Qualifications

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed by her Department hold a (a) bachelor's, (b) master's and (c) PhD-level degree in computer science; and if she will make a statement. [175371]

James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not record its employees' qualifications in a central location so the information could be obtained only by a manual search of personnel files which would incur a disproportionate cost to the Home Department.

Terrorism Act 2000

Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response the UK Government will make to the decision by the European Court of Human Rights to mount a legal challenge to Section 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. [174008]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 758W

James Brokenshire: Schedule 7 is a vital part of the United Kingdom's security arrangements enabling police to examine individuals at ports to determine their involvement in terrorism. The Government are contesting an application before the European Court of Human Rights which claims that Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Government have submitted observations on the admissibility and merits of the application, brought by an individual examined under Schedule 7. The Government are strongly of the view there has been no violation of the Convention in the applicant's case.

Transport

Birmingham Airport

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the expansion of Birmingham airport; and if he will make a statement. [175326]

Mr Goodwill: I have not received any recent representations on the expansion of Birmingham airport.

Bus Services

Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with the Senior Traffic Commissioner since May 2010 on the role Quality Contract schemes can play in local partnership working between local authorities and bus operators; and what assessment he has made of that role; [175531]

(2) if he will issue updated guidance on Quality Contract schemes to (a) local authorities, (b) bus operators and (c) traffic commissioners. [175532]

Stephen Hammond: The role of the Senior Traffic Commissioner in relation to Quality Contract schemes is set out in the Transport Act 2000.

In December 2009, following changes to the legislative framework for Quality Contract schemes made by the Local Transport Act 2008, the Department issued guidance to the Senior Traffic Commissioner, Quality Contract boards and Local Transport Authorities in England about the exercise of their functions in relation to Quality Contract schemes. Some parts of the guidance were statutory guidance. There are no current plans to update it.

Other than in relation to the statutory role of the Senior Traffic Commissioner, and that of her Traffic Commissioner colleagues, in the process, there has been no discussion with the Senior Traffic Commissioner about Quality Contract schemes.

Conditions of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many direct employees and contracted workers of his Department and its arms lengths bodies are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage; and how many direct employees are on zero hours contracts. [174985]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 759W

Stephen Hammond: In the central Department for Transport there are no direct employees who are paid less than the living wage rates as defined by the Living Wage Foundation. Across the six executive agencies there are 493 direct employees who are paid less than the living wage rates as defined by the Living Wage Foundation. The Department for Transport does not hold information on the earnings of contracted employees. The number of direct employees of the Department and its six executive agencies who are on zero hours contracts is nine. All are qualified type approval engineers.

The number of direct and contracted employees in the department's arm’s length bodies who are paid less than the rates as defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage is fewer than five and for reasons of confidentiality the precise number has been withheld. There are no direct employees on zero-hour contracts in the Department's arm’s length bodies.

East Coast Railway Line

Mrs McGuire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2013, Official Report, column 404, on East Coast Main Line Ltd, whether the Dutch, French and German national railways will be able to bid for the East Coast Main Line franchise; and whether the current operator of the line will be barred from so bidding. [175188]

Stephen Hammond: The current statutory regime under section 26 of the Railways Act 1993 is that the Secretary of State may select the person who is to be the franchisee in relation to a franchise agreement from among those who submit tenders in response to Invitations to Tender. The Secretary of State intends to select all franchise operators in this way unless the exceptions set out in his Section 26 policy statement apply.

Directly Operated Railways (DOR) was set up to act as the “operator of last Resort” in the event that the Secretary of State needs to step in to secure the provision of rail passenger services in accordance with his duty under section 30 of the Railways Act 1993. Section 25 of the same Act would prevent DOR from itself responding to Invitations to Tenders to operate franchised rail passenger services.

EU Law

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which EU directives within his Department's areas of responsibility the Government have formally opted into in each financial year since May 2010; on what dates each such directive was signed; and if he will make a statement. [175501]

Mr Goodwill: Details of all EU directives that the UK has opted into pursuant to protocol 21 to the treaties on the functioning of the European Union since May 2010 are listed on the Government's JHA opt-in web page.

The website can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/206297/2_JHA_opt-in_webpage_update_-_data_v)_1.pdf

18 Nov 2013 : Column 760W

In the Minister for Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington)’s written ministerial statement of 20 January 2011 Official Report, columns 51-52WS, the Government committed to a number of measures to strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of JHA measures, in particular to make written statements to Parliament on each opt-in decision and to set aside Government time for debates in both Houses in circumstances where there is particularly strong parliamentary interest in an opt-in decision.

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what EU directives within his Department's areas of responsibility have come into force without the need for an opt-in decision in each financial year since May 2010; on what dates each such directive came into force; and if he will make a statement. [175522]

Mr Goodwill: Details of all EU legislation, including full details of all EU directives that have come into force since May 2010, can be found on the Commission's website:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/RECH_legislation.do

The Government's position is that the UK's Justice and Home Affairs opt-in applies to all measures adopted pursuant to title V of part three of the treaty on the functioning of the European Union, as set out in protocol 21 to the treaty on the functioning of the European Union. It follows that the opt-in does not apply to measures adopted that are not pursuant to title v of part three of the treaty on the functioning of the European Union.

High Speed 2

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how his Department calculated the contingency sums included in the estimated costs for the (a) construction of and (b) rolling stock for High Speed 2. [174613]

Mr Goodwill: The approach to calculating contingency for HS2 is set out in the HS2 Cost and Risk Status Report recently published by HS2 Ltd alongside the strategic and economic cases.

For Phase One construction costs the contingency has been estimated using a Quantified Risk Assessment.

For Phase Two construction costs the contingency includes, on top of the Quantified Risk Assessment, an explicit allowance for Optimism Bias. The difference in approach for the two phases represents the more advanced stage of design and development of Phase One.

A Quantified Risk Assessment has not been carried out in relation to Rolling Stock manufacturing costs. While the base estimates used by HS2 Ltd are towards the upper end of evidence collected regarding European rolling stock contract awards additional optimism bias has been applied. The uplifts applied are set out in the HS2 Cost and Risk Status Report.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is responsible for track and infrastructure maintenance on High Speed 2. [174938]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 761W

Mr Goodwill: Phase one of High Speed Two from London to Birmingham will not open until 2026. No decision has been taken on who will be responsible for the future maintenance of the line.

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the economic benefit to the north-east of High Speed 2. [175226]

Mr Goodwill: High Speed 2 (HS2) will deliver a transformational change in journey times, capacity and connectivity between major cities in the UK. It will enable cities in the north-east such as Newcastle, York and Leeds to fulfil their economic potential by bringing them closer together as well as to London. Journey time improvements will be possible from new classic-compatible high speed trains serving these cities. HS2 will free up space for additional commuter, regional and freight services on the classic network offering more services to meet local needs.

HS2 Ltd recently commissioned KPMG to produce a report looking at the regional economic impact of HS2. The report, which was published in September 2013, shows that the estimated annual benefit for the north-east region is between £500 million and £700 million in 2037. This would represent a 1.1% to 1.6% increase as a proportion of regional gross value added.

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the frequency of train services between Newcastle and London after High Speed 2 has become operational. [175227]

Mr Goodwill: The Department's aim is that all towns or cities which currently have a direct service to London will retain broadly comparable or better services once HS2 is completed.

