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Scotland

Disabled Staff

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of employees in his Department have a physical or learning disability, by each civil service pay grade. [176664]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly, all staff that join do so an assignment, secondment or from other Government bodies, mainly the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice.

Information relating to staff that have a physical or learning disability would be retained by the parent bodies. However, to protect the identity and privacy of individual staff, data relating to fewer than five people are not disclosed in equal opportunities monitoring.

Discrimination

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of discrimination related to pregnancy or maternity have been lodged against employees of his Department by (a) current employees and (b) prospective employees in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176577]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not had any complaints of discrimination related to pregnancy or maternity lodged against its employees by (a) current employees or (b) prospective employees in each of the last five years.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of age discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many of those complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176611]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not had any complaints of age discrimination or harassment lodged against its employees by (a) employees or (b) other individuals in each of the last five years.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of racial discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176628]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has had no complaints of racial discrimination or harassment lodged against its employees by (a) employees or (b) other individuals, in each of the last five years.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of sexual discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176681]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not had any complaints of sexual discrimination or harassment lodged against its employees by (a) employees or (b) individuals in each of the last five years.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of disability discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176698]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not had any complaints of disability discrimination or harassment lodged against its employees by (a) employees or (b) other individuals in each of the last five years.

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Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of homophobic or transphobic discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176715]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not had any complaints of homophobic or transphobic discrimination or harassment lodged against its employees by (a) employees or (b) other individuals in each of the last five years.

Employment Tribunals Service

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims at employment tribunals have been lodged against his Department on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity discrimination in each of the last five years; and how many such cases were found against his Department. [176560]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not had any employment tribunals lodged against it on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity discrimination in each of the last five years.

Pay Television

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether offices of his Department have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case. [176437]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not pay for any premium television channels. The London office does have access to a package of television channels, which includes Sky Sports, provided by the Palace of Westminster Television Service. The Scotland Office is not charged for the different channels supplied.

Staff

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of employees in his Department are (a) female and (b) male, by each civil service pay grade. [176594]

David Mundell: The information requested is contained on page 29 of the Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General for Scotland's Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13, a copy of which is held in the House Library or can be sourced through the website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-and-accounts-2012-13--2

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of employees in his Department is (a) white British and (b) black, Asian and from other minority ethnic groups, by each civil service pay grade. [176646]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly, all staff that join do so an assignment, secondment or loan from other Government bodies, mainly the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice.

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Information relating to ethnicity of staff would be retained by the parent bodies. To protect the identity and privacy of individual staff, data relating to fewer than five people are not disclosed in equal opportunities monitoring.

UK Membership of EU

Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have had with their counterparts in the Scottish Government regarding an independent Scotland's membership of the EU. [176500]

David Mundell: Neither the Secretary of State for Scotland, the nor his ministerial colleagues, have held any discussions with their counterparts in the Scottish Government regarding an independent Scotland's membership of the EU.

As outlined in ‘Scotland analysis; devolution and the implications of Scottish independence’, in the event of independence the remainder of the UK would be the same state as the existing UK, while Scotland would legally become an entirely new state. Therefore the UK's EU membership would continue automatically, while an independent Scotland would need to seek membership on new terms.

Any treaty of accession that enabled an independent Scotland to become a member of the EU would require ratification from all 28 EU member states.

Leader of the House

Flexible Working

Mr Gibb: To ask the Leader of the House how many officials in his Office make use of compressed hours arrangements as part of the civil service's flexible working hours scheme (a) above and (b) below director level. [177401]

Mr Lansley: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is part of the Cabinet Office. Our answer will be included in the response by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, shortly.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: China

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to increase the level of agricultural exports to China. [176968]

George Eustice: UK food and drink exports to China are increasing rapidly. In the first eight months of this year exports were valued at £170 million, a 46% increase compared to the same period the previous year. China is now one of the UK's top 10 food and drink export markets. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, recently led the largest ever UK delegation to the Food and Hotel China international trade fair in Shanghai. China is identified as a key market for food and drink and agri-tech exports in both the Food and Drink Exports Action Plan and the

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Agri-tech Strategy, which outline wide ranging support available to help UK exporters take advantage of the opportunities.

The Government have recently concluded negotiations with the Chinese authorities to secure access for British pork, with exports increasing from £5 million for the first nine months of last year to £14 million for the same period this year. We are currently negotiating opening up market access for poultry meat, bovine and porcine semen, pigs trotters, pet food, event horses and trout to China, and beginning negotiations for ruminant meat.

Agriculture: Renewable Energy

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance his Department provides to farmers to assist them to learn about, install and utilise renewable energy. [176965]

George Eustice: The Government's Anaerobic Digestion (AD) loan fund, administered by the Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP), includes grants for business cases to help farmers decide if AD is right for them. In addition, continued Government financial support and action under our Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan is leading to growing uptake of AD, including in the agriculture sector.

The Government's Rural Community Energy Fund also provides support for rural communities in England in developing the pre-planning stages of community-scale renewable energy projects. All renewable technologies including AD are eligible for funding, and bids from local groups including farmers wishing to develop their thinking are welcome.

Birds: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what areas in the UK are important roosting areas for Brent geese; and what steps he is taking to protect those locations for future generations. [176948]

George Eustice: The identification and protection of important roosting areas for geese is a devolved issue. In England there are a number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under the EU Wild Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) for the dark-bellied brent goose and the Svalbard light-bellied brent goose. Details can be found on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website at:

http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1418

A review of the UK terrestrial/coastal SPA network is currently being undertaken, which will report next year, following which further consideration will be given to the adequacy of the current network, including for brent geese.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Northern Ireland Assembly and (b) the other devolved assemblies on the best way to control badgers and prevent bovine tuberculosis. [176944]

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George Eustice: DEFRA Ministers and officials frequently meet their counterparts in all the devolved Administrations to discuss many matters, including bovine TB. DEFRA hosts an official level UK TB Liaison meeting, which is normally a monthly event.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) the EU Directorate General for Health and Consumers, (b) the EU Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Development and (c) other European Commission officials have required a badger-culling programme to be a compulsory element of the UK tuberculosis eradication programme. [177200]

George Eustice: The UK is required by Council Directive 77/391/EEC to have an accelerated bovine TB eradication plan. In order to qualify for a financial contribution from the EU, the plan must satisfy minimum criteria in Council Directive 78/52/EEC. Neither directive states the explicit requirement for a badger cull.

However, in a letter of 8 November 2011 to former Food and Farming Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James Paice), former Directorate General for Health and Consumers Commissioner John Dalli wrote:

'As the UK considers that badgers are a key factor for spreading the disease, a policy decision concerning this issue must be taken without further delay and implemented rapidly'.

Further details of the letter are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239596/5618.pdf

Additionally, the report of the bovine TB Sub-Group of the EU Task Force for Monitoring Animal Disease Eradication mission to the UK on 27-28 March 2012 concluded that:

'It is...of utmost importance that there is a...commitment to long-term strategies to combat TB in badgers as well as in cattle...there is considerable evidence to support the removal of badgers in order to improve the TB status of both badgers and cattle.'

A copy of the report is available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/docs/tb_subgroup_uk_2012_en.pdf

Carbon Emissions

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2013, Official Report, column 361W, on carbon emissions, for what reasons his Department's guidance on air quality permits additional emissions where the effect is deemed to be negligible in areas where air quality management standards are being breached; [176535]

(2) pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2013, Official Report, column 361W, on carbon emissions, at what point the cumulative impact of additional emissions in areas where air quality standards are already being breached would lead to a prohibition on further such emissions. [176536]

Dan Rogerson: In order to allow new industrial installations to operate and contribute to the economy, DEFRA’s guidance on air quality permits additional

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emissions in areas where air quality management standards are being breached, where the effect is deemed to be negligible.

If a European air quality standard is already being breached in a particular area, then a permit should not be issued to any new industrial installation that would cause anything beyond a negligible increase in the extent of the breach. However, if it is clear to the regulator that a combination of controls on the proposed installation and measures to reduce emissions from other sources will achieve compliance with the standard, then the installation may be permitted.

Any significant additional contribution to a breach of a domestic air quality standard has to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the regulator, taking account of the costs and advantages of measures to reduce or prevent the breach.

Cattle

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of liver fluke in cattle. [176950]

George Eustice: Liver fluke is not a notifiable or statutory controlled disease in either cattle or sheep so DEFRA takes no formal action in its control. Through our scanning surveillance for new and re-emerging diseases in farmed livestock we are aware that the very wet summer and winter of 2012 has led to an increased incidence of the disease both in areas where it is common and spread east to less usual areas. Vets from our Animal Health and Laboratories Agency, are providing their disease knowledge and expertise to industry groups to help them best tackle this issue.

DEFRA is also providing funding to a collaborative research project worth £500,000 seeking to develop a better diagnostic test for liver fluke. This will help farmers take more targeted and effective action to manage the disease.

Common Agricultural Policy

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what communications his Department had with the European Commission about how to divide the uplift money in the CAP budget between the constituent parts of the UK; and if he will make a statement; [176888]

(2) who his Department consulted before making the division of the uplift money in the CAP budget allotted to the constituent parts of the UK; [176889]

(3) what criteria the Government used to divide the uplift money in the CAP budget between the constituent parts of the UK. [176887]

George Eustice: Pillar 1 direct payments the UK's receipts will fall over the next budgetary period (2014-20). After having consulted the devolved Administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and accounting for the views of English stakeholders the Government concluded that the most appropriate way of allocating the cut in our direct payments was through an equal proportionate reduction in the budget of each region. Each region will therefore maintain their historic share of direct payments based on the 2012-13 regional ceilings.

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Similarly, the Government have decided that the change in our Pillar 2 allocation should also be distributed equally, based on the average historic shares of Pillar 2 between each region over 2007-13.

To help inform our discussions on these matters, DEFRA officials and officials from the devolved Administrations met with the European Commission to confirm how the Commission had calculated the UK's overall budget for direct payments and rural development over 2014-20.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the implementation of CAP reform in England. [177269]

George Eustice: On 31 October DEFRA launched a consultation on the Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform in England. To date DEFRA has received approximately 3,300 responses.

Dogs: Imports

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the risk of rabies entering the UK from Bulgaria or Romania through the import of puppies. [177319]

George Eustice: A comprehensive risk assessment carried out in 2011, prior to the UK's harmonisation with the European Union (EU) Pet Travel Scheme, concluded that the risk of an animal with rabies coming into the UK is very low and the risk of rabies being passed from a pet to a person is lower still. The details of this assessment are available at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/rabies/

This risk assessment incorporated both intra-EU and third country movements. Its conclusions are valid for animals moving under both the EU Pet Travel Scheme and commercial movements, as the risk mitigation measures are the same for both categories. We are constantly monitoring the prevalence of rabies, as well as other high impact diseases, around the world. If there is a significant change in the disease situation in any country we carry out a rapid risk assessment; these assessments are made available at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/monitoring/poa/

Food: Origin Marking

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had at EU level to ensure that companies who produce British food can display the Union flag on their produce. [176942]

George Eustice: The EU Commission has published draft implementing rules relating to country of origin labelling for meat. We were concerned that an earlier draft might have inadvertently banned flags from meat labels and raised this issue with the Commission. The draft rules have been amended to clarify that such symbols are permitted.

The draft rules have not yet been adopted and the UK is actively involved in negotiations.

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Milk: Prices

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help he has given to the dairy sector to maintain the price of milk; and what steps he is taking to liaise with major grocery companies to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their produce. [176949]

George Eustice: DEFRA continues to support the UK dairy industry's work in a number of key areas. We have given our full support to the dairy industry's Code of Best Practice for Contractual Relations. The Code already covers in excess of 85% of raw milk production in the UK and is helping to improve contractual relationships between farmers and milk buyers.

The Government are also providing £5 million worth of new funding under the Rural Economy Grant Scheme for high quality dairy projects which can help dairy farmers explore the potential in new markets through support for collaboration and marketing.

DEFRA, in partnership with UKTI, has developed the Government's 'Exports Action Plan' for driving export growth across all farming, food, and drink sectors. The dairy industry has also established the first “Dairy Exports Forum” which is fully supported by DEFRA.

With respect to contractual terms and conditions between retailers and their direct suppliers which include milk and dairy processors, the Government has introduced the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and appointed the Grocery Code Adjudicator, Christine Tacon, who will enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice to ensure that large retailers are not transferring excessive risk to their direct suppliers.

Nature Reserves: Enfield

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposals of the Environment Agency to use rotenone in Turkey Brook, Enfield; and if he will place a moratorium on the use of that substance in the absence of a formal impact assessment. [177346]

George Eustice: Piscicides are currently used by the Environment Agency to deliver its strategic invasive non-native species management programmes to eradicate high risk invasive species from the aquatic environment and counter the threats they pose to habitats, species and valuable recreational fisheries nationwide.

This contributes to the delivery of improvements to the aquatic environment under the Environment Agency's National Water Framework Directive programme (WFD). The WFD programme falls under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations 2004 and has been screened accordingly.

The proposal to use rotenone to eradicate topmouth gudgeon from Turkey Brook, North Enfield is an operational matter for the Environment Agency. The site planned for eradication is connected to locally important fisheries on the River Lea and the spread of topmouth gudgeon poses a significant threat to those fisheries if not controlled. Nonetheless, any such projects requiring the use of piscicides are reviewed as part of the operational assessment process and rigorously planned to ensure that impact to the wider environment is minimised and where appropriate mitigated.

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The use of rotenone is currently being reviewed under the EU Biocides Regulation; the outcome of this scientific assessment will determine its future usage across the EU. As such there are no current plans to place a moratorium on its use in England, and the Environment Agency will continue to be licensed to use it in exceptional circumstances.

Phytophthora Ramorum

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of larch trees infected with phytophthora ramorum have been (a) treated, (b) felled, (c) not treated to date and (d) not felled to date. [177263]

Dan Rogerson: Forestry is a devolved issue. However, I can provide information on phytophthora ramorum with relation to larch trees in England. There is no known cure for this disease in trees so there is no treatment available. There will inevitably be some trees that have been infected and have not yet been identified so it is not possible to calculate the proportion of larch affected.

The latest information from the Forestry Commission in England, which records information by woodland area and estimated timber volume, not tree numbers, is set out in the following table. This shows the area of woodland and volume of timber under Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHN) requiring the trees to be felled, as well as the volume estimated of trees under Notice still to be felled.

The hon. Member may wish to contact Welsh Ministers to discuss the position in Wales.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of compliance with Halal strictures of electric stunning of chickens. [176518]

George Eustice: It is for halal organisations to decide whether the stunning parameters in the European Union (EU) Regulation 1099/2009, on the protection of animals at the time of killing, comply with their strictures.

Reservoirs

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the potential effect on (a) the number of reservoirs built by landowners on private land and (b) water resilience capacity of introducing tax relief for capital costs of the construction of reservoirs. [177341]

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Dan Rogerson: DEFRA has not estimated either the number of additional reservoirs that could be built or the potential water resilience capacity as a result of introducing tax relief for capital costs on the construction of reservoirs.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what environmental benefits assessment his Department has undertaken in respect of the benefits of additional reservoirs being constructed by private landowners. [177343]

Dan Rogerson: DEFRA has not undertaken an assessment of the environmental benefits of additional reservoirs being constructed by private landowners.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish his Department's most recent cost-benefit analysis of tax relief for the construction of reservoirs on private land; and when his Department last undertook such an analysis. [177345]

Dan Rogerson: We will be publishing a report in the new year called “Water for agriculture: collaborative approaches and on-farm storage”. The report will look at the costs and benefits of on-farm reservoirs and will help our understanding of the role tax relief may play on investment in reservoirs on private land. DEFRA presented an estimate of potential costs of capital allowances to HM Treasury on 12 March 2012, assuming no change from previous patterns of reservoir construction.

Sheepmeat

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that there is availability of local lamb. [176947]

George Eustice: While eating locally produced food, including lamb, has become a major trend recently as consumers discover its superior quality and economic and environmental benefits, the Government cannot control its availability. This is dictated by commercial considerations and local initiatives.

Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answers of 31 October 2013, Official Report, column 280W, on pesticides, columns 278-9W, on drinking water: contamination, and columns 282-4W, on pesticides: poisoning, if he will publish the direct weblinks to the information referred to in those answers as being available online. [177057]

Dan Rogerson: Pursuant to my answers of 7 November 2013, Official Report, columns 278-9W on drinking water: contamination, column 280W on pesticides and columns 282-4W on pesticides: poisoning, I have provided the direct web links to the information described below, together with the Hansard references.

Hansard: columns 278-9W on drinking water contamination, the record of all prosecutions of water companies since 1990 for the offence of supplying water unfit for human consumption (s70 of the Water

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Industry Act 1991) in England and Wales can be found on the Drinking Water Inspectorate's website at:

http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/press-media/incidents-and-prosecutions/prosecution-record.pdf

Hansard: columns 280W pesticides, GB survey reports and data (and from 2010 UK data) are published on the Food and Environment Research Agency's website at:

http://pusstats.fera.defra.gov.uk/index.cfm

Hansard: columns 282-4W on pesticides: poisoning, data from the Health and Safety Executive's Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel (PIAP) report is published on the HSE's website at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/index.htm

The 2010/11 report, for example, is published on HSE's website at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fod/pir1011.pdf

The Human Health Enquiry and Incident Survey (HHEIS) reports on the requirement for authorisation holders for products to provide details of all human health related reports or enquiries involving their products. The results are published at:

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/pesticide-approvals/enforcement/annual-questionnaire-on-the-possible-effects-of-pesticides-on-human-health.htm

Women and Equalities

Long Term Unemployed People: Middlesbrough

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in long-term unemployment amongst women in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency between May 2010 and October 2013. [176488]

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

Between May 2010 and May 2011 the number of women in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland claiming jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months fell from 125 to 115. From June 2011 to September 2012 the number rose to 345.

This trend reflects that under the New Deal programme operating until June 2011, young people were not allowed to claim JSA continuously for more than a year and adults were not allowed to claim for more than two years. This held the number of long-term claimants below its true level, with some people who had been out of work for an extended period, having been moved onto a training allowance before returning to JSA, counted as short-term unemployed. The number of long-term JSA claimants rose because this no longer happened—individuals joining the Work programme continue to receive JSA until they find regular employment.

In the last year the number of women with a long-term JSA claim in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland has started to fall, reaching 305 in October 2013.

Defence

Afghanistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost of military action in Afghanistan has been to date. [177407]

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Mr Francois: The net additional costs of military operations in Afghanistan are included in the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 (HC 38), which are available in the Library of the House, and can also be found online at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual-report-and-accounts-201213

Armed Forces Covenant

Mr Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which local authorities have not signed up to the community covenant. [174257]

Anna Soubry [holding answer 12 November 2013]:As of 12 November 2013, only 16 local authorities in Great Britain had not signed a community covenant. Of these, five have a planned signing date, and we are holding constructive discussions with the remainder.

Armed Forces: Suicide

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) serving armed forces personnel and (b) veterans committed suicide between 2002 and 2012; and if he will make a statement. [174249]

Anna Soubry: Every suicide is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of all those who have sadly taken their own lives. However, suicide among members of the armed forces remains extremely rare and is generally lower than comparative rates in the civilian population. All three services have seen a declining trend in suicide rates since the 1990s.

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Between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2012, there were 158 coroner-confirmed suicides or open verdict deaths among UK regular armed forces and deployed reservist personnel. Between 2007 and 2012 there were a further 20 deaths which are currently awaiting the outcome of a coroner's inquest where the mechanism of death suggests suicide.

The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the number of suicide and open verdict deaths among all veterans, but does hold information on the cause of death (including suicide) among veterans of the 1982 Falkland campaign, Gulf 1 conflict and a Gulf era-comparison group. Between 2002 and 2012 there were 188 post-service suicides and open verdict deaths among these groups. Although an analysis of the 2002-2012 figures has not been conducted, taken overall these groups have a statistically significantly lower risk of suicide and open verdict deaths compared to the UK population.

Army

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army recruits enlisted in financial year 2012-13 aged 18 years old or above dropped out before completing their phase 2 training. [177103]

Anna Soubry: The number of Army recruits aged 18 or above who have dropped out before completing their phase 2 training during financial year (FY) 2012-13 is shown in the following table:

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of soldiers promoted to each NCO rank of lance corporal and above in each of the last 10 years were aged under 18 at enlistment. [177271]

Anna Soubry: The following tables show the number and percentage of regular soldiers promoted to each non-commissioned officer rank of lance corporal and above. Information prior to 2007 is not held in the format requested.

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Burma

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with ethnic civil society organisations in Burma's conflict zones before offering training to the Burmese army. [177189]

Mr Francois: Educating the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) in their role within a democratic society is part of a wider HMG approach to security sector reform in Burma. Officials have met with members from NGOs who have interests in Burma, in order to ensure that their concerns about our engagement are listened to and in some cases, our approach has been tailored to support their views. During Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, she asked for our help in instilling in the Burmese military an understanding of the value—including to themselves—of being a professional and apolitical Army. Indeed, Daw Suu particularly liked the fact that the education that we intend to provide to the Burmese military will be jointly delivered by military and civilian academic staff. We will continue to review our engagement in Burma in the light of the Tatmadaw's evolving stance on reform.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how Burmese soldiers who receive training from the UK are monitored after such training to ensure they do not commit human rights abuses. [177320]

Mr Francois: The Tatmadaw (Burmese military) hold 25% of the seats in the Burmese Parliament on an unelected basis; our programme to influence and educate them is a key part of HMG's contribution to the process of democratic reform in Burma.

In January 2014 a team from the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom will travel to Burma to deliver a course called Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context. The academic team will provide education, to 30 members of the military and other Government departments, that will explore the civil-military relationship in a democratic society, address topics such as governance, accountability and also human rights and the rule of law. The course does not offer the Tatmadaw any form of training that would enhance their combat capability.

However active post-course monitoring of participants is not practicable although through long-term dialogue, we will enquire about their progress. It is our desire that the enduring lessons of this course will form a part of the process to ensure that the Tatmadaw continues on its road to reform.

Discrimination

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints of discrimination related to pregnancy or maternity have been lodged against employees of his Department or its executive agencies by (a) current employees and (b) prospective employees in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action; [176568]

(2) how many complaints of age discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department or its Executive agencies by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many of those complaints resulted in disciplinary action; [176602]

(3) how many complaints of racial discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department or its Executive agencies by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action; [176619]

(4) how many complaints of sexual discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department or its Executive agencies by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action; [176672]

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(5) how many complaints of disability discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department or its Executive agencies by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action; [176689]

(6) how many complaints of homophobic or transphobic discrimination or harassment have been lodged against employees of his Department or its Executive agencies by (a) employees and (b) other individuals in each of the last five years; and how many such complaints resulted in disciplinary action. [176706]

Anna Soubry: This information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

It is Ministry of Defence policy that discrimination and harassment, on any grounds, is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the workplace. The Department has robust procedures in place for individuals who feel they are being discriminated against or harassed. In addition, the annual ‘Your Say’ staff survey highlights where advice on such issues can be found.

Employment Tribunals Service

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims at employment tribunals have been lodged against his Department on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity discrimination in each of the last five years; and how many such cases were found against his Department. [176551]

Anna Soubry: It is MOD policy that discrimination and harassment, on any grounds is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the workplace.

The Department has robust procedures in place for individuals who feel they are being discriminated against or harassed. In addition, the annual 'Your Say' Staff Survey highlights where advice on such issues can be found.

The number of claims at employment tribunal lodged against the Department or its trading funds on the ground of pregnancy or maternity discrimination in each of the last five years, and the outcome, is shown in the following table.

Germany

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his German counterpart regarding restrictions imposed on the support provided to the US defence communications network through use of UK military bases, facilities and personnel. [R] [176766]

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Mr Francois [holding answer 22 November 2013]:No such discussions have taken place.

Members: Correspondence

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2013, Official Report, column 98W, on Afghanistan, when the Minister of State for the Armed Forces plans to write to the hon. Member for North Durham with the requested information. [177360]

Mr Francois: The information requested is being collated. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

Military Intelligence

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2013, Official Report, column 414W, on military intelligence, whether the Crossbow real time imagery analysis of Full Motion Video includes imagery from intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance assets operated by the USA which are not under joint International Security Assistance Force command. [R] [176846]

Mr Francois [holding answer 22 November 2013]: No.

Ministry of Defence Police

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions he or his officials have met the Chairman of the Defence Police Federation in relation to his Department's Report on Ministry of Defence Police Pensions; [177234]

(2) whether he has any meetings planned with the Defence Police Federation Chairman before the publication of his Department's Report on Ministry of Defence Police Pensions. [177241]

Anna Soubry: There have been a number of meetings with the Defence Police Federation as part of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Terms and Conditions of Service Review. These have included discussions regarding pensions. The MDP review team have an undertaking to meet with the Defence Police Federation informally at least every six weeks as part of that review.

A copy of the Department's final report into the likely effect of section 10 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 on the MDP and Defence Fire and Rescue Services will be made available to the Defence Police Federation prior to publication.

RAF Croughton

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of any Memoranda of Understanding and other agreements regarding arrangements under which the UK Government makes RAF Croughton available for communications activities by the US. [R] [176768]

Mr Francois [holding answer 22 November 2013]:RAF Croughton is made available for use by the United States Visiting Forces under the terms of the NATO

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Status of Forces Agreement of 1951 (Cmd 9363) of January 1955, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. This document is also available on the NATO website at:

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_17265.htm

There are no separate arrangements regarding RAF Croughton’s role as a communications facility.

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will introduce a moratorium on communications activities carried out by US officials at RAF Croughton and initiate a departmental review of the type and purpose of all communications activities undertaken at that base; [R] [176770]

(2) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leeds North East of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 940W, on USA, if he will review the current legal framework and procedure in place for ensuring oversight of communications activities carried out at RAF Croughton; and if he will make a statement. [R] [176844]

Mr Francois [holding answer 22 November 2013]:The Ministry of Defence remains satisfied with the arrangement that is currently in place regarding the use of RAF Croughton by the US. The Department has no plans to review this arrangement nor review the activities undertaken by the US at the base.

RAF Police

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what partnership training takes place between RAF protection police and personnel from other nations. [176951]

Mr Francois: I have taken the term “RAF protection police” to mean RAF police in this instance. Currently the RAF police conduct no partnership training with personnel from other nations.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development about possible assistance by the RAF protection police to his Department in its work overseas. [176953]

Mr Francois: I have taken the term “RAF protection police” to mean RAF police in this instance. No discussions have taken place.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint training takes place between the RAF protection police and their equivalents in (a) the US, (b) Canada and (c) other NATO countries with regard to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training. [176954]

Mr Francois: I have taken the term “RAF protection police” to mean RAF police in this instance. No joint chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear training takes place between the RAF police and their equivalents in the US, Canada or any other NATO country. The RAF Defence Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Wing undertakes joint training, but this unit does not include any member of the RAF police.

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Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role of the RAF protection police will be after Operation Herrick in Afghanistan in 2015. [176955]

Mr Francois: We have yet to determine the precise nature and contribution of UK armed forces in Afghanistan post 2014, beyond our firm commitment to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy. Therefore, no decisions have yet been taken on the composition of our military capability, in Afghanistan in 2015.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits from Northern Ireland have joined the RAF protection police in each of the last five years. [176956]

Anna Soubry: I have taken the term “RAF protection police” to mean RAF police in this instance.

The information is not held in the format requested. The following table gives details of those recruited through the recruitment offices in Northern Ireland in each Recruiting Year since 2008-09. This gives an indication of recruitment into the RAF Police in Northern Ireland. However, this information may not provide a comprehensive picture of individuals recruited from Northern Ireland as recruits can join the services at any Careers Office irrespective of where they reside.

In accordance with the Data Protection Act, and our obligations in relation to the protection of confidentiality when handling personal data, these data have been rounded.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training takes place between Afghan police and the RAF protection police in (a) the UK and (b) Afghanistan. [176957]

Mr Francois: I have taken the term “RAF protection police” to mean RAF police in this instance. No training currently takes place between Afghan police and RAF police personnel in either the UK or Afghanistan.

However, the RAF police did conduct mentoring roles as part of a police advisory team in Afghanistan until the end of October 2013.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Average Earnings

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an assessment of the effect of skills levels on weekly or monthly wages for persons in employment in each of the last three financial years. [177071]

Matthew Hancock: Information on the mean hourly wage of full-time employees aged 19 to 59/64 by level of highest qualification held in England (based on the

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Labour Force Survey) is published in a Supplementary Table to a Statistical First Release. This table is published at the following link:

http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F117C12B-B33D-4C5F-A273-F119E0F4E68A/0/LFS_supplementary_Mean_Hourly_Wage April13.xls

BIS Research Paper numbers 45 and 53 provide the Department's latest estimates of the wage returns to higher qualifications and to intermediate and low-level vocational qualifications respectively. These reports are published at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-qualifications-returns-and-benefits

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/r/11-1282-returns-intermediate-and-low-level-vocational-qualifications

Business: EU Law

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to assist UK businesses seeking amendment of Commission Regulation 900/2008 to correct the anomalies in the test methodology as set out in article 2(3)b of that Regulation; and if he will make a statement. [175101]

George Eustice: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Imports of some processed agricultural products incur a duty based on the levels of milk fat and whey protein they contain. European Commission Regulation 900/2008 lays down the methods of analysis for determining these levels. The methods have been challenged by importers of high protein whey products who suggest that they are not reliable when applied to their particular products.

The Government are working with the European Commission to address the anomalies in the test method in Regulation 900/800 for high protein whey products where the analytical marker present from milk is used to measure milk fat levels and has been chemically modified during the production process. The Commission is looking to amend Regulation 900/08 to take account of these anomalies.

Charity Research Support Fund

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Higher Education Funding Council for England on funding to be allocated to the Charity Research Support Fund in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16. [177331]

Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, has not had any recent discussions with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) concerning the funding allocated by HEFCE towards the charity support element of Quality Related research funding.

The Government recognise the significant contribution made by charitable funders of research. The charity support element of Quality Related research funding, provided by HEFCE, recognises the public benefit arising from research funded by charities. HEFCE was asked,

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as part of the science and research allocation for the spending review period 2011-15, to protect support for institutions leveraging funding from external sources, such as the charitable and business sectors. HEFCE has clearly signalled that this instruction will continue to guide its allocations through to 2014-15. It will of course be for the HEFCE board to determine the levels of future funding to deploy from within its overall research allocation.

Decisions on the strategic priorities and levels of science and research funding for 2015-16 allocated to HEFCE, the Research Councils and others will be made in due course. I cannot however pre-empt subsequent decisions which are the responsibility of the HEFCE Board about detailed distribution of this funding.

Disabled Staff

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of employees in his Department have a physical or learning disability, by each civil service pay grade. [176651]

Jo Swinson: 69% of BIS staff have made a diversity declaration relating to disability. Of that 69%, 9% declared a disability of some type. The latest available data for core BIS are as follows:

The information supplied is dated 30 August, as BIS has transferred to a new system for collecting workforce information and more recent analysis is not yet available.

Although we are not currently able to differentiate between physical or learning disabilities, the introduction of the new system will allow us to make this distinction in future. We do not mandate staff to complete a diversity declaration.

We have recently begun a programme of activity and communication to encourage staff to declare their diversity information and we anticipate an improvement in the number of declarations by the end of December.

Employment Tribunals Service

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many claims at employment tribunals have been lodged against his Department on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity discrimination in each of the last five years; and how many such cases were found against his Department. [176547]

Jo Swinson: There have been no ET claims against the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in the last five years relating to maternity or pregnancy.

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EU External Trade

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much compensation has been paid by the (a) UK and (b) EU under current investor-state dispute settlement agreements in each of the last five years. [177235]

Michael Fallon: The UK and EU have paid no compensation under the investor-state dispute settlement system during the last five years.

EU External Trade: USA

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2013, Official Report, columns 597-8W, on EU external trade: USA, (1) who the members are of the strategy group of senior level officials from relevant departments and on which dates meetings of that group have been held; and if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of those meetings; [176543]

(2) who the members are of the European Affairs Committee of the Cabinet. [176891]

Michael Fallon: The strategy group chaired by Tom Scholar is one of a number of processes for co-ordinating government policy on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The senior officials that attend this group depend on the items under discussion but include directors general from key Departments such as Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HM Treasury, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Home Office, Department of Health and Ministry of Justice.

The group meets on a roughly monthly basis, although the exact frequency will depend on the pace of the TTIP negotiations. Since May it has met five times. As was the case under previous Administrations information relating to internal discussion, advice and policy development is not normally disclosed.

The revised membership of the European Affairs Committee of the Cabinet will be announced shortly in a written ministerial statement.

Food: Manufacturing Industries

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many officials in his Department work on policy relating to food and drink manufacturing; [176924]

(2) whether there is a dedicated team within his Department which deals with policy relating to food and drink manufacturing. [176925]

Michael Fallon: DEFRA is the lead Department in Whitehall responsible for Government relations with the UK food and drink manufacturing sector; BIS does not have a dedicated team of policy officials that deals in this area. BIS Ministers and staff have discussions with representatives of this industry when any departmental policies may affect the sector. In addition, the Department has a Relationship Management role with key food and

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drink companies, including participation in virtual teams as part of UKTI's Strategic Relationship Management programme.

Gas Masks

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the risk of the inhalation of crocidolite asbestos through the use of Second World War gas masks in schools for demonstration purposes; and if he will make an estimate of the number of people involved in such demonstrations. [176795]

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

The risk of inhalation of asbestos fibres from a Second World War gas mask during a demonstration is dependent on the condition of the mask and how it is demonstrated. The Health and Safety Executive's assessment is that the risk of inhaling any asbestos fibres during the demonstration of Second World War gas masks in good condition is low. Nevertheless, if the mask is damaged or deteriorating there is an increased risk that asbestos fibres will be released. As all these gas masks are old, and assessing the condition of the filter is not straightforward, the Health and Safety Executive's advice is that it is not appropriate for children or teachers to handle for demonstration purposes any Second World War gas mask that could contain asbestos.

Heart Diseases and Cancer

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of funding for medical research on (a) cancers and (b) coronary heart disease. [176934]

Mr Willetts: The Government have not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of funding into cancers and coronary heart disease. National analyses of spending on health research in the UK are undertaken and published by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration. The latest edition of the UK Health Research Analysis is available from the following link:

http://www.ukcrc.org/publications/reports/

ICT: Israel

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of the benefit of the UK-Israel Tech Hub to the economies of Israel and the UK; [176235]

(2) in which countries there are bilateral UK tech hubs. [176236]

Michael Fallon: The UK-Israel Tech Hub helps economic growth in both countries by partnering UK companies with the best of Israeli innovation. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is tracking the benefits of the hub through a range of metrics including innovation partnerships signed,

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strategic innovation benefit delivered to major UK companies, and inward investment leads generated by engaging Israeli companies. Benefits to date include:

hundreds of introductions between UK and Israeli companies resulting in several commercial partnerships for UK companies, and many more in negotiation;

help for Israeli tech companies to expand globally in partnership with the UK, including tens of inward investment leads, and active targets for UKTI;

work with major UK corporations such as GlaxoSmithKline and Arup to develop strategic innovation partnerships in Israel; and

increased awareness, and exchanging of best practice, among policy and business leaders, for instance through the visits to Israel of Joanna Shields, CEO, Tech City UK, and the Government Chief Technology Officer, Liam Maxwell.

There is one further bilateral tech hub, which is the UK-Jordan Tech Hub. This hub was unveiled at a reception hosted by King Abdullah of Jordan on 20October 2013.

Industrial Disputes Independent Review

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made on setting up the Independent Review into Industrial Disputes to be chaired by Bruce Carr QC; and if he will make a statement. [177179]

Jo Swinson: Details of the review are being finalised and will be announced in due course. The intention is to have a balanced review involving employers and employee representatives.

Land Registry

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to what depth the Land Registry recognises ownership of land under a property. [177100]

Michael Fallon: The ownership of land will normally extend to some extent both below and above the surface. How far it extends in this vertical way will vary from one “title” to another.

Where it is sufficiently clear that the mines and minerals below the surface are included in, or are excluded from, a title which the registrar is registering for the first time, a note will be entered in the register to that effect. However, in many cases the title deeds do not make the position clear and so no such note is made.

After the title has been registered it sometimes happens that the owner is able to produce evidence to show that the title to the surface does in fact extend to the mines and minerals. In these circumstances they can apply for a note to be entered in the register to the effect that the registered title includes the mines and minerals.

Such notes might refer to the mines and minerals generally or be limited—for example, to those below a certain depth—depending on the information supplied to the registrar.

MentorsMe

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people making contact with the MentorsMe website in each month since its inception have done so to register to become a (a) mentor and (b) mentee. [176820]

Matthew Hancock: We do not collect data on the number of people who visit MentorsMe to become a mentor or mentee. However, the following table provided

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by the British Bankers Association, who run MentorsMe, shows the number of people who visit the web pages on finding a mentor and becoming a mentor.

Finding a Mentor

Number of unique visitors landing on the url:

http://mentorsme.co.uk/finding-a-mentor/results

Becoming a Mentor

Number of unique visitors landing on the url:

http://mentorsme.co.uk/become-a-mentor/getting-into-mentoring

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the date, time and location has been of all the central meet-ups of mentors and mentees arranged through the MentorsMe programme to date. [176821]

Matthew Hancock: This information is not available.

New Businesses

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) men and (b) women have benefited from the Start Up loan scheme in each month since April 2011. [177353]

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Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 28 October 2013, Official Report, column 365W.

Pay Television

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether offices of (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case. [176422]

Jo Swinson: The Department has no access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service.

I have approached the chief executives of the Department's executive agencies (Insolvency Service, Companies House, National Measurement Office, Intellectual Property Office, UK Space Agency, Ordnance Survey, Met Office, Land Registry and the Skills Funding Agency) and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.

Letter from Dr Richard Judge, dated 20 November 2013:

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, whether offices of (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case.

The Insolvency Service does not have access to Sky Sports or any other premium sports television service.

Letter from Tim Moss, dated 20 November 2013:

I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 19 November 2013, UIN 176422 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Companies House does not subscribe to Sky Sports or any equivalent premium sports television service.

Letter from Kim Thorneywork, dated 20 November 2013:

Thank you for your question in asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether offices of (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case. (176422).

Please be advised that the Agency does not have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service and therefore there is no cost to the public purse.

Letter from Peter Mason, dated 21 November 2013:

I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO), an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 19 November 2013 asking whether offices of BIS and its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service.

This Agency uses the single television installed in our offices only for the purpose of accessing news services and we do not subscribe to Sky Sports or any equivalent premium sports television service.

Letter from Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, dated 20 November 2013:

As Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey, I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, “whether offices of (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case”.

The answer is that Ordnance Survey does not subscribe to any television channels. All of the television services used by Ordnance Survey are free to air and thus the only cost incurred is that of the standard television licence.

I hope this information is helpful.

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Letter from David Parker, dated 21 November 2013:

Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills asking whether offices of (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case.

The UK Space Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and its offices and premises are Polaris House, Swindon, One Victoria Street, London and the Electron Building, Harwell. None of these offices have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television services.

Letter from Ed Lester, dated 22 November 2013:

I write on behalf of Land Registry in response to Parliamentary Question 176422 tabled on 19 November 2013 which asked the following:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether offices of (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies have access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service; and what the cost to the public purse is in each case.

I can confirm that Land Registry has not purchased any premium sports TV packages.

I hope that you find this information useful.

Letter from John Alty, dated 25 November 2013:

I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 19 November 2013, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is an Executive Agency and Trading Fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The IPO does not provide access to Sky Sports or an equivalent premium sports television service.

Letter from John Hirst, dated 25 November 2013:

I am replying on behalf of the Met Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 19 November 2013, UIN 176422, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Met Office does not provide access to Sky Sports or any equivalent premium sports television service.

I hope this helps.

Post Office

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funds from his department's budget have been allocated to Post Office Ltd in each of the next three years. [177344]

Jo Swinson: Funding of £330 million has been allocated for 2014-15 to modernise and support the post office network. An announcement on funding for the subsequent period will be made shortly.

School Milk

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the role of the Nursery Milk Scheme in ensuring that children from low income families have access to a healthy diet. [177130]

Dr Poulter: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Health.

No recent assessment has been made of the specific health benefits of the Nursery Milk Scheme for children from low income families. However Government guidelines, published by the Food Standards Agency, recommend that all healthy individuals should consume moderate amounts of milk and dairy products and national health service advice recognises the benefits of calcium in dairy foods for strong teeth and bones.

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This is why the Government have restated our commitment to maintaining free nursery milk as a universal benefit for all under-fives in nursery and child care settings within the June 2012 consultation document about modernising the Nursery Milk Scheme.