European Investment Bank
Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the British Director of the European Investment Bank will support the draft proposals on future energy lending policy at the Board meeting on 23 July 2013. [166115]
Greg Clark [holding answer 18 July 2013]: In line with the draft proposals, the Board of Directors of the EIB discussed and adopted new principles for the revised screening and assessment criteria for energy projects. The UK Director of the European Investment Bank supported their adoption.
Financial Services
Guto Bebb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2013, Official Report, column 551W, on financial services, (1) what representations his Department has made to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) concerning the number of businesses that have been offered redress as a result of the FCA redress scheme announced in January 2013; [165541]
(2) how many businesses mis-sold interest rate hedging products, as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority redress scheme announced in January 2013, have been offered financial redress; and if he will make a statement. [165542]
Greg Clark: The Financial Conduct Authority has agreed to publish regular updates on progress of the review, the first of which will be issued shortly. This will provide information on the pace of progress of the review.
Regulation
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the title is of each regulation his Department (a) introduced and (b) revoked in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [165921]
Sajid Javid: The titles of each regulation the Treasury has introduced or revoked over the period asked are in the following lists. On 10 July the Government published the Sixth Statement of New Regulation, which documents the Government's progress in reducing the burdens of regulation. This gave details of the Treasury's contribution towards this effort. The Statement of New Regulation was accompanied by a written ministerial statement from the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon).
29 Aug 2013 : Column 990W
The document shows that the Government reduced the burden of regulation, within the scope of the One-in, Two-out rule, by £907 million per annum.
Title of regulation introduced
The Cross-Border Payments in Euro Regulations 2010
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2010
The Banking Act 2009 (inter-Bank Payments Systems) (Disclosure and Publications of Specified Information) Regulations 2010
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2010
The Building Societies (Financial Assistance) Order 2010
The Building Societies (Insolvency and Special Administration) (Amendment) Order 2010
The Al-Qaida and Taliban (Asset Freezing) Regulations 2010
The Premium Savings Bonds (Amendment etc) Regulations 2010
The Bank Administration (Scotland) (Amendment) Rules 2010
The Bank Insolvency (England and Wales) (Amendment) Rules 2010
The Building Society Special Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2010
The Building Society Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2010
The Bank Administration (England and Wales) Amendment Rules 2010
The Building Society Insolvency (Scotland) Rules 2010
The Iran (European Community Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
The Capital Requirements (Amendment) Regulations 2010
The Mutual Societies (Electronic Communications) Order 2011
The friendly societies (proxy voting) regulations 2011
The Libya (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The National Savings Bank (Amendment) Regulations 2011
The Egypt (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Tunisia (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Ivory Coast (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Iran (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Syria (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011
The Investment Bank Special Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2011
The First Option Bonds (Exchange of Securities) Rules 2011
The Somalia (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2010 (SI no. 2010/2956)
The Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality and Financial Collateral Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (SI no. 2010/2993)
The Somalia (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2010
The Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality and Financial Collateral Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Administration Orders Relating to Insurers) Order 2010
The Electronic Money Regulations 2011
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2011
The Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011
The Libya (Financial Sanctions) Order
The Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (SI no. 2011/99)
29 Aug 2013 : Column 991W
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Administration Orders Relating to Insurers) Order 2010 (SI no. 2010/3023)
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2011 (SI no. 2011/133)
The Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011 (SI no. 2011/245)
The Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011 (SI no. 2011/245)
The Libya (Financial Sanctions) Order (SI 2011/548)
The Money Laundering (Amendment) Regulations 2011
The Prospectus Regulations 2011
The Afghanistan (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2011
The Investment Bank Special Administration (Scotland) Rules 2011
The Libya (Asset-Freezing) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
The Syria (Asset-Freezing) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 SI 2011/2479
The Legislative Reform (Industrial and Provident Societies and Credit Unions) Order 2011
The Recognised Auction Platforms Regulations 2011
The Terrorism Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Business in the Regulated Sector) Order
The Al-Qaida (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment No.2) Order 2011
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Permissions, Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) (Northern Ireland Credit Unions) Order 2011
The Money Laundering (Amendment No.2) Regulations 2011
The Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011
The Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2011
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Market Abuse) Regulations 2011
The Protection of the Euro Against Counterfeiting (Amendment) Regulations 2011
The Open-Ended Investment Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2011
Libya Asset-Freezing (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Syria (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2012
The Iran (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2012-01-27
The Syria (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Sudan (Asset Freezing) Regulations 2012
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2012
The National Savings Bank (Investment Deposits) (Limits) (Amendment) Order 2012
The Iraq (Asset Freezing) Regulations 2012
The Financial Services (Omnibus 1 Directive) Regulations 2012
The Capital Requirements (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Iran (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations
Guinea-Bissau (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2012
Burma/Myanmar (financial restrictions) (suspension) regulations
The Republic of Guinea (Asset Freezing) Regulations 2012
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable instruments, etc.) (France and Monaco) Order, 1945
29 Aug 2013 : Column 992W
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Belgium and Luxembourg) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Denmark) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Finland) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Greece) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Italy) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Netherlands) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Czechoslovakia) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Yugoslavia) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Siam) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (No. 2) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Poland) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Hungary) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Romania) Order, 1947
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (General) Order, 1947
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Austria) Order, 1947
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Germany) Order, 1949
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Japan) Order, 1950
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Germany) Order, 1952
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc) (Revocation) Order 2012
The Prospectus Regulations 2012
The Terrorism Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Business in the Regulated Sector) Order 2012
The Payment Services Regulations 2012
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2012
The Savings Certificates (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The National Savings Stock Register (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Savings Certificates {Children's Bonus Bonds) (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Gibraltar) (Amendment) Order 2012
The Undertakings for Collective Investment In Transferable Securities (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Money Laundering (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Terrorism Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Business in the Regulated Sector) (No.2) Order 2012
The Syria (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment No.2) Regulations 2012
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Short Selling) Regulations 2012
The Belarus (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2012
Community Emissions Trading Scheme (Allocation of Allowances for Payment) Regulations 2012
29 Aug 2013 : Column 993W
The Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2012
The Iran (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment No.2) Regulations 2012
The Equality Act 201Q (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Regulated Covered Bonds (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Eritrea (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2012
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2012
The Payments in Euro (Credit Transfers and Direct Debits) Regulations 2012
The National Savings Bank (Amendment) Regulations 2013
The Belarus (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2013
Financial Restrictions (Iran) (Revocation) Order 2013
The Financial Services Act 2012 (Transitional Provisions) (Rules and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2013
The Iran (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2013
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Prescribed Financial Institutions) Order 2013
The Financial Services Act 2012 (Commencement No.1) Order 2013
The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (Commencement) Order 2013
Financial Services Act Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Order Financial Services Act (Mutual Societies) Order
Financial Services and Markets Act (Threshold Conditions) Order 2013
Financial Services and Markets Act (PRA-Regulated activities) 2013
Financial Services and Markets Act (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) Order 2013
Uncertificated Securities (amendment) Regulations 2013
Financial Services Act (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013
Financial Services Act (Misleading Statements and Impressions) Order 2013
Financial Services Act (Consequential Amendments and Transitional No. 2) Order 2013
Bank of England (Macro-prudential Measures) Order 2013
Financial Services Act (Commencement No. 3) Order 2013
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2013
Financial Services and Markets Act (Over the Counter Derivatives Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories) Regulations 2013
The Zimbabwe (Financial Sanctions) (Suspension) Regulations 2013
The Syria (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) Order
The Burma/Myanmar (Financial Restrictions) (Revocation) Regulations 2013
The Prospectus Regulations 2013
Al-Qaida and Taliban (United Nations Measures) (Amendment) Order 2002(a)
Al-Qaida and Taliban (United Nations Measures) Order 2006(b)
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Administration Orders Relating to Insurers)
Articles 2 to 8 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
Regulation 52 of the Insurers (Reorganisation and Winding Up) Regulations 2004(d)
29 Aug 2013 : Column 994W
Article 77(2)(e) to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001
The International Monetary Fund (Limit on Lending) Order 2009
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Contribution to Costs of Special Resolution Regime) Regulations 2009
The Iran (European Community Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007
The Iran (European Community Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001
Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001 (Amendment) Regulations 2005
Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2006
Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2009
Financial Restrictions Proceedings (UN Terrorism Orders) Order 2009
The Friendly Societies (Proxy Voting) Regulations 1993
Companies (Single Member Private Limited Companies) Regulations 1992 and Companies (Single Member Private Limited Companies) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1992
Syria (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011
Syria (Asset-Freezing) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
Credit Unions (Limit on Loans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986
Credit Unions (Insurance against Fraud etc.) Order (Northern Ireland)
Credit Unions (Authorized Investments) Regulations (Northern Ireland)
Credit Unions (Limit on Membership) Order (Northern Ireland)
Credit Unions (Limit on Shares) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006
Credit Unions (Deposits and Loans) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (France and Monaco) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Belgium and Luxembourg) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Denmark) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Finland) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Greece) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Italy) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Netherlands) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Czechoslovakia) Order 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Yugoslavia) Order, 1945
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable instruments, etc.) (Siam) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable instruments, etc.) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (No. 2) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Poland) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Hungary) Order, 1946
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Romania) Order, 1947
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Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (General) Order, 1947
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Austria) Order, 1947
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Germany) Order, 1949
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Japan) Order, 1950
Trading with the Enemy (Transfer of Negotiable Instruments, etc.) (Germany) Order, 1952
Iran (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2010
Iran (European Union Financial Sanctions (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Community Emissions Trading Scheme (Allocation of Allowances for Payment) Regulations 2008
Syria (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2012
The Belarus (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2012
Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2012
Sections 131 B to 131 D of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (short selling rules)
Taxation: Exports
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps he has taken to provide export tax credits for small and medium-sized enterprises. [166401]
Sajid Javid: There is no direct tax credit for export-related activities. The Government have delivered a number of corporate tax reforms to make UK firms more competitive and give them a greater rate of return for export-related investment. This includes cutting the main rate of corporation tax, which will fall to 20% by 2015, reform to controlled foreign companies rules, the introduction of a Patent Box and more competitive R&D tax credits.
The Government have also targeted export support through UKTI: at autumn statement 2012, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £70 million extra funding for UKTI in 2013-14 and 2014-15; and the 2013 spending review continued this increase into 2015-16. The extra funding covers a number of programmes to support exports including services to more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and more grants for SMEs to attend trade fairs overseas.
Welsh Language
Guto Bebb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether his Department has a current Welsh Language scheme; when that scheme was adopted; and whether it has been reviewed since May 2011; [166094]
(2) whether his Department provides services to people resident in Wales or usually resident in Wales. [166112]
Sajid Javid: This Government are fully committed to the Welsh language and fully committed to providing Government services in the Welsh language where there is demand for them.
It is important that in the non-devolved areas sufficient support should be given to the Welsh language, and the Government are committed to ensuring this is done.
29 Aug 2013 : Column 996W
Attorney-General
Apprentices
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Attorney-General (1) what strategies he has to create apprenticeships in the Law Officers’ Departments; and what plans he has to promote such strategies; [165884]
(2) how many apprenticeships the Law Officers’ Departments offered to people aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 21 and (c) 22 to 26 years old in each year since 2010. [165866]
The Solicitor-General: The Treasury Solicitor’s Department has offered eight apprenticeships since 2010. None of these opportunities were undertaken by people aged between 16 to 26-years-old.
The Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol) has been working with Skills for Justice, a Sector Skills Council, alongside a number of private and public legal organisations, to develop National Occupational Standards in Legal Services. Their objective is to create apprenticeship opportunities for TSol administrative staff in legal services at skills levels 3 and 4 by April 2014. The scheme is an internal one and plans to promote it revolve primarily around internal communications.
TSol offers legal training contracts each year as part of the Government Legal Service (GLS) Legal Trainee Scheme. They will continue to promote this offer on their website as well as working with the GLS Secretariat in promoting the scheme through university visits and attending Law Fairs.
The TSol Vacation Placement Scheme offers a five-day placement to law undergraduates and people who are completing a Graduate Diploma in Law, a Legal Practice Course or a Bar Professional Training Course, on an annual basis. The scheme is also promoted on the TSol website.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has enrolled 174 apprentices in a range of roles since January 2012, with an additional 43 appointments expected as a result of live recruitment campaigns. The following table refers to the age ranges of current apprenticeships as recorded in CPS data management systems:
| Age range | CPS apprenticeships | |
CPS has also worked with the Sector Skills Council, Skills for Justice, to develop new frameworks in Paralegal administration at level 3 and level 4, and a new apprenticeship in Victim and Witness Care at level 3. These developments enable more apprenticeship opportunities across the Criminal Justice Sector.
The CPS is committed to supporting the Social Mobility and Youth Employment Framework (published by Civil Service Employment Policy in 2012). From January 2012, all roles at grade AO that need to be filled either
29 Aug 2013 : Column 997W
on a temporary or permanent basis are considered as to the suitability for an apprenticeship vacancy. Since March 2012 there have been 35 separate recruitment campaigns for apprentices as a result of this approach. The CPS has appointed 108 new employees to apprenticeship positions, with some campaigns still ongoing. This is in addition to the 66 existing employees who have been enrolled on apprenticeship programmes.
The CPS is also taking part in the pilot Civil Service Fast Track apprenticeship programme which has resulted in eight young people being appointed to permanent posts as part of their apprenticeship programme in paralegal, finance, communications and administration roles.
All apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs web pages, and CPS is currently exploring working with the apprenticeship training providers to promote CPS apprenticeship vacancies to a wider audience. A single national recruitment campaign for apprentices is planned for autumn 2013 from which CPS would hope to draw from a pool of candidates for vacancies that are both part of this campaign and those that arise in the months following the campaign.
The SFO has run three apprenticeship schemes for individuals aged between 16 and 24 since 2010 and appoint up to four apprentices aged between 16 and 26 in each financial year. Apprentices are appointed on 12 month fixed term contracts working towards either an NVQ level 2 or 3 qualification. The SFO works together with a training provider who is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and apprentices are allocated a mentor to provide additional support throughout the apprenticeship.
During the period in question SFO has employed the following numbers of people as apprentices.
2010-11: Three apprentices who were aged 16 to 18 on appointment and one aged 19 to 21.
2011-12: One apprentice aged 16 to 18, two aged 19 to 21 and one aged 22 to 26.
2013-14: Four apprentices aged 19 to 21.
On successful completion of SFO apprenticeship, and provided there is a permanent role available, apprentices are offered a permanent contract.
Consultants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney General how much (a) he and (b) officials in the Law Officers' Departments 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. [164658]
Crown Prosecution Service
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what the value of the severance package to be paid to the Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to be when he steps down in October 2013. [166215]
The Solicitor-General:
The Director of Public Prosecutions was appointed on a fixed term contract for a five year period from 1 November 2008 to 31 October 2013. His salary was linked to that of a judge of the
29 Aug 2013 : Column 998W
Court of Appeal and rendered him eligible to join a Civil Service pension scheme analogous to the judicial scheme pension arrangements. Any pension benefits accrued would be payable when the Director reaches the age of 65. No other payments arise.
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many formal complaints from the judiciary the Crown Prosecution Service has received in each of the last seven years. [166216]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not collect data on the number of formal complaints received from the judiciary.
Equality
Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General how much has been spent by the Law Officers' Departments (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for this purpose. [165447]
The Solicitor-General: The total amount spent by the Crown Prosecution Service on equality and diversity issues during the last three years was £3,540,671. The following table provides the breakdown of each year’s recorded spending. These figures include staffing costs and running costs:
| Equality & Diversity: Running and staff costs 2010-13 | |||
| £ | |||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
|
Equality & Diversity, Community Engagement Managers (EDCEM) - salary costs | |||
| Equality & Diversity: Full-time equivalent staff in post: 2010-13 | |||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
The remaining Law Officers’ Departments do not employ any individuals solely involved in promoting equality and diversity issues, they do however have specific Equality and Diversity policies which all employees are expected to comply with. In addition the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and the Serious Fraud Office have working groups set up to monitor diversity and equality issues within these departments. It is not possible to reliably estimate the costs involved in these activities without incurring a disproportionate cost.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is also part of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme and pays an annual membership fee. In 2012-13 the SFO paid £6,125 to Stonewall, in 2011-12 £1,800, and in 2010-11 £225. The sum for 2012-13 includes annual membership for 2013-14 and 2014-15. Membership for 2010-11 was paid for in 2009-10.
29 Aug 2013 : Column 999W
Prosecutions
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to the answer of 11 July 2013, Official Report, column 352W, on prosecution, what triggered the review by the Crown Prosecution Service of its use of a single prosecutor on homicide cases and cases involving multiple defendants; and when he expects the review to be completed. [166243]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) keeps its guidance under regular review. CPS criteria for the instruction of more than one counsel, or QC alone, was first introduced in 2005 and revised in 2009. The latest consultation was triggered by a lapse of about three years since the previous revision. It was also apparent from discussions with the senior judiciary and others that there was external interest in this subject and a formal consultation allowed external parties the opportunity to contribute their views on the merits of the criteria. The review will be completed later in 2013.
Regulation
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Attorney General what the title is of each regulation the Law Officers' Departments (a) introduced and (b) revoked in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [165904]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers have introduced three statutory instruments since May 2010, details of which are outlined below. Each Order amended the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) Order 1999. No statutory instruments have been revoked.
Sentencing: Appeals
Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney General pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2013, Official Report, columns 12-13W, on sentencing: appeals, how many of the cases in each category of offence were referred to him by (a) victims or families of victims, (b) the police, (c) the Crown Prosecution Service and (d) other members of the public. [166265]
The Solicitor-General: The information requested is contained in the following tables.
| 2010 | ||
| Offence category | CPS | General public/MP/Victim or victim's family |
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1000W
| 2011 | ||
| Offence category | CPS | General public/MP/Victim or victim's family |
| 2012 | |||
| Offence category | CPS | Victim or victim's family | General public/MP |
In 2010 and 2011 the categories of victim/general public/MP were not recorded separately. The statistics for 2012, however, do separate the victim complaints from the general public complaints. The category of 'General public' may also include, for example, campaigning organisations.
In some cases, requests to review the sentence were received from both the CPS and victims, MPs and/or the general public and the total figures may not therefore appear to be consistent with the answer given in the answer of 8th July 2013.
Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney General pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2013, Official Report, columns 12-13W, on sentencing: appeals, for what offence each out of time case was for; and what the sentence was in each case. [166266]
The Solicitor-General: The following table contains details on the out of time cases for referable offences between 2010 and 2012. In addition to this there were four cases in 2010 and two cases in 2011 for non-referable offences.
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1001W
| Offence | Sentence |
|
Indeterminate sentence for public protection, minimum term of 4 years | |
|
Imprisonment for a minimum of 3 years and 230 days for public protection. | |
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1002W
Serious Fraud Office
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how much the Serious Fraud Office spent on away days in 2012-13. [166214]
The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office spent £5,090 on one away day in 2012-13.
Communities and Local Government
Accountancy
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on contracts with (a) Deloitte, (b) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young in each year since 2008. [164944]
Brandon Lewis: The following table sets out the amounts spent on contracts with the mentioned organisations since 2008:
| nearest £000 (inc VAT) | |||||
| Organisation | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |
Our procurement records show that there were no spend data for Ernst and Young.
DCLG Internal Audit is part of Cross Departmental Internal Audit Service, the recently created cross departmental internal audit service which provides internal audit services to a number of different central Government bodies. As such the increase in PricewaterhouseCoopers spend recorded in the DCLG accounts is not directly related to an increase in PricewaterhouseCoopers use solely by DCLG, but a reflection of an increase in demand from across the Cross Departmental Internal Audit Service client base. We have recovered the additional spend through charges to our clients and there were no spend for DCLG audit programme in 2012-13.
Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award at:
www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
In addition, my Department publishes details of spend over £250 at the following website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=transparency +data&publication_filter_option=all&topics%5B%5 D=all&departments%5B%5D=department-for-communities-and-local-government&world_locations%5B%5D=all&direction =before&date=2013-08-01
Across Whitehall in 2012-13, in taking stronger control of the consulting and temporary labour bills this government has saved over £1.6 billion.
Affordable Housing
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes (a) were built in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2012-13 and (b) he expects will be built in each financial year from 2013-14 to 2017-18. [163037]
Mr Prisk
[holding answer 2 July 2013]: As outlined in my Department's press notice of 13 August, we estimate 150,000 more affordable homes have been delivered
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in England under this Government; as the notes to editors explains, the precise figures for 2012-13 will be available in November.
As I stated in my answer to the right hon. Member of 9 July 2013, Official Report, column 185W, we do not publish specific yearly forecasts of affordable housing building.
Notwithstanding, I would note:
We are investing £19.5 billion of public and private money in new affordable homes in the spending review period from 2011 to 2015. This will help deliver 170,000 affordable homes by 2015.
Government guarantees worth up to £10 billion, and capital grant of £450 million, will support delivery of up to a further 30,000 affordable homes for rent and home ownership by March 2017.
After the current spending round period, we are investing £3.3 billion into the new Affordable Homes Programme from 2015-16. There will also be Right-to-Buy sales receipts reinvested in affordable housing. We expect this public investment to help lever in up to £20 billion of private finance on top, and deliver a further 165,000 homes between 2015-16 and 2017-18.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which of the 165,000 new affordable homes for 2015-16 to 2017-18 announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 27 June 2013 in his oral statement will be (a) homes built using the £3.3 billion of investment, (b) homes provided under section 106 agreements and (c) homes built as right-to-buy replacements. [163039]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 2 July 2013]: The £3.3 billion of public investment underpins our plan to build 165,000 new affordable homes and will be accompanied by up to £20 billion of private investment. This very large sum of money will allow us to respond to changing circumstances, including the inevitable uncertainty about supply from non-grant funded sources. As our aim is to use a competition for grant to get the most homes at the lowest possible cost per unit, we do not in any case think it would be sensible to set out sub-targets for different parts of the programme.
Apprentices
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many apprenticeships his Department offered to people aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 21 and (c) 22 to 26 years old in each year since 2010; [165868]
(2) what strategies he has to create apprenticeships in his Department; and what plans he has to promote such strategies. [165886]
Brandon Lewis: We are actively supporting the Government's Civil Service Apprenticeship Scheme. We filled 10 apprentice positions in January 2013 (two were 16 to 18, six were 19 to 21, two were 22 to 26). These apprentices are taking part in a tailored learning programme, leading to a technical certificate in Business Administration at NVQ level 2.
We did not recruit any apprenticeships in 2010-11 or 2011-12 due to the Department's broader recruitment freeze and restructuring which entailed reductions in the number of staff, helping deliver savings for the taxpayer.
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1004W
We intend to continue to offer apprenticeships as part of our wider resourcing strategy in order to build a strong pipeline of potential candidates for future positions throughout the organisation. This sits within the context of our wider approach to developing and managing talent within the Department and across Government.
Consultants
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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. [164660]
Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government did not spend any money on external assistance preparing for appearances before select committees and preparing for contact with the media in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
In comparison, Ministers in the last Administration spent at least £2,115 on public speaking training as outlined in the answer of 15 October 2012, Official Report, column 228W.
Food
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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. [164760]
Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government’s food is procured as follows: 73% is from British producers, over 40% is from small and medium-sized enterprises, and all producers in the supply chain meet the Government Buying Standard for Food and Catering.
Our catering supplier is also required to provide healthy eating options in our canteen, including fresh and seasonal produce.
The procurement from British producers has increased from 35% in 2010 and from 56% in 2011.
Forests: Planning Permission
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department gives to local authorities on the protection of ancient woodlands in the planning system. [166158]
Nick Boles [holding answer 18 July 2013]: The National Planning Policy Framework gives strong protection to ancient woodland. It makes clear that planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, including ancient woodland, unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss.
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Grant Thornton
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has spent on contracts with Grant Thornton in each year since 2008. [165686]
Brandon Lewis: The information requested is set out in the following table:
| Financial year | Amount (£) including VAT |
Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder information on the contracts they award at:
www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/
In addition, my Department publishes details of spend over £250 at the following website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=transparency+data&publication_filter_ option=all&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D= department-for-communities-and-local-government&world_locations%5B%5D=all&direction= before&date=2013-08-01
Across Whitehall in 2012-13, in taking stronger control of the consulting and temporary labour bills, this Government have saved over £1.6 billion of taxpayers’ money.
Green Belt
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to protect green belt land from inappropriate and unsustainable development. [163728]
Nick Boles: The coalition agreement explicitly states that we will maintain green belt protection. The green belt has a valuable role protecting against urban sprawl and providing a green lung round our towns and cities.
The National Planning Policy Framework, which safeguards national green belt protection, explains how the green belt serves to:
check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;
assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.
This Government have abolished the last Administration's top-down regional strategies which sought to delete or undermine green belt protection in 30 towns and cities across England.
As outlined in the written statement of 1 July 2013, Official Report, column 24WS, our planning policy on traveller sites states that both temporary and permanent traveller sites are inappropriate development in green belt. In some cases, the green belt is not given sufficient protection in this context. Accordingly the Secretary of
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1006W
State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), will give particular scrutiny to traveller site appeals in green belt, so that he can consider the extent to which this Government's clear policy intentions are being fulfilled.
In addition, as explained in the written statement of 29 July 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column 162WS, we are proposing a further strengthening of green belt protection by deleting the current policy requirement to give special consideration to the need for waste management facilities in the green belt.
Housing
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the name is of each housing initiative announced by the Government since May 2010. [161538]
Mr Prisk: There is no compiled list of “housing initiatives”. Rather I refer the hon. Member to the Government's comprehensive and detailed Housing Strategy, published in November 2011, a copy of which is in the Library of the House and online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/laying-the-foundations-a-housing-strategy-for-england--2
This clearly lays out the different steps we are taking on housing.
More broadly, the Government's ongoing key policies are clearly laid out on my Department's website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/topics/housing
under the following four themes:
Increasing the number of available homes,
Improving the rented housing sector,
Helping people to buy a home, and
Providing housing support for older and vulnerable people.
Housing: Construction
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential financial implications for his Department of not discounting demolitions on regeneration sites from the New Homes Bonus calculations over the lifetime of the scheme. [R] [165734]
Mr Prisk: Such a policy change (not discounting demolitions) would introduce a new financial incentive for councils to demolish homes.
It would entail a relative redistribution in local authority funding towards councils
which demolished more homes, away from those which did not. This is not a change that I am considering. As I outlined in my written statement of 10 May 2013, Official Report, columns 13-14WS, this Government have placed a greater emphasis on refurbishment and getting empty homes back into productive use, in contrast to the last Administration’s obsession with demolition.
Annette Brooke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of (a) planning permissions given for new homes, (b) enactment on planning
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permissions for new homes started,
(c)
new homes completed and
(d)
social homes completed in each of the last six month periods over the last three years. [165864]
Nick Boles: Quarterly statistics on planning applications can be found online at:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government/series/planning-applications-statistics
Quarterly statistics on house building are online at:
www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-house-building
Live tables on affordable housing supply, published by year, are online at:
www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply
Figures for the number of enactment of planning permissions for new homes over the last three years are not centrally held.
My Department does hold some information from Glenigan on sites with 10 or more units. They estimate that as of June 2013 there were an estimated 495,700 units with planning permission. Of these, 234,800 had already started on site, 189,900 were progressing towards a start, 60,500 were classed as on hold or shelved and 10,500 were being sold or information was not available.
As I noted in my answer of 9 July 2013, Official Report, column 189W, this illustrates there is little evidence of land banking or land hoarding in practice. I also refer the hon. Member to that answer on what steps we are taking to help kick start stalled sites.
Local Government Finance
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what level of reserves is held by local authorities in England and Wales. [162832]
Brandon Lewis: Latest published data show that at 31 March 2012 non-schools revenue reserves were £16.4 billion in England. The Department does not collect data on the level of non-schools revenue reserves for Wales.
In December, we published the best practice document, ‘50 ways to save’, which recommended to councils:
“Utilise £16 billion of reserves creatively: ....Many ‘earmarked’ reserves do not actually have a proper purpose. Make creative use of reserves to address short-term costs, such as restructuring or investing now to realise savings in the longer-term (e.g. ‘invest to save’ projects).”
Local Government: Constituencies
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans his Department has to ensure that appropriate signage will be placed correctly at historic county boundaries. [158368]
Brandon Lewis: Ministers are currently reviewing what further steps can be taken to support recognition and awareness of England's traditional counties, including encouraging appropriate local signage.
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Out of Town Shopping Centres
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to assist local authorities in identifying and offsetting any negative effects of out of town shopping centres on town centres. [165150]
Nick Boles: The Government are fully committed to supporting town centres. Our National Planning Policy Framework sets out clearly that local councils should recognise town centres as the hearts of their communities and pursue policies to support their viability and vitality. Specifically, it requires that local planning authorities apply a sequential and impact test to planning applications for certain uses, such as retail, leisure and office, that are not in an existing centre and are not in accordance with an up-to-date local plan. Where an application fails to satisfy the sequential test or is likely to have significant adverse impact it should be refused.
Our policy also supports the retention and re-introduction of markets in town centres, makes clear that local approaches to parking should support town centres, and that the needs of retail, leisure and other main town centre uses should be met in full. We have taken action to help rejuvenate high streets by backing communities across the country with a multi-million pound package of support, providing over £80 million in loans for start-up companies and doubling small business rate relief to help small entrepreneurs. Since the publication of the Portas Review into the future of our high streets last summer, we have established 27 Portas Pilots and 333 Town Teams to test different approaches to revitalising the high street, while the 500 neighbourhood plans being developed give local communities the opportunity to support their town's high streets.
Staff
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months. [162610]
Brandon Lewis: We have interpreted recruitment agency fees to mean companies (third party suppliers) that we engage in recruiting permanent staff for the Department. We have spent £8,312 (excluding VAT) on recruitment agency fees in the last 12 months to July 2013.
To place this in context, our departmental audited annual accounts for the core Department show that total staff costs fell from £216 million in 2009-10 to £99 million in 2012-13, a reduction of 54% in cash terms, or a saving of £117,000,000 a year. The number of staff has been reduced from 3,781 full-time equivalent in 2009-10 to 1,681 in 2012-13, a reduction of 56%.
We have not made any such outplacement agencies fees in the last 12 months.
It would involve disproportionate cost to identify spend specifically on staff training in each of the last 12 months as this information is not readily available, as this is recorded within a wider development budget category.
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Travellers: Planning Permission
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the statement of 1 July 2013, Official Report, columns 24-5W, on planning and Travellers, if he will extend the provisions put in place for greenbelt land to areas designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and if he will make a statement. [163600]
Brandon Lewis: Our planning policy for traveller sites states that local planning authorities should strictly limit the development of new traveller sites in the open countryside. This must be read in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework which accords great weight to conserving the landscape and scenic beauty of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Notwithstanding, I am open to representations on whether further steps are needed to reform planning policy on travellers sites.
Wales
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department provides services to people resident in Wales or usually resident in Wales. [166099]
Brandon Lewis: In relation to Wales, the matters for which my Department is responsible are largely devolved to the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government. We are, however, responsible for giving development consent for some of the categories of nationally significant infrastructure projects under the Planning Act 2008 across both England and Wales.
Welsh Language
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has a current Welsh Language scheme; when that scheme was adopted; and whether it has been reviewed since May 2011. [166081]
Brandon Lewis: This Government are fully committed to the Welsh language and fully committed to providing Government services in the Welsh language where there is demand for them.
The Welsh Measure was adopted in 2011. There has not been a review by the Department of Communities and Local Government into the Welsh Language scheme since its introduction.
Youth Work
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department allocated for youth work in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [164075]
Brandon Lewis: The information is as follows:
Local authority spending on youth services
Most spending decisions on youth services are made at a local level as local authorities are in the best position to assess local needs and priorities.
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1010W
Local authority funding is not ring-fenced and so local authorities can allocate resources according to the local context. Central Government's role is to give them the freedom and flexibilities to make the most effective decisions.
Locals authorities' planned and actual expenditure on youth services, 'where it is segregated from other services, is published at:
http://www.education.gov.uk/chidrenandyoungpeople/strategy/financeandfunding/section 251
Youth and Community funding is one of the services supported by the local Government Finance Settlement, which is arranged through my Department. It is not possible to say how much funding has been provided for any particular service.
DCLG's spending on youth services
During the period 2010-11 to 2012-13 my Department has funded some specific projects targeted at youth work, that align with the strategic objectives of the Department.
As part of our Integration strategy:
1. Youth United—funding of £10 million over 2 and half years (of which £3,833,860 was paid in 2012-13, with the remainder falling in future years). Youth United Foundation is a coalition of the major uniformed youth volunteering organisations, such as the Scouts and Girl Guides, which engage with young people, offering a range of development opportunities such as leadership and employment skills. The programme aims to increase the provision of places in areas that have traditionally had limited opportunities for young people.
http://www,youthunited.org.uk/
2. National Citizens Service legacy project—£105,000 (£30,000 in 11-12 and £75,000 in 12-13) to the Young Advisors Company Ltd (a registered charity), to fund leadership and communications training for NCS graduates, enabling them to participate in volunteering after they leave the NCS programme.
3. Industrial Cadets—£200,000 (of which £115,000 in 2012-13, with the remainder in future years) to the Engineering Development Trust, to support a cadet programme to enthuse young people about the opportunities available to them through a career in the Industrial sector. Linking large and prestigious industrial firms to schools in deprived areas.
http://industrialcadets.org.uk/
4. Young Advisors Scheme support—a contribution of £133,500 in 10-11 to the Young Advisors Company Ltd for the support and expansion of the Young Advisors scheme.
As part of our Homelessness strategy:
1. St Basil's—funding of £80,000 in 2010-2011, £180,000 in 2011-2012 and £180,000 in 2012-2013, to support their work on tackling youth homelessness.
2. Shelter—£20,000 in 2012-2013 to develop a website as a resource for providers working with young people. The website includes practical, evidence-based information and advice to help solve young people's housing problems.
Since 2012-13 my Department has taken on the delivery of the Troubled Families programme. Announced in December 2011 by the Prime Minister, the Troubled Families Programme is a £448 million three year programme which aims to turn around the lives of 120,000 families by the end of this Parliament. The funding is drawn from six Government Departments, including DCLG. Of the £448 million budget, £136 million was paid to local authorities in 2012-13. The remainder will fall in future financial years.
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Our payments by results scheme includes specific measures for the children and young people in these families, stating that a council may claim a result when:
each child in the family has had fewer than 3 exclusions from school and at least 85% attendance over the last three school terms; and
the number of proven offences by all young people in the family has reduced by at least a third in the last 6 months; and
the antisocial behaviour of the whole family has reduced by at least 60% over the last 6 months.
one member of the family has moved off benefits, into work and kept this job for at least 3 months. Further details can be found in our Financial Framework:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-troubled-famiIies-programme-financial-framework
See the Financial Framework for details of payments attributable to each result:
https://www.gov.ukgovernment/publications/the-troubIed-families-programme-financial-framework
Defence
Apprentices
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many apprenticeships his Department offered to people aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 21 and (c) 22 to 26 years old in each year since 2010; [165870]
(2) what strategies he has to create apprenticeships in his Department; and what plans he has to promote such strategies. [165888]
Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is pleased to be recognised as the single largest deliverer of apprenticeships in the UK. Apprenticeships are firmly embedded across armed forces initial training. 95% of Army recruits enrol in an apprenticeship each year, most of whom complete it within two years. Apprenticeships are now the means by which the majority of service personnel develop the skills that they need to succeed on operations.
Defence training for armed forces personnel is governed by a systematic approach that ensures all training is regularly re-assessed to ensure it delivers what we need. This process provides the mechanism by which we can examine options for further development, including apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships where appropriate.
The MOD has also been heavily involved in civilian apprenticeship delivery for many years and is the largest deliverer of such apprenticeships across Government Departments. The MOD works closely with other Government Departments regarding civilian apprenticeship delivery generally.
Figures for the three services and also for civilian apprenticeships are presented in the following tables.
The Royal Navy organise their management information on the basis of apprenticeships which are started in a calendar year.
| Age | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013(1) |
| (1) Provisional | ||||
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1012W
The Army hold management information based on the numbers of soldiers who achieved an apprenticeship in an academic year (1 August to 31 July) rather than the date started.
| Age | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13(1) |
| (1) Provisional | ||||
Information held by the RAF is based on the number of new apprenticeship registrations in each academic year.
| Age | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13(1) |
| (1) Provisional | ||||
The MOD runs two engineering apprentice recruitment schemes for civilians, known as Craft and Technician. In addition, the MOD offers apprenticeships to its existing civilian staff through an arrangement delivered by Learn Direct. Localised apprenticeships are in use across defence, although information about these is not held centrally. The information presented here does not include MOD trading funds or agencies.
| Engineering Craft Scheme Intake | ||||
| Age | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013(1) |
| (1) Anticipated | ||||
| Engineering Technician Scheme Intake | |||
| Age | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
In September 2013 we expect to recruit a total of 63 Engineering Technician apprentices; their age profile cannot yet be determined. The age breakdown presented for Engineering Technician apprentices is based on available internal management statistics. A restructured age breakdown along the lines requested has not been possible in the available time.
The Craft and Technician schemes invite applications annually from schools, colleges and through the media.
| Workplace Apprenticeships delivered by Learn Direct for specified age groups | ||||
| Age | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
A service level agreement between the MOD and Learn Direct offers existing staff a route to a workplace apprenticeship on a voluntary basis. Since its introduction in 2009 over 3,000 MOD staff across all age groups have undertaken one of the apprenticeships on offer.
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Armed Forces: Young People
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many recruits aged below 18 years have gone absent without leave (a) in the last five years and (b) since the Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 were introduced; [166519]
(2) how many recruits have (a) requested and (b) been granted discharge as of right under the rules introduced in The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 since that legislation was implemented; and what the length of time was between each recruit's initial request for and their date of discharge. [166523]
Mr Francois: The information requested on absence without leave for recruits below the age of 18 is only available for those who were classed as long-term absent for 21 days or more. These data are set out in the following table:
| Financial year | Total |
| (1) The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 were brought into force on 12 July 2011. Note: The totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and may not equal the sums of their rounded parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in ‘5’ have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. | |
The number of recruits requesting and granted discharge as of right under the amended regulations, and instances of absence under 21 days, are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, there are no known examples in which a formal application for discretionary discharge under the ‘Under 18 Discharge as of Right’ scheme has been rejected.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Attestation Papers for armed forces recruits were updated to include the extended rights of discharge for those enlisted below the age of 18 as introduced in The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, paragraph 9; and if he will place a copy of these papers in the Library; [166524]
(2) what official documentation is given to armed forces recruits aged under 18 and their parents which specify the extended rights of discharge introduced in The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011; and if he will place a copy of such papers in the Library. [166525]
Mr Francois: Since the Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 came into force the extended right of discharge for recruits below the age of 18 has been implemented by each of the three services.
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Recruits under 18, and their parents, initially received oral briefings while documentation was updated. All three services’ attestation papers reflect the regulations in their latest iterations.
The naval service and the RAF changed their attestation documentation over the last year and the Army, because of the transfer of operations to the Recruiting Partnering Project with Capita, and the size and scale of their operation, have just completed updating their forms.
Armed forces recruits under the age of 18, and their parents, still receive an oral brief and copies of the offer of service. Copies of these papers for all three services have been placed in the Library of the House.
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken and guidance he has issued to ensure that recruiting officers, commanding officers, prospective recruits and their parents are made aware of the extended rights of discharge for those enlisted below the age of 18 introduced in The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011. [166526]
Mr Francois: A Defence Instruction and Notice was issued in December 2011 providing service-wide instruction, including to all commanding officers and recruitment establishments, on the changes to the rights of discharge for those enlisted below the age of 18. This information is verbally emphasised to prospective recruits and their parents or guardians during the recruiting process and should now be reflected on the attestation papers if the individual subsequently enlists.
Regulation
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the title is of each regulation his Department (a) introduced and (b) revoked in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [165908]
Mr Francois: The following regulations were introduced:
The Armed Forces (Redundancy, Resettlement and Gratuity Earnings Schemes) Order 2010— (SI 2010/345)
The Armed Forces (Redundancy, Resettlement and Gratuity Earnings Schemes) (No.2) Order 2010—(SI 2010/832)
The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2010—(SI 2010/283)
The Atomic Weapons Establishment (Awe) Burghfield Byelaws 2010—(SI 2010/249)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2010—(SI 2010/1723)
The Reserve Forces Act 1996 (Isle of Man) Regulations 2010—(SI 2010/2643)
The Reserve Forces Appeal Tribunals (Isle of Man) Rules 2010—(SI 2010/2644)
The Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2010—(SI 2010/2475)
The Visiting Forces (Designation) Order 2010—(SI 2010/2970)
The Armed Forces Redundancy Schemes 2006 and the Armed Forces Redundancy Etc. Schemes 2010 (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/208)
The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/811)
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1015W
The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/235)
The Northwood Headquarters Byelaws 2011—(SI 2011/3102)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011—(SI 2011/517)
The Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943 (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme) (Rights of Appeal) Regulations 2011—(SI 2011/1239)
The Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943 (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme) (Time Limit for Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2011—(SI 2011/1240)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Trading Fund Order 2011—(SI 2011/1330)
The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/1364)
The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011—(SI 2011/1523)
Harbours, Docks, Piers and Ferries - The Clyde Dockyard Port of Gareloch and Loch Long Order 2011—(SI 2011/1680)
The Thetford Range Byelaws 2011—(SI 2011/1142)
The Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011—(SI 2011/1848)
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Armed Forces) (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/2282)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/2552)
The Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme 2006, The Armed Forces Redundancy Etc. Schemes 2010 and the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (Amendment) Order 2011—(SI 2011/3013)
The Armed Forces Act 2011 (Commencement No.1, Transitional and Transitory Provisions) Order 2012—(SI 2012/669 (C.15))
The Ministry of Defence Police (Performance) Regulations 2012—(SI 2012/808)
The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2012—(SI 2012/670)
The Northwood Headquarters Byelaws 2011—(SI 2011/3102)
The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels And Controlled Sites) Order 2012—(SI 2012/1110)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2012—(SI 2012/1573)
The Armed Forces (Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme and Further and Higher Education Commitment Scheme) Order 2012—(SI 2012/1796)
The Ot Moor Range Byelaws 2012—(SI 2012/1478)
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Armed Forces) (Amendment) Order 2012—(SI 2012/2505)
The Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2012—(SI 2012/1750)
The Armed Forces Act 2011 (Commencement No.2) Order—(SI 2012/2921 (CI 16))
The Armed Forces (Powers of Stop and Search, Search, Seizure and Retention) Order 2012—(SI 2012/2919)
The Armed Forces Act 2011 (Commencement No.3) Order 2013—(SI 2013/784 (C.37))
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2013—(SI 2013/436)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (Consequential Provisions: Subordinate Legislation) Order 2013—(SI 2013/591)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) Order 2013—(SI 2013/796)
The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2013—(SI 2013/241)
29 Aug 2013 : Column 1016W
The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2013—(SI 2013/707)
The Caversfield SFA Byelaws 2012—(SI 2012/3088)
The Visiting Forces (Designation) Order 2013—(SI 2013/540)
The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2013—(SI 2013/1851)
The Armed Forces (Retrial for Serious Offences) Order 2013—(SI 2013/1852)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013—Awaiting Parliamentary Approval
The Armed Forces (Alcohol Limits for Prescribed Safety - Critical Duties) Regulations 2013—Awaiting Parliamentary Approval
Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2013—Awaiting Parliamentary Approval
The Armed Forces (Financial Penalty Enforcement Orders) (Amendment) Regulations 2013—(SI 2013/1761)
The Armed Forces (Remission of Fines) Order 2013—Awaiting Parliamentary Approval
The following regulations were revoked:
None, although two areas of secondary legislation were reviewed: Regulations governing the Service Pensions Order (war pensions) and the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011
The Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation) (Rights of Appeal) Regulations 2005
The Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme) (Rights of Appeal) Amendment Regulations 2006
The Defence Research Agency Trading Fund Order 1993
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Trading Fund Order 1995
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Trading Fund (Amendment) Order 1996
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Trading Fund Order 2001
The Thetford Rifle Range in the County of Norfolk Byelaws 1916
The Clyde Dockyard Port of Gareloch and Loch Long Order 1967