It is not appropriate to specify the exact timetable for train services that are planned to operate in 2026 when HS2 Phase 1 services begin. The detailed timetable development will take place nearer the time and will consider operational considerations as well as the forecast passenger demand for services.

As highlighted in the Strategic Case, published on 29 October, in partnership with the railway industry, we intend to announce, shortly, a transparent and participatory process to consider long-term issues, opportunities and options for rail services on HS2 corridors. This will consider how these services can support the delivery of economic growth on a sustainable basis.

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many High Speed 2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) applications have been rejected on grounds that they failed to fulfil EHS criteria (a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four and (e) five to date. [175357]

Mr Goodwill: As at 11 November 2013:

18 Nov 2013 : Column 762W

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the extension of High Speed 2 to Yorkshire will be complete. [175389]

Mr Goodwill: Subject to statutory and parliamentary approvals, we expect phase two of HS2, from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester, to be complete by 2032-33. Testing of the line is expected to start in early 2031.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the EU regulation on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and the inclusion of caravans within that regulation. [174792]

Mr Goodwill: This separate proposal for caravans is an initiative of the European Parliament. There have been no discussions at ministerial level as the UK and other member states adopted a general approach last December that does not include caravans in periodic roadworthiness testing. This remains our position in current negotiations.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Cabinet Office on the review of resources for non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department; and when he expects the review of resources for traffic commissioners to begin. [175480]

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport (DFT) is in a regular contact with the Cabinet Office on the Public Bodies Reform agenda. Over 900 bodies were subject to a cross-government review undertaken by all Departments in spring/summer 2010, including 15 of DFT's NDPBs. Five of DFTs NDPBs have since been abolished. The Traffic Commissioners and Deputies was one of the bodies retained on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality.

All the executive, advisory and Tribunal NDPBs, and Independent Monitoring Boards are reviewed triennially, as required by the Cabinet Office.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 763W

The Traffic Commissioners are a Tribunal NDPB and thus in scope of the triennial reviews. The upcoming Traffic Commissioners review is due to be announced by a written ministerial statement before the end of the financial year.

Public Transport: Greater London

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the report, The TAS Partnership Limited (2003). Lessons from London: a report for DFT. TAS: London. [175911]

Stephen Hammond: A copy of the report will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Railways: Construction

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2013, Official Report, column 178W, on railways: construction, how many of the trains using the proposed single track link between High Speed 1 and High Speed 2 will be domestic services. [175338]

Mr Goodwill: High Speed 2 currently assume that 1 train every 2 hours will operate an international service along the link with High Speed 1. The link has capacity for 3 trains per hour in each direction. There is flexibility to use the remaining 2.5 hourly paths for domestic or further international services. How to best use these available paths has not yet been fully analysed. However preliminary modelling of domestic and international demand leads us to believe this potential level of service, using a single track link, will be more than adequate to cater for the demand.

Railways: South West

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2013, Official Report, column 45W, on railways: south west, what station improvement outcomes his Department has specified in the current franchise agreement with South West Trains; and what information his Department holds on funding obtained by South West trains for station investment on the South West line from non-departmental sources. [175392]

Stephen Hammond: The Department has specified a number of station improvement outcomes as Committed Obligations, which can be found in appendix 11 to the franchise agreement. A copy of the public register version of the franchise agreement can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/182167/sswt-franchise-agreement.pdf

With regard to funding obtained by South West Trains for station investment from non-departmental sources, there is no obligation on the franchisee to supply such information. The Department does hold some information, but much of this is commercially sensitive.

The two major programmes for station improvements are Access for All and the National Stations Improvement Programme.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 764W

The Access for All programme is made up of main, mid-tier and small schemes. No third-party funding is required for the main scheme. The mid- tier scheme does have some third-party funding and we hold some information but it would incur disproportionate costs to identify that for all relevant mid-tier projects; for small schemes we do not have any information with regard to non-Department funding sources.

Network Rail funds the National Stations Improvement Programme. The Department does not hold the required level of detail for how much has been spent by region; such detailed information is held by Network Rail and the relevant train operator.

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2013, Official Report, columns 45-6W, on railways: south west, what proportion of the £3.2 million investment in wi-fi technology on 45 Class 444 Desiro trains will be met by (a) South West Trains, (b) Network Rail and (c) Siemens. [175393]

Stephen Hammond: South West Trains have informed the Department that the original estimated cost of £3.2 million has, following a competitive procurement exercise, been reduced to £2.5 million.

The full investment is being made initially by Angel Trains, as the owner of the Class 444 fleet.

South West Trains are leasing the rolling stock from Angel Trains. Although the Department holds the information for franchise leasing costs, such information in commercially sensitive.

No direct investment costs fall to either Network Rail or Siemens as part of this project.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review double counting for renewable transport fuel certificates. [175483]

Mr Goodwill: I refer the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington to the answer given to the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson) on 5 June 2013, Official Report, column 1201W, by the Minister for Crime Prevention, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport. We expect to publish a draft post implementation review of the support provided under the renewable transport fuel obligation shortly.

Roads

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have implemented highway asset management plans to date; and what the estimated cost saving made by each such council is. [175354]

Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport recognises the value of good asset management in delivering effective and efficient highway services to meet local needs. However, in England the development of highways asset management plans and strategies are a matter for each local highway authority, therefore, the Department does not hold data on how many authorities have implemented asset management plans.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 765W

The Department continues to work closely with the UK Roads Liaison Group, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) and others to help spread best practice in highways asset management, including through the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme which the Department for Transport is sponsoring. This is a sector-led transformation programme designed to maximise returns from highways investment and deliver efficient and effective services.

To help local highway authorities manage and maintain their assets, the Programme recently published specific asset management advice available at the following weblink:

18 Nov 2013 : Column 766W

http://www.dft.gov.uk/hmep/efficiency/asset-management.php

Telephone Services

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0845, (b) 0844 and (c) 0843 his Department (i) operates and (ii) sponsors; how many calls each number has received in the last 12 months; and whether alternative numbers charged at the BT local rate are available in each case. [175005]

Stephen Hammond: The information requested is in the following table:

Visits Abroad

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many overseas trips, and at what total cost, his Department has made in each year since 2010; and what the costs of (a) flights, (b) internal travel, (c) hotel accommodation and (d) subsistence were of each trip. [175474]

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport and its executive agencies' gross expenditure on overseas trips was:

Treasury

Absenteeism

Michael Dugher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rates of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence in his Department in each of the past five years were; and what the departmental targets were in each case. [168743]

Nicky Morgan: HM Treasury does not report on all rates of absence and this information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Please see following a table on sickness absence for the last eight years:

18 Nov 2013 : Column 767W

HM Treasury does not set a target for sickness absence however HM Treasury is firmly committed to the well-being of its staff and keeps under review various techniques and practices which support this commitment. There is an on-site Occupational Health service and access to an Employee Assistance Programme and guidance on a range of issues including managing stress in the workplace. In addition staff have access to a range of optional wellbeing services which are provided on site at full cost to the user.

Air Passenger Duty

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce time-limited exceptions from air passenger duty on new long haul routes from regional airports. [175225]

Nicky Morgan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on 5 November 2013, Official Report, column 103.

Business: Loans

Mr McKenzie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Business Investment Bank. [175757]

Sajid Javid: The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business on a range of issues including the Government's interventions to improve access to finance for SMEs.

