Climate Assessments
Mrs Moon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many climate assessments in relation to equality and diversity have been conducted by each of the three
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services since 2010; if he will place a copy of each such assessment in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [155257]
Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring a working environment free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination. Each of the services, as a high priority, is actively educating their personnel to encourage a military culture in which each individual is valued, respected, and encouraged to realise their full potential. In addition, each service analyses qualitative evidence gathered through regular surveys and also employs specific management tools to ensure progress and develop effective equality and diversity strategies at unit level.
Climate assessments are a confidential tool which the Army have found very useful in identifying and resolving equality and diversity issues as they arise locally. In the timeframe requested, the Army has carried out 209 such assessments.
The Navy and the RAF do not routinely conduct formal climate assessments. The Navy uses a biennial system of programmed visits to units to advise and support the implementation of equality and diversity policies and procedures. Where there is a requirement to do so, such visits can occur more frequently. In total, since 2010 the Royal Navy have conducted 116 such visits. Similarly, the RAF task their Personnel Casework teams to conduct regular assurance visits to RAF stations, with the aim of monitoring trends and identifying areas requiring attention.
I do not intend to place copies of climate assessments in the Library of the House. These assessments capture frank and open discussions provided on the understanding that information will remain confidential. Releasing this information could reduce the confidence of service personnel in speaking out about inappropriate behaviour in this way, and therefore undermine the effectiveness of these reports.
Clothing
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have made a claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155445]
Mr Robathan: The costs of evening dress allowance and the number of personnel who have claimed it are set out in the following table:
| Staff in receipt of evening dress allowance | ||
| Financial year | Total (£) | Number of recipients |
This allowance is for the hire of evening dress by civilian staff for official functions, or for the purchase of it if more than three functions are foreseen, in which
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case 75% of the cost may be recovered through the allowance. However this is only available once in every 10 years.
Defence Support Group
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 24 April 2013, Official Report, column 903W, on Defence Support Group, whether the dividend returns from Defence Support Group represents a net gain to the public purse; and if he will make a statement. [155261]
Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck) on 4 March 2013, Official Report, column 846W.
Defence: Expenditure
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter referred to by the Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, in his evidence to the Public Accounts Committee on 4 February 2013 which sets out defence expenditure assumptions. [155019]
Mr Philip Hammond: No. The letter in question was addressed to me from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and relates to discussions of funding between spending reviews and other matters that would not normally be released.
I can, however, say that the letter confirmed the departmental expenditure limits for the current spending review period and that the 10-year funding profile for the Equipment Programme had not changed.
Defence: Procurement
Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has contributed towards expenditure on urgent operational requirements since May 2010. [155552]
Mr Dunne: The vast majority of Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) expenditure is funded from HM Treasury Reserve. Information on any UOR expenditure funded from the Department's core equipment programme is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Enfield
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding (a) his Department and (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible has allocated to the London borough of Enfield local authority in each of the last five years. [154511]
Mr Francois: The UK defence budget is not allocated or planned on a regional basis. The Ministry of Defence therefore does not allocate any money to the London borough of Enfield. We may make some payments to the borough, such as parking charges, but these are not collated separately.
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Guided Weapons: USA
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK weapon systems currently in service were acquired through the Foreign Military Sales system; how many such systems have conducted testing in the US; and what estimate he has made of the cost of that testing. [154739]
Mr Dunne: 11 in-service UK weapons systems have been acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales system. Of these, three have been tested in the US at an overall cost of £16.6 million.
Mobile Phones
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to his Department; how much was paid under the contract in the last year for which figures are available; how many individual services are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; when the contract will next be renewed; and for how long. [155653][Official Report, 2 September 2013, Vol. 567, c. 2MC.]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 16 May 2013]:The majority of mobile telephones supplied to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are provided by Vodafone through an enabling arrangement through the Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) contract with British Telecom. The MOD paid a total of £5.3 million (including VAT) for mobile services in financial year 2012-13.
A variety of services are covered by the Vodafone contract but at the simplest level they can be divided in to voice accounts and data accounts. At the end of March 2013 there were 34,924 voice accounts and 8,517 data accounts.
The Vodafone element of the DFTS contract was renewed following competitive processes in 2011 and is due to expire in 2015. Renewal of this contract is currently an element of a wider re-procurement activity for Defence Core Network Services.
Pay
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department issues on the actions that would result in the suspension or removal of a bonus payment to an official in his Department; what the process is for clawing back such bonuses; and on how many occasions this has happened in each of the last five years. [154994]
Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence performance related pay system is retrospective and based upon work already carried out and reported upon; therefore, no guidance is required in relation to the suspension or removal of a bonus. We do not have a process to claw performance awards back and there is no record of this having occurred in the last five years. Bonuses are awarded on a performance basis and for the last performance year it is anticipated that changes to the system will result in reductions to the overall cost of some £13 million.
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Pensions: Ministry of Defence
Mr Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the percentage that will be deducted from the salaries of members of the (a) Defence Fire and Rescue Service and (b) Ministry of Defence Police in employee pension contributions in 2015-16 when their normal pension age is (i) the state pension age or (ii) 60 years old. [154951]
Mr Francois [holding answer 14 May 2013]: The average pension contribution for members of both the Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) and Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in 2015-16, when their normal pension age (NPA) is the state pension age, will be 5.6%.
Those who are within 10 years of their normal retirement age as at April 2012 will pay additional contributions but they will not see any increase in the age at which they can draw their pension benefits in full. All others will see their normal pension age increase in 2015-16. It is not possible to specify what the impact on contributions would be, if the NPA were to be reduced to 60 for either DFRS or MDP personnel. This would depend on how the additional costs, when they are known, would be shared between the Ministry of Defence and its employees. In line with the requirement set out in the Public Sector Pensions Act 2013 we have recently started a review of the normal pension age for both groups which will address these issues.
Publications
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on subscriptions to academic journals published by (a) Reed-Elsevier, (b) Wiley-Blackwell, (c) Springer and (d) any other academic publisher in each of the last five years. [154491]
Mr Francois: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Reserve Forces
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many service personnel received their bounty in each unit of the (a) Territorial Army, (b) Royal Air Force Reserve, (c) Royal Navy Reserve and (d) Royal Marine Reserve in each of the last three years; [154734]
(2) how many service personnel are in each unit of the (a) Territorial Army, (b) Royal Air Force Reserve, (c) Royal Navy Reserve and (d) Royal Marine Reserve. [154735]
Mr Francois: Training bounty is paid to entitled individuals who complete a specified annual training requirement.
The information is not held in the format requested. The readily available data are shown in the following tables.
Territorial Army—15,510 personnel received a bounty as at 1 March 2013 against a trained strength of around 19,000. It is not possible to break this total down by unit or to provide data for the previous two years.
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Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserve—Details of the number of Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserve who received their bounty and the number of personnel for each of the past three years are shown in the following tables:
| Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 March 2013 | |||
| Number of personnel | Number receiving bounty payment | Percentage receiving bounty | |
| Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 April 2012 | |||
| Squadron | Number of personnel | Number receiving bounty payment | Percentage receiving bounty |
| Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 April 2011 | |||
| Squadron | Number of personnel | Number receiving bounty payment | Percentage receiving bounty |
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Strengths include mobilised personnel and those serving on Additional Duties Commitments and High Readiness Reserve contracts. Those on Full Time Reserve Service are excluded.
Data are considered provisional. A number of individuals are not attached to a squadron.
Bounty data represent the number of individuals currently on strength who had received a bounty payment at any time during the preceding 12 months.
Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, except for those ending in ‘5’ which are rounded to the nearest 20 in order to prevent systematic bias.
Royal Navy Reserve (RNR)—Details of the number of Royal Navy Reserves and Royal Marine Reserves (RMR) who received their bounty and the number of personnel relating to RNR and RMR Units as at 1 March 2013 is shown in the following table. It is not possible to provide data for the previous two years
| RNR personnel by unit at 1 March 2013 | |||
| Number of personnel | Number receiving bounty payment | Percentage receiving bounty | |
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| RMR personnel by unit at 1 March 2013 | |||
| Number of personnel | Number receiving bounty payment | Percentage receiving bounty | |
Strengths include mobilised personnel and those serving on Full Time Reserve Service, Additional Duties Commitments and High Readiness Reserve contracts.
Bounty and unit data represent the number of individuals currently on strength who had received a bounty payment at any time during the preceding 12 months.
Units with fewer than 10 RMR personnel have been grouped into '’Other Units’. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, except for those ending in ‘5’ which are rounded to the nearest 20 in order to prevent systematic bias.
Data are considered provisional and ‘—’denotes zero or rounded to zero.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he plans to include measures regarding reservists in the Defence Reform Bill announced in the Queen's Speech; [154884]
(2) whether he plans to publish the Reserves White Paper before introducing the Defence Reform Bill to Parliament. [154885]
Mr Francois [holding answer 14 May 2013]: As stated in the Queen's Speech on 8 May 2013, measures will be included in the Defence Reform Bill which will strengthen the Reserve Forces. The exact dates for publication of the Reserves White Paper and introduction of the Defence Reform Bill have yet to be finalised.
Veterans
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the annual cost is of providing veterans of the UK armed forces with concessionary (a) bus fares and (b) train fares; [154084]
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(2) how many veterans of the UK armed forces receive concessionary (a) bus fares and (b) train fares. [154085]
Mr Francois: The provision of concessionary travel to veterans of the UK armed forces is a matter for the public transport operating companies. The Ministry of Defence does not provide any concessions but is grateful to those companies that do; for example, Transport for London runs the veterans concessionary travel scheme, which includes free travel on all forms of London public transport, designed for veterans in receipt of war pension scheme or armed forces compensation scheme payments.
Veterans may also gain travel concessions through the existing, publicly available schemes, such as family or pensioners cards supplied by the operating companies.
We hold no records of those who apply for or receive these concessions.
Veterans: Employment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many individuals who left the armed forces in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 found employment lasting (i) less than and (ii) more than six months; [155300]
(2) how many individuals who left the armed forces found employment lasting (a) less than and (b) more than six months through the Career Transition Partnership in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012. [155301]
Mr Francois [holding answer 15 May 2013]: Participants in the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) programme are sent a questionnaire six months after they leave the armed forces to monitor their employment status.
Over the last four years, returns indicate an average 93% of former CTP participants who were looking for work found employment within six months of leaving service. The duration of employment is not recorded.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 25 April 2013, Official Report, column 1284W on Employment: veterans, (1) what the size of the sample used in the sampling exercise is; [156395]
(2) how the employment rate at the six month point post-discharge is calculated; [156396]
(3) how many service-leavers referred to in that Answer went on to have sustained employment for (a) six and (b) 12 months in each year since 2008-09; [156397]
(4) how many people have been employed for (a) six, (b) five, (c) four, (d) three, (e) two months and (f) one month at the six month point post-discharge. [156398]
Mr Robathan: Defence Statistics are currently reviewing the methodology for calculating the employment outcomes of ex-service personnel who have used the Career Transition Programme. Official Statistics on this subject will be published in June 2013. The release date will be announced on the Defence Statistics website in accordance with the UK Statistics and Registration Act.
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Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what routine engagement his Department has with employers on veterans' employment. [156407]
Mr Robathan: The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) provides the connection for hundreds of employers seeking to employ service leavers which results in numerous opportunities and offers of employment not only for leavers but also veterans. The Ministry of Defence continues to engage with all industry sectors commercial, public and community, voluntary to identify and foster both transition and post-service support opportunities for those leaving the armed forces. Service leavers move out of the CTP process two years after discharge. At this stage they are also entitled to life-long job finding support through either the Officers Association or the Regular Forces Employment Association.
I am delighted that the skills and qualities that service leavers possess are recognised and sought by so many of the UK's leading organisations.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the levels of recruitment and retention of women in the Afghan National Police; what discussions he has had with representatives of the Afghan Government on measures to increase levels of recruitment and retention of women; and if he will make a statement. [155522]
Alistair Burt: In line with the Afghan National Police Strategy, the Government of Afghanistan and the international community are working to create opportunities for women within the police force. The Afghan Ministry of the Interior has stated a goal of adding 1,333 women to the ranks of the police every year. The Ministry is not yet meeting this target; as of April 2013 there are approximately 1,489 female officers in the ANP. However, we will continue to raise this issue and are encouraging and supporting the Ministry of the Interior to work towards meeting its goal.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Afghan Government regarding measures to protect Afghan women human rights defenders; and if he will make a statement. [155523]
Alistair Burt: We share the widespread concern about the attacks and intimidation faced by the dedicated and courageous women who work tirelessly to defend the rights and fundamental freedoms of others. This year the UK has provided £500,000 in funding to the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission to help it act to protect human rights defenders, investigate and catalogue violence, and support those seeking justice.
Human rights, particularly women's rights, were a key priority for the visit of the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi to Afghanistan on 4-6 March. She raised women's rights with Afghan parliamentarians, civil society organisations and the Afghan Foreign Minister, Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, who was very clear that gains made on women's rights must not be lost.
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Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Afghan Government with regard to Afghan women participating in all peace negotiations; and if he will make a statement. [155525]
Alistair Burt: We are committed to working to ensure that women play as full a part as possible in securing a peaceful and prosperous future Afghanistan, and that the Afghan political system and Afghan-led peace process are inclusive and reflect the needs and aspirations of all Afghan citizens, including women and girls.
The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi discussed women’s vital contribution to building peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan with the Afghan Government and wider Afghan authorities, leading female parliamentarians and other government and civil society representatives during her visit to Afghanistan in March this year.
Angola
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on trends in (a) greater transparency and (b) democratic accountability in Angola. [156470]
Mark Simmonds: Since the end of civil war in 2002, Angola has made steady progress in building a more transparent and accountable democratic system, including through the two national elections held in 2008 and 2012.
Angola rose 11 places in Transparency International’s 2012 perceptions index reflecting the Angolan Government’s stated intent to tackle corruption. On democratic development, planning is under way for the first ever local government elections—which should further strengthen democratic principles. During my visit to Luanda in November last year, I was able to meet a range of Government Ministers, civil society and opposition parties. These meetings allowed me to hear a diverse spectrum of thoughts on the current—and future—state of democracy in Angola.
Ascension Island
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which non-target marine species have been recorded as being caught by the commercial fishery in Ascension Island in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date. [156030]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Data from before this period are unavailable.
The non-target marine species caught in Ascension Island waters since October 2010 were:
Striped Marlin
Black Marlin
Sail Fish
Blue Marlin
Other—comprising various species of shark
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Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total tonnage of (a) target fish species and (b) non-target species caught by the commercial fishery in Ascension Island was in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) 2013 to date. [156035]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Data from before this period is unavailable.
Target species: 6101.57 MT (Metric Tonnes)
Non-target species: 678.6 MT
Target species: 1450.39 MT
Non-target species: 92.31 MT
Target species: 1913.63 MT
Non-target species: 314.4 MT
Target species: 2601.86 MT
Non-target species: 261.86 MT
Target species: 135.70 MT
Non-target species: 10.03 MT
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many vessels were licensed to fish in the waters of Ascension Island in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date; and what fish each such vessel was licensed to catch. [156036]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Data from before this period is unavailable.
The number of licenses issued each year is as follows:
| Number | |
Each license is valid for one year only. The license permits the catching of target fish species only.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of fishing licences sold for use in the waters of Ascension Island was in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date. [156037]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Data from before this period are unavailable.
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The total value of fishing licences sold to date from when records began is: £2,790,000.
| £ | |
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the flag state was of each vessel licensed to fish in the waters of Ascension Island in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date. [156038]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Data from before this period are unavailable
2010—China (1), Japan (2), Korea (5), Philippines (2) and Taiwan (29)
2011—Belize (1), Japan (21), Korea (3), Philippines (4) and Taiwan (36)
2012—China (1): Japan (6), Korea (1) and Taiwan (19)
2013—China (1), Japan (9), Philippines (1) and Taiwan (28)
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on non-target species of the commercial fishery in Ascension Island. [156348]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. The commercial fishery was recently licensed in 2010 on a trial basis and there has yet to be a formal assessment of the impact of the fishery on non-target species. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to work with the Island authorities to implement a sustainable fisheries plan.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times foreign commercial fishing vessels have docked at Ascension Island in each of the last five years; and what the flag states of such vessels were. [156349]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was licensed in October 2010. Data from before this period are unavailable. Commercial fishing vessels do not call at Ascension Island. Exceptionally, the Argos Georgia (flag state: St Helena) called in March 2010 during a dedicated monitoring expedition to assess catch potential, and to observe for potential illegal, unlicensed and unregulated vessels.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many independent observers have recorded target and non-target catch levels in the Ascension Island fishery in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date. [156350]
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Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. The commercial fishery was recently licensed in 2010 on a trial basis and to date there has yet to be an independent observer on board vessels to record target and non-target catch. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has offered funding for the use of an independent observer. Ascension Island Government is keen to lake advantage of this offer.
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates of fish stocks were made for target fish species in the Ascension Island fishery (a) prior to the issuing of licences in 2010 and (b) to date. [156351]
Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. There was no local assessment of fish stocks for target fish species in the Ascension Island fishery prior to the issuing of licences on a trial basis in 2010. The fishery must not exceed catch limits (quota) available to each participating country, which are set and regulated at an international level by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Licensing this fishery has provided the mechanism to ensure that catches are now reported on at a local level, which is a key element of any future, more localised, fish stock assessment. Ascension Island Government, along with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other key stakeholders, are exploring mechanisms to better police and regulate the fishery.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration has intervened or apprehended vessels under suspicion of illegal fishing in the last year. [155321]
Mark Simmonds: In accordance with the British Indian Ocean Territory Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2007, four vessels have been arrested for illegal fishing, 10 have been given warnings and five have been cautioned in the year up to 12 May 2013.
Crime: Nature Conservation
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice's adoption of a revised draft resolution on crime prevention and criminal justice responses to illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and flora, reference E/CN.15/2013/L.20/Rev, how his Department plans to respond to this resolution to tackle wildlife crime, including links to serious organised crime. [155590]
Mark Simmonds:
Wildlife crime is a matter of great concern to the whole of Her Majesty's Government. Policy responsibility for wildlife crime and its links to serious organised crime lies with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May). From a foreign policy perspective, it is a matter which undermines the rule of law, impacts on the rules based international
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system, compromises global security and is a barrier to economic development. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's overseas network therefore works on behalf of HMG to build international partnerships to combat this repugnant trade.
Cyprus
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Cypriot Government on urban development within the UK sovereign base areas since the Cypriot president's statement on 19 April 2013 concerning an agreement between Cyprus and the British sovereign base areas on urban development; and if he will make a statement. [156089]
Mr Lidington: Neither the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), nor I, have had any discussions with the Government of Cyprus on urban development within the UK sovereign base areas. However, officials will be discussing this issue further with their Cypriot counterparts, with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable outcome.
Fiji
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UK's investment in public transport in Fiji; and if he will make a statement. [155619]
Mr Swire: The Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) has acted as guarantor to loans made by a German bank to the Government-owned aviation company Air Pacific. This was to enable Air Pacific to purchase a Rolls-Royce engine. We are not aware of any other UK investment in public transport in Fiji.
Gibraltar
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to extend the UK's claim to a territorial water surrounding Gibraltar from three to 12 nautical miles. [156092]
Mr Lidington: We have no plans at present to extend British Gibraltar Territorial Waters to 12 nautical miles but we retain the option to do so, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters there have been over the last six months. [156133]
Mr Lidington: There have been 176 unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish state vessels in the period from 1 November 2012 to 30 April 2013.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to deter illegal incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters by Spanish Civil Guard boats. [156134]
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Mr Lidington: The Royal Navy challenges Guardia Civil vessels whenever they make unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters (BGTW). We also make formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish Government about all such incursions. We will continue to do all that is necessary to uphold British sovereignty over BGTW.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Spanish Ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office over the last 12 months in respect of Spanish incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters. [156135]
Mr Lidington: The Spanish ambassador has been publicly summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office once in the last 12 months in respect of unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters by Spanish state vessels.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that Spain complies with its obligation under the Cordoba Agreements. [156136]
Mr Lidington: As part of regular diplomatic engagement, the UK Government continues to encourage Spain to comply with its commitments under the 2006 Cordoba Agreement, which represented a significant step forward in co-operation between the UK, Spain and Gibraltar. The UK Government continue to recognise the value of dialogue and supports a return to a trilateral process in which Gibraltar is actively involved. We make this position clear to the Spanish Government whenever it is appropriate to do so. We have also ensured that the European Commission is aware of the UK position.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Chief Minister of Gibraltar has been put under pressure by his Department to allow Spanish fishermen to fish illegally in British Gibraltar territorial waters; and what assessment he has made of the recent evidence from Dr Tydeman to the Environmental Audit Committee on 17 April 2013 alleging that such pressure has been applied. [156142]
Mr Lidington: My Department has regular discussions with the Government of Gibraltar and has supported their efforts to find a solution to the fishing dispute, encouraging all parties to show restraint and cooperate with the Government of Gibraltar.
The UK Government have a single policy on Gibraltar, which is agreed across Whitehall Departments including the Ministry of Defence and discussed with the Governor.
I will write to the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee about the Gibraltar related-issues raised in the oral evidence that the Committee has taken from Dr Tydeman.
Ilois: Resettlement
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will make an announcement on the future of the Chagos Islands and the future resettlement of the islanders. [155322]
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Mark Simmonds: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 905W.
Libya
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide an update on progress made in bringing to justice those responsible for the desecration of British war graves in Libya. [155498]
Alistair Burt: The British Government remain shocked and appalled by the damage to British war graves in Libya in March last year, as were the Libyan Government. We have raised this issue with the Libyan authorities and urged them to bring those responsible to justice. However, the Libyan Government's priority at the moment continues to be focused on the overall security situation in Benghazi and as such they are unlikely to have the capacity to investigate this particular crime. Nevertheless, we have made progress with the Libyan authorities in taking action to repair the damage and introduce measures to prevent such an act from happening again.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the security situation in Libya; and whether such reports affect the right of Libya to hold the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi within its national borders alongside the trials of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. [155513]
Alistair Burt: We are concerned about the recent events in Libya in which armed militias surrounded and blockaded the Foreign and Interior Ministries in an attempt to force through the vote on the Political Isolation law. We, the US and France issued a joint statement to express our concern. We welcome the agreement reached on 10 May that allowed the Ministries to return to work. We do not believe that recent events affect the right of Libya to hold the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi, but it is crucial that Government Ministries are permitted to function during this transitional period in order to ensure a fair and effective justice system.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made in respect of technical assistance to Libya in pursuing its right to hold the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi within its national borders alongside the trials of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. [155515]
Alistair Burt: We have not offered assistance to Libya specifically with regard to the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi. We recognise the importance of security and justice sector reform in Libya more widely, and will continue to work with our international partners to provide Libya with the support it needs. To that end, we have sent a detentions advisor to Libya to assist with a prison reform project on which we are working with the Libyan authorities.
Daniel Kawczynski:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his policy to support the Libyan state in its right under the
20 May 2013 : Column 513W
principle of complementarity to hold national trials in the cases of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi alongside the trials of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. [155516]
Alistair Burt: The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court. We are fully committed to the principle that there should be no impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. We recognise Libya's right to try Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi, as enshrined in the Rome Statute. However, it is for the International Criminal Court to decide whether the cases of Saif al Gaddafi and Al-Senussi should be transferred to Libya.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recommend to the United Nations Security Council the exercise of the power to order the deferral of proceedings against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi under Article 16 of the Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to support Libya in its right to hold the trials within its national jurisdiction alongside the trials of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. [155517]
Alistair Burt: It is for the court to decide whether the cases of Saif al Gadaffi and Al-Senussi should be returned to Libya. We continue to urge Libya's full co-operation with the International Criminal Court.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will promote an agreement between Libya and the International Criminal Court (ICC) whereby the ICC can provide technical assistance to Libya to hold national trials in the cases of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi alongside the trials of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. [155521]
Alistair Burt: It is for the Libyan Government and International Criminal Court (ICC) to reach a mutual agreement on the provision of technical assistance to facilitate the effective handling of the cases of Saif al-Islam Gadaffi and Abdullah al-Senussi, as well as those of other members of the Gadaffi regime. We will support any decision that is reached. We stand ready to offer assistance to both Libya and the ICC if so requested, in addition to the assistance that we already provide to the Libyan justice system.
Non-departmental Public Bodies
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the members of the (a) Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, (b) Westminster Foundation for Democracy, (c) British Council, (d) Foreign Compensation Commission and (e) Great Britain China Centre were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) term of office and (iii) remuneration is of each such member. [155847]
Mr Swire: As at 1 January 2013, the members/Commissioners of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) were as follows:
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Dr John Hughes (Chair); Dr Ruth Kosmin (Deputy Chair); Michael Birshan; Professor Bob Deacon; Timothy Hornsby; Carol Madison Graham; Simon Morris; Professor Eric Thomas and Professor Nigel Thrift.
Commissioners are appointed for three year terms: all positions are unpaid.
As at 1 January 2013, the members of the Board for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) were as follows:
Ann McKechin MP; Lord George Foulkes; Pete Wishart MP; Andrew Rosindell MP; John Glen MP; Gary Streeter MP; Tina Fahm; Ken Jones: John Osmond and Bronwen Manby.
Board members are appointed for three year terms, which are unpaid (save for travel expenses).
As at 1 January 2013, the following were members of the British Council Board:
Claire Ighodaro CBE; Professor Pamela Gillies; Sue Hoyle OBE; Raoul Shah; Howell James CBE; Simon Fraser CMG; Martin Bean; Baroness Usha Prashar CBE; Richard Gillingwater; Gareth Bullock; Rosamund Marshall; James Boyle; Sir Vernon Ellis (Chair); and Professor Stephen Jones BSc PhD.
Council Board appointments are for three year terms and are unpaid.
As at 1 January 2013, the Foreign Compensation Commission (FCC) Chair (and only member) was Dr John Barker. Dr Barker was appointed for five years and his remuneration was a judicial per diem of £468 per day.
As at 1 January 2013, the Board members of the Great Britain China Centre (GBCC) were:
Peter Batey OBE (Chair); Chris Fitzgibbob, Lorna Ball (Vice Chair); Hugh Davies (Vice Chair); Sir Christopher Hum (Vice Chair); Liam Byrne MP; Richard Graham MP; Duncan Hames MP; Clare Hammond; John Hughes; Madelaine Sturrock; Joanna Roper; Martin Davidson and Dr Rod Wye.
Board members are appointed for three year terms which are unpaid.
Pakistan
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the incoming Government of Pakistan on that country’s blasphemy law; [156353]
(2) what discussions he has had with the incoming Government of Pakistan on that country’s position on religious freedom. [156354]
Alistair Burt: It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith, gender or ethnicity. On 22 January, the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi hosted a global ministerial conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief in London and she was able to discuss these issues in detail with the human rights adviser to the then Pakistani Prime Minister.
Once a new Government has been established in Pakistan, we will raise human rights issues, including blasphemy laws, with them.
