Universal Credit
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether his Department plans to carry out an impact assessment on the introduction of housing costs contributions under universal credit; [157629]
(2) what assessment he has made of the potential effects on youth (a) unemployment and (b) homelessness
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of the introduction of housing costs contributions under universal credit. [157630]
Steve Webb: It has long been a feature of the benefits system that someone living in a claimant's home should be expected to contribute towards the rent.
It is not possible to isolate the impact of the housing cost contribution from the other constituent parts of universal credit. This means that no assessment is available on the potential impacts of the housing cost contribution in universal credit in respect of homelessness or youth unemployment. However, individuals aged under 21 will not be expected to make a housing cost contribution, and so we do not anticipate this change to have a detrimental effect of homelessness on this group.
While it is not possible to isolate the effects of the housing cost contribution, the impact of universal credit will be reviewed and monitored as roll out takes place, and a comprehensive evaluation programme is under development. The published impact assessment for universal credit can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-impact-assessment
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have successfully claimed universal credit in the pathfinder to date. [158212]
Mr Hoban: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I provided him with on 21 May 2013, Official Report, column 675W, on how many people have claimed universal credit in the pathfinder to date. The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity. We intend to publish Official Statistics on pathfinder areas in autumn 2013.
We expect around 7,000 claims to be processed in pathfinders.
Work Capability Assessment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps a person undergoing a work capability assessment has to take in order to obtain an audio recording of their assessment. [158174]
Mr Hoban: All requests for audio recorded assessments should be made to Atos Healthcare as part of the appointment booking process. This is to ensure adequate notice to make recording equipment available and ready for use.
In the case of a claimant using their own equipment this will ensure that the Atos health care professional (HCP) conducting the assessment is aware and to make sure that the proposed recording equipment is compliant with the DWP/Atos Healthcare requirements.
If Atos Healthcare has been unable to contact a claimant by phone and an appointment letter is issued, the claimant will need to telephone Atos Healthcare as soon as possible to notify them of their request for a recorded assessment.
If a claimant makes a request for the recording service to a DWP Benefit Centre they will be advised to make their request to Atos Healthcare.
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Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what items of equipment are available for the audio recording of the work capability assessments. [158187]
Mr Hoban: Currently Atos Healthcare has 31 audio recording machines, three of which are in for repair. They also have access to 21 cassette machines on loan from DWP.
Claimants who have requested to record their own assessment must use appropriate equipment that can provide two copies of the recording in such a way to ensure that the recording has not been tampered with and is a reliable and accurate record of the assessment.
For this reason certain devices which are capable of real-time editing or live-streaming are not approved; such as computing devices, these include but are not limited to: PCs and laptops, tablets, smart phones, MP3 players or devices which cannot provide a media copy that can be easily verified during the assessment. Media types that are acceptable at this time are standard CD and audio tapes only.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many requests for an audio recording of the work capability assessment have been turned down to date; and for what reasons. [158188]
Mr Hoban: Currently only nine requests for an audio recording have been turned down. This occurred in July 2012 and was because they could not be accommodated within the four week timeframe for arranging assessments.
DWP had previously asked Atos Healthcare to accommodate requests for recorded assessments within four weeks and where this was not possible the assessment should go ahead without a recording.
However, to help ensure claimant expectations can be met, the four week timeframe has currently been removed to enable us to gather a fuller picture of demand and capacity in order to inform a full and robust evaluation of the interim audio recording policy.
Work Programme
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of whether the Work Programme budget will be underspent in 2013-14; and if he will make a statement. [158176]
Mr Hoban: We are unable to comment on the 2013-14 forecast expenditure against the Work programme budget as it is subject to change as the programme is payment by results.
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to support people leaving the Work Programme after two years without a successful job sustainment. [158211]
Mr Hoban:
Jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance claimants returning from the Work programme will have a thorough assessment interview with Jobcentre Plus to understand how best to build on their time on the Work programme, and continue to move them closer to the labour market and towards
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long-term sustainable employment. At their first appointment they will have to agree a back-to-work plan laying out what they are required to do.
All claimants will receive flexible support tailored to their individual needs. This is underpinned by a core regime of face to face meetings and a tough sanctions regime for those who do not take necessary steps to prepare for work.
Jobseeker's allowance claimants who need it will be subject to a more intensive regime. Jobcentre Plus will be able to provide this intensive support, which will involve more frequent meetings with advisers and increased use of mandation, to the vast majority of jobseeker's allowance claimants returning from the Work programme.
Scotland
Devolution
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the minutes of all meetings of the High Level Implementation Group on the Scotland Bill. [156789]
Michael Moore: The High Level Implementation Group established by the UK Government met four times between July 2010 and October 2011. It was set up to advise the Government on the practical implications of the implementation of the Commission on Scottish Devolution's taxation proposals. The minutes of these meetings will be placed in the House Library.
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Sign Language
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language users. [157938]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 in its interactions with the public.
Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department's budget for ministerial travel for (a) the Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other is for (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16. [157533]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not set specific budgets for individual modes of ministerial travel. All ministerial travel is undertaken by the most efficient and cost effective way, in accordance with the Ministerial Code, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other means in each year of the current parliament. [157554]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on ministerial travel in each year of the current Parliament is shown in the following table:
| £ | |||||
| Government car service and private hire vehicles | Taxis | Rail | Aviation | Ferry | |
The figure for the Government Car Service and private hire vehicles for 2012-13 includes £10,230 of costs for 2011-12 only charged for in 2012-13.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Burma
Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of allegations that British-made bombs have been used by the Burmese Army in Kachin State. [158028]
Mr Swire: Burma Campaign UK and Kachin National Council recently wrote to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office alleging that British-made world war two era 20 pound fragmentation bombs may have been used during Burmese Army offensives in Kachin State in December 2012. I have since replied confirming that the Ministry of Defence has investigated the origin of the munitions, and based on the evidence provided, can confirm that the munitions are not of British origin.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British ambassador to Burma has attempted to meet (a) Myint Soe and (b) other political prisoners imprisoned in that country. [158323]
Mr Swire: We remain in regular contact with released political prisoners and their representatives, but British officials have not visited political prisoners while they are detained. However, we consider one political prisoner one too many and continue to raise this matter with senior members of the Burmese Government at every opportunity.
