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Written Answers to Questions

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Burma

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department has given to the Burmese Army since July 2013. [173514]

Mr Swire: The British Government have not provided any support to the Burmese Army since July 2013.

In January 2014, a civil-military team from the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, in collaboration with Cranfield university, will deliver a Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context course in Burma to 30 students, drawn from Burma's Government and the Burmese military. This course will develop the professionalism of the Burmese armed forces within a democratic framework by raising awareness of effective Governance and management in support of the policies of a civilian government. The programme will also include an examination of the legal framework by which defence and security operations are legitimised and controlled in line with international human rights and humanitarian law. The course will not contain any combat or combat-related elements.

China

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterparts on forced organ harvesting in that country. [173674]

Mr Swire: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell), dated 22 April 2013, Official Report, column 633W.

Egypt

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the treatment of minority religious groups in Egypt. [173438]

Hugh Robertson: We are deeply concerned at the treatment of minority religious groups in Egypt. On 20 October four Coptic Christians were killed, and many injured, at a Coptic Christian wedding in Cairo. This was the latest incident in a trend of violence against religious minorities across Egypt. On 21 October our ambassador to Egypt wrote to the Coptic Pope to offer his condolences and a senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office official contacted the head of the Coptic Church in the UK to express our sympathy. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has publicly condemned all acts of violence. We recently encouraged the committee tasked with drafting Egypt's new constitution to ensure stronger protection under the rule of law for all citizens.

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EU Justice and Home Affairs

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the possible financial implications of opting out of each of the police and criminal justice measures in the third pillar of the EU treaties; and if he will make a statement. [173631]

Mr Lidington: On 9 July the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), announced to Parliament that the Government intended to exercise the UK's opt-out under the Lisbon treaty and seek to rejoin a package of 35 police and criminal justice measures which are in the UK's national interest. Following debates and votes in both Houses of Parliament the Prime Minister wrote to the President of the Council of Ministers on 24 July to provide formal notification that the Government had decided to exercise our right, provided for by article 10(4) of protocol 36 to the treaties, to opt out of all pre-Lisbon police and criminal justice measures.

The Secretary of State has committed to providing Parliament with an impact assessment on the final list of measures that the UK will apply to rejoin. This will be done in good time ahead of the second vote on this matter and contain all relevant information.

EU Law

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will publish her Department's cost-benefit analysis of opting back in to Council Decision 2010/348/EC of 17 November 2008; and if she will make a statement. [173653]

Mr Lidington: Council Decision 2010/348/EC of 17 November 2008 is a measure subject to the UK's 2014 JHA opt-out decision. This measure is not included in the set of 35 measures that the Government have announced that we will seek to rejoin. As stated in Command Paper 8671, the Government do not consider that there are any financial implications associated with Council Decision 2010/348/EC of 17 November 2008.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has committed to providing Parliament with an impact assessment on the final list of measures that the UK will apply to rejoin. This will be done in good time ahead of the second vote on this matter and contain all relevant information.

Iran

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the treatment of religious and other minorities in Iran. [173711]

Hugh Robertson: Officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have a regular dialogue with those following the human rights situation in Iran—including the treatment of religious and other minorities. Iran's treatment of these groups—in particular of the Bahai and Christian communities—continues to be a serious source of concern. On 23 October during the UN General Assembly the UK spoke publicly in support of the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Iran, which documented the persecution of minority groups in Iran.

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Maldives

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Maldives counterpart on human rights issues and the persecution of Christians. [173678]

Mr Swire: We continue to hold serious concerns about human rights issues in Maldives, including on freedom of religion, freedom of expression, rule of law, children's rights and women's rights. We are also aware of allegations of police brutality and arrests which appear to be politically motivated.

We continue to raise our concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on human rights and on religious freedom. We have supported religious freedom in Maldives through funding projects to promote moderate Islam. For example, we have previously organised a visit of young British Muslims to share liberal Islamic views with Maldivian youth.

We will continue to engage with the Government of Maldives about human rights concerns, including religious freedom, in order to ensure that Maldives fulfils its international obligations on human rights.

Attorney-General

EU Institutions

Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many visits Ministers from the Law Officers' Departments made to either the European Commission or the European Parliament in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [173755]

The Solicitor-General: No visits have been made by Ministers from the Law Officers' Departments to either the European Commission or the European Parliament during this time.

Redundancy

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff in the Law Officers' Departments were made redundant in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and how many such staff received payments in lieu of notice. [170361]

The Solicitor-General: In 2010-11 there were two individuals in the Crown Prosecution Service who were made compulsorily redundant and received payments in lieu of notice. There were no compulsory redundancies in 2011-12 or in 2012-13.

There were no compulsory redundancies in the remaining Law Officers' Departments during the years in question.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Mr Dodds: To ask the Attorney-General how many people in Northern Ireland have been (a) charged and (b) convicted under anti-terrorism legislation in each year since 2007. [173436]

The Attorney-General: The figures given in the tables refer to offences contained within the Terrorism Act (2000), Terrorism Act (2006) and Counter Terrorism Act (2008). Many offences of terrorism are prosecuted for offences that are not contained in anti-terrorist legislation, such

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as murder, attempted murder and offences contrary to the Explosive Substance Act 1883 and the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.

Transport

Air Traffic Control: Lasers

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of laser pen attacks on air traffic control towers were recorded in the last five years. [173894]

Mr Goodwill: The Civil Aviation Authority has received 28 reports of laser pen attacks on air traffic control towers, through the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) scheme between 1 January 2008 and mid September 2013.

High Speed 2

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of High Speed 2 on passenger numbers on (a) the Barrow-in-Furness to Lancaster line, (b) the Oxenholme to Windermere line and (c) the Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle line. [173925]

Mr Goodwill: The modelling framework used by HS2 Ltd is a strategic level model and takes into account the impact of HS2 on passenger numbers across the country. While long distance passenger demand on the Barrow-in-Furness to Lancaster line, the Oxenholme to Windermere line and the Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle line is included as part of the recent assessment of HS2, it is not possible for me to provide detailed passenger forecasts for these lines individually.

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of High Speed 2 (a) phase 1 and (b) phase 2 on jobs, employment and growth in Barrow and Furness constituency. [173932]

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Mr Goodwill: The Government have made no assessment of the effect of HS2 phase 1 and 2 on jobs, employment and growth in Barrow and Furness constituency. However, HS2 Ltd has recently published an initial study from KPMG analysing the regional economic impacts of HS2. This includes an estimate that the annual productivity benefits to the north-west region could be between £1.1 billion and £2.5 billion in 2037 (in 2013 prices), which would represent an increase in output (measured in terms of Gross Value Added) of between 0.6% and 1.4%.

Motor Vehicles: Registration

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport of 31 January 2013, Official Report, column 1153, on vehicle registration marks, what recent progress he has made on the drafting of a revised British standard for vehicle registration. [173571]

Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport understands that a final draft of the revised British standard for number plates is close to public consultation which will be placed upon the website of the British Standards Institute (BSI). This has been indicated as being in early 2014. Following an eight-week consultation, the BSI will consider comments received and incorporate them into a final version of the standard. The Department will then prepare a statutory instrument to update the relevant regulation on number plates.

Pedestrian Crossings

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether Local Transport Note 2/95 continues to apply in Wales and Scotland; [173866]

(2) whether the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 remain in force in Wales and Scotland. [173867]

Mr Goodwill: The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 apply in England, Scotland and Wales, and remain in force.

Local Transport Note 2/95 on the Design of Pedestrian Crossings is guidance, and compliance with it is not mandatory. In Scotland and Wales, as in England, the design and installation of pedestrian crossings is for local authorities, and although we recommend the advice in LTN 2/95 as good practice it is for local authorities to choose how best to implement crossings on their roads.

Railway Stations: Gilsland

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to build a new railway station in Gilsland, on the border of Cumbria and Northumberland; and when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for railways plans to visit that project. [173529]

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport has no plans to build a station at Gilsland. It would be for Cumbria and Northumberland county councils to work with the rail industry to determine whether a new

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station is the best way to meet local transport needs and to identify any funding required from locally allocated budgets. I have no plans to visit the area but would be delighted to do so should the county councils decide to proceed with the scheme.

Railways: Finance

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that spending on jobs and maintenance should be ring-fenced and excluded from the National Rail budgetary reductions announced by the Office of Rail Regulation. [174186]

Stephen Hammond: No. Network Rail's funding requirement is a matter for the independent economic and safety regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). ORR assumes an efficient level of expenditure for each of Network Rail's regulated activities to deliver the outputs required by the Government and to maintain and improve the safety and reliability of the railway. It is then for Network Rail to decide how it manages its business within the overall framework specified by ORR and to determine the staff it needs to carry out its work effectively. ORR holds Network Rail to account and can take enforcement action if the company fails to deliver its regulated outputs.

