its biannual Statement of New Regulation listing a summary of regulations and their impact on business.
Since 2011, BIS has published four statements listing regulations amended or withdrawn in 2011 and 2012. The fifth statement, published on 17 December 2012, lists regulations due to be introduced between January and June 2013. Regulations withdrawn or amended as a result of the Red Tape Challenge are published to the same timetable by the Better Regulation Executive in its Statement of New Regulation.
All statements can be accessed from the following website:
www.gov.uk
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which regulations affecting business his Department has introduced in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which regulations affecting business his Department expects to introduce in (i) 2013 and (ii) future years; and what estimate he has made of the cost to business of each regulation. [133729]
Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) publishes a biannual Statement of New Regulation listing a summary of regulations and their impact on business.
Since 2011, BIS has published four statements listing regulations introduced in 2011 and 2012. The fifth statement, published on 17 December 2012, lists regulations due to be introduced between January and June 2013.
These statements can be accessed from the following website:
www.gov.uk
Communications Data Bill (Draft)
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with which businesses and organisations his Department has met to discuss the implications of the draft Communications Data Bill; and if he will make a statement. [134385]
Jo Swinson: According to records held by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, one overseas-owned multinational company raised concerns about the draft Bill during a meeting to discuss a number of issues of interest to that company.
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on the draft Communications Data Bill; and if he will make a statement. [134386]
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Jo Swinson: To the best of my knowledge the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has received one formal representation on the draft Bill. The Secretary of State discusses a wide range of issues regularly with colleagues in the House. The Home Office is the lead Department for the draft Communications Data Bill and we are aware that businesses have made representations directly to it about their concerns.
Computers
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on average per desktop computer for each full-time employee in the latest period for which figures are available. [133772]
Jo Swinson: At the end of Q2 (2012-13) the quarterly user charge which is based on 3,662 users including service provisions such as printing was £407 per user. The IT is provided through a Fujitsu outsourced contract which is due to end in 2014 for which the desktop charging model includes other service items and it is therefore not always possible to make a valid comparison with other desktop services delivered to other organisations. BIS is working with HM Treasury and the supplier to allow BIS to provide a figure which just covers desktop charges. Once agreed, this information will be available to all future quarterly figures.
Cosmetics: EU Law
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what steps the Government are taking to ensure that cosmetics companies based in the UK comply in full with the prohibition on importing and marketing of animal-tested cosmetics in line with the 7th amendment to the European cosmetics directive, directive 76/768 EEC, on its entry into force in 2013; [133974]
(2) what steps the Government are taking to ensure the enforcement in the UK of the prohibition on importing and marketing of animal-tested cosmetics in line with the 7th amendment to the European cosmetics directive, directive 76/768 EEC on its entry into force in 2013. [133975]
Jo Swinson [holding answer 17 December 2012]: Day-to-day enforcement of the regulations is the responsibility of local authority Trading Standards services. Trading Standards have access to the safety assessment dossiers which companies must retain for the cosmetic products they supply. These dossiers will contain information on how any testing has been carried out.
The Department will work with Trading Standards to develop guidance on these provisions ahead of implementation of the 7th amendment to the European cosmetics directive. Anybody who is concerned that a product or its ingredients are supplied illegally should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.
Employee Ownership
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's consultation on employee owner status, by what process a reasonable price for the sale of shares back to an employer will be established. [134024]
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Jo Swinson: We want this scheme to be flexible and open to all companies and employees who would benefit from it. It will be up to the employer and employee owner to determine the conditions for buy-back including how to establish a fair price. The Government will be providing guidance to assist both parties in how to do this.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's consultation on employee owner status, whether the scheme will be restricted to UK company shares or whether shares and partnership interests in foreign companies will also be included. [134025]
Jo Swinson: It is the Government's intention to ensure that this status is available to all companies with share capital. The Government amendments tabled on 7 December 2012 ensured that overseas companies and European companies would be able to use the status.
The employing company will also be able to grant shares in a parent company (which could be an overseas company).
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of implementing the employee ownership scheme. [134026]
Jo Swinson: The employee owner status is a new employment status that companies limited by shares could use if they feel that the status would be beneficial to them. The main costs to companies that choose to use this status would be the costs related to issuing shares to their employee owners.
The costs of putting in place an employee share scheme will vary significantly depending on the characteristics and size of a company. The majority of these costs will be one-off costs. This suggests that on aggregate, there would be an overall net benefit to companies that use the status.
There may also be costs to businesses of familiarising themselves with the amended Employment Rights Act 1996, regardless of whether they use the employee shareholder status or not.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what eligibility criteria will apply to firms and employees taking part in the employee ownership scheme. [134027]
Jo Swinson: The eligibility criteria are clearly set out in clause 27 of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
They are that all companies with share capital, including overseas companies and European companies, may offer this type of contract and the individual must accept the contract and receive at least £2,000 worth of shares.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills following his Department's consultation on employee owner status, whether he expects firms to advertise vacancies which are only available under employee owner status. [134055]
Jo Swinson:
The employee shareholder status is only open to entities which are companies limited by shares.
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Companies are free to make choices about what type of employment contracts they offer and the Government consider that companies are best placed to decide how they hire people.
It is possible that some companies may only offer employee shareholder contracts in the same way that they can currently offer contracts which fall under either the worker or employee statuses.
EU Law
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) which EU directives his Department transposed in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which EU directives his Department expects to transpose in (i) 2013 and (ii) the next two years; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such directive to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector; [133687]
(2) which regulations his Department introduced as a result of EU legislation in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 to date; which regulations his Department expects to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2013 and (ii) the next two years; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector. [133688]
Jo Swinson: Information on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' (BIS) implementation of EU law has not until recently been collected centrally. Consequently we will need to draw information both on the transposition of directives and introduction of regulations to implement EU legislation for the years 2011 and 2012 from a number of sources. For EU measures where impact assessments have been published we will be able to provide the costs to business. We will deposit this information in the Libraries of the House in early January 2013.
However, we do not believe it would be proportionate also to provide estimates of the cost to BIS of preparing, consulting on and implementing these measures.
In the recently published Fifth Statement of New Regulation (SONR5) the Government have, for the first time, published new European Union measures which are being implemented in UK law and the associated costs to business from January to June 2013. This can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bis-fifth-statement-of-new-regulation-regulations-covering-january-to-june-2013
We intend to also provide this information for the next SONR periods which are: SONR6 (July to December 2013) and SONR7 (January to June 2014). We believe this will considerably increase transparency and help industry prepare for the introduction of EU as well as domestic legislation.
When EU measures are brought into law the impact assessments are placed in the impact assessments library,
http://www.ialibrary.bis.gov.uk/
As the hon. Member would expect, these provide costs to business.
Exports: Iraq
Mr Holloway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the
18 Dec 2012 : Column 731W
publication of sovereign debt data by UK Export Finance (UKEF) in October 2012, which defence exports comprised the 1% of Iraq's sovereign debt owed to UKEF attributed to the defence sector. [132653]
Michael Fallon: UK Export Finance, formerly the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), recently published information, available in the Libraries of the House, about sovereign debts payable to ECGD. Paragraph 10 of the explanatory note sets out that, due to the age and incomplete nature of some of our records, judgment has to be made in some instances as to the precise nature of the goods and services that were supplied.
The list of goods and services that make up the 1% of the original Iraq debt categorised as defence are:
Vehicles spare parts, helicopter spares/electrical components, medical materials, medical laboratory equipment, Centaur military vehicles and spares, Sabre 51 beacons, Beethoven exploders, drilling machinery and equipment.
Foreign Students: Finance
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on offering maintenance grants for living costs to UK students studying at foreign universities. [133741]
Mr Willetts: There are no student support arrangements in place in England for those students seeking to study outside the UK. Therefore, students in England who choose to study at Higher Education Institutions outside the UK are not eligible to receive student support, including maintenance grants and loans from Student Finance England. We have no plans to change this.
However, maintenance loans and grants continue to be available to English students undertaking a period of study abroad provided that period of study forms a part of the course that they are taking at a Higher Education Institution within the UK. For example, Erasmus students studying abroad for a year (or part of a year) remain eligible for maintenance support. The Government also support students taking up to a year abroad to study in a non-EU country. These students remain eligible for a tuition-fee loan and remain eligible to receive maintenance grants and loans.
Further Education
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the accuracy of statistics held on the Unistats website on further education colleges; and if he will make a statement. [133848]
Mr Willetts: The Unistats website provides prospective students with comparable information, known as the Key Information Set, for higher education courses at universities and further education colleges. This includes data from the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Destination of Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) surveys, which are independently collected by a survey agency appointed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Data for further education colleges are also linked to the Individual Learner Record, which is subject to its own audit requirements.
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The HEFCE validates all Unistats data and each further education college (and each university) was given a preview of their Unistats data to check for accuracy and highlight any errors. In addition, as part of its early review of the Key Information Set, HEFCE is undertaking a small number of audits to establish whether there are systematic issues with the data. HEFCE intends to continue this audit activity in future years.
Government Departments: Disclosure of Information
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) benchmarks and (b) targets he has set for the Data Strategy Board Breakthrough Fund and its delivery. [134147]
Matthew Hancock: The Data Strategy Board (DSB) Breakthrough Fund has been established to assist open data proposals where Government Departments, Government agencies and local authorities have identified short term barriers to data release.
The target for the fund is to enable the increased release of public sector data with growth potential. This will be informed by priorities recommended by the DSB, the Open Data User Group and Sector Transparency Boards which are currently developing. The benchmark for the fund will be the current data-set available through:
www.Data.gov.uk
and it will also build upon the identification of growth enhancing data sets recommended through the DSB and the Shakespeare Review, which will report in spring 2013.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) benchmarks and (b) targets he has set for the Open Data Immersion Programme and its delivery. [134148]
Matthew Hancock: The Open Data Immersion Programme comprises a series of events with prizes to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to work with data owners to better understand how to re-use data sets in ways which create business opportunities.
This is a new programme and no benchmarks currently exist but we will build the baseline from the first event in the programme. The target will be to provide support for as many market potential products as emanate from the events and will be dependent on the quality of the ideas from SME participants. It is therefore not feasible to set a target for the programme. However, the programme will be subject to an independent impact evaluation.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when bidding for firms wishing to apply for funds under the Open Data Immersion Programme will (a) open and (b) close. [134149]
Matthew Hancock: The Immersion Programme is a series of events for firms to participate in and not a fund for bids.
BIS is currently working with the Open Data Institute, the Technology Strategy Board and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)
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to determine the event themes and once agreed the opening and closing dates for the events will be publicised.
These dates will be available in January 2013 and will be publicised on the Open Data Institute website at:
www.theodi.org
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when bidding for public sector bodies wishing to apply for funds under the Data Strategy Board Breakthrough Fund will (a) open and (b) close. [134150]
Matthew Hancock: The Data Strategy Board Breakthrough Fund is open to applications from Government Departments, Government agencies and local authorities.
Applications to the fund will be considered on an ongoing basis over the remainder of the spending review period and we are prepared to assess applications from January 2013.