Written Answers to Questions

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Treasury

Bank Cards: Fees and Charges

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to gauge the effect on consumers and small businesses of European proposals to regulate interchange on card payments. [166397]

Sajid Javid: The European Commission published its proposals for the regulation of interchange fees on card-based payment transactions on 24 July.

The Government are engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including business and consumer groups, to ensure the opinions of businesses and consumers, and the needs of small businesses, are fully considered.

Banks: Equal Pay

Alison McGovern: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of gender pay parity in those banks in which the Government have a stake; and if he will undertake equal pay audits in those banks. [166603]

Sajid Javid: The Government's shareholdings in Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are managed on a commercial and arm's length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI).

UKFI's role is to manage the shares and not to manage the banks.

Decisions on staff pay are operational decisions for the banks themselves.

Credit: Interest Rates

John Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been given to payday and short-term loan companies in (a) grants and (b) loans in each year since 2010. [166120]

Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

From 2010 to date the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not provided any grants or loans to payday loan companies.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to distributing the remainder of unallocated monies under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme to Equitable Life victims. [167114]

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Sajid Javid: No decision has been made on this matter, and should any funds remain once the Equitable Life Payment Scheme closes in 2014 it will be considered further then.

Finance Act 2008

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many claims accepted by HM Revenue and Customs after inquiry in the last five years related to tax planning schemes subsequently covered by section 58 of the Finance Act 2008; [166482]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with officials in HM Revenue and Customs on section 58 of the Finance Act 2008; [166541]

(3) what assessment he has made of the effect of repealing the retrospective elements of section 58 of the Finance Act 2008 on the amount owed to HM Revenue and Customs. [166542]

Mr Gauke: UK residents are taxable on their worldwide income wherever it arises, including situations where it arises by way of foreign partnerships. Section 58 of the Finance Act 2008 was enacted to help put that beyond doubt and, in so doing, made clear that a wholly artificial tax avoidance scheme involving a foreign partnership comprised of foreign trustees did not work.

HMRC is unaware of any claims that have been accepted in the last five years that relate to the wholly artificial tax avoidance scheme that sought to abuse the United Kingdom/Isle of Man Double Taxation Agreement. HMRC became aware in July 2012 that during March 2006 inquiries into fewer than five scheme users who used the scheme for several years had a closure notice issued with no amendment. The closure notices were issued in error and related to only one of the years under inquiry in each case. It is not correct to say that, because an inquiry was closed for reasons other than the disputed tax claim, HMRC has accepted the validity of the claim. I am unable to give a more precise figure on the number of inquires that were closed in error as it would breach HMRC's duty of confidentiality.

HM Revenue and Customs has provided policy advice and support to Treasury Ministers on various aspects of section 58 of the Finance Act 2008.

HMRC considers that section 58 retrospectively clarified existing legislation, and so its introduction did not change any individual's tax position, including the amounts owed by them to HMRC.

Infrastructure

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what per capita spending on infrastructure in each of the main regions of (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland has been in each of the last five years. [166483]

Danny Alexander: As published in the Country and Regional analysis of ‘Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 2013’, the following table sets out public investment per capita in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the regions of England since 2007-08, reflecting decisions by Departments on the regional allocation of capital

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grants, and decisions by the Devolved Administrations and local authorities on local borrowing. These data are not available for 2012-13.

Wales

Health Services

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what the total income to each health service trust and board in Wales from UK Government Departments was in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; [167310]

(2) if he will seek information from the Minister of Health in the Welsh Government on the total cost to each service trust and board of payments to non-NHS providers for acute service contractual and non-contractual referrals in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; [167670]

(3) if he will seek information from the Minister of Health in the Welsh Government on which health service trusts and boards in Wales allow for the treatment of private patients in NHS wards where the cost of treatment and care is funded by the patient; [167671]

(4) if he will seek information from the Minister of Health in the Welsh Government on information held on income received by GPs, consultants and other medical professionals for private treatment of patients in NHS facilities in Wales; [167672]

(5) if he will seek information from the Minister of Health in the Welsh Government on what monitoring exists in Wales to ensure compliance by consultants in hospitals with the terms of their contractual agreements; [167673]

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(6) if he will seek information from the Minister of Health in the Welsh Government on the total income to each health service trust/board in Wales, individually, for private patient treatment in acute health services in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; [167674]

(7) if he will seek information from the Minister of Health in the Welsh Government on whether arrangements exist in Wales whereby private patients are treated in NHS public ward facilities and where such treatment provides additional income for NHS consultants acting in a private capacity. [167675]

Mr David Jones: I have today written to the Minister for Health in the Welsh Government seeking the information requested.

International Development

Developing Countries: Children

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to encourage reintegration of former child soldiers into education. [167581]

Mr Duncan: DFID funds the work of the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict through the Conflict Pool Strengthening Alliances and Partnerships fund for the SRSG's Office to boost its capacity and allow it to function as a global UN advocate to protect children in conflict.

DFID also works with the Foreign Office and United Nations to try and prevent the recruitment of children into armed groups. Reintegration involves providing combatants with different options for rejoining normal life depending upon their needs and preference. Education courses are but one of the avenues DFID seeks to explore which is open to former child soldiers. DFID programmes use the International Network for Education in Emergencies guidance on conflict sensitive education, which encourages supporting access to all, including former child soldiers.

Defence

European Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Typhoon aircraft is capable of deploying CBU-105 munitions. [167571]

Mr Dunne: No.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the stealth characteristics of the Joint Strike Fighter 35B when external pylons and armaments are on the aircraft. [166272]

Mr Dunne: The F-35B is being procured as a multi-role aircraft, with the ability to operate in stealth and non-stealth modes as dictated by operational requirements. The stealth characteristics of the F-35B will be affected when external pylons and armaments are on the aircraft.

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The option of operating in a non-stealth mode with external pylons fitted allows a greater weapons payload to be carried.

NATO

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flights the UK has made under the NATO Strategic Airlift Interim Solution since January 2012; what the (a) total cost and (b) cost per flight has been; and which aircraft were used. [166771]

Mr Robathan: The NATO Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) provides assured access to outsized airlift capability for military operations, predominantly in Afghanistan.

Since 1 January 2012 the UK has chartered 16 SALIS flights at a total cost of approximately £10.48 million. The aircraft used for these flights was an Antonov An-124.

Due to the pricing mechanism used by participating NATO countries for the SALIS arrangement it is not possible to provide the costs of individual flights, as costs are calculated on a percentage basis and are paid monthly by participating nations, regardless of the number of SALIS flights that take place.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Egypt

17. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [900093]

Alistair Burt: I am deeply concerned at the violence in Egypt. I condemned the use of force in clearing protests as well the actions of some opposed to the Government in attacking hospitals, police and churches. I have consistently pressed for political figures including former President Morsi to be either released or properly charged with credible offences. It is for the courts to examine those charges and apply due process. The focus now must be on an inclusive political process leading to early and fair elections.

19. Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [900095]

Alistair Burt: I am deeply concerned at the violence in Egypt. I condemned the use of force in clearing protests as well the actions of some opposed to the Government in attacking hospitals, police and churches. I have consistently pressed for political figures including former President Morsi to be either released or properly charged with credible offences. It is for the courts to examine those charges and apply due process. The focus now must be on an inclusive political process leading to early and fair elections.

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Chagos Islands

18. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the expatriate Chagossian community about his policy on the future of the Chagos Islands. [900094]

Mark Simmonds: I announced a new feasibility study for the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory on 8 July. Since then, my officials have consulted with over 400 members of the Chagossian community in the UK, Mauritius and the Seychelles to ensure the study is informed by their views.

UK Overseas Territories

20. Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his objectives for his discussions with the premiers and chief ministers of the UK Overseas Territories at the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Council. [900096]

Mark Simmonds: I look forward to discussions with the elected leaders of the Overseas Territories at this year's Joint Ministerial Council. The agenda for the Joint Ministerial Council is driven by the priorities of the respective Territory leaders, but the discussions will cover areas of agreed common objectives. These include promoting the security and good governance of the Territories and their sustainable economic and social development.

EU Balance of Competences Review

21. Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made with his Department’s EU balance of competences review. [900097]

Mr Lidington: The review is progressing as planned. Semester 1 reports were published on 22 July and the Calls for Evidence for Semester 2 recently closed. We expect Semester 2 reports to be published towards the end of the year. Semester 3 Calls for Evidence will launch in the autumn.

Mali

22. Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent elections in Mali and on that country’s roadmap for political reform. [900098]

Mark Simmonds: I welcome the results of the Malian presidential elections, which had an encouragingly high turnout and were commended by international observers as inclusive and peaceful. However, Mali continues to face many challenges, and the new President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, will need to ensure that all sections of society have a voice in the country's future. We continue to work closely with multilateral partners to support Mali's return to democracy.

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Zimambwe

23. Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent elections in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [900099]

Mark Simmonds: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have grave concerns over the conduct of the elections in Zimbabwe in July. It is the Government's belief that without an independent investigation of irregularities the results cannot be deemed credible. We continue to engage regional and international leaders to challenge irregularities and protect Zimbabwe's political space.

Buildings

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a)

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name and

(b)

address is of each building owned by his Department; and what the estimated monetary value is of each such building. [166773]

Mr Lidington: The following table details all owned offices in the UK and overseas. Residential accommodation is not included as there is a security risk to our staff associated with releasing such information into the public domain.

The total book value of owned properties is £2.1 billion. Individual valuations are not provided as this information is commercially sensitive.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) estate is a platform for delivering the FCO's main priorities of security, prosperity and support for British nationals overseas. Within the Diplomatic Excellence programme, we deliver an estate that is flexible, safe and secure, good value for money, modern, functional, small, sustainable and a platform for all of the Government.

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Pakistan

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Pakistan Government regarding the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. [166934]

Alistair Burt: We have regular discussions with the Government of Pakistan on a range of counter-terrorism issues. We emphasised the need for Pakistan to take action against all terrorist groups during the visits to Pakistan of the Prime Minister in June and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in July.

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received concerning the murder of four Hazara traders on the Masjid Road in Quetta, Pakistan on 15 July 2013; and if he will make a statement. [166935]

Alistair Burt: I am disturbed at continued reports of violent attacks on Pakistani citizens, including members of the Hazara community in Quetta. We condemn all acts of violence which show an appalling contempt for religious belief and human life. We urge the Pakistani authorities to protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all their citizens.

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the recent suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Hazara Town, Quetta, Pakistan on 30 June 2013; and if he will make a statement. [166936]

Alistair Burt: We continue to be disturbed by reports of attacks in Quetta, including on members of the Hazara community. The British Government strongly condemn all instances of violence and, in particular, the killing of innocent people based on their faith or ethnicity. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials regularly urge the Government of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the fundamental human rights of all people in Pakistan.

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when representatives of the Government last met leaders of the Hazara community in Quetta, Pakistan. [166937]

Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers last met UK representatives of the Hazara community in London in 2012 and another meeting is due in September. Due to the security situation visits to Quetta are not currently possible. Officials in our high commission in Islamabad meet Hazara representatives periodically.

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the UN Rapporteur on Human Rights regarding the recent attacks on the Hazara community in Quetta, Pakistan. [166938]

Alistair Burt: The British Government strongly condemn all instances of violence, particularly when based on a person's faith, ethnicity or gender. Foreign and

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Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials regularly urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure the fundamental rights of all their citizens are respected. UN special procedures are independent and do not seek or accept instructions from the Government. However, we are strong supporters of UN special procedures and follow reports and representations closely.

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when representatives of the Government last met representatives from the Pakistan Government to discuss the recent attacks on Hazara people in Quetta. [166940]

Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Government of Pakistan where we raise issues of human rights and religious freedom of all groups. Our concerns about the treatment of Hazaras are expressed in the FCO Annual Human Rights Report.

Saudi Arabia

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the adoption in that country of policies to discourage the growth of Jihadi Wahhabism. [166511]

Alistair Burt: I have discussed with my Saudi counterpart our collective efforts to counter the terrorist threat faced by both our countries; but not specifically this issue. Saudi Arabia is a vital partner in our global counter-terrorism efforts and officials at our embassy in Riyadh are in regular contact with their Saudi counterparts. There are many reasons why individuals develop extremist views, and our understanding is continuing to evolve. Many countries have problems with domestic extremism and terrorism, and with their citizens travelling overseas to join jihadist groups.

Saudi Arabia has developed sophisticated and integrated prevention, rehabilitation and after-care counter-terrorism programmes. Saudi security forces continue to take action against terrorist groups and disrupt their plans and infrastructure, including through the prevention of travel overseas by extremists. We understand that Government-supported mosques in Saudi Arabia are also discouraging Saudi citizens from travelling to other countries, particularly Syria, in their Friday sermons.

Zimbabwe

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the involvement of foreign-owned companies in funding recent elections in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [167503]

Mark Simmonds: We are aware of allegations concerning the involvement of foreign-owned companies in the funding of elections in Zimbabwe. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials will continue to monitor these allegations closely.

As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have made clear in our public statements, while we commend the Zimbabwean

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people for holding peaceful elections on 31 July, we continue to have grave concerns about these and the reports of irregularities in the electoral process. We continue to believe an independent audit would be required before the election result might be credibly deemed to reflect the wishes of the people.

Britain's objectives remain unchanged: to support the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe to build a free, peaceful and prosperous future under a Government of their own choosing.