Written Answers to Questions
Monday 10 June 2013
Attorney-General
Crown Prosecution Service
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to the answer of 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 480W, on Crown Prosecution Service, what model of Logica tablet was purchased by the Crown Prosecution Service; what the size and weight of each unit is; and what feedback has been given by users. [158377]
The Solicitor-General: The model of Logica tablet purchased by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was the HP EliteBook 2760p Tablet PC. The dimensions of this device are 3.2 cm high x 29.0 cm wide x 21.2 cm deep and the weight of the device is 1.79 kg.
The feedback received from the majority of users has been positive and the tablets are now routinely used for the presentation of cases in court. In particular users have welcomed the fact that they no longer have to transport heavy files to court and also that they can download information at the courts or at home, enabling much more flexible working. Some users have provided the feedback that the device can be heavy to hold for long periods of time; that the battery life could be longer and that attaching the device to a mains power supply can restrict the user's ability to move around when presenting. The Department has sought to address these issues by providing additional equipment where possible—for example, additional battery packs and adjustable lecterns to be used in court.
Homicide: Prosecutions
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what steps the Crown Prosecution Service takes to monitor the quality of prosecutions of homicide cases where a single counsel is used in the prosecution of multiple defendants. [158204]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a range of processes in place for monitoring the quality of its casework.
Multiple defendant homicide cases, prosecuted by a single counsel, are not treated as a special category of case for monitoring purposes but a number of processes apply to these and similar cases of this type to ensure that quality standards are met.
The CPS has an established process whereby decisions to instruct a Queen's Counsel (QC) or two counsel have to be formally approved by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) or by someone approved by a CCP for this purpose. In February 2012 the process was extended to include the instruction of a single counsel (other than a QC) in murder cases.
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Where a single counsel is instructed in a murder case, the CCP is required to keep matters under close review to ensure that the level of representation remains appropriate. Such reviews are likely to be conducted at key stages of the case, such as following the plea and case management hearing (PCMH) or upon receipt of the defence case statement.
Single counsel instructed in homicide cases must be member of the CPS Advocate Panel and have been assessed as having the necessary skills, ability and experience to prosecute such cases.
In addition, all cases are expected to be prosecuted in accordance with CPS Core Quality Standards with a sample of cases being monitored for compliance each month under a regime called Core Quality Standards Monitoring (CQSM).
Furthermore, CPS Case Management Panel arrangements introduced in March 2005 provide a framework through which senior managers retain an overview of serious, complex and high profile cases according to set criteria. This includes the review of cases both during the proceedings and after the case has concluded.
Legal Costs
Simon Hart: To ask the Attorney-General what the cost to the Crown Prosecution Service has been of (a) wasted costs orders and (b) other costs orders in favour of defendants made by (i) Crown courts and (ii) magistrates courts in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [157868]
The Solicitor-General: There are a range of costs orders that can be made against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). These include costs orders under section 19 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, where an order may be made that one party pay the costs of the other party to criminal proceedings. Such an order may be made when the court is satisfied that the costs in question have been incurred by party A as a result of “an unnecessary or improper act or omission by or on behalf of” party B.
Costs can also be ordered under section 19A of the same Act where an order may be made against a legal representative that s/he pay “wasted costs”. Wasted costs are costs incurred as a result of improper, unreasonable or negligent act or omission on the part of any representative or the employee of any representative. Furthermore, costs can be ordered under section 19B of the same Act against third parties to pay the costs incurred by any other party to the proceedings.
Finally, in civil proceedings, such as restraint proceedings when dealing with matters under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, inter-parties costs orders can be made which follow the event, namely that costs are awarded against the losing party.
The CPS maintains records of the overall value of costs payments made but does not distinguish between the various types of costs order listed above or if the order is made in a Crown court or a magistrates court. To ascertain the type, value and originating court of individual costs awards made over the last five years would require a review of each case and this would incur disproportionate cost.
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The total value of costs awards paid by the CPS over each of the last five years is as follows:
Total costs payments against the CPS (£) | |
Police: Corruption
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General to how many current or former lawyers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service Her Majesty's Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service has written inviting responses on the interim findings of the inquiry into the collapse of the prosecution of alleged police corruption surrounding the investigation of the murder of Lynette White. [158201]
The Solicitor-General: On 22 May 2013, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service delivered to the Director of Public Prosecutions a private report on the handling of disclosure in the case of R v. Mouncher (and others).
In advance of this, he wrote to eight CPS employees (or former employees) who were involved to some extent in the conduct of the prosecution, all of whom were qualified practising lawyers employed directly by the CPS at the time of their involvement. They were invited to comment on certain matters of factual accuracy.
HMCPSI was under no legal duty to carry out this process, and the invitation to comment should not be seen as an indication that the individuals concerned were criticised directly in the report. All who took part in the process did so on a confidential basis.
Private Prosecutions
Simon Hart: To ask the Attorney-General how many private prosecutions have been taken over by the Crown Prosecution Service since 2011; and how many of those were (a) successfully prosecuted, (b) lost and (c) not proceeded with. [157867]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains internal management information on the number of private prosecutions referred to it; this information has been recorded since February 2011.
The CPS centrally records the decision on whether or not to take over a private prosecution; it will also record, once the decision has been made to take over a private prosecution, whether the CPS will continue with the prosecution or stop it. The CPS does not separately record the outcome of those prosecutions that have been taken over and continued, so there are no records held as to whether a prosecution resulted in a conviction or an acquittal.
CPS management information shows that since February 2011 the CPS has been referred 55 private prosecution cases and, of those, there are 29 cases where at least one charge has been taken over and stopped. The records also show that the CPS continued with the prosecutions in four of the 55 cases. 22 cases were not taken over.
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Proceeds of Crime
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what the monetary value was of the proceeds of crime confiscated from offenders by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in 2012-13; and of this how much was distributed (a) to the victims of crime and (b) to the SFO as part of the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme. [158300]
The Solicitor-General: Criminal finances recovered by the Serious Fraud Office during 2012-13 amounted to: £11,418,464.71. This can be broken down into the following categories:
£ | |
The sum received by the SFO as a result of the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme |
A further sum of £64,417.22 has been recovered following civil recovery action but is currently held by the Trustee for Civil Recovery pending the distribution of compensation to victims.
The term “other outcomes arising from SFO actions” includes voluntary reparations to victims offered as part of mitigation at sentence.
Sign Language
Simon Kirby: To ask the Attorney-General what steps the Law Officers' Departments are taking to ensure the services they offer are accessible to British Sign Language users. [157923]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers' Departments make all necessary reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities who may need to access their services. This includes supporting individuals during recruitment and at any time during their subsequent employment, in line with their duties under the Equality Act 2010.
The TSol Bona Vacantia Division has also used, and will continue to use, British Sign Language interpreters to assist members of the public in their dealings with the organisation.
In the case of the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service appropriate arrangements will always be made to provide support to people who are deaf if they are required to give evidence as a prosecution witness, such as providing qualified British Sign Language interpreters or qualified lipspeakers.
Defence
Armed Forces: Sexual Offences
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome of the inquiry into the alleged sexual assault and beasting of four minors at AFC Harrogate in May 2012 was; what steps have been taken; and if he will make a statement. [158015]
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Mr Francois: The allegations made at Army Foundation College Harrogate were thoroughly investigated and as a result a number of junior soldiers were disciplined. Steps have also been taken to ensure that such behaviour is not allowed to recur, and the guidance issued on the care of soldiers aged under 18 years has been reviewed and updated.
The matter was subsequently considered by the Safeguarding Children Board for North Yorkshire, who stated that no further action related to the incident was required.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the use of the Black Hornet Nano unmanned air vehicle in operations; and if he will make a statement. [158731]
Mr Dunne: The Black Hornet Unmanned Air System has been in UK service on Operation Herrick since May 2012. Initial feedback confirms that the system is providing a valuable capability to UK forces.
Afghanistan
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Afghan Government on the future use of UK operated unmanned aerial vehicles in that country. [157727]
Mr Robathan: The UK, and ISAF partners, have discussed the redeployment of military equipment with the Afghan Government.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the UN Mission in Afghanistan's 2012 report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, whether his Department is participating in the review of criteria required to establish positive identification and determination of status undertaken by international forces in Afghanistan. [157729]
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the additional cost, beyond existing salaries and accommodation of military families has been to his Department's budget of the deployment of UK troops and medical auxiliaries in Afghanistan since 2001; and what his best estimate is of the number of non-combatants killed as a result of UK forces deployed in Afghanistan since the invasion. [158038]
Mr Robathan: The costs of the net additional costs of operations in Afghanistan are set out, by financial year, in the following table:
Financial year | £ billion |
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The costs for financial year 2012-13 will be published in the 2012-13 annual report and accounts later this year.
The UK operates in Afghanistan as part of the UN-mandated 50-nation ISAF coalition and at the invitation of the Afghan Government. We investigate carefully all alleged incidents involving UK forces from whatever cause. The Government do not record total figures for insurgent or civilian casualties in Afghanistan because of the difficulty of collecting robust data.
Air Force: Training
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many RAF recruits undertook flight training in each of the last 12 months; [158525]
(2) when he expects the Grob 115E tutor trainer aircraft to be back in service; and what the effect of its grounding has been on the RAF's ability to train new pilots. [R] [158526]
Mr Robathan: Babcock staff, with military involvement and oversight, are continuing test flights to confirm that the modified Grob Tutor aircraft are fit to fly in this role. It will resume flying training when it is safe to do so. Full release for military flying is expected in the near future.
There has been minimal impact to the flying training pipeline and it will continue to provide its targeted output of trained pilots. A small number of students on Elementary Flying Training (EFT) are using other aircraft types to complete a proportion of the course's syllabus before progressing to Advanced Flying Training; assurance of training is being overseen by the RAF's Central Flying School. There has been no impact to the front line.
The following table shows the number of RAF trainee pilots starting EFT and a running total of all RAF trainee pilots on EFT in each of the last 12 months.
RAF Trainee Pilots starting EFT Courses | RAF Trainee Pilots on EFT Courses | |
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(1) Denotes rounded to zero. Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, with numbers ending in '5' being rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. |
Armed Forces: Parachuting
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment his Department has made of the continued requirement for a conventional force parachute capability. [158317]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 6 June 2013]: The requirement for a parachute capability was assessed and articulated within the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) October 2010—Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty, Strategic Defence and Security Review Land Forces, (page 24). Subsequent reviews of the capability requirement have reaffirmed the SDSR 2010 position, with no necessity for an interim policy review prior to SDSR 2015 identified.
Armed Forces: Pay
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will backdate the increase in pay to members of the armed forces to the start of the financial year. [157895]
Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 14 March 2013, Official Report, columns 14-15WS, in response to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) 2013 report. The AFPRB's recommendation of an annual pay award of 1% was accepted in full and is effective from 1 April 2013. A decision on the recommendation to increase X-factor by 0.5%, which would result in costs for which the Department had not budgeted, was deferred.
Subsequently, as part of the 2013 Budget on 20 March, 2013, Official Report, columns 931-45, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced that the AFPRB recommendation to increase X-Factor by 0.5% would be implemented with effect from 1 May 2013.
Armed Forces: Public Transport
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on domestic public transport for military personnel, by mode of travel, in each of the last three years. [157988]
Mr Francois: The data requested are shown in the following table. These data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration computer system, and therefore reflect what has been claimed by service personnel.
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£ | ||||
FY 2008-09 | FY 2009-10 | FY 2010-11 | FY 2011-12 | |
Armed Forces: Qualifications
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of infantry soldiers had gained GCSE grades A* to C or Scottish standard grades 1 to 3 in (a) English or English language and (b) mathematics in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [157760]
Mr Francois: As at 3 June 2013, 22% of infantry soldiers are recorded as holding GCSE grades A* to C or Scottish standard grades 1 to 3 in English, and 15.2% of infantry soldiers are recorded as holding GCSE grades A* to C or Scottish standard grades 1 to 3 in mathematics.
Prior to 2007, when the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system was introduced, information on qualifications was not held centrally. Any qualifications gained before that date have not therefore been recorded unless an individual soldier has updated their JPA record.
Armed Forces: Suicide
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many suicides and open verdicts occurred among UK regular armed forces personnel in 2012. [157999]
Mr Francois: It is not possible to provide a final number until verdicts from all inquests have been entered. As of 4 June 2013, the number of coroner-confirmed suicide or open-verdict deaths recorded among armed forces personnel in 2012 was seven.
Detailed analysis on deaths and suicides in the UK armed forces can be found in the following National Statistic publications produced by Defence Statistics at the end of March each year.
Suicide and Open Verdict Deaths in the UK Regular Armed Forces 1984-2012 Deaths in the UK Regular Armed Forces at the following link:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/search/index.html?newquery=suicide+armed+forces
Armed Forces: Training
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much his Department has spent on facilities and training under each cost heading at (a) Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, (b) Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, (c) the Defence Academy, Shrivenham and (d) RAF Cranwell in each year since 2000; [156980]
(2) how much his Department plans to spend under each cost heading on facilities at (a) Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, (b) Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, (c) the Defence Academy, Shrivenham and (d) RAF Cranwell in each year until 2020; [156981]
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(3) what savings have been achieved by his Department in the running cost of the (a) Defence Academy, Shrivenham and (d) Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in each year since 2000. [156983]
Mr Robathan
[holding answer 3 June 2013]: Costs for previous years for Britannia Royal Naval College,
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Dartmouth (BRNC), Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMAS), the Defence Academy, Shrivenham (DA) and RAF Cranwell where the information is available are shown in the following table:
£ million | ||||
Establishment | Personnel | Infrastructure | Other | Total |
The Ministry of Defence does not publish details of future budgets for individual parts of the Department. These are adjusted by the Defence Board both in-year, and in each annual budgeting cycle, to ensure that resources remain aligned with outputs.
As regards savings achieved, the Defence Academy has achieved total savings of £31.4 million since financial year 2007-08. At the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Service manpower is the main driver for running costs and since the establishment has not changed the running costs have remained fairly constant in recent years.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the standards of training being given by the newly commissioned Defence Explosives Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment; and if he will make a statement. [158738]
Mr Robathan: The Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment has been established through the amalgamation of Defence Explosives, Munitions and Search School (South) based in Lodge Hill, Chatham and Defence Explosives, Munitions and Search School (Kineton) under a single regimental headquarters structure. The move has not changed the content of courses which continue to be delivered in accordance with the latest Defence regulations and standards. External validation is also conducted, with results fed back into the training system.
Armed Forces: Young People
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of recruits enlisting as minors joined each Army regiment or corps in each of the last 10 years. [157758]
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Dr Murrison: The following table shows the proportion of untrained minors (soldiers under 18) entering each arm/service in the last 10 financial years:
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Percentage | ||||||||||
Financial years | ||||||||||
Arm/service | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |
Adjutant General's Corps (Military Provost Service and Provost Branch) | ||||||||||
Capita
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department currently spends on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in each year since 2008. [158462]
Mr Dunne: Expenditure on Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts with Capita is shown in the following table:
Financial year (FY) | Expenditure (£ million) |
This is based on Capita's corporate structure as at 1 April 2013 and includes any payments made to companies which include “Capita” in their company name. It does not include payments which may have been made on behalf of other Government Departments, by the MOD's trading funds and executive non-departmental public bodies (which lie outside the MOD's accounting boundary), locally by the MOD, through third parties such as prime contractors or other Government Departments and in relation to collaborative projects where the payments are made through international procurement agencies or overseas Governments. Payments made by Government Procurement Card are also not included.
The significant increase in spend in FY 2012-13 resulted from the commencement of a 10-year recruitment partnering contract with Capita Business Services Ltd, to deliver Army recruiting services including the transfer of this process online through the introduction of new information systems. This is expected to deliver benefits in excess of £300 million to the armed forces and will release military recruiters back to the front line.
Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award:
www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
In addition, Departments publish details of spend in excess of £25,000.
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Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. [158488]
Mr Francois: Robust analysis has been applied during the design of the Enhanced Operating Model of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. This has identified the structure and roles to enable us to deliver the service outputs. Recruitment is currently under way to fill roles where required and will continue until late summer 2013.
Defence Munitions Longtown
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the additional costs that would be incurred for transport of munitions if Defence Munitions Longtown were to be closed. [158977]
Mr Dunne: No decision on the future of Defence Munitions Longtown will be made until after the spending review for 2015-16. Additional transport costs are estimated to be in the region of £0.4 million to £0.9 million per annum.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely clean-up costs that would be incurred if Defence Munitions Longtown were to be closed. [158978]
Mr Dunne: In the event that Defence Munitions Longtown is no longer required for defence use, remediation costs would be dependent on the future use of the site.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the review referred to in his letter of 25 March 2013 to Luis Eckersley at Defence Munitions Longtown will be carried out by the same team from his Department that carried out the initial review. [158986]
Mr Dunne: The review referred to in my letter of 25 March 2013 to Luis Eckersley at Defence Munitions Longtown has been completed and I shall be assessing its findings in the light of the spending review for 2015-16. I can confirm that the review was conducted by the same team from the Ministry of Defence that carried out the initial review.
Defence: Industry
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were employed in the defence industry in the UK in each of the last three years. [158855]
Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence no longer compiles national or regional defence industry employment statistics as they do not directly support policy-making or operations.
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Germany
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his German counterpart on whether intelligence supplied by the UK will be used for drone strikes by Germany. [158939]
Mr Robathan: Neither I or my ministerial colleagues have had any discussions with our German counterparts on this issue.
Gulf States
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support the Royal Air Force is providing to US armed forces in the Gulf region; and what the (a) location, (b) cost and (c) purpose is of that support. [158918]
Mr Robathan: The RAF provides support to US and other partner nation forces on a reciprocal basis in the Gulf region. This is similar to other regions of the world where UK and partner forces are co-located. It includes assistance with air transport and training or, where forces are based together such as in Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, facility management. It includes providing air-to-air refuelling, supporting ISAF forces in Afghanistan, and more long-standing arrangements for mutual support of infrastructure. A comprehensive compendium is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint training missions the UK is undertaking with the US in the Gulf; and what the (a) type of training, (b) cost of training and (c) number of personnel involved is in each case. [158936]
Mr Robathan: UK forces routinely conduct tactical training serials and exercises in the Gulf region, both with the US and with other partners. These can include ships, aircraft, as well as Defence personnel, and are aimed at improving our individual capabilities, as well as our ability to operate together. Additional details of the training serials (types, personnel and costs) are not held centrally.
As of 6 June 2013, the UK is participating in only one multinational exercise, Shaheen Star V, which consists of six RAF Typhoon aircraft operating from the UAE with the US Air Force. The RAF has exercised in the Gulf area for many years and Shaheen Star V is the latest in a series designed to exercise with partners in a diverse and challenging environment; it involves around 150 UK personnel. The exercise concludes on 20 June 2013 and the additional cost to core expenditure is estimated to be in the region of £350,000.
Iraq Conflict
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of health problems in Iraq arising from the allied use of uranium-depleted munitions during the first and second Gulf Wars; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle such health issues in an effective and appropriate way. [158415]
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Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 18 January 2013, Official Report, column 964W and 4 February 2013, Official Report, column 78W, to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert).
Lynx Helicopters
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what strategic advantages the use of the Wildcat helicopter in maritime operations brings; and if he will make a statement. [158735]
Mr Dunne: It is planned that the Lynx Wildcat helicopter will achieve Initial Operating Capability for the Army variant in 2014 and for the Navy variant in 2015.
The Royal Navy Lynx Wildcat has been procured to operate from frigates and destroyers and will, like its predecessor, be earmarked for a variety of attack and defensive roles—anti-ship, anti-submarine, ship protection, casualty evacuation, battlefield reconnaissance, counter piracy, counter narcotics and general utility. From the outset, it has been designed to operate in a maritime environment. It will be fitted with the necessary sea safety features to meet legislative requirements and its sensors have been optimised to operate over the sea. The capability will be essential to both the deployment and sustainability of Royal Navy assets for all scales of maritime operations.
Military Aircraft
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many spare parts his Department has exclusively available for (a) Nimrod MR2, (b) Nimrod MR4 and (c) each other type of aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [157874]
Mr Dunne: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Following the withdrawal from service of the Nimrod MR2 and cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 in 2010 and the withdrawal from service of the Nimrod R1 in 2011, equipment and parts that could not be re-used on other platforms were transferred to the Disposal Services Authority. Disposal is now substantially complete and the Net Book Value of remaining Nimrod spares is £0.
Military Aircraft: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training sorties have been flown over the Welsh Military Tactical Training area by (a) the Royal Air Force and (b) air force pilots from overseas in each of the last five years. [158123]
Mr Robathan: The information is not held in the format requested. Flights within the Welsh Military Tactical Training Area are recorded as the number of individual movements and hours flown. This information is provided in the following table for fixed-wing aircraft operating below 250 feet. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hour. Helicopters do not fly in this area.
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Training year | Movements | Duration hours |
These figures include any activity by visiting aircraft, which are not recorded separately.
Military Exercises
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the recent Joint Warrior training exercises and their effect in preparing troops for combat; and if he will make a statement. [158730]
Mr Robathan: The Joint Warrior tri-service and multinational exercises prepares UK forces for contingent operations through integration of participating air, land and maritime forces, and interoperability with our allies.
The most recent exercise saw the validation of UK's High Readiness Brigades and of the joint forces headquarters (the UK's standing joint operational contingent command); the preparation of UK mine warfare battle staff for operations in the Gulf; and the preparation of the UK Response Force Task Group for the annual Cougar deployment.
Pakistan: Military Bases
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and for how long any UK armed forces personnel have been stationed at Shamsi Airbase in Pakistan; and what the purpose of such personnel deployed to that base was. [158779]
Mr Robathan: We have no records of UK armed forces having been stationed at Shamsi Airbase in Pakistan.
Research
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been allocated for research and development funding in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015. [158776]
Mr Dunne: There is no fixed forward budget for research and development.
The Department's plans for funding research through the centralised Ministry of Defence Science and Technology Programme, under the Department's chief scientific adviser, are £410 million for 2013-14 and £435 million for 2014-15, rounded to the nearest £5 million, which meets our intention to sustain science and technology investment at a minimum of 1.2% of the Defence budget. Development expenditure is applied according to the requirements of individual projects (mostly as part of the equipment programme) and the plans for funding of the development elements of these projects are not centralised.
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Research and Development
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on research and development funding on unmanned air vehicles in (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013. [158782]
Mr Dunne: Unmanned air vehicle research and development spending for the financial years (FY) 2010-11 to 2012-13, rounded to the nearest £1 million, is set out as follows:
Financial year | £ million |
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of the re-fit of RFA Fort Austin; and whether three replacement solid support ships will be in service in the early 2020s under the contract for the MARS vessels. [158612]
Mr Dunne: The final cost of refitting Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Austin is in the process of being assessed but is expected to be around £40 million.
The Fleet Solid Support element of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Programme is not covered by any contractual commitment at this time. The Ministry of Defence will decide its future plans once further capability investigation is complete later this decade.
Syria
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of the (a) current and (b) proposed level of support for Syrian opposition forces with regard to military equipment. [158137]
Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
No decision has been made to provide lethal military equipment to the armed opposition. In terms of non-lethal assistance to the civilian opposition, the UK has so far committed over £12 million. Furthermore, on 13 May the Prime Minister announced that the UK would double its non-lethal assistance this year to £20 million. This additional assistance will be used to provide services to the Syrian people, deliver assistance to them on the ground and forge links between different communities and opposition groups.
Tornado Aircraft
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the RAF's operational range requirement for the Tornado GR4 replacement is; and if he will make a statement. [158445]
Mr Dunne:
There is no like for like replacement planned for the Tornado GR4 aircraft. We will maintain the combat air requirement through a combined fleet of
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Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter, two of the world's most modern and capable multi-role combat aircraft. We cannot comment on operational range requirements as this would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of tactical military advantages arising from the use of remote piloted air systems; and if he will make a statement. [158349]
Mr Robathan: Since October 2007, Reaper, the RAF's Remotely Piloted Air System, has played a vital role supporting military operations in Afghanistan providing a persistent intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability. A formal tactical assessment would routinely be carried out at the end of an operation; however, commanders assess and reassess tactics on a daily basis to adapt to a changing threat.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Reaper and (b) Hermes 450 vehicles have crashed and subsequently been taken out of service in each year since each model came into operation. [158777]
Mr Dunne: The numbers of Reaper and Hermes 450 Unmanned Air Vehicles that have been permanently removed from service as a result of crashes is provided in the following table:
Reaper | Hermes 450 | |
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Watchkeeper training flights have taken place; what the location was of such flights; and what the cost to the public purse has been to date. [158780]
Mr Dunne: Watchkeeper has made 72 training flights to date, all from West Wales airport, Aberporth.
Training flights are only one element of the wider Watchkeeper trials, evaluation and qualification programme and it is not possible to identify separately the costs of flying activities from other costs under the programme.
Unmanned Air Vehicles: Training
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which other countries provide the Royal Air Force with Reaper conversion training; and what the (a) location and (b) cost is of that training. [158919]
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Mr Robathan: The Royal Air Force Reaper conversion course is provided through a Foreign Military Sales Agreement with the United States Air Force and is conducted at Holloman Air Force Base, USA.
I am withholding information on the cost of training pilots to fly the Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and another state.
Wales
Capita
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department currently spends on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in each year since 2008. [158475]
Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has had no contracts with Capita since 2008.
Legal Costs
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by his Department were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to whom such payments were paid; and for what reasons the legal advice was sought. [158627]
Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office did not seek external legal advice in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, the Department sought legal advice relating to the relocation of our Cardiff office. There were three payments made for this legal advice, and this is shown in the following table:
Supplier | Amount (£) |
The Department also obtained external legal advice during 2012 on matters relating to the boundary of the Welsh devolution settlement. The Wales Office is yet to be invoiced for payment for this advice.
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on external legal advice from Queen's Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012. [158652]
Stephen Crabb: Wales Office expenditure on external legal advice from Queen's Counsels was:
(a) Between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012—£0
(b) Since 4 September 2012—£2,244
The Department also obtained advice from a Queen's Counsel during 2012 on matters relating to the boundary of the Welsh devolution settlement. The Wales Office is yet to be invoiced for payment for this advice.
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012. [158670]
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Stephen Crabb: Wales Office expenditure on external legal advice is set out as follows:
(a) Between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012—£15,251
(b) From 4 September 2012—£2,244
The Wales Office is yet to be invoiced for payment in relation to further external legal advice it received during 2012.
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice by his Department since 7 May 2010 was. [158687]
Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has paid its external legal advisors at an hourly rate. The highest hourly rate we have paid is £220 per hour.
Energy and Climate Change
Arctic
Mr Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of whether the decrease in the extent of Arctic sea ice since reliable records began is statistically significant; and what statistical model his Department has used to conduct that assessment. [158206]
Gregory Barker: The Department has not commissioned any assessment of the statistical significance of long-term trends in Arctic sea ice extent. Work undertaken under the Climate Programme at the Met Office Hadley Centre has assessed the physical reasons for the decrease in ice extent and used physically based climate models to assess its future course (“Assessment of possibility and impact of rapid climate change in the Arctic”:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/p/i/HCTN_91.pdf
We note that the downward trend in Arctic sea ice extent, taking account of the seasonal cycle, is now well-established from satellite observations since 1979 and has been reported as being statistically significant in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
Capita
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department currently spends on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in each year since 2008. [158464]
Gregory Barker: The Department has contracted Capita Business Resources, Capita Resourcing Ltd, Capita Health and Wellbeing, Capita Symonds and Capita Business Services to carry out various roles on behalf of the Department.
The total amount spent in each financial year:
Financial year | £ |
(1 )From October 2008. |
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These figures include funds administered by Capita on behalf of the Department as well as management fees etc.
Energy: Business
Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to encourage green officers in private businesses to reduce energy consumption and promote green employment. [158547]
Gregory Barker: DECC has recently provided £308,000 in grants for the purpose of promoting the take-up of more specialised energy efficiency training in the non-domestic sector among facilities managers and production line managers. In order to further develop the energy management skills of facilities managers, DECC will also be working with Asset Skills, the employer-led skills body for facilities managers, to ensure that energy efficiency is integrated into the core modules of the National Occupational Standards.
More generally, greater energy efficiency belongs at the heart of a low carbon economy and our energy efficiency policies (including measures like the Green Deal) are spurring the development of a multi-billion pound market that is developing in technologies and supply chains.
Energy: Finance
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 415W, on energy: subsidies, (1) whether there is a central database of all public subsidies given to energy companies; [158010]
(2) if he will consider recording public subsidies given to energy companies in the format requested; [158011]
(3) in what format his Department records public subsidies given to energy companies. [158012]
Michael Fallon: There is no central database of all public subsidies given to energy companies. At this time, the Department has no plans to create a central database of such payments.
The Department maintains a financial system that captures all of the transactions it makes including payments made to suppliers. However, there is no requirement to classify payments recorded on this system as subsidies or to classify suppliers as energy companies. Therefore, pursuant to answer of 20 May 2013, Official Report, column 415W, on energy: subsidies, the information requested could be provided from this system only at disproportionate cost.
In addition, Ofgem administers the renewable obligations (RO) and the feed-in tariffs (FITs) schemes, which provide market-based support for large scale and small scale deployment of renewable energy generation.
Ofgem publish data on the RO on the Renewables and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Register at:
http://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/
The public reports available on the register provide details of the stations accredited under the RO and details of the ROCs awarded to accredited stations.
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Details on the amount of support provided under FITs are also publically available and can be viewed at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/MoreInformation.aspx?docid=42&refer=Sustainability/Environment/fits
Green Deal Finance Company
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change under what terms the Green Investment Bank has awarded money to the Green Deal Finance Company. [157860]
Gregory Barker: The Green Investment Bank makes investments on a commercial basis. It has lent to the Green Deal Finance Company within the parameters of the state aid decision concerning the Green Deal (ref SA.34611). The detailed commercial terms are a matter for the bank and DECC is unable to comment on them.
Green Deal Scheme
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how many registered Green Deal providers have (a) applied for administration and (b) filed for bankruptcy since the establishment of the Green Deal; [158854]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of people who have been made unemployed since 1 January 2013 by Green Deal providers who have entered into financial difficulty. [158917]
Gregory Barker: Ministers regularly receive briefings on developments in this sector, but DECC does not hold statistics of the type requested.
Insulation: Mobile Homes
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps the Government are taking to ensure access to free and subsidised insulation schemes for people who live in park homes as part of the Green Deal. [158552]
Gregory Barker: In order to qualify for Green Deal finance, a home must first have a direct connection to a licensed energy supplier and be capable of having an energy performance certificate (EPC) produced. In the case of park homes, the methodology used to generate EPCs does not, at present, support the full range of park home construction types (this is because it was initially designed for compliance with the European energy performance of buildings directive, which does not apply to park homes). DECC is currently working with the industry to include a wider range of park homes in the methodology for a future update, which should then allow those who are directly supplied by a licensed energy provider to access Green Deal finance.
Park homes are eligible for support under the energy company obligation (ECO). While it is for the obligated energy companies to decide whether to provide support to any particular home, and if so at what level, this could include part or full subsidy of the costs of insulation.
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Legal Costs
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by his Department were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; to whom such sums were paid; and for what reasons the legal advice was sought; [158631]
(2) how much his Department spent on external legal advice from Queen's Counsel (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158638]
(3) how much his Department spent on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012. [158656]
Gregory Barker: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, some information covering sums above £500 paid for external legal advice is available on the DECC website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/departmental-spend-over-500
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice by his Department since 7 May 2010 was. [158673]
Gregory Barker: DECC generally negotiates fees for legal advice at hourly rates. Therefore this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Moreover, its publication could adversely affect the Department's ability to negotiate the best rates for future work, and it is therefore commercially confidential.
Solar Power: British Overseas Territories
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on investment in solar power in UK Overseas Territories in the last two years. [158344]
Gregory Barker: The Department has not made any investments in solar power in UK Overseas Territories in the last two years.
Telephone Services
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department receives any financial or non-financial benefit from its telephone providers for telephone lines that (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible operate, including but not limited to (i) a share of call revenue, (ii) a reduction in the Department's telephone bill or tariff and (iii) telephony services for free or at a reduced price. [157736]
Gregory Barker: Neither the Department of Energy and Climate Change nor its agencies receive any financial or non-financial benefit from its telephone providers for telephone lines that they are responsible for operating.
10 Jun 2013 : Column 24W
Wind Power: Scottish Islands
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what account was taken of the potential costs to consumers of the proposed measures to bridge the funding gap for Scottish islands' wind power in his Department's report, “Scottish Islands Renewable Project”, published on 14 May 2013. [R] [157678]
Michael Fallon: The “Scottish Islands Renewable Project” was an independent study to assess the potential of, and barriers to, the development of renewables on the Scottish islands. The report shows that while there are significant potential benefits to developing renewables on the Scottish islands, there are also considerable costs that need to be overcome. The Government, with support from the Scottish Government, will use the report to weigh up the costs and benefits of renewable generation on the Scottish islands against other sources of electricity, considering the impact on the local economies and communities, and importantly on consumers across the whole of Britain.
Prime Minister
Developing Countries: Malnutrition
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with his international counterparts at next month's G8 summit in Belfast what further steps (a) G8 countries and (b) other countries can take to reduce malnutrition in the developing world. [158019]
The Prime Minister: The UK joined Brazil and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation to host a major international event on 8 June on “Nutrition for Growth: Beating Hunger through Business and Science”.
The event set the scene for the G8 summit which will focus on freer trade, greater tax compliance and enhanced transparency. These are essential if developing countries are to unlock resources that will enable them to tackle issues that affect the poorest people, such as hunger and malnutrition.
Eric Schmidt
Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister what matters in respect of corporate tax payment he discussed with Mr Eric Schmidt on 20 May 2013. [157805]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 1253, to the hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith).
Food: Retail Trade
Mr Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister what meetings (a) he and (b) staff in his Office have held with directors or staff of the top 15 food retailers in the UK in the last 12 months; and what subjects were discussed at those meetings. [158412]
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The Prime Minister: Details of my meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis. Details can be accessed on the Cabinet Office website. Copies of the latest list have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Leader of the House
Bilderberg Group
Mr Meacher: To ask the Leader of the House if he will ensure that Ministers attending the Bilderberg conference at Watford on 6-9 June make a statement to the House afterwards reporting on the proceedings and the implications for Government policy. [158531]
Mr Lansley: The Minister without Portfolio, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), updated the House today in response to the hon. Member's question relating to the proceedings at last weekend’s Bilderberg conference in Watford.
Legal Costs
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Leader of the House (1) what the 20 highest amounts paid for external legal advice by his 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; [158634]
(2) how much his Office spent on external legal advice from Queen's Counsels (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158646]
(3) how much his Office spent on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; [158664]
(4) what the highest day rate paid for external legal advice by his Office since 7 May 2010 was. [158681]
Mr Lansley: My Office has not paid for any external legal advice in the periods set out in the questions.
Treasury
Accountancy
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the names, job titles, area of work, term of appointment and Civil Service equivalent grade are of personnel currently seconded to his Department from the big four accountancy firms. [159051]
Sajid Javid:
The Treasury operates a strategic interchange policy. The Department is fully committed both to the development of its people and to securing the benefits brought to the Department by staff who have a greater depth and breadth of expertise and knowledge gained as a result of outside experience. This is managed strategically to support Treasury's continuing capability to deliver business objectives so it serves the interests of the Treasury as well as the individual. There are currently three individuals on secondment from the big four accountancy firms. For reasons of personal confidentially
10 Jun 2013 : Column 26W
we do not name individuals, but the following table provides the requested information.
Job title | Grade name | Team name | Length of secondment | Civil service grade |
Banks: Loans
David Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to ensure banks accurately explain the relationship between variations in the Bank of England base rate of interest and the interest charged on their variable rate loans. [158769]
Sajid Javid: The Government have established a new business regulator for financial services—the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)—which will protect consumers and supervise all firms to ensure that business across financial services and markets is conducted in a way that advances the interests of all users and participants.
In relation to mortgages, the FCA is responsible for the rules lenders and intermediaries are required to meet in order to ensure consumers are appropriately informed when taking out a mortgage.
In relation to consumer credit lending, the consumer credit act (CCA) requires that consumers are informed about the interest rate, including information on potential future changes to the interest rate.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 817W, on banks: loans, when he expects postcode level lending data from the banks to be publically available; and if he will make a statement. [158798]
Greg Clark: The Government are working with industry to ensure that banks publish postcode level lending data broken down by institution. This includes working on the details of when and how the data will be made publically available.
Borrowing: Scotland
Pamela Nash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what research his Department has undertaken into the market costs of borrowing for the Scottish Government under the new powers in the Scotland Act 2012; [158008]
(2) what research his Department has undertaken into the market costs of borrowing for the Scottish Government under the new powers conferred by the Scotland Act 2012. [158916]
Danny Alexander: On 13 May 2013 the Government published a summary of responses to their public consultation on Scottish Government bond issuance within the parameters of the Scotland Act 2012.
10 Jun 2013 : Column 27W
The majority of respondents believed that bonds issued by the Scottish Government would likely translate into a cost of borrowing significantly above that enjoyed by the UK Government. The factors most often cited included the perceived lower creditworthiness of the Scottish Government owing in particular to its narrower revenue base and lack of a track record in borrowing, as well as the lower liquidity of Scottish Government bonds compared with UK gilts.
Business Premises: Valuation
Ann Coffey:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for the revaluation of business
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premises have been made in each region in the last five years for which data are available. [158551]
Mr Gauke: The following table shows the latest available statistics on proposals (appeals) received to alter the 2005 and 2010 rating lists, by region, in England and Wales, for each of the previous five financial years.
Financial year | |||||
Region | 2008-09(2) | 2009-10(2) | 2010-11(1,2) | 2011-12(2) | 2012-13(2) |
(1) The 2010 rating list came into operation on the 1 April 2010 therefore there are no proposals with respect to this list for earlier financial years. (2) VOA Official Statistics, Non domestic Rates (Business Rates): Local Rating Lists: Table A1.12010: http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/NDR_TableA_All_2010.xls Table A1.1_2005: http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/NDR_TableA_All_2005.xls |
Capita
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department currently spends on contracts with Capita; and how much was spent in each year since 2008. [158474]
Sajid Javid: Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award
www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
In addition, Departments publish details of spend in excess of £25,000.
HM treasury does not currently hold any contracts directly with Capita Group. However it does currently procure services from companies in Capita Group under contracts arranged centrally by other Government Departments, eg a Cabinet Office-led contract with Capita Business Services Ltd for Civil Service Learning.
HM Treasury spend with Capita Group since 2008:
Financial year | (£)(1) |
(1) Excluding VAT |