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Culture, Media and Sport
Conditions of Employment
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were retained on zero-hour contracts by (a) her Department and (b) the executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement. [160764]
Hugh Robertson: No staff were retained by DCMS on zero-hour contracts. We do not hold, centrally, data for our executive agency or NDPBs.
Deputy Prime Minister
Commonwealth
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many Commonwealth citizens living in the UK who are not UK passport holders are eligible to vote in UK parliamentary elections; [160127]
(2) if he will list those Commonwealth countries whose citizens are allowed to vote in the UK's parliamentary elections if residing in the country. [160128]
Miss Chloe Smith: Electoral registration data by nationality are not collected centrally. The Office for National Statistics collects and publishes yearly statistics on electoral registration, but this does not include data on nationality.
Registration data on the basis of nationality are only collected at local level by local authority EROs for their own records, but they are under no obligation to do so. However, they only collect information about Commonwealth citizens who are registered to vote, not those who are eligible to do so.
Commonwealth citizens who have or do not require leave to enter or remain in the UK can vote in UK parliamentary elections, subject to meeting all other eligibility criteria for electoral registration. The full list of Commonwealth countries whose citizens are allowed to vote is as follows:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei Darussalam
Cameroon
Canada
Cyprus
Dominica
Fiji Islands
The Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
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India
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Zambia
Resident citizens of Zimbabwe, which withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003, can also vote in UK parliamentary elections, as can resident citizens of Fiji, which was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2009.
Energy and Climate Change
Conditions of Employment
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff were retained on zero-hour contracts by (a) his Department and (b) the executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [160767]
Gregory Barker: DECC has not employed staff on zero-hour contracts during the period outlined.
This information is not held by the Department in respect of non-departmental public bodies.
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Disciplinary Proceedings
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff were suspended from his Department and its associated public bodies on full pay in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and what costs were incurred as a result of such suspensions. [160412]
Gregory Barker: We are unable to supply full details of suspensions, as authority to suspend staff is delegated to line managers in some circumstances and no central record is maintained.
This information is not held by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in respect of non-departmental public bodies.
Energy: Barnsley
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the average proportion of household expenditure on energy bills in (a) Barnsley and (b) Barnsley Central constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. [160553]
Gregory Barker: The latest available data cover the years 2009-11, which show that during this period the average proportion of expenditure on electricity, gas and other fuels in Yorkshire and Humber, was 4.9%. This compares with 4.6% for the UK as a whole.
These data are from the Living Costs and Food Survey, run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Data from this survey are not available at a lower level than that of regions. Therefore data for Barnsley and Barnsley Central constituency are not available.
Energy: Meters
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent progress has been made on the introduction of smart meters into every home in the UK. [160565]
Gregory Barker: Joint working by DECC, the energy industry and stakeholders during the Foundation Stage of the Smart Metering Implementation programme has enabled good progress to be made. This includes:
the process for procuring smart metering data and communications services, with bidders currently in the invitation to submit final tenders phase;
the process for procuring the Data and Communications Company (DCC) licence holder, with bidders currently in the best and final offers phase;
completion of the first and second EU notification of the technical specifications for smart gas and electricity meters and in-home displays (IHDs);
establishment of the high-level regulatory framework for roll-out, including regulations focused on consumer engagement and protection.
We expect energy suppliers to be ready to start their full-scale roll-out by autumn 2015, with mass roll-out of smart meters completed by the end of 2020.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what enforcement measures are in place if a householder refuses to allow an energy company into the property to install a smart meter. [160654]
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Michael Fallon: Energy companies will be required to install smart meters and take all reasonable steps to reach everyone. However, we do not expect energy companies to take legal action to fit a smart meter if they cannot get the householder's co-operation.
Energy: Prices
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of trends on energy prices; and if he will make a statement. [160441]
Michael Fallon: In the publication ‘Estimated impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills’ (March 2013) DECC presented recent trends in wholesale and retail energy prices. This is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estimated-impacts-of-energy-and-climate-change-policies-on-energy-prices-and-bills
Retail energy prices are published on both a monthly and annual basis by the Office for National Statistics, as part of its retail price index series. These data are then republished by DECC in our Quarterly Energy Prices publication. The data can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/monthly-domestic-energy-price-stastics
The Government are helping households keep their energy bills down through our proposals to get consumers onto the cheapest tariffs and provision of nearly £1 million for the Big Energy Saving Network, the Green Deal and the Warm Home Discount, which provides support to the most vulnerable consumers.
Green Deal Scheme: Wales
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many Green Deal (a) assessors, (b) providers and (c) installers are located in Wales. [160156]
Gregory Barker: The Green Deal Participant Register, with addresses of head offices for assessors, providers and installers, is made publically available by the Green Deal Oversight and Regulation Body (ORB). However the location of head office does not necessarily indicate where organisations operate. The consumer search tool on the ORB website:
http://www.greendealorb.co.uk/find-a-green-deal-supplier/advanced
allows you to search for assessors, providers and installers that operate in Wales.
Ministerial Policy Advisers
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many advisers who had previously worked at (a) British Gas, (b) EDF, (c) npower, (d) Scottish Power, (e) SSE and (f) E.ON have been engaged by his Department in each year since 2010. [160739]
Gregory Barker: Details of previous employers are held on individual staff files and are not held electronically. DECC would incur disproportionate costs in order to obtain the information requested.
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Solar Power
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to his contribution of 24 May 2012, Official Report, column 1308, on feed-in tariffs scheme, and pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2013, Official Report, column 1650, on green investment, what his most recent estimate is of when solar PV will reach grid parity; what plans he has to mitigate the negative effect of EU import tariffs on the UK solar industry and associated businesses; if he will (a) run a public campaign in summer 2013 to highlight the benefits of solar panels to householders and businesses and (b) carry out a review of feed-in tariff (FIT) support and capacity triggers for non-domestic FIT bands for solar PV over 250 kilowatt; and if he will make a statement. [R] [160506]
Gregory Barker: The Department has not made an estimate of when solar PV will reach grid parity.
I have been working with the Solar Trade Association (STA) and the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) to ensure that the UK's opposition to potential EU import tariffs is clearly heard. I have urged my counterparts in other member states to oppose the European Commission's proposals. Last month I led a delegation comprising the STA, BPVA and solar companies to Brussels to ensure that the Commission is fully aware of the UK's position and to provide evidence supporting our arguments.
We have no plans for a Government-led campaign on solar PV, but we will co-operate fully with any industry-led campaign.
We have recently completed the first comprehensive review of the feed-in tariff scheme. When I announced the policy in the House on 24 May 2012, Official Report, columns 1303-11, I made clear that large-scale deployment of solar will only be achieved if costs come down. There is no plan to review tariffs or the degression policy for any of the technologies supported by the FITs scheme at this time.
Health
Alcoholic Drinks: Young People
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under 18 years of age in each (a) socio-economic and (b) gender group were admitted to hospital with suspected alcohol-induced conditions in (i) 2013 to date and (ii) each of the last three years. [160071]
Anna Soubry: The following table contains the sum of the estimated alcohol-related admissions, using attributable fractions for those aged under 18 years by socio-economic group and by gender for the years 2009-10 to 2011-12 and April 2012 to February 2013. It should be noted that data from April 2012 are provisional.
Alcohol attributable fractions do not provide a count of episodes with an alcohol related diagnosis or cause code but rather an estimate of the numbers based on the proportion of diseases and injuries that can be wholly or partially attributed to alcohol.
The attributable fractions are not applicable to children under 16. Therefore figures for this age group relate only to wholly-attributable admissions, where the attributable fraction is one.
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It should be noted that these data should not be described as a count of people as the same person may have been admitted on more than one occasion.
| Sum of alcohol attributable fractions(1) for hospital admissions for people aged 17 and under by (a) socio-economic group(2) and (b) by gender for the years 2009-10 to 2011-12 and April 2012 to February 2013(3): Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | Provisional April 2012 to February 2013(4) | |
| (1) Alcohol-related admissions The number of alcohol-related admissions is based on the methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO), which uses 48 indicators for alcohol-related illnesses, determining the proportion of a wide range of diseases and injuries that can be partly attributed to alcohol as well as those that are, by definition, wholly attributable to alcohol. Further information on these proportions can be found at: www.nwph.net/nwpho/publications/AlcoholAttributableFractions.pdf The application of the NWPHO methodology has recently been updated and is now available directly from HES. As such, information about episodes estimated to be alcohol related may be slightly different from previously published data. (2) Socio-economic group The socio-economic group used is derived from the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). IMD is a measure of multiple deprivation which ranks the relative deprivation of each area of England in a number domains (such as crime and income) and then combines the individual scores to produce a composite score for each area. The patient's residential postcode is then mapped to one of these areas, and summarised into 10 groups for presentation. The version of IMD used is appropriate to the years published, 2009-10 data use IMD the 2007 version, while later years use the 2010 version. For further details see: www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-indices-of-deprivation-2010 for further details. (3) Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes In NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. (4) Provisional data The data are provisional and may be incomplete or contain errors for which no adjustments have yet been made. Counts produced from provisional data are likely to be lower than those generated for the same period in the final dataset. This shortfall will be most pronounced in the final month of the latest period, i.e. November from the (month 9) April to November extract. It is also probable that clinical data are not complete, which may in particular affect the last two months of any given period. There may also be errors due to coding inconsistencies that have not yet been investigated and corrected. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre | ||||
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Health: Research
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects on the Public Health Responsibility Deal of the findings of research carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which found that in order for such voluntary agreements to be effective they need to include robust independent monitoring and substantial disincentives for non-participation and sanctions for non-compliance. [160129]
Anna Soubry: The Department's Research and Development Directorate has commissioned leading researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to conduct an independent evaluation of the Public Health Responsibility Deal. The evaluation comprises two parts—the scoping study and the main evaluation.
The Health Policy journal article, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, reports on the findings of a scoping review on voluntary agreements. It found that voluntary agreements, if properly implemented and monitored, can be an effective policy approach. The review findings will help inform the main evaluation which is currently under way. The evaluation will include formative research to help further develop the Responsibility Deal.
Muscular Dystrophy
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by NHS South on ensuring the long-term future of the neuromuscular care pathway co-ordinator and patient advocate post for the South East Coast region; and if he will make a statement. [160042]
Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by NHS South to secure the long-term future of the neuromuscular care pathway co-ordinator and patient advocate for the South East Coast region; and if he will make a statement. [160371]
Norman Lamb: From April 2013 all services included within the Manual for Prescribed Specialised services are commissioned directly by NHS England. Services provided by Adult Neurosciences or Neurology Centres are included in the Manual and will be governed by NHS England's national service specifications and include the role of a regional care adviser embedded within the Centres. However, there remain critical interdependencies with other organisations and providers.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is working with both NHS England and Clinical Commissioning Groups on developing the patient pathway across the South East Coast. A vehicle for supporting this is the new strategic clinical network, which has a remit to provide clinical expertise and guidance to all commissioners on the whole care pathway, to ensure that NHS outcomes are delivered.
The care pathway co-ordinator post is employed by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The former South East Coast Specialised Commissioning Group provided funding and oversight of this role, for a two-year fixed-
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term period. The aim of the post was to deliver the improvement plan contained within ‘Better Co-ordination: Better Care’ which was published in the autumn of 2010. NHS England has confirmed that the national health service specifications for specialised neuromuscular care services now cover the navigation of unclear and fractured care pathways, thereby negating the need for separately funded care advisers.
NHS: Conditions of Employment
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has considered developing an NHS Staff Outcomes Framework for the purpose of improvement in the care and support provided to staff by the NHS as an employer; and if he will make a statement. [160036]
Dr Poulter: National health service trusts are responsible for the care and support they provide their staff. The Department has commissioned NHS Employers to support the NHS in implementing five high impact changes (HICs) to help them improve staff health and wellbeing. These HICs were developed following the 2009 Review NHS Health and Wellbeing, which the Department commissioned from occupational health specialist Dr Steve Boorman CBE.
As a result the Department has not considered developing an NHS Staff Outcomes Framework for the purpose of improvement in the care and support provided to staff by the NHS as an employer. The purpose of the Outcomes Frameworks for the NHS, adult social care and public health is to focus on key measures for improving patient and client experience of these services.
The five HICs, which NHS Employers is supporting NHS trusts in implementing, are: developing local evidence based improvement plans; with strong visible leadership; supported by improved management capability; with access to better, local, high quality accredited occupational health services; where staff are encouraged and enabled to take more responsibility for their health.
NHS Employers’ current main efforts to support NHS trusts implement the five HICs include: the identification, production, promotion and mobilisation of good practice; supporting more than 100 trusts, with most to gain from reducing their sickness absence rates; developing performance in parts of the NHS with particular challenges e.g. mental health trusts; supporting the development of occupational health services and developing good practice on staff engagement.
Official Hospitality
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on refreshments since January 2013. [159968]
Dr Poulter: The Department's policy is not to provide refreshments for internal meetings. These costs include the provision of refreshments for external meetings and visitors hosted in the Department's buildings. The Department has spent £119,808 (including VAT) on these types of refreshments since January 2013. The average monthly spending on refreshments has fallen from £78,131.55 in 2009-10 to £15,705.50 in the first two months of this financial year.
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Speech and Language Disorders
Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that augmentative and alternative communication services are appropriately commissioned by NHS England. [160455]
Norman Lamb: NHS England is committed to ensuring national consistent commissioning of high quality, equitable and effective specialised services for our patients. The specialised services that fall within the direct commissioning of NHS England were agreed by Ministers in September 2012.
From 1 April, NHS England became responsible for the direct commissioning of specialised assessment and provision of Augmentative and Assistive Communication Aids (AAC) for Adults, Children and Young People.
Prior to 1 April, there was no national commissioning of AAC services. There was no standard or nationally consistent definition of those services that were the commissioning and funding responsibility of the national health service. The effect of this was variation in how organisations commissioned and funded specialised AAC services and inequitable access to AAC services. There was a mix of non-NHS commissioning agencies including social care and education sector, charity and third sector funding agencies who were commissioning the assessment and provision of specialised AAC aids.
From 1 April 2013, specialised AAC assessment and provision is commissioned nationally by NHS England. A single NHS contract with specialised providers of AAC services will be held by one of 10 Area Teams (ATs). ATs will lead the contract and performance management of providers in their area for all specialised services for all patients in England, using a single national set of service specifications, standards, policies and quality measures.
Strokes
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to increase access for patients in stroke units to psychological services; and if he will make a statement; [160483]
(2) what estimate he has made of the potential health and economic benefits of investment in psychological services for stroke survivors and the potential effect on rates of (a) cardiovascular disease and (b) mental health problems. [160484]
Anna Soubry: NHS England has responsibility for stroke services.
The Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Outcomes Strategy sets out that stroke services which incorporate psychological care deliver best outcomes for people who have had a stroke. There are also National Stroke Strategy recommendations and evidence-based national guidance that patients should be routinely screened for mood and cognition after their stroke, and these recommendations are included in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality standard on stroke.
NHS Improving Quality will support Strategic Clinical Networks to implement the quality outcomes in the National Stroke Strategy and the CVD Outcomes Strategy.
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These include the delivery of psychological services where appropriate to patients who have suffered from a stroke.
The CVD Outcomes Strategy also considers the economic benefits of investment in psychological services for CVD patients.
The CVD Outcomes Strategy sets out key actions for commissioners and providers to improve outcomes in stroke and other CVDs and challenges the national health service to bring CVD outcomes up to the level of the best of the rest of the world.
Surgery
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the publication of surgeons' performance data; and if he will make a statement. [160594]
Dr Poulter: NHS England is committed to building a modern health and care data service through the care data programme, which will provide timely, accurate data linked across the different components of the patient journey and the outcomes resulting from treatment. This underpins the rights and pledges set out in the NHS Constitution, including the right to choose the most appropriate provider and setting of care. Part of this will include the NHS England’s planning document “Everyone Counts: Planning for patients 2013/14” offer of publishing consultant level quality and outcomes information for 10 key specialties by summer 2013.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bahrain
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights' report Protesters in Bahrain Behind Bars; and if he will make a statement. [160085]
Alistair Burt: I have not seen the report. The Bahrain Youth Society is an unregistered non-governmental organisation in Bahrain, and its credibility is untested.
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conviction of Mohammed Mirza in Bahrain and his subsequent treatment in detention. [160086]
Alistair Burt: We are not aware of the case of Mohammed Mirza.
Chemical Weapons Convention
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the efficacy of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention. [160159]
Alistair Burt:
Since it was established in 1997, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has verifiably destroyed 78.57% of the world's declared stockpile of 71,196 metric tonnes of chemical
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agent; conducted 5,076 inspections on the territory of 86 States Parties; verified 100% of the declared chemical weapons stockpiles; and declared 100% of the chemical weapons production facilities as inactive.
The United Kingdom continues to attach great importance to the OPCW and the role that it plays in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Mali
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current political situation in Mali; and if he will make a statement. [160196]
Mark Simmonds: As the French and African-led military operation in Mali comes to an end and a UN Peacekeeping Operation prepares to deploy, a political settlement between north and south is needed to ensure long-term stability. Progress has been slow but steady. Burkina Faso, the lead mediators for the Economic Community of West African States, with the support of the international community, is currently brokering negotiations between the Malian transitional authorities and representatives of non-terrorist armed groups (including the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad—MNLA). The UK position has been clear throughout: the impasse over the MNLA's continued control of the northern city of Kidal must be solved through dialogue. We are hopeful that an inclusive political settlement, which recognises the territorial integrity of Mali, will soon be reached. This will represent a major step towards a sustainable peace agreement, which will enable national presidential elections to be held on 28 July, and provide the start to a long-term solution to the challenges facing Mali. Another important factor will be the work of the newly-created National Commission for Dialogue and Reconciliation.
Occupied Territories
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 862W, on Occupied Territories, what assessment he has made of the level of indirect finance provided by the Government to Israeli settlements through procurement, tax benefits or participation in bilateral programmes since 2005; and what assistance is planned for the future. [160211]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 862W. Due to the complexity and cost to the taxpayer, we have not made an assessment of possible indirect finance through the cited mechanisms since 2005.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no assistance planned for indirect finance of Israel settlements.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 862W, on Occupied Territories, whether he has obtained legal advice on the due diligence required of the Government to avoid breaching international law through aiding and assisting illegal Israeli settlements by indirect payments via procurement, tax benefits or bilateral programmes. [160212]
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Alistair Burt: Our position on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is clear: They are illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and make a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, harder to achieve. The British Government ensure they act in accordance with our international law obligations, but as the hon. Member will appreciate, in accordance with long-standing convention followed by successive Governments, I am not able to comment on legal advice to Ministers.
Swaziland
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of preparations for the forthcoming elections in Swaziland. [159780]
Mark Simmonds: We are deeply concerned about reduced freedom of political expression and increasing human rights violations in Swaziland, ahead of scheduled elections due to take place in the autumn. We also remain concerned about the continued refusal by the Government of Swaziland to engage in a genuine process of national dialogue about the role of political parties ahead of the elections. As I made clear in my reply to my hon. Friend’s question on 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 142, the UK continues to urge for alt political parties to be allowed to operate freely and participate in the forthcoming elections.
Tanzania
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from UK investors regarding the current environment for foreign investment in Tanzania. [159829]
Mark Simmonds: UK investors have raised a number of challenges to doing business in Tanzania, including corruption, the weak legal and regulatory environment, and bureaucratic obstacles. We are committed to working to support the Government of Tanzania's efforts to address them, including through programmes run by the Department for International Development. I met representatives of UK businesses for discussion of the issues on my visit to Tanzania in March 2013.
Ukraine
Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to work with the International Court of Justice to recognise the Ukrainian holodomor as genocide. [160595]
Mr Lidington: As I said during a Westminster Hall debate on 11 June 2013, Official Report, columns 25-30WH, Government policy is that recognition of genocides should be a matter for judicial decision and so it should be for judges, rather than Governments or non-judicial bodies, to make a designation of genocide. Such decisions should be based on a credible judicial process, and the courts are best placed to judge what are essentially criminal matters.
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The British Government will not forget or overlook what happened, and we will continue to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Ukraine in remembering this tragedy.
International Development
Anti-slavery Day
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she and Ministers in her Department have to mark Anti-slavery Day on 18 October 2013; and if she will take steps to ensure that Ministers and officials in her Department are offered opportunities to be involved in various events organised by her Department, local authorities and non-governmental organisations. [160557]
Justine Greening: DFID takes slavery and human trafficking very seriously. The Department will look carefully at ministerial and official activities to mark world slavery day.
Developing Countries: Food
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the representations sent to the Prime Minister on 3 June 2013 from (a) African civil society organisations and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and (b) the Coalition of UK Campaign Groups, regarding their concerns that the G8's New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition poses dangers to smallholder farmers and efforts to combat hunger in Africa, undermines the work of the UN Committee on Food Security and should be rejected in favour of alternative strategies to protect sustainable agricultural techniques already in development across Africa which puts food security before profits; and if she will make a statement. [160218]
Justine Greening: The UK Government believe the New Alliance can make an important contribution to tackling the underlying causes of poverty and hunger in Africa. Promoting growth in. African agriculture is critical in many countries to create jobs in rural areas, raise smallholder farmer incomes and to increase the availability and affordability of nutritious food. The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is a joint initiative involving African governments, African and global companies, donors and civil society organisations aimed at accelerating agriculture sector growth. Its topline goal is to lift 50 million out of poverty in Africa by 2022, by promoting increased responsible investment in African agriculture by smallholder farmers as well as small and large agribusinesses.
Developing Countries: Poliomyelitis
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what recent discussions she has had on the eradication of polio; [160267]
(2) what support her Department is offering the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. [160268]
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Lynne Featherstone: DFID has been a long-standing contributor to the polio eradication effort and remains deeply committed to this goal. The Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan), represented the UK at the Global Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi on 24-25 April 2013 where he announced a commitment of up to £300 million over six years for global polio eradication. DFID Ministers and officials are in frequent contact with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) staff, and other stakeholders. A large proportion of the UK's £300 million commitment will be channelled through GPEI.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative by helping to enhance coordination between civilian and security services in target countries to (a) better inform the programme's local risk assessments and (b) provide security and protection of vaccinators and the programme's facilities. [160269]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID supports the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's 2013-18 Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan. DFID staff were involved in its development, and will monitor its implementation. The Plan has been designed to take specific operational challenges including security into account, and recognises the importance of mitigating and addressing the risks that the GPEI faces.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative by encouraging local demand for vaccinations by facilitating awareness-promotion programmes in target countries. [160270]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID supports the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's (GPEI) 2013-18 Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan. The Plan sets out a clear strategy to build demand for all vaccinations and to strengthen routine immunisation as well as polio vaccinations. It will be important to successful implementation of the strategy for GPEI and all partners, including country Governments, to improve communications and advocacy around best practice and lessons learned especially to build the acceptability of vaccinations in general among local communities. DFID staff were involved in the Plan's development and will monitor its implementation.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative by encouraging international, national and local Islamic leaders in (a) Pakistan and (b) Nigeria to promote the importance of polio eradication and the neutrality of health workers. [160271]
Lynne Featherstone: DFID recognises the important role for Islamic leaders in supporting the eradication of polio, including those activities that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is undertaking. GPEI's Islamic Advisory Council is a new forum set up to discuss ways in which Islamic leadership can help communities to ensure protection for all Muslim children in both countries. The UK supports this initiative.
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Disciplinary Proceedings
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff were suspended from her Department and its associated public body on full pay in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and what costs were incurred as a result of such suspensions. [160419]
Justine Greening: Information on the total number of staff (Home civil servants or staff appointed in country) suspended from DFID on full pay for the financial years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 is provided in the following table. Where the total number of staff concerned is fewer than five we are unable to provide more specific data as this could potentially identify the individuals involved and so breach confidentiality.
| Number of staff suspended | |
All suspensions were on full pay for the period of the suspension and no additional costs were incurred.
Iran
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Iranian Government about its commitments under Article 3 of the 1958 Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation and its treatment of the Baha'i community. [160442]
Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
Despite being a signatory to the 1958 Convention in Respect of Employment and Occupation and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Iranian regime systematically excludes Bahai's from economic and social participation and higher education. I have repeatedly expressed publicly my concern at the treatment of the Baha'i; and called on Iran to stop their persecution, and abide by its international obligations. I did this most recently on 14 May when I accepted an interfaith delegation's letter on the Baha'i and in the House of Commons on 18 June. We will continue to monitor closely the situation of the Baha'i in Iran and to condemn any violations of their rights.
St Helena
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many endemic invertebrate species will be affected by the St Helena airport project; and which of such species have global populations which are entirely located within the confines of the airport development area. [160136]
Lynne Featherstone:
It is estimated that 54 endemic invertebrate species occur in the eastern arid area of St Helena, which includes Prosperous Bay Plain where the airport runway and terminal complex are to be
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located. 15 of these species are likely to be directly affected by the airport project, but only one species, the beetle Homoeodera scolytoides, has its known global population exclusively within the construction footprint of the airport.
Vietnam
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what plans she has to enable established non-governmental organisations in Vietnam to support victims of human trafficking returning to their country of origin from the UK with accommodation, education and training; [160555]
(2) if she will consider funding a network of non-governmental organisations in Vietnam to provide accommodation, education and training for victims of human trafficking returning to their country of origin from the UK. [160556]
Lynne Featherstone: Through the Returns and Reintegration Fund (RRF), DFID provides financial support to two non-governmental organisations to implement pilot projects to support Vietnamese returnees, including those from the UK. The forms of support include assistance with accommodation, training, and some basic skills to help them better integrate back in to society after their return. This effort is being led by the British embassy in Vietnam.
Though DFID bilateral aid programme in Vietnam does not have any existing or planned programme to directly support such activity, we do however provide funds specifically targeted at supporting the gender work of United Nations (UN) agencies, especially UN Women. The focus of those activities is on ensuring the effective implementation of Vietnam's gender equality law and law on domestic violence, which will consequently help reduce women trafficking and other abuses.
Cabinet Office
Government Contracts
8. Mr Spellar: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to assist British firms to secure Government contracts. [160381]
Miss Chloe Smith: The Government are providing industry with visibility of up to £79 billion of potential procurement opportunities across 18 sectors by publishing pipelines of future demand, meaning that British firms will be in a good position to gear up in order to deliver Government's needs.
In addition, we are working with businesses to identify and address any key capabilities needed to meet future demand; actively helping them to remove barriers; and supporting growth through additional benefits that boost exports and drive innovation.
13. Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent steps he has taken to give small- and medium-sized enterprises greater access to Government contracts. [160387][Official Report, 24 June 2013, Vol. 565, c. 1-2MC.]
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Miss Chloe Smith: It is this Government's policy to increase the Government's direct spend with SMEs to 25% and spend with SMEs across Government has steadily increased since 2010 as a result of the steps we have taken. We have required all Departments to put in place plans to ensure that their spend with small companies continues to increase.
Civil Service: Diversity
9. Nia Griffith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to increase diversity in the civil service. [160382]
Mr Maude: To win the global race we need world-class civil servants providing excellent services and the best possible value for the taxpayer. By recruiting on merit the civil service can draw its pool of talent from a wide range of backgrounds.
The civil service is already diverse and the majority of staff are women. I am working with senior officials to improve talent management to ensure the most effective and capable can get to the top.
Charity Commission
10. Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent discussions he has had on the work of the Charity Commission. [160383]
Mr Hurd: I discuss, the important work of the Charity Commission regularly with its chair, William Shawcross. Our most recent meeting took place last week.
Charitable Organisations: Financial Prospects
11. Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he has had with the heads of charitable organisations on their financial prospects in the next 12 months. [160385]
Mr Hurd: I have regular discussions with voluntary and community sector leaders and the outlook is mixed. The environment continues to be very tough but recent quarterly statistics from the Charity Commission shows charitable income has grown by 4.4% in the year to March.
Official Statistics also suggest that giving of money is stable and volunteering has grown. Finally, a new pillar of funding for the sector—social investment—is showing encouraging signs of growth.
Public Sector Pay Cap
12. Mr Raab: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with the pay cap in the public sector. [160386]
Mr Maude: I instructed my officials to provide Departments with guidance on the application of the 1% pay cap at the time of the Chancellor's announcement and to monitor the application of Government pay policy in Departments.
We have worked to ensure Departments consistently apply public sector pay policy for their work force and I can confirm that the policy is being applied across the civil service.
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Efficiency and Reform Group
14. Rehman Chishti: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what savings to the public purse have resulted from the work of his Department's efficiency and reform group to date. [160388]
Miss Chloe Smith: In May 2010 this Government inherited the biggest fiscal deficit of any developed country as a proportion of GDP. We took swift action to address inherited levels of waste and inefficiency. As a result:
In 2010-11 the Government reported savings of £3.75 billion.
In 2011-12 the Government built on this success delivering savings totalling £5.5 billion.
And only this month the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, was able to report savings totalling £10 billion, which were made in 2012-13. This is 25% over our £8 billion target.
Big Society Network
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, columns 956-7W, on Big Society Network, what the purpose was of each grant or contract the Big Society Network and its subsidiaries received; what evaluation has been concluded as to whether the objectives behind each contract and grant have been achieved; he will make a statement. [158794]
Mr Hurd [holding answer 10 June 2013]:Grant agreements and contracts were made with Big Society Network and the funding was paid to their charitable arm, the Society Network Foundation.
In 2012, £199,900 of the allocated £299,800 in grant funding was paid to the Society Network Foundation to deliver the 'Get In' campaign, which aims to increase children's fitness levels through physical activity and uses volunteers as a means to achieve this. In accordance with Social Investment Business' standard process, Society Network Foundation were required to submit three pieces of evidence to demonstrate satisfactory progress against their objectives—management accounts, confirmation of monies spent in accordance with the grant agreement and progress against expected outcomes.
A decision was made to put the project on hold in December 2012 as, despite considerable activity, they had not yet achieved enough progress against stated objectives. No further part of the allocated grant was paid. The Cabinet Office has now taken the decision to end support for this project, giving priority to other social action.
In 2012-13, £350,000 was paid to Society Network Foundation for the delivery of aspects of the Big Society Awards and promotion of the Big Society. Objectives under this grant agreement were achieved.
In 2012-13, a contract for £12,000 of services relating to the Giving Summit was awarded. Objectives under this contract were achieved.
In the current financial year the Cabinet Office has awarded grant funding of £150,000 to the Society Network Foundation for delivery of aspects of the Big Society Awards. The first performance report under this grant agreement is not yet due.
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Charities
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many registered charities there are in (a) Barnsley Central, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) England. [160550]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission's chief executive to reply.
Letter from Sam Younger, dated 18 June 2013:
I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many charities there are in Barnsley Central, South Yorkshire and England respectively.
There are 140 charities registered in Barnsley Central and 2,256 in South Yorkshire.
The Charity Commission is the regulator for charities in England and Wales, in total there are 163,083 charities on the register. We estimate that approximately 7,800 of these have correspondence addresses in Wales, the remaining will have correspondence addresses in England.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to make the Charity Commission refer applications to become charities to HM Revenue and Customs before organisations are accepted onto the register. [160551]
Mr Hurd: All charities that wish to benefit from UK charity and donor tax exemptions and reliefs must apply to HM Revenue and Customs.
The Charity Commission and HM Revenue and Customs are considering better ways to share information and work together to tackle abuse of charity—such as a single point of submission for applications to HMRC and the Charity Commission, recommended by Lord Hodgson in his report on his review of the Charities Act 2006.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions the Charity Commission has passed information to law enforcement authorities which has led to a prosecution in each year since 2010. [160554]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission, have asked the Commission's chief executive to reply.
Letter from Sam Younger, dated 18 June 2013:
I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on how many occasions the Charity Commission has passed information to law enforcement authorities which has led to a prosecution in each year since 2010.
The following refers to the number of times we have passed information to law enforcement agencies such as the police, but also including the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, HMRC and others, in each year since 2010.
2010/11: 832
2011/12: 735
2012/13: 1,164
2013/14: 258 (since April 1)
As a non-prosecuting authority we do not hold figures for prosecutions, the police hold these. A manual search has shown that, over the past three years, we have also made over 30 referrals about suspected serious criminal activity connected to charities to the police and other law enforcement agencies. Our staff have also provided over 100 police witness statements. For example, in July
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2012 Tyrone Pooley, a former charity trustee of the charity Fund for the Blind and Partially Sighted (now removed from our register) was convicted of charges of theft and supplying false/misleading information to the Commission as a result of our referral to the police.
We have further examples of action we have taken that has led to prosecutions in our annual report that will be laid before Parliament ahead of recess. You will receive a copy of this report, which will also be made available on our website:
www.charitycommission.gov.uk
ICT
Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT equipment were lost or stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [156420]
Mr Hurd: As was the case under the previous Administration, there are occasional incidents where equipment is reported lost or stolen. Staff are required to report such incidents, and cases are investigated. Laptops which will hold sensitive equipment are encrypted and mobile phones disabled as soon as an incident is reported.
It is not possible to make a like-for-like comparison for the period covered by this question because there has been a substantial increase in the number of mobile phones and laptops issued to staff and the Department has been affected by various machinery of Government changes.
Details of items for the Cabinet Office are as follows:
| Items | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |
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Ministerial Policy Advisers
John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many advisers who had previously worked at (a) British Gas, (b) EDF, (c) npower, (d) Scottish Power, (e) SSE and (f) E.ON have been engaged by the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 2010. [160742]
Mr Maude: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of Cabinet Office. The information requested is not held centrally.
Prime Minister
ICT
Mr Thomas: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT equipment were lost or stolen from No. 10 Downing Street in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [156433]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
As was the case under the previous Administration, there are occasional incidents where equipment is reported lost or stolen. Staff are required to report such incidents, and cases are investigated. Laptops which will hold sensitive equipment are encrypted and mobile phones disabled as soon as an incident is reported.
It is not possible to make a like-for-like comparison for the period covered by this question because there has been a substantial increase in the number of mobile phones and laptops issued to staff and the Department has been affected by various machinery of Government changes.
Details of items for the Cabinet Office are as follows:
| Items | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |