Free Schools: Bedfordshire

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what public funds were received by the Barnfield Federation to handle the free school application for the former Fernwood Pre-Prep School in Bedfordshire. [172765]

Mr Timpson: The free school trust received the usual fixed-rate project development grant of £25,000.

29 Oct 2013 : Column 435W

Higher Education: Admissions

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent steps he has taken to ensure that students previously in state education are encouraged to apply to top universities. [172438]

Matthew Hancock: The Government are determined that anyone with the ambition and ability should be encouraged to aim high to achieve the best grades possible and apply to top universities, regardless of their educational background.

Data published by UCAS show the proportion of 18 -year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds applying to university for entry in the 2013-14 academic year has increased to the highest level ever recorded. The application rate of 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged areas in England has increased to 19.8% in 2013.

The Department for Education's Future Scholar Awards programme encourages higher aspirations by rewarding high performing year 9 pupils in state-funded schools with a visit to a Russell Group university.

Schools and colleges have an important role to play in encouraging their students to aim high. The key stage 5 Destination Measure provides data on the destinations of students the year after taking A level or other level 3 qualifications, including higher education. These data are broken down by different types of higher education institution and enable users to assess the success of schools and colleges in supporting their students to progress to university study at the highest level.

History: GCSE

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in how many mainstream secondary schools no pupil obtained grade C or above at history GCSE in 2013; and how many mainstream secondary schools did not enter any pupils for a history GCSE in 2013. [172462]

Mr Laws: Data for the 2012-13 academic year will be published in the Performance Tables in January 2014. Data for 2011-12 can be downloaded from the Department's website¹.

Of the 3,165² mainstream secondary schools, 47 schools had no pupils achieving a grade C or above in GCSE history or ancient history in 2011-12. Of those 47 mainstream secondary schools, in 40 schools no pupils entered GCSE history or ancient history in 2011-12.

Please see following table for comparison data²:

¹ http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/download_ data.html

² Mainstream schools included in Performance Tables only. This includes academies, free schools and city technology colleges. Schools with suppressed results are excluded from these figures.

29 Oct 2013 : Column 436W

Private Education

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what training Independent Schools Inspectorate inspectors received on safeguarding and the protection of children in relation to practice in independent schools. [172836]

Mr Laws: This is a matter for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which is responsible for the training of its own inspectors. The inspection regime operated by ISI is monitored by Ofsted, which produces annual quality assurance reports on the quality of ISI's inspections, including comment on the adequacy of training.

Schools

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research his Department has undertaken or assessed of the value to children and young people of attending an all-through school. [172672]

Mr Laws: There is currently no robust research available which compares the experiences and outcomes for pupils attending an all-through school with pupils attending the more traditional primary and secondary school model.

Schools: Yorkshire and the Humber

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools in Yorkshire are all-through schools serving both primary and secondary school-age children. [172670]

Mr Laws: There are nine state-funded all-through schools in the Yorkshire and Humber region,¹ of which four are academies, two are free schools and three are local authority maintained schools.

¹ As of October 2013.

Health

Additives

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to ban the use of colouring additives, such as sunset yellow, caroisine and quinoline yellow, in children's medicine; and if he will make a statement. [172631]

Norman Lamb: European medicines legislation permits medicines to contain colours that are authorised for use in food. The European Food Safety Authority is re-evaluating authorised food additives and any change in the list of permitted additives will apply to medicines. Existing European guidance on the use of colours in medicines states that synthetic colouring agents should not be used in medicines for paediatric use when only intended for aesthetic purposes. Although the amount of colouring agents used in medicines is small in comparison with foods, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for the authorisation of medicines for the United Kingdom market, strongly encourages companies to avoid the addition of colouring agents in paediatric medicines. This approach is supported by new European guidance on paediatric medicines coming into force on 15 February 2014 which also makes clear that use of any colouring agent must be justified.

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The new European guidance¹ has been placed in the Library.

¹Guideline on pharmaceutical development of medicines for paediatric use

(EMA/CHMP/QWP/805880/2012 Rev. 2)

www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Scientific_guideline/2013/07/WC500147002.pdf

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Birmingham

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spends through Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust on the detection and treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME; and what proportion of such funding is spent in each parliamentary constituency in Birmingham. [172500]

Norman Lamb: The information requested is not held centrally. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) commission services for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy.

The information may be available from the National Health Service Birmingham South Central CCG.

Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in (a) each English region, (b) Wales and (c) each mental health trust area in London were subject to a section under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last five years; [172400]

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(2) what proportion of psychiatric in-patient beds were occupied by people sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last three years. [172401]

Norman Lamb: The information requested, in so far as is relates to England, is set out in the following table:

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Dementia

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department's dementia toolkit will be published. [172589]

Norman Lamb: The Department has commissioned the Royal College of General Practitioners (GPs) to develop a Dementia Roadmap Toolkit which will provide a ‘one stop' navigational aid for GPs which describes what GPs should do at different points during a person's journey through dementia and provides a single point of information which sets out what wider support services are available for people with dementia, their families and carers.

The Dementia Toolkit is expected to be published in May 2014.

Dental Services

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the UK have been registered with NHS dentists in each of the last five years. [172844]

Jane Ellison: These data are not held in the format requested.

Under the existing dental contract, patients do not register to receive national health service dental care. The Government intends to replace the existing contract with one based on registration, capitation and quality.

Access to dentistry is measured through the number of patients seen by an NHS dentist over a 24-month period.

Information at England and NHS England area team level is published quarterly by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. Information is not collated at constituency or county level.

The latest data cover the period ending 17 September 2013 and show that at England level access to NHS dental services has increased by over 1.3 million since May 2010.

Donors: Health Education

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the issue of organ donation and transplantation. [172297]

Jane Ellison: There have been no specific discussions between the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Education on the issue of organ donation and transplantation.

NHS Blood and Transplant's organ donation strategy Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020 published in July 2013 highlights the need to improve consent rates. Implementation plans are being finalised, including information for teachers on educating school age children about organ donation and transplantation.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of drug treatment clients with parental responsibility who are prescribed opioid

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substitution therapy receive their treatment by

(a)

supervised consumption,

(b)

daily pick-up and

(c)

weekly pick-up regimes. [172898]

Jane Ellison: These data are not collected centrally, and we are not aware if and where they are collected.

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drug treatment clients who are prescribed opioid substitution therapy also have parental responsibility. [172900]

Jane Ellison: In 2011-12, 60,596 adults in drug treatment in England were recorded as having parental responsibilities, an opiate problem and were receiving a prescribing intervention as part of their treatment programme. This figure includes parents living with their own children and those who are not living with their children. There were 5,193 who were recorded as having an opiate problem and who were receiving a prescribing intervention but for whom their parental status was not recorded.

Health Visitors

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress to date towards the Coalition Agreement Commitment on the provision of 4,200 more health visitors. [172920]

Jane Ellison: The latest figures (July 2013) show that 1,011 of the additional 4,200 extra full-time equivalent (FTE) health visitors required by April 2015 are in post. In total there are 9,103 FTE in post in England. This is two FTE health visitors below the indicative work force trajectory, therefore representing good progress towards meeting the Coalition's commitment. The next significant increase in the workforce is expected in the next few months as health visiting students complete training and move into the work force.

A progress report on the Health Visitor Programme is due to be published in November 2013 on the Department's website.

Published as the health visitor minimum data set 22 October 2013 by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage NHS trusts to employ more health visitors. [172921]

Jane Ellison: NHS England is responsible for delivering the 4,200 increase in the health visitor work force as part of its section 7A agreement with the Secretary of State for Health.

Each NHS England area team has agreed a trajectory to deliver its share of the extra 4,200 health visitors by April 2015. Area teams closely performance manage their local providers in the delivery of their contracted trajectory agreed through the national service specification and accompanying reporting mechanisms. Area teams use a range of mechanisms, including contractual levers, to ensure that the health visitor vacancies they are funding in their providers are filled promptly. Monthly progress figures, published in the health visitor minimum data set, are used by NHS England to make key lines of inquiry, requiring any area team failing to meet its trajectory to detail the actions being taken to ensure that delivery is brought back on course.

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Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England waited longer than 18 weeks for treatment in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) the latest period for which figures are available. [172730]

Jane Ellison: The information requested is shown in the following tables:

Kernicterus

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of kernicterus have been reported to NHS England in each NHS acute hospital trust in England in each of the last five years. [172345]

Norman Lamb: Because of the small numbers involved it is not possible to give the data for individual trusts without the risk of identifying individual cases. The table gives the number of finished consultant episodes (FCE) in England where the primary, or secondary diagnosis was Kernicterus.

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Maternity Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of regional variations in standards of post-natal care; and what steps he is taking to ensure consistently high levels of care. [172922]

Norman Lamb: It is for the national health service to review the provision of postnatal care locally and enhance services where appropriate. To assist in the commissioning and provision of consistent care, the Department asked the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to develop quality standards on postnatal care which were published in July 2013.

We have made improving women and their families' experience of maternity services an area of improvement for the NHS. From 1 October 2013 every woman is able to give feedback on the quality of the maternity care they receive through the Friends and Family Test. In addition, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is conducting a survey of women's experience of maternity services, including postnatal care. Maternity service providers and clinical commissioning groups will wish to use the results from the Friends and Family Test and the CQC survey to identify areas where further action is needed to improve services.

Helping commissioners to reduce unwarranted variation in service delivery is one of the key roles of Maternity and Children Strategic Clinical Networks, which are being established and supported by NHS England.

Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have had to wait more than (a) 28 days, (b) six months and (c) one year for treatment under the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme in the last five years. [172907]

Norman Lamb: We do not collect the data in the format requested. However, what data we do collect on waiting times for Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) Services are provided in the following table:

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We believe the increase in the number of patients waiting for 28-days or more reflects an increase in the demand for IAPT services and an increase in the overall number of people accessing those services.

The IAPT programme has monitored waiting times since roll-out of its first wave sites in 2008. Measurement of waiting times is complicated by various factors, including local processes, information technology system capabilities and patient choice. IAPT has refined as processes and systems for collecting data have become embedded in services. This is reflected in its guidance over recent years in an attempt to improve accuracy and consistent measurement across services. For this reason the figures from 2008 can not be viewed as a complete time series and definitions have changed over this period.

Additionally, the mechanism for collecting IAPT data was changed for Q1 2013-14. There are some data quality problems with the most recent published figures, which we are seeking to resolve as a matter of urgency.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what real-terms expenditure on adult mental health services has been in each year since 1997-98. [172908]

Norman Lamb: The Department does not hold the information in the format requested.

The figures in the following table represent information for mental health expenditure for children, adolescents and the adult population. It is taken from the published NHS (England) Summarised Accounts (1997-98 to 2010-11) and the Department of Health Annual Report and Accounts (2011-12 and 2011-13). It is not possible to separately identify the amount of expenditure on mental illness relating to adults from these data. These figures represent the expenditure made by commissioners for secondary health care, in relation to mental illness.

This is in the context that primary care trusts are responsible for commissioning health care from providers based on the needs of their local population. The disclosure in the accounts does not separately identify primary care spend on mental health, and is not included in the figures.

29 Oct 2013 : Column 444W

Mental Health Services: Staff

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of staffing levels at places of safety in England as defined by the Mental Health Act 1983; [172909]

(2) what assessment his Department has made of staffing levels at places of safety in England as defined by the Mental Health Act 1983 for each year since 1997-98. [172953]

Norman Lamb: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has committed to reviewing all health based places of safety in England by March 2014 to ascertain the availability of health-based places of safety on a 24-hour basis. The review will gather information on location, staffing and capacity.

The CQC has started a thematic review of emergency mental health care. CQC inspectors will focus on people's experience of using mental health services and how their needs are met, including access to health-based places of safety.

Neurology

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many full-time equivalent specialist nurses for a neurological condition, as defined under Diseases of the nervous system in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision, were active in each (a) primary care trust and (b) clinical commissioning group in each of the last five years for which data are available; [172582]

(2) what assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of neurological conditions, as defined under diseases of the nervous system in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision; [172583]

(3) what assessment his Department has made of (a) the economic and (b) societal cost of neurological conditions, as defined in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision. [172584]

Norman Lamb: The annual workforce census held by the Health and Social Care Information Centre does not capture the level of detail required. Information on the number of specialist nurses for a neurological condition active in each primary care trust and clinical commissioning group in each of the last five years is not available.

In a recent House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report, the prevalence of neurological conditions; excluding migraine, was estimated at 2 million people in the United Kingdom, including Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis. ("Services for people with neurological disorders", published 16 March 2012).

29 Oct 2013 : Column 445W

It is problematic to reach a more precise estimate, as the Health and Social Care Information Centre, only measures Hospital Episode Statistics. These data show hospital episodes with neurological conditions as the diagnosis, not wider prevalence, as there will be people not admitted to hospital with these conditions.

The published data do show hospital admissions within a financial year for all primary diagnoses of ICD10 codes G00-G99 (neurological conditions). The data are available in full at:

www.hscic.gov.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=9161&q=title%3a%22Hospital +Episode+Statistics%2c+Admitted+patient+care+-+England%22&sort=Relevance8tsize=108tpage=l#top

The PAC report "Services for people with neurological disorders", placed health spending on neurological conditions at £2.9 billion in 2009-10. Spending on social services for people with neurological conditions was an estimated £2.4 billion in 2009-10, and has remained flat since 2005-06.

There are no data available as to the overall societal cost of neurological conditions.

NHS: Fees and Charges

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take to ensure that the Government's strategy for recovering NHS costs from those not entitled to free NHS treatment is compatible with its strategies for (a) opposing female genital mutilation and (b) ending violence against women and girls. [172767]

Jane Ellison: The Department has confirmed that certain groups of people will continue to be exempt from charges for national health service treatment on humanitarian grounds, including refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking, and is currently considering if any further exemption from charge categories are justified. This will be confirmed shortly when the Department responds to the recent consultation Sustaining services, ensuring fairness—A consultation on migrant access and their financial contribution to NHS provision in England.

As is the case now, where a patient is chargeable for NHS treatment, no one in need of immediately necessary or urgent treatment will have that withheld or delayed, even if they have not paid in advance.

Obesity: Children

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2013, Official Report, column 548W, on obesity, what age bracket contains the least active children; and what assessment he has made of how Change4Life clubs target and work with such children. [172298]

Jane Ellison: The Health Survey for England (2008) reports that the proportion of girls who meet the UK chief medical officers' (CMOs') recommendations for physical activity generally declines with age, ranging from 35% at age two to 12% at age 14. There is a less consistent pattern with boys. The lowest level of boys achieving physical activity guidelines is reported at age 13 (27%).

29 Oct 2013 : Column 446W

Change4Life Sports Clubs have been designed to engage the least active children at both primary and secondary schools; to encourage confidence, skills and enjoyment of sport and being active that will help physical activity levels to remain high and not decline with age. The programme is independently evaluated by Canterbury and Christ Church University—Sport, Physical Education and Activity Research Centre. The published evaluation reports that the Change4Life clubs effectively target and engage the least active children (those not achieving the UK CMOs' Physical Activity Guidelines).

Organs: Donors

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions officials of his Department have had with officials of the Department for Education and education departments in devolved administrations on incorporating organ donation and transplantation into schools curricula. [172692]

Jane Ellison: There have been no specific discussions about incorporating organ donation and transplantation into school curriculums between officials from the Department and from the Department for Education and education departments in devolved administrations. However, NHS Blood and Transplant's organ donation strategy “Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020”, published in July 2013, highlights the need to improve consent rates. Implementation plans are being finalised, including information for teachers and educating school age children about organ donation and transplantation.

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when NHS Blood and Transplant and his Department plan to conduct a public survey on support for organ donation. [172703]

Jane Ellison: The development of NHS Blood and Transplant's (NHSBT) United Kingdom strategy “Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020” published in July 2013 included the use of online surveys and extensive stakeholder and public engagement. Implementation of the strategy will include action to promote a shift in behaviour to increase consent rates. Progress will be tested through regular public surveys.

NHSBT has recently commissioned independent public research on organ donation, addressing key areas such as attitudes and behaviours, motivations and barriers, and attitudes towards consent. This research has helped NHSBT understand the views of the public in more depth and will continue to be important to inform communication. The research will be published early next year.

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when NHS Blood and Transplant plans to sponsor a systematic review of the current evidence base on consent for organ donation. [172704]

Jane Ellison: NHS Blood and Transplant publishes an annual Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report that provides evidence of consent rates for organ donation throughout the United Kingdom. This will be used to monitor progress and inform future work to improve consent to organ donation.

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The 2012-13 Activity report can be viewed at:

www.organdonation.nhs.uk/statistics/transplant_activity_report/

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when NHS Blood and Transplant and his Department plan to publish a national strategy to promote a shift in behaviour to increase consent for deceased organ donation. [172705]

Jane Ellison: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) published a new strategy “Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020” in July 2013. This builds on the successful implementation of the Organ Donation Taskforce recommended actions published in 2008 and the 50% increase in organ donation and 30% improvement in transplant rates over the last five years. A Strategy Oversight Group will monitor implementation and progress achieved in increasing donation and transplant rates still further.

NHSBT has also recently developed training tools for all consultants working in intensive care units, and all specialist organ donation nurses across the United Kingdom, to support the approach to families of potential organ donors and improve overall consent rates.

Warm Homes Healthy People Fund

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 September 2013, Official Report, column 716W, on Warm Homes Healthy People Fund, if he will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the delivery of the ring-fenced funding and the Warm Homes Healthy People Fund. [172918]

Jane Ellison: An assessment of the 2012-13 Warm Homes Healthy People Fund was published on 25 October¹. Local authorities' public health responsibilities include prevention of excess winter deaths and injuries. These responsibilities are supported by a ring-fenced grant budget, revised to £5.46 billion over two years (2013-15). Conditions have been set for the ring-fenced public health grant. These include proposals for local authority reporting on public health expenditure on a quarterly basis with detailed reporting at the end of the year. A comparative assessment of these very different approaches is not being considered.

¹ www.gov.uk/government/news/warm-home-fund-helped-vulnerable -residents

Defence

Aerospace Industry

Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for the inspection and enforcement of list X sites and security safeguards within UK-based aerospace companies. [172389]

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

Government contractors who handle classified material must meet the standards of protection described in the Cabinet Office's Security Policy Framework. This includes all sites that handle ‘Confidential’ material or above, which are designated “List X” facilities. It is the

29 Oct 2013 : Column 448W

responsibility of the relevant HMG contracting authority to ensure the appropriate controls are in place and maintained.

Armed Forces: Employment

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2013, Official Report, column 634W, on Armed Forces: employment, how many armed forces personnel have taken part in the Career Transition Partnership in the last 24 months; what proportion of such people are in full time employment; and what steps his Department takes to assess the success of this scheme and the length of time taken to find work. [172305]

Anna Soubry: The number of armed forces personnel who have left service and taken part in the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) programme over the last 24 months to the end of the first quarter of 2012-13 is some 20,800. Over this 24 month period some 85% of former CTP participants found employment within six months of leaving service. Evidence provided by service leavers indicates that the resettlement provision is consistently to a high standard and that the services they provide do assist with a successful transition to civilian life. More detail on the data can be found on the Defence Statistics website at the following link:

http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/health/veterans/career-transition-partnership/financial-year-2012-13-q1/2009-to-2010-and-2012-to-2013-q1.pdf

Armed Forces: Sexual Offences

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the numbers of criminal convictions that have resulted from rape and sexual crimes against military personnel by other military personnel in the armed forces for each year since 2010. [170681]

Anna Soubry: I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Substantive answer from Anna Soubry to Kevan Jones:

In my answer of 21 October 2013 (Official Report, column 15W) I promised to write in response to your question on the number of criminal convictions that have resulted from rape and sexual crimes against military personnel by other military personnel in each year since 2010.

Sexual crimes is not a classification used by the Department and is therefore considered for this purpose to include sexual assaults or assault by penetration. The following table shows the number of rapes and sexual assaults against military personnel by other military personnel in each year since 2010.

The figures shown against each year represent the year the conviction took place.

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Army: Germany

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2013, Official Report, column 740W, on army: Germany, what additional expenditure his Department incurred in providing basing for these additional units at (a) Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, (b) Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore and (c) Imjin Barracks, Gloucester, by category of expenditure. [172593]

Dr Murrison: It will take time to gather this information, I will write to the hon. Member.

Defence: International Cooperation

Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress he has made on improving and increasing defence interoperability with the UK's (a) NATO allies and (b) non-NATO partners. [172726]

Dr Murrison: The UK continues to play a central role in improving Alliance interoperability. For example, we are: leading five of NATO's Smart Defence projects, which are open to Allies and Partners (Maritime Surveillance; Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar fire; Immersive Training Environments; Theatre Opening Capability; and Defensive Aids Suite); participating in NATO's Connected Forces Initiative, which, through exercises such as Live Exercise 2015 to which the UK has committed significant forces, will practice Alliance interoperability; continuing to participate in the NATO Response Force, as we have done throughout 2013, which drives Allied and, where appropriate, Partner interoperability; putting a greater emphasis on NATO's defence planning outcomes; using NATO doctrine as our general default position; and continuing to make a significant contribution to NATO standardisation activities, an important cornerstone of interoperability. The UK is also engaged in other initiatives that will have interoperability benefits, including: the UK-inspired Northern Group which brings 12 northern European Allies and Partners together; the UK's emerging Joint Expeditionary Force concept which envisages our forces training and operating with a small group of close nations; and the UK/France Combined Joint Expeditionary Force being developed under the Lancaster House Treaty.

Defence: Procurement

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on implementation of the White Paper, National Security Through Technology, published in February 2012, Cm 8278. [172475]

Dr Murrison: Good progress has been made implementing the ‘National Security through Technology’ White Paper. Its approach to open procurement, protection of the UK's technology advantage and consideration of exportability forms part of the Acquisition Operating Framework and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory are developing tools and guidance to help practitioners apply the concepts of technology advantage and exportability. We have published our forward 10-year equipment and support plan. Our science and technology priorities are more transparent and we are maintaining science and technology spending at 1.2% of the Defence

29 Oct 2013 : Column 450W

budget. An action plan is in place to encourage small- and medium-sized enterprises to fulfil their potential in responding to Defence requirements, and the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne), continues to chair the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) SME Forum.

The White Paper's commitment to support responsible defence exports is underpinned by the new DG Exports post, which is responsible for ensuring coherence and injecting pace in MOD's contribution to many key Defence export campaigns. Deputy Chief of Defence Staff Military Capability also has an open-door policy for industry to discuss exportability requirements with the military capability community.

Boeing, Saab, Rockwell Collins and L-3 Communications have subscribed to the Defence and Security Industrial Engagement Policy in its first year, and two additional companies indicated at DSEI that they plan to do so.

The MOD also supports the Defence Growth Partnership in its vision for a strong, vibrant and competitive defence sector delivering battle-winning capabilities for the UK Armed Forces, our Allies and defence partners around the world.

The Home Office has made good progress implementing the security aspects of National Security through Technology. It has established the Security Exports Board to oversee its programme and appointed a Director for Security Industry Engagement. Work is under way in conjunction with industry to develop a UK security brand, and to introduce a security and resilience growth partnership to support innovation and growth in the domestic and international markets.

Legal Costs

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on external lawyers' fees in the last year for which figures are available. [162512]

Anna Soubry: Fully comprehensive figures are not held in precisely the format requested but are in the order of £28 million for financial year 2012-13, which includes expenditure with the Treasury Solicitor's Department, counsel and commercial legal work. The figure includes transactional property work for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation but does not include any external legal work commissioned by the single service legal branches or by the Service Prosecuting Authority, or miscellaneous expenditure such as (for example) the use of external patent attorneys or advice sought in foreign jurisdictions.

Nuclear Submarines

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2013 on nuclear submarines, Official Report, column 743W, on what dates the power failure incidents occurred; what the rating was for each incident on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale; which submarines were involved in each incident; and if he will place in the Library the lessons learned review conducted for each incident. [172481]

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Mr Dunne: Details of the four events involving the loss of electrical power to a nuclear submarine's reactor cooling systems, when in port, are provided in the following table:

All of the events were rated as ‘below scale’ on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), because they had no safety significance when assessed against the criteria for rating events on the INES. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 October 2013, Official Report, columns 742-43W, nuclear submarines have a diverse range of reactor cooling systems, including a dedicated system that is not dependent on electrical supplies.

I am withholding placing the reports into the Library of the House as their release would prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the armed forces.

Staff

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a member of staff of his Department at grade PTO.1 had the authority to change the place of work of a member of staff at grade PTO.111 in 1983. [172344]

Anna Soubry: In the period in question the career management of civilian Ministry of Defence personnel, including matters of work force mobility, was conducted through civilian personnel management authorities (CPMA). In the example given the PTO1 would likely be involved in formulating any proposal for the PTO3 to change their workplace, but the authority to execute that would have been through a CPMA.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to answer parliamentary question number 162512 tabled by the hon. Member for Hammersmith on 26 June 2013 for answer on 1 July 2013. [172306]

Anna Soubry: I replied to the hon. Member today.

Deputy Prime Minister

House of Lords: Reform

Mr McKenzie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his plans are for reforming the House of Lords. [171322]

Greg Clark: The coalition remains committed to an elected House of Lords with a reduced number of members.

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However, in the absence of wider reform there are some changes that the Government are willing to support, as we made clear by giving our backing to the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Dan Byles)’s Private Member’s Bill, House of Lords Reform (No.2), during the second reading debate on 18 October 2013.

Cabinet Office

Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Minister currently has responsibility for cybersecurity. [172676]

Mr Maude: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Glyn Davies) during Cabinet Office orals on 4 September 2013, Official Report, column 303.

Low Pay

Ian Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate how many (a) men and (b) women in (i) full-time employment, (ii) part-time employment and (iii) self-employment in each parliamentary constituency earned less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage in (A) 2012 and (B) 2013 to date. [172878]

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will estimate how many (a) men and (b) women in (i) full-time employment, (ii) part-time employment and (iii) self-employment in each parliamentary constituency earned less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage in (A) 2012 and (B) 2013 to date. (172878).

I refer the honourable member to the answer provided for PQ 171543 published in Hansard on 22 October. I have copied it below for ease of reference.

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. The ASHE does not collect information about self-employed workers. Hourly levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. It is not possible to estimate the number of people with earnings below specified thresholds, though it is possible to estimate the corresponding proportion of employee jobs.

In April 2012, the latest period for which results are available, the Living Wage rates suggested by the Living Wage Foundation were £8.30 for employees who worked in London and £7.20 for employees who did not work in London. A table showing estimates of the proportion of employee jobs with hourly earnings below the living wage proposed by the Living Wage foundation for each parliamentary constituency in the UK will be placed in the Library of the House.

Part-time Employment: Wales

Ian Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent estimate he has made of the number of people in part-time work who are seeking full-time employment in each parliamentary constituency in Wales. [172886]

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of people in part-time work who are seeking full-time employment in each parliamentary constituency in Wales. (172886)

Employment statistics for local areas are calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). This would provide information on the number of people who have stated that they are working part-time because they could not find a full-time job. However, this does not necessarily show that they actively sought full-time work during the period in question. Unfortunately, due to small sample sizes, the requested estimates are not available for parliamentary constituencies.

While not available for parliamentary constituencies, information is available for each of the regions and countries of Great Britain in Table 3 of each region's Headline Indicators reference tables in the latest Regional Labour Market Statistical Bulletin at

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-labour/regional-labour-market-statistics/october-2013/stb-regional-labour-market-october2013.html

National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Pay

Ian Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the median wage in real terms of those people in (a) work or self-employment, (b) employed for 35 hours or more per week, (c) part-time employment and (d) self-employment in each (i) local authority area and (ii) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years. [172880]

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

Letter from Joe Grice, dated October 2013:

In the absence of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for an estimate of the median wage in real terms of those people in (a) work or self-employment, (b) employed for 35 hours or more per week, (c) part-time employment and (d) self-employment in each (i) local authority area and (ii) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years. (172880).

I refer the right honourable member to the answer provided for PQ 171562 published in Hansard on 22 October 2013. This is copied below for ease of reference.

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Weekly levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. ASHE does not cover the self-employed. It is not possible at this time to. produce estimates in respect of employees who work 35 hours or more per week, but it is possible to provide estimates for all full-time employees.

Tables showing estimates of median gross weekly earnings in each UK parliamentary constituency and local authority area from 2008 to 2012, are the latest period for which results are available. Figures are provided for full-time employees, part-time employees and all employees and are given separately in cash terms and in 2012 prices. A copy of the tables will be placed in the Library of the House.

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Voluntary Work: Young People

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many young people from Northamptonshire have taken part in the National Citizen Service to date. [172824]

Mr Hurd: Around 600 young people took part in National Citizen Service in Northamptonshire in 2012 and 2013. Autumn programmes are being delivered in Northamptonshire this half-term and more places will be available in spring, summer and autumn next year for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Culture, Media and Sport

Exercise: Young Offender Institutions

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2013, Official Report, column 613, on exercise: young offender institutions, what changes in (a) participation levels and (b) crime rates her Department noted as a result of Sport England-funded projects which work directly with young offenders and young offenders' institutions since 2011. [172220]

Mrs Grant: Since 2012, over 400 young people have been engaged in projects which are part of ‘Get on Track'—a targeted Sport England-funded programme working with young offenders and those at risk of offending. Monitoring and evaluation conducted since April 2012 show that of those young people who completed the programme:

After three months:

78% were taking part regularly in sport; and

70% were in education, employment and/or training (EET).

After six months:

75% were taking part regularly in sport; and

81% were in EET.

After one year:

94% were taking part regularly in sport.¹

We do not hold any information on crime rates.

¹ Figures are not yet available for the percentage of this group in EET.

Mobile Phones: Barrow in Furness

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of households in Barrow and Furness constituency which have (a) 3G network coverage and (b) 3G network coverage by more than one network provider. [172974]

Mr Vaizey: Data on coverage by constituency are not held by either Government or Ofcom. Officials have consulted Ofcom, who are able to provide data covering the county of Cumbria (unitary authority area). According to that data, 94.9% of premises get 3G coverage, from at least one network provider, and 89.2% of premises get coverage from at least two network providers.

Public Libraries: Voluntary Work

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of volunteer libraries in the country. [172895]

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Mr Vaizey: The specific information requested is not held centrally, however research by locality indicates that at December 2012 there were 254 community libraries operating in England, details of which are available at:

http://libraries.communityknowledgehub.org.uk/resource/community-libraries-england-and-wales-december-2012

Sports: Museums and Galleries

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy to create an Olympic and Sporting Museum to (a) preserve the artefacts of the nation's Olympic and sporting history and (b) serve as an educational destination and resource for schools and the public; and if she will make a statement. [172661]

Mrs Grant: The British Olympic Association is considering opportunities for mobile displays of Olympic and Paralympic memorabilia that would move around the country, visiting venues such as existing museums, sports events and schools.

The Thomas Hetherwick-designed cauldron and its components have been acquired by the Museum of London with the approval of the Minister for Sport and Tourism and the Mayor of London and will be exhibited there in due course. The Museum of London also holds one of the Olympic Torches and other artefacts, including an Olympic Volunteer's uniform.

The London Legacy Development Corporation have the Olympic Bell and this will be displayed in the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park.

Work and Pensions

Asbestos: Insurance

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the performance of insurance companies in resolving cases of asbestos liability claims. [172768]

Mike Penning: DWP has introduced a Bill to establish the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment scheme, which will make payments to mesothelioma sufferers in cases where a liable employer or insurer cannot be traced. The scheme will be funded by a levy on Employer Liability insurers.

The Mesothelioma Bill also contains powers to establish a Technical Committee which would make binding decisions in disputes between an EL insurer and a person with diffuse mesothelioma, about whether the insurer was providing EL cover to a particular employer at the time the person was negligently exposed to asbestos. This will ensure consistency across the insurance industry in the decisions on liability in EL mesothelioma claims.

The Financial Conduct Authority has also introduced measures to improve tracing of insurance policies in the future. Although this does not address the issues that have given rise to the Mesothelioma Bill it does mean that in the future individuals and employers should be able to trace liable insurers.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the classifications of primary health conditions recorded for claimants of employment and support allowance are; [172897]

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(2) what information sources are drawn on in determining which primary health condition should be recorded for each claimant of employment and support allowance. [172899]

Mike Penning: The information requested for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes used in the publication of employment and support allowance (ESA) data are shown in the following table:

ICD (disease) code causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation. Medical condition is based on evidence provided at the start of the claim, this in itself does not confer entitlement to ESA and may not represent a claimant’s most recent medical condition.

When the claimant makes a claim for ESA the contact centre records any health condition information that the claimant provides. The claimant then sends in evidence of incapacity, which will often include a fit note. This information is used to update the medical information that we hold. The health condition information is updated again if it changes during the course of the claim. Sources of information could include further medical evidence, the health care professional report or the claimant informing the Department. Changes could include a change of diagnosis or identification of additional health conditions. Two primary health conditions and up to 10 secondary health conditions can be recorded on the system for each claimant.

Statistics on ESA claimants by ICD disease code can be found at:

http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/esa/icdgp/payment_type/a_carate_r_icdgp_c_payment_type_feb13.html

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Guidance for users is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidance

Food Banks

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2013, Official Report, column 405W, on food banks, if he will publish the updated guidance issued to Jobcentre Plus staff on signposting people to food banks. [172651]

Esther McVey: To reflect changes to Local Welfare Provision in April 2013, guidance was updated accordingly. It is not common practice in DWP to publish internal guidance.

Housing Benefit

Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which 21 councils will receive a share of £5 million of extra discretionary housing payment for sparsely populated areas; and how much each such council will receive. [172543]

Steve Webb: This year, in addition to the original Government contribution and the extra £5 million for sparsely populated areas, local authorities are able to bid for funding from a £20 million reserve fund. The scheme is open to bids until 3 February 2014.

The 21 Councils which received a share of the £5 million of extra discretionary housing payment for sparsely populated areas and how much they received are as follows:

Further information can be found in Housing Benefit Bulletin U4/2013 and Subsidy Circular S6/2013 which can be accessed through the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226996/u4-2013.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/236635/s6-2013.pdf

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Housing Benefit: Wales

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what payments were made from the discretionary housing payment budget to each local authority in Wales; what proportion of the overall discretionary housing payment budget such payments to each local authority represent; and what level of such payments has been allocated to each local authority in 2013-14. [172461]

Steve Webb: The last year for which we currently have details of expenditure is 2012-13. The first table shows the Government contribution towards discretionary housing payments made available to each local authority in Wales, and their expenditure against that contribution.

The second table details the Government contribution towards discretionary housing payments that is available to each local authority in Wales for 2013-14.

This year, in addition to the original Government contribution, local authorities in Wales are able to bid for funding from a £20 million reserve fund. The scheme is open to bids until 3 February 2014.

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Jobseeker's Allowance

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what comparative assessment he has made of the effect on the relative health of claimants and their dependants of changes to the jobseeker's allowance sanction regime introduced in October 2012. [172926]

Esther McVey: A specific assessment of this kind has not yet been made. We are however evaluating all the changes and certain safeguards continue to apply, such as that requirements on claimants are reasonable and tailored to their circumstances, calling/visiting vulnerable claimants and making hardship payments.

Social Security Benefits

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what performance targets he has established for speed of processing and payment of (a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) employment and support allowance and (d) jobseeker's allowance. [172523]

Esther McVey: The performance targets are:

(a) 90% of income support claims processed within 13 days

(c) 85% of employment and support allowance claims processed within 16 days

(d) 90% of jobseeker’s allowance claims processed within 16 days.

Please note DWP is not responsible for the processing of housing benefit.

Unemployment

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to tackle unemployment among those people who are without work but not currently claiming jobseeker's allowance. [172828]

Esther McVey: Job Centre Plus delivers back to work support to claimants across all working age benefits—jobseekers allowance (JSA), employment and support allowance (ESA), incapacity benefit (IB), income support (IS) and universal credit (UC), through a flexible model that focuses on outcomes and personalised support.

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The JCP offer consists of:

Mandatory work focused interviews,—which must be undertaken (JSA, ESA and UC claimants, lone parents on IS, partners of claimants on income related benefits and carers on IS)

Flexible interventions—the adviser will determine the frequency, duration and content by assessing the support the claimant needs, and

Access to a flexible menu of back to work support, including the flexible support fund

Jobcentre Plus advisers are able to offer claimants a comprehensive menu of help including volunteering opportunities, skills support and work experience. This will vary from district to district depending on the needs of the local labour market.

Advisers work with each claimant to judge which interventions will help them move into employment, at the most appropriate point in a claim, tailoring this to individual need.

In addition Work Choice provides specialist disability employment support for disabled people who face the most complex barriers to find and stay in work and ultimately help them progress into unsupported employment, where it is appropriate for the individual. It is available to all eligible and suitable working age people, regardless of whether they claim benefit or which benefit they claim.

The Work Programme provides additional tailored support to those at risk of long term unemployment. Providers are free to design support based on individual and local need. IS and IB claimants can volunteer to participate at any time, ESA claimants can volunteer to participate following their work capability assessment and participation becomes mandatory for ESA claimants closer to being fit for work.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he intends to issue a report on the deliberations of the Work Programme best practice group; and if he will make a statement; [172901]

(2) how many times the Work Programme best practice group has met since 24 April 2013. [172903]

Esther McVey: The Work Programme best practice group will issue its final advice to me in spring 2014, although it may make recommendations on an ad hoc basis in the meantime. It has not yet been decided whether a report will be published.

So far there have been 11 meetings of the Work Programme: Building Best Practice group and sub-groups (the main group has met twice, and the sub-groups have met nine times).

House of Commons Commission

Energy

George Galloway: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) which company provides energy to the parliamentary estate. [172153]

(2) what the annual energy bill is for the parliamentary estate; what steps the Commission takes to find the cheapest energy supplier; and what recent consideration the Commission has given to changing the energy supplier to the estate. [172152]

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John Thurso: Natural gas supplies are provided by Corona Energy and electricity supplies are provided by British Gas Trading Ltd and EDF Energy.

The energy costs for the parliamentary estate for the last five financial years were:

It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the energy consumption between the two Houses.

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The House Authorities use the Government Procurement Service (GPS) framework to provide energy suppliers. This is a competitively tendered process. The House policy is to use public sector frameworks where these are available as they have tested the market and greatly reduce the time taken and resource incurred by the House.

The Commission has not recently considered changing the energy supplier to the Estate as the House Authorities use the public sector frameworks to identify energy suppliers. In order for the House to change its suppliers it would first need to give six months' notice to the GPS that it was terminating the use of their framework service.