Written Answers to Questions
Monday 15 April 2013
Wales
Disclosure of Information
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants in his Department have been subject to non-disclosure agreements in each year since 2010. [150043]
Scotland
Disclosure of Information
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants in his Department have been subject to non-disclosure agreements in each year since 2010. [150040]
David Mundell: No civil servants in the Scotland Office have been subject to a non-disclosure agreement since 2010.
Property Development
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Office of Fair Trading on the use of land maintenance companies by property developers to reserve land for future developments in Scotland. [150936]
David Mundell: Scotland Office officials have regular discussions with the Office of Fair Trading on issues relating to Scotland.
Transport
A1: Nottinghamshire
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects construction work on the Elkesley bridge over the A1 to begin. [150717]
Stephen Hammond: The contract for the A1 Elkesley junctions improvement works on the Elkesley bridge over the A1 is programmed to be awarded later this year. This will mean work is expected to start on site at the turn of the 2013-14 calendar year. This scheme will take around 18 months to complete and progress will be posted on the Highways Agency website.
Aviation: Air Pollution
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to section 3.54 of the Aviation Policy Framework, whether the Airports Commission will assess the potential effect on (a) air quality and (b) EU air quality limits of each option for meeting the UK's international connectivity needs. [150654]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 2W
Mr Simon Burns: The Government expect that the Airports Commission, in line with its terms of reference, will take account of environmental factors, including air quality and EU air quality limits, when reaching its recommendation.
Aviation: Northern Ireland
Dr McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce details of an aviation strategy for Northern Ireland. [150950]
Mr Simon Burns: On 22 March the Government published our Aviation Policy Framework (APF). The APF outlines in Chapter 5 which areas of Aviation are reserved to Westminster and which are devolved to Northern Ireland. It was developed with input from the devolved Administrations and outlines a strategy to benefit the whole of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.
The Government have also recently responded to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee's “An air transport strategy for Northern Ireland” Report copies of which can be found in the House Library or online. The Government have no plans to develop a further aviation strategy that is unique to Northern Ireland at this time.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Cumbria
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are employed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Cumbria; and what proportion of such people are paid at or above the living wage. [150493]
Stephen Hammond: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency employs 10 members of staff in Cumbria. All Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency staff are paid above the living wage.
East Coast Railway Line
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means funding for the planned upgrade for the east coast main line will be delivered. [151015]
Mr Simon Burns: Funding for the 2014-19 upgrade of the east coast main line will be delivered through the Office of Rail Regulation approving a £240 million increase in the value of Network Rail’s regulatory access base. Network Rail may then borrow up to this amount to fund the upgrade works.
East Coast Railway Line: Franchises
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to improvements in train services from London to Retford in planning the franchising of the East Coast Mainline. [150716]
Mr Simon Burns:
In developing the proposition for the future East Coast franchise the Department for Transport will consider both the current rail market
15 Apr 2013 : Column 3W
and also potential growth and the benefits this growth could deliver to rail passengers across the franchise, including Retford.
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that the (a) bidding process for the east coast main line franchise will not encounter similar problems to those experienced during the west coast main line bidding process and (b) the selected private sector operator will be able to deliver the service without public sector intervention. [150979]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department for Transport has learnt lessons from the problems with the InterCity West Coast franchise competition, from the Laidlaw inquiry into lessons learned from the cancellation of the InterCity West Coast competition and from the Brown Review into Rail Franchising.
The Department set out the actions it is taking in response to the Laidlaw inquiry, and this can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-report-of-the-laidlaw-inquiry
Electric Vehicles
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what position the Government will adopt at the Council of the European Union on the mandatory installation of acoustic vehicle alerting systems on quiet hybrid and electric vehicles. [150649]
Norman Baker: During the early discussions in the Council Working Group, the Government supported the Commission’s proposal to allow vehicle manufacturers to voluntarily install acoustic vehicle alerting systems on electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Some member states are requesting this to be a mandatory requirement and I am considering currently whether to revise our negotiating approach in the light of these developments.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost of re-running the consultation compensation is for High Speed 2 following the loss by the Department of the Judicial Review. [150659]
Mr Simon Burns: We are considering how a future consultation on compensation should work in light of this one particular aspect of the judgment. At this stage it is not possible to say what the cost of re-consultation will be.
Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the new consultation on High Speed 2 (HS2) compensation on the Birmingham to London route will commence; and whether it will be co-ordinated with the consultation on the newly announced Y route of HS2; [150660]
(2) if he will list the differences between the consultation on compensation on the High Speed 2 London to Birmingham route and the new consultation that the Department will be running following the adverse Judicial Review judgment against his Department. [150661]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 4W
Mr Simon Burns: We are considering the format, content and timing of the forthcoming HS2 property compensation consultation and will provide further information in due course.
Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of his Department's total budget will be taken up by expenditure on High Speed 2 (HS2) and HS2 rolling stock in each year from 2013-14 to 2020-21. [150995]
Mr Simon Burns: The proportion of the Department for Transport's total budget taken up by High Speed 2 for the next two years is set out in the following table:
| 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
Departmental budgets have not been agreed beyond this period.
Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated costs are for the rolling stock for High Speed 2 for (a) Phase 1 and (b) Phase 2. [150996]
Mr Simon Burns: Based upon current assumptions, the capital cost estimate for the rolling stock for Phase 1 is £3 billion at 2011 prices, including contingency. The capital cost estimate for the full network (Phases 1 and 2) is £8.15 billion at 2011 prices, including contingency.
Intercity Express Programme
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means funding for the intercity express programme trains for service on the east coast main line will be delivered. [151014]
Mr Simon Burns: Agility Trains is ultimately responsible for the financing strategy of both the IEP great western and east coast transactions. Agility Trains appointed a structuring bank group to deliver financial close for the great western element in July 2012.
Railways
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with transport authorities for the Northern, Transpennine and Midlands services on devolving responsibility for the provision of rail services in these areas. [151017]
Mr Simon Burns: In discussions with Ministers, the integrated transport authorities have indicated their support for devolution and have signalled their intention to come forward with a proposition. Officials are in detailed discussion with passenger transport executives and local authorities as propositions are being developed.
Railways: Industrial Disputes
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2013, Official Report, column 457W, on railways: industrial disputes, how much was paid by his Department as compensation for loss of revenue during industrial disputes in 2006-07. [150475]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 5W
Norman Baker: As my Answer of 18 March explained, the amount concerned is commercially confidential as it relates to a single payment to a single operator.
I can however inform the hon. Member that the amount concerned was less than £250,000.
Shipping: Registration
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made on establishing a timetable for ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention; and if he will make a statement. [150557]
Stephen Hammond: The UK will proceed with ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 once the necessary changes to legislation have been made, with a view to achieving this before 20 August 2013.
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the Government's one-in, one-out regulation rule on the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention. [150851]
Stephen Hammond: The implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is outside the scope of the one-in, one-out (now one-in, two-out) rule, which applies only to domestic legislation.
Energy and Climate Change
Biofuels
Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what tonnage of domestic biomass was used for energy generation in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and what estimate his Department has made of the likely tonnage in 2013; [151071]
(2) what the total amount of taxpayer-funded subsidy was on the tonnage of domestic biomass used in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and what estimate his Department has made of the likely level of subsidy in 2013. [151072]
Gregory Barker: Biomass-derived fuels can come in a variety of forms, such as liquid, solid and gaseous form, but support through the RO is not measured in tonnes of domestic biomass versus imported biomass. It is therefore not possible to provide comprehensive data in this format.
Ofgem collects specific sustainability information from generators claiming subsidy, including on the origin of the feedstock. See:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/RenewablObl/FuelledStations/ro-sustainability/Pages/index.aspx
The following table describes the amount of ROCs biomass-derived generating stations received in the RO over the last two reporting years (including domestically-produced and imported), based on the Ofgem RO Annual Reports:
15 Apr 2013 : Column 6W
| ROCs | ||
| Biomass-derived technology type | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
|
Electricity generated from sewage gas (where another fuel has also been used) | ||
| £ million | ||
|
Value of ROCs (based on average ROC value of £51.34 in 2010-11 and £42.27 in 2011-12) | ||
The likely cost in 2013-14 of the Renewables Obligation across all technologies is £2.6 billion in 2013-14 prices, based on the number of ROCs required of suppliers and the value of those ROCs. We expect biomass-derived generating stations to claim a similar proportion of total ROCs as in previous years.
Electricity
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to reduce electricity demand. [150969]
Gregory Barker: A number of Government policies, such as Green Deal and the new domestic Energy Company Obligation, are already aimed at reducing energy use. Following an assessment, first published in July 2012, as to whether further Government action was required(1), a consultation on additional options to encourage permanent reductions in electricity use was published in November 2012:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/options-to-encourage-permanent-reductions-in-electricity-use-electricity-demand-reduction
This consultation closed on 31 January and analysis of responses is currently under way. A response to that consultation setting out the way forward for the electricity demand reduction project will be published in due course.
(1) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads /attachment_data/file/66561/7075-electricity-demand-reduction_consultation-on-optio.pdf
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change by how much his Department's current policies are expected to reduce electricity demand (a) by 2018 and (b) by 2030. [150970]
Gregory Barker:
The DECC Energy and Emissions Projections published in October 2012 provided information(1) on electricity demand in the absence of
15 Apr 2013 : Column 7W
any Government policies and also demand taking into account the impact of Government policies. Based on these projections, the Department's policies are expected to reduce electricity demand by 59 TWh in 2018 and by 68 TWh in 2030.
(1)( )https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/attachment_data/file/65719/6665-annex-c-final-energy-demand.xls
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made on the potential for reducing electricity demand (a) by 2018 and (b) by 2030. [150971]
Gregory Barker: Analysis undertaken with McKinsey in November 2012 suggested that there could be the potential for up to 36 TWh of reduction in electricity use in 2020, and up to 92 TWh in 2030 (equivalent to around a 25% reduction) across domestic, industrial and commercial sectors. The analysis provides a snapshot of 2020 and 2030, Therefore, a specific figure for 2018 is not available. This analysis is being refined in light of responses to consultation and an external peer review, and any changes to the analysis will be published as part of the Government response to our consultation on further options for permanently reducing electricity demand.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to postponing (a) the Capacity Auction and (b) making capacity payments until the potential room for reducing electricity demand has been exhausted. [150972]
Gregory Barker: Given the potential risks to security of supply, the Government are minded to run the first capacity auction in 2014, for delivery in 2018-19.
The Capacity Market is intended to be technology neutral and to reflect the contribution that all forms of capacity—including demand side response—can make to security of electricity supply. The Capacity Market will play an important role in incentivising active demand side response, and we are putting in place specific arrangements to enable the effective participation of demand side response in the mechanism.