We also follow closely the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, and have had regular discussions
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with him covering the full range of issues highlighted by Mr Quintana in his reporting, including the issue of political prisoners.
We welcome the creation by the Burmese Government of a committee on political prisoners and note the range of independent civil society organisations taking part. This committee builds on earlier steps by the Burmese Government to grant access to prisoners and prisons to the International Committee for the Red Cross, something for which we consistently lobbied. It will be important that all cases are reviewed promptly, impartially and transparently and we will be watching developments closely.
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of grants provided by the British embassy in Rangoon were allocated to projects which promote human rights in the latest period for which figures are available. [158324]
Mr Swire: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 5 June 2013, Official Report, column 1121W.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on negotiations on the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. [158403]
Alistair Burt: The comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 1996 but has not yet entered into force.
Some 159 states have ratified the CTBT. However, the CTBT requires all 44 states named in Annex II of the treaty to ratify it for it to enter into force. At present eight of the Annex II states have not ratified the CTBT (USA, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran and Egypt).
The UK has long been a supporter of the CTBT, being the first country, along with France, to sign and ratify the treaty in 1996 and 1998 respectively. We continue to push for the eight remaining Annex II states to ratify the treaty through bilateral discussions, discussions in multilateral forums, and our support to build the monitoring capacity and verification regime of the CTBT organisation in Vienna.
European Gendarmerie Force
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances the European Gendarmerie Force would be used in the UK. [158399]
Mr Lidington: I cannot foresee any circumstances under which the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) would be used in the UK.
Nuclear Disarmament
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on negotiations on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. [158406]
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Alistair Burt: The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and New START are bilateral treaties between the USA and Russia.
Both countries' delegations made statements at the recent Non-Proliferation Preparatory Committee meeting in Geneva in April 2013. These can be found on the UN website:
http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/NPT2015/PrepCom2013/
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on negotiations on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. [158405]
Alistair Burt: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was opened for signature in July 1968, and entered into force in 1970. Review Conferences are held every five years, to review the operation of the Treaty, with Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings also held in the three years preceding the Review Conference.
In April - May 2013, the second PrepCom for this review cycle was held among state parties, under the Chairmanship of Coronel Ferruta of Romania. The main issues for debate were around disarmament, the proliferation challenges of Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the conference planned on the establishment of a Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone. The UK statements are available on the UN website:
http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/NPT2015/PrepCom2013/
Nuclear Weapons
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty. [158404]
Alistair Burt: The Government want negotiations to start in the Conference on Disarmament (CD) on a fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT). We continue to work with partners in the CD to press Pakistan to end its block on the start of negotiations.
We supported the resolution at last year's UN General Assembly (UNGA) First Committee to create a group of government experts (GGE) to discuss the issues surrounding a FMCT. We hope that this will prove to be a useful mechanism to kick- start negotiations within the CD.
The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs sent a request to member states in January asking for views on a FMCT to inform preparations for the GGE. A copy of the UK's note to the UN has been placed in the Library of the House.
Taiwan: Philippines
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the incident on 9 May 2013 involving a Taiwanese vessel and a Filipino vessel, resulting in the death of Mr Hon Shi-cheng, a Taiwanese fisherman; and if he will make a statement. [158358]
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Mr Swire: I have received regular updates from our posts in Taipei and Manila on the 9 May incident, and the subsequent investigations by the Filipino and Taiwanese authorities.
Wales
Sign Language
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps his Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language users. [157941]
Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office does not provide services directly to the public. When required, we access the services of British Sign Language interpreters through the Ministry of Justice.
Northern Ireland
G8: County Fermanagh
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with Tourism Ireland on the potential use of publicity from the forthcoming G8 summit in Fermanagh to attract more overseas visitors to Northern Ireland. [156957]
Mrs Villiers: Northern Ireland Officials continue to work closely with colleagues from the NI Executive on a range of issues relating to the summit. The G8 summit represents an excellent opportunity to promote Northern Ireland as a first class destination for tourism and we are working together to maximise every opportunity.
Olympic Games 2012
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has made of the contribution to the Northern Ireland economy of the London 2012 Olympic Games. [156959]
Mrs Villiers: The London 2012 Games provided an important platform for Northern Ireland in the cultural, tourism and business fields. The Prime Minister was keen to demonstrate this when he visited the Giants Causeway and the Coleraine Rowing Club while the Olympics were under way. Over £40 million worth of London 2012 related contracts were won by some 45 companies from Northern Ireland. The Games gave many local firms the opportunity to showcase their business talent to the world which will be built upon for future events. Overall, the 2012 Games will generate £13 billion over four years for the economy of the UK as a whole.
The 2012 Games also provided Northern Ireland with many social benefits. Local projects created almost 1 million opportunities for young people and communities here to get involved with the Games, and Northern Ireland athletes returned with their most successful haul of medals ever.
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International Development
Developing Countries: Health Services
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the benefits of the product development partnerships model for the development of new technologies for (a) HIV, (b) tuberculosis and (c) malaria. [158395]
Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government have supported Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) since their inception and to date they have been successful in developing a wide range of new health technologies for use in developing countries. These have included six new diagnostic tests for TB, six new drug combinations for malaria and a number of drug, microbicide and vaccine candidates in different stages of development.
Developing Countries: Natural Disasters
Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what the UK's role is in the development of the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action; [157377]
(2) with reference to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) peer review report 2013, what the relationship is between the Cabinet Office's leadership on the process and her Department's role on HFA2. [157579]
Mr Duncan: The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) is the UN plan for 2005-15 for reducing disaster impacts. The Cabinet Office leads on disaster risk reduction domestically and DFID leads on this internationally.
Along with other member states, the UK will have a role in shaping and negotiating the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). In the coming months DFID will work closely with the Cabinet Office in a national level consultation on a successor to the framework, which will feed into the process.
The UK is playing a leading role internationally in promoting and investing in disaster risk reduction and was the first country to volunteer to undergo a peer review to assess progress in domestic implementation of the HFA. As a result, we are well placed to engage in the development of a successor framework.
Palestinians
Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Israeli Government about social assistance payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. [156799]
Mr Duncan: The social assistance payments to families of prisoners should not be confused with payments to meet the living expenses of prisoners in Israeli jails. The latter are made at the request of the Israeli authorities and managed by an Israeli company.