Russia
Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received from non-governmental organisations on political freedom in Russia. [156165]
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Mr Lidington: Human rights is a priority area in our bilateral relationship with Russia and supporting the development of a strong civil society forms a key part of this. We have regular direct contact with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in Russia and the UK. In recent months we have received representations from various NGOs about legislation governing the operation of civil society. We are concerned about the series of laws passed in 2012, including the “foreign agents” NGO law. I raised this subject with Deputy Foreign Minister Titov during my visit to Moscow in February. In a statement in March, I urged the Russian authorities not to place advocacy groups under special scrutiny. Senior officials also raised our concerns about the treatment of civil society at the 2013 UK-Russia Human Rights Dialogue held in Moscow on 8 May, and provided a debrief for NGOs in London on 17 May.
Scotland
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met (a) the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs and (b) any other Scottish Government Minister; and what was discussed at any such meeting. [155676]
Mr Lidington: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have regular contact with devolved Administration Ministers in the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) (JMC(E)) to discuss European business which touches upon devolved responsibilities. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) met the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs at the JMC(E) on 3 December 2012 to discuss European business affecting devolved Administrations and prepare for the December European Council. I am also in regular contact with the Cabinet Secretary, both in the context of the JMC(E) and on other aspects of EU business.
The Foreign Secretary has not had meetings with any other Scottish Government Ministers.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies procured from companies based in Scotland of a value in excess of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such procurement contract. [155774]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold a central record of contracts which details the location of the supplier organisation.
FCO Services, one of our largest non-departmental public bodies (NDPB) has spent a total of £2,076,611.44 with companies in Scotland on Technical Support; Vehicles and Vehicle Parts; and Translation Services between May 2010 and March 2013. We do not hold the data for our other NDPBs.
Further details of the Department's expenditure (including contracts data) can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications
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Somalia
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women attended the conference on Somalia held on 7 May 2013 in London as delegates; what proportion of the total delegates were women; and if he will make a statement. [155229]
Mark Simmonds: No formal note was made of the gender of delegates that attended the Somalia conference on 7 May in London. In total, representatives from 54 countries and organisations attended the conference, which was co-chaired by the Prime Minister and by the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam, also attended. Prominent women members of HMG who attended included the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), and the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening).
As part of the preparations for the conference, the Foreign and commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the Home Office jointly hosted a seminar event on 29 April in which prominent civil society members from Somalia and the UK Diaspora came together to discuss issues facing women in Somalia today.
Spain
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reasons the British Ambassador in Madrid has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid over the last seven days. [156132]
(2) whether there has been any formal complaint received from the Spanish Government in respect of the Queen's Speech. [156137]
Mr Lidington: We respect the confidentiality of private diplomatic communications and we do not disclose their content.
Taiwan
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the protocols on UK relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) recognising that country's status. [156139]
Mr Swire:
Our position on Taiwan remains unchanged. Her Majesty's Government actively promotes and facilitates the strong and flourishing UK-Taiwan relationship which is based on trade, investment, cultural, educational and other links.
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Travel
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155409]
Mr Lidington: The information requested, relating to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and its non-departmental public bodies, is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. Since January 2010 the FCO has moved to a system where staff only claim for ‘actual’ expenditure necessarily incurred as part of their duties. Actual expenses are either claimed back or processed on Government Procurement Cards. This replaced the ‘subsistence’ fixed based system which was in use prior to 2010. The current FCO policy ensures accountability and transparency in all our travel claims as they are regularly audited, while all transactions made on Government Procurement Cards over £500 are published on a monthly basis as part of our transparency obligation.
A list of all Government Procurement Card financial transactions spending over £500 made by the FCO, as part of the Government's commitment to transparency in expenditure, can be found at:
http://data.gov.uk/dataset/government-procurement-card-spend-over-500-apr-to-aug-2011
A list of all Government Procurement Card financial transactions spending over £500 made by FCO Services can be found here:
http://data.gov.uk/dataset/government-procurement-card-spend-over-500-in-fco-services
Yemen
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the Friends of Yemen Conference on 7 March 2013 in London. [155380]
Alistair Burt: At the meeting the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), focused discussion on the National Dialogue, election planning, and progress towards allocating donor aid; and restated the UN's position that anyone seeking to disrupt political transition would face further measures. The Government of Yemen delegation presented its election plan and Friends of Yemen pledged money to a UN-administered election fund. I have recently been assured by Yemeni Foreign Minister al-Qirbi that progress has been made on deciding an appropriate mechanism to ensure eligible voters can participate in elections next year. Since the 7 March meeting the National Dialogue Conference has finally begun, and I am encouraged by Yemeni-led efforts to establish an Executive Bureau to hasten the delivery of donor aid.
Keith Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much and what proportion of funds pledged at each Friends of Yemen
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Conference have been
(a)
allocated to projects,
(b)
approved,
(c)
disbursed and
(d)
pledged by the UK Government. [155381]
Alistair Burt: The Friends of Yemen was not created as a donor forum. Its principal aim is to co-ordinate political support from the international community for the Government of Yemen as it seeks to implement reform. The right hon. Member will be aware of last year's Donor Conference in Riyadh. We have also seen smaller announcements of aid at recent Friends of Yemen meetings. In New York in September 2012 an additional $1,462 billion was promised and at the meeting in March $70 million was pledged.
The Government of Yemen stated in March that of the $7.9 billion pledged in 2012, $2.7billion has been approved and $1.8billion disbursed. The creation of the Executive Bureau, a Government body designed to facilitate faster delivery of aid in a co-ordinated and transparent way, is expected to hasten the disbursement of pledges. Together with the World Bank, the Bureau is in the process of creating a matrix of projects to absorb donor aid.
The UK, through the Department for International Development, announced a three-year plan for Yemen in 2012—including a pledge of £196 million of Official Development Assistance. £173.9 million of the pledge has to date been allocated, including £70 million to humanitarian projects, £4.4 million to support National Dialogue, and £7 million to fund preparations for next year's elections. To date, £68.2 million of the UK's pledged funds has been spent.
International Development
Angola
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department provides to economic and democratic development in Angola. [156469]
Lynne Featherstone: Although DFID does not have a bilateral aid programme in Angola, the UK continues to support the economic and democratic development of Angola through our share of contributions to multilateral organisations such as the European Union (EU) and through regional programmes.
For example, the 2008-13 EU Angola Country Strategy provides €214 million in total financing, contributing to sustainable economic development and support for the Angolan Government's strategy to combat poverty and achieve the millennium development goals (MDG).
The EU and Angola signed a new co-operation partnership agreement in July 2012, the EU-Angola Joint Way Forward (JWF) which agreed on the principles of democracy and abidance by human rights and good governance.
The World Bank is also currently revising its Country Partnership Strategy with the Government of Angola for the next three to four years.
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CDC
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what safeguards her Department has put in place to ensure the new Commonwealth Development Corporation-managed Impact Fund investments in health will reach the poorest and those most in need. [156336]
Justine Greening: Investment agreements will identify a target number of beneficiaries by income level that funds will reach through their investments. Fund performance will be assessed against those targets. Indicators, developed with support from the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), will also monitor and evaluate the impact of investments on development outcomes including health.
Conditions of Employment
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people in her Department are employed on zero hours contracts. [156169]
Consultants
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many contracts awarded to private contractors in the last three years required her Department to release funding beyond the original tender. [154430]
Justine Greening: DFID's standard terms of contract with suppliers provide the ability to vary or extend funding.
Developing Countries: Armed Conflict
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the compliance of her Department's policies in respect of funding for aid agencies operating in situations of armed conflict with the (a) general principle of the supremacy of the Geneva Conventions and (b) principle of provisions of non-discriminatory medical care to survivors of rape defined under international law as wounded and sick; and if she will make a statement. [155627]
Mr Duncan: UK funding of humanitarian agencies to meet the needs of those affected by armed conflict is aligned to HMG's Humanitarian Policy. Policy Goal 6 states that HMG will
“implement the appropriate political, security, humanitarian and development actions necessary to uphold respect for international law, protect civilians and to secure humanitarian access”.
In conflict situations UK-funded medical care is provided through humanitarian organisations. These organisations work according to humanitarian principles including the provision of non-discriminatory aid provided according to need and need alone. Where rape has been perpetrated, survivors are provided assistance by humanitarian agencies which include medical, psychological and social care.
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Developing Countries: Health Services
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of her Department's support for health services has been provided as (a) general budget and (b) sector budget support for each year between 2008 and 2013. [156338]
Justine Greening: Details of the total expenditure on health are published in Statistics on International Development (SID), which is available in the House Library or online at
http://www.gov.uk
Figures for support for health services provided as (a) general budget and (b) sector budget support are reproduced as follows:
| As a percentage of total DFID bilateral aid to health | ||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
|
Subtotal of budget support as proportion of health bilateral spend | ||||
Developing Countries: Third Sector
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department provides funding to guarantee safe spaces for community organisations' leaders and local communities to meet and hold discussions. [156104]
Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government recognise that safe spaces for community organisations' leaders and local communities, to meet and hold discussions, are essential for effective civic engagement and delivering better outcomes for poor people. Although the Department for International Development does not specifically provide funding to organisations for holding meetings and discussions, we encourage organisations that work closely with DFID to support and protect spaces for civic engagement. In discussions with other Governments and international institutions, the UK Government also consistently emphasise the value and importance of protecting space for legitimate civil society activities.
EU Aid
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which organisations and individuals are responsible for (a) operating and (b) scrutinising EuropeAid and the European Development Fund; and if she will make a statement. [156251]
Lynne Featherstone: European Commission Directorate-General EuropeAid and the European External Action Service are primarily responsible for the operation and delivery of aid programmes under the European Development Fund and EU aid instruments under the General EU Budget.
A UK Representative sits on all the committees to take decisions on funding and programming of EU development spend under the European Development Fund and the EU aid instruments under the General
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EU budget. I and my officials have regular dialogue with our EU counterparts, including EuropeAid and the External Action Service about EU development policies.
The European Court of Auditors is responsible for scrutinising the funding and performance of these aid programmes to examine whether financial operations have been properly recorded and disclosed, legally and regularly executed and managed so as to ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
Details of the individuals responsible within EuropeAid and the External Action Service can be found on the respective organisations' websites:
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/who/whoswho/index_en.htm
http://www.eeas.europa.eu/background/organisation/index_en.htm
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) financial and (b) other support the UK has provided to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria since the inception of the Fund; and if she will make a statement. [155692]
Lynne Featherstone: The Global Fund keeps its accounts in US dollars. Since its inception, the UK has contributed the pound sterling equivalent of $1,875 million. We are currently the fund's third largest contributor. In addition to financial support, the UK continues to be an active and engaged member of the fund's governance bodies in Geneva. The UK sits on the fund's governing board, and is a member of the fund's finance and operational performance committee. For the last two years the chairman of the fund's governing board has been a UK official, though he acts in an independent capacity.
At the country level the UK, through DFID country offices, provides a range of complementary funding and other support to national plans and Global Fund supported programmes, as well as advice and support through in-country governance bodies, most notably the Country Co-ordinating Mechanisms which manage Global Fund grants.
International Assistance
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what recent discussions she has had on the role of corporate transparency in the UN post-2015 development framework; and if she will make a statement; [155366]
(2) what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on corporate reporting and the UN post-2015 development framework; [155368]
(3) what her policy is on the inclusion of corporate transparency in the UN post-2015 development framework. [155369]
Justine Greening: The UK is supportive of including economic, social and environmental reporting by businesses in the post-2015 Framework, and we are working with others in the international community to explore how this could be addressed.
I have regular discussions with officials, NGOs and other ministerial colleagues on the post-2015 agenda.
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Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects the High Level Panel on the Sustainable Development Goals to produce its report. [155367]
Justine Greening: The High Level Panel on the post-2015 development agenda will deliver its report to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on 30 May 2013. The report will be publically available from 31 May 2013.
Overseas Aid
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how her Department channels aid in a way that encourages cross-sector collaboration. [155389]
Justine Greening: Country operational plans ensure that a holistic approach is taken to development across sectors.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to improve the integration of her Department's programmes between its Whitehall and in-country offices. [155390]
Justine Greening: In-country offices are supported by regional teams in the UK, to help ensure consistency of approach and spread best practice.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much and what proportion of her Department's overseas development assistance budget has been spent in the UK in each of the last 10 years. [156105]
Mr Duncan: Over the last 10 years, DFID will have spent some of its budget in the UK through for example its operating expenses, grants to UK civil society organisations and development awareness programmes. The Department's systems do not separately identify resources spent in the UK and it would incur disproportionate cost to identify this spending for the last 10 years.
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policies her Department has in place to ensure (a) the poorest people and (b) women benefit from her Department's private sector team investments on education, health and water and sanitation. [156168]
Justine Greening: DFID's private sector approach paper sets out how we will deliver results for poor people including more accessible, better quality healthcare, schooling and water and sanitation (WASH)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-engine-of-development-the-private-sector-and-prosperity-for-poor-people
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how her Department's private sector team will spend £17 million on education, health and water and sanitation. [156337]
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Justine Greening: The total value of PSD's current project portfolio on health, education, and water and sanitation programmes is almost £56 million. Details of the health and education programmes are available at
https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/international-development/development-funding-business
More information on PSD's WASH programmes can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-developing-countries-economies-to-grow/supporting-pages/helping-developing-countries-to-improve-their-infrastructure
Private Education
Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent in aid on the payment of private school fees (a) by country and (b) in each year since 2010. [156170]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID works to ensure the best possible quality of education for all children in each of the countries in which we work. Alongside our large-scale programmes to support public sector delivery, we also work to support the children who are outside the public system, whether out-of-school, or enrolled in non-state schools.
For example, in Pakistan, in 2012-13 we provided £5 million to the Punjab Education Foundation to enable poor children to attend low cost private schools. In Sindh, we are piloting an innovative private sector fund, which in 2011-12 DFID provided £1,027,000 to two non-government organisations to support 17,687 poor children attend low cost private schools.
Public Appointments
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who the members of the (a) Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and (b) Independent Commission for Aid Impact were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) term of office and (iii) remuneration is of each such member. [155845]
Mr Duncan: DFID has two non-departmental public bodies, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI). Currently CSC has 13 members and ICAI has four. Details of the current membership, term of office and remuneration are in the following tables.
| Commonwealth Scholarship Commission | ||
| Commissioners name | Term | Remuneration (£) |
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| Independent Commission for Aid Impact | ||
| Commissioners name | Term | Remuneration (£) |
DFID records and retains anonymised data of ethnicity for statistical purposes only, and does not publish an individual's ethnic details.
Regulation
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what the title was of each set of regulations introduced by her Department in each month since May 2010; and which of those regulations have been (a) subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) one in two out procedure and (b) (i) revoked and (ii) amended; [155821]
(2) what processes her Department has put in place to (a) monitor, (b) collate cost information on, (c) review and (d) respond to requests to amend or revoke regulations introduced by her Department. [155799]
Mr Duncan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 16 May 2013, Official Report, column 390W.
Scotland
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met (a) the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and International Development and (b) any other Scottish Government Minister; and what was discussed at any such meeting. [155677]
Justine Greening: I regularly visit DFID staff in East Kilbride and plan to meet Scottish Government Ministers on my next visit.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) her Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies procured from companies based in Scotland of a value in excess of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such procurement contract. [155768]
Mr Duncan: DFID’s online supplier portal registers UK suppliers at the UK level only, complying with European Union regulations.
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Travel
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) the non-departmental public body for which she is responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155412]
Mr Duncan: DFID's financial records do not enable identification of the number of officials claiming reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses, without incurring disproportionate cost.
Transport
A14
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made on alternative approaches to resolving issues along the A14 corridor; and if he will make a statement. [155739]
Stephen Hammond: On 18 July 2012 the Secretary of State for Transport announced plans for improving the A14 between Huntingdon and Milton, north of Cambridge. The announcement on 18 July also stated Government support for desirable rail investment to enable more freight to be carried between Felixstowe and Nuneaton, and a package of public transport improvements. Details are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a14-challenge
In the interim we are making small improvements to the A14 over three years, through a package announced at the 2011 autumn statement and two Pinch Point schemes.
Additionally, work will begin in 2013-14 on major improvement schemes between junctions 7 and 9 at Kettering and at Catthorpe Interchange where the A14 intersects with the M1 and M6, subject to the completion of statutory processes.