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Written Answers to Questions

Thursday 21 November 2013

Public Accounts Commission

National Audit Office

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission whether the recruitment process for the non-executive members of the National Audit Office board is gender-based. [176157]

Sir Edward Leigh: The NAO's non-executive board members are appointed by the Public Accounts Commission, upon the recommendation of the NAO chairman. In considering candidates for the role, the chairman considers the requirements of the board, and the need to ensure a balance of skills and experience, and recommends the strongest candidates from those who apply. The roles are subject to a fair and open competition and no gender-based criteria apply.

Church Commissioners

Access to Church Premises

6. Mr Sheerman: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners what steps he is taking to improve the accessibility of church premises to the broader community. [901193]

Sir Tony Baldry: The Church of England is promoting better accessibility to churches through the “Open and Sustainable Churches” campaign and also by inviting the community to share church buildings for a wide range of complementary community uses. There have also been recent changes to the faculty application process which have enabled community shops and post offices to be set up in part of the building. The Church is committed to continuing to simplify the faculty process and intend to launch an online application process in the near future.

Chancel Liability

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners what recent assessment he has made of the effects of chancel liability. [901195]

Sir Tony Baldry: This is a complex subject. Chancel repair liability is similar to a covenant that runs with the land and is a matter not for the Second Church Estates Commissioner and the Church of England but for the Ministry of Justice and the Land Registry as set out in the Church Repairs Act 1932 and the subsequent changes made under the Land Registration Act 2002 and Land Registration Rules 2003. I refer my hon. Friend and the whole House to the debate in Westminster Hall on 17

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October 2012,

Official Report,

columns 130-38WH, where the Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) explained these issues very clearly.

Home Department

Bovine Tuberculosis

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the total cost of policing related to the badger cull pilots to date. [176052]

Damian Green: This Department has made no estimate of the total cost of policing relating to the badger cull pilots to date. However, the relevant police forces estimate that the costs for the original six week cull are likely to be in the region of £1.6 million.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to cover any additional costs incurred by the relevant police forces.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the potential effect of changes to the law relating to international students which are proposed in the Immigration Bill on the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for such students. [176229]

Mr Harper: The Immigration Bill introduces of a health surcharge for non-EEA temporary migrants and a requirement that private landlords check the immigration status of their prospective tenants. The Home Office has published impact assessments that consider the potential effect of these proposals on migrant groups, including students. These can be accessed at:

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

(health) and

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tackling-illegal-immigration-in-privately-rented-accommodation

(landlords)

The health surcharge will ensure that temporary migrants make a fair contribution to the cost of health services in the UK commensurate with their more limited immigration status. The surcharge will be set at a competitive rate and will be at a substantially lower cost than private medical insurance, which is a common requirement in many of our competitor nations. We remain committed to ensuring that the UK remains competitive as a destination for the brightest and the best and nothing in these proposals will prevent us from achieving that goal.

The landlord proposals will introduce simple and straightforward checks that landlords should undertake when letting private rented accommodation to tenants. These will be very similar to the checks that have been required of employers for many years and which most employers are able to conduct within a matter of minutes. Our engagement with landlords and letting agents shows

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that many landlords already ask tenants to provide evidence about the identity of the individual. Student halls of residence will be exempt from the checking requirement, as educational institutions are already under a requirement to check the status of overseas students under the sponsorship arrangements.

Human Trafficking

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what formula her Department uses to allocate funding to combat human trafficking across police forces. [176038]

James Brokenshire: The majority of Government funding for the police is allocated using the Police Allocation Formula (PAF). The allocation of resources to combat specific crimes within each force area is a matter for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in consultation with the chief constable.

Immigration: Married People

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications are currently on hold pending the outcome of the High Court judgment regarding the minimum income threshold for sponsoring non-EEA partners and dependent children applying in the family route. [175954]

Mr Harper: The Home Office is collating internal management information on the number of applications put on hold overseas and in country following the 5 July 2013 High Court judgment in MM and Others. This information will be published on the Home Office immigration website as soon as possible and then on a quarterly basis.

Police

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police personnel there were in each police authority area in each of the last four years. [174440]

Damian Green: Forces are rising to the challenge of making savings whilst cutting crime and delivering a better service to the public this is shown by police recorded crime being down by more than 10% under this Government.

The table provided contains police workforce figures (full-time equivalents) for each police force area from March 2010 to March 2013.

Total police workforce figures are published in the Police Workforce, England and Wales statistical bulletins (previously titled Police Service Strength, England and Wales), which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales

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Proceeds of Crime: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of assets recovered in Wales under the asset recovery incentivisation scheme was used to fund crime-fighting projects in Wales in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [176256]

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James Brokenshire: The asset recovery incentivisation scheme aims to drive up activity on tackling criminal finances. 50% of recovered criminal assets are returned to the front-line bodies involved, and the other 50% are retained by the Home Office.

The money returned to front line bodies is not ring-fenced but should be used to increase asset recovery performance and/or be used for crime reduction for the benefit of the community.

The 50% retained by the Home Office is used to fund front-line activity and crime fighting, including in Wales.

We are aware that across the UK, 94% of the assets recovered are used by frontline bodies to reinvest in financial investigation and asset recovery work, 4% are used in crime reduction and 2% are used in community projects. It is not possible to identify precise proportions of spending on projects in Wales.

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was recovered from Wales through her Department's asset recovery incentivisation scheme in each of the last three years. [176373]

James Brokenshire: The total amount recovered from criminals by police forces and local authorities in Wales and by the Environment Agency in Wales is as follows:

These figures are taken from the Joint Asset Recovery Database. They do not include amounts recovered in Wales by bodies that operate across the UK such as the Serious Fraud Office and the Department for Work and Pensions. This level of detail is not recorded and so it is not possible to determine the amount distributed under the asset recovery incentivisation scheme to Wales.

Attorney-General

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Attorney-General how many people have been prosecuted for committing benefit fraud after being trafficked into the UK in the latest period for which figures are available. [176039]

The Solicitor-General: Records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) identify the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts, rather than the number of defendants prosecuted.

No central records of the prosecution outcomes of offences are held by the CPS. To obtain details of the number of people prosecuted for offences of benefit fraud, which can be charged under various sections of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, Section 35 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 or the Fraud Act 2006, including whether they had been trafficked into the UK, would require a manual exercise of reviewing individual case files to be undertaken at a disproportionate cost.

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Furthermore, cases of benefit fraud are also prosecuted by local authorities so any data the CPS can glean from a manual exercise would not provide a complete record.

Visits Abroad

Chris Leslie: To ask the Attorney-General how many overseas trips, and at what total cost, his Department 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. [176258]

The Solicitor-General: The Attorney-General's Office data for overseas trips are shown in the following table:

The cost includes all costs for flights, internal travel, hotel accommodation and subsistence for ministerial travel and the cost of travel and the cost of travel and accommodation only for officials. To provide a breakdown by each element could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The data include those trips which were funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office so the cost to the Attorney-General's Office is lower than the costs shown.

Wales

Atos Origin

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on contracts with Atos in each year since 2008. [176360]

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office does not have any contracts with Atos. The Department uses Atos services through Ministry of Justice contracts.

EU Law

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [175503]

Stephen Crabb: 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 v0_1.pdf

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe’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

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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 Wales 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. [175524]

Stephen Crabb: 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.

The Wales Office does not have any EU directives within its area of responsibility.

Green Deal Scheme

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to discuss non-registered providers of the Green Deal in Wales. [175565]

Stephen Crabb: I am aware of recent complaints regarding unauthorised companies misusing the Green Deal logo in Wales. The Government takes this very seriously and are working with the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body, Trading Standards and Citizens Advice to take appropriate action.

I have raised this matter with my ministerial colleagues in the Department for Energy and Climate Change, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

M4

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Welsh Ministers on the proposed M4 relief road. [175568]

Mr David Jones: I have discussed potential improvements to the M4 around Newport with the First Minister on a number of occasions, most recently on 1 November with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. We were pleased to confirm to the First Minister that we will enable the Welsh Government to use their existing borrowing powers to help fund improvements to relieve congestion on this vital route through south Wales.

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Older People

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of Age Cymru's campaign regarding scams on older people. [175640]

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and ensuring that the Government do all we can to protect older people from financial scams.

To support the work of Age Cymru, on 25 November my noble Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, Baroness Randerson, will be hosting a meeting with stakeholders from across Wales to discuss how we can work together to help reduce older people's exposure to rogue traders and scammers.

Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private sector employees have been seconded by the private sector to his Department; what the name was of the company from which they were seconded; and whether any of those employees have worked on drafting legislation. [175661]

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has no record of any employees having been seconded from the private sector.

Severn River Crossing

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has held discussions with (a) Ministers in the Welsh Government and (b) the Secretary of State for Transport on tolling at the two Severn Bridges. [175566]

Mr David Jones: I have discussed tolling at the Severn crossings with both the First Minister and the Welsh Finance Minister, and with ministerial colleagues in the UK Government.

I understand the concerns regarding the cost of Severn crossings tolls, particularly those of the haulage industry, which were most recently expressed to me when I was in Newport with the Prime Minister on 1 November. I intend to have further discussions with the haulage industry in Wales to explore options to assist them, but the Government have been clear that we will need to continue to toll after the current concession ends in 2018 in order to recover costs incurred by UK taxpayers in relation to the crossings and to fund ongoing maintenance.

International Development

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to address the lack of educational facilities in British Overseas Territories. [175896]

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Mr Duncan: Each of the inhabited Overseas Territories (OTs) has its own educational system and facilities. DFID is responsible for the reasonable assistance needs only of those OTs that are eligible for Official Development Assistance. This includes Montserrat, Pitcairn, and St Helena (of which Tristan da Cunha is legally a constituent part). In each of these four territories, almost all the children between five and 16 years of age are enrolled in school. DFID is meeting more than half of the recurrent costs involved and supporting the Governments to improve the quality of education provided.

Burma

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many women who are victims of rape and sexual violence by armed forces in Burma have received financial assistance from her Department in each of the last two years. [176176]

Mr Duncan: Tackling violence against women is a high priority for the UK in Burma. In Kachin state, DFID is providing humanitarian assistance for over 40,000 internally displaced people, of whom 21,000 are female. This assistance includes shelter, food and in certain areas specific support for victims of conflict, including for women affected by sexual violence. In the Burmese refugee camps in Thailand we are providing support to victims of gender-based violence including onward referrals to specialist centres.

We have agreed to provide funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for two specialists to further strengthen the response to gender-based violence in the conflict-affected areas of Rakhine and Kachin states. We continue to emphasise to the Burmese Government the need to protect all citizens and respect human rights, particularly for women, and the UK has recently approved two new projects to tackle this problem in Burma, under the Foreign Secretary's Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative in conflict situations.

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the effect of capital investment in Montserrat; and what assessment she has made of the economic benefits of (a) her Department's aid to the island and (b) Montserrat's long-term economic self-sufficiency. [175891]

Mr Duncan: The British Government have a long-standing responsibility to meet the reasonable assistance needs of Montserratians and to assist Montserrat to gain economic self-sufficiency, in a cost-effective way. All DFID investments are supported by a business case that includes an assessment of economic benefits, and each is reviewed annually. All of these documents are available on DFID's website.

DFID assesses the overall impact of its investments in Montserrat annually through detailed review missions which examine progress against budget performance and policy priorities and agree any actions necessary.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what provision she has made to ensure that the educational budgets afforded to students in Montserrat equal those of students in schools in the UK. [175897]

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Mr Duncan: The Government of Montserrat maintain their own schools and support their own students. They use both local revenues and budgetary aid from DFID to finance the education service. Given the different costs and contexts there is no requirement that expenditure should equal that of the UK.

Philippines

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what UK, British and European assistance is being organised to assist the people of the Philippines; and if she will make a statement. [175837]

Mr Duncan: The British Government have committed over £50 million to assist with the disaster relief efforts currently under way in the Philippines. This includes a pledge to match the first £5 million donated by the public to the Disasters Emergency Appeal and the launch of the UK's Rapid Response Facility, which provides emergency support via pre-approved organisations in the event of a humanitarian disaster overseas. This will ensure leading charities have the resources they need to help victims of the typhoon and make the public's generous donations go even further. This is the first time the Government have match-funded a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. UK support so far has included:

the redeployment of HMS Daring and HMS Illustrious to the Philippines to join the aid effort;

providing over 8,800 temporary shelters and over 95 tonnes of materials, such as bedding, blankets, water purification kits and solar lanterns through the Rapid Response Facility;

flights delivering 4x4s, forklift trucks and cutting equipment to flood hit areas;

an Antonov 124 aircraft to provide 100 tonnes of airfield handling equipment to enable offloading of relief supplies at Cebu's other airfields;

the deployment of a team of 12 NHS staff trained to operate under emergency conditions;

£30 million to support the UN and Red Cross emergency appeals for the Philippines.

Other European and international institutions are also responding to the crisis. Our response team on the ground are coordinating with other organisations in order to better target UK aid and reduce duplication of efforts.

The UN has also activated a Level 3 (highest category) Inter-Agency Standing Committee System Wide response.

Pitcairn Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) current and (b) planned renewable energy there is on the Pitcairn Islands; and what analysis she has made of the cost and benefits of such projects to the (i) Pitcairn Islands and (ii) UK. [175886]

Mr Duncan: Currently energy is provided on Pitcairn through a diesel powered generator, which provides electricity for up to 16 hours per day.

An appraisal of renewable energy solutions for Pitcairn, including the costs and benefits to the island and the UK, will be considered in the next year.

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Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many private sector employees have been seconded by the private sector to her Department; what the name was of the company from which they were seconded; and whether any of those employees have worked on drafting legislation. [175655]

Justine Greening: There have been a total of six inward secondments from the following five different private sector organisations since 2011:

1. GlaxoSmithKline

2. Ernst and Young

3. PriceWaterhouseCoopers

4. Mott MacDonald

5. Willis Insurance Group.

None of these inward secondment arrangements required the secondee to work on drafting legislation.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Additives: EU Action

Mr Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the regulation of azodicarbonimide. [176274]

Michael Fallon: Officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are in regular contact with the Health and Safety Executive. This has included discussion of the concerns raised by parts of industry about potential changes to the regulation of azodicarbonamide.

Business Bank

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the Board of the Business Bank has met to date. [176401]

Michael Fallon: The board of the British Business Bank Ltd met once before the company was re-registered as a public company on 29 October 2013. British Business Bank plc will hold its first formal board meeting in early December; the directors meet frequently to discuss the company's business.

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many commitments have been made to date under the Investment Programme of the Business Bank. [176402]

Michael Fallon: Two commitments have been made to date under the Investment Programme of the British Business Bank.

£30 million of funding has been committed to a fund advised by Praesidian Capital, which will provide senior and subordinated debt finance to smaller UK businesses. At first close the fund size will be £96 million.

A further £15 million is to be committed to BMS Finance, a specialist finance company focused on lending to smaller UK businesses with high growth potential. At first close the fund size will be £30 million.

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There has in parallel been an increase in lending under the other schemes managed by the Business Bank. Enterprise Finance Guarantee lending, for instance, is up by 17% on the previous year and at its highest level since 2010.

Comet Group

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress the Insolvency Service has made on its report on Comet. [176399]

Jo Swinson: The inquiries being made by the Insolvency Service have continued to progress, but it is not possible to give any further details because of the restrictions on disclosure surrounding statutory investigations imposed by the Companies Act. The Insolvency Service is fully aware of the importance of completing the investigation expeditiously but that should not compromise its depth and thoroughness.

Conditions of Employment

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward legislative proposals designed to prevent the ill treatment of workers in sectors where employers and agencies use zero hours and self-employment contract models to transfer cost and risks to workers. [175833]

Jo Swinson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, has announced that a consultation will take place shortly on zero hours contracts, that will seek views on the issues we have been made aware of following a fact-finding exercise undertaken during the summer. The consultation will seek views on both legislative and non-legislative proposals.

People engaged on zero hours contracts can be either workers or employees. Self-employment is a separate employment status and the self-employed are usually identified by the fact they are in business for themselves, and are free to provide a service to multiple clients with far greater control over how, when and by whom the service is delivered. Government have no plans to review this specific employment status.

Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of progress in implementing the Cape Town convention on international interests in mobile equipment; and if he will make a statement. [176024]

Michael Fallon: The UK is committed to ratifying the Cape Town convention on international interests in mobile equipment and the protocol thereto on matters specific to aircraft equipment. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) continues to work closely with industry representatives on the benefits of ratification.

I shall be publishing a response to the call for evidence in the near future which will set out the next steps for ratification. The convention and protocol on matters specific to aircraft equipment contain a number of options for how the UK implements the treaty. BIS

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intends to consult industry representatives on these options. In the last few months a cross-department steering board has been established to monitor progress on ratification.

The Government do not intend to ratify the space protocol as we have been advised by the space industry that a system of protection for creditors already exists. The Government are supportive of the benefits of the rail protocol; however, this is still being negotiated at European level and no decision will be taken whether the UK ratifies the rail protocol until these discussions have concluded.

Copyright: Arts

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what date copyright protection for artistic designs made before 1 June 1957 will be extended; and for what reason this extension has been delayed. [176168]

Jo Swinson: Artistic designs made before 1 June 1957 may be in copyright if they are in copyright in another EU member state.

The Government understand that some artistic works created before 1 June 1957, where the work was also a design, may attract copyright protection by virtue of the Term Directive (2006/116/EC). If a work of artistic craftsmanship were protected by copyright in any EU member state on 1 July 1995, then it would be protected in the UK.

However, if copyright does exist in such a work, this will then be extended on a date to be determined by the current consultation process.

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If a work is not in copyright, there are no plans to create new copyright in these works.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to bring into force section 74 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. [176187]

Jo Swinson: The Government intend to lay secondary legislation to bring section 74 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 into force once we have concluded the consultation process on transitional provisions. The date of coming into force is the main issue for consultation.

A “Call for Evidence” on the timing of the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act is currently under way, and more information can be found at:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/pro-policy/consult/consult-live/ consult-2013-s52.htm

Departmental Responsibilities

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what dates since May 2010 his departmental board has met and which (a) ministers and (b) non-executive directors were in attendance on each occasion. [176244]

Jo Swinson: The following table details the dates of BIS Departmental Boards and ministerial and non-executive attendance since the creation of the Board in January 2011.

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Directors

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what work his Department's non-executive directors have undertaken for his Department in addition to attendance at departmental board meetings. [176245]

Jo Swinson: Outside of the departmental board, the BIS Non-Executive Board Members (NEBMs) spend up to two days a month providing support and challenge on departmental priorities. Their external expertise has informed policy and strategy development and the management of the Department and partner organisations. They have provided independent input into particular topics; Dalton Philips has been working with the Department on how we can be most efficient with our spending and Sir Andrew Witty has reviewed the role universities can play in supporting growth. NEBMs have contributed to triennial reviews of our partner organisations and have driven discussions on making processes as effective as possible; for example in the area of financial controls, and performance reporting.

NEBMs chair the Department's Nominations and Governance and Audit and Risk Committees, and meet with the Executive regularly to review departmental performance. The lead non-Executive reviews the departmental board's effectiveness annually and provides a statement on performance in the annual report and accounts.

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the preparation for the introduction of early conciliation as legislated for in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013; and if he will make a statement. [176044]

Jo Swinson: Officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), HMCTS and Acas are working closely to ensure that early conciliation will be implemented in April 2014. We consulted on some of the operational detail of how early conciliation will work in practice earlier this year, and it is our intention to publish the regulations in early 2014, so all parties have adequate time to familiarise themselves with the changes that early conciliation will introduce, and to prepare accordingly.

BIS internal audit recently carried out a review of Acas's scenario planning work for the implementation of early conciliation and produced a favourable report.

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he intends to implement the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. [176207]

Jo Swinson: Certain provisions of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act came into force on Royal Assent on 25 April 2013. Some provisions were brought in automatically two months after Royal Asset, on 25 June 2013. There have been three commencement orders, and one amendment commencement order, since then bringing further specific provisions of the Act into force. A table showing what has already been commenced and the intentions for the remaining provisions is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enterprise-and-regulatory-reform-act-2013-a-guide

EU External Trade: USA

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2013, Official Report, column 598W, on EU external trade: USA, if he will place in the Library the minutes of the meeting between officials from his Department and the EU Chief Negotiator that took place on 31 October 2013. [176398]

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Michael Fallon: The Government do not believe it would be appropriate to publish minutes of the meeting, as disclosure could harm the frankness and candour of future negotiations.

The Government are however committed to keeping Parliament up to date throughout the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Lord Green writes to the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU-US trade and investment and the European Scrutiny Committee chairs of both Houses to update on significant developments. We will also consider statements and other steps to keep Parliament informed of developments as the negotiations progress.

EU Law

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 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. [175484]

Jo Swinson: 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_v0_1.pdf

In the written ministerial statement given by the Minister for Europe on 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 Business, Innovation and Skills 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. [175505]

Jo Swinson: 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 European 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.

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Foreign Investment in UK

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what targets UK Trade and Investment has for regional inward investment to the (a) UK and (b) North East. [176193]

Michael Fallon: UK Trade and Investment has a national target of supporting 1,100 investment projects during 2013-14. UK Trade and Investment does not have individual targets for regions of the UK.

Higher Education: Admissions

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to ensure that students are not deterred from higher education on financial grounds. [176009]

Mr Willetts: For the 2013/14 academic year, eligible English domiciled full-time higher education students are able to apply for tuition loans of up to £9,000 (or up to £6,000 at privately-funded universities). Part-time students are able to apply for tuition loans of up to £6,750 (or up to £4,500 at privately-funded universities).

A comprehensive package of living costs support is also available to full-time students, including means-tested non-repayable maintenance grants of up to £3,354, and partly means-tested maintenance loans of up to £5,500 (up to £7,675 for students living away from home and studying in London; and up to £4,375 for students living at home).

Extra financial support is available to full-time students with children or other dependants—through childcare grants, parents' learning allowances and adult dependants' grants. These grants are income assessed and do not have to be repaid.

Disabled students allowances are also available to help full-time and part-time students with the extra costs they may incur on their course because of a disability, health condition or specific learning difficulty. These are not income assessed and do not have to be repaid.

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

Hotcourses Ltd

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many contracts his Department has awarded to Hotcourses Ltd since May 2010; and what the (a) purpose, (b) monetary value and (c) net worth was of each contract. [176376]

Jo Swinson: Core BIS has not awarded any contracts to Hotcourses Ltd since May 2010.

Insolvency

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the statement of 20 December 2012, Official Report, column 989WS, on business bank, what recent steps he has taken to (a) examine the regulatory system for insolvency and how

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it can be improved and (b) review whether better practices can be adopted more broadly; whether that system is being examined separately and beyond the scope of the Insolvency Service's review of the Comet case. [176400]

Jo Swinson: The UK insolvency regime is highly regarded internationally, ranked seventh in the world by the World bank. The Government are committed to further improving the performance of our insolvency procedures and confidence in the regulatory framework.

We have recently introduced a new single complaints gateway for anyone making a complaint against an insolvency practitioner and common disciplinary guidelines for use by the Recognised Professional Bodies.

As part of our consultation on “Transparency and Trust” we have been consulting on measures to strengthen the regime for director misconduct. Working together with interested parties we have identified a large number of measures under our Red Tape Challenge to reduce costs without removing necessary protections, which we will bring forward when legislative time permits. We have included measures in the Deregulation Bill currently the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny before Parliament, including facilitating bank accounts for bankrupts.

An independent review is being conducted of pre-pack Administrations and the Insolvency Service has recently worked closely with interested parties to improve SIP16, the mandatory reporting standard for pre-packs. We are also considering a review by Professor Elaine Kempson on insolvency practitioner fees.

Land Registry

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what action his Department has taken to stop unofficial websites defrauding customers seeking to make payments to the Land Registry through the official Land Registry website by purporting to be Government websites. [175874]

Michael Fallon: Land Registry are aware there are a number of websites selling their information. They keep an active log recording sites where complaints are received that are infringing their trademarks or confusing the public by passing themselves off as an official Government website.

Land Registry's actions has resulted in changes being made to some of these websites and two have been closed down by the UK internet governing body which agreed the companies had infringed the use of Land Registry's domain name.

Minimum Wage

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the integrity of the national minimum wage in the (a) retail, (b) care and (c) construction sectors. [175835]

Jo Swinson: The Government are committed to the national minimum wage and its effective enforcement. We are absolutely clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it.

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Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigates every complaint made through the free and confidential Pay and Work Rights Helpline. If workers feel they are not getting the minimum wage that they are legally entitled to then they should contact the free and confidential Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. Employers can also call the helpline if they are unsure of their obligations.

In addition, HMRC conducts risk-based enforcement in sectors or areas, such as apprenticeships, where there is a higher risk of workers not getting paid the legal minimum wage.

Since 2011 HMRC have conducted national minimum wage (NMW) inquiries into over 200 care sector employers, including targeted enforcement at c.40 of the larger residential care providers and c.40 of the larger home care providers. A full project evaluation of NMW compliance in the social care sector has been carried out by HMRC which will be published shortly.

The National Minimum Wage Interim Government Evidence for the Low Pay Commission's 2014 report contains more detail on Government's compliance and enforcement activity in the retail, care and construction sectors and can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/250104/bis-13-P157-nmw-interim-gov-evidence-lpc-2014-report-REVISED-2.pdf

Post Offices

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many new post office branches opened in each year from 2009-10 to 2012-13. [176395]

Jo Swinson: The information requested is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, chief executive officer of Post Office Ltd, to reply to the hon. Member directly, and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. However, I would note that the Government are providing £1.34 billion over the course of this Parliament to ensure a post office network of at least 11,500 branches, compliant with the Government-set access criteria, is maintained, and that the network, as a whole, is at its most stable for two decades.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many post office branches closed in each year since 2009-10. [176396]

Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question 175553 that I am answering today. The Government are providing £1.34 billion over the course of this Parliament to ensure that a post office network of at least 11,500 branches that complies with the Government-set access criteria is maintained. The network, as a whole, is at its most stable for two decades.

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many post office branches were open in (a) 2011-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13. [176397]

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Jo Swinson: The Government are providing £1.34 billion over the course of this Parliament to ensure that a post office network of at least 11,500 branches that complies with the Government-set access criteria is maintained. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 November 2013, Official Report, column 665W. That shows the network, as a whole, is at its most stable for two decades.

Post Offices: Closures

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many post office branches closed in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13. [175553]

Jo Swinson: At the end of March 2013 there were 11,780 post offices as part of the nationwide network of branches.

The net closure figures shown in the following table for the four years 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 reflect the position at the end of each financial year and predominantly reflect branches which have closed on a temporary basis for a variety of reasons. Where a post office closes on a temporary basis for operational reasons beyond its control, Post Office Ltd makes extensive efforts to identify a suitable applicant or alternative ways of re-establishing service.

Comparative figures for the previous four years which include permanent closures under the Government-funded Network Change programme in 2007-08 and 2008-09 are:

Public Houses: Closures

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent estimate is of the number of pubs which have closed in 2013-14 to date. [176335]

Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Poole (Mr Syms), on 18 November 2013, Official Report, column 665W. The Government do not compile statistics on pub closures and has made no estimate of the number of pubs that have closed.

TNT Post

Mr Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what publicly-funded financial assistance TNT Post UK received in connection with its postal operation in the M postcode in Greater

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Manchester; and for what purposes such assistance was provided. [175872]

Jo Swinson: TNT Post UK has not received any public funding in support of setting up its new postal operation in the M postcode in Greater Manchester.

The company has been working with MIDAS (Greater Manchester's inward investment agency) and other local agencies to locate appropriate properties in and around Manchester and to fill job vacancies for its postal operation from among the long term and youth unemployed in the region.

Trade Promotion

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps UK Trade & Investment is taking to use diaspora links to promote trade development; and how best practice on such use is shared and promoted throughout the UK. [176191]

Michael Fallon: UK Trade & Investment's (UKTI) regional teams throughout the UK are working closely with diaspora communities to maximise the opportunities for trade in overseas markets. Activities include diaspora community specific seminars, workshops, and forums with bodies representing these communities. For instance, in the Yorkshire and Humber Region the UKTI team have been working with the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, an organisation that connects and assists fast growing Asian businesses in the region.

UKTI regional teams are also working with leading business owners from diaspora groups in the UK to help promote trade. In addition, during the Prime Minister's visit to India last week, he announced my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel) as a UK-India diaspora champion. Work is ongoing to draw on the experience of the Indian diaspora, and the Prime Minister included members of the diaspora in the UK as part of his trade delegation in his visit to India in February.

UKTI is regularly collating information on the activities of its regional teams in engaging with these communities and sharing this across its regional network to ensure knowledge and best practice is then incorporated in its outreach and promotional efforts.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how UK Trade & Investment consults regional bodies on the composition of trade delegations. [176192]

Michael Fallon: UK Trade & Investment discusses with regional partners potential candidates for trade delegations; the make-up of specific delegations depends on their objectives, who is leading them, sectoral focus, and the market which they are visiting.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

EU Law

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [175514]

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Mr Lidington: 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.

Falkland Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had with his Argentinean counterpart on their opposition to oil drilling around the Falkland Islands; and what steps he is taking to prevent illegal interference in this matter. [175889]

Mr Swire: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not spoken directly to the Argentine Foreign Minister on this issue. In February 2013 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and representatives of the Falkland Islands Government, offered to meet with Mr Timerman to discuss issues of mutual interest in the South Atlantic, including hydrocarbons. This meeting was declined.

Attempts by Argentina to target commercial activities in the Falklands have no basis in law. Argentina’s domestic legislation has no applicability to the Falkland Islands and its surrounding waters, where Falklands and UK law has jurisdiction. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) formally protested in June 2011 when the legislation was introduced and we continue to register our fundamental disagreement with such laws each time the matter is raised.

The FCO remains in close contact with companies involved in the Falklands hydrocarbons industry and their confidence in operations remains high. We are unaware of any such companies withdrawing from the Falklands under Argentine pressure, and there has been no practical interference by third parties in their ongoing activities.

Gibraltar: Spain

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on border checks from Spain across the border into Gibraltar; and what estimate he has made of how long such delays will last. [175892]

Mr Lidington: Unreasonable delays at the Gibraltar-Spain border are continuing to affect peoples' lives on a near-daily basis. We monitor the situation closely and we are maintaining diplomatic pressure on the Spanish Government to reduce the delays. We welcome the fact that the Commission has put Spain on notice, by making clear recommendations to improve the functioning of the border, and we fully expect Spain to act on these

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recommendations. We have encouraged Spain to publish their letter from the Commission, as we have done, in the interests of transparency. The Commission is clearly still concerned by the situation, as it has committed to remain engaged and follow-up in six months, has reserved the right to reconsider its position, and has explicitly offered the possibility of a further visit to the border.

Human Rights

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries have been on his Department's Human rights Country of Concern list for longer than 10 years. [175534]

Mr Lidington: The Countries of Concern list featured for the first time in the 2005 Annual Human Rights Report. Therefore no countries have been on that list for longer than 10 years.

However, the Annual Report reporting on individual countries in 2000, in a chapter named “Challenges and Progress”. Individual countries on the current Countries of Concern list, which have featured in our Annual Report for longer than 10 years, are the following: Afghanistan, Burma, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe.

Maldives

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) EU member states, (b) Commonwealth countries and (c) members of the UN Security Council about the situation in the Maldives. [175533]

Mr Swire: The UK, together with the international community, has monitored closely the recent political instability in the Maldives and delays to the electoral process. The second round of elections took place on 16 November. The winner, President Yameen, is now in place. I visited the Maldives on 18 November and met the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon, to discuss the UK's continued support for democracy in the Maldives. It is now important that the new Government and the opposition work together constructively in the interests of all Maldivians and to avoid any acts of recrimination or retribution.

Prior to my visit to Mali, I discussed the situation in the Maldives with our Commonwealth partners in the margins of the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo. The situation in the Maldives has also been closely monitored by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), who last substantively discussed the situation on 13 November.

In the EU, the Maldives was last discussed at the Council of the EU's Asia-Oceania Working Party (COASI) on 13 November. The EU High Representative also raised her concerns on the delay to elections at the EU Foreign Affairs.

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Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many private sector employees have been seconded by the private sector to his Department; what the name was of the company from which they were seconded; and whether any of those employees have worked on drafting legislation. [175652]

Hugh Robertson: During the period 1 January 2012 to 1 November 2013, there were five employees seconded to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The organisations from which they were seconded were Thames Valley Police; Sussex University, Queen's University Belfast, Financial Service Authority and National Nuclear Laboratories.

Separately an employee of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP International Law firm has been loaned pro bono to work in a non legal capacity.

None of these employees were involved in drafting legislation.

Transport

Cycling

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to monitor local authority support for cycling; and if he will publish the results of such monitoring. [176179]

Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport does not monitor local authority support for cycling. The extent to which a local authority prioritises cycling is a matter for themselves and their electorate. However the Department encourages local authorities to monitor cycle projects funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and Cycling Ambition Grants. All of these projects submit outputs reports to the Department. Results for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund are published annually here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-sustainable-transport-fund-annual-report-2011-to-2012

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps his Department has taken to stop unofficial websites misleading people wishing to make payment through the official DVLA website. [175404]

Mr Goodwill: The Department has issued a number of communications to make the public aware that gov.uk is the first stop for all motoring services, and warning that other websites may charge additional fees. News stories on the DVLA pages of gov.uk have been supported by regular use of Twitter. Although the Office of Fair Trading has ruled that websites which charge additional fees are not acting illegally, the Government will continue to investigate reports of organisations which may be actively misleading users about their services.

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Driving Offences: Insurance

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the contribution by the hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire of 10 June 2013, Official Report, column 102, what steps he is taking to increase enforcement by the DVLA of non-insured foreign vehicles that have been in the UK for more than six months. [176091]

Mr Goodwill: All vehicles on UK roads are required under EU law to have at least third party insurance, even if they are temporary visitors. Once a foreign vehicle has been based in the UK permanently or for 185 days in any calendar year, it will need to be re-registered. It would require insurance with a UK insurer and the details of that policy would be included on the Motor Insurance Database. The vehicle would then be subject to continuous insurance enforcement (CIE) to tackle uninsured driving.

The DVLA is currently working with the police, UK Border Force and local authorities to develop a robust compliance and enforcement process to deal with vehicle keepers who refuse to comply with UK registration and licensing rules.

East Coast Railway Line

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on preparing the new InterCity East Coast franchise for tendering to date; and what estimate he has made of the overall cost of the East Coast refranchising programme by February 2015. [176086]

Stephen Hammond: Since the Franchising Programme was restarted in spring 2013, spend to date on the InterCity East Coast Franchise project totals £1.89 million. The project is forecast to cost £5 million to £6 million to February 2015. This is in line with the expected costs of other franchising projects taking into account recommendations made in Richard Brown's Review into Rail Franchising. The actual spend will be published annually in our departmental accounts.

High Speed 2

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions HS2 Ltd has had with (a) relevant local authorities and (b) Lichfield District Council on the relocation of residents and those properties affected by High Speed 2; and if he will make a statement. [174593]

Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd has had discussions with the London Borough of Camden (LBC) about options for relocating residents in social rented accommodation directly affected by the scheme. It has also met Birmingham City Council (BCC), to discuss similar issues, and to discuss whether residents of a Traveller Site affected by the scheme may require relocation.

HS2 Ltd has met Lichfield District Council about the proposal by HS2 Ltd to demolish a cluster of rural properties in Knox's Grave Lane. The purpose of this one meeting was to establish what Lichfield District

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Council's position was on the proposal by some local residents to build a replacement group of houses elsewhere within the District, and establish what role the Council would expect HS2 Ltd to have in any planning application by the residents to do this.

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions HS2 Ltd has had with (a) local authorities and (b) Lichfield District Council concerning the purchase and demolition of properties in (i) England and (ii) Lichfield District which may be required by HS2 Ltd. [174614]

Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd has had a number of discussions with local authorities along the whole line of route to discuss the general powers the nominated undertaker will exercise to compulsorily purchase and demolish properties.

HS2 Ltd has met Lichfield District Council about the proposal by HS2 Ltd to demolish a cluster of rural properties in Knox's Grave Lane. The purpose of this one meeting was to establish what Lichfield District Council's position was on the proposal by some local residents to build a replacement group of houses elsewhere within the District, and establish what role the Council would expect HS2 Ltd to have in any planning application by the residents to do this.

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make funds available to compensate individuals whose communities are affected by High Speed 2 and whose homes are being purchased by HS2 Ltd before HS2 Ltd serves a blight notice. [174615]

Mr Goodwill: The Government and HS2 Ltd continue to place a very high priority on mitigating the effects that building a new railway will bring. We are committed to fairly compensate those whose property is directly affected by the HS2 project.

The Government have introduced discretionary Exceptional Hardship Schemes (EHS) for properties affected by both Phases of the railway.

Safeguarding directions have also been issued for Phase One to protect the route from conflicting development. This also triggers the statutory blight and compensation regime for property owners within the safeguarding area.

The Phase One Property Compensation Consultation, which proposes a long term package of discretionary compensation measures, is running until 4 December.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many properties which have made applications to the HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme have not yet received any offers while they have been advertised on the open market. [176156]

Mr Goodwill: 342 out of 467 applications for the Exceptional Hardship Scheme for Phase One of HS2 did not receive offers while the subject property was on the open market. 28 out of 49 applications for the equivalent Phase Two scheme did not receive offers while the subject property was on the open market.

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Statistics are compiled from information received from applicants and estate agents. For these purposes, HS2 Ltd treat reapplications to the scheme as separate new applications, so offers made on properties whose owners have applied more than once to the scheme have been counted more than once. The total number of applications excludes those where properties were not placed on the open market. The total number of applications for Phase One excludes those that were withdrawn by the applicant or were transferred to the Phase Two scheme.

Large Goods Vehicles

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2013, Official Report, column 255W, on large goods vehicles, for what reason the Government consider that the demonstration of longer semi-trailers for articulated goods organised by his own Department on 27 June 2013 was not representative. [176188]

Stephen Hammond: The longer semi-trailer that was used in the demonstration in June uses one of several steering types available to over 30 different models of trailer in the trial. It was, therefore, not representative of the full range of vehicles in the trial.

The longer semi-trailer trial is first and foremost a research trial. We are monitoring all the different trailer types in the trial in order to assess their performance in the real world. All of the longer semi-trailers must comply with the manoeuvrability requirements set out in national construction and use legislation and so are able to match the actual performance of existing semi-trailers and are suitable for use on the road. Indeed, some longer semi-trailers have an outswing of only 250mm which is equivalent to, or less than, a 13.6m standard sized semi-trailer or a standard length bus.

Manchester-Burnley Railway Line

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of rolling stock on the Manchester to Burnley rail line as soon as it is completed. [176046]

Stephen Hammond: Department for Transport (DFT) are working with Northern Rail to develop the train service that will operate on the Manchester to Burnley route in 2014 following completion of the Todmorden curve. Northern Rail is currently working on a proposal that they will submit to the DFT for consideration. This will include options for the provision of diesel rolling stock to be used on the line. Their proposal may include diesel stock released from the electrified route between Liverpool and Manchester.

Motorcycles: Driving Tests

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorcycle tests were completed with the assessor operating from (a) an alongside motorcycle and (b) a car in each year since 2010. [176194]

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Stephen Hammond: The number of motorcycle tests that were completed with the examiner operating from (a) an alongside motorcycle (motorcycle to motorcycle) and (b) a car (car to motorcycle) in each year since 2010 are:

Night Flying

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 11 November 2013, Official Report, columns 29-30WS, on night flying restrictions, what weight he gave to the views of local communities in his consideration of responses to the first stage consultation. [175721]

Mr Goodwill: We have published a summary of responses to the first stage consultation alongside our second consultation. The document acknowledges that the vast majority of members of the public and community groups who responded to the first stage consultation wished to see an immediate or phased ban on night flights. However, we are not proposing changes to night movement limits at this time as we believe that possible changes to these limits are something which should be considered in the context of any recommendations from the Airports Commission and decisions on the future operational capacity of these airports.

Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to make an announcement on the devolution of Northern and Transpennine rail services. [176089]

Stephen Hammond: The Government remain committed to further decentralisation of decision making on rail service provision. Taken forward in the right way, enabling decisions on rail services to be made at a local level could increase local accountability, benefit passengers and help stimulate economic growth by lowering costs and improving efficiency.

We are discussing with the leaders of Rail North the best way forward in relation to decentralisation decision making on these franchises following their submission in October. This submission was a comprehensive and ambitious final proposal for full devolution of decision making on both franchises to a consortium of 33 northern local transport authorities from the start of the replacement franchises in 2016. We expect to make a decision on the way forward early in 2014.

Railways: Finance

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government will be making additional payments to train operating companies following the lowering of flex to two per cent in 2014. [176087]

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Stephen Hammond: As this measure is a change to the fares model on which franchise agreements are based, the Government are required to adjust levels of franchise compensation accordingly. The amount paid will be determined through negotiations with train operators.

Railways: Standards

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department had with the Office of Rail Regulation on the lowering of punctuality targets on the East Coast and West Coast main lines. [176088]

Stephen Hammond: Regulatory targets have been set by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for Network Rail regarding punctuality on West Coast and East Coast services by 2019, as part of the ORR's Final Determination for the Control Period 2014-19.

Following its consultation with user groups and the rail industry on its Draft Determination, the ORR concluded that it should both lower the Public Performance Measure (PPM) targets it had initially proposed for punctuality for long distance services and toughen the corresponding targets for cancellations and significant lateness (CaSL). This reflected customers' and operators' views that long-distance rail users are particularly disadvantaged by serious lateness and cancellations. In ORR's view, it was sensible to rebalance targets to focus on these areas of particular concern. The revised targets are at least as challenging for Network Rail to deliver as the original PPM targets.

Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many private sector employees have been seconded by the private sector to his Department; what the name was of the company from which they were seconded; and whether any of those employees have worked on drafting legislation. [175659]

Stephen Hammond: There are currently less than five private sector employees who have been seconded from the private sector in to the Department for Transport. Given the very small numbers involved in the request, detailed breakdown of secondments by individual organisation and their work remit cannot be provided.

Severn River Crossing: Tolls

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to abolish tolls on the two Severn bridges when the repayment of debt on them is complete. [175562]

Mr Goodwill: The Government are committed to the continued successful operation of these vital crossings. No decisions have been taken on future management or tolling arrangements on the crossings after the end of the current concession. However, the Government have been clear that there will be some outstanding costs that we have incurred relating to the crossings that need to be recovered. Any future arrangements will also need to make proper provision for future maintenance of these important crossings and reflect the needs of road users in both England and Wales.

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Northern Ireland

Aviation

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether she has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive about the potential effects on Northern Ireland of an increase in the number of runways at Heathrow. [175791]

Mr Robathan: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has regular discussions with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers about transport links between Northern Ireland and Heathrow airport, but the matter of an increase in the number of runways has not been raised.

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has made to the Davies Commission on long-term airport capacity needs. [175792]

Mr Robathan: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I take a close interest in all matters relating to air connectivity with Northern Ireland but the Department for Transport will take the lead in this matter on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. I hope that the Department for Regional Development and Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment will make representations to the Commission to ensure that Northern Ireland's circumstances can be taken fully into account.

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the air connectivity of Northern Ireland with London. [175793]

Mr Robathan: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland discusses these matters from time to time with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, none of whom have expressed dissatisfaction in respect of air connectivity between Northern Ireland and London. It is currently possible to fly from each of the six London airports to Belfast with the exception of London City.

Marriage

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with the (a) Prime Minister, (b) Deputy Prime Minister, (c) First Minister of Northern Ireland and (d) Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland on the timetable for the introduction of equal marriage in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [175673]

Mr Robathan: Marriage law is devolved in Northern Ireland, however neither the First Minister nor the Deputy First Minister have raised the matter of equal marriage with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Assembly passed a legislative consent motion concerning the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, on 24 June 2013 which will allow same-sex marriages conducted in England and Wales to be recognised as civil partnerships in Northern Ireland.

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Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many private sector employees have been seconded by the private sector to her Department; what the name was of the company from which they were seconded; and whether any of those employees have worked on drafting legislation. [175657]

Mr Robathan: No private sector employees have been seconded to my Department.

Communities and Local Government

Affordable Housing: Hampshire

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department has allocated to (a) Portsmouth South constituency and (b) Hampshire local authority to construct social housing since May 2010. [175731]

Kris Hopkins: The Department does not collect data on parliamentary constituency areas.

£14.5 million has been allocated to the Portsmouth area from the 2011-15 Affordable Homes Programme for delivery of 720 new affordable homes. In addition, £1.8 million has been allocated to the Portsmouth area through the Affordable Homes Guarantees Programme to deliver 103 new affordable homes.

£139.8 million has been allocated to the Hampshire area from the 2011-15 Affordable Homes Programme for delivery of 6,896 new affordable homes. In addition, £103 million has been allocated to the Hampshire area through the Affordable Homes Guarantees Programme to deliver 788 new affordable homes.

I would note that the Government's £4.5 billion of public investment in affordable housing over 2011-15 across England is being accompanied by an additional £15 billion of private investment, which is levered in thanks to the new affordable rent model. The hon. Member may wish to take this into account when noting the total level of housing investment.