Railways: North West

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what cost-benefit analysis his Department has made of (a) electrification and (b) line-speed improvements on the Lancaster to Barrow-in-Furness railway. [173924]

Stephen Hammond: The Department has made no such analysis. Following the Government's major investment in rail electrification as part of the Rail Investment Strategy (RIS) for 2014-19, Network Rail is working with train operators and other stakeholders to identify the best candidate schemes for future investment, as part of its Long Term Planning Process in advance of decisions on the following five year Network Rail Control Period. That review includes consideration of the Carnforth to Barrow-in-Furness line.

The Government have provided a £300 million fund within the 2014-19 RIS for passenger journey improvements. It is for Network Rail and the train operators to undertake detailed analysis of which routes have the best case for investment.

Home Department

Counter-terrorism

Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the work of the Prevent task force; and if she will make a statement. [173544]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 1 November 2013]:The Extremism Task Force (ETF), established in early June, has been an opportunity for Ministers to look together at how we should confront all forms of extremism and radicalisation in this country. It builds on the Prevent Strategy which we published in 2011.

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In implementing the Prevent Strategy, we have closed down more websites, excluded more hate preachers for reasons linked to Prevent, and intervened to help many more people vulnerable to radicalisation. But we can and should do more, and the task force provides the vehicle.

In our meetings, we have looked at: tackling radicalisation in institutions (mosques, madrassahs, schools, colleges, universities and prisons); supporting faith and community leadership to build strong, integrated and united communities; options for disrupting extremists; and how best to tackle online radicalisation.

We will provide an update on further progress in due course.

Entry Clearances

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications have been processed in (a) under three months, (b) under six months, (c) under a year, (d) under 18 months and (e) over 18 months in each of the last five years. [170560]

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Mr Harper [holding answer 14 October 2013]: We currently split our customer service standards into two categories, ‘settlement' and ‘non-settlement'.

The ‘settlement' category includes applications:

to enter the UK to join or accompany a spouse or civil partner

from children to enter the UK to join or accompany a parent that is settled in the UK

The ‘non-settlement category includes applications to enter the UK:

as a visitor (including as a tourist, to visit family, to ‘conduct business, as a short-term student)

as a highly skilled migrant under PBS Tier 1

a skilled worker under PBS Tier 2

a student under PBS Tier 4

a temporary worker under PBS Tier 5 (including Youth Mobility)

in all other non-settlement categories (including EEA Family Permits, UK Ancestry, Returning Residents, Transit)

The number of visa applications that have been processed in under three months, under six months, under a year and under 18 months and over 18 months in each of the last five years are detailed as follows:

The stats above relate to main applicants and dependants and are for UK destination only. Within three months is calculated as 60 working days, six months as 120 working days, 12 months as 240 working days and 18 months as 360 working days.

We have service standards for processing UK visa applications. Our current standards were introduced in April 2010. They are to process:

90% of non-settlement applications within three weeks, 98% within six weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date

95% of settlement applications within 12 weeks of the application date and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date.

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what family visit visa applications to the UK there were in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012 by (i) overall number of decisions made, (ii) number of family visit visa grants, (iii) number of family visit visa refusals, (iv) number of family visit visa applications withdrawn and (v) number of family visit visa applications which lapsed. [173515]

Mr Harper: The following table shows the statistics for family visit visa applications from 2008 to 2012. The numbers relate to main applicants and dependants. The figures are not cohort based.

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Extradition

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government plan to retain unchanged existing provisions of the UK-US extradition agreement required by the EU-US extradition agreement if the UK ceases to be bound by that latter agreement, pursuant to Article 10 of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions annexed to the EU treaties; and what assessment she has made of whether the US will agree to such retention or planned or changes to those provisions proposed by the Government in circumstances where such agreement is required. [173250]

James Brokenshire: As the UK has opted out of the EU-US agreement, it is important to note that on 1 December 2014 the UK will be able to agree the terms of our extradition arrangements bilaterally with the US. In the meantime, the Government will retain unchanged existing UK law and practice.

Health Services: Foreign Nationals

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held with the Northern Ireland Executive on the levy issued on foreign students and temporary migrants to use the NHS. [173430]

Mr Harper: Ministers regularly discuss matters of mutual interest with Ministers in the devolved Administrations. A meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee was chaired by the Prime Minister on 16 October, attended by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the First Minister of Wales, and the First Minister of Scotland. The three principal agenda items at the meeting were: the economy and public finances, the UK Government's proposals on migrants' access to public services and major sporting events.