On electricity demand reduction, a consultation was launched in November 2012 and closed on 31 January 2013. This included a number of policy options, one of which was inclusion of EDR in the Capacity Market. The responses to the electricity demand reduction consultation are currently being analysed and a Government Response will be issued in due course, setting out what part, if any, EDR might play in the Capacity Market.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce an electricity demand reduction incentive. [150973]
Gregory Barker: A consultation on various options to encourage permanent reductions in electricity use was published in November 2012 and closed on 31 January. We are currently analysing the responses to that consultation and a Government Response will be published setting out a decision on the way forward in due course.
15 Apr 2013 : Column 8W
Fuel Poverty
Dr McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of household income was spent on fuel in (a) England and (b) Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. [150918]
Gregory Barker: Data on weekly expenditure on fuel are available from the Living Costs and Food Survey, run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Data from this survey cover a three-year period, such that the last three sets of figures represent an average of the 2007-09, 2008-10 and 2009-11 periods. By dividing the average weekly spend on gas, electricity and other fuels by the average weekly gross income, we can estimate the proportion of gross income that households in England and Northern Ireland spend on fuel. The results from this are presented in the following table:
| Percentage | |||
| 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | |
Dr McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when a Minister in his Department last met the Northern Ireland Assembly to discuss fuel poverty. [150954]
Gregory Barker: Ministers in the Department have not met members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to discuss fuel poverty, which is a devolved issue.
Officials in DECC regularly liaise with officials in the Department for Social Development to discuss fuel poverty issues.
Natural Gas
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research has been conducted or commissioned by his Department into the recovery of natural gas from seabed frozen methane hydrates. [151079]
Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr Hayes), on 19 March 2013, Official Report, column 591W.
Natural Gas: Yorkshire and the Humber
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many and what proportion of homes in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber do not have access to the gas network. [151042]
Gregory Barker: The exact number of households off the gas grid is not held centrally.
Estimates have been produced based on information held from two administrative sources; these are the Gemserv database on the location of electricity meters,
15 Apr 2013 : Column 9W
and data from xoserve and independent gas transporters on the location of gas meters. Subtracting the number of gas meters from the number of electricity meters produces a broad estimate of the number of off-grid properties.
However, some households can have more than one electricity meter associated with their property (for instance, a supply for communal facilities such as stairwell lighting or a lift). Additionally, the standard gas industry definition of domestic use uses a consumption threshold, with any consumer using less than 73,200 kWh of gas per year being classed as a domestic user; it is estimated that—Great Britain wide—this definition allocates around 2 million small business users as domestic. Furthermore, a small number of meters (less than one third of 1%) do not have sufficient information associated with them to be able to allocate them to a specific area.
The underlying data on the number of gas and electricity meters in each local authority are available on the Department website at:
15 Apr 2013 : Column 10W
www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/regional/electricity/electricity.aspx
www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/regional/gas/gas.aspx
The following table shows, for 2011, the number of domestic electricity meter points, the number of gas meter points where consumption was less than 73,200 kWh, and the difference between the two figures, which forms an estimate of the number of households off the gas grid for each local authority within Yorkshire and the Humber.
The number of installed meters by parliamentary constituency level is not currently available, and as such this analysis cannot be produced at this level. However, the Brigg and Goole constituency comprises a combination of parts of the East Riding and North Lincolnshire local authorities. The estimated combined number of households off the gas grid in East Riding and North Lincolnshire is 33,200; in Yorkshire and the Humber as a whole the estimated number is 248,000.
| ONS code | LAU1 code | LAU1 area | Number of domestic electricity meters (thousand) | Number of domestic gas meters (thousand) | Estimated number of households off the gas grid (thousand) | Estimated percentage of households off the gas grid |
Nuclear Power Stations
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many state aids notifications in respect of the nuclear new build programme the Government have (a) submitted to date and (b) plan to submit to the European Commission; what the scope is of each such notification; and what the Government's timetable is for the Commission to make its final decision in each case. [151076]
Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Government are working with the European Commission to ensure that our policies are compliant with state aid rules, where we consider these have state aid implications. In order to maintain effective working relationships with the Commission, it would be inappropriate to provide detail on a fast-moving and ongoing process. State aid decisions by the Commission are made public.
Radiation: Emergency Services
Paul Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will list for each civil licensed (a) nuclear power plant and (b) nuclear fuel cycle installation in the UK which of the emergency services responder organisations from the (i) fire brigade, (ii) police, (iii) ambulance service and (iv) local authorities have been pre-registered locally in respect of requirements under Regulation 14 of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information)
15 Apr 2013 : Column 11W
Regulations 2001 to pre-train those personnel who would have to carry out their duties in a radioactive environment in the event of a radiological emergency at a licensed nuclear site; and what details of pre-registration emergency services are required to communicate to the Office for Nuclear Regulation. [151025]
Mr Hayes: Where an emergency plan prepared in accordance with the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR) suggests an employee might receive an "emergency exposure" to radiation, each employer must provide those employees with appropriate radiation protection training. Hence, under REPPIR, employers must ensure such employees are provided with information and instruction on the risks to health created by exposure to ionising radiation and the precautions which should be taken. An "emergency exposure", as defined in REPPIR, is an exposure to ionising radiation of intervention personnel which may be necessary to put emergency plans into effect.
Records of any local pre-registration by the fire brigade, police, ambulance service and local authorities are kept by these individual organisations at the local level and are not held centrally by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Emergency services are not required under REPPIR to communicate details of pre-registration of training to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). However, REPPIR Reg 14 (2) requires the licensed nuclear site operator to notify to the Office for Nuclear Regulation of the emergency exposure levels which the operator has determined for intervention personnel on site in the event of a radiation emergency. This information is contained within the on-site and off-site emergency plans prepared under REPPIR, which are submitted to ONR. These plans, where appropriate, include a list of the emergency exposure dose levels for the emergency services.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Africa and Middle East
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent report by Open Doors UK which concluded that persecution of Christians is increasing in Africa and the Middle East. [150521]
Alistair Burt: I share Open Doors UK’s concerns about those who are persecuted around the world because of their religion or belief. The British Government condemn all violence and discrimination against individuals or groups because of their religion, regardless of the country or faith concerned. We also seek to act on the representations made by advocacy organisations, including Open Doors UK, with which my officials are in regular contact.
The report by Open Doors raised concerns about a major exodus of Christians from the middle east. We regularly stress to Governments the importance of respecting universal human rights, including religious
15 Apr 2013 : Column 12W
rights and the rule of law, particularly in those countries affected by the Arab Spring. For example, in Egypt in January I conveyed our concerns about the protection of minorities, including Christians, to a range of political and civil society figures.
Through the Arab Partnership, the Government's strategic programme of support for fundamental, long-term positive change in the middle east and North Africa, we are working to strengthen the local institutions which will help the people of the region to build more open and inclusive societies. Such societies offer citizens the best chance to exercise their human rights fully, and to build long-term prosperity and security.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what fishing and marine protection patrols have been undertaken in the British Indian Ocean Territory in the last year; how many vessels in breach of licences have been apprehended as a result of such proposals; and what violations have been discovered. [150985]
Mark Simmonds: The British Indian Ocean Territory patrol vessel, the Pacific Marlin, was at sea for 310 days between January 2012 and January 2013. The vessel multitasks, but fisheries protection was the principal task.
No fishing licences were issued and therefore no breaches of licences were possible.
Three Sri Lankan fishing vessels were apprehended and successfully prosecuted in the last year up to 25 March 2013. There were three violations relating to fishing in the fishing waters of BIOT without a licence, contrary the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2007; three violations relating to possession of prohibited fishing gear, namely wire trace lines; and one violation relating to possession of prohibited fishing gear, namely a harpoon.
One yacht was found without a valid mooring permit.
Burma
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the conditions and treatment of Rohingya refugees in Thailand. [150427]
Mr Swire: On 15 March, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) released a statement highlighting its concern about the treatment of Rohingya by the Thai authorities. This year the UNHCR estimates that 7,000 Rohingya have made the dangerous journey across the bay of Bengal to various destinations.
Since January, the UNHCR estimates that more than 1,800 boat arrivals—the vast majority Rohingya from Rakhine State—have been accepted on Thai soil and have been provided with assistance in shelters and immigration detention facilities mainly in the south. The UNHCR has welcomed the Thai Government's decision to provide them with six months of temporary protection while solutions are sought. It has requested that the Government investigate the claims of mistreatment by the Thai navy.
15 Apr 2013 : Column 13W
On 8 March, our ambassador to Bangkok raised with a senior Thai Minister the need to provide full access to health services for all migrants in need, including the Rohingya. We continue to lobby the Thai authorities, calling for an open and transparent investigation into the navy's treatment of the boat off Phang Nga province and to treat Rohingya in line with international humanitarian standards.
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on allegations that the Thai navy sold Rohingya refugees travelling by boat to human traffickers. [150454]
Mr Swire: The British Government have received no specific reports alleging that the Thai navy has sold Rohingya refugees to human traffickers. In January 2013 we received reports that a number of military officers attached to Thailand's Internal Security Operation Command were investigated for their role in relation to people smuggling of Rohingya through Thailand and on to Malaysia. During the investigation, two senior army officials were suspended from their posts.
We continue to lobby the Thai Government to ensure that they adhere to international protocols governing the treatment of refugees by offering protection and assistance to those who land on their shores. Alongside other partners and civil society organisations, we are also pressing them to ensure full access to detained Rohingya refugees by the International Organisation of Migration and the UN High Commission for Refugees.
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the treatment of Rohingya prisoners in Buthidaung Prison in Burma following recent allegations of torture and abuse. [150459]
Mr Swire: We have regular discussions with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana. These meetings cover the full range of human rights issues in Burma, including the issue of political prisoners.
Mr Quintana's report on 6 March highlighted concerns about the practice of torture in places of detention in Burma. It set out allegations that Muslim prisoners detained in Buthidaung prison in Rakhine State after last June and October's violence had been tortured and beaten to death. Beyond the Quintana report, our officials in Rangoon have sought to clarify the veracity of allegations of torture in Buthidaung prison and believe that in some cases these allegations are credible.
On 7 March, our ambassador discussed the plight of Rohingya prisoners in Buthidaung jail with the Burmese Minister for Border Affairs. On 20 March, an EU-sponsored resolution at the Human Rights Council called for the Burmese Government to sign the International Convention against Torture. The UK has lobbied steadily about this and we will continue to press the Burmese Government to implement the Convention.
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent communal violence in the Burmese city of Meikhtila; and if he will make a statement. [151056]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 14W
Mr Swire: We are extremely concerned by the recent violence in Meiktila which spread to other parts of Burma. We are particularly concerned about the way in which the violence seemed to target Muslim communities. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), issued a statement on behalf of the British Government on 21 March, calling on all parties to end the violence immediately and urging the Burmese Government to take all necessary action to protect civilians and to work with communities to tackle the hostility behind the attacks.
We are encouraged that the violence has since ceased. I welcomed the statement by President Thein Sein on 28 March, which called for accountability and freedom of religion, stated his readiness to maintain public order and protect all of the different communities in Burma, and to work for reconciliation between communities.
Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Burma to address the recent communal violence in that country; and if he will make a statement. [151057]
Mr Swire: Our ambassador to Rangoon called on senior members of the Burmese Government on 22 March to urge the Government to protect civilians and ensure security in Meiktila and the other towns affected by the recent violence in central Burma. He also met with a senior Buddhist leader, the Sitagu Sayadaw, and welcomed his public calls for monks to prevent violence. He has also discussed the violence with Aung San Suu Kyi. Our ambassador was the first diplomat to visit Meiktila in the wake of the violence, which he did on 25 March, to see the situation there.
Senior officials in London have raised our concerns with the Burmese Government, including Burma’s ambassador to London.
We remain in close contact with members of the Muslim community in Burma, our counterparts in Rangoon’s diplomatic community, and with others in the international community, including the EU and UN. We call upon all of Burma’s political and civil society leaders to speak up for peace.
Central African Republic
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in the Central African Republic. [151021]
Mark Simmonds: I am greatly concerned about reports of violence and looting in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR); about water, food and power shortages; and the difficulties humanitarian agencies are facing in accessing those affected. I am also concerned about reports of human rights violations across the country. UK officials have been working closely with French colleagues in Bangui and Paris to ensure the safety of British nationals.
I condemn Seleka’s unconstitutional takeover of power in CAR. HMG is working with partners in the UN, EU and elsewhere, to ensure that the international community’s
15 Apr 2013 : Column 15W
response supports long-term democracy, stability and security in CAR. This should include a return, where possible, to the principles of the 11 January Libreville Agreement.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the security situation in the Central African Republic. [151022]
Mark Simmonds: I condemn Seleka’s unconstitutional takeover of power in CAR. We are working with partners in the UN, EU and elsewhere, to ensure that the international community’s response supports long-term democracy, stability and security in CAR. This should include a return, where possible, to the principles of the 11 January Libreville Agreement.
Colombia
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the peace process in Colombia. [150642]
Mr Swire: We are strongly supportive of President Santos' decision to enter into peace negotiations with the FARC. It brings hope of sustainable peace for all Colombians after decades of conflict.
We have provided political support and have shared some of the lessons learnt from the Northern Ireland experience. The Prime Minister has made it clear that we stand ready to provide further support, if asked by the Colombian Government. We are in regular contact with the Colombian authorities; they are well aware of our readiness to help.
Eritrea
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights’ issues have been raised by the UK with (a) the Government of Eritrea and (b) human rights and civil liberty groups in that country. [150983]
Mark Simmonds: We raise our concerns about human rights with the Eritrean Government at every opportunity, bilaterally and with EU partners. Issues raised include arbitrary and inhumane detention, lack of religious freedom, freedom of the media and freedom of expression and assembly.
Civil society in Eritrea remains tightly controlled. There are no independent human rights or civil liberty groups currently operating in Eritrea. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London meet regularly with representatives of the Eritrean diaspora, civil society and human rights organisations to discuss human rights in Eritrea.
Ethiopia
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Ethiopia on human rights, poverty and living conditions in the Ogaden region. [150353]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 16W
Mark Simmonds: We consistently raise human rights, development and security issues in Ethiopia's Ogaden region with all levels of the Ethiopian Government, including earlier this year in separate meetings with the Minister of Defence, the National Security Adviser and the President of the Somali Region.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to the Government of Somalia in respect of security issues in the Ogaden region. [150354]
Mark Simmonds: The security situation in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia remains of concern. We continue to monitor reported incidents of violence and clashes in the region. While security sector reform remains an integral part of the British Government's strategy for Somalia and a key deliverable for the 7 May Somalia conference in London, the focus of that approach rests within Somalia's borders. As such, we currently offer no direct support to the Federal Government of Somalia with respect to the Ogaden region of Ethiopia and have no plans to do so.
Human Rights
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department work full time on human rights policy. [149682]
Alistair Burt: We do not hold information centrally on the number of positions devoted exclusively to human rights work. In 2012, we estimated that we had the equivalent of approximately 240 full-time employees working on human rights in the UK and overseas. We do not believe the number has changed significantly since then. This number includes 29 full-time and one part-time permanent staff plus two contracted human rights advisers within the human rights and democracy department in London.
Human rights are integral to our foreign policy. All our embassies and high commissions have a responsibility to monitor and promote human rights. The amount of staff resource devoted to human rights across the FCO network varies over time because these responsibilities are carried out by different members of staff, at different levels of seniority, in response to developments. For most staff, this work is normally part of a broader role.
More information on the FCO’s human rights priorities and resources can be found in the FCO’s 2011 Human Rights and Democracy Report available at:
www.gov.uk/government/policies/promoting-human-rights-internationally
Iran
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Iran on the imprisonment of Pastor Fashid Malayeri. [150430]
Alistair Burt:
The UK does not have direct contact with the Government of Iran, but UK Ministers have repeatedly and publicly expressed the UK's serious concern at the persecution of religious minorities in Iran, including the unjustified arrest and imprisonment
15 Apr 2013 : Column 17W
of Christian pastors; and called on Iran to release those being detained for their beliefs, including Pastor Fashid Malayeri. The UK also continues to support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran, whose most recent report to the UN's Human Rights Council highlights the unacceptable treatment of Christians.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the imprisonment of individuals based on religion. [150452]
Alistair Burt: The UK does not have direct contact with the Government of Iran, but the British Government have repeatedly and publicly expressed our serious concern at the persecution of religious minorities in Iran, including the unjustified arrest and imprisonment of Christians and the Bahai; and called on Iran to release those being detained for their beliefs. The UK also continues to support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, whose most recent report to the UN's Human Rights Council highlights the unacceptable treatment of religious minorities in Iran.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the imprisonment rate of individuals based on their religion in Iran. [150453]
Alistair Burt: Iran's human rights record is appalling: and its treatment of religious minorities, particularly the imprisonment of individuals for their beliefs, is particularly shocking. According to the latest report of UN Special Rapporteur, 110 Baha’is are currently detained for exercising their faith, with around a further 400 at other stages in the judicial process. The report also notes that at least 13 Protestant Christians are currently in detention centres across Iran, and that more than 300 Christians have been arrested since June 2010. Furthermore, as of November 2012, 12 Gonabadi Dervishes are reportedly in custody, as well as the leader of the Yarsan religious minority.
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect of recent decisions by the European Court of Justice on the sanctions regime against Iran. [150933]
Alistair Burt: The UK and its EU partners continue to believe that robust and principled measures must be taken against entities and individuals providing support to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes. We firmly believe that there remains a case to answer in the EU General Court cases concerning Banks Mellat and Saderat. We welcome, and support, the unanimous decision of the EU member states to appeal in those cases. Asset freezes against these, and all other entities designated under the EU Iran sanctions regime, remain in place.
Iraq
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq following the attacks on Camp Liberty in February 2013. [149856]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 18W
Alistair Burt: Officials from our embassy in Baghdad met United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq officials in the afternoon following the attacks. We continue to raise questions concerning Camp Liberty with the UN and the Government of Iraq as appropriate.
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of claims made by the Iranian Quds Force that they intend to attack Camp Liberty. [149857]
Alistair Burt: We have received no reports that the Iranian Quds Force intend to attack Camp Liberty.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the security situation in Baghdad. [150419]
Alistair Burt: The security situation in Baghdad remains very dangerous, with attacks against the Iraqi security forces, Government employees and civilians on a daily basis. There are regular, high-profile attacks against Government locations and large gatherings of civilians. Our Travel Advice advises against all but essential travel to most of Iraq, including Baghdad.
Israel
Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli Government about night-time arrests of children. [149692]
Alistair Burt: We have raised with the Israeli authorities our concerns about the treatment of Palestinian child detainees, including the issue of night-time arrests, on a number of occasions. During his visit to Israel in November 2012, the Attorney-General, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve), discussed the issue with his Israeli counterpart, Yehuda Weinstein, and other senior interlocutors. Mr Weinstein agreed to further talks between Israeli and British legal experts on the subject. In addition, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials discussed this with a senior Israeli legal delegation in London on 31 January.
Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Israeli authorities about recording of police interviews with children. [149694]
Alistair Burt: During his visit to Israel in November 2012 the Attorney-General, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve), raised the issue of audio-visual recording of interviews with Palestinian children held in Israeli military detention, as recommended in an independent report by British legal experts, with the Israeli Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein and other senior interlocuters. Mr Weinstein agreed to further talks between Israeli and British legal experts on the subject. This followed previous discussions between our embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli authorities on this and other recommendations made in the June 2012 report.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials discussed the recommendations and progress on this issue with a senior Israeli legal delegation on 31 January 2013. The
15 Apr 2013 : Column 19W
delegation reported that recording of police interviews with Palestinian children was being introduced in some cases. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials urged that this practice be made uniform and be formalised into Israeli policy and law.
Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that Palestinian children are not blindfolded or hooded on arrest. [149695]
Alistair Burt: We have raised with the Israeli authorities our concerns about the treatment of Palestinian child detainees, including the issues of hooding and shackling, on a number of occasions. We consider such practices to be wrong. During his visit to Israel in November 2012, the Attorney-General, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve), discussed our concerns with his Israeli counterpart, Yehuda Weinstein, and other senior interlocutors. Mr Weinstein agreed to further talks between Israeli and British legal experts on the subject. In addition, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials discussed these with a senior Israeli legal delegation in London on 31 January.
Kosovo
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress in establishing the rule of law in northern Kosovo. [149918]
Mr Lidington: Strengthening the rule of law remains one of the many outstanding challenges in northern Kosovo. We encourage all parties to work with the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), including by allowing EULEX to transport Kosovo customs officials by land to the two northern border gates to implement the Kosovo-Serbia agreement on Integrated Border Management. Following a series of grenade attacks, EULEX has doubled its joint patrols with the Kosovo police in Mitrovica North, leading to a marked decrease in such attacks. We continue to give full support to the Serbia-Kosovo political dialogue facilitated by Baroness Ashton, which should lead to the early dismantling of Serbia's illegal security and judicial structures in northern Kosovo.
Morocco
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the Moroccan authorities the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture that the Moroccan Government: reconsider the jurisdiction of the military court over civilians in the case of the 23 Saharawi men detained at Salé Prison 1; undertake that civilians will not be sentenced by military courts; initiate impartial and effective investigations to ascertain exactly what occurred and determine what responsibility should be borne by members of the police and security forces; and investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment. [150599]
Alistair Burt:
We welcome the report of Mr Juan Mendez, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, and Morocco's openness in allowing him to visit, which indicates a genuine political will to address a continued improvement in human rights. We will encourage and support Morocco in the implementation of the
15 Apr 2013 : Column 20W
recommendations and continue to raise our concerns with the Moroccan authorities on human rights issues through our existing frank and open dialogue.
Nature Conservation: Crime
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on possible security threats caused by terrorists and other criminal organisations participating in international wildlife crime. [149962]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not discussed this specific issue recently with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson).
North Africa
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking with the governments of (a) Egypt, (b) Libya and (c) Tunisia to assist with the return of misappropriated state assets. [149920]
Alistair Burt: Of the Arab Spring countries, the UK does not hold any frozen state assets for either Egypt or Tunisia.
The majority of the Libyan assets frozen in the UK are for state-owned entities. We remain engaged with the new Libyan Government in order to ensure the asset freeze against these, and other state-owned entities, is kept under regular review to ensure they are returned as swiftly as possible but in full accordance with international conditions and the completion of legal process by the countries concerned.
Overseas Trade: Minerals
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to ensure that UK companies trade only in conflict-free minerals. [150868]
Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) works closely with UK companies, particularly in the diamond, gold and jewellery sectors, to encourage trade in conflict-free minerals. The FCO has assisted in the development of guidance, by the UK-based World Gold Council and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), for companies in the gold and minerals sectors, in order to help British companies undertake due diligence checks on their supply chains to ensure that the minerals and gold they purchase do not fund conflict. Under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Government Diamond Office, based in the FCO, works closely with the UK Border Agency and Customs to monitor trade and inspect diamond shipments in order to reduce the risk that rough diamonds linked to conflict are entering the UK.
15 Apr 2013 : Column 21W
Palestinians
Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is planning to take against UK directors of G4S over the alleged illegal transfer of Palestinian prisoners to Israeli prisons. [149691]
Alistair Burt: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my answer of 7 March 2013, Official Report, column 1191W.
Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the suspension of family visits to Gazan prisoners held in Israeli jails; and if he will make a statement. [149693]
Alistair Burt: Our officials from the consulate general in Jerusalem received a report on 18 March from the International Committee of the Red Cross saying that Israel has suspended family visits to prisoners from Gaza for three weeks for Jewish holidays.
Our officials in Tel Aviv have raised the issue of family visits for Palestinian prisoners with the Israeli authorities and, following the Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, family visits have been reinstated. We continue to press the Israeli authorities to treat prisoners in accordance with international and Israeli law.
Pay
Priti Patel:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid to
15 Apr 2013 : Column 22W
officials in
(a)
his Department and
(b)
its non-departmental public bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each of the last five years; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest payments made in each year. [148026]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has two types of non-consolidated, variable performance pay schemes, both of which are focused on rewarding high levels of performance. These types of payment are an integral element of the reward package for staff, have to be re-earned each year and do not add to future pay bill costs (e.g. pensions).
Performance-related payments (PRP) are an established part of the civil service pay model. The FCO uses PRP to motivate and reward its staff. Making PRP part of an annual award contingent on performance maximises value for money and control of the pay bill because the payments are non-pensionable and have to be re-earned every year. The FCO policies on PRP are within the guidelines set by HMT and the Cabinet Office.
The in-year performance award scheme is devolved to directorates to allow them to recognise outstanding achievement either by an individual or team. Awards are payable only to staff in grades below the senior civil service.
Details of payments of PRP and other payments made to staff by the FCO are shown in the following table.
The FCO has changed the way it records its management information to include organisational partners in Government in the overall figures. As a result, this information is not comparable with previously released figures.
For years prior to 2010-11, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 19 November 2010, Official Report, column 1010W, and the answer given by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
15 Apr 2013 : Column 23W
Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), on 18 January 2012,
Official Report,
column 880W.
For details of allowances and other payments in addition to salary for 2011-12, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer on allowances and subsidies given today.
Details of bonuses and other payments paid to staff employed by the FCO’s non-departmental public bodies are as follows:
| British Council | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
Foreign Compensation Commission
There is no bonus scheme in place. The Ministry of Justice sets down rules reimbursing part-time heads of tribunals for travel expenses. Average rail costs range between £35 and £45 per week over 10 months. (Entitlement to first-class travel has never been taken up to reduce costs.) The aggregate monetary value of the 20 largest payments would be under £900.
| FCO services | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| n/a = Not available. | |||||
| Great Britain: China Centre | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
The MACC does not employ any staff and the commissioners are unpaid public appointees.
15 Apr 2013 : Column 24W
| Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| n/a = Not available. | |||||
For SCS, WFD makes performance-related payments in line with the FCO scheme.
| Wilton Park | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| n/a = Not available. | |||||
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what allowances and subsidies in addition to salary were available to officials in (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value was of such payments and allowances in each such year. [148045]
Alistair Burt: Diplomatic service staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have a global mobility obligation and will typically spend over half of their careers outside of the UK, moving country every few years. The FCO pays allowances to staff serving overseas to compensate for the extra costs incurred through moving frequently and living overseas.
UK-based staff serving overseas are paid allowances to compensate them for the additional cost of maintaining a standard of living comparable to the UK, called a Cost of Living Addition, and for the range of additional costs resulting from frequent changes of job, location and environment paid as Diplomatic Service Allowance. Staff who work in dangerous and challenging environments are paid a Hardship Allowance, while staff who visit dangerous and challenging environments can claim Hazardous Conditions Allowance. The Continuity of Education Allowance enables children to continue their schooling at UK boarding schools while their parents take up overseas postings, often in places where suitable schooling may not be available.
