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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 14 March 2013
Transport
Euston Station
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the proposed cost of the remodelling of Euston station was at the time of publication of plans for High Speed 2 between London and Birmingham; and what the current estimate is of the cost of that project. [147852]
Mr Simon Burns: The proposed base costs of plans for High Speed 2 between London and Birmingham of the remodelling of Euston station were £1,170 million (at second quarter 2011 prices) at the time of publication in January 2012.
As is normal with large infrastructure projects like HS2 we are continuing to develop and refine our designs as we learn more about issues at specific sites on the route and gain more certainty about the precise challenges we need to overcome.
There are of course challenges on budgets, but equally there are significant opportunities for the efficient delivery of HS2. HS2 Ltd is working closely with DFT, IUK and the wider industry to drive efficiencies into the delivery of HS2 including our approach to Euston station.
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Prior to the submission of the Hybrid Bill later this year we will publish an updated estimate of the costs for Phase 1 of HS2.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has of the number of jobs created (a) directly and (b) indirectly in the North West by the construction of High Speed 2. [147520]
Mr Simon Burns: HS2 Ltd's appraisal, which does not address the potential regional economic impacts of HS2, suggests that 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. Further details can be found in the Sustainability Summary document published on 28 January and placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Phase Two of the scheme overall would be expected to support the creation of some 60,000 jobs in the cities of the Midlands and the North. Up to 10,000 jobs are anticipated in construction; 1,400 in operation and maintenance jobs; and almost 50,000 around the proposed stations.
Plants
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on indoor and outdoor plants and trees in each year from 2005 to 2010. [147163]
Norman Baker: The requested information is provided in the following table. I have also provided information for the most recent years for the sake of completeness.
| £ | ||||||||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
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| (1) Expenditure on plants is set to be approximately £450 per annum with effect from March 2011. Data for 2005 to 2008 based on yearly costs as HQ facilities management contract runs from July to July. Costs previously covered cover site visits by an outside sub-contractor, as well as maintenance and replacement (where necessary) of plants located in the lobbies and public areas of Great Minster House, London. Expenditure in 2010-11 also includes termination cost of maintenance agreement (2) During 2005-06 AAIB spent £8,392.85 on landscaping. Costs included external plants and labour, with labour being the larger element. However, these costs cannot be separated. (3 )Relates to purchase of one plant for ‘Families Room’ (where MAIB speak to bereaved relatives etc). (4) Relates to hire and maintenance and not purchase at two sites, provided under two contracts, one of which has expired and the other will not be renewed upon expiry. (5) Relates to maintenance (6) The expenditure on pot plants relates to the interior landscaping of the Richard Ley Development Centre (RLDC) and some of the local vehicle registration offices. The RLDC hosts external events, which are income generating. As a consequence, interior landscaping (plants and flowers) are necessary due to the need to ensure the facility demonstrates a professional outlook and provides an image that is comparative with similar venues. The expenditure incurred for the RLDC relates to the rental of the displays. There are also interior plant displays in some of the public areas of the local vehicle registration offices. The expenditure on these is primarily for the maintenance of the displays. (7 )Data from 2008-09 are based on the contracted costs for the provision and maintenance of pot-plants. All figures are net of VAT. (8 )The above figures do not include costs incurred planting trees and plants as part of the environmental and screening works on major projects and schemes. The above costs are indicative of spend on outdoor and indoor plants and trees. The Highways Agency does pay additional ‘grounds maintenance’ charges to its landlords and managing agents, but any spend on plants or trees cannot be split out from the service charge. The increase in 2006-07 costs relate to Highways Agency Regional Control Centre estate coming on-stream and office relocation in Bedford that involved extensive planting as part of the ‘fit out’. All plant contracts have now expired and will not be renewed. (9 )Relates to winter bedding plants. Costs at agency HQ and training centre are built into the maintenance contract of the estate and to extract this level of information would be at disproportionate cost. (10) Not recorded. VOSA do not record this level of detail and to extract this level of information would be at disproportionate cost. | ||||||||
Roads: Freight
Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the road freight industry on the use of dual-fuel trucks to reduce carbon emissions. [147691]
Stephen Hammond: In July 2011, the then Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), met with a number of representatives of the road freight transport industry to discuss the barriers preventing market uptake of low emission HGVs. Following this, a Task Force was established under the 2011 Logistics Growth Review to promote the use of fuel efficient, low emission road freight technologies. Also announced under the Logistics Growth Review was a low carbon truck and infrastructure trial. 13 projects were subsequently chosen to receive funding to trial alternatively-fuelled trucks including over 300 dual fuel trucks.
Since joining the Department, I attended a meeting of the Task Force in November 2012 to hear the views of the industry on issues including alternatively fuelled vehicles.
I met with the Freight Transport Association (FTA) in November 2012 on a range of issues including measures to reduce carbon emissions from freight.
I met with UPS in January 2013 and discussed the use of biomethane as an alternative fuel for HGVs.
In February 2013 I attended the Department's annual “Listening to Industry” event hosted jointly with the FTA and attended by over 100 representatives from the freight industry where many issues, including the Department's approach to alternative fuels, were raised.
Officials are in regular contact with a range of representatives of the road freight industry on the use of dual fuel trucks to reduce carbon emissions.
Shipping: Exhaust Emissions
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the report by the UK Chamber of Shipping entitled Impact on Jobs and the Economy of Meeting the Requirements of MARPOL Annex VI; and if he will make a statement; [147756]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential effect that (a) shipping route closures arising from and (b) other consequences of meeting MARPOL Annex VI requirements will have on UK economic competitiveness. [147757]
Stephen Hammond: The Department welcomes the report commissioned by the Chamber of Shipping and the Department will consider its findings carefully. The evidence about potential route closures from this and other relevant studies will be incorporated into the Department's Impact Assessment on the new sulphur requirements, which will be published later this year. Our assessment will also consider the economic cost to the UK as well as the benefits in terms of improved public health and reduced damage to the environment.
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of MARPOL Annex VI on the viability of vital shipping routes; and if he will make a statement. [147838]
Stephen Hammond: Last year, in response to concerns raised by industry, I invited shipping and port stakeholders to give substance to their concerns about possible modal shift and the viability of some services. In response, the UK Chamber of Shipping commissioned a study, the results of which were published on 8 March 2013. The Department will carefully assess the study and consider its findings.
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of MARPOL Annex VI on diesel prices for consumers; and if he will make a statement. [147839]
Stephen Hammond:
Most studies which have considered the impact of the new limits recognise the difficulty in forecasting such price changes. The effect that MARPOL Annex VI would have on diesel prices paid by road
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users depends critically on the behaviours and investment decisions of both shipping operators and refineries. The full impact on prices will only be evident after the implementation date for the sulphur requirements of MARPOL Annex VI.
Shipping: Registration
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met with officials in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; and whether the Maritime Labour Convention was discussed. [147567]
Stephen Hammond: Ministers in the Department meet with officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on a regular basis to discuss the work of the agency. In particular I met with officials on Thursday 10 January, and during that meeting matters relating to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) were discussed. More recently, I met with representatives from the shipping industry and other Government Departments on Monday 11 March to discuss growth opportunities for the UK maritime sector. This included ratification of the MLC.
Shipping: Regulation
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which regulations applying to the maritime industry his Department has proposed to ministerial colleagues in the Cabinet Office for consideration as part of the Red Tape Challenge. [147568]
Stephen Hammond: Over 200 maritime regulations were examined as part of the Red Tape Challenge. A full list of these regulations can be found on the Red Tape Challenge website at:
http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/themehome/maritime/
The Government plan to make a public announcement on the outcome shortly.
Shipping: Training
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet representatives of the National Workboat Association to discuss the establishment of an internationally-recognised Certificate of Competency for officers on workboats under 500 gross tonnage in the UK. [147910]
Stephen Hammond: I am happy to meet the National Workboat Association (NWA) to discuss this matter. The NWA should contact my office to arrange a suitable time for this meeting.
Shrewsbury-Crewe Railway Line
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety assessment has been conducted of implementation of the Crewe to Shrewsbury modular signalling scheme. [147711]
Mr Simon Burns: This is an operational matter for Network Rail and any questions should be directed to the chief executive at the following address:
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Network Rail
Kings Place
90 York Way
London N1 9AG
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had about implementation of the Crewe to Shrewsbury modular signalling scheme. [147712]
Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin) has not had any recent discussions regarding the implementation of this scheme, which is an operational matter for Network Rail.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any safety concerns have been expressed to him about implementation of the Crewe to Shrewsbury modular signalling scheme. [147713]
Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin) has not received any representations concerning the safety of this scheme.
Telephone Services
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) 0800, (b) 0808, (c) 0844, (d) 0845 and (e) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) the agencies for which he is responsible. [147826]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and its six Executive Agencies have two 0800 numbers and a single 0870 number which the public can call. One is a DVLA number which members of the public can use to obtain information for applications and the other is VOSA's Whistle Blower Intelligence Line. These are free phone numbers so there is no cost to the public to use them or associated revenue for the agencies.
MCA has the 0870 public enquiry number, which is charged at national rate. The MCA receives no revenue from this line.
Attorney-General
Crown Prosecution Service
John Hemming: To ask the Attorney-General how many Crown prosecutors have been disciplined for misconduct since January 2000. [147843]
The Solicitor-General: Centralised records are not held for the period before 2009 and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would incur disproportionate costs in collating that information.
The number of Crown prosecutors disciplined for misconduct in subsequent years is given in the following table:
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| Number | |
Pay
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2013, Official Report, columns 775-76, on overtime, what the average cost of overtime per member of staff in (a) the Law Officers' Departments and (b) each of their arm’s length bodies was in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13 to date. [148071]
The Attorney-General: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 March, Official Report, columns 775-76W, which contained information on the average cost of overtime per member of staff in the Law Officers' Departments. I am not responsible for any arm’s length bodies.
Communities and Local Government
Fires
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number and severity of fires in industrial and commercial premises. [147719]
Brandon Lewis: Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 all those responsible for non-domestic premises are required to carry out a fire risk assessment and put in place adequate fire precautions to minimise the risk to life in the event of a fire. The Department makes available a range of detailed premises-specific guidance on fire safety. This is designed to help ‘responsible persons’ understand the risk assessment process and offers technical advice on a range of fire safety measures which it may be appropriate to consider to deliver compliance. It can be viewed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government/series/fire-safety-law-and-guidance-documents-for-business
Fire and rescue authorities are also required by the Fire and Rescue National Framework to have in place and maintain an integrated risk management plan. This identifies local need and sets out a plan to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. The integrated risk management plan enables each fire and rescue authority to tailor the allocation of its resources to local circumstances, such as where fire station appliances are positioned, by evaluating where risk is greatest and determining its priorities in relation to prevention and response accordingly.
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fires in industrial and commercial buildings there were in the UK in 2011. [147720]
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Brandon Lewis: The Department receives records of incidents attended from fire and rescue authorities across Great Britain. Spreadsheet table 18 of Fire Statistics Great Britain contains numbers of fires by type of building with groupings for both industrial arid commercial premises. This is available up to the financial year 2011-12 and can be found on the Department's website at:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government/series/fire-statistics-great-britain
Housing: Armed Forces
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on housing for British forces and their families returning from Germany. [147173]
Mr Prisk: This Department and MOD continue to discuss matters of shared interest including housing for service personnel and their families.
The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), announced on 5 March 2013 the Regular Army Basing Plan and the return of troops from Germany, detailing the Government's intention to invest £1 billion in new and refurbished MOD accommodation.
Service personnel and their families have already been given priority for Government affordable home ownership schemes, including FirstBuy. Additionally, I have recently made changes to legislation to make it easier for service personnel to access social housing, and statutory guidance has been issued to councils on how their allocation schemes can give priority to current or ex-service personnel, for example using local preference criteria or local lettings policies.
Right to Buy Scheme: Cannock Chase
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether Cannock Chase district council has taken up the offer from his Department to help promote the Right to Buy scheme. [147633]
Mr Prisk: My Department has offered support to all stock-owning local authorities, including delivering a Right to Buy tenant roadshow in partnership with them in the local area. I understand that Cannock Chase does not wish to take up our partnership offer at this time. I have recently visited an excellent Right to Buy roadshow in Basildon and have seen at first hand the value tenants place on receiving advice and help to explore home ownership further. I would encourage Cannock Chase and all stock-owning local authorities to consider the needs of their tenants and work with my Department to hold a Right to Buy roadshow.
International Development
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to reduce the regional differences in female access to (a) education and (b) healthcare in (i) Pakistan and (ii) Afghanistan. [147216]
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Mr Duncan: DFID has played a significant role improving female access to education and healthcare in Afghanistan and Pakistan over the last decade.
In Afghanistan, UK funding to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund supports the delivery of basic public services. Significant progress has been made: 57% of the population now lives within one hour's walking distance of a public health facility compared to 2002 when only 9% of the population had access to any basic health care. Almost half of all pregnant women now receive antenatal care and 2.3 million girls attend school, compared with virtually none under the Taliban.
Supporting girls' access to education and women's access to health is a top priority for UK Aid to Pakistan. DFID has helped to more than double the number of lady health workers to 100,000 since 2002. In Punjab skilled birth attendance rates have increased from 33% in 2006 to nearly 60% and student attendance has increased by over 700,000 since 2011. By 2015 we will help to support over 2 million girls in school; prevent 750,000 women from developing anaemia during pregnancy; and make it easier for people to get skilled help from community midwives and skilled birth attendants.
