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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee
Members: Subsistence Claims
Robert Flello: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the value was of subsistence claims processed on behalf of hon. Members for the most recent year in which figures are available. [137059]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated 14 January 2013:
As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the value of MPs' subsistence claims processed by IPSA in the last financial year.
These claims are published on our website at:
www.parliamentary-standards.org.uk
During the 2011/12 financial year we paid claims to a value of £61,541.64 for MPs' subsistence, £52,512.39 for MPs' interns' subsistence and £2,815.89 for MPs' staff members' subsistence.
Robert Flello: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the cost was of processing subsistence claims on behalf of hon. Members in the most recent year for which figures are available. [137063]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated 14 January 2013:
As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the cost of processing MPs' subsistence claims in the last financial year.
We do not hold—and it is not possible separately to calculate—figures on the cost to process a subsistence claim specifically, but we estimate that the cost of processing a claim in 2012/13 will be, on average:
£4.60, if salary costs of those directly involved in the operation of processing claims are taken into account; and
£12.32, if overheads and corporate costs are added to those direct costs.
These estimates are based on a methodology agreed with the National Audit Office.
Robert Flello: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many subsistence claims were processed on behalf of hon. Members in the most recent year for which figures are available. [137064]
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Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated 14 January 2013:
As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of MPs' subsistence claims processed by IPSA.
During the 2011/12 financial year we paid 5,527 claim lines for MPs' subsistence, 9,743 claim lines for MPs' interns' subsistence and 271 claim lines for MPs' staff members' subsistence.
House of Commons Commission
Parliamentary Outreach
Jim Sheridan: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the House of Commons Commission has made of the effectiveness of the Parliamentary Outreach Service. [136600]
John Thurso: The Parliamentary Outreach Service promotes public understanding of, and engagement with, the work of both Houses of Parliament. On average it runs over 500 public workshops a year throughout the UK, in addition to facilitating Select Committee visits away from Westminster. Recent developments include: the production of a series of resources for use by adults with learning disabilities and their advocates; a training-the-trainer programme, and services and resources aimed at staff and students from universities across the UK. The latter is particularly popular: the Outreach Service now engages with 137 universities and colleges and demand far exceeds the Service's capability to supply.
Feedback is routinely gathered from those attending outreach sessions, which are closely monitored to ensure that the Service continues to meet the needs of the public. Over 90% of people taking part feel they have a greater understanding of Parliament's work and that they feel better able to engage with Parliament. The work of the Outreach Service was recognised in the recent Liaison Committee Report, ‘Select committee effectiveness, resources and powers’, which noted that:
“Committees have been greatly assisted in this [public engagement] work by the Regional Officers of the Parliamentary Outreach Service.”
The House of Commons Commission, and the Administration and Finance and Services Committees, regularly reviews the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided by the House Administration, including the Outreach Service. The House of Commons Commission Annual Report highlights the contribution that parliamentary outreach makes to achieving the House's strategic aims. The House Administration monitors a number of key performance indicators for the Outreach Service.
Transport
Cycling: Accidents
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the number of cyclists seriously injured on roads. [136631]
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Stephen Hammond: The Government take the safety of cyclists very seriously. In 2012 the Government announced a £15 million fund to improve safety for cyclists outside London, by tackling dangerous junctions. This was in addition to the £15 million fund awarded to Transport for London in March for the same purpose. Furthermore, part of the recently announced £20 million in cycle funding will go towards tackling dangerous junctions.
We have provided £600 million through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund to support local authorities in their use of transport to lever growth and cut carbon at the local level. The majority of the 96 projects have a cycling element. This year, we have committed £11 million for Bikeability training to help a new generation of cyclists gain the skills and knowledge they need to cycle safely and competently on today's roads. This funding will help more than 275,000 school children to access training.
We have also made it easier for councils to put in place 20 mph zones and limits, and to install Trixi mirrors to improve the visibility of cyclists at junctions. Last September I launched the ‘THINK CYCLIST!' campaign, which offers advice to drivers and cyclists on how to stay safe on the road.
M1
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost is of the new traffic calming measures incorporating a series of speed cameras on the southern end of the M1. [136135]
Stephen Hammond [holding answer 10 January 2013]: The range estimate for the entire M1 Junction 10 to 13 improvement scheme is £412 million (minimum) to £504 million (maximum).
The speed enforcement camera system is an integral part of the new technologies provided to manage traffic flow, reduce congestion and allow use of the hard shoulder at peak times, and its cost is not separately identified.
M6
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what enquiries he has made of the (a) Highways Agency and (b) Staffordshire police authority about the delays on the M6 on Christmas Day. [136658]
Stephen Hammond: The incident on the M6 between junction 14-15 on Christmas Day was a police led incident as it involved multiple fatalities. I have asked for a full debrief to take place into the incident; this will be completed within the next few weeks. It will include the Highways Agency, Staffordshire police and the other emergency services involved. The investigation will assess all the aspects of the incident including the time taken to re-open the carriageway.
Motor Vehicles: Registration
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many previously foreign registered vehicles were re-registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in each of the last five years. [137044]
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Stephen Hammond: The following table provides the number of vehicles registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency previously registered outside the United Kingdom, for each of the last five financial years.
Financial year | Volumes |
Motorways: Repairs and Maintenance
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the annual budget is for placing new chevrons on motorways for the purpose of encouraging safer spacing between moving cars; [136134]
(2) how many miles of chevrons designed to encourage safer spacing between moving cars there are on the (a) M1, (b) M3, (c) M4, (d) M5, (e) M6 and (f) M25. [136136]
Stephen Hammond [holding answer 10 January 2013]: There is not a specific budget allocated for the painting of white chevrons for vehicle spacing. Where considered appropriate, the cost of placing new chevrons on motorways would be included as part of a carriageway renewal scheme.
For the motorways listed there are approximately 45 miles of painted white chevrons to remind drivers to keep a safe distance apart:
M1: three miles
M3: none
M4: 14.8 miles
M5: 15.5 miles
M6: 11.7 miles
M25: none.
Railways: Public Holidays
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with rail operators regarding the running of services on Boxing Day. [136654]
Norman Baker: Rail Franchisees are under no obligation to operate services on Boxing Day, but are at liberty to propose doing so. We have had discussions with Southeastern on their plans to run an experimental service on Boxing Day 2012, but have not recently discussed with the industry as a whole the issue of whether to run Boxing Day services across the network.
Shipping: Employment
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many new jobs directly created in the maritime industry there were in each year since 2008-09; and how many such jobs were filled by (a) UK seafarer ratings, (b) UK seafarer officers, (c) EEA seafarer ratings, (d) EEA seafarer officers, (e) non-EEA seafarer ratings and (f) non-EEA seafarer officers in each such year; [136533]
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(2) what proportion of new jobs directly created in the maritime industry in each year since 2008-09 were on (a) UK-registered and (b) non-UK-registered vessels in the tonnage tax scheme; [136534]
(3) what proportion of new jobs directly created in the maritime industry in each year since 2008-09 were on (a) UK-registered and (b) non-UK-registered vessels outside the tonnage tax scheme; [136535]
(4) what proportion of new jobs directly created in the maritime industry in each year since 2008-09 were based in (a) UK ports, (b) shipping services and (c) other maritime business services; [136536]
(5) what the total number of jobs was on (a) UK-registered and (b) non-UK-registered ships in the tonnage tax scheme in each year since 2001-02; [136537]
(6) how many new jobs there were on (a) UK-registered and (b) non-UK-registered ships in the tonnage tax scheme in each year since 2001-02; and how many such jobs were filled by (i) UK seafarer ratings, (ii) UK seafarer officers, (iii) EEA seafarer ratings, (iv) EEA seafarer officers, (v) non-EEA seafarer ratings and (vi) non-EEA seafarer officers. [136538]
Stephen Hammond: The Department only holds figures for seafarers employed in the deck and engine departments on vessels in the tonnage tax. The numbers of such seafarer jobs, as currently reported to us by companies and groups for each tonnage tax training commitment year, are as follows:
Training commitment year(1) | UK registered ships | Non-UK registered ships |
(1) The number of seafarers employed on vessels in tonnage tax was 9,666 in 2001-02 and 11,818 in 2002-03; a breakdown of these figures by UK and non-UK registered ships is not available. |
We do not hold the other information requested.
Unemployed People: Travel
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans his Department has to assist the unemployed with the cost of travel; [137058]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the needs of jobseekers in relation to the costs of bus travel. [137060]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport (DfT) has been working with the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus to help jobseekers back into work. Jobcentre Plus already offers a range of transport support, such as covering the cost of a jobseeker's essential transport - for example, travel to training and interviews.
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DfT encourages bus operators to look at the fare deals they can offer to young people looking for work. I am pleased that bus operators are taking part in the Bus for Jobs initiative in January 2013, and I look forward to seeing other offers in the future.
In addition, concessionary travel legislation gives local authorities the flexibility to offer discretionary local travel concessions such as free or discounted travel to jobseekers.
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has provided for Jobcentre Plus staff on the Bus for Jobs initiative. [137065]
Norman Baker: The Department for Work and Pensions provided Jobcentre Plus staff with operational guidance and instructions which included information on participating companies and the areas where the free travel is available. Guidance and information was in place three weeks before the initiative started and a wide range of internal publicity was delivered to publicise the initiative when it was formally announced by "Greener Journeys".
International Development
Argentina
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what position her Department has taken at the World Bank regarding the granting of further loans to Argentina. [136653]
Mr Duncan: There have been no new loans to Argentina tabled at the World Bank since September 2011. There are also currently no new loans scheduled. The UK has not supported recent proposals for projects in Argentina proposed at the Inter-American Development Bank.
Bangladesh
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the working conditions and rights of labourers in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. [136622]
Mr Duncan: DFID has not carried out its own assessment of working conditions. A Bangladeshi Non-Governmental Organisation, funded by UK aid, carried out an assessment of working conditions in the ready-made garments and construction industries in April 2010.
The study, which compared Bangladeshi labour law and practice to international standards, proposed reforms in the labour law to protect the rights of workers in areas such as workplace safety, wages, benefits, and harassment and unfair treatment of women. Following this study, the national minimum wage for garment workers was increased in 2011. We are aware of other reports that have raised similar issues.
Consultants
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of her Department's spending on suppliers is spent on private consultants. [137369]
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Justine Greening: The Department for International Development uses a wide range of organisations to deliver programmes including non-governmental organisations, multilaterals and other suppliers.
Ecuador
Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what purpose the loan from the Government to Ecuador issued in 1988 was applied and used for; what the value of this loan was; and whether the granting of this loan was dependent on the subsequent purchase of goods or services manufactured in part, or wholly, in the UK. [136803]
Mr Duncan: Records from this time are held by the National Archives and cannot be obtained in time for the deadline to this question. The National Archive website contains an item reference FO 93/31/35 entitled 'Exchange of Notes on Certain Commercial Debts The United Kingdom/Ecuador Debt Agreement (no. 3) (1988) Place of Signing: London'. DFID has requested this record to be retrieved.
Palestinian Media Watch
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department has made any assessment of the work of Palestinian Media Watch. [137043]
Mr Duncan: Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) publish reports on a number of issues that are important to DFID. We consider the issues raised seriously, however we do not normally carry out comprehensive assessments of the work of individual lobby groups and have not done so in this case.
Palestinians
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of whether UK aid provided to the Palestinian Authority is being used to pay the salaries of prisoners. [137390]
Mr Duncan: UK assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) supports a successful middle east peace process by helping build Palestinian institutions and promoting economic growth, so that any future state will be stable, prosperous, well-run, and an effective partner for peace with Israel. This is provided subject to a number of safeguards.
As requested by the Israeli authorities the PA pays an allowance to cover the cost of food and clothing for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The PA also provides social welfare payments to the families of prisoners. We support the provision of welfare payments to innocent families who have lost a breadwinner, and we continue to encourage the PA at the highest levels to ensure that these payments are transparent, needs-based and affordable.
Procurement
Mr Ivan Lewis:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes her Department's top 12 outside suppliers have pledged to
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make following her Department's internal review of the use of private consultants announced in September 2012. [136947]
Justine Greening: In November I met with DFID's largest suppliers to start a process of working with them individually and collectively to get better value for money. That work is ongoing.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of supplier contracts to her Department had a monetary value of more than £1 million in the most recent period for which figures are available. [137140]
Justine Greening: Contracts with a value of more than £1 million made up 95% of the value of all contracts awarded by Procurement Group in 2011-12.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the minimum value is at which the granting of a supplier contract by a department requires a competitive tendering process. [137250]
Justine Greening: Competitive quotes are required for all purchases over £1,000 unless otherwise agreed.
St Helena
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the government of the island of St Helena about providing the island with broadband internet; and if she will make a statement. [136683]
Mr Duncan: DFID officials are in regular contact with the St Helena Government about the proposed fibre-optic cable link that would bring broadband to the island.
The UK Government recognise that a fibre-optic cable connection could bring faster, more reliable global broadband connectivity to St Helena, which could have a positive impact on economic development on the island in addition to the airport investment.
If the developer can secure the private sector finance to proceed with the main line of the cable connecting South Africa and Brazil, then a full economic assessment would be needed to consider the extent of the economic and social benefits that linking St Helena to this line could bring. DFID would consider this evidence against the availability of funds and other bids for our resources.
Scotland
Energy
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed energy charges for the third sector with the representatives of the six largest energy providers. [136980]
David Mundell:
Scotland Office Ministers have regular meetings with representatives of the six largest energy providers during which energy charges are discussed. At the end of this month the Secretary of State for Scotland
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will host the latest in a series of fuel poverty summits bringing together consumer groups, energy suppliers, Ofgem, DECC and the Scottish Government.
Income Tax
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer of 9 January 2012, Official Report, column 285W, on income tax personal allowance, what estimate he has made of the total value that will be added to the Scottish economy as a result of the planned change to the income tax personal allowance. [137206]
Michael Moore: The 2012 autumn statement announced that from 1 April 2013, the personal allowance will rise by a further £235 to £9,440. This is additional to the £1,100 increase previously announced at Budget 2012.
This further increase will benefit 2.2 million people in Scotland by an average of £47, and will lift an additional 21,000 people out of income tax entirely.
The increase to the personal allowance will reduce income tax for low and middle income individuals in Scotland, improving incentives to enter employment and increasing real household disposable incomes. This may feed through to higher consumption or savings in the household sector. Overall employment outcomes in Scotland will also depend on other measures announced relating to personal tax and national insurance contributions, as well as aggregate labour demand and the performance of the wider economy.
Official Visits
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official visits within Scotland were made by (a) Ministers, (b) staff and (c) special advisers of his Department in each of the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such visit. [137190]
David Mundell: Information on meetings that the Secretary of State for Scotland, special advisers and I have had with external organisations is published on the Scotland Office website, in accordance with this Government's commitment to transparency, at:
http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/14542.html
Records up to June 2012 are published and the information for the rest of 2012 will be published in due course.
The Scotland Office does not centrally record the accumulative cost associated with each individual visit.
Visits Abroad
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what overseas visits he plans to make in the next 12 months. [137192]
David Mundell:
The Secretary of State for Scotland plans to visit Brazil in March to participate in a major UKTI-organised Energy Showcase where he will promote the work of the Scottish oil and gas sector, as well as other Scottish businesses. He will also be joined by and
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support a Glasgow city council sponsored trade mission to promote links and business opportunities between Glasgow and Brazil.
Wales
Olympic Games 2012
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister in the Welsh Government on the legacy in Wales of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics; and if he will make a statement; [136645]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the legacy in Wales of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics; and if he will make a statement. [136646]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has been in correspondence with both the First Minister and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, about the role the Welsh Government can play in developing a lasting Olympics legacy in Wales.
The legacy programme offers benefits to the whole of the UK and provides an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the momentum and success of the events in Cardiff and across Wales.
Home Department
Civil Disorder
Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for compensation under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 were made following the public disorder in 2011; how many (a) were accepted in full, (b) were accepted in part, (c) were refused and (d) are still outstanding. [137057]
Damian Green: Decisions and payments on Riot (Damages) Act 1886 claims are entirely the responsibility of Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). The Government have worked very closely with various parties to ensure that victims are fully compensated. As of early January, the summary information received from Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners show the vast majority of people affected have received compensation.
PCCs currently have only 13 uninsured cases outstanding of the 577 cases they originally received from the Home Office bureau and direct from claimants (around 2%).
711 new claims were received from individuals who were originally insured and now their insurance company has repudiated their claim for reasons such as under insurance. 30 of these cases remain ongoing (about 4%).
Over 98% of household property damage claims have been settled by their insurers.
93% of small to medium size businesses have received settlement or interim payments from insurers.
99% of large commercial claims have received settlement or interim payments from insurers.
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Of the 3,925 claims from insurance companies for reimbursement of costs 377 remain (around 10% of original total).
Communications Data Bill (Draft)
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2013, Official Report, column 16W, on Communications Data Bill: draft, whether her Department has produced an impact assessment of the draft Communications Data Bill for businesses based in the UK and for investment in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [136659]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 14 January 2013]: An impact assessment for the draft Communications Data Bill was published on the Home Office website on 14 June 2012 to coincide with publication of the draft Bill. The Home Office will complete a new impact assessment to accompany a redrafted Bill, in line with the recommendation from the Joint Committee that completed scrutiny on the draft Bill. If the Bill is approved by Parliament, the Government will keep the impact on business of any new obligations under review.
Deportation
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2012, Official Report, column 778W, on immigration controls, how many foreign nationals subject to deportation orders visas to remain in the UK have expired; [136054]
(2) how many foreign nationals subject to a deportation order have criminal convictions for offences committed in the UK; [136055]
(3) what the nationality is of each of the foreign nationals subject to a deportation order. [136056]
Mr Harper: Under the 1971 Immigration Act a deportation order invalidates any leave to enter or remain in the UK given to an individual before an order is made or while it is in force.
All foreign national offenders subject to a deportation order have criminal convictions in the UK. Since 2006, the UK Border Agency has removed over 28,000 foreign national offenders. It is our policy not to disclose the countries to which we remove or deport foreign national offenders as this could jeopardise our continuing ability to do so.
DNA and Fingerprints: Databases
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the retention of DNA and fingerprints taken from innocent people. [136165]
James Brokenshire:
The Government want to protect privacy and human rights while maintaining effective databases that protect the public and reduce crime. We have therefore passed legislation under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to end the indefinite retention of DNA profiles and fingerprints taken from people never
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convicted of a criminal offence. Under the Act, such indefinite retention will apply only to adults convicted of a recordable offence. Those charged with specified serious offences ('qualifying offences'), but not convicted, may have their DNA profiles and fingerprints retained for three years. Those arrested for qualifying offences but not charged or convicted may have their DNA profiles and fingerprints retained for three years, but only with the agreement of the Biometric Commissioner. Those under 18 convicted only for a first minor offence will have their DNA profiles and fingerprints retained for five years, plus the length of any custodial sentence given.
I made a written ministerial statement, published on 13 December 2012, Official Report, columns 57-58WS, providing details of the timetable for implementation of this Act, under which the vast majority of innocent people's DNA and fingerprints will be deleted by September and legislative commencement will take place no later than October.
Drugs: Misuse
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if she will assess the classification that Sativex would be given under her Department's drug classification scheme; and if she will make a statement; [136917]
(2) what contracts the Government hold with GW Pharmaceuticals; and if she will make a statement; [136921]
(3) what comparative assessment her Department has made of the level of health risk posed by Sativex and herbal cannabis. [137074]
Mr Jeremy Browne: ‘Sativex’ is a medicinal product derived from cannabis, a controlled Class B Schedule 1 drug, and is subject to the same control restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has published advice to Government on cannabis and, for the purposes of scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (as amended), Sativex. This advice can be found at:
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/acmd/
The Government have accepted the ACMD’s advice that Sativex has a low misuse potential and should be re-scheduled to Schedule 4 of the 2001 Regulations.
The Home Office and its agencies do not hold any contracts with GW Pharmaceuticals. I am unable to comment on contractual arrangements between other Departments and third parties.
Entry Clearances
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) applications were made and (b) grants of family visas were awarded in respect of the category of (i) child (probationary period), (ii) child (indefinite leave to enter), (iii) partner (probationary period), (iv) partner (indefinite leave to enter) and (v) other adult and elderly dependants (indefinite leave to enter) between 1 January and 30 June 2012; and what the aggregate rate of grant of applications was in that period. [136307]
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Mr Harper: Information on applications and entry clearance visas issued for 2012 on a quarterly basis, is planned to be published on 28 February 2013, as part of the Home Office's quarterly Immigration Statistics release.
The figures for family visas provided in response to this question and appearing in the following tables are from the latest available published statistics.
Family route entry clearance visa applications, resolution(1) and issue, 2011 | ||||
Family route | Applications | Resolved | Issued | Proportion issued (percentage) |
Family route entry clearance visas issued, 2012 Q1 and Q2 | ||
2012 | ||
Family route | Q1 | Q2 |
(1) The information provided relates to applications received and cases resolved in the calendar year 2011. Some applications received may be resolved in a subsequent year. (2) Relates to visas issued for Indefinite Leave to Enter the United Kingdom. (3) Does not include children of a parent given limited leave to enter or remain in the UK for a probationary period. (4) Relates to those given Limited Leave to Enter as pre-existing family members of those recognised as Refugees or afforded Humanitarian Protection. (5) Relates to those dependants who are not partners or children, such as adult relatives and Ghurkhas and their dependants. Elderly adult dependent relatives cannot be separately identified from published entry clearance figures. Note: Figures for visa applications are published on annual basis in the release ‘Immigration Statistics’. Source: Immigration Statistics, July to September 2012 |
The latest Home Office immigration statistics on entry clearance visas are published in the release Immigration Statistics July to September 2012, which is available from the Library of the House and on the Department's website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people applying for a Tier 1 visa in the UK are currently waiting more than four weeks for a decision on their application to be made; [136801]
(2) what the average waiting time for Tier 1 visa applications made inside the UK was in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and how many such people waited more than four weeks for a decision on their application. [136804]
Mr Harper: The following table gives the average processing time for tier 1 cases despatched each year between January 2010 and December 2012.
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Despatch year | Processing time calendar days |
The number of cases despatched after four weeks is shown in the following table:
Despatch year | Number of cases |
As of 9 January 2013 a total of 6,546 tier 1 applications have been waiting more than four weeks for a decision. This is outside our service standard to decide 90% of applications within four weeks of the applicant attending a biometric appointment. A plan is in place to address this by the end of March 2013.
All figures quoted have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the applicants who applied for sponsor status between 1 July and 30 September 2012 have had a decision made on their application by points-based system tier. [134380]
Mr Harper [holding answer 18 December 2012]:The data requested is not held in a format compatible with National Statistics protocols, or produced as part of the UK Border Agency's standard reports. However the UK Border Agency publishes immigration statistics on a quarterly and annual basis, a copy of which can be found in the Library of the House.
Extradition
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals for people charged with having committed crimes in other countries first to have evidence of such presented to UK courts before being extradited; and if she will make a statement. [137393]
Mr Harper: I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the reintroduction of a prima facie evidential requirement before a person can be extradited from the UK. Prima facie evidence is defined as evidence which would be sufficient to warrant a person's trial if the conduct for which extradition is sought had taken place in the UK. Currently, the UK requires prima facie evidence from 69 of our extradition partners.
As the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), made clear to the House on 16 October 2012, Official Report, columns 164-80, the Government have no plans to reintroduce the prima facie evidence test for other countries where it is not currently required. However, the Government agree with the Baker review that the designation of Part 2 countries under the Extradition Act 2003 be periodically reviewed to take
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into account adverse extradition decisions of courts responsible for monitoring compliance with international human rights standards.
Police Stations: Croydon
Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had on the closure or sale of police station buildings in Croydon North since May 2010; and what the outcome was of any such discussions. [136540]
Damian Green: Decisions about the most effective use of available resources, including the number and operating hours of police stations and any disposal of such premises, are matters for the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
It is important not to confuse buildings with the availability and accessibility of the police. There are many good examples of forces doing far more with their money by finding new forms of public contact. These include the new non-emergency number, 101, the internet, or contact in places such as supermarket surgeries, where thousands of people, rather than the very few who may come in to a police station, can meet the police.
Police: Equipment
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on how much is spent on police equipment budgets. [136639]
Damian Green: Information about police expenditure on equipment is available on the website of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants at:
www.cipfastats.net
Police: Training
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which formal training received by a police officer is also run for the benefit of both fire and ambulance officers. [136794]
Damian Green [holding answer 14 January 2013]: Police training is a matter for the College of Policing and individual police forces to determine. This may include training with other emergency services and responders where appropriate.
Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions the conditions of a terrorism prevention and investigation measure were breached in the last 12 months; and in how many such cases the Crown Prosecution Service has been consulted about bringing a prosecution under section 23 of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011; [136565]
(2) how many individuals subject to a terrorism prevention and investigation measure have been charged with a criminal offence in the UK since introduction of the measures; how many such individuals she expects to be charged in the next
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12 months; how many have been deported; and how many cases relating to such individuals have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. [136566]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 14 January 2013]:My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary reports to Parliament on the exercise of her powers under the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 on a quarterly basis and I refer the hon. Lady to the statements dated 26 March 2012, Official Report, column 94WS, 19 June 2012, Official Report, column 56WS, 7 September 2012, Official Report, column 39WS, and 6 December 2012, Official Report, column 80WS, which confirm the number of individuals charged with breaching their TPIM measures during the period from 15 December 2011 to 30 November 2012.
These statements give as much information as can be provided about breaches of TPIMs and, where applicable, action taken. The information given is limited for national security reasons and in order to avoid prejudicing any law enforcement interests.
With the exception of Ibrahim Magag, all of the individuals who have ever been subject to a TPIM notice are also subject to a court-imposed anonymity order.
This prevents the publication of information that, either on its own or when read in conjunction with other information in the public domain, would identify, or would tend to identify, an individual as being subject to a TPIM notice. This includes information on the number of individuals subject to a TPIM notice who have been charged with a criminal offence in the UK (other than breach of a TPIM notice) or deported while subject to a TPIM notice.
For national security reasons and in order to avoid prejudicing any law enforcement interests, we cannot comment on any potential future criminal action against TPIM subjects or on how many cases have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. We can confirm that the Secretary of State consulted with the chief officer of the relevant police force, who in turn consulted with the relevant prosecuting authority, before imposing each TPIM notice in force. This is in accordance with the requirements in section 10 of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011. I can also confirm that the subjects' conduct is kept under review, with a view to a prosecution of the individual for an offence relating to terrorism, in accordance with these requirements.
As set out in the reports to Parliament, nine of the 10 individuals who have been made subject to a TPIM notice have been British Citizens. I can confirm deportation is considered as an option for all foreign nationals subject to a TPIM.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in reducing corruption within the Afghan Government. [136237]
Alistair Burt:
Corruption remains an endemic problem in Afghan society. We continue to support the Afghan Government's efforts to tackle the problem, for example
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by strengthening the judicial system, developing the capacity of the Ministry of the Interior to investigate cases of corruption within the police force and to build sustainable accountability mechanisms. We have supported the Ministry in introducing anti-corruption measures, such as a Crime-Stoppers helpline and mobile anti-corruption teams, as well as providing expertise on Afghan Government management of public finances.
We also provide training and logistical support to the Major Crimes Task Force (an investigative unit focusing on serious cases of corruption, organised crime and kidnapping) and we played a critical role in supporting the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Tribunal in Kabul, a court dedicated to hearing corruption cases. While progress is being made, it will require a long-term effort and measurable progress will take time.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made on reducing non-security-related crime in Afghanistan. [136238]
Alistair Burt: By strengthening the judicial system, we continue to work with the Afghan Government to increase their capacity to deal effectively with crime, for example through police and judiciary training and mentoring, courts and prison funding. A key example is the Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF), a multi-departmental Afghan detention, investigation, prosecution and judicial team, which the UK has helped to establish to target the narcotics trade. The CJTF has secured over 1,000 convictions for narcotics offences since it was established in 2005. In 2010-11, the CJTF convicted 621 people of drugs trafficking offences.
We are also working to strengthen links to statutory justice systems, providing legal education and developing civil groups to provide better monitoring and oversight, to make community-based justice system, more accountable.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the ability of the Afghan economy to support its security forces from 2015 onwards. [136241]
Alistair Burt: The International Community has pledged $4.1 billion from 2015 to fund the Afghan National Security Forces in the critical years after transition, to which Afghanistan will initially contribute $500 million. In the longer term, UK and international partners are working with the Afghan Government to encourage sustainable economic growth so that it can meet its security and development expenditure. At the Tokyo Conference, the Afghan Government set out a strong programme of financial and economic reforms designed to maintain growth and reduce dependence on donor funding.
Assisted Areas
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on negotiations on adjustments to Assisted Areas Maps. [137347]
Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
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The Regional Aid Guidelines, under which the Assisted Areas Map is drawn, were published in draft by the European Commission on 14 January 2013 and are due to be finalised by June 2013. These will determine key rules for preparing Assisted Areas Maps, including specifying maximum population coverage for each member state. BIS has conducted some preparatory work and consultation on changes to the Assisted Areas shown on the UK's 2014-20 Map will follow the release of the Commission's finalised Guidelines.
Bahrain
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the UK Government have made to the Bahraini (a) Government and (b) authorities concerning human rights guarantees for political activists in prison in Bahrain. [136560]
Alistair Burt: We have repeatedly made clear to the Bahraini Government that the civil rights of peaceful opposition figures, the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be respected.
As a close friend and ally, the UK has consistently encouraged the Government to take further steps to implement promised reforms and take the measures necessary to aid reconciliation.
Most recently my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited Bahrain on 7-8 December, meeting with representatives of the Bahraini Government to continue such discussions.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in implementing the commitment in the Conservative manifesto 2010 to bring about a just settlement for people wishing to return to the Chagos Islands. [137366]
Mark Simmonds: Now that the litigation in the European Court of Human Rights is concluded, the Government will take stock of our policy towards the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), as we have always said we would. There are fundamental difficulties with resettlement in BIOT, but we will be as positive as possible in our engagement with Chagossian groups and all interested parties.
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the islands in the British Indian Ocean Territory (a) are habitable, (b) were inhabited, (c) are inhabited and (d) are suitable for settlement. [137408]
Mark Simmonds: Only one island in the British Indian Ocean Territory is habitable and is currently inhabited—Diego Garcia.
There were five island groups that were inhabited from at least 1830: Diego Garcia, Peros Banhos, Salomon, Eagle and Egmont. Nelson Island, the Three Brothers, Danger Island, Sea Cow Island were never inhabited, though all were visited for coconuts or turtles.
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In April 2000 the British Government commissioned a study to assess to what extent it would be feasible for the outer islands to be re-inhabited. The report concluded resettlement was not feasible. While the short-term habitation for limited numbers on a subsistence basis could be possible, the report emphasised that any long-term resettlement would be precarious and costly. The outer islands, which have been uninhabited for 40 years, lack all basic facilities and infrastructure.
British Nationals Abroad
Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to protect the rights of UK citizens abroad when faced with criminal convictions. [136604]
Mark Simmonds: The steps that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office takes to protect the rights of British nationals abroad when faced with criminal convictions are defined by our consular assistance policy, which can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/35519/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf
and based on internationally recognised standards, as well as the laws and legal process of the country concerned.
Marriage
Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his foreign counterparts on child marriage. [136603]
Mark Simmonds: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly promote UK objectives on forced marriage, which often affects very young victims. Most recently, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), raised the issue of forced marriage with the High Commissioner of Pakistan. The Forced Marriage Unit has also established an International Partnership Board to share best practice on handling forced marriage cases with London embassies.
The Department for International Development leads for the Government on the issue of early and forced marriage overseas and provides support for raising the age of marriage through its programmes.
Middle East
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the state of progress with the US-funded review of Palestinian and Israeli textbooks; and when a report on this matter is expected. [137392]
Alistair Burt: Along with officials at the Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are closely monitoring progress on the report into the content of Palestinian and Israeli school textbooks. We understand that the report is now likely to be published in early spring.
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Nuclear Disarmament
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expert-level meetings have been hosted by the UK in the last year to share lessons from UK-led work on verification of nuclear warhead dismantlement; where the meetings were held; at what cost; which countries were represented at each such meeting; and if he will publish a summary of the outcomes of each meeting. [137026]
Alistair Burt: The UK has hosted two expert-level meetings in the last year to share findings from the ongoing UK-Norway Initiative. The first, held in London on 4 April 2012, was attended by officials from the ‘P5’ nuclear weapon states: UK, China, France, Russia and US. The total cost of the event was £9,137.10. UK scientists and technical experts shared the outcomes and lessons from the UK-Norway Initiative and P5 experts offered their perspectives.
The second, held in Vienna in May 2012 as a side event to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting, was attended by around 100 experts from NPT States Parties, NGOs and academia. The cost to the UK of holding this event was £484.51. The joint presentation by technical experts from the UK and Norway is available on the Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-norway-initiative-on-nuclear-warhead-dismantlement-verification--2
Pakistan
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) nature and (b) monetary value was of counter-narcotics assistance given by his Department to the Government of Pakistan in each of the last six financial years; and what expenditure in each category of assistance is planned in the (i) current and (ii) next financial year. [136280]
Alistair Burt: We provide counter narcotics assistance to a range of international partners, including Pakistan. We do so to tackle the international drugs trade and minimise the threat it poses to the UK. However, it is our policy not to disclose details of that work where it relates to national security and protection of operational information, as to do so may reduce its effectiveness.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken in providing financial support to the Pakistani anti-narcotics police to ensure that no such support contributes to attempts by the authorities in that country to impose capital punishment on those arrested for drugs offences. [136281]
Alistair Burt:
We take human rights very seriously and strongly oppose the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, including for drugs offences. The Government published Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance in 2011, which provides clear guidance to officials and law enforcement officers to help them identify human rights risks. Under OSJA guidance, where human rights risks are identified, the Government seeks to mitigate risks by a range of methods. For instance we can seek assurances that UK co-operation
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will not lead to torture or prosecutions that result in the death penalty, and have a clear exit strategy if the assurances are not met. This ensures that any assistance we provide supports our values and is consistent with our international obligations, including on capital punishment.
Palestinians
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Consulate General in Jerusalem has made to the Palestinian Authority with regard to the glorification of terrorists by members of the Palestinian Authority. [137391]
Alistair Burt: Our Consul-General in Jerusalem has made clear to senior members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) our opposition to official PA events that welcome the return to the Occupied Palestinian Territories of individuals convicted of terrorist charges by Israel.
Officials at the British Consulate-General have also raised the issue of positive portrayal of terrorist activity with the Government media centre on 13 December and with senior PA officials on 10 January.
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2012, Official Report, column 3W, on Palestinians, what specific examples of incitement and hatred were raised by the Consulate General in Jerusalem with the Head of News at Palestine TV. [137426]
Alistair Burt: Officials at the British Consulate General in Jerusalem raised concerns about material aired on Palestine TV in February 2012 on the anniversary of the establishment of the Democratic Front of Liberation of Palestine which appeared to present positive images of terrorist acts carried out by members of that organisation. The Consulate General outlined the UK's firm opposition to the advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. The Head of the News Department said that Palestine TV took the issue of incitement very seriously and had strict instructions from the highest authorities to prevent the broadcasting of any materials that promotes incitement or hatred.
Sickness Absence
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2012, Official Report, column 473W, on sick leave, if he will make an assessment of the contribution mindfulness-based practice can make to reducing workplace stress and staff absences in his Department. [136207]
Alistair Burt: We operate an occupational stress policy based on the Health and Safety executive management standards. We have no plans at present to conduct a formal assessment of mindfulness-based practice but our response to work-related stress is kept under regular review.
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Sri Lanka
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Sri Lankan counterpart on the (a) efficacy of criminal justice and (b) rule of law in that country. [136336]
Alistair Burt: The British Government have had numerous meetings at official level with the Sri Lankan Government about our human rights concerns, which include the rule of law and aspects of the efficacy of the criminal justice system. Our high commissioner attended a meeting with the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Peiris last month on issues relating to the rule of law. The UK will continue to take every opportunity, including my visit to Sri Lanka in the coming weeks, to raise concerns on human rights directly to the Government of Sri Lanka.
The UK, in conjunction with the European Union Heads of Mission, released a statement on 5 December, expressing our concern about recent developments in Sri Lanka surrounding the rule of law and individual freedoms. We continue to press the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the protection of the independence of the judiciary and the fundamental rights of all citizens. The statement can be found here:
http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/sri_lanka/documents/press_corner/20121205_en.pdf
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Government of Sri Lanka's commitment to the Commonwealth's Latimer House Principles. [136337]
Alistair Burt: The British Government look to Sri Lanka, as with all Commonwealth members, to demonstrate its commitment to, upholding all Commonwealth values including the Latimer House Principles. The Commonwealth's Latimer House Principles govern the relationship between the three branches of government. All member states of the Commonwealth have committed themselves to upholding the Latimer House Principles. This ensures that citizens' faith and confidence in democratic culture are assured and the rule of law is maintained.
The UK, in conjunction with the European Union Heads of Mission, released a statement on 5 December, expressing our concern about recent developments in Sri Lanka surrounding the rule of law and individual freedoms. We continue to press the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the protection of the independence of the judiciary and the fundamental rights of all citizens. The statement can be found here:
http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/sri_lanka/documents/press_corner/20121205_en.pdf
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, released a statement on 15 November 2012 which expressed concern about the recent move by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to impeach the country's Chief Justice, Dr Shirani Bandaranayake. The Secretary-General said the preservation of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary is key to the healthy functioning of a democracy.
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United Arab Emirates
Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of laws in the United Arab Emirates on UK citizens that live in or visit that country. [137015]
Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice provides guidance for UK citizens on local laws and customs in the United Arab Emirates. We advise that local laws and customs are often very different to those in the UK and advise travellers to familiarise themselves with, and respect, them. Our travel advice is updated regularly.
Zimbabwe
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the South African Government on progress towards elections in Zimbabwe. [137204]
Mark Simmonds: South Africa continues to play a crucial role in seeking a political solution in Zimbabwe. We welcome President Zuma of South Africa's ongoing efforts to work with all three parties to Zimbabwe's power-sharing government to create the conditions for credible and properly monitored elections. This was most recently demonstrated at the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Troika Summit in Tanzania.
During my visit to Pretoria in November 2012, I conveyed our firm support to South Africa in its diplomatic efforts on Zimbabwe. I plan to visit again soon and I maintain regular contact with my counterparts in the South African Government on this and a range of other issues.
Our high commission in Pretoria also maintains regular dialogue with the South African Government on the situation in Zimbabwe.
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the report by Human Rights Watch, Race Against Time: The Need for Legal and Institutional Reforms Ahead of Zimbabwe's Elections, published in January 2013. [137205]
Mark Simmonds: I share the concerns raised in the Human Rights Watch's (HRW) report on the slow implementation of reforms in Zimbabwe and prospects of an early election without institutional and electoral reforms taking place. HRW acknowledge there has been progress in Zimbabwe—for example in October 2012 the Human Rights Commission Act was passed into law and the Second All Stakeholders Conference took place peacefully. But there is more work to be done by the Government of Zimbabwe to address its human rights record and ensure it implements essential reforms to prevent politically motivated violence and intimidation.
I agree that the work of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in facilitating the reform process has been key to achieving progress thus far, and that their ongoing engagement will be important if free, fair and credible elections are to happen. We will continue to call regularly, both bilaterally and in partnership
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with other EU member states, for full implementation of electoral reform and the restoration of internationally accepted human rights standards in Zimbabwe.
Treasury
Car Tax
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable he has set for the development of his proposals on reforms to vehicle excise duty. [136686]
Sajid Javid: The Government have made no formal proposals for changes to vehicle excise duty.
The Government announced in Budget 2012 that they will consider whether to reform vehicle excise duty over the medium term to ensure all motorists continue to make a fair contribution to the sustainability of the public finances, to reflect continuing improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, and seek the views of motoring groups on this issue. Updates on the Government's tax policy intentions are provided in the usual way through the annual Budget process.
Child Benefit
Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of changes to higher income child benefit on the take-up of national insurance credits; and if he will make a statement. [135994]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs estimates that there will be no impact on the take-up of national insurance credits following the introduction of the high income child benefit charge.
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs staff have been seconded to other Government Departments to assist with the implementation of changes to child benefit. [136527]
Mr Gauke: No HM Revenue and Customs staff have been seconded to other Government Departments to assist with the implementation of the high income child benefit charge.
Child benefit and income tax (under which the high income child benefit charge falls) are both administered by HM Revenue and Customs.
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing planned Government changes to child benefit. [136528]
Mr Gauke: The initial estimates of the administrative costs of the high income child benefit charge were published in the Tax Information and Impact Note at Budget 2012:
www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/tiin-0620.pdf
A further estimate of the staffing costs was provided in response to parliamentary question 128154 on 3 December 2012, Official Report, column 593W:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121203/text/121203w0001.htm
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The estimate of costs incurred to date is approximately half the initially expected cost of the first phase of the project.
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households that receive child benefit in Livingston constituency and where one parent earns between £50,000 and £60,000 will have their child benefit reduced on a sliding scale under his new child benefit rules; and how many households in that constituency where one parent is earning over £60,000 will lose that benefit completely. [136555]
Mr Gauke: Information on the number of individuals affected by the high income child benefit charge is not available on a constituency basis.
An individual will not have their child benefit reduced or removed by the high income child benefit charge. Instead a tax charge will apply to the partner with the higher income above £50,000 where the claimant has not decided to stop payment of child benefit.
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households that receive child benefit in Livingston constituency where a couple earns up to £100,000 will keep their child benefit under his new child benefit rules. [136558]
Mr Gauke: Information on income levels is not available at the constituency level.
Climate Change
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the (a) economic and (b) public spending consequences for the UK of the effects of each climate change prediction made in the Stern Report up to (i) 2050 and (ii) 2100. [137125]
Sajid Javid: The Government have made a comprehensive response to the Stern report since its publication, most recently through the 2011 Carbon Plan.
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Corporation Tax
Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to publish the amount of corporation tax paid by each FTSE-100 listed company in each of the last 10 years. [137212]
Mr Gauke: Taxpayer confidentiality prevents HMRC from disclosing such details.
EU Law
Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (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; [133715]
(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. [133716]
Sajid Javid: The Department does not centrally hold information on the regulations or directives expected to be introduced as a result of EU legislation in future years. To gather any such information would come at a disproportionate cost.
It is not standard accounting practice to distinguish regulatory costs from overall running costs, whether of EU origin or domestic. There is therefore no pre-existing breakdown of the costs imposed by EU regulations or legislation upon which the Department can draw to produce an estimate. Any such information that does exist is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, in 2011 and 2012 the Department introduced the following regulations and directives as a result of EU legislation, with the following assessments of cost (this list was compiled on 3 January 2012 and is not exhaustive):
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Excise Duties: Fuels
Jim Sheridan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of fuel duty as a proportion of the average outgoings of people in each quintile of income earners; [136599]
(2) if he will consider replacing fuel duty with a progressive form of tax. [136598]
Sajid Javid: At autumn statement 2012, the Government published their distributional analysis of the expected impact of announced Government measures on household incomes, split by direct taxes, indirect taxes and tax credits and benefits. This document can be found on the Treasury's website at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2012_distributional_analysis.htm
The latest ONS article on the effects of fuel duty on household disposable income by quintile is available at this link:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171776_241843.pdf
The Chancellor of the Exchequer keeps all taxes under review.
Gift Aid
Hazel Blears: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the value of higher rate tax relief unclaimed by individuals on charitable donations which were eligible for Gift Aid. [137038]
Sajid Javid: There is no such estimate.
Higher (and additional) rate relief, reclaimed by individuals in respect of Gift Aid donations, has been estimated at £470 million for 2012-13 (preliminary figure). Independent research commissioned by HM Revenue and Customs in 2009 suggested that approximately 80% of all higher rate relief available on donations was claimed:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/charity/table10-2.pdf
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/report91.pdf
Hazel Blears: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the value of Gift Aid unclaimed by charities on charitable donations. [137039]
Sajid Javid: No such estimate has been made.
Amounts of tax repaid to charities in the UK on donations under Gift Aid are published in Table 10.3 on the HM Revenue and Customs website at:
www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/charities/menu.htm
In 2011-12 a total of £1,057 million (provisional figure) was repaid to UK charities under Gift Aid.
Income Tax
Robert Halfon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment his Department has made of the average reduction in income to a working family of the abolition of the 10p rate of income tax. [136525]
Mr Gauke: No recent estimate has been made.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in each parliamentary constituency who will be affected by the reduction of the top rate of income tax to 45p on all income above £150,000 per year. [136920]
Mr Gauke: Data on the number of additional rate tax payers at parliamentary constituency levels are not published, as population projections at constituency level would not be reliable or statistically robust.
PAYE
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the PAYE real time information system has been unable to match those hashes which have been unmatched in the pilot; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of unmatched hashes accounted for by each reason. [136011]
Mr Gauke: HMRC are unable to provide the information requested, at this time; as analysis of hash matching is ongoing as part of the RTI pilot.
There are a variety of reasons why RTI submissions may not be matched to a hash cross reference received from the payment system. HMRC are unable to provide a breakdown as requested because analysis of hash matching is ongoing as part of the RTI pilot.
Hashes received for schemes that have recently joined the RTI system cannot be matched where the PAYE scheme is still going through the RTI alignment process. HMRC have also identified that in some cases hash cross references are being included in RTI submissions where the employer is not paying their employees under a BACS service user number. Hash matching is not possible in these cases. Therefore, the interpretation of any data provided on numbers of hashes matched and
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not matched in the RTI pilot is subject to significant uncertainty. These transitional matching patterns are expected.
HMRC is using the RTI pilot to refine its guidance to employers and software developers about hash matching.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average time for the alignment process for employer schemes joining the PAYE real time information pilot was in each month since it started. [136012]
Mr Gauke: The time taken to complete the alignment process depends on various factors including the size and complexity of the PAYE scheme. The average alignment time by completed month for all employers in the pilot to date is shown as follows:
Average alignment duration (days) | |
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the hash-matching accuracy in the PAYE real time information pilot. [136013]
Mr Gauke: The latest information available relates to payments made to individuals in December 2012. The hash-matching accuracy rate for PAYE schemes that have completed the RTI alignment process and could be verified as paying employees by BACS under a BACS service user number was 94%. The hash-matching accuracy rate for all schemes which submitted hashes in their December 2012 RTI, including schemes still in alignment and those including hashes erroneously, was 68%. This latter figure is the result of transitional factors deriving from the RTI pilot.
There are a variety of reasons why RTI submissions may not be matched to a hash cross reference received from the payment system. Hashes received for schemes that have recently joined the RTI system cannot be matched where the PAYE scheme is still going through the RTI alignment process. HMRC have also identified that in some cases hash cross references are being included in RTI submissions where the employer is not paying their employees under a BACS service user number. Hash matching is not possible in these cases. Therefore, the interpretation of any data provided on numbers of hashes matched and not matched in the RTI pilot is subject to significant uncertainty. These transitional matching patterns are expected.
HMRC is using the RTI pilot to refine its guidance to employers and software developers about hash matching.
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Personal Income: Kingston upon Hull
Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in (a) Hull and (b) Hull North there were with a taxable income greater than (i) £20,000, (ii) £30,000 and (iii) £50,000 in 2011-12. [137048]
Mr Gauke: Reliable projections beyond the 2009-10 out-turn are not available at the parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in making projections for small geographical areas.
Revenue and Customs
Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the data and calculation was underlying the statement by the Director of Personal Taxation at HM Revenue and Customs in oral evidence to the Treasury Sub-Committee on 31 October 2012, HC 673-ii, that the hash-matching accuracy rate was 95 per cent. [136009]
Mr Gauke: The figure of 95% quoted to the Treasury Select Committee was from early analysis of the hash-matching accuracy rate within the real time information (RTI) pilot relating to payments made to individuals in October 2012, for PAYE schemes that had completed the RTI alignment process and could be verified as paying employees by BACS under a BACS service user number.
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people worked in the HM Revenue and Customs national minimum wage team in December (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011. [136694]
Mr Gauke: I refer the member to the answer of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 353W.
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people work in the HM Revenue and Customs national minimum wage team. [136695]
Mr Gauke: The current number of staff in post in HMRC's minimum wage enforcement team (January 2013) is 155.
Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many calls from interns, volunteers, voluntary workers or people on work experience the Pay and Work Rights Helpline received in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011; and how many complaints so reported were investigated; [137004]
(2) how many enquiries from interns, volunteers, voluntary workers or people on work experience the Pay and Work Rights helpline received in 2012; and how many such complaints were investigated. [136693]
Mr Gauke:
The information requested is not available prior to August 2011 as neither the Pay and Work Rights Helpline (PWRH) or HMRC categorised inquiries or complaints received using these descriptors. Since August 2011, the helpline specifically records inquiries received from workers describing themselves as interns
15 Jan 2013 : Column 671W
and a fast-track arrangement between the helpline and HMRC was introduced for any complaints received about non-payment of minimum wage relating to interns, volunteers, voluntary workers or people on work experience. The information requested from August 2011 is as follows:
Inquiries received by PWRH relating to interns | Complaints fast-tracked to HMRC | |
Social Security Benefits: Greater London
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Bethnal Green and Bow constituency will be affected by the decision to implement a 1% annual uprating of (a) working tax credits and (b) employment and support allowance. [136610]
Sajid Javid: Forecasts of tax credits claimants are not produced at constituency level. Based on the HM Revenue and Custom's published provisional statistics for December 2012, accessible from the following:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/prov-geog-stats/cwtc-geog-dec12.xls
there are around 4,800 families in the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency who currently receive working tax credit.
Forecasts of employment and support allowance ESA claimants are not produced at constituency level. The caseload forecast for ESA for Great Britain as whole (excluding ESA credits only cases) are:
Number (million) | |
These figures are based on the latest caseload forecasts published on the Department for Work and Pensions website:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/budget_2012_211212.xls
Tax Allowances: Research
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has undertaken to assess the relative merits of tax incentives in encouraging innovation and investment in research and development. [136517]
Sajid Javid: An evaluation of research and development tax credits was published on the HM Revenue and Customs website in November 2010 and is available at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/report107.pdf
A report on qualitative research into businesses' research and development (R&D) decision-making processes was published on the HM Revenue and Customs website in November 2010 and is available at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/report101.pdf
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Taxation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish his Department's research on dynamic scoring and the broader-economy effects of changes to taxation. [136687]
Mr Gauke: The Department routinely considers the broader-economy effects of changes to taxation. Information on the broader-economy effects of changes to taxation can be found in the OBR's Economic and fiscal outlook, at:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-december-2012/
Taxation: Public Houses
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much unpaid VAT and PAYE owed by operators of public houses was written off by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years. [136456]
Mr Gauke: This information is not available centrally, and could be researched only at disproportionate cost.