In the UK most allowances are job related and represent compensation for working additional or unsociable hours or for taking additional responsibilities such as deputising for more senior officers.
Details of allowances are as follows:
15 Apr 2013 : Column 25W
15 Apr 2013 : Column 26W
15 Apr 2013 : Column 27W
15 Apr 2013 : Column 28W
The FCO has changed the way it records its management information to include organisational partners in Government in the overall figures. As a result, this information is not comparable with previously released figures.
In addition, the FCO also makes payments to staff to reimburse them for reasonable and actual costs incurred in the course of their duties.
Some allowances are currently under review as part of Civil Service Reform. As part of its commitment to continuously ensuring value for money, the FCO regularly reviews the allowances we pay to staff.
For years prior to 2010-11 I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 18 November 2010, Official Report, column 903W and the answer given by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), on 18 January 2012, Official Report, column 880W.
As part of the Government’s Transparency Agenda, we also aim to publish this data as far as we are able at:
www.data.gov.uk
Details of allowances paid to staff employed by the FCO's non-departmental public bodies are as follows:
London Market Allowance
Responsibility Allowance
Finance Allowance
On-Call Allowance
Frequent Traveller Allowance
Shift Allowance
Home working/Utilities Allowance
Expatriate/Mobility Allowance
Location Allowance
Cost of Living Allowance
Continuity of Education Allowance
| Allowance | |
Foreign Compensation Commission
None other than the Chairman's rail travel expenses, which in any year would be less than £1,700.
Deputising Allowance
Driving Messengers
Excess Fares Taxable
Hazardous Conditions Allowance
Individual Recruitment Premium
Location Allowance
Market Forces Allowance
On Call
Overseas Allowances
Provided Transport Deduction
Retention Payment
Retention Premium
RRA
Shift Disturbance Allowance
Short Tour Allowance
Substitution
Supervisory Allowance
Unsocial Hours Allowance
| Allowance (£) | |
| n/a = not available. | |
| Great Britain—China Centre | ||
| Number of allowances | Total value (£) | |
| Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission | |
| Allowance | |
The MACC does not employ any staff and the Commissioners are unpaid public appointees.
| Westminster Foundation for Democracy | |
| Allowance | |
15 Apr 2013 : Column 29W
WFD do not provide any allowances or subsidies to any member of staff.
| Wilton Park | |
| Allowance | |
Sergei Magnitsky
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to impose visa bans and asset freezes on Russian Government officials referred to in the Resolution of the House of 7 March 2012 on human rights abuses and the death of Sergei Magnitsky. [150843]
Mr Lidington: The House's resolution of 7 March 2012, Official Report, columns 928-51, is based on a principle, which the Government share: to defend human rights and condemn those who abuse them. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), said during the debate on 7 March 2012 that we would look at the situation after the passage of the US Act and see if lessons could be learned. We have now done so. We do not believe there is evidence to suggest that the new legislation has brought any closer, or is likely to bring any closer, the outcome that we all want—justice for Sergei Magnitsky and his family. Worryingly, the Russian authorities have closed the investigation into Magnitsky's death without any results and are trying him posthumously for fraud, which is generally considered permissible only when carried out to exonerate a wrongfully convicted person or provide justice for family members of victims—neither of which is applicable in this circumstance.
We have long been clear that where there is credible evidence the UK immigration rules already include provision for those who abuse human rights to be denied entry to the UK. This was also set out in the 2011 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights and Democracy Report.
We continue to raise this case at the highest levels; the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised it with Foreign Minister Lavrov during talks in London in March, as did I when I met Deputy Foreign Minister Titov in Moscow in February. We will continue to reiterate the importance of bringing the case to a thorough and transparent conclusion.
Sickness Absence
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies has lost to staff sickness in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the cost of such absence in each year. [147988]
15 Apr 2013 : Column 30W
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 8 November 2010, Official Report, column 86W, for the costs of absences for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
The number of days lost to sick absence in each of the last five years and the nominal salary cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of days lost through sickness in each of these years is broken down as follows:
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
| (1) These data will differ from previously published information because we have revised the methodology used to calculate headcount, to bring our reporting into line with Cabinet Office and Office for National Statistics guidelines. (2) Estimated costs only. | ||
Non-departmental public bodies
| FCO Services | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| n/a = Not available | |||||
| British Council | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Note: Nil (0) cost each year, WFD does not pay for sickness cover and staff work the additional hours necessary to cover the work. | |||||
| Great Britain China Centre | |
| 2008-13 | |
| Wilton Park | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| n/a = Not available | |||||
The Foreign Compensation Commission and Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission do not employ any staff and therefore have no sick absences to record.
Priti Patel:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental
15 Apr 2013 : Column 31W
public bodies have had (i) fewer than five days, (ii) five to 10 days, (iii) 10 to 15 days, (iv) 15 to 20 days, (v) 20 to 25 days, (vi) 25 to 50 days, (vii) 50 to 75 days, (viii) 75 to 100 days, (ix) 100 to 150 days, (x) 150 to 200 days, (xi) more than 200 days, (xii) more than three months, (xiii) more than six months and (xiv) more than one year on paid sick leave (A) consecutively and (B) in total in each of the last five years. [148007]
Alistair Burt: Since November 2010, we have refined the calculation on average staff costs, which enable the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to better reflect the cost per day of absences. For the absences in 2012-13, these will be published in the forthcoming FCO annual report.
I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 1 November 2010, Official Report, column 572W, for the number of absences for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
The number of staff who have taken sick absence in each of the last five years is as follows:
| Sick days | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |