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Written Answers to Questions

Monday 15 July 2013

Scotland

Consultants

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much (a) he and (b) officials in his Department spent on external assistance to prepare for (i) appearances before select committees and (ii) contact with the media in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [164676]

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland and officials in the Scotland Office spent nothing on external assistance to prepare for (i) appearances before select committees and (ii) contact with the media in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-13.

Food

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of all food procured for his Department was sourced from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying standards in the latest period for which figures are available. [164773]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office procures very few food products. In instructing caterers for events paid for by the Scotland Office, regard is given to whether the caterers source the food from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises, and (c) producers which meet the Government's buying standards for food and catering.

Wales

Business Advisory Group

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the remit is of the Wales Office Business Advisory Group; and what has been its output to date. [165037]

Mr David Jones: The Business Advisory Group provides valuable information on matters affecting the economy in Wales.

At the meeting on 9 July 2013, we discussed UK Government policies to improve access to finance for businesses across the United Kingdom. Members of the group expressed concern that the Welsh Government are not sufficiently promoting the availability of these schemes as part of the advice they provide to businesses in Wales. As an immediate output I have written to the Welsh Government to express these concerns to ensure that they work with the UK Government to promote these schemes to support economic growth in Wales.

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Business: Billing

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the effects on small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales of late payment by clients. [164623]

Mr David Jones: Research from Experian shows that the average amount of time businesses are taking to settle invoices has fallen over the last two years. While we welcome this, the Government are aware of the cash flow difficulties arising from late payment.

Following a campaign by the Government, 76 of the FTSE 100 companies have either signed the Prompt Payment Code or committed to sign up to the Code. Altogether, signatories to the Prompt Payment Code constitute well over 60% of total UK supply chain value.

Consultants

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much (a) he and (b) officials in his Department spent on external assistance to prepare for (i) appearances before select committees and (ii) contact with the media in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [164679]

Stephen Crabb: None.

Devolution

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent meetings he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Government's response to the recommendations of the Commission on Devolution in Wales. [165038]

Mr David Jones: I have had regular meetings with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss the Government's response to the recommendations in the Commission on Devolution in Wales's Part I report.

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions and meetings he has had with his ministerial colleagues from other departments regarding the publication of the draft Wales Bill. [165252]

Mr David Jones: I have discussed the publication of the draft Wales Bill with ministerial colleagues on a number of occasions and these discussions will continue as we work toward publication of the draft Bill and pre-legislative scrutiny later in the year.

Food

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of all food procured for his Department was sourced from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying standards in the latest period for which figures are available. [164776]

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Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has no in-house catering facilities and procures external catering for specific functions on an ad-hoc basis. We seek to ensure that, whenever practicable, the food procured is from British producers.

Social Security Benefits

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that Welsh interests are taken into consideration in the implementation of the Government's policies on employment and welfare reform. [165100]

Mr David Jones: My Department is actively engaged with the Department for Work and Pensions in the implementation of the Government's policies on employment and welfare reform at both official and ministerial level. My right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales recently met with the Minister responsibility for Welfare Reform, and I have had discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I have plans to meet further with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in due course.

Third Sector

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to promote the Big Society in Wales. [165036]

Mr David Jones: We have established a Big Society Advisory Forum and also held two seminars to promote the Big Society in Wales. We work closely with the Cabinet Office and engage with the Welsh Government on the outcomes and we will continue to do so.

The important work that social enterprises undertake in Wales has also been recognised via the Prime Minister's Big Society Awards, with the most recently award being presented to Crest Co-operative in January.

Transport

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport about road and rail infrastructure renewal in Wales. [164986]

Mr David Jones: I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

Wales will benefit directly and indirectly from almost £2 billon of the investment in rail infrastructure committed to by this Government and we will continue to work with the Department for Transport on other rail priorities. As the Chancellor reiterated in his spending review statement, we are committed to working with the Welsh Government to deliver a funding solution for improvements to the M4 around Newport.

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Northern Ireland

Consultants

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much (a) she and (b) officials in her Department spent on external assistance to prepare for (i) appearances before select committees and (ii) contact with the media in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement. [164674]

Mrs Villiers: Neither I nor any officials in my Department have spent departmental funds on external assistance in preparation for appearances before select committees or contact with the media in 2011-12 or 2012-13.

Food

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of all food procured for her Department was sourced from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying standards in the latest period for which figures are available. [164772]

Mrs Villiers: My Department aims to promote Northern Ireland produce. All meat, fish and vegetables purchased are locally sourced where possible, depending on seasonal availability.

The NIO does not currently record information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. For example, many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.

Information on producers which met British buying standards is not available as this is not currently recorded.

Northcote House

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department used the facilities at Northcote House, Sunningdale Park, Berkshire in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement. [164827]

Mrs Villiers: No Ministers or officials in my Department used the facilities at Northcote House, Sunningdale Park, Berkshire during the specified periods.

House of Commons Commission

Accountancy

Mr Sheerman: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much the House of Commons Commission spent on contracts with (a) Deloitte, (b) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young in each year since 2008. [164955]

John Thurso: The expenditure incurred has been:

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The House of Commons Internal Audit service has a contract with Deloitte, and prior to 2010-11 with PwC, to provide outsourced services in support of its annual audit programme. A significant level of additional work was required in connection with Sir Thomas Legg's Review of Additional Costs Allowance payments (HC 348 2009-10) published in February 2010. The 2012-13 KPMG entry relates to a secondee to the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards; these costs are being re-charged to HM Treasury.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Burma

Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what improvements in human rights he will be prioritising when President Thein Sein of Burma visits the UK. [164683]

Mr Swire: Human rights concerns remain at the forefront of our engagement with the Burmese Government, as they continue to implement political and economic reforms.

This visit will be a significant opportunity to continue our dialogue with the Burmese Government: acknowledging positive progress on reform, while raising our concerns on Kachin and Rakhine states and the full range of human rights and ethnic issues, including the release of remaining political prisoners.

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons human rights lead at the embassy in Burma has been downgraded to the third political officer position. [164687]

Mr Swire: The premise of the question is incorrect. Responsibility for human rights within the embassy in Rangoon has not been downgraded. The appointment of a new third secretary to Rangoon is as an additional resource and is part of a wider upgrading of UK diplomatic presence in Burma, which will significantly increase our capacity to work with the Burmese Government on issues of concern.

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma urging them to repeal all repressive laws in that country. [165248]

Mr Swire: The Government support constitutional reform in Burma and is working with the key Burmese institutions involved in the reform process. During my visit to Burma in December 2012, I raised with Ministers the prospects for Burma's transition towards democracy, and offered support as Burma seeks to reform its laws and processes.

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The visit to the UK of President Thein Sein will be a significant opportunity to continue this dialogue with the Burmese Government: acknowledging positive progress on reform, while raising our concerns. Human rights will remain at the heart of our engagement with the Burmese Government, as they continue to implement political and economic reforms. Our support for the Burmese Government's reform agenda also includes an offer to provide technical assistance on drafting new legislation, building on the UK-Burmese parliamentary exchanges that have already taken place.

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Burma about recent reports of Burmese Government security forces raping ethnic Rohingya women. [165249]

Mr Swire: We are very concerned by reports of sexual violence in Burma. The British Government regularly lobby the Burmese Government on the rights of women, particularly on preventing sexual violence against women in conflict areas.

The visit of President Thein Sein to London will be a significant opportunity to continue our dialogue with the Burmese Government: acknowledging positive progress on reform, while raising our concerns on Kachin and Rakhine states and the full range of human rights and ethnic issues, including the release of remaining political prisoners.

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the demands made at the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union on 26 April 2012, urging the Government of Burma to secure the status and welfare of the Rohingya, have been met by the Government of Burma. [165250]

Mr Swire: There is a continuing need to address the status and welfare of the Rohingya community in Burma's Rakhine State. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April 2013, EU Foreign Ministers repeated the need for urgent action to deal with humanitarian risks for all displaced people in Rakhine State. At the same time, the EU encouraged the Burmese Government to continue to pursue and implement durable solutions to the underlying causes of the tensions that include addressing the status of the Rohingya.

EU Foreign Ministers also invited the High Representative, Baroness Ashton, to propose a comprehensive framework with priorities for the EU's policy and support to the ongoing reforms for the next three years. We are working closely with EU member states and institutions to ensure it includes action to address the status of the Rohingya community.

China

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways the planned additional £4 million investment in his Department's operations in China will increase the UK's reach, understanding and influence in that country. [165003]

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Mr Swire: Our investment will increase our reach by supporting our work in new areas like health care and energy. We have established a team of outreach officers deployed to China's second and third tier cities, able to represent the UK across the whole spectrum of our interests. New resource in our political and economic teams is already improving our understanding, not least of domestic developments in China. New staff in our press team are helping us to influence debates on key issues in China, like the development of civil society and climate change, including through social media.

Food

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of all food procured for his Department was sourced from (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying standards in the latest period for which figures are available. [164766]

Mr Lidington: For the period of April 2012 to 5 June 2013, 62% of food procured under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCOUK) catering contract has been sourced from British producers. The remainder is accounted for by non-indigenous foodstuffs, such as coffee or rice, or by UK fruits and vegetables which are out of season. The FCO's catering suppliers procure food from 45 small or medium-sized enterprises, which accounts for 38% of their overall supply chain. All food provided under the catering contract meets British buying standards.

This information relates to the UK catering contract only. Information for our network of overseas posts is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Hong Kong

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the potential effects of the 2017 and 2020 elections in Hong Kong with his Chinese counterpart. [165009]

Mr Swire: I discussed universal suffrage with the Hong Kong SAR Government during my visit of 24-25 June. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) also discussed this issue with the President of the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 12 June, during the latter's visit to the UK.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to monitor developments carefully, including through the publication of the six-monthly reports on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in Hong Kong, and through the publication of annual human rights reports. The Chinese authorities are aware of our views on this matter which are made clear in the six-monthly reports.

Vietnam

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the Government of the Socialist

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Republic of Vietnam to set a date for the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. [164619]

Mr Swire: Our embassy in Hanoi raised the question of a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief bilaterally with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in July 2013. The UK will continue, bilaterally and through the EU, to encourage the Vietnamese Government to secure dates for a visit.

Justice

Civil Disorder

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of those convicted of offences in relation to the disturbances in the summer of 2011 have not yet completed custodial sentences. [164577]

Jeremy Wright: By 10 August 2012 a total of 1,405 immediate custodial sentences had been passed for offences relating to the public disturbances of August 2011.

As at 31 August 2012 there were 606 offenders in custody serving a custodial sentence for an offence related to the public disturbances of August 2011.

These 606 offenders in custody were still serving the custodial element of their sentence, however, all prisoners serve their whole sentence. This is generally served 50% in custody and, for those serving 12 months or more, 50% in the community on licence under supervision, when they can be recalled to prison at any time if they breach the conditions on their licence. A number of offenders will have been released from custody but will still be subject to supervision for the remaining length of their sentence in the community.

Immediately following the public disturbances, a bespoke manual data collection system was set up to record and collect information on individuals brought to court for their involvement to allow swift reporting on volumes of court proceedings, convictions, and subsequent custodial sentences. This data collection system was discontinued in August 2012 and to provide data for a more recent period would incur disproportionate cost.

These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Legal Aid Scheme

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the potential effect the limiting legal aid funding for judicial reviews will have on those citizens who wish to challenge decisions made by public bodies. [164217]

Jeremy Wright: As part of our consultation “Transforming Legal aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system” we have published an impact assessment which is available at

https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-legal-aid

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As set out in the consultation paper, we are concerned that legal aid is being used to fund applications for permission for judicial review in weak cases which are unsuccessful and which have little effect other than to incur unnecessary costs for the public. In 2011-12, around half of the legally aided permission applications which were considered by the court were not granted permission.

Under the proposal on which we consulted, providers would only be paid for work carried out on an application for permission if permission is granted by the court.

Providers would need to consider more carefully the strength of the case and the likelihood of permission being granted when deciding whether or not to make the application for permission for judicial review.

Legal aid would continue to be available for the initial stages of a case, to investigate the strength of a claim, for example, and to enable providers to engage in correspondence aimed at achieving early resolution and avoiding proceedings, as is required by the Pre-Action Protocol. Many cases settle at this early stage, therefore avoiding further costs to the courts, legal aid scheme and public authorities.

We are now carefully considering all responses to the consultation, including those commenting on the impacts of our proposals.

Lincoln Prison

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison officers employed at HMP Lincoln have been (a) made redundant and (b) given notice of redundancy between December 2012 and June 2013. [164833]

Jeremy Wright: No prison officers at HMP Lincoln have either been made redundant or been given notice of redundancy between December 2012 and June 2013.

Prisoners

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) women and (b) men were received into prison (i) for breaching a court order, (ii) for breaching bail and (iii) under sentence in (A) 2011 and (B) 2012. [164521]

Jeremy Wright: The following table provides information on the number of offenders received into prison under an immediate custodial sentence in 2011 and 2012.

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Prison reception data held centrally do not contain information on those offenders received for breaching a court order or for breaching bail. Sentencing statistics show that were 1,734 and 1,320 offenders given immediate custodial sentences for failing to surrender to bail in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Reoffenders: Essex

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group on probation in the Essex Probation Trust area reoffended in each of the last 12 months for which information is available; and if he will make a statement; [163591]

(2) what the 10 most frequent offences committed by (a) males and (b) females in each age group on probation within Essex Probation Trust area were in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [163592]

Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice produces and publishes proven reoffending data for offenders starting a court order over a 12-month period, and reoffending for these offenders is based on a 12-month follow-up period. Table 1 presents, by age band, the number of male and female adults (aged 18 or over) who commenced a court order supervised by Essex Probation Trust in the 12 months from July 2010 to June 2011 (the latest period available). Also presented is the number that reoffended in the one year follow-up period, and proven reoffending rates (i.e. the proportion of the offenders who reoffended in a one year follow-up period).

Table 2 presents, by age band, the 10 most frequent proven re-offences committed by male and female adult offenders within 12 months of starting a court order supervised by Essex Probation Trust in the 12 months from July 2010 to June 2011.

Proven reoffending is defined as any offence committed in a one-year follow-up period and receiving a court conviction, caution, reprimand or warning in the one year follow-up period and a further six-month waiting period to allow cases to progress through the courts.

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Accountancy

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on contracts with (a) Deloitte, (b) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young in each year since 2008. [164950]

Richard Benyon: This table sets out spend by core DEFRA in each financial year from 2008-09 up to 30 June 2013 in the current year.

Agriculture: Fuels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of fuel stations which sell red diesel for use in agricultural vehicles. [165035]

Sajid Javid: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.

Information from returns submitted to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by registered dealers in controlled oil shows that, in 2012, 578 businesses made supplies of marked gas oil for agricultural use. It is not possible estimate how many of these suppliers are operating as ‘fuel stations’.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that farmers are aware of the penalties for using vehicles powered by red diesel on public roads. [165097]

Sajid Javid: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.

Section 5 of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Notice 75 clearly sets out the penalties for misusing rebated fuels as road fuel, which includes agricultural vehicles used for non-qualifying activities.

In addition, HMRC officers attend agricultural events around the UK, providing information and advice on this subject.

Flood Control

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on flood protection measures in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) the City of York council area in each year since 1995-96. [163867]

Richard Benyon: The following table shows spending by DEFRA on flood protection in England since 1996.

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The following table shows the total expenditure of the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee and specifically on the City of York. Prior to 2004-05 grants were provided through a system of central Government grants to individual local authorities.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on the construction of flood defences in each of the last five years. [165034]

Richard Benyon: The following table shows the level of capital funding provided by DEFRA for construction of flood defences since 2008.

DEFRA will be investing £294 million this financial year and £344 million in 2014-15 in capital flood and coastal erosion risk projects. Looking forward, DEFRA has been successful, for the first time, in securing a

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long-term, capital settlement to improve flood management infrastructure. We will be investing £370 million in 2015-16 and then the same in real terms each year to 2020-21 on capital schemes.

Hunting Act 2004

Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings and discussions he and his officials have attended in the last 12 months on the potential repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. [164723]

Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State met the Countryside Alliance on 14 May 2013 and discussed the efficacy of the Hunting Act 2004, along with other topics.

Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2013, Official Report, columns 331-32W, on the Hunting Act 2004, what proportion of the responses referred to in the Answer were (a) in favour and (b) against the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. [164733]

Richard Benyon: Of the 114 pieces of correspondence referred to in the answer of 27 June 2013, Official Report, columns 331-32W, 65 expressed an opinion in favour of the Hunting Act 2004 and 26 expressed an opinion against the Hunting Act 2004. 23 did not express an opinion either for or against the Hunting Act 2004.

Insects

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the goals set out in his Department's document entitled Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England's Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, published in August 2011, what targets on reversing the decline of all species of pollinators in the UK he will aim to have met by 2020. [164313]

Richard Benyon: “The Biodiversity 2020” strategy sets out a series of outcomes to guide actions to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems, and establish coherent ecological networks with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people. In 2012-13, 41,851 hectares of priority habitat were brought into favourable or recovering condition under the higher level tier of our agri-environment scheme, Environmental Stewardship, and 22,927 hectares of new priority habitat were created.

Programme outcomes and measures of performance will similarly be set for any new priority actions identified during the consultation on the development of the new national pollinators strategy, announced by the Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend Lord de Mauley, on 28 June.

Natural England

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed

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duty to have regard to growth on the ability of Natural England to fulfil its general purpose under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 of ensuring that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations; if he will make it his policy that, in the pursuit of its advisory duties, Natural England should act with scientific integrity and impartiality in all circumstances; and if he will make a statement. [164624]

Richard Benyon: The proposed duty on non-economic regulators to have regard to growth will support growth without weakening environmental protection. It will be complementary to existing duties and will not override Natural England's general purpose under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

Natural England's role requires it to carry out its statutory duties and advisory functions with scientific integrity and impartiality and it is important that it continues to do so. The proposed duty will not change this.

The Government will publish guidance on the application of the proposed duty to ensure there is clarity on its effect and to avoid any unintended consequences that restrict the powers of Natural England and other bodies to carry out their statutory duties.

Plastic Bags

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the review of the merits of introducing a tax on single use plastic bags in the retail sector. [164257]

Richard Benyon: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairse has regular discussions on a number of subjects with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills my right hon. Friend and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the normal course of business.

Public Expenditure

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if he will publish details of expenditure under the A respected Department programme identified in his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12 in each of the last three years; and what the projected spend for each of the next three years by (a) scheme and (b) individual project is; [165016]

(2) if he will publish details of expenditure under the Rural Payments Agency EC funded programme identified in his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12 in each of the last three years; and what the projected spend for each of the next three years by (a) scheme and (b) individual project is; [165017]

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(3) with reference to his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12, what amount was spent under the Strong rural communities programme in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of likely spend on each project and scheme under that programme in each of the next three years; [165108]

(4) with reference to his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12, what amount was spent under the A thriving farming and food sector programme in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of likely spend on each project and scheme under that programme in each of the next three years; [165109]

(5) with reference to his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12, what amount was spent under the A sustainable, secure and healthy food supply programme in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of likely spend on each project and scheme under that programme in each of the next three years. [165110]

Richard Benyon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 July 2013, Official Report, column 828W.

A table detailing the breakdown of the priorities by programme has been placed in the House Library.

Recycling

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling plants have failed health and safety requirements in each year since 2001. [163528]

Richard Benyon [holding answer 5 July 2013]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not hold the information in the form requested, and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Regulation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the conclusion of his Department's regulatory review of August 2011 in respect of the overall benefit: cost ratio of regulations implemented by his Department whose benefit to wider society has been monetised; and if he will make a statement. [164746]

Richard Benyon: DEFRA's report of August 2011 was a comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of the stock of DEFRA's regulations, designed to improve the evidence supporting regulatory reform and to make this information available to a wider audience.

There have been no discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills about the report itself. However, the assessment has been used to inform DEFRA's approach to better regulation, including the Red Tape Challenge. It will be updated periodically, with the next revision due to be published by October.

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The report can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-costs-and-benefits-of-defra-s-regulations

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the outcome of the Triennial Review of the Environment Agency and Natural England in respect of targets for regulatory burden reduction, what consideration he has given to (a) the social, economic, environmental and health benefits of such regulation and (b) the conclusion of his Department's regulatory review of August 2011 in respect of the benefit: cost ratio of biodiversity regulations; and if he will make a statement. [164747]

Richard Benyon: The information requested is as follows:

(a) DEFRA's report “The Costs and Benefits of Defra's Regulatory Stock”, published in August 2011, comprehensively assessed the costs and benefits of DEFRA's regulatory stock, including the costs and benefits related to business as well as other parties such as the public. Thus, the report covers the social, economic, environmental and health benefits of DEFRA's regulations where available, although it does not specifically break them down into these categories.

The assessment shows that, for those regulations where the benefits to wider society have been monetised, the overall benefit:cost ratio (ie including all the monetised benefits and all the monetised costs for all relevant regulations) is 2.4:1. This means that, where £1 is spent on regulation (mainly by businesses and public authorities), there is a £2.40 return to society (mainly economic benefits to business and the public and environmental and health benefits). The report includes reliability estimates of the data because, in general, there is currently better information about costs than benefits.

(b) The assessment includes a benefit:cost ratio for biodiversity regulations of 8.6:1. As stated above, the ratio is only estimated where both benefits and costs data are available. The ratio for biodiversity is based solely on the sites of specific scientific interest.

Squirrels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of red squirrels in England in each of the last five years. [164976]

Richard Benyon: DEFRA has not made any such estimates. Red squirrels are extremely difficult to count and populations can fluctuate rapidly. Most assessments, such as the twice yearly range monitoring carried out by the Red Squirrels Northern England Project (a partnership involving the Forestry Commission, Natural England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Red Squirrel Survival Trust), are focused on measuring population trends rather than absolute numbers.

Our red squirrel conservation strategy is based on conserving them where there remain viable populations. In the north of England, 17 carefully selected forest areas have been designated as red squirrel reserves. In these reserves and surrounding buffer zones (collectively known as strongholds), grey squirrel control is carried out and the forests are managed to discourage grey squirrel colonisation. This monitoring will tell us if our stronghold-based conservation strategy is working.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much

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his Department has spent on raising public awareness of the need to protect the red squirrel population since the start of 2013; [164978]

(2) what steps he is taking to increase public awareness of the need to protect the red squirrel population. [164979]

Richard Benyon: The Forestry Commission and Natural England are working together with the Red Squirrel Survival Trust and Northumberland Wildlife Trust to oversee the delivery of the Red Squirrels North England Project, which works for the benefit of red squirrels in the designated red squirrel strongholds.

While the focus of this project is on grey squirrel control and other practical conservation work, it also raises public awareness. The project's website:

www.rsne.org.uk

and the events it organises help to improve awareness of the plight of the red squirrel.

I attended a Cornwall Red Squirrel Project conference in Exeter in April to show our support for the work the project is doing to promote the interests of the red squirrel.

Home Department

Shaker Aamer

15. Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues on the case of Shaker Aamer. [164861]

James Brokenshire: We continue to make clear to the US that we want Mr Aamer released and returned to the UK at the earliest opportunity. The Prime Minister raised this personally with President Obama last month. Discussions continue with senior officials within the US Administration.

Cyber-crime

17. James Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to tackle cyber-crime. [164864]

James Brokenshire: The Government are taking a number of steps to tackle online crime as part of the national cyber-security strategy. This includes strengthening law enforcement capabilities by establishing the national cyber-crime unit, which will lead the national and international response to tackling this issue. We will also be launching an awareness campaign in the autumn to highlight practical steps to improve online safety.

Domestic Violence

19. Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce domestic violence. [164880]

Mrs May: The Government's approach to tackling domestic violence and abuse is set out in our Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and supporting action plan.

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Key initiatives include pilots to test Domestic Violence Protection Orders and a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme. We have also ring-fenced nearly £40 million of stable funding for specialist local domestic and sexual violence support services until 2015.

Immigration: Housing

20. Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to ensure that landlords who have taken reasonable steps to verify a tenant's immigration status will not be penalised. [164867]

Mr Harper: If landlords can prove that they have conducted prescribed checks they will not be penalised. Our consultation proposals were published on 3 July. The Government intend to model these arrangements on the simple and well-established checks already conducted by employers. The Home Office will provide guidance and support services for landlords.

CCTV

21. Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to increase the use of CCTV where there is demand from communities. [164868]

James Brokenshire: The Government support the effective use of CCTV to cut crime and protect the public. It is for local agencies to determine how best to deploy and use CCTV systems to meet local needs.

Foreign Criminals: Deportation

Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been since June 2012 in the number of foreign criminals deported. [164866]

Mr Harper: In 2012, 4,589 foreign national offenders were removed from the UK. The annual removal rate has remained broadly constant since then.

Accountancy

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the names, job titles, area of work, term of appointment and Civil Service equivalent grade are of personnel currently seconded to her Department from the big four accountancy firms. [159046]

James Brokenshire: As at 31 May 2013 the Home Office had 299 secondees from external organisations. Details of the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Drugs: Misuse

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to reduce the use of legal highs. [164851]

Mr Jeremy Browne: New psychoactive substances can present a significant risk to public health and people should not assume that they are either legal or

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safe to consume. We are forensically monitoring the emergence of new drugs in the UK and have banned many substances which have been proven to be harmful.

Immigration

Mr Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to revise the annual immigration statistics to ensure that they are provided with the latest census estimates of past immigration. [165718]

Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Glen Watson, dated July 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS). I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to revise the annual immigration statistics to ensure that they are provided with the latest census estimates of past immigration [HL 165718].

Revised net migration, immigration and emigration figures have been published as components of change in revised mid-year population estimates from the year to mid-2002 to the year to mid-2010 for England and Wales. These take into account the results from the 2011 Census, and included a revision to the net migration component, focussed primarily on the middle part of the decade before improvements were made to the International Passenger Survey in 2009. This provides a revised series of net migration for the inter-censal period, which is shown in Table 1:

ONS plans to publish a paper on the quality of international migration estimates from 2001 to 2011 in autumn 2013.

Vetting

Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which classes of young people who are (a) UK citizens and (b) EU nationals resident temporarily in the UK those looking after them are not liable for Disclosure and Barring Service checks; and what the reasons are for any differences in such a policy based upon the nationality of the young people concerned. [163746]

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James Brokenshire: The safety of young people is of equal importance regardless of their nationality and there is no difference in policy based on nationality. Legislation provides eligibility for criminal record checks for those working with young people, by reference to the activities being undertaken. The Disclosure and Barring Service provides guidance on eligibility that can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-check-eligible-positions-guidance

Written Questions: Government Responses

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer (a) questions 163403, 163404 and 163513, tabled by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North on 2 July 2013, for answer on 5 July 2013 and (b) question 164126, tabled by the hon. Member on 4 July 2013, for answer on 9 July 2013; and what the reason was for the time taken to answer each question. [165138]

Mr Jeremy Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 July 2013, Official Report, column147W (PQ 163403), column 150W (PQ 163404) and columns 150-51W (PQ 163513). PQ 164126 was answered on 10 July 2013, Official Report, column 261W.

Transport

Abellio Greater Anglia

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to Abellio from the Government and (b) from Abellio to the Government in respect of the Greater Anglia franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that extended contract. [165424]

Mr Simon Burns: Negotiations regarding any Direct Award for this franchise have yet to commence.

Information on the annual payments between the Government and Abellio, in respect of this franchise, is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before disclosure. Future annual payments including those for each year of the Direct Award are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

Arriva Trains Cross Country

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to Arriva from the Government and (b) from Arriva to the Government in respect of the Cross Country franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that extended contract. [165392]

Mr Simon Burns: Negotiations regarding any Direct Award for this franchise have yet to commence.

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Information on the annual payments between the Government and Arriva in respect of this franchise is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before disclosure. Future annual payments for each year of the Direct Awards are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

Arriva Trains Wales

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to Arriva from the Government and (b) from Arriva to the Government in respect of the Wales and Borders franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that extended contract. [165391]

Mr Simon Burns: The Wales and Borders Arriva Trains franchise will not undergo an extension but will continue on its existing contract until the start of the new franchise in October 2018.

Information on the annual payments between the Government and Arriva in respect of this franchise is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before release. Future annual payments for each year of the contract are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

c2c

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to National Express from the Government and (b) from National Express to the Government in respect of the Essex Thameside franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that contract. [165399]

Mr Simon Burns: Contracted subsidy for the Direct Award agreement with c2c, owned by National Express, is £1.7 million. A profit share mechanism is in place, which will capture any outperformance in revenue, thereby lowering the subsidy requirement.

Information on the annual payments between the Government and National Express, in respect of this franchise, is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before release. Future annual payments for each year of the Direct Award are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

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Caldervale Railway Line

Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the pacer units will be phased out of service on the Caldervale railway line through Halifax. [165368]

Mr Simon Burns: Rolling stock deployment is a matter for the train operators with the Government's role primarily focused on ensuring that this represents value-for-money when the taxpayer's interest is involved.

The 'Pacer' units are owned by Porterbrook Leasing and Angel Trains and it is for them in conjunction with the operator to decide the operational life of these vehicles.

Northern Rail and the future franchisee will therefore determine rolling stock requirements for routes within that franchise area, including the Calder Valley.

Consultants

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much (a) he and (b) officials in his Department spent on external assistance to prepare for (i) appearances before select committees and (ii) contact with the media in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [164677]

Norman Baker: The Department has not purchased any external assistance/training of this nature for Ministers over this period. Since 1 April 2011, the following external assistance/training for officials has been delivered to the Department for Transport (Central) and its executive agencies.

The Department uses media and presentation training for those staff who may come into contact with the media or need specific presentation training, for example Accident Investigation Inspectors and Highways Traffic Officers. The training includes departmental, legal and propriety guidelines. The costs in the table include travel and expenses where appropriate.

Cycling

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government and local authorities work together to ensure the Cycle to Work scheme helps to implement sustainable transport objectives. [164921]

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport actively encourages sustainable travel including cycling to work, and works closely with Local Authorities and other

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stakeholders to ensure that the Government's sustainable transport objectives are met. We have made funding available to Local Authorities through the £600m Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which with local contributions has released over £1bn to deliver a range of sustainable travel projects, and 94 of the 96 projects include cycling elements, including cycling to work.

The Department also works in partnership with Business in the Community—whose members include Local Authorities, Transport for London, British Cycling and the Cycle to Work Alliance to increase cycling for work and commuting purposes, and to ensure that this supports the Department's wider aims to cut carbon and create growth.

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote the Cycle to Work scheme. [164922]

Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided her on 21 May 2013, Official Report, column 702W.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether his Department's transport strategy due by December 2013 will set out how cycling will be increased to 10 per cent of travel in accordance with the ambition set by the Get Britain Cycling report; [165517]

(2) when the new cycling delivery plan will be published; [165518]

(3) if he will introduce a separate indicator for increased levels of cycling; [165519]

(4) for what reasons no target for increasing cycling in rural areas has been set within his Department's transport indicators. [165520]

Norman Baker: This Government is committed to getting more people to cycle, more safely, more often. Our commitment to cycling was expressly included in the Coalition Agreement.

In the last 12 months we have allocated £107m of new money to support safety and community links that encourage more cycling. This is over and above the £600m Local Sustainable Transport Fund where 94 out of the 96 projects contain a cycling element. We have also introduced measures to make cycling safer, including flexibility for Local Authorities to introduce 20mph speed limits in residential areas and a process for applications for further rural 40mph zones. Furthermore, we have made it easier to install Trixi mirrors to improve the visibility of cyclists at junctions.

We are supporting the increase of cycling in both rural and urban areas. In February 2013, applications were invited from National Parks and cities for the £42m Cycling Ambition Grants. Successful bids will receive a cycling budget equivalent to £10 per head, which is the level of support the Get Britain Cycling report recommends. An announcement of successful bids will be happening over the summer.

We welcome the Get Britain Cycling inquiry and report and will be responding to the recommendations in full shortly.

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East Midlands Trains

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to Stagecoach from the Government and (b) from Stagecoach to the Government in respect of the East Midlands franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that extended contract. [165425]

Mr Simon Burns: Decisions on the annual payments between the Government and East Midlands Trains, owned by Stagecoach, for the period of the Direct Award beginning April 2015 have not yet been finalised.

Information on the annual payments between the Government and Stagecoach, in respect of this franchise, is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before release. Future annual payments including those for each year of the Direct Award are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

First Capital Connect

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to FirstGroup from the Government and (b) from FirstGroup to the Government in respect of the Thameslink franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that contract. [165400]

Mr Simon Burns: Information on the annual payments between the Government and FirstGroup, in respect of this franchise, is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (QRR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before disclosure. Future annual payments for each year of that contract are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

First Great Western

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to FirstGroup from the Government and (b) from FirstGroup to the Government in respect of the Great Western franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that extended contract. [165423]

Mr Simon Burns: The Direct Award negotiations are still ongoing between the Department and FirstGroup.

Information on the annual payments between the Government and FirstGroup, in respect of this franchise, is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

15 July 2013 : Column 492W

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before release. Future annual payments will be published in arrears on the ORR website.

First TransPennine Express

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of annual payments (a) to TransPennine Express from the Government and (b) from TransPennine Express to the Government in respect of the TransPennine franchise in 2013-14 and in each year of that extended contract. [165422]

Mr Simon Burns: Decisions on the annual payments between the Government and TransPennine Express for the period of the Direct Award beginning April 2015 have not yet been finalised.

Information on the annual payments between the Government and TransPennine Express is published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on their data portal. This is available on the ORR's website at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk

Figures available on the ORR website include up to 2011-12; the figures for 2012-13 are still being finalised before disclosure. Future annual payments including those for each year of the Direct Award are commercially sensitive and therefore will be published in arrears on the ORR website.