Schools: Construction
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the written ministerial statement on the Priority School Building Programme, published on 24 May 2012, which schools under that programme (a) have started rebuilding and construction, (b) are scheduled to start rebuilding and construction by 31 December 2013 and (c) will not be starting rebuilding and construction until after 31 December 2013. [140671]
Elizabeth Truss: On 24 May 2012, the Secretary of State for Education confirmed that 261 schools will be rebuilt, or have their condition needs met through the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP).
The programme will be delivered by grouping schools together into “batches”. The process to group the schools has taken into account a number of factors including condition, geography and commercial viability i.e. ensuring that there will be a strong competition for the work which will deliver value for money for the public purse. As far as possible, the needs of the schools in the worst condition will be addressed first.
This is a significant programme of rebuilding and it will be delivered over a number of years.
The DFE is already working with the schools who we expect to form the first 11 batches. For the first two batches of schools, the business cases have been prepared and approved, contractors have prepared tenders and the DFE has evaluated these tenders and selected the contractors who will undertake the works. Planning applications will be submitted in the next few weeks and construction work will start in the summer.
At present we can only estimate the number of schools that are scheduled to start construction by 31 December 2013 and therefore those that will start construction after 31 December 2013. There are a number of factors that influence this including changes that have been requested locally to the capacity of schools, existing site conditions and constraints and how contractors will schedule their works to deliver best value for money.
We plan to have approximately 20 to 25 projects on site by the end of this year and a large number of procurements for other schools in progress.
Schools: Voluntary Work
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to encourage volunteering in schools. [140846]
Elizabeth Truss: While volunteers such as parents should not replace school staff, we welcome the huge commitment volunteers give to schools in England. That is one reason why this Government are scaling back criminal records checking to common sense levels. Individuals should no longer face excessive red tape when offering to volunteer in schools.
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In particular, changes will take place so that volunteers will benefit from a new updating service where they present a single criminal records check to any number of organisations, who simply verify online that it remains up-to-date. This will avoid the need to apply for multiple checks to work with different organisations. In addition, schools will not do barred list checks on supervised volunteers. The Disclosure and Barring Service does not charge a fee for criminal records checks for volunteers, and will not charge a fee for the updating service for volunteers. These moves will cut red- tape and reduce the burden on those who give up their time to volunteer with children.
We are also helping schools recruit skilled people as governors by continuing to fund the School Governors' One-Stop Shop which recruits candidates from the business world and brokers their placement into governing bodies that need them.
Visits Abroad
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2013, Official Report, column 44W, on visits abroad, if he will provide a breakdown of the total cost of the three overseas visits he has undertaken on official Government business in the last 12 months. [140651]
Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 31 January 2013]: All costs for overseas visits are published on the Department's website as part of the transparency commitment:
http://tinyurl.com/bfgaw7o
Attorney-General
Burglary
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many cases of burglary have been referred by police forces in England and Wales to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision in each of the last five years. [141574]
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The Attorney-General: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 28 January 2013, Official Report, column 547W.
Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875
Mr Watson: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions have been brought under the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 in the last 30 years. [140687]
The Solicitor-General: During the last seven complete financial years for which Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offence data are held, there are no records of a prosecution under the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875. The CPS does not maintain a central record of offences prosecuted prior to the financial year 2005-06.
Human Trafficking
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2012, Official Report, columns 156-7, how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions for human trafficking there have been in each of the last three years; and where that information is publicly recorded. [140578]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) collects data to assist in the effective management of its prosecution functions; it does not collect data which constitutes official statistics as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
Since April 2010, all CPS areas are required to place an electronic flag on the CPS Case Management System (CMS) from the pre-charge stage for all cases of human trafficking. This includes all cases which have commenced as a human trafficking charge but then proceed to prosecution on a different charge or result in a conviction for a different offence, and 64 cases where human trafficking was the main offence. These cases were not recorded separately as my earlier answer suggested. This will be recorded in the CPS Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report. The following table shows the number and outcome of cases flagged as human trafficking for the last three years to date.
| CPS: Human trafficking flagged prosecutions | ||||||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13(1) | ||||
| Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | |
| (1) 1 April 2012 to 7 January 2013 Notes: 1. Convictions comprise guilty pleas, convictions after trial and proceedings which are proved in absence. 2. Unsuccessful outcomes comprise prosecutions dropped, administrative finalisations, discharged committals and cases acquitted or dismissed following a contested hearing. | ||||||
Minimum Wage: Prosecutions
Chris Bryant: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were successfully carried out for failure to abide by national minimum wage legislation in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012. [141391]
The Attorney-General: Based on data held centrally by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) together with information provided by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which has responsibility for enforcing the law in relation to the national minimum wage (NMW), no prosecutions for relevant offences were completed in either 2011 or 2012 and thus no convictions are recorded for these years. There is currently one live prosecution which awaits trial and is sub judice.
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Travel and Subsistence Payments
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Attorney-General (1) how many senior officials in the Law Officers' Departments arm's-length bodies (a) have and (b) have had during 2012-13 terms of employment that specify that their main place of employment is their home address and that they are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses for visiting the offices of the arm's-length body; [141065]
(2) how many chairs in the Law Officers' Departments arm's-length bodies are paid on the basis that they are exempt from personally meeting any tax liability in respect of travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings at the offices of the arm's-length body; [141066]
(3) how many senior officials of the Law Officers' Departments arm's-length bodies are paid on the basis that they are exempt from personally meeting any tax liability in respect of travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings at the offices of the arm's-length body. [141067]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers' Departments are not responsible for any arm’s length bodies.
Transport
A1: North Yorkshire
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much his Department has spent on compulsory reacquisition of land needed for the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade since the Government's decision to reinstate that project; [140502]
(2) how much his Department had spent on preliminary plans for the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade prior to the decision to end the project following the 2010 comprehensive spending review; [140503]
(3) how much his Department has spent on (a) costs for design, (b) public consultation and (c) the purchase of properties and land for the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade to date; [140524]
(4) how much of the funding allocated for the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade will be spent on (a) construction costs and (b) property management; [140596]
(5) how much his Department has spent on the retendering process following the Government's decision to reinstate the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade; [140597]
(6) how much his Department has spent on preliminary plans to upgrade the A1 Leeming to Barton following its decision to reinstate the project. [140600]
Stephen Hammond: The Highways Agency has not acquired any land for the A1 Leeming to Barton scheme since the project was reinstated.
The amount spent on preliminary plans for the A1 Leeming to Barton scheme prior to the decision to cancel the project in 2010 was £19 million.
To date, the Highways Agency has spent:
(a) £12.3 million on developing the section of the A1 between Leeming to Barton.
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(b) £199,000 on public consultation. These costs were incurred when the Leeming to Barton section was part of the wider A1 Dishforth to Barton upgrade.
(c) £4 million on the purchase of property and land between Leeming and Barton.
The current expected construction cost, based on the last approved estimate for the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade is £206 million. This cost will be refined as design progresses.
None of the funding allocated for the A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade will be spent on property management as those costs are not set against the project. The HA manages its property as a portfolio to achieve the most efficient and cost effective contract.
The agency has not incurred retendering costs as a consequence of the project's reinstatement. An Early Contractor Involvement contract was awarded in 2004 for the A1 Dishforth to Barton upgrade. Although the contractor was instructed to suspend work on the Leeming to Barton section after the 2010 spending review announcement, the contract remained as work continued on the Dishforth to Leeming section. Following the autumn statement in 2012, 5 December 2012, Official Report, columns 871-82, the contractor was instructed to recommence work on the Leeming to Barton section.
Costs expended on developing A1 Leeming to Barton since the autumn statement in December 2012 are £220,000.
Biofuels
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the sustainability of (a) palm oil, (b) jatropha and (c) other biofuel liquids. [140593]
Norman Baker: The UK implemented the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and introduced mandatory sustainability criteria into the RTFO in December 2011. Since then all biofuels, regardless of feedstock and including those made from palm oil, have had to meet these mandatory sustainability criteria in order to be counted towards meeting the target in the RED and to receive reward under the RTFO scheme.
In respect of the total biofuel(1) reported under the RTFO, verified data for obligation years 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 suggests that 46%, 51%, and 57% greenhouse gas savings compared to fossil fuels were achieved respectively in each year. For 2011/12 provisional figures suggest 62% savings from April to December 2011 and 63% savings from December 2011 to April 2012. These figures, including those for fuel supplied post 15 December 2011, exclude emissions from indirect land use change (ILUC). This Government has been clear that biofuels must lead to a worthwhile reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and be sustainable. For this to happen it is imperative that ILUC is properly addressed, which needs to be done at EU level.
In 2008/09 a total of 127 million litres of biodiesel derived from palm oil was reported by suppliers, in 2009/10 99 million litres, in 2010/11 35 million litres and in 2011/12 550,000 litres. As a proportion of overall supply of biofuels in the UK, this represents 10%, 6%, 2% and 0.1% respectively in each of these years. No biodiesel produced from jatropha was reported.
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The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) has been in operation since 2008. Statistics covering the volume of biofuel supplied by feedstock and country of origin are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/series/biofuels-statistics
(1) The volume of biogas reported in these years was minimal and accounts for less than 1%.
Buses: First Aid
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirements the Government have put in place for the provision of (a) first aid kits and (b) first aid facilitation on public buses carrying out domestic services in the UK. [140666]
Norman Baker: There is no requirement for first aid kits to be carried on local service buses. There are provisions in the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) for first aid kits to be carried on longer distance services.
Although there are no specific regulations on the facilitation of first aid, since September 2008 all professional bus and coach drivers have been required to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and undertake 35 hours of periodic training every five years as a requirement of EU Directive 2003/59. While the EU directive does not stipulate that there should be any compulsory aspect to periodic training, first aid training courses for drivers are widely available as part of the periodic Certificate of Professional Competence training syllabus.
Car Tax
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate how many foreign vehicles that have been in the country for more than six months are not registered for UK road tax. [141046]
Stephen Hammond: It is not possible to estimate how many foreign vehicles have been in the country for more than six months as records are not kept of foreign registered vehicles entering or leaving the UK. I am aware of unofficial estimates in circulation, but DVLA is unable to confirm these figures.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure that foreign vehicles pay road tax after being in the UK for more than six months. [141047]
Stephen Hammond: Current enforcement around foreign registered vehicles is carried out in a proportionate way focusing on those seen as hardened evaders. It is for the keeper of the vehicle to prove that the vehicle has been in the UK for less than six months. Abuse of the system is considered to be low but this position is kept under review. To have foreign registered vehicles staying in the UK for more than six months has implications for both road safety and tax revenue, and so I am keen that we continue enforcing this.
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Durham Tees Valley Airport
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give support to Durham Tees Valley airport's bid for round four regional growth fund funding. [141403]
Mr Simon Burns: Round 4 of the Regional Growth Fund was announced on 17 January. The fund is a competitive process and all bids are assessed against the set criteria to lever private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment. Successful bids will be announced in the summer.
Any bid by Durham Tees Valley airport will be assessed along the lines set out.
Great Western Railway Line
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from the Mayor of Bristol, the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and the Severn Side Rail Partnership, on the future of the Great Western Rail franchise. [141212]
Mr Simon Burns: I welcome the contributions of the Severnside Rail Partnership and West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, who have both been active participants in the recently terminated GW refranchising competition; and responded to the consultation which took place as part of that process. The Severnside Rail Partnership also made representations to my predecessor in support of retaining through services from London to Weston Super Mare, and have since expressed views on other priorities for the franchise.
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership has requested a meeting with senior officials as the Department which has been arranged for 12 February 2013.
We are in regular dialogue with the Severnside Rail Partnership and understand they were due to meet the Mayor of Bristol on 1 February 2013. We have yet to receive representations directly from the new Mayor, but would welcome his input.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the economic benefit of High Speed 2 in West Cumbria. [141018]
Mr Simon Burns:
Phase Two of High Speed 2 will transform journey times, capacity and connectivity between major cities of the north, Midlands and London enabling northern regions to fulfil their economic potential. Journey time improvements will be possible from new classic-compatible high speed trains serving Cumbria. HS2 will also free up space for additional commuter, regional and freight services on the West Coast Mainline offering more opportunity for services to meet local needs. Latest estimates published in August 2012 suggest HS2 will deliver net benefits of £64 billion including over £15 billion in wider economic impacts. If local areas seize the opportunity offered by HS2 these benefits could be
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greater, HS2 Ltd will undertake further work to assess the sub-national, regional and local economic impacts of HS2.
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the cost to taxpayers of the compensation payments for the construction of phase two of High Speed 2. [141342]
Mr Simon Burns: We do not offer precise predictions of the costs of the compensation schemes for phase two of HS2. This is because the number of property owners who may seek compensation, the circumstances of the properties which the Government might purchase, and the precise costs of properties (especially if they are bought some time in the future) are not within the Department's control. We would not want to imply that the budget is cash-limited and that this would affect our willingness to purchase properties.
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many homes in Stafford constituency will be demolished during the construction of phase two of High Speed 2. [141343]
Mr Simon Burns: According to a January 2013 check of geographical data by HS2 Ltd, five homes in Stafford constituency would be demolished during construction of phase two of HS2.
However, more work will be undertaken to refine the alignment and include mitigation. Therefore, the potential impacts may change as designs are progressed. In particular, the advice received during later public consultation will be fundamental to the final scheme design.
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on land and property values in Stafford constituency as a result of the proposed route of High Speed 2. [141344]
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on land and property values in Tamworth constituency as a result of the High Speed 2 extension to Leeds. [141536]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment the effect that the initial preferred route for Phase Two would have on land and property values in the Stafford or Tamworth constituencies.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the number of properties in (a) Warrington and (b) Warrington North which will be affected by the proposed route for High Speed 2. [141437]
Mr Simon Burns: If the line is built along the initial preferred route, then in the Warrington North constituency area 21 properties would be demolished, of which four are residential. A further three properties would be at risk of demolition.
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In the Warrington South constituency area three residential properties would be demolished. We have no estimate of the number of properties which may be affected in other ways.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the potential economic benefits of the proposed High Speed 2 extension to Leeds to (a) individuals and (b) businesses in Tamworth. [141535]
Mr Simon Burns: Phase two of High Speed 2 will transform journey times, capacity and connectivity between major cities of the north, midlands and London, enabling northern regions to fulfil their economic potential.
HS2 will also free up space for additional commuter, regional and freight services on the West Coast Mainline offering more opportunity for services to meet local needs. Latest estimates published in August 2012 suggest HS2 will deliver net benefits of £64 billion, including over £15 billion in wider economic impacts. If local areas seize the opportunity offered by HS2 these benefits could be greater. HS2 Ltd will undertake further work to assess the sub-national, regional and local economic impacts of HS2.
We will deliver a fair deal for people whose homes, land or businesses will be affected by construction by continuing to offer a generous compensation package and investing millions in tunnels and other mitigation measures.
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be created in each city along the proposed route of High Speed 2 as a result of that project. [141576]
Mr Simon Burns: Initial work on the potentially significant opportunities offered by HS2 indicates that phase two of the scheme would be expected to support some 49,700 jobs.
On the western leg to Manchester, the proposed terminus station at Manchester Piccadilly is predicted to support an estimated 29,700 jobs and the proposed interchange station at Manchester airport would support an estimated 300 jobs.
On the eastern leg to Leeds, it is estimated that the Leeds New Lane station could support an estimated 13,200 jobs; the East Midlands Hub could support an estimated 1,500 jobs, while Sheffield Meadowhall station could support an estimated 5,000 jobs.
Further details can be found in the Sustainability Summary document published on 28 January and placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether compensation arrangements set up for phase two of High Speed 2 will be made under the terms of the (a) Compulsory Purchase Act 1965, (b) Land Compensation Act 1973 and (c) Acquisition of Land Act 1981. [141674]
Mr Simon Burns:
At present we are proposing an exceptional hardship scheme for phase two. This would be a discretionary scheme, making compensation available beyond the requirements of statute, though not replacing any statutory entitlement. At a later stage, following a
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decision on the final route and if the Secretary of State decided to use compulsory powers to acquire land, the normal statutory provisions for the assessment and payment of compensation would apply.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis his Department will compensate those affected by the proposed High Speed 2 extension to Leeds; when he anticipates compensation will be paid; and which valuations will be used to decide on the amount of such compensation. [141702]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government have announced a public consultation on the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) for Phase Two of HS2. The consultation document includes the details of the Government's proposals and is available on the HS2 Ltd website at:
http://www.hs2.org.uk/have-your-say/consultations/phase-two
The consultation will close on 29 April 2013. The Exceptional Hardship Scheme would be an interim scheme, to remain in place only until such time as the statutory blight provisions apply to properties affected by Phase Two or we introduce a wider package of discretionary measures broadly consistent with those for Phase One. At a later stage, following a decision on the final route, and if the Secretary of State decided to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire land, the normal statutory provisions for the assessment and payment of compensation would apply.
Large Goods Vehicles
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to introduce a free dated road disc for goods vehicles registered abroad that would expire six months after entry to the UK; and if he will make a statement. [141045]
Stephen Hammond: There are no plans to introduce the policy as stated.
Directive 83/182/EEC allows EU citizens visiting another member state in their own vehicle temporary immunity from duties during the period of their stay. There is no requirement therefore to issue visitors with a tax disc notifying the authorities of their status.
Under the 1975 International Circulation order, foreign citizens visiting the UK may drive on their foreign licences for up to 12 months as a visitor without needing to exchange their licences. There are no other administrative requirements to this law.
Motor Vehicles: Registration
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that foreign vehicles are registered with the DVLA after being in the country for six months. [140905]
Stephen Hammond: Information about when vehicles need to be registered and licensed is published at:
www.gov.uk
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency maintains a record of foreign registered vehicles reported by members of the public, the police or local authorities. Evidence that a vehicle has been in the UK for more than six months, may result in enforcement action. This can
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include the wheel clamping and impounding of the vehicle. The onus is on the keeper of the vehicle to prove that it has been in the country for less than six months; I am keen that we continue enforcing this.
Public Transport
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which external organisations he has met to discuss Access for All measures to provide easier access for older or disabled passengers and those with small children. [141124]
Norman Baker: Ministerial colleagues and I have discussed the programme with a variety of industry and disability organisations as part of broader meetings and events, in particular during the development of the Department's Accessibility Action Plan which involved engagement with a large number of organisations representing people with disabilities at meetings I chaired.
In addition, Officials from the Department regularly meet representatives from the rail industry, local authorities and disability groups about the programme.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to increase access to transport for older or disabled passengers and those with small children. [141125]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has recently published an Accessibility Action Plan (‘Transport for Everyone’) which outlines the measures the Department is planning to implement to increase access to public transport, including for older and disabled people and those with small children. The Plan is intended to improve customer experience and build on the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the heart of the Plan is the importance of improving physical accessibility, providing better information for the traveller, and improving attitudes and behaviour, especially towards disabled passengers. Some of the specific measures in the Plan, aimed at older and disabled people, include reducing conflict in shared space areas on buses by improving signage, ensuring buses and trains comply with accessibility regulations, providing additional funding for the Access for All programme for rail stations, and developing an accessible journey planner. The action plan is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accessibility-action-plan
Public Transport: Disability
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many complaints his Department received regarding assisted travel bookings for blind, partially-sighted and disabled people on (a) trains, (b) coaches and (c) aeroplanes in (i) 2012, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2009 and (v) 2008; [141121]
(2) how many complaints his Department received regarding access to transport for blind, partially-sighted and disabled people in (a) 2012, (b) 2011, (c) 2010, (d) 2009 and (e) 2008. [141123]
Norman Baker: I am afraid that the answers to these questions can only be given at disproportionate cost.
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Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many disabled people booked assisted travel on (a) trains, (b) coaches and (c) aeroplanes in (i) 2012, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2009 and (v) 2008. [141122]
Norman Baker: The information requested is not held centrally.
Railways: Fares
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy not to introduce a high peak fare as set out in his Department's publication Rail Fares and Ticket Review: Initial Consultation, published in March 2012. [140563]
Norman Baker: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Transport on 17 January 2013 to the Hon Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood) [Official Report, Column 1004].
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the Rail Fares and Ticketing Review: Initial Consultation, published in March 2012, what recent discussions his Department has had with train operating companies about proposals to introduce a new high-peak fare. [140620]
Norman Baker: Ministers and officials meet regularly with the Association of Train Operating Companies to discuss current issues, including the range of proposals on rail fares and ticketing set out in our March 2012 consultation document.
Skinningrove Jetty
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department will have discussions with Redcar and Cleveland borough council about improving the safety of Skinningrove Jetty. [141433]
Norman Baker: The safety of Skinningrove Jetty is the responsibility of Redcar and Cleveland borough council, who are discussing its future with the local community.
Waterloo Station
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made on re-opening the platforms at the former Waterloo International Terminal for domestic commuter services; and if he will make a statement. [140595]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government is committed to bringing the former International platforms at Waterloo station into domestic use, commencing with platform 20 being brought back into use by 2014 to assist South West Trains in delivering additional capacity into this busy station. In advance of this, work to refurbish the roof is already under way.
With regard to the other four former international platforms, previous plans to bring these back into use have now been subject to detailed evaluation which has shown them to be too short-term in respect of the efficient overall expansion of Waterloo station. A more
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comprehensive and longer term plan is required. On 16 July 2012 the Secretary of State published the High Level Output Specification (HLOS), which included recognition that major works are likely to be required at London Waterloo and made provision for this as part of a wider rail strategy for Control Period 5 (2014-19).
Network Rail published its Strategic Business Plan (SBP) in January 2013 setting out how the rail industry proposes to deliver the Government's HLOS rail strategy for 2014-19. The SBP proposes a £300 million investment to increase capacity into London Waterloo in CP5 as part of a longer term enhancement programme that will deliver significant capacity improvements into CP6 and beyond. During CP5, improvements will focus on suburban routes into London with platform extensions to accommodate longer 10 car trains and the integration of the former Waterloo International Terminal and its platforms to increase capacity within the station.
The independent Office of Rail Regulation will review the SBP during the spring and publish its draft findings for public consultation in June 2013. It will take account of responses and then publish its final determination, setting out, among other matters, what enhancements Network Rail is required to provide and what funds it is to be provided with for this purpose.
The Department for Transport is committed to making sure the industry is making best use of Government-funded investment.
West Coast Railway Line
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the economic effects of the upgraded West Coast Mainline on Warrington. [141438]
Mr Simon Burns: It is the Department's intention to carry out a review into the effects of the West Coast Main Line upgrade in due course, when a sufficient number of years' data are available to enable meaningful analysis.
West Coast Railway Line: Franchises
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures and safeguards his Department will put in place to ensure that a situation like the collapse of the West Coast Mainline franchise deal never occurs again. [141692]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has set out steps to take in response to the Laidlaw inquiry which can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-report-of-the-laidlaw-inquiry
Mr Laidlaw's detailed recommendations deserve, and are getting, careful consideration, and the Secretary of State for Transport will be making a further statement on the future of the franchising programme and policy in the spring.
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Defence
Afghanistan
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts have been signed regarding the logistical withdrawal of equipment from Afghanistan to date; and with whom. [140728]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 31 January 2013]: Redeployment of equipment from Afghanistan began in earnest and as planned on 1 October 2012. Records show that since this date we have not placed any new contracts specifically relating to redeployment, though we have amended an existing Seafast contract which provides a weekly freight forwarding capability out of and into Afghanistan.
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many agreements have been reached with national Governments regarding the logistical withdrawal of equipment from Afghanistan. [140729]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 31 January 2013]: We have a substantial number of extant agreements with allies in Europe and the middle east, which are utilised to allow movement into and out of Afghanistan through the use of established transit routes including via Pakistan.
NATO has established reverse surface transit permissions with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as use of the Russian airbase at Ulyanovsk for cargo flown direct from Afghanistan and which is then transferred to rail for onward transport.
We are also seeking to increase resilience by negotiating bilateral surface and air reverse transit agreements with the Central Asian Republics. These negotiations are at varying stages of development. Once ratified, the bilateral agreements will provide a range of options for the redeployment of UK personnel and equipment via northern lines of communication.
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) who will be responsible for the protection of UK military trainers in Afghanistan after 2014; [141230]
(2) who will be responsible for force protection of military trainers in Afghanistan after 2014. [141231]
Mr Robathan: Other than our commitment to lead the international contribution to the Afghan national army officer academy in Kabul, no final decision has been made on the UK's post 2014 presence in Afghanistan.
The Afghan national officer academy is being built within the perimeter of an Afghan facility, the perimeter of which will be defended by Afghan troops. Inside this Afghan National Army perimeter, UK personnel based at the Academy will operate from within a coalition force Operating Base where they will be protected by UK or coalition military personnel.
The ability to provide force protection will be a key consideration for any additional contribution we may decide to make.
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Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the status of forces agreement will be for UK service personnel serving in Afghanistan after 2014; and who will any agreement cover; [141232]
(2) what the rules of engagement will be for UK service armed forces personnel serving in Afghanistan post-2014. [141233]
Mr Robathan: At the NATO Chicago conference nations agreed, at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to a new NATO led post-2014 mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces. Final decisions on the legal basis and rules of engagement for the post-2014 mission have not yet been taken.
Africa
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military trainers are (a) in Mali, (b) travelling to Mali and (c) in North West Africa. [141577]
Mr Robathan: We are still awaiting the outcome of meetings regarding contributions to the European Union Training Mission. There are no UK military trainers either in or travelling to Mali. We currently have 35 UK military personnel employed in training roles in Sierra Leone and Nigeria as part of our long-term programmes of defence engagement.
Armed Forces: Housing Benefit
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2013, Official Report, column 285W, on Armed Forces: Housing Benefit, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the effect of the under-occupancy penalty on service personnel and their families. [141432]
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the under-occupancy penalty and payments of disability living allowance to injured armed forces personnel. [140889]
Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 9 January 2013, Official Report, column 285W, to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop). However, I can confirm that I am scheduled to meet the Minister for Welfare Reform, my noble Friend, Lord Freud, this week.
Army: Scotland
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when each army careers office and career clinic in Scotland (a) closed and (b) is scheduled to close by 26 March 2013 under the recruit partnering project; [141441]
(2) how many (a) service personnel and (b) civilian personnel were employed at army careers offices and career clinics in (i) Dumfries, (ii) Perth, (iii) Kirkcaldy,
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(iv) Bathgate, (v) Galashiels, (vi) Dumbarton, (vii) Hamilton, (viii) Irvine, (ix) Paisley, (x) Stirling, (xi) Wick, (xii) Elgin, (xiii) Greenock and (xiv) Dunfermline; [141442]
(3) how many (a) service personnel and (b) civilian personnel will be employed at army career centres in (i) Aberdeen, (ii) Dundee, (iii) Edinburgh, (iv) Glasgow and (iv) Inverness under the recruit partnering project. [141443]
Mr Francois: In March 2012; a contract was let to Capita Business Services Ltd, for the delivery of Army recruiting in partnership with the Army. This is known as the Recruit Partnering Project and is expected to deliver benefits in excess of £300 million over the 10-year life of the contract, as well as providing assured and incentivised levels of recruiting performance for the Army.
Over the years the Army has continually developed the laydown of the recruiting offices across the UK to meet the business requirement and the changing demands of the recruiting environment. Research indicates that today's target audience is twice as likely to look online for career guidance and advice, and we are therefore introducing a wide selection of contact channels, including improved digital access, to meet the individual preference. As a result the number of recruiting offices is being reduced across the whole of the UK. Some 73 recruiting offices will be retained and will be known as Army career centres, based on a footprint which lies within a reasonable travelling distance of over 90% of the target population.
The dates that the Army careers offices and career clinics in Scotland that have closed or are to close under the Recruit Partnering Project are detailed in the following table. The closure of the Greenock office happened before the Recruit Partnering Project started and so has not been included.
| Location | Date closed | Date to close |
The numbers employed in Army careers offices and career clinics in Scotland that have closed or are to close under the Recruit Partnering Project are detailed as follows. Again the Greenock office has not been included as it closed prior to the start of the Recruit Partnering Project.
| Location | Service personnel | Civil service personnel as at 30 September 2012 |
4 Feb 2013 : Column 76W
Service personnel employed in those offices that have closed or are closing will transfer to alternative appointments in the normal manner. All civil service personnel have either transferred to Capita under TUPE terms or have taken voluntary early release from the civil service.
The numbers to be employed in Army career centres and outreach teams in Scotland under the Recruit Partnering Project are:
| Location | Service personnel | Civilian Capita employees |
Aviation
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Minister of State for the Armed Forces has taken flights in the UK in an official capacity since May 2010; how many such flights were (a) charter flights, (b) first or club class and (c) by helicopter; and who accompanied him on each such trip. [140981]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 1 February 2013]: The Minister of State for the Armed Forces has taken a total of 11 flights in an official capacity since May 2010:
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| Rt. Hon. Andrew Robathan | |||
| Visited | Flight | Accompanied by: | |
Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions military personnel were deployed on the streets of Northern Ireland in 2012 to deal with explosive devices. [141059]
Mr Robathan: The Explosive Ordnance Device teams in Northern Ireland respond with great professionalism to all requests for assistance. We will continue to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the most operationally effective way.
During 2012, Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel have responded on 318 occasions to incidents in Northern Ireland.
C-17 Aircraft
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the per-week cost to the UK will be of deploying two C-17 aircraft to Mali. [140726]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 31 January 2013]: We are currently supporting French operations in Mali with one C-17 for which the additional cost to the UK per week is currently approximately £1 million. This is expected to be paid for by the Cross-Government Conflict Pool.
Cemeteries: Bassetlaw
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the state of repair of the headstone and plot of Trooper Anthony Dykes of the Blues and Royals in Harworth Cemetery, Bassetlaw; and who is responsible for the upkeep of this headstone and plot. [141234]
Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is responsible for the maintenance of Trooper Dykes' grave. Unfortunately the grave was not listed on our maintenance database, and this accounts for regular maintenance not being undertaken. Arrangements have now been made for the maintenance contractor to conduct an urgent inspection of the grave within the next seven days, and any remedial work necessary will be undertaken.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for bringing this matter to our attention.
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Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress he has made on the organisational redesign of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and whether any outside consultants have been employed to advise his Department on that matter in the last full year for which data is available. [140504]
Mr Francois: The Defence Infrastructure (DIO) Enhanced Operating Model will be established from April 2013. The organisational design has been completed and the progress to populate the organisation is currently under way with appropriate trade unions consultation.
A new Management Information System was recently procured through IBM to underpin both revised processes and organisational structure implementation. DIO has utilised consultants for some elements of the transformation programme since January 2011, following both departmental and Cabinet Office approvals.
Depleted Uranium
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 18 January 2013, Official Report, column 964W, on depleted uranium, what studies have been conducted on civilians in Iraq to assess levels of, and the health effects arising from, exposure to depleted uranium during the 2003 conflict in that country. [141402]
Mr Robathan: Such studies, if necessary, would be the responsibility of the Iraqi Government, and we are not aware of any such studies being conducted. Monitoring of UK veterans and range workers was conducted for purposes of reassurance; our own environmental monitoring and that carried out by the UN Environment Programme in areas where depleted uranium (DU) munitions have been used has confirmed the presence of DU at levels far too low to have any detectable health impact.
Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the future of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. [141043]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence on 5 July 2012, Official Report, column 1086, in which he stated that the Regular component of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment will remain unchanged under Army 2020. It is intended that the regular battalions will form part of the adaptable force and will fulfil light role and light protected mobility roles.
Decisions on the future structure of the Territorial Army, including the 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, will be subject to a ministerial announcement later this year.
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Indian Ocean Tsunami
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of British military involvement in Operation Garron; and if he will make a statement. [140529]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 31 January 2013]: A full internal operational lessons study was undertaken into Operation Garron, the Defence contribution to the DFID-led UK response to the international humanitarian disaster relief operation in the countries affected by the tsunami in the Indian ocean on 26 December 2004. Lessons identified from such operations have and will help shape any future military response to humanitarian disaster relief.
Lord Britten of Aldeburgh
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his Department's policy not to release film footage relating to the life and works of the late Lord Britten of Aldeburgh as a consequence of his being categorised as a deserter and a pacifist. [141435]
Mr Francois: Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no policies which would prevent the release of film footage relating to the life and work of Lord Britten of Aldeburgh as a result of the categorisation described.
Mali
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether unmanned drones are operational in Mali; and whether any such drones have been moved into the region. [141001]
Mr Robathan: There are currently no UK unmanned aircraft systems operational in Mali, nor have any been moved into the region.
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of British troop commitments to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali; how many troops from participating Economic Community of West African States countries are (a) committed and (b) being trained as part of this mission; and if he will make a statement. [141423]
Mr Robathan: The international community is still developing specific proposals for the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA). The UK is prepared to contribute up to 200 personnel to provide training to troops from Anglophone West African countries contributing to AFISMA, although the numbers required will be dependent upon the requirements of the AFISMA contributing nations.
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops have been earmarked for involvement in the EU training mission to Mali; and if he will make a statement. [141424]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence on 29 January 2013, Official Report, column 792, in which he stated that the UK is looking at offering up to 40 military personnel for EUTM Mali.
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The force generation process has not yet been completed and as such offers and allocations have not been confirmed.
The next stage of force generation will take place in Brussels on 5 February 2013.
Military Aircraft
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where all the UK Sentinel aircraft were deployed on 24 January 2013. [140725]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 31 January 2013]: The RAF operates five Sentinel R1 aircraft. On 24 January 2013, one aircraft was deployed in the Gulf in support of Op Herrick and four aircraft were at their home base RAF Waddington. One of these four has since deployed to west Africa in support of French military operations in Mali.
Nimrod Aircraft
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the annual costs associated with utilising alternative capabilities to fulfil the role that would otherwise have been undertaken by Nimrod MRA4 aircraft. [141228]
Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne), on 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 616W, in which he stated that the maritime patrol capability previously provided by the Nimrod MRA4 is being mitigated by a range of assets. These assets have other primary roles and conduct other tasking, which makes it impossible to estimate and isolate the cost of the maritime patrol aircraft role.
RAF Lossiemouth
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 28 January 2013, Official Report, column 569W, on RAF Lossiemouth, when the Quick Reaction Alert North duties will be transferred from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth; [141301]
(2) when the phased relocation of the RAF Leuchars element of the Typhoon Force is scheduled to be completed. [141302]
Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 January 2013, Official Report, column 569W, to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).
As planning work is ongoing, dates have yet to be finalised for the transfer of Quick Reaction Alert North responsibility and the completed relocation of the RAF Leuchars element of the Typhoon Force to RAF Lossiemouth.
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Reserve Forces
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many joint exercises between the Territorial Army and Reserves are planned for each of the next seven years; [140808]
(2) how many joint training exercises the Territorial Army has conducted with regular forces in each of the last seven years. [140809]
Mr Francois [holding answer 1 February 2013]: Information on the number of joint exercises involving Territorial Army and regular forces conducted over the last seven years is not held in the format requested. However, many Army units have reserve and regular forces as part of their structure and conduct integrated exercises as a matter of course.
As the Secretary of State for Defence said in his statement on 8 November 2012, Official Report, column 1025, on Future Reserves, reserve units will be paired with, train with, and achieve the same standards, as their regular counterparts. They will also deploy routinely, together with regular forces, on major overseas exercises.
In the future the Army will be planning for approximately 13 major exercises per annum both in the UK and abroad. These exercises are each expected to have over 500 participants. Reserve elements will take part in these exercises operating alongside regular units. The level of integration will depend upon the units involved, the requirements of the exercise and the scenario upon which it is based.
Royal Corps of Signals: Redundancy
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in the Royal Corps of Signals, by rank, are liable for redundancy under tranche 3. [140976]
Mr Francois [holding answer 1 February 2013]: The number of personnel in the Royal Corps of Signals who are required to be made redundant under tranche 3 of the armed forces redundancy programme is as follows:
| Number | |
Travel and Subsistence Payments
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many senior officials in his Department (a) have and (b) have had during 2012-13 terms of employment that specify that their main place of employment is their home address and that they are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses for visiting departmental offices; [141080]
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(2) how many senior officials in his Department's arm's-length bodies (a) have and (b) have had during 2012-13 terms of employment that specify that their main place of employment is their home address and that they are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses for visiting the offices of the arm's-length body; [141137]
(3) how many chairs in his Department's arm's-length bodies are paid on the basis that they are exempt from personally meeting any tax liability in respect of travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings at the offices of the arm's-length body; [141138]
(4) how many senior officials of his Department's arm's-length bodies are paid on the basis that they are exempt from personally meeting any tax liability in respect of travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings at the offices of the arm's-length body. [141139]
Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) fully supports a policy of alternative working practices, however no senior officials in the MOD or its trading funds have terms of employment that specify their main place of employment as their home address. Similarly, on that basis there is no tax liability issue.
Health
Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith) of 25 January 2013, Official Report, column 486W, on health services: rural areas, what the membership of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) is; how often and when ACRA has met since May 2010; what evidence base is used to determine the additional cost of delivering services in rural areas; and what ACRA's administrative costs and members' expenses were in each of the last three financial years. [140564]
Dr Poulter: The Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) is an independent expert committee comprising directors of public health, general practitioners (GPs), academics and NHS managers. It also supported by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG). We expect the membership and governance of ACRA to be reviewed during the year to ensure it continues to be fit-for-purpose for the new commissioning systems. As of October 2012 there were 35 ACRA or TAG members. The detailed composition was:
| Composition | |
|
Civil servants from other Government Departments and devolved Administration | |
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The timing and frequency of ACRA meetings are dependent on work-load. Since May 2010 the following meetings have taken place:
| Month | Number of meetings | |
The cost of running ACRA is outlined as follows:
| £ | ||
| Administrative costs | Members' expenses | |
| Notes: 1. Administrative costs include catering and, in exceptional circumstances hiring a venue outside the civil service estate. 2. Members' expenses exclude expenses for civil servants, whose expenses are covered by their own business unit. | ||
ACRA has looked at the issue of additional cost of delivering services in rural areas numerous times.
Other than a small adjustment for the cost of Emergency Ambulance Costs it has never been able to identify evidence that would allow it to quantify the size of an adjustment for rurality.
However, the recommendations published on 10 January, highlight the potential of a new community services dataset, currently under development, to give the first truly evidence based insight into the impact of rurality on the provision of healthcare.
Alcoholic Drinks: Rehabilitation
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the Government's alcohol strategy, when the cost benefit analysis on the case for local investment in alcohol interventions and treatment services for offenders will be published. [141382]
Anna Soubry: No time scale has been set for the publication of the cost-benefit analysis on the case for local investment in alcohol interventions and treatment services for offenders.
Publication is dependent on the outcomes of pilot work to develop approaches to payment by results for treatment services for outcomes for recovery from drug or alcohol dependence. Publication is also dependent on prior publication of separate, independent research on brief interventions for those in probation services.
Alexandra Hospital Redditch
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when a decision will be made regarding the transfer of control of Redditch Alexandra Hospital to the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; [140667]
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(2) what assessment he has made of the benefits to the local community of Redditch Alexandra Hospital being transferred to the control of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; [140668]
(3) what assessment he has made of the potential transfer of Redditch Alexandra Hospital to the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; [140669]
(4) what services will be provided at Redditch Alexandra Hospital if it is moved under the control of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. [140670]
Dr Poulter: The provision of local health services is a matter for the local national health service.
National health service commissioners in Worcestershire are working with the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to review the future provision of services, which will be subject to formal public consultation planned for this summer.
Babies: Screening
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2013, Official Report, column 353W, on babies: screening, if he will issue guidance to maternity units and health visitors on routinely checking for lip-tie in newborn babies. [141044]
Dr Poulter: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises Ministers and the national health service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy and supports implementation. Using research evidence, pilot programmes and economic evaluation, it assesses the evidence for programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria.
It has been good practice for many years for all babies to have a careful physical examination after birth. On the advice of the UK NSC, the Department has set up a programme centre to oversee the implementation of a high quality and consistent NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Screening Programme.
All parents of newborn babies are offered the opportunity to have their child examined within the first 72 hours. The examination includes a general physical check as well as examination of the baby's eyes, heart, hips and testes in boys. As some conditions can develop later, the examination is repeated at six to eight weeks of age usually by a general practitioner.
The UK NSC has not reviewed the evidence for lip and tongue tie screening. However, where stakeholder organisations or individuals feel that there is enough evidence published in peer reviewed journals to consider screening for a condition they can submit a policy proposal to the UK NSC. Further information is available on the UK NSCs website at:
www.screening.nhs.uk/policyreview
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published guidance on 'Division of tongue tie for breastfeeding', 2005, on a procedure to help babies with a condition known as ankyloglossia or tongue tie to breastfeed. It is for the local NHS to plan, develop and implement the use of any such guidance in order to meet the needs and circumstances of the local population.
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Beef: Horse Meat
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Food Standards Agency will publish the results of the DNA tests that it is conducting on products following the discovery of horsemeat in burgers. [140490]
Anna Soubry: The Food Standards Agency will publish the results from the planned United Kingdom-wide study of food authenticity on equine and porcine DNA in processed meat products available at retail and catering businesses. The results are expected in April 2013.
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he was informed about the presence of horsemeat in beefburgers. [140610]
Anna Soubry: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) was notified by Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI) on 14 January that they had completed a survey into the composition of burgers and other meat products, which revealed that some contained horse and pig DNA. On 15 January FSAI informed the FSA that it would be publishing its survey.
On 15 January the FSA notified the Department of these results. Departmental Ministers were also informed on this date.
The FSA has launched an urgent investigation into this issue and is working closely with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on this. A four point plan has been published on the FSA's website at:
www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2013/jan/horse-update
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local authorities are investigating retailers whose burgers were found to contain horsemeat. [140489]
Anna Soubry: As part of their primary authority role, relevant United Kingdom local authorities are investigating food businesses implicated in the survey conducted by Food Safety Authority of Ireland in which horse DNA was identified in beef burgers produced for sale in the UK. Hertfordshire county council is conducting investigations at Tesco and Flintshire county council is investigating Iceland.
Breast Cancer
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has issued guidance to NHS trusts on the provision of appropriate (a) prostheses and (b) wigs for black and Asian women who have been treated for breast cancer. [140698]
Anna Soubry: The Department has not issued guidance to national health service trusts on the provision of prostheses or wigs for black and Asian women who have been treated for breast cancer.
The provision of breast prostheses and wigs is a matter for local NHS organisations to determine. Decisions relating to provision must be considered as part of wider considerations on how best to use funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health. This
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process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community, including the provision of prostheses and wigs.
A new agreement for the provision of breast prostheses and wigs was put in place in February 2011. All of the suppliers on the NHS agreement should be able to accommodate the needs of black and minority ethnic groups. Furthermore, local health care professionals do have the ability to obtain products from outside of the current agreement if it is deemed appropriate for the specific needs of a particular patient.
Cancer
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of patient-reported outcome measures in respect of cancer patients from black and minority ethnic groups; [140684]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the survival rates of ethnic minority cancer patients. [140695]
Anna Soubry: We know from both the 2010 and 2011-12 National Cancer Patient Experience Surveys that cancer patients from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups are significantly less likely to be positive about some aspects of their care, particularly communication and the way they are treated as patients by the staff, than white patients. This key finding replicates the findings of surveys of national health service patients in other patient pathways. The reports of the surveys can be found at the following links:
https://www.wp.dh.gov.uk/publications/files/2012/08/Cancer-Patient-Experience-Survey-National-Report-2011-12.pdf
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_122520.pdf
On 11 December 2012, the Department published ‘Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors in England: Report on a pilot survey using Patient Reported Outcomes’ (PROMS). The report summarises the results from a pilot survey sent to a sample of almost 5,000 survivors of prostate, breast, bowel and colorectal cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in the summer of 2011. The purpose of the survey was better to understand the quality of life health outcomes for cancer patients in England. A copy of the PROMS report has been placed in the Library.
Less than 7% of all respondents indicated a black or minority ethnic background resulting in too little data to analyse findings by ethnic group effectively. The high response rate (66%) overall and the willingness of large numbers of patients to provide free text comments on their quality of life, however, demonstrates the acceptability of this approach to collecting information on quality of life.
A national survey of 35,000 bowel (colorectal) cancer survivors is currently being trialled, which offers us the possibility of being able compare quality of life for different ethnic groups and for patients treated at different hospitals.
In 2009, linkage of cancer registration data to Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) allowed the first national analysis of cancer incidence and survival by ethnicity for a multitude of cancers.
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Initial analyses indicated that differences may exist, but because ethnicity data are not complete, there is a high level of uncertainty in the results and therefore care needs to be taken when interpreting them. A copy of the NCIN report ‘Cancer Incidence and Survival By Major Ethnic Group 2002-06’ can be found at the following link:
www.ncin.org.uk/view.aspx?rid=234
The second annual report of our Cancer Outcomes Strategy, published on 12 December 2012, set out that the National Cancer Equality Initiative and the NCIN have specified and agreed a range of high-level equality metrics which will be undertaken, to an agreed regularity. These include processing metrics such as the proportions of ethnicity coding recorded by providers. As ethnicity data collection improves, analysis of survival by ethnic group will become more reliable. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.
Carbon Monoxide: Alarms
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the provisions of carbon monoxide alarms to homes that receive funding for home insulation through his Department's Warm Homes Healthy People Fund. [141395]
Anna Soubry: The Cold Weather Plan for England 2012, published on 26 October 2012, recognises that carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is potentially fatal and urges individuals to consider fitting an audible CO alarm that is EN 50291-compliant, but that fitting an alarm should not replace regular maintenance of appliances. A copy of the plan has already been placed in the Library.
The Warm Homes Healthy People (WHHP) 2012 fund supports the Cold Weather Plan, and invited local authorities to submit innovative proposals to make homes warmer and reduce levels of death and morbidity.
The Department for Communities and Local Government was involved in the development of the Cold Weather Plan, and the assessment process for awarding funding to proposals from local authorities for the WHHP fund.
Clinical Trials
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the relative levels of representation of ethnic minorities in clinical trials. [140696]
Dr Poulter: The Department has made no specific assessment of the relative levels of representation of minority ethnic groups in clinical trials.
The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme has funded research related to this topic, including a project on involving South Asian patients in clinical trials. Details of this project are available on the HTA website at:
www.hta.ac.uk/project/1199.asp
Domestic Violence
Stella Creasy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he expects (a) the National Commissioning
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Board and
(b)
clinical commissioning groups to have in addressing domestic violence. [140997]
Anna Soubry: Domestic violence is recognised as a key public health issue, and the Public Health Outcomes Framework will therefore include a measure of domestic violence, which is currently being developed. As part of the health reforms, any specialist domestic violence services that were commissioned by primary care trusts will become the responsibility of the local authority.
From April 2013, commissioning hospital and community health services that are used by victims of domestic violence will become the responsibility of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) while the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) will be responsible for commissioning all primary care services, including general medical services. CCGs will have a key role in looking at the Health and Wellbeing Strategy to assess the needs of victims and ensuring these are reflected in their commissioning plans. With the Health and Wellbeing Board, they will help to ensure that local care pathways are developed and promoted, so that women and children who are victims of violence are offered the specialist help and support that they need.
Safeguarding arrangements for children and young people as well as adults are key in protecting those who might be affected by domestic violence. The Department has been working with the NHS CB and other partners to develop an accountability and assurance framework for safeguarding in the future national health service. Interim advice in September 2012 expanded on the safeguarding requirements which clinical commissioning groups had to demonstrate in order to be authorised. A copy of the report is at:
www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/files/2012/09/interim-safeguarding.pdf
An update will be published shortly, alongside revised statutory guidance.
Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many healthcare staff with direct responsibility for policy on domestic violence were employed by each primary care trust in each of the last five years. [140998]
Anna Soubry: Many healthcare staff will see people who are or may have experienced domestic violence. Information on the number of healthcare staff with direct responsibility for policy on domestic violence is not held centrally.
Donors
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to increase the number of individuals from ethnic minorities registered on the (a) bone marrow, (b) blood and (c) organ donor registers. [140697]
Anna Soubry: People from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities remain significantly under-represented across all forms of donation. The refusal rate of BAME families to consent to family members’ organs being used for transplant is nearly 80%, compared to an average 25% nationally, and only 1% of blood donors in England and North Wales are from BAME backgrounds.
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The Department established the National BAME Transplant Alliance (NBTA) in 2012 to bring together campaigning organisations to tackle the problem of low organ and stem cell donor and transplantation rates among the BAME community. It has also allocated £8 million since 2010 to improve stem cell transplant services. This work has seen an increase in the number of umbilical cord blood units donated from BAME mothers.
NHS Blood and Transplant runs regular blood and organ donor recruitment campaigns which encourage members of BAME communities to become donors. This includes plans to extend direct collaboration with local authorities in ethnically diverse areas.
We are making progress across all donation areas and, since 2010, there has been an increase of 14% in bone marrow donors on the British Bone Marrow Registry, 3% increase in active blood donors and 39% increase on the Organ Donor Register.
Glass
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of glass-related incidents was in each of the last five years. [141519]
Dr Poulter: The information requested is not available because the cost to the national health service of treating injuries caused by glass-related incidents is not reported separately to the Department.
Health
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effect an Investor State Dispute Settlement clause in the final Canada-EU Trade Agreement would have on public health; [140520]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts about the effect that including Investor State Dispute Settlement clauses in EU trade agreements would have on public health policy and on national policies to reduce smoking. [140521]
Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has not had any recent discussions of this issue with his European Union counterparts.
Although responsibility for the Canada-EU Trade Agreement rests with the Department for Business, Innovation and skills, we have been advised that the United Kingdom's experience of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses suggests that they should not, if carefully worded, constrict governments' capacity to regulate in the public interest.
Health Services
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress on the transfer of public health functions to local authorities and the formation of health and wellbeing boards. [140771]
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Anna Soubry: The Department is working alongside the Local Government Association to support local authorities in assessing their preparedness for the transfer of public health functions from 1 April 2013. Self-assessments in autumn 2012 from each upper tier and unitary local authority recorded widespread confidence at a local level that a safe transition will be achieved with 95% of the localities reporting they expect a successful outcome. The local government sector is providing peer support to the remaining 5% drawing on the Department's expertise where needed.
Shadow health and wellbeing boards are also operating and developing well in every local authority area across the country with many adopting ways of working which suit their own local circumstances.
Medical Records: Disability
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that GPs be required to provide medical reports free of charge to disabled people for the purpose of launching legal appeals. [140934]
Dr Poulter: It is important that services provided by general practitioners (GPs), which are funded by the national health service, are delivered to, and for the benefit of, the patients registered with them. Under the terms of their NHS contract for the provision of primary medical services, GPs are required to provide certain medical reports, or complete certain forms such as those required to support a claim for incapacity benefit, free of charge to their registered patients.
However, GPs also provide a variety of other services which successive Governments have regarded as private matters between the patient and the doctor providing the service. The doctor is free to make a charge for these non-NHS services if he or she wishes. There are no current plans to introduce a requirement that GPs must provide medical reports to their patients free of charge in other circumstances.
Obesity
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) children and (b) adults in Pendle constituency were classed as (i) obese and (ii) overweight when measured by body mass index in the most recent period for which figures are available. [140501]
Anna Soubry: The information requested is not centrally available in the format requested.
There are two sources of data from which relevant information about obesity and body mass index can be obtained—the ‘Health Survey for England’ and the ‘National Child Measurement Programme’.
Information on the prevalence of obese and overweight adults (men and women) aged 16 and over in England for each year from 1993 to 2011 is available in table 4 of the adult trend tables from ‘Health Survey for England—2011 trend tables’.
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Information on the prevalence of obese and overweight men and women aged 16 and over by strategic health authority (SHA) for 2011 is available in table 10.4 of the ‘Health Survey for England—2011: Health, social care and lifestyles’.
Information showing the prevalence of children (aged two to 15) who are obese or overweight is available in table 4 of the child trend tables from ‘Health Survey for England—2011 trend tables’. Information is available for children aged two to 10 and also for children aged 11 to 15 and 2 to 15 combined in England, for each year from 1995 to 2011.
Information on the prevalence of obese and overweight boys and girls aged two to 15 by SHA for 2011 is available in table 11.3 of the ‘Health Survey for England—2011: Health, social care and lifestyles’.
Information on the prevalence of obese and overweight children by region and local authority is available in tables 3A and 3B in the excel file accompanying ‘National Child Measurement Programme: England, 2011/12 school year’. In table 3A the geography is derived from the postcode of the school and in table 3B it is derived from the postcode of the child. However, this information is only available for children in school year reception (generally aged four and five) and school year 6 (generally aged 10 to 11). The latest year available is school year 2011-12.
The information contained in the tables referenced has been placed in the Library.
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) children and (b) adults were (i) obese and (ii) overweight when measured by body mass index in (A) Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (B) East Yorkshire, (C) Yorkshire and the Humber and (D) England in the most recent period for which figures are available. [141378]
Anna Soubry: I refer my right hon. Friend to the written answer the Minister for Care and Support, the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), gave on 16 January 2013, Official Report, columns 854-55W, to the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin).
Pharmacy: Crime
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for amendment of section 64 of the Medicines Act 1968 in order to decriminalise genuine dispensing errors made by pharmacists; what timescale has been set for the proposed amendment; and what the scope is of the review. [140699]
Dr Poulter:
Reform of section 64 of the Medicines Act 1968 will be considered in the review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency of the sanctions and penalties for which the agency is responsible. That review will be closely linked to the programme, led by the chief pharmaceutical officer, which will consider the respective roles of medicines legislation and statutory independent professional regulation in safeguarding the public in relation to the sale and supply of medicines by pharmacies, with a view to placing increased reliance on the latter. The timetable for implementing recommendations from this work has yet to be determined; however,
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specific consideration will be given to the possibility of accelerating implementation of agreed changes relating to section 64.
Prescription Drugs
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regarding the consultation proposals for an early access scheme for new drugs. [140606]
Dr Poulter: As an executive agency of the Department of Health, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency advises Ministers on its areas of competence. Discussions are continuing across Government following the consultation on “an early access to medicines scheme in the UK” and the Government expects to make an announcement in 2013.
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to improve statistical returns to determine patient characteristics in the dispensation of prescriptions. [140607]
Dr Poulter: Until 2007, the NHS Information Centre's annual statistical bulletin, Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community: England, provided an estimate of the number of prescription items dispensed to combined prescription charge exemption groups. This data was withdrawn following a review of the statistical validity of the data which was based on a 1 in 20 sample, together with the appropriateness of how the data was used at a lower level.
We have been working with the NHS Business Services Authority to address the issues and, depending on the outcome of this work, it is the intention to resume publication of this type of data with the estimate based on 100% of the data collected in this year's bulletin.
Snow and Ice: Accidents
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely cost to the NHS of falls due to snow in winter 2012-13. [140896]
Dr Poulter: No estimate has been made. The cost to the national health service of treating injuries caused by falls is not reported separately to the Department.
Travel and Subsistence Payments
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior officials in his Department (a) have and (b) have had during 2012-13 terms of employment that specify that their main place of employment is their home address and that they are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses for visiting departmental offices. [141148]
Dr Poulter: There are three senior officials in the Department who have or have had during 2012-13 terms of employment that specify that they are entitled to claim travel and subsistence expenses from their home for visiting departmental offices. The details of these cases are published annually in the Departmental Resource Accounts.
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Work and Pensions
Child Maintenance
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his plans to allow the payment of statutory child maintenance by parents without use of the statutory collection service, whether either parent will be able to insist on payment via a money transfer service or whether the agreement of both parents will be needed for its use. [140510]
Steve Webb: The money transfer option in its current form is a web page which simply gives information on how PayPal and MoneyGram could be used to support family based arrangements or direct pay agreements, with appropriate web links. Currently the parent with care has to agree to direct pay and how child maintenance payments are made within it.
We are a developing an enhanced solution, for when charging is introduced, to allow clients, who do not wish to have contact with their ex-partner, to have Direct Pay agreements and so avoid collection fees. The non-resident parent will be able to choose Direct Pay without the agreement of the parent with care and either parent will be able to insist on use of the money transfer option to protect their personal details, avoiding contact.
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has developed on allowing parents to pay and receive statutory child maintenance via referral to a money transfer service; and whether he proposes that use of the money transfer service will be free to both parents. [140511]
Steve Webb: The money transfer option in its current form is a web page which simply gives information on how PayPal and MoneyGram could be used to support family based arrangements or direct pay agreements, with appropriate web links. Both PayPal and MoneyGram levy a fee for their service.
We are developing an enhanced solution for when charging is introduced. We are working with stakeholders in the financial services industry to develop a solution that meets the needs of our clients, namely that it does not require one party to share traceable contact details with the other and that there is no direct contact needed between parties. We intend that the service will be free to both parents.
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what amount of child maintenance has to be paid, over what period, and with what degree of regularity, for a child maintenance arrangement, whether private or statutory, to be judged by his Department as (a) compliant or (b) effective. [140513]
Steve Webb: Statutory cases administered through the collection service are recorded as compliant, and therefore effective, when a scheduled payment has been received through the collection service in the preceding quarter.
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Statutory cases recorded as Maintenance Direct at the end of a quarter are considered compliant and therefore effective. The assumption for Maintenance Direct cases is that the amount of child maintenance calculated is being paid and received, and that one of the parents would contact us if their Maintenance Direct arrangement was no longer working.
Statutory scheme performance is reported on a quarterly basis in the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary Statistics, which is available here:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=csa
Child Maintenance Options clients' circumstances are tracked through a quarterly representative survey. Clients are considered to have an effective family-based maintenance arrangement when they report that a regular (or ad hoc) financial arrangement is in place where at least some of the agreed amount is always/usually received on time and/or where the arrangement is working very/fairly well.
Details of the Child Maintenance Options outcomes survey are available here:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2012/Survey_of_Child_Maintenance_Options_Outcomes.pdf
Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department's report, Estimating the impact of CSA case closure and charging, published in August 2012, and its conclusion that there will be a full annual compliance rate for direct pay arrangements of only around 28 per cent on charging to use the statutory collection once service commences, whether he plans to review his Department's method of counting the number of child maintenance cases with a positive maintenance outcome. [140618]
Steve Webb: In the report ‘Estimating the impact of CSA case closure and charging’, available here:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/estimating-impacts-csa-case-closure-and-charging.pdf
the likely long-term percentage choosing Direct Pay is outlined in chapter 7 (pages 30-36) and compliance in the Child Maintenance Service is discussed in Annex C (pages 50-52). The report does not include a compliance estimate for cases remaining on Direct Pay in the longer term.
Using current definitions (as applied to CSA Maintenance Direct cases), Direct Pay cases will be considered compliant unless one of the parents contacts us to say that their arrangement is no longer working.
However, we are reviewing the current methodology used to derive the number of child maintenance cases with a positive maintenance outcome and it is our intention, over the coming months, to implement a revised methodology. Any change in measures will be communicated and reported in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had on including the student loan income of full-time students in the income that is assessed when determining liability for child maintenance payments; and if he will make a statement. [140626]
Steve Webb: I have had no recent discussions on this subject.
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The statutory child maintenance schemes introduced in 2003 and in December 2012 both ignore, as income, student loans paid to a non-resident parent. The original statutory child maintenance scheme, introduced in 1993, does count as income certain payments made to students, including student loans. However, £10 a week of a student loan is ignored.
More generally, the 2012 scheme has not carried forward the 2003 scheme rule whereby a non-resident parent who is a student automatically pays no child maintenance. Instead the maintenance liability of students will be worked out in the same way as other non-resident parents, by taking into account their weekly income, but excluding any student loans.
The Government have no plans to change any of these rules.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish the Client Charter for the Child Maintenance service. [141392]
Steve Webb: We will ensure that the Client Charter is published on the DWP website on 4 February, within the child maintenance section where it is most relevant and can be easily found.
A hard copy of the document will also be placed in the House Library.