The joint communiqué issued following the meeting may be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-ministerial-committee-communique-october-2013

These proposals have been the subject of a Home Office public consultation. The Consultation Document and Consultation Report may be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/migrant-access-to-health-services-in-the-uk

Immigrants: Detainees

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals are currently held in prisons solely for immigration purposes. [169599]

Mr Harper [holding answer 8 October 2013]: For the week commencing 9 September 2013, there were 979 immigration detainees held in prisons.

Members: Surveillance

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Wilson Doctrine on the interception of the telephone calls and electronic messages of hon. Members still applies; and whether the security agencies restrict co-operation with their American counterparts to prevent them applying such electronic surveillance to hon. Members and Members of the House of Lords. [173474]

James Brokenshire: [holding answer 1 November 2013]: I can confirm that the Wilson Doctrine continues to apply. I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my noble Friend Lord Wallace of Saltaire to the noble Lord Strasburger on 3 July 2013, Official Report, column WA238. I am obviously not able to comment on the activities of foreign Governments. Regarding GCHQ's alleged interception of communications under the US PRISM programme, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament has concluded that GCHQ has not circumvented UK law or attempted to do so.

Narendra Modi

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to reinstate the ban prohibiting Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, entering the UK. [173442]

Mr Harper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 October 2013, Official Report, column 649W.

National Crime Agency

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if she will take steps to ensure that the National Crime Agency makes tackling online child abuse images an operational priority; [173291]

(2) how decisions about the National Crime Agency's operational priorities will be made; and how such decisions will be communicated to the public; [173292]

(3) what the budgets for each of the National Crime Agency's operational priorities are; and if she will make a statement. [173293]

Damian Green [holding answer 31 October 2013]: The National Crime Agency (NCA) is accountable to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has a legal duty under the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (“the Act”) to determine the ‘strategic priorities’ for the National Crime Agency, in consultation with the Director General of the NCA and with the NCA's strategic partners (as set out in the Act). The Director General of the NCA determines the operational priorities for the agency. These are determined in consultation with the NCA's strategic partners. Both the strategic and operational

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priorities for the NCA are published in the NCA Annual Plan, which is available on the NCA website:

http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news-media/publications/33-nca-annual-plan-2013-14/file

The NCA's budget is not managed by operational priority. The NCA manages a large work force of around 4,000 officers, and must allocate its budget flexibly to meet priorities as and when they arise.

The first and highest strategic priority for the NCA set by the Secretary of State is the identification and disruption of serious and organised crime, including by investigating and enabling the prosecution of those responsible for child sexual exploitation. NCA officers have a legal duty under the Crime and Courts Act to safeguard children and protect their welfare, and all NCA officers will be trained in child protection.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the resources (a) required by and (b) allocated to the National Crime Agency to combat online child abuse images. [173295]

Damian Green [holding answer 31 October 2013]: The National Crime Agency's (NCA's) total spending in 2013/14 is £463 million Resource and £31 million Capital. Of the £463 million, £422 million is provided directly from the Home Office and the rest comprises funding for specific work (for example on cyber crime and overseas capacity building). Within this, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) budget has been protected in cash terms since 2011-12.

It is for the NCA itself to decide how best to allocate its budget to ensure it is able to tackle the various forms of serious and organised crime for which it is responsible, including combating child sexual exploitation.

Within the NCA, the main responsibility for tackling online child abuse images lies within the CEOP Command. By becoming part of the NCA, CEOP will have increased capacity to deal with complex cases, drawing on the intelligence and operational capabilities across the whole of the NCA. CEOP's frontline operational services will also have more resilience as a result. All NCA officers will be trained in child protection and will have a legal duty to safeguard children and protect their welfare across the whole of the agency's activity.

Overseas Students: China

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is her policy that students from China are charged £200 to access the NHS. [171280]

Mr Harper [holding answer 21 October 2013]: On 10 October, the Government published an Immigration Bill, which makes provision for temporary migrants to pay a migrant health surcharge.

On 22 October, the Government published our response to the consultation ‘Controlling Immigration; Regulating Migrant Access to Health Services in the UK'. This set out who would have to pay the surcharge and the level of the surcharge for different groups. The Government expect to set the surcharge for students at around £150 per person, per year.

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UK Visas and Immigration

Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will arrange for the hon. Member for Walsall North to receive a reply to her letter to the Interim Director General, UK Visas and Immigration of 30 September 2013 on behalf of a constituent: CTS ref B26222/13. [173733]

Mr Harper [holding answer 4 November 2013]: The Director General, Sarah Rapson, replied to the hon. Member on 31 October 2013.

Verne Prison

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the conversion of HM Prison The Verne into an immigration removal centre will cost. [170066]

Mr Harper [holding answer 10 October 2013]: The conversion of HM Prison The Verne into an immigration removal centre is forecast to cost around £7 million.

Northern Ireland

Civil Disorder

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many attacks there were on (a) community halls, (b) Orange halls and (c) churches in Northern Ireland in each year since 2010. [173439]

Mrs Villiers: The Northern Ireland Office does not routinely record attacks of this nature. However figures available from PSNI on attacks on symbolic premises for the years in question (up to 30 June 2013) are provided in the following table:

Further information relating to attacks on symbolic buildings can be found on the PSNI website at:

http://www.psni.police.uk/hate_motivated_incidents_ and_crimes_in_northern_ireland_2004-05_to_2012-13.pdf

Northern Ireland Act 1998

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has made of the operation of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [173455]

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Mrs Villiers: The operation of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is primarily a matter for the Equality Commission, and for the Northern Ireland Executive, which sponsors it.

Terrorism

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has of the threat posed by paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland. [173437]

Mrs Villiers: The threat level in Northern Ireland remains at Severe. There are still a small number of terrorist groupings who continue to seek to carry out violent attacks in Northern Ireland. Excellent co-operation between PSNI and its partners, including An Garda Síochána, has put these individuals under strain, resulting in significant arrests and charges.

Tourism

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on increasing out-of-state visitors to Belfast. [173440]

Mrs Villiers: I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who also has responsibility for promoting tourism.

Estimates for the first quarter of 2013 (January to March) indicate that the total number of overnight trips to Northern Ireland increased by 17%, while expenditure during these overnight trips grew by 14% compared to the same period in the previous year. Many of these visitors would have spent at least part of their visit in Belfast.

Despite the negative imagery of the city presented by those who instigated disgraceful violence during the summer months, I am certain that successful events such as the G8 Summit and the World Police and Fire Games will enhance Belfast's reputation as an attractive destination for tourists.

Justice

Judges

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what proportion of district judges at a county court level 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 in each year since 2003; [172831]

(2) what proportion of recorders 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 in each year since 2003; [172832]

(3) what proportion of circuit judges 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

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universities,

(f)

educated at all other universities,

(g)

solicitors,

(h)

barristers and

(i)

Queen's counsel in each year since 2003; [172833]

(4) what proportion of deputy masters, deputy registrars, deputy costs judges and deputy district judges 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 in each year since 2003; [172834]

(5) what proportion of masters, registrars, costs judges and district judges working in the Principal Registry of the Family Division 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 in each year since 2003. [172835]

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.

The data on the gender, ethnicity and professional background of the Judiciary are held and published by the Judicial Office.

Information on previous professional background was not published before 2007.

Separate information on judges working in the Principal Registry of the Family Division has been published only since 2008.

Information on the education or Queen's Counsel status of the judiciary is not published by the Judicial Office.

These data are available at:

2013 data

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Stats/courts-diversity-stats-2012-13.xls

2012 data

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Stats/courts-diversity-stats-sept2012.xls

2011 data

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Stats/judicial-diversity-stats-gender-ethnicity-profession-2011.xls

2010 data

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/stats-annual-diversity-statistics-2010

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/gender-statistics/gender-statistics-judges-in-post-2010

2009

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statistics-2009

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http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/gender-statistics/gender-statistics-judges-in-post-2009

2008

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statistics-2008

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/gender-statistics/gender-statistics-judges-in-post-2008

2007

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statistics-2007

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/gender-statistics/gender-statistics-judges-in-post-2007

2006

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statistics-2006

2005

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statisiics-2005

2004

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statistics-2004

2003

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview/annual-ethnicity-statistics/annual-ethnicity-statistics-2003

Prison Service

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff from each prison establishment in England and Wales were working on detached duty at another prison establishment on the most recent day for which records are available; and if he will make a statement. [173399]

Jeremy Wright: Information on how many staff in each public sector custodial establishment in England and Wales were working on detached duty at other such establishments on 30 June 2013 is contained in the following table:

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Prisoners: Hearing Impairment

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent estimate he has made of the number of deaf prisoners in England and Wales. [172198]

Jeremy Wright: Statistically robust information is not held centrally on prisoners’ declared disabilities. In November 2010, the Ministry of Justice published the results of a survey of prisoners sentenced to between one month and four years in 2005 and 2006 (Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction - SPCR). The survey found that 5% reported some difficulty in hearing. (Ministry of Justice 2010, ‘Compendium of reoffending statistics and analysis’, November 2010).

Property Tribunal Panel

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish the report shown to Benjamin Mire before his resignation from the Property Tribunal Panel; and if he will make a statement. [172993]

Mr Vara: Mr Mire's resignation follows an investigation into his conduct under the Judicial Discipline (Prescribed Procedures) Regulations 2006 (as amended). All information gathered in the course of a judicial conduct investigation is confidential and may be disclosed only in certain circumstances as set out in section 139 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. Any report prepared in accordance with the regulations is governed by this section of the Act and cannot therefore be published.

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Rape: Sentencing

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of the Minister for Crime Prevention of 31 October 2013, Official Report, on sexual violence prosecutions, what proportion of convicted rapists sentenced to terms of imprisonment served their sentence in prison in full in the latest period for which figures are available. [173919]

Jeremy Wright: All custodial sentences are served as set out in the relevant legislation. Parliament has consistently determined that custodial sentences should be served part in prison and part in the community and all custodial sentences are served to the full extent required under the legislation.

People who commit serious crimes are now more likely to be convicted and sent to prison for longer than they were a decade ago. This Government have also introduced a tough new regime for dangerous sexual and violent offenders, including rapists. This regime will see more serious offenders given life sentences, and others receiving a new extended determinate sentence under which offenders will serve at least two thirds of their custodial term and some serving the full custodial term—and being supervised for long periods after their release.

Additionally, we have recently announced proposals under which criminals convicted of rape of a child, or serious terrorism offences, will no longer be automatically released at the half-way point of a standard determinate prison sentence. Under these proposals, these offenders will be released before the end of their custodial term only under strict conditions at the discretion of the independent Parole Board. Before the Parole Board releases any criminal it must be convinced they no longer pose a threat to society.

Translation Services

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on interpreters and translation services in each month in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012. [173272]

Mr Vara: Information on spending on interpreters and translation was not collected centrally until the start of a contract with Capita Translation and Interpreting (Capita TI) on 30 January 2012. Before that time the Ministry of Justice's estimated spending on interpreters and translation was in the region of £30 million per year (including Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service and Her Majesty's Prison Service). Monthly breakdowns are not available prior to February 2012.

Spending with Capita TI for each month of 2012 is included in the following table. The amount spent with Capita TI increased during 2012 as more bookings were assigned to them.

Over the first year of the contract with Capita Translation and Interpretation (starting January 2012) the Department has saved over £16 million pounds in the provision of interpretation and translation services.

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Young Offenders: Rehabilitation

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what steps he is taking to improve resettlement outcomes for young people leaving custody; [173921]

(2) what steps his Department is taking to assist young offenders into employment on release from custody. [174098]

Jeremy Wright: We believe that successful resettlement is key to ensuring long-term sustainable outcomes for young people leaving custody. We are currently considering a number of options to improve resettlement outcomes for young people leaving custody, including ensuring that resources already in place within youth offending teams, local authorities and wider partners are being used effectively.

Earlier this year we consulted on our vision to place education at the heart of youth custody. This will help equip young offenders with the necessary skills, qualifications and self-discipline that they need to access education, training and employment opportunities upon release. We know that this is an important element in effective resettlement

We will shortly be announcing our response to the Transforming Youth Custody consultation.

Cabinet Office

Cot Deaths

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the annual cost is of publishing annual figures on how many babies die of sudden infant death syndrome each year. [174188]

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

Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated November 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking the Secretary of State for Health what the annual cost of publishing annual figures on how many babies die of sudden infant death syndrome each year is. [174188]

The cost to ONS in 2013 for producing the statistical bulletin 'Unexplained deaths in infancy in England and Wales, 2011' was estimated to be £11,200.

Figures for unexplained deaths in infancy, in England and Wales are published annually on the ONS website:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/child-health/unexplained-deaths-in-infancy--england-and-wales/index.html

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National Security

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what preparatory work is being undertaken in anticipation of the next National Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [173512]

(2) what the budget for the National Security Strategy is for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [173513]

Mr Maude: Departments across Whitehall are doing early preparatory work for the 2015 National Security Strategy. The Government want to undertake, in advance, as much analysis as practicable. This includes defining how the future strategic context has changed since 2010. The review will begin in earnest next year and be conducted formally after the general election in 2015. In the meantime, the Government's priority remains implementing the decisions made in 2010.

Resources for the national security strategy are drawn from existing departmental budgets.