Bangladesh
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department's policy of matching contributions to a scheme to assist residents in Sunamganj, Bangladesh deal with severe flooding. [148058]
Mr Duncan: DFID agreed to provide £5 million in match funding for Islamic Relief’s 2012 Ramadan appeal. A proposal to use £1.5 million of this match funding in Bangladesh, for a project helping communities to better cope with natural disasters and climate change, is currently under consideration, but funding has not been confirmed.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of deforestation in India, Nepal and Bhutan to annual flooding in Sunamganj, Bangladesh. [148059]
Mr Duncan: The UK Government have not assessed the potential contribution of deforestation in South Asia to flooding in Sunamganj district. Specifically, however, we closely monitor Bangladesh's vulnerability to flooding and natural disasters and respond in areas of high vulnerability. In Sunamganj, UK support provided through the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme will deliver embankments, canal excavation and village walls to protect communities from flooding. Across Bangladesh, DFID's climate change and disaster resilience programmes will provide 15 million people with access to early warning systems for floods and cyclones.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will discuss with her counterparts in (a) India, (b) Nepal and (c) Bhutan the effect of deforestation on (i) Sunamganj, Bangladesh and (ii) other habitats and communities supported by aid provided by her Department. [148060]
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Mr Duncan: DFID has regular discussions with partners in India and Nepal (DFID does not have a bilateral aid programme in Bhutan) on regional development issues. For example, DFID is working closely with the Government of Nepal through their Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme to address deforestation and illegal logging. The programme aims to increase the area of forest covered by local forestry groups and improve forestry and natural resource policies in Nepal.
Developing Countries: Family Planning
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the effect of programmes funded by her Department on average family size. [147762]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID has a significant commitment to programmes which increase girls' and women's empowerment, including their ability to access contraceptive services, supplies and information. The desire to have smaller families is complex and driven by many factors including: rising incomes, improved life expectancy, lower infant mortality, better education and increased savings, as well as changing cultural and social norms.
Developing Countries: Human Trafficking
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects her Department is funding to tackle human trafficking; in which countries any such projects are based; and what amount of funding for what duration is given by her Department to these projects. [147362]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID is currently supporting a regional anti-trafficking project in South Asia, focusing on India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The funding commitment is £3 million for 2012-15. DFID also currently supports Anti-Slavery International's global anti-trafficking project that has a funding commitment of £1,435,049 for 2008-13.
Overseas Aid
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of her Department's budget is provided to other countries in the form of (a) budget support, (b) aid given with governance conditionality, (c) professional expertise and (d) specific project funding. [147519]
Mr Duncan: DFID uses a range of ways to deliver bilateral aid. It is delivered through non-governmental organisations and multilateral agencies in the recipient country, in the form of technical assistance, as humanitarian aid, and as financial aid (including budget support) to partner governments.
A full list of project categories and expenditure against these types of spending is available for 2011-12 from the following table:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Documents/publications1/sid2012/Table20-broad%20sector.xls
In 2011-12, the Department delivered approximately 13% of DFID's total bilateral aid (or 7% of total aid) in the form of budget support. This compares to 20% of DFID's bilateral aid in 2008-09 (or 11% of total aid).
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A further 13% of DFID's total bilateral aid (7% of total aid) was delivered in the form of technical assistance. This compares to 16% of DFID's bilateral aid in 2008-09 (or 9% of total aid).
Uganda
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how her Department is supporting civil society groups in Uganda campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. [147624]
Lynne Featherstone: Her Majesty's Government are committed to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people around the world are free to live their lives in a safe and just environment. We are concerned about the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill being considered by the Ugandan Parliament and have raised our concerns regularly at all levels of Government.
We are in close contact with Ugandan Civil Society Groups and support their efforts to improve Human Rights in Uganda. For example, the UK, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office playing the lead role on this issue, has provided support for training, advocacy and the cost of legal cases related to the protection of LGBT communities' human rights.
Cabinet Office
Electoral Register
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Census, how many (a) UK and (b) foreign-born citizens over the age of 18 are qualified to vote in UK parliamentary elections in each English and Welsh parliamentary constituency. [148503]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
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As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Census, how many (a) UK and (b) foreign-born citizens over the age of 18 are qualified to vote in UK parliamentary elections in each English and Welsh parliamentary constituency. 148503
ONS does not have the data required to answer your question. Information regarding residents born by "country of birth, by age" will be available when the next phase of Census outputs are published in June 2013.
Employment: Kent
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of people in (a) Gillingham and Rainham constituency, (b) Medway and (c) Kent were employed by small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last five years. [147212]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of people in (a) the Gillingham and Rainham constituency, (b) Medway and (c) Kent were employed by small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last five years. (147212)
Annual statistics on the number of businesses (enterprises) are available from the ONS release—UK Business: Activity, Size and Location at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-register/uk-business/index.html
The table shows the employment count of small and medium-sized businesses and that employment count expressed as a proportion of people living in (a) Gillingham and Rainham constituency, (b) Medway and (c) Kent. Employment counts are shown from 2008 to 2012 but population counts are only available up to 2011.
Small businesses have been defined as those with an employment between 0 and 49 and medium-sized businesses as those with an employment between 50 and 249.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||
| Small | Med | Small | Med | Small | Med | Small | Med | Small | Med | |
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| (1) Employment counts are taken from extracts of the Integrated Business Register (IDBR) during March of each year. (2) Population counts for 2008 to 2010 are mid-year estimates and relate to 30 June. Census day was on 27 March 2011. Census day figures are used for 2011 as mid-2011 estimates are not yet available for parliamentary constituencies. The mid-year estimates for mid-2008 to mid-2010 have not yet been revised to bring them into line with the 2011 census results. This means that there is a step change between the mid-2010 and the census day figures. (3) The Kent figures cover the current administrative county of Kent. If figures for the ceremonial county of Kent are required then the figures for Kent and Medway should be added together. Note: Please note that these numbers do not include very small businesses, typically those below the threshold for VAT and PAYE. Source: Office for National Statistics | ||||||||||
Energy: Cumbria
John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency, (b) Barrow-in-Furness local authority area and (c) South Lakeland local authority area are employed in the energy sector. [147615]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency, (b) Barrow-in-Furness local authority area and (c) South Lakeland local authority area are employed in the energy sector. [147615]
Annual employment statistics are available from the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES). Table 1 as follows contains the latest figures available, which show the number in employment in 2011 for industries that are considered to be in the energy sector for Barrow and Furness constituency, and the local authority districts of Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
| Table 1: Employment in Barrow and Furness constituency and the local authority districts of Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland for the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector | |
| Geographic area | Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
| Note: The industries given above are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2007. | |
Voluntary Work: Young People
John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many young people in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and (b) Cumbria participated in the National Citizen Service in the last 12 months. [147617]
Mr Hurd: In 2012 115 young people took part in National Citizen Service in Barrow and Furness and over 500 young people took part in Cumbria.
Deputy Prime Minister
EU Countries
Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times he has visited member states of the European Union in an official capacity since 2010. [147873]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I have made 17 trips to member states of the European Union in an official capacity since 2010.
Population
Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister in which parliamentary constituencies was the number of persons on the electoral register in 2011 greater than the number of adults recorded in the 2011 Census; and if he will make a statement. [148106]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question in which parliamentary constituencies was the number of persons on the electoral register in 2011 greater than the number of adults recorded in the 2011 Census; and if he will make a statement. 148106
I attach a file containing 2011 Census Table QS103EW which provides the information you have requested for Parliamentary Constituencies. This was previously sent to you under PQ reference 142060.
This information is also freely available for download from the NOMIS website:
www.nomisweb.co.uk
I also attach a file containing the number of people who on 1 December 2011 were registered to vote in local and parliamentary elections in the UK.
As both tables are quite large, they will be stored in the library of the House.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Copyright
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what types of content he intends researchers to be able to mine under a non-commercial exception for data analytics; what consultation he has carried out with regard to those proposals; and if he will make a statement. [147571]
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Jo Swinson: The Government do not propose to restrict the types of content to which the non-commercial exception for data analytics will apply. This measure was recommended by the independent Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth (2010-11) and was consulted on by the Government between December 2011 and March 2012 along with other copyright measures. Technical review of draft regulations to implement this change is planned for later this year.
Energy: Industry
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2013, Official Report, column 635W, on energy: industry, when he plans to set out the details of support to be provided to energy intensive industries. [148064]
Michael Fallon: We expect to publish guidance once the European Commission has cleared the Government's proposals to support energy intensive industries (EII); our current plans envisage publication in April. For Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) compensation, we expect to commence payments by the end of July.
Our plans for indirect carbon price floor compensation are still under consideration by the Commission, we expect state aid clearance to take longer than for ETS compensation. However, we are hopeful that we will be in a position to commence payments in the autumn.
Executives: Pay
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what strategies his Department has put in place to monitor top executive pay and bonuses. [148120]
Jo Swinson: The Government have no plans to centrally monitor top executive pay and bonuses as there are already a range of organisations which successfully carry out this task, such as the High Pay Centre, proxy voting agencies and remuneration advisers.
Government reform of the way executive pay is reported on by companies will make it easier for these organisations and investors to monitor pay. Company remuneration reports will have to provide clear and comparable information and, for the first time, a single figure showing the amount each director received in a particular year. These reforms will come into force on 1 October 2013.
Higher Education: Admissions
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure children from less privileged backgrounds are not deterred from applying to university. [147526]
Mr Willetts: The coalition Government have been very clear about the importance of widening participation and improving fair access in higher education—all those with the ability should have access to higher education irrespective of family income.
Under our student finance reforms no eligible student pays up front for their first degree. Loans are only repaid once graduates have jobs and are earning over £21,000.
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The Government are establishing a new framework, with increased responsibility placed on universities to widen participation. This includes arrangements for new annual access agreements and a new National Scholarship Programme. Universities plan to spend over £670 million in 2016/17 on measures to widen participation through their access agreements. To make sure that we are doing everything possible to widen participation and promote fair access BIS Ministers asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) to develop a shared strategy for access and student success which will include advice to ensure we achieve the maximum impact from spending by Government, HEFCE and institutions. HEFCE and OFFA are due to deliver the strategy in autumn 2013.
Planning Permission: Devon
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether (a) he or (b) Ministers in his Department have had any discussions with Councillor Graham Brown of East Devon District Council about planning matters since May 2010. [147875]
Jo Swinson: No discussions have taken place between Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Councillor Graham Brown of East Devon district council about planning matters since May 2010.
Culture, Media and Sport
Public Libraries: Closures
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the Government response to the Third Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of Session 2012-13, on library closures, Cm 8535, page 6, when her Department plans to issue guidance highlighting potential efficiencies from sharing services. [148072]
Hugh Robertson: The lessons learned from the Future Libraries Programme, a joint Local Government Association (LGA)/DCMS initiative, were published by the LGA in “Local solutions for future local library services” in June 2012. The publication includes advice and examples of shared services work being undertaken by local authorities, as well as the potential benefits that can be derived. In addition, Arts Council England (ACE) developed the Library Development Initiative to test new approaches to library service delivery, including shared services. LGA and ACE have also now engaged directly with nearly 100% of elected councillors with executive responsibility for the library service through joint leadership seminars and peer support, and this included learning about models for shared library services. A crucial part of the LGA's work is to spread best practice, including shared services, and they also have a wider programme looking at shared services across all kinds of services, not just libraries. The Department will continue to engage with LGA and ACE and provide further information relating to sharing services as it becomes available.
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Telephone Services
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) 0800, (b) 0808, (c) 0844, (d) 0845 and (e) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) her Department and (ii) the agencies for which she is responsible. [147814]
Hugh Robertson: The Department does not have any 0800, 0844, 0845, and 0870 telephone numbers for the public. Information relating to our agencies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Home Department
British Overseas Territories
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent civil servants in her Department are working on matters related to the UK Overseas Territories. [147111]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 March 2013]:There are a small number (fewer than five) of full-time equivalent civil servants working for the Home Office on Overseas Territories matters. This figure includes UK-based staff and some overseas staff on secondments. Some of the latter may be included in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office figures.
Constituencies
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has made to other Ministers in her Department on constituency issues; on what date such representations were made; and to which Minister each such representation was made. [122358]
Mrs May: I make representations on behalf of my constituents on a wide range of issues. It is not Home Office practice to disclose the details of MPs’ constituency correspondence to a third party.
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Cybercrime
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is on engagement with the European Cybercrime Centre operated by Europol. [148068]
James Brokenshire: The Government support the creation of the European Cybercrime Centre. We will engage with the centre through the existing management structure for Europol to ensure that it is focused on the development of an approach to tackling cybercrime that supports member states, including the use of joint investigation teams to tackle cross-border cybercrimes, skills and capability development and best practice sharing, as well as being a significant avenue for the sharing of law enforcement intelligence with other member states. We will encourage the centre to engage closely at operational level with the new National Cyber Crime Unit, and with its equivalents in other member states.
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations the Government have made to Europol on the European Cybercrime Centre. [148069]
James Brokenshire: In the Explanatory Memorandum of 23 April 2012 relating to the proposals for a Europol European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), the Government broadly supported the proposals. We set out a number of concerns relating to the detail of the centre, which we were successful in negotiating on with the Commission. Since then we have been working to ensure that the Commission and the Cybercrime Centre Project Board respect these conclusions as they develop the implementation plans for the centre.
Europol has produced a blueprint, setting out how the EC3 will operate, and what it will do to support work to tackle cybercrime across the EU. We are currently considering our response to Europol.
Detica
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support BAE Systems Detica has provided to her Department in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013. [147234]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 March 2013]: The Home Department and its agencies have received support from BAE Systems Detica through the contracts detailed in the following table:
| Supplier name | Contract name | Date commenced |
|
Data Analysis service investigating Fraud and Corruption in UKBA | ||
|
Maintenance of IT System(SACU) from Dec 12 to March 13 (Qrt 4) | ||
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Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department holds a contract with BAE Systems Detica to provide support to the Communications Capability Development Programme. [147235]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 March 2013]:BAE Systems Detica is contracted to provide support under three ongoing contracts as part of the Communications Capabilities Development programme.
Entry Clearances: China
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the visa system enables Chinese tourists and business people to come to the UK while retaining control of immigration; and if she will make a statement. [147758]
Mr Harper: The Government support economic growth by delivering an effective visa service which processed over 296,000 applications for visas in 2012 from China.
China is one of the UK's priority markets and our visa service is working well—97% of visas are processed within 15 days, and last year (2012) the number of visas issued to Chinese nationals was up by 5%.
In December 2012 the UK Border Agency announced a package of further enhancements to the UK visa service for Chinese tourists and business. These changes which will be implemented over the next six months include:
The introduction of shortened online application forms and streamlined requirements for Approved Destination Scheme customers (ADS).
The establishment of a business network with dedicated embassy staff to assist businesses and investors with their UK visa requirements.
A service for business travellers and ADS tourists which allows customers to keep their passport while their visa is being processed. This means that they can travel or apply for another visa if they need to thus reducie the time it takes to obtain two visas.
A mobile biometric service which will be available for applicants who wish to have their biometric information taken at a location more convenient to them, rather than visiting a visa application centre.
Priority visa eligibility which has been expanded to include Tier 4 students and those who have previously travelled within Schengen.
Improvements to the online application process, including the introduction of help text in Mandarin.
Human Trafficking Ministerial Group
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking met in each of the last three years; which Ministers attended these meetings; and when the group is next due to meet. [146901]
Mr Harper: Since the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group was refocused in May 2010 the group has met five times. A list of members and attendees for these meetings is provided in the following tables:
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| Meeting date: 17 April 2012 | |
| Name | Title |
|
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families | |
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| Meeting date: 17 February 2011 | |
| Name | Title |
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Immigration: EU Nationals
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from other EU member states have been (a) deported and (b) refused entry in each of the last four years. [147763]
Mr Harper: The following table provides the total number of enforced removals and those who were initially refused entry to the United Kingdom for nationals of the EU, in each year from 2009 to 2012.
| Enforced removals and cases initially refused entry for nationals of the EU(1,2), 2009-12 | ||
| Enforced removals(3,4) | Initially refused entry(5) | |
| (1) Nationals of the EU consists of 26 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. (2) Cases of initially refused entry at port do not necessarily relate to enforced removals in the same period. (3 )Enforced removals are where it has been established that a person has breached UK immigration laws and has no valid leave to remain within the United Kingdom. (4) Removals are recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. (5) Initially refused entry relates to non-asylum cases dealt with at ports of entry. (6) Provisional figures. Figures may be revised later due to data cleansing exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. | ||
Deportations are included in published enforced removals statistics which are either following a criminal conviction (foreign national offenders) or when it is judged that a person's removal from the UK is conducive to the public good; the deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK until such time as it may be revoked. It is not possible to separately identify deportations from enforced removals.
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The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK and on persons refused entry to the United Kingdom within Immigration Statistics. The data on removals and voluntary departures by type are available in the latest release, Immigration Statistics: October-December 2012, tables rv.03 and rv.03.q, and data on those who were refused at entry are available in tables be.08 to be.08q from the Library of the House and from the Home Office science, research and statistics web pages at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
Police: Pay
Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) chief constables and (b) other police officers of the Association of Chief Police Officers rank are paid more than the Prime Minister. [147646]
Damian Green: The basic salary for chief constables and other chief officers is set out in the determinations under the Police Regulations 2003 which are published under Home Office circular 013/2010.
The Home Office does not hold information on the total remuneration provided to individual senior officers. Police and crime commissioners, and previously police authorities, are required to publish details of senior police officers' remuneration in their accounts.
Police: Recruitment
Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that graduates entering the police force as direct entrants are of the highest calibre. [147644]
Damian Green: The Government want to attract the very best candidates into policing. We are currently consulting on the implementation of direct entry into the police following recommendations from Tom Winsor's Independent Review of Police Officer and Staff Remuneration and Conditions.
Although no decisions have been taken pending conclusion of the consultation, under any direct entry scheme candidates will only be appointed if they possess exceptional qualities, and have demonstrated that they are fully capable of exercising the powers and discharging the duties of the rank. Such duties must be carried out safely, professionally and in such a way as to inspire and enhance the confidence of the officers and staff in their command, and the public who depend upon their decisions for their protection.
Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the first High Court judgment granting (a) a control order and (b) a terrorism prevention and investigative measures order for each individual subject to a terrorism prevention and investigation measure order was; and on what date each such judgment was made. [146432]
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James Brokenshire [holding answer 5 March 2013]: terrorism prevention and investigation measure (TPIM) notices may be imposed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department following the grant of permission by the High Court (in urgent cases permission may be granted retrospectively), and are then subject to a full High Court review.
The proceedings to grant permission to impose a TPIM notice, as previously for control orders, are ex parte and are therefore not in the public domain. After a TPIM notice has been served, this information may form part of the subsequent High Court review. However, for operational reasons, this might not always be the case.
UK Border Agency: Correspondence
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters from hon. Members to the UK Border Agency's MPs' Liaison Unit were responded to (a) within 20 working days and (b) after 20 working days; and how long each letter which was responded to in more than 20 days took to be responded to. [145166]
Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency received 28,564 letters from hon. Members during the period January to December 2012 of which 22,475 letters were replied to within 20 working days and 6,089 letters exceeded the 20 working day target.
The following table shows a breakdown of the days taken to reply to letters that exceeded the 20 working day target.
| Number | Percentage | |
| Notes: 1. The figures only include letters received from the hon. Members 2. The figures provided are from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change from published data. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. 3. All percentage figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number. | ||
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agricultural Wages Board
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2013, Official Report, column 371W, on Agricultural Wages Board, how many of those who responded to the consultation requested anonymity and on what basis; how long his Department spent on examining responses to the consultation; and what steps he is taking to improve the transparency of future departmental consultations. [146553]
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Mr Heath: There were 19 responses to the consultation that either requested confidentiality or were anonymous.
The consultation exercise commenced on 16 October last year and we began analysing the responses as soon as they were received. A final decision on the future of the board was not taken until all the responses had been properly analysed.
We are satisfied that the consultation was fair and transparent.
Air Pollution
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2013, Official Report, column 612W, on air pollution, what the sources are of the rising emissions he identifies of (a) ammonia, (b) arsenic and (c) hydrofluorocarbons in recent years. [147613]
Richard Benyon: The increase in emission of ammonia between 2010 and 2011 has principally come from the increasing use of anaerobic digestion and increases in emissions from fertiliser use.
The increase in emissions of arsenic between 2010 and 2011 arises mainly from increases in the combustion of coal and the production of metals between these years.
Rising emissions of hydrofluorocarbons have come from sources such as losses from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and emissions from industrial aerosols and metered dose inhalers.
Chromium
Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will institute an inventory of all emissions of hexavalent chromium in the UK. [147550]
Richard Benyon: The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory contains an estimate of all the UK's chromium emissions to air. The UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Register contains details of significant emissions of chromium to air and to water from individual industrial installations. Both these sources are readily accessible through DEFRA's website.
Measurements of hexavalent chromium emissions are not routinely made, given the lack of agreed measurement methods. A national inventory of hexavalent chromium with acceptable accuracy and precision is therefore not available. The measurement methods generating the information on total chromium emissions held in the inventory and register include hexavalent chromium and therefore the information provides a “worst case” picture.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is expected (a) in Africa and (b) generally following the recent CITES Conference of the Parties in Bangkok. [147192]
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Richard Benyon: The 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is currently ongoing. Until the outcomes of the conference are known, it is not possible to say what progress will come about as a result in Africa or more generally. However, the UK is working towards the agreement of measures that will secure better protection for species subject to unsustainable levels of trade, and tackle the crisis in poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking. Such action will help conserve endangered species in Africa and throughout the world.
Crayfish: Pembrokeshire
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences the Environment Agency has issued for crayfish trapping in Pembrokeshire in the last three years. [145843]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency has not issued any authorisations for crayfish trapping in this area in the last three years.
One application was received in 2010. This was later withdrawn by the applicant because there were no crayfish present in the river they had applied to fish. There were no applications received in 2011 or 2012.
The data presented are from the area in which Pembrokeshire sits; these areas are defined by catchment and not county boundaries.
Environment Protection: Seas and Oceans
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the economic benefits of (a) individual marine conservation zones, (b) an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas and (c) marine biodiversity in UK seas. [147553]
Richard Benyon: The UK marine environment provides a range of benefits which can be assessed in terms of ecosystem services. These are described in the National Ecosystem Assessment (2011).
The Impact Assessment accompanying the consultation on the designation of marine conservation zones launched in December 2012 provides an overview of potential increases in ecosystem services which could be attributed to designation of MCZs. These potential increases could include:'
fish populations and the condition of marine habitats and species generally will benefit from greater protection and reduced sea bed disturbance,
nature-based recreation activities (diving, angling, bird watching) can benefit from enhanced user experiences,
protection of marine resources will benefit research and education and improve understanding of the long-term impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems,
many people will also gain satisfaction from knowing that rare, threatened and representative marine species, habitats and features of geological or geomorphological interest are being conserved for current and future generations.
These benefits cannot be readily quantified and the majority are not traded, so cannot be easily valued. Further work is taking place to advance the evidence base, including a DEFRA commissioned project on the benefits of benthic habitats as well as National Ecosystem Assessment follow-on work.
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Fisheries: Protection
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for Fisheries Protection vessels; and whether his Department has discussed the future of such vessels with (a) the Ministry of Defence, (b) the UK Border Agency and (c) the Home Department. [143716]
Richard Benyon: The Marine Management Organisation is an NDPB sponsored by DEFRA and four other Government Departments. It has a remit as the regulator of marine activity including fishing in English waters. The Royal Navy has an agreement in place to provide support to the MMO in meeting its regulatory duties, including monitoring fishing activity, through its fishery protection vessels. This agreement expires on 31 March 2013. A revised agreement covering 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2016 is nearing completion.
The current overall mission of the RN Fisheries Protection Squadron is to patrol the fishery limits of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In respect of defining future surveillance requirements, a study is currently being undertaken collaboratively by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on behalf of the cross-Government Maritime Security Oversight Group. It will consider the cross-Government coastal and offshore maritime enforcement, surveillance and interdiction capability required to counter both present and future UK maritime risks. This work is currently scheduled to report by June 2013. All relevant bodies will continue to discuss how best to manage risks to UK maritime interests.