Children: Day Care

Lucy Powell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of families with children aged under five in which one or more parents receives vouchers under the current child-care voucher scheme; [169623]

(2) how many children of each age there are in the 550,000 families that currently receive child-care vouchers; [169626]

(3) what estimate he has made of the number of families entitled to receive vouchers under the current child-care voucher scheme that did not use those vouchers in each of the last five years. [169627]

Sajid Javid: The Government estimate that in 2013-14, 10% of families with children aged under five are in receipt of child care vouchers from their employer, amounting to 350,000 such families being in receipt of vouchers.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 768W

The Government estimate that in 2013-14 there are some 550,000 individual recipients of child care vouchers in approximately 450,000 families. The Government have not reliably estimated the numbers of children of different ages in recipient families.

No estimate is available of numbers of families entitled to receive vouchers who did not use them.

Conditions of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many direct employees and contracted workers of his Department and its arm's lengths bodies are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage; and how many direct employees are on zero hours contracts. [174986]

Nicky Morgan: No direct employees and contracted workers of HM Treasury, Office of Budget Responsibility and Debt Management Office are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage. There are no employees on zero hour's contracts in HM Treasury, the Office of Budget Responsibility and the Debt Management Office.

Credit: Interest Rates

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the use of real time credit rating reporting to promote competition for pay day loan companies. [175458]

Sajid Javid: The rules on how credit reference agencies share data in the UK credit market are set by the cross-industry Steering Committee on Reciprocity (SCOR), which includes representatives from trade associations and lenders. The Government agree with the strong message from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to SCOR to identify and remove any blockages involving payday lenders as a matter of urgency.

The Government have made clear to lenders that credit data sharing is key to proper affordability assessments and promoting a competitive market and more progress on recording and using payday lending data in real time is vital to addressing problems around multiple loans.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his proposed rural fuel discount extension will apply to road fuel gases as well as to conventional automotive fuels. [175037]

Nicky Morgan: Road fuel gases are currently subject to a reduced rate of fuel duty relative to the main rate on petrol and diesel.

The rural fuel rebate scheme, and any extension, only applies to the following fuels: petrol, diesel, biodiesel, bioblend and bioethnanol.

Excise Duties: Tobacco

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the case for introducing secure excise duty revenue protection systems for cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. [175054]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 769W

Nicky Morgan: HM Revenue and Customs already operates a financial securities system whereby businesses must provide financial security in the form of a guarantee for all duty payments unless they are approved under the 'Excise Payment Security System'.(EPSS). EPSS is only available to businesses with a proven good compliance record. This EPSS system is currently being reviewed to ensure that it provides effective protection for the collection of all excise duties, including cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco duty.

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue excise duty has been foregone on (a) cigarettes and (b) hand-rolling tobacco in each year since 2010-11 due to fraud and smuggling. [175122]

Nicky Morgan: Estimates of total revenue losses associated with the tobacco illicit market are published in ‘Tobacco Tax Gap estimates: 2012-13’. These estimates cannot be disaggregated by the type of illicit activity, eg through smuggling, counterfeiting or other fraud.

The excise duty losses due to the cigarette illicit market, and the excise duty losses due to the hand rolling tobacco illicit market for the last five years are set out in tables 4.1 and 4.5 of the publication respectively.

The methodology for producing the estimates are provided in the ‘Methodological Annex for Measuring Tax Gaps 2013’.

Both documents can be accessed via the following page on the HMRC website:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps.htm

Food

Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the definition of food as '"Food" should be interpreted as meaning food for human consumption. Where a mammal or bird is primarily reared for use as food, but certain portions of the carcass (particularly where they may be considered as in the nature of a by-product) are used for other purposes (eg the use of certain offal in the production of pet food), this should not be taken as disqualifying the animals from the definition of livestock. However, animals (eg rabbits) raised expressly for use in pet food should be considered as outside the definition' was added to paragraph 5.3.2 Section 8, Part D: Agricultural Premises of Volume 4 of the Rating Manual of the Valuation Office Agency. [175746]

Mr Gauke: The wording of paragraphs 5.3.2 Section 8 Part D: Agricultural Premises of Volume 4 of the Valuation Office Agency's Rating Manual has not changed since at least 1997.

Food Banks: Northwich

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his oral answer of 5 November 2013, Official Report, column 120, on what date he visited the food bank in Northwich; what the name was of that food bank; and how many service users he met during his visit. [175663]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 770W

Nicky Morgan: The Chancellor of the Exchequer visited a food bank in Northwich in his capacity as the Member of Parliament for Tatton.

Interest Rate Swap Transactions

Mr Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons embedded interest rate swaps are not eligible for the FCA-administered compensation scheme. [175381]

Sajid Javid: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not have regulatory powers over business lending. As a result, the FCA supervised review can only cover interest rate hedging products that were agreed separately to a business loan which are classified as derivative contracts and therefore fall into the FCA's Conduct of Business Rules through the implementation of the markets in financial instruments directive.

Keydata Investment Services

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress the Financial Services Compensation Scheme has made on compensating consumers who were mis-sold Keydata products; and if he will make a statement. [175295]

Sajid Javid: Keydata Investment Services was declared in default in June 2009. Since that time the FSCS has processed over 38,000 claims, paying compensation of around £329 million. 70 claims remain under investigation; primarily the outstanding claims are those which have been received in recent months.

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress the Financial Conduct Authority has made on investigating claims that independent financial advisers mis-sold Keydata products; and if he will make a statement. [175296]

Sajid Javid: The Financial Services Compensation Scheme's (FSCS) court proceedings against a large number of IFA firms in connection with the sale of Keydata Investment Services products are still continuing. To date, FSCS has settled claims with a number of defendants for a variety of reasons, the terms of which are confidential.

Since the Case Management Conference in the Lifemark and SLS proceedings in March, FSCS has selected six Lead Case Defendants (LCD) to advance defences in relation to a number of lead cases, which will give a representative set of investor claims to be heard by the court. Based on the current timetable, LCDs' defences are expected shortly. A further Case Management Conference is scheduled for February 2014.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Hilary Benn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proportion of Help to Buy applicants to date were (a) not UK nationals and (b) non-domiciled in the UK; [175420]

(2) what proportion of Help to Buy applicants to date were aged between (a) 20 and 29, (b) 30 and 39, (c) 40 and 49, (d) 50 and 59 and (e) 60 and 69 years old; [175419]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 771W

(3) what the highest value mortgage applied for under the Help to Buy scheme has been to date. [175422]

Sajid Javid: The Government are committed to making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many households as possible. The Government want current and future generations to experience the benefits of owning their own home, in the same way their parents were able to. Since the financial crisis, larger deposit requirements and falling equity values mean many credit-worthy households cannot get a mortgage, or are trapped in their existing homes unable to take the next steps.

On 8 October, the Government published the scheme rules for the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme. Lenders are now able to sign up to the Scheme and originate mortgages that will be eligible for the Scheme when it opens in January.

The Government have worked with participating banks to collect data on the first month of the Scheme. The figures demonstrate that Government-backed Help to Buy scheme is supporting responsible lending. On average households have asked to borrow around £155,000 for houses worth about £163,000, which is below the UK average price of £247,000.

More than 2,000 people have put in offers on homes under the Scheme totalling £365 million of new mortgage lending. More than three quarters of the applicants are first time buyers and many in their early thirties, demonstrating that the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme is helping hardworking people realise their home-owning aspirations.

Once the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme opens in January, the Government will collect data on mortgages covered by the guarantee, and will report in due course.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics his Department collects on the demographics of Help to Buy applicants; and if he will place in the Library the latest such statistics. [175421]

Sajid Javid: The Government are committed to making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many households as possible. The Government wants current and future generations to experience the benefits of owning their own home, in the same way their parents were able to. Since the financial crisis, larger deposit requirements and falling equity values mean many credit-worthy households cannot get a mortgage, or are trapped in their existing homes unable to take the next step.

On 8 October, the Government published the scheme rules for the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme, allowing lenders to sign up to the scheme and originate mortgages that will be eligible for the scheme when it opens in January.

The Government have worked with participating banks to collect data on the first month of the scheme. More than three quarters of the applicants are first-time buyers and many in their early 30s, demonstrating that the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme is helping hardworking people realise their home-owning aspirations.

The banks have received applications from across the country with more than three quarters coming from outside London and the south-east.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 772W

Once the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme opens in January, the Government will collect data on mortgages covered by the guarantee, and will report in due course.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of applicants under the Help to Buy scheme to date have been first-time buyers. [175590]

Sajid Javid: The Government are committed to making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many households as possible. The Government want current and future generations to experience the benefits of owning their own home, in the same way their parents were able to. Since the financial crisis, larger deposit requirements and falling equity values mean many credit-worthy households cannot get a mortgage, or are trapped in their existing homes unable to take the next step.

In the one month since the publication of the scheme rules on 8 October, more than 2,000 people have put in applications to lenders under the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme totalling £365 million of new mortgage lending. Lenders will submit details of their loans to the Scheme when it opens in January. Once the Scheme opens in January, the Government will collect data on mortgages covered by the guarantee, and will report in due course.

More than three quarters of the applicants to date are first time buyers demonstrating that the Help to Buy; mortgage guarantee scheme is helping hardworking people realise their home-owning aspirations.

Mortgages: North West

Stephen Mosley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been accepted in principle for a help to buy mortgage in (a) City of Chester constituency and (b) the north-west. [175845]

Sajid Javid: On 8 October, the Government published the scheme rules for the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme. Lenders are now able to sign up to the scheme and originate mortgages that will be eligible for the scheme when it opens in January.

The Government have worked with participating banks to collect data on the first month of the scheme. Details of the applications received by the banks can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/help-to-buy-puts-new-generation-of-home-owners-on-housing-ladder

Once the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme opens in January, the Government will collect data on mortgages covered by the guarantee, and will report in due course.

National Insurance Contributions

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people with an annual income of less than £7,592 paid class 1 national insurance contributions in 2012-13; and what the total value of those contributions was. [174930]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 773W

Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 October 2013, Official Report, column 631W.

Revenue and Customs

Lady Hermon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs is obliged to publish details of meetings in the same manner as Ministers publish ministerial diaries; and if he will make a statement. [170639]

Nicky Morgan [holding answer sent 14 October]: The Government has committed to publishing details of permanent secretaries' meetings with external organisations at quarterly intervals. Information relating to the chief executive of H M Revenue and Customs can be found on gov.uk.

Revenue and Customs: Preston

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for staffing levels at the tax credit office in Preston following the introduction of universal credit. [174942]

Mr Gauke: HMRC’s tax credits work load and resource requirements will change as tax credits are stopped and claimants move to universal credit, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

HMRC and DWP are considering universal credit resource needs in line with universal credit roll-out plans, and it is expected that some of the staff currently working on tax credits in the Preston estate will move to DWP. However, the number of staff and timing of any such moves are dependent on universal credit roll-out.

HMRC is working on its longer-term staffing resource needs in response to the 2013 spending review.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Bob Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much stamp duty land tax is paid on properties valued at £2 million and under each year. [175203]

Mr Gauke: HMRC's published Stamp Tax Statistics include breakdowns of the amount of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) collected at each SDLT rate. These can be found at the following address (Table 3.1):

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/stamp-duty/stamp-tax-sep13.pdf

In 2012-13, a total of £4.04 billion of SDLT was collected from residential property transactions where the consideration was £2 million or less.

These published statistics do not provide such estimates for earlier years as there was no SDLT rate threshold at £2 million. For the same reason, the statistics do not provide estimates for non-residential property transactions

However, historic estimates of the amount of SDLT revenue collected from property transactions where the consideration was £2 million or less can be found in the following table. This includes both residential and non- residential property transactions.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 774W

Taxation: Duchy of Cornwall

Chris Williamson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the Duchy of Cornwall's exemption from corporation tax and capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. [175811]

Mr Gauke: No.

The tax arrangements for the Duchy of Cornwall are set out in the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation published on 1 5 March 2013. This replaced the Memorandum of Understanding attached to the Report of the Royal Trustees published on 11 February 1993 (HC464), a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

Taxation: Smoking

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to tax (a) shisha products and (b) electronic cigarette products. [174945]

Nicky Morgan: Shisha products that contain tobacco are already subject to tobacco products duty, as required by EU law. From 1 January 2014 herbal smoking products such as herbal water pipes (shisha) that contain no tobacco, herbal pipe smoking mixtures and herbal smoking mixtures for hand rolling into cigarettes will be liable to tobacco products duty. Herbal smoking products such as herbal water pipes (shisha) that contain no tobacco that are used exclusively for medical purposes and licensed as such will remain exempt from tobacco products duty.

E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, and are therefore not liable to tobacco products duty; however, they are liable to VAT. The Government keep all taxes under review, and decisions on taxation are a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of the Budget.

Valuation Office Agency

Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the procedure is for making changes to the Valuation Office Agency Rating Manual; and how such changes are publicised. [175807]

Mr Gauke: Changes to the Valuation Office Rating Manual are authorised by the relevant Valuation Office Agency Director.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 775W

An update log in each volume of the Rating Manual lists the changes which have been made in each update. In addition each time the Rating Manual is changed the modified date of this document also changes to reflect the date of the latest update.

The Rating Manual is available to view on the VOA's website at:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/Publications/business.html#rating

VAT: Disability

Derek Twigg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether HM Revenue and Customs Notice 701/7, relating to VAT reliefs for disabled people, has been promulgated with the (a) Defence Infrastructure Organisation and (b) Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for applications on future adaptation projects. [174988]

Mr Gauke: The VAT Notice 701/7 VAT Reliefs for Disabled People is published on the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website at:

www.hmrc.gov.uk

HMRC does not carry out any special activities to publicise its guidance on VAT reliefs for disabled people but it does try to ensure that suppliers of goods and services for disabled people are aware of the correct VAT liabilities. HMRC operates a telephone helpline to answer questions on the VAT reliefs available to disabled people 0300 123 1073.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Armed Conflict: Females

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on UN Security Council Resolution 2122 on Women, Peace and Security. [175036]

Mark Simmonds: As the lead sponsor of UNSCR 2122, we welcomed its unanimous adoption on 18 October. The resolution has a specific focus on women's participation in conflict resolution and peace building processes. In light of this, the UK's new National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security due to be launched in 2014 will have a greater focus on participation as it is essential that peace negotiations provide for the active participation, perspectives and needs of both men and women, The plan will incorporate UNSCR 2122 into our policy on Women, Peace and Security, along with all other successor UN Security Council resolutions following 1325.

Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UN Resolution 2016 is upheld, particularly with reference to ensuring that the culture of impunity surrounding sexual violence ends. [175031]

Mark Simmonds: The UK played a key role in delivering resolution 2106 (2013), which was adopted during a debate hosted by the Secretary of State for Foreign and

18 Nov 2013 : Column 776W

Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), under the UK presidency of the Security Council, on 24 June 2013. The resolution, which built on the commitments of the G8 Declaration on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, aims to strengthen delivery of the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for sexual violence in conflict, to ensure more attention is paid to this issue throughout the wider UN peace and security agenda, and to provide a means for survivors' needs to be better addressed. We are working closely with all relevant aspects of the UN to support implementation of the resolution, and seek opportunities to include relevant aspects in UN mission mandate renewals, for example timely deployment of women protection advisers and provision of services for survivors. The UK will oversee the first ever training of women protection advisers in 2014.

The main objective of the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative is to shatter the culture of impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict. After the adoption of resolution 2106 in June, the UK has worked to secure agreement from 135 countries to endorse a new Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, launched by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at the UN on 24 September 2013. The declaration builds on resolution 2106. It has a clear focus on tackling impunity and accountability and contains a set of wider political and practical commitments. In particular it agrees that there should be no peace agreements that give amnesty to people who have ordered or carried out rape. The UK will now work with endorsing countries, the UN and civil society to turn these political commitments into practical action.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will (a) declare rape an illegal weapon of war, (b) insist that all incidents of rape are recorded and that reparations are given to survivors and (c) promote the international humanitarian law methods of war procedures. [175035]

Mark Simmonds: The British Government recognise the political force of describing rape as a prohibited weapon or tactic of war. Rape as a method of war is clearly prohibited under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). In April 2013, the G8 made a historic Declaration on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict that describes rape and sexual violence as grave breaches of the Geneva convention, as well as war crimes. This commitment was also included in the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict which was launched at the UN General Assembly in September and endorsed by 135 countries. The payment of reparations is a matter for the national Governments concerned. However, both our G8 and UNGA Declarations encourage countries to provide greater support and assistance to survivors of sexual violence. Since April 2011 the UK has committed £1.5million to the International Criminal Court's Trust Fund for Victims which aims to directly address and respond to victims' physical, psychological, or material needs. There is a need to improve the documentation and recording of rape and sexual violence in war and the UK is leading on the development of a new international protocol on the documentation and investigation of sexual violence in conflict. Under article

18 Nov 2013 : Column 777W

36 of additional protocol I to the Geneva conventions, states parties have an obligation to determine whether the employment of a new means or method of warfare would be unlawful. The UK is of the firm view that any use of rape as means or method of warfare would be unlawful.

Ascension Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many commercial fishing licences have been sold for the waters of Ascension Island in 2013; and what the flag state is of each vessel which has purchased one of those licences. [175030]

Mark Simmonds: The Ascension Island Government have issued 39 commercial fishing licences during 2013. The flag state of these vessels is as follows:

Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Since then, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been working with the Ascension Island's authorities to develop a sustainable fisheries plan. FCO advice has included the provision of guidelines on licensing which were developed using international best practice standards. These guidelines are still in the process of being implemented on Ascension Island.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken in the last 12 months to strengthen the sustainability of the commercial fishery in Ascension Island. [175032]

Mark Simmonds: Within the last 12 months the Ascension Island Government have done much preparatory work ahead of the launch of a new commercial fishery in 2014, which will replace the existing pilot fishery. This will be managed by a new Marine Fishery Department, under a strengthened licensing regime based on those in place around other Overseas Territories. Preparations have also taken place to establish an Ascension Marine Research Facility to support the new fishery. The UK Government remains committed to carefully managed and sustainable marine fisheries throughout the Overseas Territories.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the expansion of the US airbase on Ascension Island; and the potential effect of such a move on inhabitants of the island; and if he will make a statement. [175888]

Mark Simmonds: There has been no expansion of the size of the US airbase on Ascension, nor are we aware of any future plans for expansion.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 778W

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that residency on Ascension Island continues to be feasible in light of the difficulty caused as a result of the contract-based residency system. [175890]

Mark Simmonds: There has never been a right of permanent residency on Ascension Island. The contract-based residency system exists to avoid the UK taxpayer incurring the significant costs which would result if the island had to provide the necessary infrastructure and services to support a non-working resident population, such as a welfare system, additional accommodation, and provision for elderly care. All of those coming to the island do so in full knowledge that their residency on the island is conditional upon their employment.

Bangladesh

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the Prime Minister and Government of Bangladesh to step down in favour of an interim or caretaker Government for the period before the forthcoming general election in Bangladesh. [175875]

Hugh Robertson: Dates for Bangladesh elections have yet to be announced, and how the process is managed is a matter for Bangladesh. However we, and international partners, continue to encourage both parties to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue to create the necessary conditions for inclusive, free and fair elections. Most recently the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) raised this with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on 13 November 2013.

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will express concern to the Prime Minister and Government of Bangladesh about the arrests of leading members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the surrounding of the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's residence by members of the Bangladesh security forces. [175876]

Hugh Robertson: The arrest of senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition leaders, along with the disruption of public order through the pursuit of hartals (strikes), is destabilising the country. Our high commissioner in Dhaka issued a statement on 9 November, expressing our disappointment at the continued confrontational action between the two main parties, rather than the constructive dialogue necessary for free, fair and credible elections, in which all parties participate.

Belarus

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the efficacy of EU sanctions against Belarus. [175104]

Mr Lidington: The UK remains a strong supporter of the EU's policy of critical engagement with Belarus, including the EU's sanctions regime. In advance of the

18 Nov 2013 : Column 779W

rollover of sanctions at the end of October, EU member states conducted a thorough analysis of the situation in Belarus and the sanctions listings. Our analysis concluded that there had been no appreciable improvement in respect for human rights and democracy in Belarus, and that it was therefore appropriate to extend the sanctions for a further year. Minor amendments were made to the list of those targeted to ensure the measures remained robust and dynamic. As I noted to my hon. Friend on 30 October 2012,

Official Report

, column 174W, it is difficult to gauge the effectiveness of sanctions against an opaque regime like Belarus. We judge that they have had some effect; the travel ban and asset freezes are difficult for the individuals targeted, damage Belarus' image, and have had a constraining effect by encouraging others in similar roles and positions to respect human rights and the rule of law. It is also our view that by regularly reviewing sanctions measures, including the delisting of those who have ceased certain activities, we are more likely to encourage listed individuals to consider changing their behaviour.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on recognising Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island as separate British Overseas Territories to St Helena. [175887]

Mark Simmonds: St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are recognised as three island territories that together form a single territorial grouping under the Crown. This is set out in the 2009 Constitution and there are no plans to change this arrangement.

Burma

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking with the Department for International Development to ensure that the UK's response to the problems in Kachin State is comprehensive. [174920]

Mr Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development have been working closely together for many years to ensure the UK's response in Kachin State is comprehensive. As I set out to the House on 8 October 2013, Official Report, columns 138-140, while we continue to be concerned by recent fighting in Shan and Kachin States, we have also welcomed the constructive dialogue between the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and the Burmese Government.

In June 2013, the Department for International Development announced £13.5 million of new humanitarian funding for Kachin State. The UK is the largest bilateral aid donor to Kachin—this aid for 2013-14 is reaching non-Government controlled areas where needs are greatest. We continue to lobby the Burmese Government to ensure that it implements its commitment in the agreement signed with the KIO in May 2013 to ensure humanitarian access to all conflict affected areas.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma regarding the

18 Nov 2013 : Column 780W

lack of citizenship for the Rohingya community and the incitement of inter-communal violence affecting Muslim communities in Rakhine. [174923]

Mr Swire: The British Government have been among the most vocal in the international community in raising our concerns regarding violence against Muslim communities across Burma and the plight of the Rohingya community. During the visit of President Thein Sein to the UK in July 2013, the Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised our concerns on both issues.

Following the most recent outbreak of violence against Kaman Muslims in Thandwe, Rakhine State, I called publicly for action to restore security and the rule of law. We welcomed both the President's visit to Rakhine State and arrests of suspected perpetrators. It will be important to ensure that those arrested and found guilty are held accountable for their crimes.

We will continue to call for a sustainable solution to be found for .the citizenship status of the Rohingya community which is consistent with their human rights. Together with the UN, EU, US, Australia, France and Japan, British Ministers and officials will continue to lobby key Burmese Ministers with responsibility for Rakhine State on the full range of issues, including the need to resolve the citizenship status of the Rohingya community.

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to secure the release of villagers being held as hostages in Nhka Ga, Burma. [175418]

Mr Swire: While the British Government have made no specific representations on the release of hostages in Nhka Ga, we are closely monitoring developments. We remain concerned by the recent outbreaks of fighting in both northern and southern Kachin state, particularly the potential impact fighting may have on negotiations between the Burmese Government and Kachin Independence Organisation towards a ceasefire and political dialogue. We have consistently called on both the Burmese military and the Kachin Independence Organisation to guarantee the safety of civilians and to work to ensure unfettered access for humanitarian aid, in accordance with the seven point agreement the two sides signed in May 2013.

In early November, British embassy officials visited Myitkyina, capital of Kachin state, where talks were held between the Burmese Government and ethnic leaders, including the Kachin. They reiterated the UK’s offer of ongoing support for the peace process. We continue to call on all sides to do all they can to work towards a lasting political settlement to Burma’s long running conflicts.

Central African Republic

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of British nationals present in the Central African Republic. [174795]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 781W

Mark Simmonds: Since March 2013 we have advised all British nationals to leave the Central African Republic (CAR), and continue to advise against all travel there. However, we are aware that a small number of British nationals are in CAR or have travelled there in the last few months.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conflict in (a) Bossangoa and (b) the Central African Republic as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [174796]

Mark Simmonds: Recent reports of events in Bossangoa, where the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has described the population as living in fear, illustrate the worrying continuation of violence and insecurity affecting many areas of the Central African Republic (CAR).

Improving security as soon as possible is vital to ensure civilians are protected. This is why the UK supported October's UN Security Council resolution which encouraged African countries to participate in the deployment of an African Union peace mission, MISCA, and commissioned a UN Secretary-General report on options for international support for it. The UK has also provided £5 million of bilateral humanitarian aid to help those affected by insecurity in CAR in 2013.

Conditions of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many direct employees and contracted workers of his Department and its arm's lengths bodies are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage; and how many direct employees are on zero hours contracts. [174978]

Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not directly employ any staff who are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage. We are obtaining information from commercial partners and our arm’s length bodies (ALB) about the rates paid to contract workers. I will write to the hon. Member with further information on ALB employees and contract workers once we have compiled this information.

The FCO defines zero hours contracts as a contract of employment which does not specify a fixed number of hours per week, and has no guaranteed minimum number of hours. The FCO uses this type of contract to cope with fluctuating demand and/or retain specialist expertise no longer available in the current workforce. For instance, we bring back retired FCO officers with relevant skills/experience to act as sensitivity reviewers or VIP visit liaison officers.

Our centrally held records do not enable us to differentiate between staff on zero hours contracts and other fee paid officers where a fixed number of hours has been specified in their contracts. I will write to the hon. Member to confirm the number of FCO staff employed on zero hours contracts once we have completed a more detailed check of individual records.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 782W

Conflict Resolution: Females

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the UK's National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. [175787]

Mark Simmonds: The UK's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP) is intended to strengthen our ability to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution. It provides a framework for the implementation of all UN resolutions on women, peace and security following 1325. While progress has been made during the course of the 2010 to 2013 NAP, more can and must be done. Details on delivery against our objectives can be found in the three-year NAP review due to be published on 18 November 2013. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be working with partners across Government as well as civil society groups in order to draft a new NAP which will be published in 2014.

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in NATO member states about National Action Plans to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. [175788]

Mark Simmonds: The UK has regular discussions with NATO Allies on conflict and peace building. The UK's delegation to NATO raises the issue of women, peace and security and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and associated resolutions where appropriate. The UK was one of several nations instrumental in ensuring UNSCR 1325 was on the agenda of the 2012 NATO Heads of State and Government summit in Chicago. Following the Chicago summit, the North Atlantic Council invited the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations to carry out the independent Review of the Practical Implications of UNSCR 1325 for the Conduct of NATO-led Operations and Missions. That review has now been completed and was endorsed by Secretaries of State for Defence and published during the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting on 22-23 October 2013. The full review can be found on the NATO website at:

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_91091.htm

Democratic Republic of Congo

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure that stability and anti-corruption are central to the progress of that country. [175684]

Mark Simmonds: UK Ministers have had regular contact recently with those working together to build lasting stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasising the need to implement the Peace, Security and Co-operation Framework for the Great Lakes. In the last month, the Secretary of State for

18 Nov 2013 : Column 783W

Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and I have had discussions with DRC Prime Minister Matata, DRC Foreign Minister Tshibanda, Rwandan President Kagame, Rwandan Foreign Minister Mushikiwabo, Ugandan President Museveni, UN Special Envoy Mary Robinson and UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General Martin Kobler.

We also continue to urge the DRC Government to work to address corruption in the country. We welcome President Kabila's recent commitment to fight corruption in business, society, politics and the security sector, and his announcement that he would appoint a special adviser on corruption.

EU Law

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which EU Directives within his Department's areas of responsibility the Government has formally opted into in each financial year since May 2010; on what dates each such directive was signed; and if he will make a statement. [175493]

Mr Lidington: Details of all EU directives that the UK has opted into pursuant to protocol 21 to the treaties on the functioning of the European Union since May 2010 are listed on the Government's Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) opt-in web page. The website can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/206297/2_JHA_opt-in_webpage_update_-_data_v0_l.pdf

In my written statement of 20 January 2011, Official Report, column 51WS, the Government committed to a number of measures to strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of JHA measures. In particular, to make written statements to Parliament on each opt-in decision and to set aside Government time for debates in both Houses in circumstances where there is particularly strong parliamentary interest in an opt-in decision.

Iran

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the intention of the new Iranian regime to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear programme. [174885]

Hugh Robertson: We welcome the signature of a Joint Statement on a Framework for Co-operation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency. We are pleased that Iran has now agreed to co-operate with the Agency to resolve all present and past issues. It is important that Iran fully addresses the substance of the Agency's concerns over the possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme.

This is a step in the right direction, and we hope Iran will implement and ratify modified Code 3.1 and the Additional Protocol.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the approach taken by President Rouhani in the E3+3 talks. [174886]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 784W

Hugh Robertson: Since the election of President Rouhani Iran has taken a more positive approach to E3+3 negotiations. Foreign Minister Zarif has taken a tough but constructive stance. Significant progress was made in talks between Iran and the E3+3 in Geneva on 7 to 9 November. While an agreement has not yet been reached, detailed and complex discussions were held covering every aspect of Iran's nuclear programme. The E3+3 have put to Iran a proposal for a first step that would create the confidence and space to negotiate a comprehensive and final settlement. We believe that agreement on that first step is within reach, with the next round of E3+3 talks starting on 20 November.

Iraq: Iran

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Iranian and Iraqi authorities about the welfare of the residents of Camp Liberty. [175808]

Hugh Robertson: The then Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) raised the welfare of residents at Camp Liberty with the Iraqi Foreign Minister following the 1 September 2013 attack on Camp Ashraf, and our officials raised the situation at Camp Liberty with the Iraqi ambassador in London.

Maldives

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Commonwealth about the attendance of President Waheed of the Maldives at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 2013; and if he will make a statement. [175412]

Mr Swire: As I said during the Westminster Hall Adjournment debate on Maldives on 5 November, we believe that building, supporting and strengthening democratic rights, freedoms and institutions are values fundamental to the Commonwealth. Our concern at the delays to the Maldives’ presidential elections raised the question of whether it was appropriate for the Maldives to be represented at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Colombo. I raised these concerns directly with the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

The Maldives were represented at CHOGM in Sri Lanka between 15 to 17 November by their local diplomatic presence in Colombo.

Malta

Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further information he has concerning the status of Jovica Kolakovic, a UK citizen detained in Malta for more than four years without charge or trial; and if he will make a statement. [175292]

Mr Lidington: Mr Kolakovic was arrested on 9 September 2009 and remanded in custody until 2 May 2012, when he was released on bail, the conditions of which limit him to travel within Malta.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 785W

Consular staff in the UK and in Malta have provided consular assistance to Mr Kolakovic, addressing welfare and medical issues while he was detained. The British high commissioner in Malta raised our concerns about the length of pre-trial detention in 2011 and early 2012. Mr Kolakovic was released on bail on 2 May 2012. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial process in Malta in the same way we expect foreign governments to respect the judicial process in the UK. It remains for Mr Kolakovic, with the assistance of his lawyer in Malta, to pursue his case through the appropriate legal channels, as he is currently doing. There will be a further hearing on 3 December 2013.

Niger

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the EU's capacity-building mission in Niger. [175105]

Mark Simmonds: EUCAP Sahel-Niger remains an important tool in tackling the security challenges in Niger and across the wider North and West Africa region, as part of the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel.

EUCAP has now started to deliver across many of its priority areas, including the development of forensic policing, capacity-building of joint command centres, and building links with the burgeoning Sahel Security College. The UK has a key role to play in supporting EUCAP to ensure it is successful.

Nigeria

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent terrorist attacks in Borno State, Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [174887]

Mark Simmonds: Recent attacks in Borno State by Boko Haram include an attack on a wedding party on 2 November and a group of motorists on 20 October. Many of the latest attacks by Boko Haram have been directed at civilian targets.

We remain deeply concerned by attacks carried out by violent extremists. These attacks in northern and north-eastern Nigeria have caused suffering in communities of all faiths and ethnicities. We will continue to support the Nigerian authorities in their fight against terrorism and to help bring those responsible to justice.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the capability of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan within Nigeria and the region. [174921]

Mark Simmonds: Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) attacks have targeted Nigerian security forces and westerners. We believe that they are responsible for the capture and killing of nine hostages, including two British nationals, Christopher McManus in 2012 and Brendan Vaughan in 2013, and that they are currently holding captive one French national.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 786W

We assess that Ansaru will continue to target Nigerian security forces and Westerners within Nigeria. Although Ansaru state they aim to create an Islamic caliphate from Niger to Cameroon, including northern Nigeria, we are unaware of any attacks by Ansaru outside of Nigeria. However we will continue to closely monitor their activities within Nigeria and the region.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), proscribed Ansaru in November 2012.

Offences against Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many notifications of alleged sex offences against children by UK nationals abroad have been received by his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by country. [175671]

Mark Simmonds: In 2009-10 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was notified of 51 cases of arrest and detention of UK Nationals abroad for child sex offences. 15 of those were from the USA, six from Thailand and fewer than five cases each from Mexico, Peru, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Nepal, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Turkey and Spain.

In 2010-11 the FCO was notified of 80 cases, 23 in the USA, nine in Spain, six in Canada and fewer than five cases each in Japan, Colombia, Barbados, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nepal, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Botswana and Gambia.

In 2011-12 the FCO was notified of 65 cases, 17 in the USA, eight in Australia, 12 in Spain and fewer than five each in Japan, Ukraine, Belize, Canada, Curacao, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cyprus, Romania and Malta.

In 2012-13 the FCO was notified of 71 cases, seven in Canada, 27 in USA, eight in Spain and fewer than five each in Belize, Mexico, Morocco, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Bangladesh, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Bulgaria and Cyprus.

This year so far there have been 31 notifications. 13 are in the USA and fewer than five each in Japan. Egypt, Morocco, Trinidad and Tobago, Belgium, France, Ireland, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Turkey, Spain and Kenya.

Pakistan

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Pakistani Government on the Pakistani arrest warrant issued for Councillor Abdul Aziz. [174897]

Hugh Robertson: It is Government policy that we do not routinely comment on arrest warrants issued by other Governments. Therefore we are unable to confirm or deny if such a discussion has taken place.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 787W

Private Military and Security Companies

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long the test period will be for voluntary self-regulation of UK private security companies operating in complex environments on land overseas; and by what criteria his Department will judge whether such voluntary self-regulation is successful. [175561]

Mark Simmonds: The Government do not support self-regulation of private security companies working in complex environments overseas. We are developing a system that will raise the standards of private security companies working in complex environments globally through a twin-track approach: certification to standards by accredited certifying bodies at the national level; and at the international level membership of the ICoC Association, a global oversight mechanism governed jointly by governments, civil society organisations and industry, to monitor adherence to the principles and provisions of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers. We will assess on a continual basis the extent to which this approach helps us to raise standards and fulfil our commitments under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Qualifications

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people employed by his Department hold a (a) bachelor's, (b) master's and (c) PhD-level degree in computer science; and if he will make a statement. [175368]

Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be able to provide this information without checking the personnel files of each of its staff. This cannot be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

Sexual Offences

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings his Department has held on the new international protocol on the investigation and documentation of sexual violence in conflict. [175457]

Mark Simmonds: The UK hosted a conference in Geneva on 6 September to discuss the international protocol and raised awareness of the challenges to documenting and investigating sexual violence in conflict with states, UN agencies, regional organisations and non-governmental organisations. We have also convened meetings of the expert working groups in May, June and July 2013. In addition to these formal meetings, we continue to engage informally with key experts on all aspects of the draft and participated in a high level expert meeting at the African Union Commission on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence in Conflict in October during which we discussed the protocol.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 788W

Sri Lanka

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received reports of media crews being denied permission by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence to travel to the northern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaittivu or Vavuniya; and what recent representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterpart on behalf of UK media crews wishing to travel within Sri Lanka. [175826]

Mr Swire: We have been repeatedly very clear with the Sri Lankan Government about the need for unfettered access for media across Sri Lanka who have been accredited for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. We were seriously concerned to learn of the incident on 13 November 2013 when a Channel 4 crew was prevented from travelling to the north. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) raised this incident immediately, as well as the issue of media freedom more broadly, with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on 13 November.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any representations from (a) journalists or (b) media organisations about difficulties obtaining a visa to travel to Sri Lanka between August and December 2013; and what assistance his Department provides to journalists wishing to travel to Sri Lanka. [175827]

Mr Swire: Media organisations and journalists had expressed concerns that once accredited by the Commonwealth Secretariat they would not be given visa access by the Sri Lankan authorities for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting taking place in mid-November. The British Government made very clear to the Sri Lankan Government the importance of access and freedom of movement for media covering CHOGM, something the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) raised with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on 13 November. We will continue to make this clear. However, I am not aware of any accredited UK media organisations or journalists being denied entry to Sri Lanka for CHOGM.

Separately, we received representations in September from an individual wishing to undertake private travel to Sri Lanka with her husband who is a journalist and being denied a visa. The issuing of visas remains a matter for the Sri Lankan authorities.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2013, Official Report, column 449W, on Sri Lanka, what recent representations he or the Prime Minister has received in favour of the Prime Minister attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka; and if he will publish the names of those organisations which made representations in favour of attendance. [175900]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 789W

Mr Swire: There are both supporters and detractors of our decision to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). In the run-up to CHOGM, Ministers and senior officials met with the full range of interested parties, including Commonwealth organisations, human rights NGOs, and diaspora groups. While we do not hold a comprehensive list of those in favour or those against, there have been many public and private statements made by individuals and organisations. As I said in my original reply we are attending CHOGM as we believe it is the right thing to do for the Commonwealth.

Syria

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on that country’s air strikes in Syria in May and October 2013. [175424]

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has regular meetings and telephone calls with Israeli counterparts, and they routinely discuss Syria and other matters of concern.

UN Convention On Biological Diversity

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether when the Government signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 it did so on behalf of the UK Overseas Territories. [175166]

Mark Simmonds: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed by the United Kingdom on 12 June 1992. The UK's instrument of ratification to the CBD was deposited on 3 June 1994, on behalf of the UK and the following UK Overseas Territories: British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Saint Helena, and Saint Helena Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha). The UK's ratification of the CBD was effective in respect of the UK's and the Overseas Territories it applies to as from 1 September 1994.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings he has had with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since May 2010. [175530]

Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have met twice since May 2010. They met in Geneva at the March session of the Human Rights Council in 2011, and during the High Commissioner's visit to London on 6 November 2013.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 790W

USA

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on whether any UK doctors or psychologists have worked in any US detention centres or offered assistance regarding the detention and interrogation of prisoners suspected of terrorism since 2001. [174951]

Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not gather or hold information on the numbers of UK Nationals working abroad. This includes doctors and psychologists who may have worked in US detention centres, or who may have worked for the US in other areas related to prisoners.

Zimbabwe

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of financial sanctions on members of the Government of Zimbabwe and individuals associated with them. [174888]

Mark Simmonds: The EU restrictive measures have been an important tool in the EU's approach to promoting reform in Zimbabwe. The EU will be reviewing all restrictive measures on Zimbabwe in February 2014. Their future will be a decision for all member states, and not just the UK.

As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), said in his statement on 22 August, while we commend the people of Zimbabwe on holding peaceful elections on 31 July, we have grave concerns over their conduct. The UK remains committed to promoting democratic reform in Zimbabwe and to supporting the Zimbabwean people's aspiration for a peaceful and democratic future.

Cabinet Office

Conditions of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many direct employees and contracted workers of his Department and its arm's lengths bodies are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage; and how many direct employees are on zero hours contracts. [174971]

Mr Maude: For details on zero-hour contracts, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane) on 12 September 2013, Official Report, column 805W.

In my Department, no direct employees are paid less than the living wage.

In line with the practice of previous Administrations we do not require our contractors to pay the living wage. At present, there are 52 employees contracted to the Cabinet Office and 20 working for arm's length bodies paid less than the living wage.

18 Nov 2013 : Column 791W

The Big Lottery Fund has 28 direct employees paid less than the living wage. The fund is keeping their pay under review.

Crime: Merseyside

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) victim-based crimes and (b) crimes against society were recorded by Merseyside police in each of the last five years. [175423]

18 Nov 2013 : Column 792W

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 (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of (a) victim-based crimes and (b) crimes against society recorded by Merseyside police in each of the last five years. 175423

The latest published police recorded crime figures are for the year ending June 2013 and these together with the four previous comparable periods are shown in the table.

These data have been published by ONS and are available from the ‘Recorded crime data at police force area level from 2002/03' tables available here:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-324159

Employment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent estimate he has made of the rate of employment amongst people with (a) an apprenticeship, (b) a degree, (c) a master's degree and (d) a PhD. [175320]

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 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the rate of employment amongst people with (a) an apprenticeship, (b) a degree, (c) a master's degree and (d) a PhD.175320

Estimates of employment are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). For the period April to June 2013, it was estimated that the employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 who had completed an apprenticeship was 83%. This includes everyone completing an apprenticeship regardless of any subsequent higher qualification.

For those whose highest qualification was a first degree or equivalent it was 84% and for those with a higher degree (ie either a Masters degree or a PHD) or equivalent it was 87%. It is not possible to provide those with either a master's degree or PhD separately.

Employment: Veterans

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the rate of employment amongst those who previously served in the armed forces. [175321]

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 Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the rate of employment amongst those who previously served in the armed forces. 175321

Estimates of employment are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Unfortunately an estimate of the employment rate for former armed forces personnel is not available from this source.

Employment outcomes are available for UK Regular Service personnel who left the Armed Forces and used the services provided by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). The CTP began in 1998 and is a contractual arrangement between the Ministry of Defence and a contractor for delivering a resettlement package to eligible Service personnel. These statistics are representative of the 11,300 people who went on to use the CTP resettlement services; approximately half of all service leavers in the period. The latest annual CTP publication, covering the financial year 2011/12, is provided in the following link:

http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/health/veterans/career-transition-partnership

Energy

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions the energy suppliers for contracts awarded by the Government Procurement Service has been switched in the last 12 months. [175920]

Mr Hurd: GPS aggregates demand across Government and negotiates directly with suppliers to secure the best energy price for Government. As was the case under the previous Government, energy is therefore procured in a different manner from domestic customers.

Government Departments: Charities

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much central Government Departments gave in grants to charities in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11, (d) 2011-12 and (e) 2012-13. [175150]

Mr Hurd: Information on central Government spend to the voluntary and charitable sector (including both grants and contracts) is available through Departmental Business Plan Quarterly Data Summaries at:

http://data.gov.uk/data/openspending-report/index

The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) publishes data on the level of grant income received by UK charities from statutory sources (including local, central and international). Data are available up until 2010-11 as follows:

18 Nov 2013 : Column 793W