UK officials have discussed these payments with the Israeli authorities and will follow up with further discussions when appropriate.
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Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's budget for ministerial travel for (a) the Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other is for (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16. [157529]
Mr Duncan: The total budget allocation for all ministerial and private office travel is set out as follows.
(i) 2013-14: £479,000
(ii) 2014-15: £465,000
(iii) 2015-16: Budget allocation for this period has yet to be agreed.
Exact figures for only ministerial travel cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other means in each year of the current Parliament. [157550]
Mr Duncan: DFID entered into a new official car contract with the London Car Service in May 2013 to ensure greater value for money than the previous arrangement. The contract will be reviewed after 12 months. For information on previous years expenditure I refer the hon. Member to the Department for Transport's written ministerial statements of 28 October 2010, Official Report, column 23WS, 16 January 2012, Official Report, column 30WS, and 20 December 2012, Official Report, column 126WS. Details for 2012-13 will be published in due course.
Details of overseas travel by Ministers are published quarterly and are available on the Department for International Development's website.
DFID is unable to provide details of ministerial spend on private hire vehicles, taxis and rail without incurring disproportionate cost.
Education
Child Protection
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment has been made of the likely effects of the provisions of the Children and Families Bill to seek child protection outcomes within a 26-week window. [158179]
Mr Timpson: The 26 week time limit for the completion of care and supervision cases was recommended by the Family Justice Review, which found clear evidence that lengthy care cases can have harmful long-term effects on a child's development, expose children to more risk, and cause already damaged children further distress and anxiety.
The 26 week time limit clause in the Children and Families Bill does not change the fact that the child's welfare remains the court's paramount consideration when deciding whether to grant a care or supervision
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order. The court will have the power to extend the 26 week time limit where it is necessary to resolve proceedings justly.
Prior to the introduction of the Bill, we conducted a full assessment of the impact of the proposed measures. This assessment found that children in care proceedings are expected to benefit from quicker decisions, with more timely decision making on their futures and, therefore, reduced periods of uncertainty. We expect permanent placements to be found more swiftly for children, meaning stability for the child will be achieved earlier. The full assessment of impact for the Family Justice clauses in the Bill can be found on the DFE website(1).
We are already starting to see progress in the system. Average case durations have come down from 56 weeks at the time of the Family Justice Review to just over 45 weeks in the last reporting period.
We are also using a piloting provision within the court rules to make interim adjustments to the Public Law Outline (PLO) for judicial case management. The new PLO has been significantly reduced in length and incorporates several key changes to underpin a move towards a system which routinely concludes care cases within 26 weeks.
Areas will be able to implement the new approach in a phased way from 1 July 2013, depending on local readiness. There is an expectation that all areas will implement the new PLO by 7 October 2013, although there will be some flexibility for those agencies/local authorities which may still not be able to comply with all the new provisions within this time scale.
(1)http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/childrenandfamiliesbill/a00221161/children-families-bill
Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Children Review
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Bailey Review on the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood, published in June 2011. [158381]
Mr Timpson: All of the recommendations in the Bailey Review were to be taken forward by industry and regulators except for the stocktake of progress, which was for the Government. The stocktake has been completed and a progress report was published on 24 May. The stocktake found that good progress has been made on a voluntary basis and parents should now find that: it is easier to block adult and age-restricted material on the internet and individual devices; there is less highly sexualised imagery in advertising in public places; pre-watershed television programming is more suitable for family viewing; children's clothes are more likely to be age-appropriate; and it is easier to make complaints, using the ParentPort website, about unsuitable advertising, television programmes and video games seen by children.
The Government will now take action to: make sure that online music videos carry labels that show their age suitability, in order to protect children from harmful material; and make it even easier for parents to keep their children safe online, wherever they are and in whatever way they might access the internet.
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Free Schools
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many complaints his Department received from people or organisations applying to open free schools about (a) personal attacks, (b) threats and (c) intimidation related to their applications in each of the last two years; and what steps his Department took in response to each of those complaints. [157878]
Mr Timpson: Through verbal communications between officials and free school groups, the Department has been alerted to several incidents including a death threat, persistent and intimidating behaviour towards a free school group and teachers associated with free school applications losing their jobs. The Department has also been informed in writing of a personal attack, a threat and an incident of racist graffiti found on a free school site.
A recent article in TheSunday Times included some figures involved with free schools speaking about their experiences dealing with instances of intimidation and threats. This article is here:
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/education/article1227033.ece
There was a further article in the Telegraph written by the Chair of Governors of a free school in which they detailed their experience of dealing with hostile attention. The article is here:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100203533/michael-gove-writes-open-letter-to-the-information-commissioner-about-free-schools/
Where we have concerns that incidents involved potentially illegal activity, we have checked whether the group has contacted the police.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what monitoring is undertaken by his Department to ensure that free schools do not discriminate against applicants with disabilities. [158380]
Mr Timpson: Free schools are public authorities. As such, they are subject to section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and must have due regard to the aims of the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Free schools are required by their funding agreement to abide by the School Admissions Code 2012 and the law relating to admissions. Paragraph 3 of the Annex to the Admissions Code states that:
“An admission authority must not discriminate on the grounds of disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex or sexual orientation, against a person in the arrangements and decisions it makes as to who is offered admission as a pupil.”
The Department's guidance to groups considering applying to open a free school makes clear that free schools must adopt fair admissions practices and arrangements, in accordance with the Admissions Code and the School Admissions Appeals Code.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will issue guidance to free schools to ensure that interviews for places do not take place during the school day. [158397]
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Mr Timpson: Free schools are required by their funding agreement to abide by the School Admissions Code 2012 and the law relating to admissions. Paragraph 1.9 (m) of the Admissions Code prohibits schools from interviewing children or parents.
The Department's guidance to groups considering applying to open a free school makes clear that free schools must adopt fair admissions practices and arrangements, in accordance with the Admissions Code and the School Admissions Appeals Code.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what monitoring his Department undertakes to ensure that free schools do not select pupils on the basis of SATs results. [158398]
Mr Timpson: Free schools are required by their funding agreement to abide by the School Admissions Code 2012 and the law relating to admissions. Paragraph 1.9 (d) of the Admissions Code prohibits the introduction of selection by ability. Paragraph 1.9 (g) prohibits schools from taking account of
‘reports from previous schools about children's past behaviour, attendance, attitude or achievement'.
The Department's guidance to groups considering applying to open a free school makes clear that free schools must adopt fair admissions practices and arrangements, in accordance with the Admissions Code and the School Admissions Appeals Code.
Private Education
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of changes in the level of government regulation of independent schools during the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [158348]
Mr Timpson: The level of government regulation of independent schools has remained broadly constant over the last five years. In 2010 new standards regulations were made, but these were based very closely on the previous standards.
From 1 January 2013, additional requirements relating to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils were introduced but at the same time the standard for premises was simplified, and information requirements were relaxed to allow cheaper, electronic communication with parents.
Our aim is to keep regulation of independent schools at the lowest level consistent with ensuring that pupils are safe and properly educated.
Schools: Sports
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department issues to primary schools on the teaching of swimming. [158305]
Mr Timpson:
The Government are committed to ensuring that swimming takes place in schools. Swimming is an important part of the national curriculum, which requires that all pupils must be taught to swim at least 25 metres unaided, and be able to use recognised swimming strokes by the end of key stage 2 (age 11). It also requires that a child can demonstrate an understanding
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of water safety. The Secretary of State for Education has said that following the current review swimming will remain compulsory in the national curriculum.
We do not prescribe how teachers should teach swimming, or any other subject, as we believe that individual schools and teachers are best placed to decide how to address the particular needs of their pupils.
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department issues to primary schools in relation to the spending of ring-fenced funds for physical education and sport. [158306]
Mr Timpson: Advice about the nature, purpose and extent of the additional ring-fenced funding to support physical education (PE) and sport in primary schools was placed on the Department's website immediately following the announcement by the Prime Minister on 16 March. This advice includes lists of possible activities to support the provision of PE and sport, and can be found at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/b00222858/primary-school-sport-funding
We will also publish a range of best practice examples from schools with a proven track record of delivering high quality PE and sport. Further advice will be included with information about the conditions of grant that will accompany the payment to schools.
Schools can also draw on support from County Sports Partnerships to help them improve the range and quantity of their offer of PE and sport.
Sign Language
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language users. [157928]
Mr Timpson: All public bodies, including schools, early years providers, post-16 institutions and local authorities, have duties towards disabled people, including those who are deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL), under the Equality Act 2010. The Department publishes guidance for schools on these duties(1).
Schools and local authorities have crucial responsibilities to ensure support, including sign language support, is available to deaf children.
The Children and Families Bill will encourage a more joined-up approach to supporting deaf children and the provision of clearer information on the support that families can expect locally. The Bill will introduce the option of a personal budget for some parents and young people, which will give them more control over the support they receive.
The Department does not use British Sign Language for direct service provision but provides a Typetalk service for the deaf and hearing impaired and also offers translation services.
(1)http://education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/advice/f00215460/equality-act-2010-departmental-advice
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Third Sector
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much direct funding his Department provided to each civil society organisation it funded in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; how much he expects to provide to each such organisation in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15; and if he will make a statement. [158315]
Mr Timpson: The Department's central register of grants does not identify recipients as civil society organisations but does identify them as members of the voluntary and community sector (VCS). Details of funding for VCS organisations for 2011-13 is available online at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare/delivery/funding/a0077703/grant-funded-projects-early-years-and-childcare
Details for funding for 2013-15 is available at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/a00216108/vcs-funding
The VCS also receives money indirectly from the Department through a number of routes, including through Executive Agencies (and previously arm’s length bodies), through the money the Department gives to local authorities, and through services commissioned by schools.
Prime Minister
Food Banks
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will record and publish the number of referrals to food banks made by government agencies bi-annually in (a) Greater London and (b) the UK. [157746]
Esther McVey: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Civil society has always played a role in helping the worst off.
To better enable this the Government reversed the decision of the previous Government not to signpost claimants to food banks through Jobcentre Plus. Statistics are not currently collected on the number of referrals to food banks. As with all policy this is kept under review.
Tax Avoidance
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Prime Minister with reference to his letter to the leaders of the UK's Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories of 20 May 2013 on tax information exchange and beneficial ownership, whether he has received any replies to that letter; and if he will publish any replies received in full. [158182]
The Prime Minister: I have placed a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
We expect the UK's Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories to make their policies clear publicly.
I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr Campbell) on 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 1251.
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Health
Abortion
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent steps he has taken to reduce the number of repeat abortions; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of these measures; [158183]
(2) what recent steps he has taken to reduce the number of abortions carried out on girls under the age of 16; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such measures. [158184]
Anna Soubry: The Government's ‘Framework for Sexual Health Improvement’, published in March this year, contained an ambition to reduce unwanted pregnancy in women of all ages. The document highlights that there is evidence that provision of contraception, particularly long acting methods of contraception, supplied or fitted by the abortion provider can reduce repeat abortions. It also highlights the evidence base for reducing teenage conceptions and why it is vital to continue to make progress in this area. The Department will review progress on all the ambitions in the Framework and a wider set of indicators, including repeat abortions and teenage conceptions, on an annual basis.
In the past five years, 2007-11, there has been a 21.3% decrease in the under-16 abortion rate in England. Continuing to reduce the rate of under-18 conceptions is an indicator in the Public Health Outcomes Framework.
Fiona Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 5 March 2013, Official Report, column 938W, on abortion, what progress has been made in (a) cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) prosecutions commenced, (c) random inspections of licensed abortion centres and (d) other follow-up steps following the chief medical officer's
6 Jun 2013 : Column 1268W
letter to abortion providers sent in February 2012. [158309]
Anna Soubry: The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed the evidence and decided not to take further action against some individuals investigated for sex selection abortions. Other investigations continue and we will consider if any further action is required once investigations are fully concluded.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is exploring how it can strengthen the registration process alongside regular inspection activity. The CQC has put in place procedures to identify if pre-signing or other instances of non-compliance are taking place and will review these as part of their inspection activity.
The CQC and the Department will continue to act on information received in relation to any allegations of non-compliance with aspects of the Abortion Act 1967 and related regulations. This may include random inspections.
All allegations of abortions failing to comply with the Abortion Act 1967 are taken very seriously; an allegation of an illegal abortion should be reported to the police, who should conduct a full investigation.
Accident and Emergency Departments
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which accident and emergency units each Minister in his Department has visited since their date of appointment; and what the date of each such visit was. [158313]
Dr Poulter: The following table provides details of the visits undertaken by the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) and his ministerial team to accident and emergency units in an official capacity since their respective dates of appointment.
| Date | A&E units | |
|
In addition to a number of visits to urgent assessment centres | ||
6 Jun 2013 : Column 1269W
Clinical Commissioning Groups
Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether members of the boards of clinical commissioning groups have to declare membership of political parties. [158221]
Anna Soubry: The National Health Service Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, sets out the clear requirements on clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in relation to registers of interests and managing conflicts of interest.
Under section 140 CCGs are responsible for maintaining registers of interests of the members of its boards. However, it does not specify that membership of a political party should be declared on these registers. CCGs should also make arrangements for managing conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest/to ensure they do not affect or appear to affect the integrity of their decision-making process.
NHS England is responsible for supporting CCGs to manage conflicts of interest, and has produced guidance setting out the statutory requirements and principles for managing conflicts of interest. The guidance is available at:
www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ccg-conflict-int-guide.pdf
Dementia
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the new dementia diagnosis targets for each Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) showing the (a) CCG name and code, (b) CCG current diagnosis rate, (c) CCG diagnosis rate ambition for 2013-14 and (d) CCG diagnosis rate ambition for 2014-15. [157631]
Norman Lamb: Data on clinical commissioning group (CCG) ambitions for improving diagnosis rates through to 2014-15 have been provided by NHS England and have been placed in the Library.
The current CCG diagnosis rates, derived from primary care trust 2011-12 data are available at:
www.dementiaprevalencecalculator.org.uk
The diagnosis rates are illustrated at CCG level; the data are not available as a list of CCGs in spreadsheet format.
NHS England will support CCGs to learn from each other and to support professional insight into the benefits of timely diagnosis for dementia sufferers.
NHS England has an ambition to ensure that two-thirds of people with dementia are identified and given appropriate support by 2015. Further details are available at:
http://www.england.nhs.uk/2013/05/15/dementia-targets/
Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to review the National Dementia Strategy for England. [157632]
Norman Lamb: The National Dementia Strategy runs until 2014, and the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia, which builds on progress made on the strategy, runs until 2015.
6 Jun 2013 : Column 1270W
On 15 May 2013, a report on progress in delivering improvements in dementia care and research was published. A further report is planned for 2014.
Health Education
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on providing advice on diet and lifestyle with the objective of reducing the number of hospital admissions. [158319]
Anna Soubry: Government advice on a healthy balanced diet is encapsulated in the United Kingdom's national food guide, ‘the eatwell plate', which is based on long term epidemiological studies, which show that this type of diet can help prevent diet related chronic disease.
The Government support a number of healthy eating initiatives, which help and encourage people to improve their health and well being. This includes the Change4life campaign, 5 a day scheme, Public Health Responsibility Deal, Healthy Start scheme and through the NHS Choices consumer based information website.
Hospitals: Waiting Lists
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the longest waiting time in days for patients in (a) England and (b) London was for (i) fibreoptic endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract and biopsy of lesion of upper gastrointestinal tract, (ii) computed tomography of head, (iii) insertion of prosthetic replacement for lens NEC, (iv) unspecified diagnostic endoscopic examination of bladder, (v) computerised tomography NEC, (vi) continuous intravenous infusion of therapeutic substance NEC, (vii) unspecified diagnostic fibreoptic endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract, (viii) unspecified diagnostic endoscopic examination of colon, (ix) diagnostic fibreoptic endoscopic examination of colon and biopsy of lesion of colon and (x) unspecified diagnostic endoscopic examination of lower bowel using fibreoptic sigmoidoscope in (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13; [158401]
(2) what the (a) number of total finished consultant episodes, (b) mean waiting time and (c) median waiting time was for (i) fibreoptic endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract and biopsy of lesion of upper gastrointestinal tract, (ii) computed tomography of head, (iii) insertion of prosthetic replacement for lens NEC, (iv) unspecified diagnostic endoscopic examination of bladder, (v) computerised tomography NEC, (vi) continuous intravenous infusion of therapeutic substance NEC, (vii) unspecified diagnostic fibreoptic endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract, (viii) unspecified diagnostic endoscopic examination of colon, (ix) diagnostic fibreoptic endoscopic examination of colon and biopsy of lesion of colon and (x) unspecified diagnostic endoscopic examination of lower bowel using fibreoptic sigmoidoscope in London in (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13. [158402]
Anna Soubry: The Department does not collect these data for individual procedures. The information available for these procedures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre has been placed in the Library.
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Human Trafficking
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital bed spaces for persons who have undergone human trafficking have been available in each of the last 10 years; and what the projected number of such beds is in each of the next three years. [156947]
Anna Soubry: The Department recognises that the impact of human trafficking on victims is significant for both mental health and physical health.
Information on the number of hospital bed spaces available for individuals under criteria such as ‘for persons who have undergone human trafficking’ is not collected in the national health service.
Lyxumia
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the diabetes drug Lyxumia. [156934]
Norman Lamb: Lyxumia contains the active ingredient lixisenatide and was authorised as a medicine by the European Commission in February 2013.
The data supporting the quality, safety and efficacy of Lyxumia have been fully assessed and the benefit/risk profile is considered positive in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used in combination with other glucose lowering medicines and/or insulin.
The supporting data were assessed by the Committee on Human Medicinal Products (of the European Medicines Agency) and in which the United Kingdom is represented.
Mental Health Services
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will assess the potential effects on NHS waiting times for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy courses of opening up the market to those who provide the course to clients who pay; [158168]
(2) what assessment he has made of the (a) NHS and (b) private provider waiting time for patients with depresssion in Sussex for the mindfulness based cognitive therapy course; [158169]
(3) if he will make an assessment of the potential effects on accident and emergency departments of the prescription of the NICE-recommended mindfulness-based cognitive therapy courses for patients with anxiety and depression; [158170]
(4) what assessment he has made of trends in the number of prescriptions written for antidepressants since the launch of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme. [158171]
Norman Lamb:
No assessment is currently planned to assess the impact, if any, of the potential effects of opening up the market to private providers on national health service waiting times for mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) courses. No assessments are currently planned to evaluate the potential effects on accident and emergency departments, of the prescription
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of mindfulness-based CBT for patients with anxiety and depression; or trends in the number of prescriptions written for antidepressants since the launch of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme.
The number of people waiting 28 days or more for IAPT treatment across the three primary care trusts in Sussex has been reducing steadily from 6,792 (as of 30 June 2012) to 5,296 (as of 31 December 2012), the most recent date for which figures are available. These figures are for IAPT treatment and not confined to people waiting for mindfulness-based approaches and include people with depression and people with anxiety disorders.
We do not keep figures centrally for private provider waiting times for patients with depression in Sussex.
Midwives
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's recommended ratio of mothers to midwives is; and what information his Department holds on which health authorities have not employed sufficient midwives to meet that recommended level. [157845]
Dr Poulter: Under the current Government, midwife numbers have increased by over 1,300, and there are record numbers of midwives in training.
The Department does not recommend a midwife-to- births ratio. The midwife-to-births ratio is an indication of throughput only, and does not indicate the safety, quality or outcome of the service provided.
It is the responsibility of national health service organisations to ensure high quality care and choice for women in pregnancy and during childbirth. However, the Government are committed to giving mothers the support and care they need throughout their pregnancy, birth and after birth. Safety and high quality care for mothers are at the heart of maternity services.
Health Education England will ensure that overall the work force has the right skills, behaviours and training, and is available in the right numbers, to support the delivery of excellent health care and drive health improvement. Local Education and Training Boards have reported that their service provider partners are actively engaged in reviewing the level and mix of nursing and related health care staffing, including midwives, in response to a range of factors including higher activity than forecast. In parallel organisations will be considering issues associated with productivity to ensure staffing levels are both safe and affordable.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student midwives there have been in each year for which data is available since 1983. [157849]
Dr Poulter: The following table contains the earliest data available for training places commissioned for student midwives each year. Record numbers of midwives are currently in training.
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| NHS midwifery training places commissioned since 2000 | |||||||||||||
| 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Note: Midwifery training became degree only from 2008-09. The 18 month training is a conversion course. Source: Quarterly Monitoring Return | |||||||||||||
NHS 111
Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls NHS 111 received in each week since 1 April 2013; how many of these calls were answered; and how long, on average, it took for such calls to be answered in each such week. [158312]
Anna Soubry: This information is not held in the format requested. However, NHS England will publish April's monthly NHS 111 Minimum Data Set on 7 June. This will show data for the whole of the month.
It is for clinical commissioning groups, with their local clinicians, and supported by NHS England, to continue to work with all parts of their urgent care system to improve responsiveness and quality of the services locally.
Quality of Care and Treatment Provided by 14 Hospital Trusts in England Review
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made for the Keogh Review team to meet hon. Members whose constituencies are served by hospitals being investigated by that Review; and if he will make a statement. [158218]
Dr Poulter: Professor Sir Bruce Keogh met with hon. Members on 23 April 2013 regarding his review into the quality of care and treatment provided by 14 hospital trusts in England. This meeting was hosted by my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Steve Baker).
Following the meeting, Professor Keogh wrote to all hon. Members whose constituencies were predominantly served by one of the 14 trusts involved in the review, including those who were unable to attend the meeting in April. The letter provided hon. Members with contact details through which they could raise further queries about the review.
We understand that Professor Keogh is working to ensure that all hon. Members whose constituencies are affected by the review are offered a briefing on its findings in advance of the final reports being published.
Women and Equalities
Employment Tribunals Service
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent assessment she has made of the effects on (a) all women and (b) women bringing pregnancy-related cases of the introduction of fees for employment tribunals. [154669]
Mrs Grant: There is no evidence to suggest that introducing fees into the employment tribunals will disadvantage or deter women from bringing claims, including discrimination or pregnancy-related claims. The aim of introducing fees is to transfer some of the cost of administering the tribunals from the taxpayer to the users of the service.
For those who cannot afford fees, a fee remission scheme will operate to ensure access to the tribunal is not affected. Women are more likely to fall into the lower income brackets so they are more likely to qualify for partial or full fee remissions. As a consequence they are unlikely to be detrimentally impacted by the introduction of fees.
Further detail is available in the equality impact assessment completed by the Government relating to the introduction of fees in employment tribunals that can be found here:
https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/et-fee-charging-regime-cp22-2011
Culture, Media and Sport
Public Lending Right
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she is considering extending the public lending right to (a) ebooks whether borrowed remotely or on library premises, (b) audio books borrowed remotely or on library premises and (c) all volunteer libraries; and if she will make a statement. [158109]
Mr Vaizey: The Government response to William Sieghart’s review of e-lending in public libraries in England was published on 27 March 2013 and sets out the Government's position in terms of extending public lending right (PLR) to audiobooks and e-books:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-independent-review-of-e-lending-in-public-libraries-in-england
Any proposal for the potential extension of PLR will be communicated in due course, following full consideration of this matter.
A statement relating to how PLR applies to community-supported libraries is available on the Government's website on the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/public-lending-right-how-it-applies
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to answer Question 156335, tabled by the hon. Member for Reading East (Mr Wilson) on 15 May 2013 for answer on 20 May 2013. [158396]
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Hugh Robertson: The question was answered on 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 802W.
Deputy Prime Minister
Lord Heseltine Review
Mr Ward: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress he has made on the implementation of the Heseltine Review. [158435]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Ian Swales), and the Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw), at oral questions on 4 June 2013, Official Report, column 1097W.
Cabinet Office
Government Departments: Procurement
Mr Umunna: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the answer of 25 April 2013, Official Report, column 1096W, on Government Departments: procurement, what proportion of Government contracts were awarded to small and medium-sized businesses (a) directly and (b) through supply chains in 2012-13. [156999]
Miss Chloe Smith: Departments publish details of their spend with SMEs on a quarterly basis.
Legal Costs
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to whom such sums were paid; and for what reasons the legal advice was sought; [158629]
(2) how much the Deputy Prime Minister's Office spent on external legal advice from Queen's Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158636]
(3) how much the Deputy Prime Minister's Office spent on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158654]
(4) what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office since 7 May 2010 was; [158671]
(5) what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by No. 10 Downing Street were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to whom such payments were paid; and for what reasons the legal advice was sought; [158624]
(6) how much No. 10 Downing Street spent on external legal advice from Queen's Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158648]
(7) how much No. 10 Downing Street spent on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158666]
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(8) what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice by No. 10 Downing Street since 7 May 2010 was. [158683]
Mr Maude: The Prime Minister's Office and the Deputy Prime Minister's Office are an integral part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the right hon. Member to the answers I gave on 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 960W, and 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 474W.
National Identity
Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people in England and Wales described their national identity in their 2011 Census return as (a) Scottish, (b) British and (c) Scottish and British. [158320]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on how many people in England and Wales described their national identity in their 2011 Census return as (a) Scottish, (b) British and (c) Scottish and British. 158320
The figures below have been extracted from 2011 Census table KS202EW
| National identity | Number of people |
Roads: Accidents
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will consider counting in crime statistics road traffic accident victims, including victims of law breaking drivers. [157715]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about whether road traffic accident victims, including victims of law breaking drivers, will be counted in crime statistics. 157715
Responsibility for the publication of the National Statistics on crime for England and Wales transferred from the Home Office to the ONS on 1 April 2012 and so it is now for ONS to decide on the coverage of such statistics.
Victims of law breaking drivers who are involved in road traffic accidents should already be covered by the main recorded crime collection if the incident comes to the attention of the police, but the number of offences is not separately identifiable.
The basis of crime statistics is to record incidents which are criminal on an offence type basis according to criminal law. Thus the police will record what offence has been committed rather than by the means by which it was committed. As such, there is no way of identifying all road traffic accident victims of law breaking drivers as they will be included in a range of offence types.
6 Jun 2013 : Column 1277W
The recorded crime collection has the specific following offences:
Causing death by dangerous driving
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
In addition, the police recorded crime collection also includes the offence of 'dangerous driving'. Within that category it is not possible to separately identify those incidents involving a victim of a road accident from those where there was no accident (for example reckless driving that did not result in an accident or injury to a specific victim).
It is also possible that a small number of victims of road traffic accidents will be included within other categories of recorded crime, such as 'assault with injury' where the police decide that the intent of a driver was to inflict injury on a victim. However, it is not possible to separately identify such incidents as these are aggregated with other assaults.
It would not be possible to count separately the number of victims of law breaking drivers who are involved in road traffic accidents without fundamentally changing the basis of crime statistics. Our users place great value on having a consistent time series and so we have no plans to change the basis upon which crime statistics are collected.
The Department of Transport publishes a regular set of statistics on the full range of road traffic accidents including, for example, where an injury results as well as data on traffic incidents involving alcohol and breath tests.
Sexual Offences
Stella Creasy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish in full the data on which table 2.7, Prevalence of being a victim of a sexual offence in the last 12 months among females aged 16 to 59 in An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales, published on 10 January 2013, was based. [158392]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2013:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for the Home Department asking whether the data upon which Table 2.7 in the publication 'An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales', is based, will be published in full. (158392)
The Table in question is based on analysis of the Crime Survey for England and Wales, a sample survey of the population resident in households. The level of detail at which results are published depends on a range of factors including demand from users and sample size. For example, the survey is not designed to provide estimates at sub-national level and so the sample is not large enough to produce reliable estimates at police force area or lower geographical levels.
In line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, ONS releases anonymised record level data to the UK Data Archive, so that others can undertake their own analyses.
ONS also provide an ad hoc tabulation service where we are able to respond to requests for additional breakdowns of data where the costs in responding are proportionate and respondent confidentiality can be preserved.
Social Action Fund
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department had with the Social Investment Business Group about the funding of the Big Society Network via the Social Action Fund; and if he will make a statement. [158314]
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Mr Hurd: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis on the Cabinet Office website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/ministers-transparency-publications
Cabinet Office officials have held various discussions with the Social Investment Business Group.
In line with the practice of previous Administrations, details of discussions are not normally disclosed.
Defence
Afghanistan
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what detention facilities exist under United Kingdom control at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan; how many non-UK national detainees are held at that facility; and what the longest period any single individual has been detained without charge is at that facility. [157814]
Mr Philip Hammond: The precise number of detainees held at these facilities fluctuates. However, I can confirm there are approximately 90 individuals currently being held pending transfer to the Afghan authorities. We do not comment on the details of individual cases. However, since November 2012 transfers to the Afghan authorities have been suspended due to concerns about potential treatment of detainees. The suspension has led to a significant increase in the number of detainees held at the Temporary Holding Facilities at Camp Bastion.
I can inform the hon. Member that the Ministry of Defence has now established a safe route of transfer to the Afghan National Detention Facility at Parwan and accordingly these concerns have been resolved with a new pathway for transfer now in place.
I have agreed to restart the transfer of detainees captured by British forces into the Afghan judicial system at that facility and have notified interested parties of the intention to resume transfers after 21 days. Provided no judicial intervention prevents the resumption of transfers, I would expect the number of detainees held at the Temporary Holding Facilities at Camp Bastion to fall rapidly over the next few weeks.
Air Force: Officers
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) air commodores, (b) air vice marshals, (c) air marshals and (d) air chief marshals are posted in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) England. [156871]
Dr Murrison: Senior military personnel are distributed across the UK according to military capability requirements, not on a proportional basis.
The numbers of UK regular Royal Air Force officers at the rank of air commodore, air vice marshal, air marshal and air chief marshal, by location as at 1 April 2013 are provided in the following table. There are no RAF officers in the rank of air commodore or above permanently based in Wales or Northern Ireland.
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| RAF Officers | Number |
| Notes: 1. Figures are for UK regular forces. 2. UK regular forces data are sourced from the joint personnel administration (JPA) system. Location data are based on the stationed location of the individual as recorded in the ‘assignment location’ field of the JPA system. The figures are based on service personnel’s stationed location and not their location of residence—where personnel work is not necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. | |
Aircraft Carriers
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies have been awarded sub-contracts for construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales; at which sites he expects work under each such contract to be carried out; and what the monetary value is of each such contract. [158311]
Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 November 2012, Official Report, column 349W, to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty). An updated list of sub-contracts will be placed in the Library of the House.
Armed Forces: Public Transport
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the 10 most frequently undertaken journeys on domestic public transport by military personnel were in 2012. [157987]
Dr Murrison: The most frequent journeys in 2012 were:
Andover—London
Catterick Garrison—Darlington
Bristol—London
High Wycombe—London
Chippenham—London
London—Swindon
Portsmouth Harbour—London
Salisbury—London
London—Princes Risborough
London—Newark
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The list only provides details of travel booked through the Hogg Robinson Group contract with the Ministry of Defence. Any travel booked and paid for outside the contract is not included. The travel will include duty journeys, meetings, courses, postings, resettlement, medicals etc.
Army: Officers
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) brigadiers, (b) major generals, (c) lieutenant generals and (d) generals are posted in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) England. [156870]
Dr Murrison: Senior military personnel are distributed across the UK according to military capability requirements, not on a proportional basis.
The number of UK Regular Army Brigadiers, Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals posted in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England as at 1 April 2013 are provided in the following table:
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Figures are for UK regular forces. 2. UK regular forces data are sourced from joint personnel administration (JPA) system. Location data is based on the station location of the individual as recorded in the ‘Assignment Location field' of the JPA system. The figures are based on service personnel's station location and not the location of residence—where personnel work is not necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. Source: Defence Statistics (Tri-Service) | |
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East Asia
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence attaché posts in East Asia have been closed since May 2010. [158214]
Dr Murrison: The Ministry of Defence has not closed any defence attaché posts in East Asia since May 2010.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which East Asian countries the UK has a defence attaché. [158215]
Dr Murrison: Within east Asia the Ministry of Defence has defence attachés located in China, Japan and Korea. The defence attaché for China has non residential accreditation responsibility for Mongolia.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK capabilities are deployed in East Asia to protect shipping lanes. [158216]
Dr Murrison: No UK capabilities are routinely deployed to East Asia to protect shipping lanes.
As part of our commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), the UK may on occasion deploy military capabilities to the East Asia region. When deployed, these assets will exercise and operate with our partners in the region, thereby contributing to better maritime security in the area.
In addition, the Ministry of Defence also funds the training of our regional partners, both on a bilateral basis and by holding regional forums, in the responsibilities and obligations associated with the declaration of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), as well as the wider application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The next regional course will be held in the Philippines in September 2013 and will be attended by delegates from a number of countries in the region.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a second batch of F-35B Lightning II aircraft are included in the Single Integrated Capability Priority list. [157886]
Mr Dunne: Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) is a core funded programme and is not included in the Single Integrated Capability Priority list. A decision on F-35 aircraft numbers will not be made until after the next Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015.
Military Alliances
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what military agreements the UK has with countries in East Asia; [158213]
(2) what military agreements the UK has with (a) China, (b) Japan, (c) Australia, (d) New Zealand, (e) South Korea and (f) Vietnam. [158217]
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Dr Murrison: The UK has the following principal military agreements and arrangements with countries in East Asia and the Pacific region:
Japan: A Defence Co-operation MOU, an Agreement on Defence Exchanges and an Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information.
Korea: A Mutual Logistics Support Agreement and an Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information. Additionally, although not a military bilateral agreement as such, the UK is one of the 16 signatories to the United Nations Declaration of 27 July 1953 that ended conflict on the Korean peninsula.
Mongolia: Defence Co-operation MOU.
Indonesia: Defence Co-operation MOU.
Malaysia: Defence Co-operation MOU, an Arrangement on the Protection of Classified Information and a Status of Forces Agreement.
Singapore: Research collaboration MOU, an Arrangement on the Protection of Classified Information, and a Status of Forces Agreement.
Brunei: Garrison Agreement and a MOU on the Provision of Personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
Tonga: MOU concerning Command and Control, Training and related support for the Tonga Defence Services contingents in Afghanistan.
Vietnam: Defence related co-operation MOU.
New Zealand: Defence Capability and Equipment co-operation MOU; Exchange Programme LONGLOOK.
Australia: Defence Co-operation Treaty; Australia-UK MOU on Military Capability Harmonisation and Equipment Cooperation (AUMICE); Anglo-Australia MOU on Science and Technology (AAMOST); Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA); Military Geospatial Information and Services MOU (MGIS); Strategic Policy Partnership, Government Quality Assurance MOU; American, British, Canadian, Australian Armies Programme (ABCA), Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC); Exchange Programme LONGLOOK.
In addition, we have a number of multilateral MOUs on information sharing with Australia and New Zealand.
Along with Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore, the UK is a signatory to the Five Powers Defence Arrangements, signed in 1971.
Along with the US, Australia, France, New Zealand, Thailand and the Philippines, the UK is a signatory to the Manila Pact.
We have no military agreements with China.
Navy: Officers
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy officers holding the rank of (a) commodore, (b) rear admiral, (c) vice admiral and (d) admiral are posted in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) England. [156776]
Dr Murrison: Senior military personnel are distributed across the UK according to military capability requirements, not on a proportional basis.
The following table sets out the numbers of UK Regular Royal Navy Officers at the rank of Commodore, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral and Admiral, by location as at 1 April 2013. There are no Naval Service officers in the rank of Commodore or above permanently based in Wales or Northern Ireland.
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| Naval Service | Royal Marines | Royal Navy | |
| (1) There were two OF9 Admirals on 1 April 2013. This was reduced to one when Admiral Zambellas relieved Admiral Stanhope as First Sea Lord/Chief of Naval Staff in mid April. Notes: 1. Figures are for UK Regular Forces. 2. UK Regular Forces data are sourced from Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system. Location data is based on the station location of the individual as recorded in the ‘Assignment Location field' of the JPA system. The figures are based on service personnel's station location and not the location of residence—where personnel work is not necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. Source: Defence Statistics (Tri-Service) | |||
Veterans: Suicide
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will commission research into the level of suicides and attempted suicides among armed forces veterans; [157998]
(2) how many armed forces veterans have committed suicide in the last 10 years. [158000]
Dr Murrison:
Defence Statistics publish information on numbers and mortality rates for suicide and open verdict deaths among first Gulf war and Falkland veterans, compared to the mortality rates for suicide and open verdict deaths in the general UK population. For both
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first Gulf war and Falkland veterans, the risk of suicide and open verdict deaths is statistically significantly lower compared to the UK population.
In 2006, the Ministry of Defence commissioned research from Manchester university to investigate the level of suicide among those leaving the UK armed forces over the period 1996 to 2005, and to compare matched personnel remaining in-service and the general population. This work was published in March 2009. The study found that, taking all age groups together, the risk of suicide was no higher than in the general community.