Public Sector Debt

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product has been in each year between 1993 and 2013. [173704]

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 November 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office what national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product has been between the time period 1993 and 2013. (173704)

Data on national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product is available up until 2012. Figures are shown in the table for each calendar year as requested. I have provided data which both includes and excludes the temporary effects of financial interventions as a result of the financial crisis.

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Unemployment: Chelmsford

Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people aged 18 to 24 years were unemployed in (a) Chelmsford constituency and (b) Chelmsford local authority area in each of the last 12 months. [173836]

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people aged 18 to 24 years were unemployed in (a) Chelmsford constituency and (b) Chelmsford local authority area in each of the last 12 months. (173836)

The Office for National Statistics compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. However, estimates of unemployment for the requested age band in Chelmsford Parliamentary Constituency and Local Authority are not available due to small sample sizes.

As an alternative, we have provided the number of people aged 18 to 24 years claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Chelmsford Constituency and Local Authority, for each of the last twelve months.

The counts of people claiming JSA are those who are claiming benefits for unemployment related purposes. At a UK level the total number of JSA claimants is around two thirds of the total unemployment level.

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

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

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Unemployment: Northamptonshire

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the level of unemployment was in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) Northamptonshire in (i) October 2013 and (ii) May 2010. [173868]

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 November 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the level of unemployment was in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) Northamptonshire in (1) October 2013 and (2) May 2010 [173868].

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. However, estimates of unemployment for Kettering parliamentary constituency are not available due to small sample sizes.

As an alternative, we have provided the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Kettering parliamentary constituency and Northamptonshire, for May 2010 and September 2013, the latest period available.

The counts of people claiming JSA are those who are claiming benefits for unemployment related purposes. At a UK level the total number of JSA claimants is around two thirds of the total unemployment level.

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

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Voluntary Work: Young People

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what steps he is taking to increase participation in the National Citizenship Service; [173432]

(2) how many young people in (a) Stafford constituency and (b) England took part in the National Citizen Service in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013; [173433]

(3) how many young people in (a) Stafford constituency and (b) England took part in the International Citizen Service in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013. [173434]

Mr Hurd: The NCS programme has expanded rapidly, with 8,500 young people participating during the first pilot year in 2011 and just over 26,000 in 2012. Numbers of participants for 2013 will be published in due course.

The aim of this Government is that NCS should be a rite of passage for all 16 and 17-year-olds.

Considerable care is taken to ensure that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the programme through outreach and bursaries. Full payment for providers is achievable only if they recruit a representative cohort of young people in each local

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authority area by ethnicity, socioeconomic background and those who have been in or who have recently left care, have offended or have special educational needs.

Regarding participation in the Staffordshire local authority region, in 2012 (the first year that this information is available) 142 young people took part. Further details for 2013 will be available in due course.

The International Citizen Service Pilot programme ran from March 2011 to November 2012. This programme enabled 1,216 UK citizens to depart from the UK on placements.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animal Welfare: Circuses

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will ensure that the draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill is altered to also end the transportation of wild animals with travelling circuses. [174172]

George Eustice: No. As the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee concluded in their recent pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill, extending the scope of the Bill, to include areas such as transportation, would introduce greater restrictions on ownership than are intended. The Bill is focused on the use of the animals, not their ownership. The Government agree that, in the absence of any welfare issues, which can already be dealt with by existing welfare legislation, further restrictions on wild animals in circuses could amount to a de facto restriction on ownership.

Coastal Areas

Mike Thornton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the England coastal path will be extended to areas in Hampshire. [174089]

Dan Rogerson: The Government are continuing the programme to extend the coastal path network around the English coast. We have not set a timetable for extending the English coastal path into Hampshire. We will be implementing coastal access step by step by tailoring the amount of activity to the resources available.

Dangerous Dogs

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dogs in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales were placed on the register of exempt dogs in 2012 under section 4A and section 4B procedures of the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997. [174042]

George Eustice: The total number of dogs placed on the register of exempted dogs in 2012 is as follows:

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The information is not held in a format to enable a split between sections 4A and 4B as not all Court Orders indicate the sections requested.

European Commission

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many visits the Permanent Secretary and the four next most senior civil servants in his Department made to the European Commission in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [173782]

Dan Rogerson: The number of visits made to the European Commission by the Permanent Secretary and four most senior civil servants, between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2013, is provided in the following table:

Fisheries: Morocco

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the new protocol to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement applies outside the Exclusive Economic Zone claimed by Morocco. [173545]

George Eustice [holding answer 1 November 2013]: The new protocol to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement would apply to certain fishing activity by EU vessels inside the Moroccan fishing zone, which is waters falling within the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Morocco. The annex to the protocol requires Morocco to inform the EU of the geographical co-ordinates of its fishing zone, prior to the date of application of the Protocol.

Food Banks: Disability

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his Department will take steps to ensure that people in food poverty with mobility limitations are made more aware of food banks and have access to food banks. [172111]

George Eustice: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Minister of State for Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral West (Esther McVey), on 14 October 2013, Official Report, columns 489-90W, on food banks, which explained when Jobcentre Plus staff will signpost people to food banks.

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Forests

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on woodland creation of the hiatus created by current discussions on the reform of CAP. [173936]

George Eustice: EU regulations which govern the transition from the current Rural Development programme (RDP) to the next do not allow member states to make any commitments in 2014 to fund planting of woodland for the first time on either agricultural or non-agricultural land. The new CAP regulations will allow this from 2015. We are currently consulting on the use of CAP funds up to 2020.

The Forestry Commission is currently considering applications to fund planting of up to 2,900 hectares of woodland in 2014. The current RDP has seen 12,442 hectares of woodland planted and funded through the English Woodland Grant scheme. Current applications would therefore represent an annual planting rate above that in the current programme.

Pigmeat: Northern Ireland

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the export of pork from Northern Ireland to China, Russia and Australia; and if he will make a statement; [173979]

(2) what discussions he has had with the pork industry in Northern Ireland regarding exports of pork to China, Russia and Australia; and if he will make a statement. [173981]

George Eustice: Ministers have not had discussions with either the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive or the pork industry in Northern Ireland regarding the export of pork from Northern Ireland to China, Russia and Australia. However representatives of the Northern Ireland industry are members of the UK Export Certification Partnership, a joint Government and industry forum that discusses, prioritises and progresses market access negotiations to non-EU markets. DEFRA officials work closely with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. DEFRA negotiates market access on behalf of the United Kingdom by providing assurances that animal health and food safety controls are applied consistently across the country.

We are currently progressing negotiations to increase the number of establishments approved for the export of pork to these destinations, including establishments in Northern Ireland. The Government's strategy for increasing food and drink exports to non-EU markets is outlined in the Export Action Plan. Throughout the year Ministers take the opportunity to discuss trade issues with all UK exporters, including those from Northern Ireland, at national and international trade events.

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UK Membership of EU

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make an assessment of the costs and benefits of a decision for the UK to leave the EU in his Department's area of responsibility; and if he will make a statement. [173741]

Dan Rogerson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister for Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), on 29 January 2013, Official Report, column 709W, to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton North East (Emma Reynolds). DEFRA has not made any plans for the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

Treasury

Dark Pool Trading

18 Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the regulation of dark pool trading. [900912]

Sajid Javid: Dark pools are systems which allow the trading of securities without publicly disclosing orders, and are subject to regulation under the markets in financial instruments directive. The Government anticipate that the revised legislation will bring forward measures to place limits on dark trading. However, the specific measures that will be taken are the subject of ongoing negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

Youth Unemployment

19. Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect of fiscal policy on the rate of unemployment among young people. [900913]

Nicky Morgan: I refer the right hon. Member to the Chief Secretary's earlier response today to the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson).

Child Poverty

20. Mr Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the effect of fiscal policy on the level of child poverty. [900914]

Nicky Morgan: The Government have protected vulnerable groups as far as possible while urgently taking action to tackle the record deficit it inherited.

Work remains the best and most immediate way out of poverty and the Budget took action to support families and make the tax and welfare system fairer, including further increasing the income tax personal allowance to take 2.7 million people on low incomes out of tax altogether.

Child Care

21. George Hollingbery: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to help families with the cost of childcare. [900915]

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Nicky Morgan: The Government are introducing Tax-Free Childcare in autumn 2015 to provide support for working families with 20% of child care costs up to £6,000 for each child under 12.

This will build on current investment of around £5 billion a year in child care support 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;

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.

Financial Services

23. James Wharton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps he has taken to regulate financial services. [900917]

Sajid Javid: The Government have created a new architecture for financial regulation. The Financial Policy Committee in the Bank of England has macro-prudential responsibility for protecting and enhancing financial stability, while the Prudential Regulation Authority will ensure individual firms are effectively regulated. The Financial Conduct Authority will protect consumers, promote competition, and enhance integrity in markets.

The Government are also implementing the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Banking and the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards.