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Written Answers to Questions

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Leader of the House

Members: Employment

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals in respect of the regulation of hon. Members and second jobs. [900791]

Mr Lansley: The Government have no plans to bring forward such proposals. The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life have previously recommended that MPs should remain free to have paid employment unrelated to their role as MPs, and that this is desirable in performing their role (1^st Report Committee on Standards in Public Life).

It is important that there is transparency about what MPs do, who pays them and for what. The House changed its rules before the last election to ensure that this detail is shown in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. MPs are here to work for their constituents and that should remain the principal purpose of all MPs elected to this place.

Communities and Local Government

Cafes: Pedestrian Areas

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities in the UK have street pavement café regulation or licensing schemes in place. [172501]

Brandon Lewis: My Department does not hold this information.

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what reports his Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172931]

Stephen Williams: Information on payments made to charities in 2012-13 are set out in paragraphs 7.29 to 7.31 of the Department's 2012-13 Annual Report and Accounts. These were laid in Parliament on 27 June 2013.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/245153/DCLG_2012-13_combined_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_130923.pdf

Energy

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what costs were incurred by his Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year. [172648]

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Brandon Lewis [holding answer 28 October 2013]: The information requested is as follows:

Departmental spending

The Department's gross spend on gas and electricity is set out in the following table, including figures for historic spend by comparison:

These gross costs include energy used by the Department's sub-tenants, which is then recharged based on the floor space sub-let by the Department to those tenants.

The electricity costs increased in 2011-12 due to increased unit cost energy prices and additional consumption largely due to new tenants occupying Eland House. However, these gross figures do not reflect the costs which were recharged back to the tenants, nor the broader income from renting out empty office space. Gas consumption increased in 2012-13 due to the cold winter/spring.

Energy efficiency

More broadly, as part of its energy efficiency programme, the DCLG Group (including agencies) has saved £1.3 million from its annual energy bill since 2009-10, with a 41% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions from travel and energy use.

I would note that under the last Administration, the Department's main building (Eland House, Victoria) was one of the least energy-efficient buildings in Whitehall, despite it being the lead Department on energy efficiency standards in buildings. In June 2011, the building was awarded a ‘D’ grade display energy certificate, having improved from the equivalent ‘G’ grade in 2006-07.

The Department has sought to reduce its expenditure through adopting low and no cost energy efficiency measures, estate rationalisation (by using space more efficiently and co-locating with other organisations), and by operating its remaining buildings even more efficiently. Energy efficiency measures have included:

Reducing out-of-hours energy consumption through stringent time controls on building plant and machinery;

Switching off services in unoccupied office areas;

Harmonising heating and cooling strategies to avoid plant working against itself to heat and cool the same space;

Maximising benefits of intelligent, demand-based building management systems and variable speed drive controls on pumps and motors;

Adoption of more energy efficient behaviours by building occupiers, e.g. switching off unnecessary lighting;

Using automated meter reading (Smart meters) to monitor and target energy reduction opportunities;

Introducing more efficient IT equipment such as multi-function devices and thin client computers;

Replacing lighting at end of life with high efficiency alternatives such as LEDs.

Better procurement

The Department procured its gas and electricity from Corona Energy and EDF Energy, respectively, between 2010 and 2012.

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The Department now purchases its energy through Government Procurement Service frameworks which are typically for five year periods, and following extensive market competition and EU wide tender processes. The bulk of central Government energy is aggregated under Government Procurement Service frameworks, which enables the Government Procurement Service Energy Team to actively engage directly with the energy markets to achieve best value and price for the taxpayer.

The Government Procurement Service Energy Team operates under strict, industry standard risk metrics and management guidelines and regularly matches or beats the annual market average prices. Aggregated this way, central Government are able to utilise their purchasing power to best effect.

Housing: Floods

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of newly built properties were built on flood plains in each year from 2008. [173012]

Nick Boles: We are very clear in the National Planning Policy Framework that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided. Local authorities should direct development away from areas at highest risk, but where development is necessary, it must be demonstrated that it is safe and will not increase flood risk elsewhere.

The percentage of newly built properties in areas of high flood risk in England in each year from 2008 to 2010 (the most recent available) is displayed in the following table:

Parking: Pedestrian Areas

Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations he has received from local authorities on pavement parking. [172490]

Brandon Lewis: My Department has not received any representations from local authorities on pavement parking.

The Government recognise that good and affordable parking provision can play an important role in rejuvenating high streets and town centres. We want to make it easier for people to park responsibly, and to encourage the spread of best practice on supporting town centres and we have announced that we intend to bring forward proposals for consultation.

Pedestrian Areas: Safety

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment he has made of the number of pedestrian injuries as a result of street clutter on footpaths in the last (a) six months, (b) year and (c) five years; [172502]

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(2) what steps he plans to take to reduce the amount of street clutter on footpaths that creates obstacles for blind and partially sighted people. [172503]

Mr Goodwill: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Information relating to the number of pedestrian injuries as a result of street clutter is not held centrally.

The responsibility for the design and upkeep of footways rests with the relevant local authority, as they are best placed to consider how local needs can be effectively met.

This Department has issued guidance for local authorities about best practice on access to pedestrian and transport infrastructure in “Inclusive Mobility”.

This contains advice on the provision of ‘A' boards and other street furniture such as waste bins, and is available to download at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility

The Department has also issued good practice guidance to local authorities on the design of traffic management features in Local Transport Note 1/08 ‘Traffic Management and Streetscape’ which is available to download at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-transport-notes

Property Development: Floods

Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward legislative proposals to include lead flood authorities as statutory consultees in all major planning applications. [172722]

Nick Boles: The Environment Agency has overall responsibility for managing flood risk in England and is currently a statutory consultee for planning applications in areas at risk of flooding, and for developments on land of 1 hectare or more. We are considering the arrangements for involving lead local flood authorities in the planning application process in the context of finalising the new national planning practice guidance and taking forward the outcome of the Planning Administration Red Tape Challenge.

Notwithstanding that, any interested party can make a representation on a planning application; it is not restricted to statutory consultees.

Social Rented Housing

Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what grants his Department has made to social housing providers to improve the quality of their stock since May 2010; which such providers have retained those grants; and what the amount was of each such grant. [172671]

Kris Hopkins: Since May 2010 DCLG has confirmed allocations of £2.1 billion to social housing providers, to be paid by 2014-15. Of this, £1.6 billion is going to councils as ‘decent homes backlog' funding, and £500 million to private registered providers as gap funding. Gap funding is paid to private registered providers when the expenditure required to bring the homes to the Decent Homes Standard is greater than the rental income. DCLG provides the funds to bridge that gap.

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Details of council and private registered provider recipients respectively, together with the amounts to be paid between 2011 and 2015 to these bodies, and the five private finance initiative contracts that have been signed by councils since May 2010, have been placed in the Library of the House.

Swimming: Safety

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to prevent unsafe swimming in disused quarries. [169849]

Nick Boles: Unsupervised entry into active or disused quarries leaves people vulnerable to the potential hazards that exist. Site operators of quarries have a general duty to ensure the safety of quarry excavations and tips; and that once abandoned the quarry is left in a safe condition. Failure to do so could lead to it being declared an environmental nuisance over which local authorities have enforcement powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In addition, mineral planning authorities have a range of enforcement powers to ensure that quarries are restored to an acceptable standard. On cessation of working and following restoration, responsibility reverts back to the landowner.

The minerals industry is working hard to highlight the dangers of entering quarries unsupervised, for example through the Mineral Products Association's “Stay Safe” campaign working in conjunction with local communities and teachers.

Transport

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports his Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172949]

Mr Goodwill: The Department grants funding to Sustrans to deliver two cycling programmes under the Charities Act 2006 (as amended): the Linking Communities and the Cycle Safety programmes. A report for 2012-13 is due to be laid shortly for the Linking Communities programme. A report for the Cycle Safety programme is not due until autumn 2014.

Energy

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs were incurred by his Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year. [172796]

Stephen Hammond: The requested information is as follows:

(a) £1,633,478

(b) £6,030,535.

High Speed 2

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2013, Official Report, column 124W, on High Speed 2, if he will list

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the 48 people who have been engaged by HS2 Ltd in the last 12 months via personal service companies together with copies of their contracts. [172916]

Mr Goodwill: None of the 48 people engaged by HS2 Ltd on personal service contracts were at the equivalent of senior civil service level. In line with normal practice, personal information is not released about those below the senior civil service.

Level Crossings: Bassetlaw

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which wig wag level crossings in Bassetlaw constituency use 36 watt lamps; [172504]

(2) how many wig wag level crossings have 36 watt lamps; [172505]

(3) which wig wag level crossings in Bassetlaw have been identified as having a problem from sunlight glare. [172506]

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport does not hold the requested information about the railway network. Requests for detailed operational or technical requirements should be made to:

Network Rail

Kings Place

90 York Way

London

N1 9AG

Motorways: Lighting

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to roll-out LED lighting on Britain's motorway network; and if he will make a statement. [172790]

Mr Goodwill: The Highways Agency, which is responsible for road lighting on the English strategic road network, has no specific plans to roll-out LED lighting on its motorways.

The Highways Agency sets out its road lighting requirements for those sections of motorway that need to be lit in an outcome based specification that neither advocates nor excludes the use of any particular road lighting technology. It is for the Agency's service providers to select the lighting technology that offers best value for money.

In January of this year, the British Standard for road lighting lowered the lighting level requirements for motorways to those used in most of Western Europe. This makes LEDs a more viable proposition for motorways, consequently, it is predicted LEDs are likely to become the preferred choice in future years for new and replacement motorway lighting schemes.

Parking: Pedestrian Areas

Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the risk to pedestrians posed by pavement parking. [172491]

Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport has made no specific assessment of these risks.

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In London there is a general ban on parking on the footway. However, in the rest of England there is no such prohibition. However, local authorities outside London have wide-ranging powers to make Traffic Regulation Orders to prohibit pavement parking on designated lengths of highway or over a wide area.

Railways: Yorkshire and the Humber

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with rail companies operating in Yorkshire on (i) improving train punctuality, (ii) the frequency of rail services and (iii) local rail infrastructure improvements. [172864]

Stephen Hammond: Department officials monitor the overall performance of train operators, which includes monthly meetings with their senior management where performance figures are reviewed.

Department officials are in regular discussions with East Coast, Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express in regard to the frequency of rail services in Yorkshire in the context of the direct awards. Further discussions will take place as the Franchising programme progresses.

Network Rail chair a series of planning and development meetings on a monthly basis covering infrastructure improvements in Yorkshire and the wider north of England, in which Department officials are involved. Train operators are represented at these meetings.

Severn River Crossings: Tolls

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what level the tolls at the Severn Bridge will be set from January 2014. [173254]

Mr Goodwill: The tolls on the Severn Crossings are amended each year in accordance with the rules set out in the Severn Bridges Act 1992. Every year the tolls are calculated from the September Retail Prices Index figure and then rounded to the nearest 10p. The toll levels from 1 January 2014 will be:

Category 1: Cars and motor caravans—£6.40 (£6.20 in 2012)

Category 2: Small goods vehicles and small buses—£12.80 (£12.40 in 2012)

Category 3: Heavy goods vehicles and buses—£19.20 (£18.60 in 2012)

The toll levels will be confirmed in an Order made by the Secretary of State in December.

Trans-European Networks

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent communications his Department has had with the European Commission regarding the TEN-T core and comprehensive projects; and if he will make a statement; [172488]

(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the omission of Wales from the routing of the TEN-T corridor route through the UK to Ireland; and if he will make a statement; [172489]

(3) what communications his Department has had with the European Commission regarding the routing of the TEN-T corridor through the UK to Ireland;

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when such communications were received; and if he will make a statement; [172492]

(4) what communication his Department had with the Welsh Government on his negotiating position prior to formal discussions with the European Commission on the TEN-T infrastructure projects at the Transport Council in Brussels on 22 March 2012; and if he will publish (a) such communications and (b) the Government's negotiating position on this matter. [172493]

Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport has had, and continues to have, regular communications with the European Commission and with the devolved Administrations on these matters.

In October 2011 the European Commission published a set of draft regulations for TEN-T and an accompanying Financial Instrument known as the "Connecting Europe Facility" (CEF). Prior to this, and throughout the subsequent negotiations, my Department worked closely with the devolved Administrations to ensure that the UK had a co-ordinated position and to ensure that the outcome aligned as far as possible with the UK's negotiating objectives. Our main objectives included:

Pressing for indicative targets rather than binding deadlines;

Ensuring that member states rather than the European Commission remained responsible for transport planning and investment decisions on their national networks;

Ensuring that no additional financial or administrative burdens should be placed on member states or private sector transport operators; and

Pressing for Core Corridors and Corridor Coordinators to be optional rather than mandatory, focused on contentious cross-border areas/projects, and with simplified governance and management proposals.

The CEF contains an indicative list of projects, which is not legally binding. Projects on this list will only receive TEN-T funding if they meet the relevant criteria and project time scales set by the Commission, and if they demonstrate added value to the EU. This will remain a competitive process.

The development of the TEN-T Core Network is seen as the priority by the Commission. The Corridor is a tool to help implement the development of the Core Network, particularly for co-ordinating cross-border projects. The Department has therefore made no assessment of the routing of the Corridor as the priority is the Core Network.

Wales

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what reports his Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172951]

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has not laid any reports in 2012-2013 under section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006.

Energy

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what costs were incurred by his Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year. [172633]

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Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office incurred costs of £12,600 for electricity in 2012-13. The Department does not have a direct contract for gas supply.

Northern Ireland

Army Reserve

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions she has had with the Ministry of Defence about the recruitment of army reservists in Northern Ireland. [172818]

Mrs Villiers: No meetings have taken place between Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence on this issue.

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports her Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172946]

Mrs Villiers: None. Section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Energy

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what costs were incurred by her Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year. [172795]

Mrs Villiers: My Department incurred the following costs in relation to gas and electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year:

Parades Commission

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings she has had with (a) the Parades Commission and (b) individual members of the Parades Commission in 2013 to date. [171733]

Mrs Villiers: I have met the full Parades Commission on one occasion and met individual members of the Commission on six occasions.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations she has received from (a) the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, (b) the Police Federation and (c) the NI Policing Board on an increase in the number of Police Service of Northern Ireland officers. [172816]

Mrs Villiers: I hold regular meetings with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we speak frequently by telephone. In addition

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I have also met the Police Federation of Northern Ireland. We discuss a range of subjects including the number of Police Service of Northern Ireland officers. I have had no meetings or correspondence with the NI Policing Board regarding police numbers.

Public Records

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the relevance of unreleased Northern Ireland Office historical documents held at Swadlincote to the work of the Historical Enquiries Team in investigating cases from the past; and whether she plans to release these records to the National Archive under the Public Records Act 1958. [172830]

Mrs Villiers: There are no Northern Ireland Office records held at Swadlincote.

Tobacco: Packaging

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the introduction of standardised packaging for cigarettes; and if she will make a statement. [172699]

Mrs Villiers: I have not been asked by any Northern Ireland Executive Minister to discuss standardised packaging for cigarettes. As this matter relates to the promotion of health I would expect any communication between Whitehall and the Northern Ireland Executive to be undertaken primarily between the Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Women and Equalities

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what reports the Government Equalities Office has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172939]

Mrs Grant: The Government Equalities Office did not lay any reports, before either House of Parliament, pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13.

Culture, Media and Sport

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reports her Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172932]

Mrs Grant: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport did not lay any reports, before either House of Parliament, pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13.

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Defence

Army: Germany

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2013, Official Report, column 740, on army: Germany, what additional financial support his Department provided as a result of this re-basing to the local authorities in which (a) Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, (b) Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore and (c) Imjin Barracks, Gloucester are situated by category of expenditure. [172632]

Anna Soubry: We expect that rebasing the Army from Germany will have a positive impact on the local economies in these areas.

Additional funding will be made available to local schools from the Department for Education through the Service Pupil Premium.

Public Expenditure

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has agreed with HM Treasury for carrying over unspent capital departmental expenditure limit and resource departmental expenditure limit at the end of each financial year. [172467]

Mr Philip Hammond: In recognition of the improving financial management of the Department, HM Treasury have granted us the flexibility to carry forward our RDEL and CDEL underspend from financial year (FY) 2012-13 into FYs 2013-14 and 2014-15. The details are published in the Ministry of Defence 2012-13 Annual Report and Accounts which is available on the GOV.UK website at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/222874/MOD_AR13_clean.pdf

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Bovine Tuberculosis

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Independent Expert Panel has been asked to consider the possibility of humane gassing as part of the culls. [172387]

George Eustice: The panel has been appointed specifically to look at the effectiveness, humaneness and safety of controlled shooting only.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations or scientific advice he has received about the possible contribution of illegal killing of badgers to the 66 per cent drop in badger numbers in the Gloucestershire and Somerset cull zones. [172512]

George Eustice: No evidence has been received by DEFRA regarding the possibility of illegal culling contributing to the apparent reduction in the badger population in the two pilot cull areas between 2012 and 2013.

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Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on the development of vaccines against TB for badgers and cattle; and when he expects these vaccines to be ready for general use. [172666]

George Eustice: We remain committed to delivering the substantial programme of work set out in EU Commissioner Tonio Borg's letter to the Secretary of State dated 14 January 2013 and if we continue to remain on course we would expect to see the lifting of the ban on cattle vaccination by 2023.

An injectable badger vaccine was licensed in 2010. While it could have a role to play in our strategy to eradicate bovine TB, it offers a range of protection so that not all vaccinated badgers are fully protected and neither does it cure already infected badgers.

We are investing in the development of an oral badger vaccine and bait delivery system but this work is still at the research stage. The vaccine formulation will require a veterinary medicines authorisation and we cannot say with any confidence when a usable vaccine might be ready for general use.

Floods: Housing

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many properties were judged to be at (a) significant and (b) very significant risk of flooding in each year since 2008. [173009]

Dan Rogerson: The following table lists the numbers of properties in areas of significant flood risk (one in 75 (1.3%) or greater chance of being flooded in any given year) in each year since 2008. Figures are from the Environment Agency's National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA).

Unlike areas of significant flood risk, areas of very significant flood risk (greater than 1 in 20 (5%) chance of being flooded in any given year) have not been validated by local Environment Agency staff and are therefore not currently available. In December 2013 the Environment Agency are planning to publish new and updated flood maps to meet the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations. The maps will show risk of flooding from rivers and sea, reservoirs and for the first time, surface water. The new maps will include areas of ‘high risk' where the likelihood of flooding is greater than one in 30 (3.3%) in any given year.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many properties moved from (a) very significant and (b) significant to a lower flood-risk category in each year since 2008. [173010]

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Dan Rogerson: The Environment Agency monitors the performance of its flood and coastal erosion risk management programme using DEFRA outcome measures (OMs). DEFRA outcome measure OM2 records the number of houses moved out of any flood probability category to a lower probability category. DEFRA outcome

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measure OM2b records the number of houses moved from the very significant or significant probability category to the moderate or low probability category.

The following table shows figures for OM2 and OM2b in England in each year since 2008.

Rabies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to prevent rabies entering the UK. [172724]

George Eustice: The UK operates a robust checking regime to make sure that animals entering the UK do not pose a risk to animal and human health. Ferry, rail and air operators are licensed to carry pets on the basis that they check every pet they transport for compliance with the rules of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Pet animals brought into the UK for sale or rehoming are subject to risk-based post import checks.

The risk of an animal with rabies coming into the UK is very low and the risk of rabies being passed from a pet to a person is lower still.

Sewers

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sustainable urban drainage schemes were delivered in each year since 2008. [173011]

Dan Rogerson: These records are not held centrally. However, from April 2014 we plan to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which requires approved sustainable drainage systems to be registered by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). This will ensure that the number of approved sustainable urban drainage systems within each LLFA is a matter of public record in the future.

Home Department

Ambulance Services

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received from police forces on the non-availability of ambulances to fulfil requests for attendance at emergencies. [172234]

James Brokenshire: [holding answer 24 October 2013]:Police forces and the Police Federation have recently provided examples of police vehicles being used to transport members of the public in need of urgent medical care. These examples highlight the demand placed upon police forces when they respond to incidents in place of an NHS ambulance.

The police should not have to respond in this way. Earlier this year the Secretary of State for the Home Department announced a review of emergency ambulance provision specifically around mental health crisis, to ensure that these individuals receive the right response from the right agency. Further, the Government will support greater collaboration between the emergency services to improve standards and drive out inefficiencies.

Community Orders

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of victims chose to punish offenders by (a) a community resolution and (b) formal prosecution in the last 12 months for which information is available. [R] [172162]

Damian Green: It is the role of the police or the Crown Prosecution Service to decide on an appropriate resolution for reported crimes. These decisions are often taken in consultation with the victims of crime, whose views are taken into consideration.

Energy

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs were incurred by her Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year. [172646]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 28 October 2013]: The Home Office including its executive agencies incurred the following costs in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year.

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European Convention on Human Rights

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has been having with her European counterparts on the renegotiation of the non-refoulement aspect to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights since May 2010. [171987]

Mr Harper: The Government are committed to upholding our international obligations towards those who need our protection. This includes respecting the principle of non-refoulement by not removing a person to a place where they would face a real risk of persecution, or torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.

We continue to engage constructively with our European counterparts on all aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights to ensure that the right balance is struck between upholding the rights of individuals and ensuring the security of the public.

Firearms: Crime

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to gather information on the number of offences committed involving (a) legally held and (b) illegally held firearms. [172737]

Damian Green [holding answer 29 October 2013]: The Home Office will have discussions with the police about whether the current data collection should be expanded.

Hillsborough Independent Panel

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces are expected to second investigators to Operation Resolve; and if she will ensure that no investigator who was involved in investigating the conduct of the police relating to Hillsborough in 1989 will be involved in that operation. [172650]

Mrs May [holding answer 28 October 2013]: When recruiting for the Operation Resolve investigation, the application process made clear that applications would not be accepted from police officers who have served or were currently serving with the following forces—West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Midlands or Merseyside.

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Officers from all other police forces have been invited to apply to be seconded to the investigation, but applications have only been accepted from serving officers and former officers who have no prior connection to previous Hillsborough investigations.

Mental Illness

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that the (a) police and (b) emergency services have sufficient training and resources to meet the needs of people with mental illness appropriately and respectfully. [172890]

Damian Green: The College of Policing provides national training and learning resources covering mental health, detention, restraint and vulnerability of individuals.

Training is provided through the national police curriculum and national learning resources are provided to police officers and staff in all Home Office forces via the National Centre for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT) Managed Learning Environment.

Passports

Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK citizens held a British passport on 21 October 2013. [172246]

Mr Harper [holding answer 24 October 2013]:Her Majesty's Passport Office estimates there are 49.3 million valid passports in circulation as at 21 October 2013. The figure is based on the total number of passports issued in the last ten years and takes into account that some of these passports would replace passports that had been lost or required replacing for other reasons.

Police Federation of England and Wales

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of (a) cost savings and (b) the number of extra police officers able to be hired if police officer time spent on Police Federation business was not charged to the public purse and paid for by the Police Federation. [172729]

Damian Green [holding answer 29 October 2013]: The Home Office has made no such estimate. The cost and deployment profile of police forces is a matter for chief constables and police and crime commissioners.

The Police Federation has commissioned an independent review of its organisation and I will consider its findings, alongside the views of the Federation itself; before implementing any changes to the Police Federation.

Energy and Climate Change

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what reports his Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172936]

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Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has not laid any reports before either House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13.

Green Deal Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what target his Department has set for the number of homes within the UK to take out a Green Deal package. [172800]

Gregory Barker: As confirmed in the Government response to the Energy and Climate Change Committee's inquiry into the Green Deal, issued on 12 July, our expectation for March 2015 is to see one or more energy efficiency and Green Deal improvement measures fitted in 1 million households, whether through the Energy Company Obligation, Green Deal finance or other financing options (or, indeed, through combinations of these financing options pursued following a Green Deal Assessment).

Offshore Industry: Safety

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the restructuring of the Health and Safety Executive on the offshore oil and gas (a) industry and (b) workforce; and what recent discussions on this issue his Department has had with trades unions. [172496]

Mike Penning: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

HSE's offshore regulatory programmes and priorities are completely unaffected by the change and so there will be no adverse impacts on industry or the work force. Furthermore, HSE will be recruiting additional offshore inspectors.

HSE has continued to meet regularly with trade union representatives since the creation of energy division. Senior managers from HSE's energy division will meet with representatives of industry, trade unions and the work force on 30 October 2013, at the industry body, Step Change in Safety's Industry Leadership Safety meeting in Aberdeen.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Business

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the support available for businesses employing fewer than 10 people provided by his Department; [173060]

(2) what assessment he has made of the support available in other countries to businesses employing fewer than 10 people. [173088]

Matthew Hancock: We repeatedly assess the adequacy of support and compare internationally.

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We will be publishing a Small Business Strategy, setting out how the Government will make it easier for micro and small businesses to grow. To develop the strategy, we have consulted with entrepreneurs, small and micro business owners, and reviewed the support provided by BIS, its partner organisations, and the rest of Government. We have invited them to tell us what Government should do more of, less of, and differently. Alongside this, we have reviewed the way that business support is provided in a number of other industrialised countries.

One of the issues raised by businesses is that Government support needs to be more visible, so in early November we will launch a campaign to inspire small and micro businesses to grow, and to raise awareness of the support available.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess the adequacy of the advice made available to businesses employing fewer than 10 people by their bank. [173061]

Matthew Hancock: The Government recognise the important role played by the private sector in supporting and advising small and micro businesses. Survey evidence indicates that awareness and the impact of this advice could be improved and therefore we continue to work with the British Bankers' Association (BBA) and the banks on how they engage with small businesses.

The BBA as a result of collaboration with Government introduced the Better Business Finance Taskforce which made a number of commitments that the banks are currently implementing to improve the level of advice provided by banks to their customers. In addition, a number of banks are now bringing in formal accreditation for their relationship managers, which should further improve the service that small businesses receive.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) businessmen and (b) businesswomen he has met in the last month. [173092]

Matthew Hancock: As the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), meets so many businessmen and businesswomen it is impossible to give an accurate figure.

Business: Mental Illness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support businesses to reduce the costs of poor mental health in its employees. [172701]

Jo Swinson: The Health and Work Assessment and Advisory Service will help employees on, or expected to reach, a period of sickness absence lasting four weeks including mental health conditions, to return to work. We have also supported the Royal College of Psychiatrists to produce an online information and guidance resource to aid discussions about returning to work after a period of mental ill health. The Gov.uk website also provides a range of links to additional guidance for employers to assist them in supporting employees with health-related work issues (including mental health).

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Employment Appeal Tribunal

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the costs incurred by his Department to date are in pursuit of the appeal against the decision of the Employment Appeals Tribunals in relation to the case of Usdaw v. Woolworths. [173059]

Jo Swinson: Our own costs to date are in the region of £27,000 before VAT. We have undertaken to pay the respondent's reasonable costs on a standard basis in the Court of Appeal.

Mental Illness: Discrimination

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage businesses to sign up to Time to Change through its health, work and wellbeing initiative. [172759]

Norman Lamb: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.

The Department of Health has refreshed its Responsibility Deal pledge on mental health and well-being to cover important areas including stigma and discrimination in the workplace. This pledge encourages signatories to support the “Time to Change’' movement. Responsibility Deal pledges are actively promoted across a wide range of businesses.

Petrochemicals: Industry

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change about the future of the UK petrochemical industry. [172663]

Michael Fallon: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28 October 2013, Official Report, column 370W.

House of Commons Commission

Internet Services Review

Dr Huppert: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the current review of PICT and Parliament's internet presence will explicitly include a process review of internal services covered by (a) the Hansard Reporting Suite 2 project and (b) the Procedural Business and Data Programmes. [173084]

John Thurso: A Strategic Review of Online Services is being conducted on behalf of the two Houses by mySociety Ltd. This study will not explicitly include process review of the internal services covered by the former HRS2 project nor any other projects that form part of the Parliamentary Business Programme or its predecessor the Procedural Data Programme.

The review's terms of reference are as follows:

to review how well our online services meet the current and likely future corporate objectives of the two Houses;

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to review how well our online services meet the current and likely future needs of users, both external and internal;

to review whether our arrangements for delivering online services are fit for purpose and represent value for money; and

to make recommendations.

The Director of Service Delivery in the Department of Information Services would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss these matters.

Official Report: ICT

Dr Huppert: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much of the failed Hansard Reporting Suite 2 programme was built using open-source software; and which commercial or open-source software was in use when that programme was halted. [173085]

John Thurso: Parliamentary ICT always considers using open-source software as part of the production process when developing in-house systems. However, due to the methodologies used to develop a complex system such as HRS2 it is not possible to divide the software used into open source and commercial software.

The Director of Parliamentary ICT would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss these matters.

Treasury

Business: Loans

Sir Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) for each of the years in which the Independent External Reviewer to the Appeals Process for lending to small and medium-sized enterprise businesses has been operational, how many appeals against a decision to refuse loans to a business by a bank have been (a) considered and (b) overturned by him; and what the distribution was of cases and outcomes between participating banks; [172664]

(2) if he will make it his policy to require all banks to notify in writing any business with a turnover of less than £25 million per annum that is refused a loan of its right to have that decision reviewed by an independent member of staff and referred to the Independent External Reviewer to the Appeals Process for lending to small and medium-sized enterprise businesses; and if he will make a statement. [172665]

Sajid Javid: In April 2011 the major UK banks established the Appeals Process as one of the 17 commitments of the Business Finance Taskforce. The process allows any business, with a turnover of up to £25 million, which is declined any form of lending to appeal that decision—for any reason—to the participating bank concerned.

If an appeal is raised, the decision will be reviewed by a second person from within the bank who was not involved in the original decision.

Results from the first two years of the process show that in 40% of cases where a decline was appealed against, a lending agreement with which both parties were satisfied was reached.

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Child Benefit

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to split child benefit between parents that have shared custody; and if he will make a statement. [172674]

Nicky Morgan: Although splitting the support may appear straightforward, the reality is likely to be quite different. If, under current arrangements, parents cannot agree who should receive the support, they are just as unlikely to agree about how the payments should be split where more formal arrangements exist.

Directing payment of child benefit to the person mainly responsible for looking after the children ensures that the money goes to the person most likely to be providing day to day care. Even where care of the child is shared it is usually the case that there is one person that bears more of the weight of everyday responsibility for the child and meets the everyday expenditure.

The Government have already prioritised investing in early education and child care to support all families, including those with separated parents, through:

extending the free entitlement to provide 15 hours a week of free early education and child care for all three and four-year-olds, and to 40% of two-year-olds from lower income families; and

providing 70% of child care costs through the working tax credit and extending this support under universal credit to those working fewer than 16 hours a week.

Republic of Ireland

Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial assistance has been given to the Irish Republic in each year since 2010. [172819]

Sajid Javid: In accordance with the Loans to Ireland Act 2010, HM Treasury reports to Parliament every six months with information on the UK's bilateral loan to Ireland. The loan of £3.2 billion (€3.8 billion) was agreed in 2010 and disbursed in eight tranches of £403.7 million each; one in 2011, four in 2012 and three in 2013. The final tranche was disbursed on 26 September 2013.

The UK's bilateral loan was provided as part of a broader Economic Adjustment Programme for Ireland, which included a joint financing package of €67.5 billion comprising contributions from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM) of €22.5 billion, an additional €17.5 billion from euro area member states under the European Financial Stability Facility (EFS-F) as well as funding from the IMF of €22.5 billion. There were also bilateral contributions from Sweden and Denmark of €0.6 billion and €0.4 billion respectively. Excluding the UK's bilateral loan, €33.89 billion was disbursed in 2011, followed by €20.22 billion in 2012 and €6.36 billion in 2013 with further disbursements to be made later this year.

Taxation: Appeals

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases investigated by HM Revenue and Customs were awaiting a tax tribunal

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hearing on 31 March

(a)

2010,

(b)

2011,

(c)

2012 and

(d)

2013; and what steps he is taking to reduce these figures. [168225]

Mr Vara: I am responding to this question on behalf of the Ministry of Justice as the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) is part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on tax appeals as Official Statistics in Tribunals Statistics Quarterly. The data on the outstanding caseload for the financial years (a) 2009-10 (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13, as well as details of appeals received and disposed of in the same periods, are available in Tribunal Statistics (quarterly and annual—January to March2013/2012-13), available at the following address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-and-annual-jan-mar-2013-2012-13

At the end of June 2013 65% of the Tribunal's outstanding caseload were “on hold” pending the outcome of lead cases which are being considered either in the First-tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal or in the higher courts (e.g. Court of Appeal). It is, therefore, helpful to look at this information together with the data on appeals received and disposed of in the same period. As lead cases are decided, those cases which have been put “on hold” can themselves be progressed through the system or decided appropriately. The number of cases disposed of by the First-tier Tribunal in 2012-13 was 14% higher than the previous year and some of these cases were ones which had been “on hold” pending the decision of a higher court.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Human Rights

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures (a) have already been implemented and (b) are planned to ensure that Government procurement takes account of human rights matters. [172643]

Mr Lidington: Government procurement process requires that human rights-related matters are appropriately considered when purchasing goods, works and services. It allows for tenderers to be excluded from bidding for a contract in certain circumstances, including grave misconduct by a company where there are breaches of human rights. As part of the UK's newly launched Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, the Government have made a commitment to review State contracting and purchasing of goods and services, and make recommendations to ensure that these are executed with respect for human rights.

Middle East

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Israel's renewal of co-operation with the United Nations Council for Human Rights would require a commitment by the UK and other Western European states not to discuss Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories within article 7 discussions. [173062]

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Hugh Robertson: I am pleased that since the hon. Member's question, Israel announced on 27 October that it will be take part in the Universal Periodic Review process.

Overseas Trade: Human Rights

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries the Overseas Business Risk register currently gives no specific human rights information on; and when that information will be included for each such country. [172641]

Mr Swire: The Overseas Business Risk web-based service provides information on risk and security related issues in a wide selection of markets.

Of the country pages currently on the website there is no human rights information for Barbados, Bulgaria, Poland and Ukraine. We are currently undertaking an exercise to update all country pages, and to include additional markets, to ensure all have a human rights section. There is already generic advice for business on the website on human rights issues.

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the document, Good business: implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, published in September 2013, when he plans to begin the review of the activities of UK state-owned, controlled or supported enterprises and of state contracting and purchasing of goods and services to ensure compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. [172642]

Mr Lidington: We are working work with the cross-Whitehall steering group on business and human rights to identify appropriate Department leads and to co-ordinate Government efforts on the commitments made in the UK Action Plan: Good Business. The group has not yet agreed the timing of the planned review of state-owned and contracted enterprises and state purchasing of goods and services with regards to respect for human rights. We plan to publish a report on our progress by the end of 2015.

Sri Lanka

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting he will (a) condemn Sri Lanka's human rights record and (b) take steps to oppose Sri Lanka becoming Chair of the Commonwealth. [172702]

Mr Swire: We remain concerned at the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and I will see the situation on the ground in Sri Lanka and deliver clear messages to the Sri Lanka Government that concrete progress is needed on human rights.

In the Commonwealth, the country which hosts CHOGM also takes on the role of Chair-in-Office. The decision that Sri Lanka should host CHOGM in 2013

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and chair the organisation for two years thereafter was taken in 2009 in the Port of Spain. There has been no widespread support from Commonwealth members to change that decision. We have made clear to Sri Lanka, as CHOGM host and forthcoming Chair, that we expect it to live up to Commonwealth values.

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the Sri Lankan Government to uphold human rights law. [172848]

Mr Swire: We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

We have consistently and actively pressed, including at ministerial level, for progress on human rights, reconciliation and accountability through our engagement with the Sri Lankan Government, the Commonwealth, the UN Human Rights Council and in contact with other states.

When visiting Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) we will take a tough message to the Sri Lankan Government that they need to make concrete progress on human rights, reconciliation and political settlement. Ahead of the meeting we have been clear that we expect unrestricted access for media and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) attending CHOGM.

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with civil society organisations in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka on the political and security situation in that country. [172849]

Mr Swire: Officials in our high commission in Colombo regularly discuss the political and security situation in Sri Lanka with civil society organisations in the Northern Province. They also frequently raise these issues with international organisations and humanitarian agencies as well as with Colombo based civil society organisations and the Sri Lankan authorities.

International Development

Baha'i Faith

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to promote human rights for Baha'i communities through (a) her Department's programmes and (b) the United Nations. [172499]

Lynne Featherstone: The UK recognises that human rights underpin sustainable development. DFID works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in promoting freedom of religion and belief worldwide. DFID funds the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights but the UK's development and humanitarian aid is not targeted at specific groups but at the poorest, regardless of race, religion or creed.

However, minorities and excluded groups are often among the poorest within their communities, and so we work to ensure that the most vulnerable are benefitting

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from UK aid. For example, we are working with minority religious groups to ensure inclusive and sustainable poverty reduction in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and India.

DFID's partnership principles require that before providing direct support to Governments, we assess their shared commitment to respecting the human rights of citizens, including freedom of religion and belief. In 2011, DFID developed Faith Partnership Principles outlining our approach to working with faith groups to overcome poverty.

CDC

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps she has taken to increase the role of the Commonwealth Development Corporation in supporting entrepreneurship in developing countries. [172590]

Mr Duncan: Under a new five year strategy approved in May 2012, CDC's new investments will focus solely on supporting the growth of businesses and job creation across Africa and South Asia. CDC now invests particularly in the harder places, where the private sector is weak and jobs are scarce, and in sectors where growth leads to most jobs, such as manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, financial institutions, construction, health and education.

In 2012, CDC was supporting over 1,200 businesses in 77 countries, which are providing over 1 million jobs. Recent CDC investments include Export Trading Group, a pan-African agribusiness company employing over 7,000 people and supporting hundreds of thousands of small farmers; and Au Financiers, a non-bank finance company in India specialising in providing finance to entrepreneurs for the acquisition of small and medium-sized commercial vehicles.

Developing Countries: Females

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she intends to take to ensure that women's equality and empowerment are part of the post-2015 international development agenda. [173026]

Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt) on 24 October 2013, Official Report, column 269W.

Cabinet Office

Transparency Agenda

9. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent steps he has taken to develop his Department's transparency agenda. [900789]

Mr Hurd: We will publish the first draft of the UK National Information Infrastructure (NII)—a list of the datasets held by Government Departments with the broadest potential to add economic or social value or

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enable greater efficiency in public services—at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Annual Summit on 31 October/1 November.

We will also publish the second UK National Action Plan (NAP) at the OGP Summit, setting out ambitious transparency commitments of all types, e.g. on tax, beneficial ownership, extractives, land, open data and more.

Fraud, Error and Uncollected Debt

10. Nadhim Zahawi: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress his Department has made on tackling fraud, error and uncollected debt in public sector contracts. [900790]

11. Karl McCartney: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress his Department has made on tackling fraud, error and uncollected debt in public sector contracts. [900792]

Mr Maude: Last year the Government saved the taxpayer £6.5 billion through reducing fraud, error and debt. This programme is co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of British citizens who were living in other European countries in (a) 1991, (b) 2001, (c) 2011 and (d) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [173108]

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 the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of British citizens who were living in other European countries in (a) 1991, (b) 2001, (c) 2011 and (d) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [173108]

ONS does not collect information regarding British citizens resident in other EU countries, However, Eurostat publishes figures on population by citizenship for EU countries, these are available at:

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/population/data/database

ONS produces estimates of Long-Term International Migration flows which are primarily based on the International Passenger Survey (IPS). Detailed information on countries of next residence of emigrants from the UK is available for 1975 to 2011 using the IPS component of these estimates. Published estimates on the Top 10 countries of next residence for emigrants who are British citizens can be found in our Series 3 tables (3.20b) on the ONS website at:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/long-term-international-migration/2011/3-20abc-ips-top-countries-of-last-or-next-residence-by-citizenship--1975-2011.xls

British Nationals Abroad: Higher Education

Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens who were studying in further and higher

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education institutions in other European countries in

(a)

1991,

(b)

2001,

(c)

2011 and

(d)

2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [173109]

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 the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens who were studying in further and higher education institutions in other European countries in (a) 1991, (b) 2001, (c) 2011 and (d) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [173109]

ONS does not collect information regarding the number of UK citizens studying in further and higher education institutions in other EU countries. However, the European Commission publishes figures on students studying abroad as part of the Erasmus programme these are available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/statistics_en.htm

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) publishes statistics on the global flow of further and higher education students. These are available at:

http://www.uis.unesco.org/education/Pages/international-student-flow-viz.aspx

Energy

Chris Leslie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what costs were incurred by his Department's estate in respect of (a) gas and (b) electricity supply in the 2012-13 financial year. [172635]

Mr Maude: The amount spent by the Cabinet Office on electricity and gas in 2012-13 is available in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225980/HC_15.pdf

Government Departments: Procurement

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of Government contracts awarded since May 2010 were awarded to (a) male-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and (b) female-owned SMEs. [172627]

Mr Hurd: We do not hold the information requested.

Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he can take to terminate a contract for a Government service entered into with a private sector entity in situations where concerns emerge about the commercial or other practices of that entity or its corporate group in other countries in which it operates. [173283]

Mr Hurd: Individual contracts contain clauses covering the conditions under which the contract may be terminated.

Health

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the level of happiness was in each local authority area in each year for which data are available. [173133]

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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 Joe Grice, dated October 2013:

As Director-General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the level of happiness was in each local authority area in each year for which data are available. (173133)

Personal well-being estimates at local authority level are available from the Annual Population Survey personal well-being datasets for the years 2011/12 and 2012/13.

In October 2013, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a report entitled ‘Personal Well-being Across the UK, 2012/13'. Estimates from the question ‘Overall, how happy did you feel yesterday?' were published at local authority level in supporting reference tables for both years for which the data are available.

The report and reference tables are available from the following weblink:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/wellbeing/measuring-national-well-being/personal-well-being-across-the-uk--2012-13/index.html

Hearing Impairment

Dr Huppert: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what work his Department is co-ordinating across Government on deaf communication and language support. [173005]

Mr Hurd: It is for individual Government Departments to determine what support people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired require.

However, the Cabinet Office's work to redesign services and make them digital by default will make it much easier for those who are deaf or hard of hearing to access information and public services. Gov.uk is already an important repository of information, replacing the websites of individual departments. Our work to digitise services continues apace and the first wave of 25 exemplar services will go live by 2015.

High Speed 2

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Major Projects Authority Report into High Speed 2 will be published in full. [900788]

Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office has already published project-level information on all of the Government's major projects in May. An update will be published next year.

New Businesses

Toby Perkins: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many new businesses were registered in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) region of the UK in each month since January 2008. [173350]

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:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills

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the number of new businesses registered in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) region of the UK in each month since January 2008. [173350]

These data are not produced monthly, however, data on the number of business births are published annually in the ONS release on Business Demography at:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-register/business-demography/index.hml

The latest data available are for 2011. Data for 2012 will be available on 27th November 2013.

The attached tables show the number of new businesses registered in each parliamentary constituency and region for the years 2008 to 2011. The data are taken from the Inter Departmental Business Register (IDBR) and show the number of new businesses that have registered for VAT and/or PAYE. These numbers do not include very small businesses, typically those below the threshold for VAT and PAYE. A copy of the tables will be stored in the Library of the House.

Justice

Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many invoices were processed by his Department in the last financial year for which figures are available. [171198]

Mr Vara: During financial year 2012-13 the Ministry of Justice paid a total of 618,813 invoices. This figure covers core MOJ including HMCTS and NOMS.

Charities Act 2006

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what reports his Department has laid before each House of Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 in 2012-13. [172944]

Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice did not lay any reports before Parliament pursuant to section 70(9) of the Charities Act 2006 during the parliamentary Session 2012-13.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) if the Government will seek to continue without change the information exchange and co-operation with other EU member states established by Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA if the UK ceases to be bound by that Framework Decision pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; how such information exchange and co-operation will be maintained; and what assessment he has made of whether this information exchange and co-operation will be maintained; [173091]

(2) in how many cases in each of the last four years UK authorities have conducted consultations with authorities of one or more other EU member state as a result of Article 10 of Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA; what the outcome of such consultations was in each case; and what his assessment is of how useful this co-operation has been to the UK; [173093]

(3) which requirements of Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA have not been implemented by the UK; and what measures the UK would need to take to implement these requirements; [173094]

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(4) what the cost to the public purse has been in each of the last four years of UK compliance with Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA; [173095]

(5) how many requests for confirmation the UK has (a) made and (b) received in each of the last four years as a result of Article 5 of Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA; whether each of these requests received a response which was compliant with Article 9 of the Framework Decision; and how quickly each such response was given. [173096]

Mr Vara: Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA was due to be implemented in all member states by 15 June 2012. We have not implemented it pending the outcome of the 2014 Decision, of which this measure forms a part. Consequently, there have been no cases arising under its terms and no associated costs. The Government have since indicated we will not seek to rejoin this measure and do not currently intend to take any steps to implement this Framework Decision.

The practices provided for by the Framework Decision are already generally established within the UK and effective co-operation is already commonplace between the competent authorities of the UK and those of other member states. We would expect these practices and that co-operation to continue, even if the UK is not bound by this Framework Decision.

Feltham Young Offender Institution

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the report by the Inspectorate of Prisons on HMP Young Offenders Institution Feltham, published in January 2013, and the effectiveness of the rehabilitation of young men imprisoned there. [172469]

Jeremy Wright: I note the chief inspector's concerns about the levels of violence among young people held at HMYOI Feltham. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is taking steps to improve performance in all areas to ensure that we are able to appropriately rehabilitate the young people held there and to keep them safe.

This Government's vision is to transform youth custody to place education at the heart of it to equip young people with the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to re-engage with education, training or employment on release and stop offending.

Hunting Act 2004

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many people were (a) proceeded against and (b) convicted of offences under the Hunting Act 2004 in 2012; and if he will make a statement; [171057]

(2) how many people were (a) proceeded against and (b) convicted of offences under the Wild Animals (Protection) Act 1996 in 2012; and if he will make a statement; [171058]

(3) how many people were (a) proceeded against and (b) convicted of offences under the Deer Act 1991 in 2012; and if he will make a statement; [171059]

(4) how many people were (a) proceeded against and (b) convicted of offences under the Badgers Act 1991 in 2012; and if he will make a statement. [171060]

30 Oct 2013 : Column 493W

Damian Green: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and offenders found guilty at all courts of selected offences under the Hunting Act 2004, the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, the Deer Act 1991 and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in England and Wales, in 2012, can be viewed in the table.

The Government are committed to tackling crimes against wildlife. The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, chaired by a senior DEFRA officer and a senior police officer, is a multi-agency body comprising representatives of the Government and voluntary bodies with an interest in combating wildlife crime. It works hard to support the police and other law enforcement agencies who have primary responsibility for enforcing wildlife controls.

Government contribute funding to the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, further demonstrating its commitment to tackling wildlife crime. The NWCU assists in the prevention and detection of wildlife crime, by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, by undertaking analysis, and by directly assisting law enforcement agencies in wildlife crime investigations. Funding for the NWCU has been confirmed until March 2014.

Please note, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 consolidated the Badger Act 1991 and other Acts involving offences against badgers. Also, offences involving dogs under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 cannot be separately analysed from offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and are excluded from the figures presented.

30 Oct 2013 : Column 494W

Judges

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many new deputy district judges appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172556]

(2) how many new district judges (County Courts) appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172557]

(3) how many new recorders appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172558]

(4) how many new circuit judges appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172559]

(5) how many new deputy masters, deputy registrars, deputy cost judges and deputy district judges appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172560]

(6) how many new masters, registrars, costs judges and district judges appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172561]

(7) how many new deputy judge advocates appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172562]

(8) how many new judge advocates appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172563]

(9) how many new High Court judges appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at

30 Oct 2013 : Column 495W

other Russell Group universities,

(f)

educated at all other universities,

(g)

solicitors,

(h)

barristers and

(i)

Queen's Counsel; [172564]

(10) how many new deputy district judges (County Courts) appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172566]

(11) how many new district judges (County Courts) appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172567]

(12) how many new recorders appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172568]

(13) how many new circuit judges appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172569]

(14) how many new deputy masters, deputy registrars, deputy cost judges and deputy district judges appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172570]

(15) how many new masters, registrars, costs judges and district judges appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172571]

(16) how many new deputy judge advocates appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172572]

(17) how many new judge advocates appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172573]

(18) how many new Lord Justices of Appeal appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge,

30 Oct 2013 : Column 496W

(e)

educated at other Russell Group universities,

(f)

educated at all other universities,

(g)

solicitors,

(h)

barristers and

(i)

Queen's Counsel; [172575]

(19) how many new deputy district judges appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172576]

(20) how many new district judges appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172577]

(21) how many new recorders appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172578]

(22) how many new circuit judges appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172579]

Mr Vara: A more diverse judiciary is important in retaining the public's confidence and trust in justice, and better reflecting the society it serves. This Government have made a number of changes through the Crime and Courts Act 2013 that we believe will promote judicial diversity. We have introduced part time working in the senior courts, including the Supreme Court, we have enabled the equal merit provision for judicial appointments to allow protected characteristics to be taken into account where two applicants are of equal merit, and a statutory duty for the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice to encourage judicial diversity.

There were no new deputy master, deputy registrar, deputy cost judge and deputy district judge appointments in 2010 or 2011.

There were no new deputy judge advocate appointments in 2010 or 2011.

There were no new recorder appointments in 2011.

There were no new judge advocate appointments in 2011.

There were no new deputy district judge appointments in 2012.

The data requested concerning new appointments for the other judicial offices are not routinely published and will require extraction from the Judicial Database. I will write to the right hon. Member when they become available.

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many new High Court judges appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of

30 Oct 2013 : Column 497W

Oxford or University of Cambridge,

(e)

educated at other Russell Group universities,

(f)

educated at all other universities,

(g)

solicitors,

(h)

barristers and

(i)

Queen's Counsel; [172747]

(2) how many new judge advocates appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172748]

(3) how many new deputy judge advocates appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172749]

(4) how many new masters, registrars, costs judges and district judges appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172750]

(5) how many new deputy masters, deputy registrars, deputy cost judges and deputy district judges appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel. [172751]

Mr Vara: A more diverse judiciary is important in retaining the public's confidence and trust in justice, and better reflecting the society it serves. This Government have made a number of changes through the Crime and Courts Act 2013 that we believe will promote judicial diversity. We have introduced part time working in the senior courts, including the Supreme Court, we have enabled the equal merit provision for judicial appointments to allow protected characteristics to be taken into account where two applicants are of equal merit, and a statutory duty for the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice to encourage judicial diversity.

There were no new judge advocate appointments made in 2012 and no new deputy judge advocate appointments made in 2012. There were no new deputy master, deputy registrar, deputy cost judge and deputy district judge appointments in 2012.

The data requested concerning new appointments for the other judicial offices are not routinely published

30 Oct 2013 : Column 498W

and will require extraction from the Judicial Database. I will write to the right hon. Member when they become available.

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many new Lord Justices of Appeal appointments in 2012 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [173099]

(2) how many new Lord Justices of Appeal appointments in 2010 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel; [172565]

(3) how many new High Court judges appointments in 2011 were (a) male, (b) female, (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) educated at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge, (e) educated at other Russell Group universities, (f) educated at all other universities, (g) solicitors, (h) barristers and (i) Queen's Counsel. [172574]

Mr Vara: A more diverse judiciary is important in retaining the public's confidence and trust in justice, and better reflecting the society it serves. This Government have made a number of changes through the Crime and Courts Act 2013 that we believe will promote judicial diversity. We have introduced part-time working in the senior courts, including the Supreme Court, we have enabled the equal merit provision for judicial appointments to allow protected characteristics to be taken into account where two applicants are of equal merit, and a statutory duty for the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice to encourage judicial diversity.

I committed to write to the right hon. Member in relation to PQs 172565 and 172574 and this forms the response to those previous questions and the latest one, PQ 173099.

Data on gender and ethnicity have been extracted from the Judicial Database.

The Judicial Office does not collect data on educational backgrounds of Judicial Office holders.

Any appointment as Queen's Counsel is subsumed by the more senior appointment on elevation to the Court of Appeal or High Court. However, it is possible to confirm that all justices of the Court of Appeal appointed in 2010, 2011 and 2012 are also Queen's Counsel.

Data on gender, BAME, profession and Queen's Counsel for new Lord Justices of Appeal appointed in 2010, 2011 and 2012 are as follows: