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Written Answers to Questions

Wednesday 8 January 2014

House of Commons Commission

Hays

Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, how much the House of Commons Service has paid Hays in the last 12 months; and how much was paid to Hays in that period to advertise positions in the House Service. [181485]

John Thurso: For the period January to December 2013, Hays received payments totalling £316,863, to provide recruitment administration for the House Service and a website for 103 recruitment campaigns. Of this, £142,527 was spent on recruitment advertising.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Business: Scotland

Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage businesses to relocate to the west coast of Scotland. [181055]

Matthew Hancock [holding answer 6 January 2014]:The UK benefits from its shared business framework with free movement of goods and services, capital and people. It provides a foundation for businesses, from starting up to hiring employees, accessing capital and patenting new ideas to encourage businesses to expand and grow in the UK, including on the west coast of Scotland. The UK Government also provide direct assistance such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme.

Through devolution, Scottish businesses benefit from the best of both worlds, as business support is a devolved matter, and delivery is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

EU External Trade: USA

Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress has been made on the EU/US trade agreement; how that agreement would benefit Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [181060]

Michael Fallon: The UK has consistently pushed for an ambitious and broad agreement under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that eliminates the vast majority of tariffs, addresses behind-the-border barriers across sectors and seeks to achieve regulatory coherence between Europe and the US. We are working with the Commission and other member states to develop a comprehensive agreement which reflects UK priorities.

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There are compelling strategic reasons for the TTIP. It demonstrates clear EU-US leadership on the trade agenda and a firm commitment to liberalisation and open markets. This is an important opportunity to establish 21st century trade rules. The TTIP is also central to the Government's vision of a reformed EU which is more competitive and able to deliver jobs and growth for its citizens.

Negotiations are progressing as planned, with three rounds completed. The negotiations will be tough but we hope that a deal can be reached by early 2015.

The TTIP is a top priority for the Government. It has the potential to be the largest bilateral trade agreement in history and to bring significant economic benefits, in terms of growth and jobs, to both sides of the Atlantic. It could add as much as £10 billion annually to the UK economy in the long-term.

If Scotland were to receive a proportionate share of the projected UK export gains then we might expect an annual increase in Scottish exports of £1.4 billion.

EU Law

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when the EU Accounting and Transparency Directives are to be transposed into UK law. [181382]

Jenny Willott: The transposition deadlines for the Accounting Directive (2013/34/EU) and Transparency Directive (2013/50EU) are 20 July 2015 and 26 November 2015 respectively.

As noted in the Lough Erne G8 Leaders Communiqué of June 2013, EU members of the G8

“will quickly implement the EU Accounting and Transparency Directives”.

The Government will publish a consultation on the transposition of the extractive industries reporting requirements of the directives shortly. Consultation on other aspects of the directives will follow.

Higher Education: Finance

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 19 November 2013, Official Report, column 43WS, on student support in England, what estimate his Department has made of the savings resulting from the decision to instruct the 23 alternative providers to suspend recruitment of students for Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas in the current academic year; and whether he plans to continue this policy in future years. [179016]

Mr Willetts [holding answer 12 December 2013]:As I announced in my written ministerial statement of 19 November 2013, Official Report, column 43WS, 'Student Support in England', we have taken action to deal with those providers who have undertaken aggressive recruitment in 2013/14. Higher national certificates (HNC)/higher national diplomas (HND) are valuable qualifications but, in order to manage their growth, my officials have written to the 23 alternative providers that are expanding most rapidly to instruct them to recruit no more HNC/HND students for 2013/14. It is too early to make reliable estimates of the savings that will result. The

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suspensions applied to the 23 alternative providers are temporary. They will remain in place until we apply full time student number controls to alternative providers in 2014/15. From 2015/16, we will allow student numbers at high quality alternative providers to be freed in a similar manner as for HEFCE-funded provision, but we will continue to retain a control on numbers at higher risk provision.

Home Department

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many victims of human trafficking were identified by health care providers in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [181069]

James Brokenshire: We do not hold this information. Information on victims of human trafficking is recorded by the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The information is collected by referrals made by first responders, which include the police, National Crime Agency and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. Health care providers are currently not designated as first responders, but we keep this issue under constant review.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimates she has made of the number of potential cases of trafficking for labour exploitation in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [181071]

James Brokenshire: Data from the National Referral Mechanism include information on identified exploitation types within each of the countries of the United Kingdom. Quarterly statistics are published on the website of the National Crime Agency:

www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training and support is provided to first responders, including civil society and local authorities, in identifying trafficking for labour exploitation. [181073]

James Brokenshire: First responder organisations are those law enforcement, non-governmental organisations and statutory bodies that are able to directly refer potential victims of trafficking to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for assessment and access to support. Organisations are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of different types of trafficking as part of the application process.

Many groups, including first responders, run their own programmes of awareness raising and training for their own and other organisations.

On 3 December 2013, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), announced a review of the NRM. The detail and terms of reference for the review are being considered at the moment.

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Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what programmes for rehabilitation and assistance of trafficking victims are offered to victims beyond the 45 day recovery and reflection period; and if she will make a statement. [181076]

James Brokenshire: The Government fund a 45-day reflection and recovery period for victims of human trafficking who have been identified through the National Referral Mechanism. Once the period in funded support comes to an end, individuals, who have a right to reside in the UK may be helped to access wider support from local authorities and other mainstream support providers. If a victim wishes to return to their home country, and it is safe to do so, they will be supported in their return by the appropriate authorities.

Individuals without leave to remain in the UK, or without an outstanding immigration claim, are expected to return home voluntarily and will be supported to do so safely.

Khat

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of a prohibition on khat on (a) the street price of that drug and (b) crime levels in Yemen and Somali communities. [178333]

Norman Baker: A regulatory assessment of the Government's proposals to control khat and introduce an escalation framework for the proportionate policing of khat possession offences was published with the draft legislation when it was laid before Parliament on 31 October 2013.

(a) Factors which influence the price of controlled drugs in the illicit trade are complex. By controlling khat the aim is to curtail its availability and reduce demand. It is expected that any subsequent increase in the price of khat will further reduce demand.

(b) It is too early to determine this accurately.

The Government will lead communications activity on khat targeted at the affected communities and provide access to treatment and support for users and their families.

Police: Greater London

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents the Metropolitan Police Service attended in each year since 2005. [181395]

Damian Green: The Home Office does not hold data on the number of incidents that the Metropolitan Police attended in these years. For recent years, data are available on the number of incidents recorded by the Metropolitan Police, but not whether these were attended or not.

Police: Information

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2013, Official Report, column 546W, on police: information, (1) if she will personally review the guidance on the use of police information notices; [181280]

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(2) if she will discuss the issuing of police information notices with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Policing Improvement Agency; [181281]

(3) for what reason the guidance on the issuing of police information notices has not been updated since 2009; [181282]

(4) whether she is satisfied that the guidance on the use of police information notices (a) represents best practice and (b) is fit for the purpose for which it is intended. [181283]

Norman Baker: Any decision to review or update police guidance on Police Information Notices is an operational matter for the College of Policing. I am encouraged that the National Policing Lead on stalking and the Director of Public Prosecutions have committed to establishing a Joint National Protocol to drive improvements in the investigation of stalking and harassment. The new Protocol will challenge the inappropriate use of Police Information Notices.

If my hon. Friend has specific concerns, I would encourage him to write to me.

Translation Services

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department and its agencies spent on interpreters and translation services in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [176911]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 22 November 2013]: The Home Department and its agencies' spend on interpreters and translation services in the financial year (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 is as follows:

The figures include spend on interpreters/translators, payments for interpreter or translator services including transcripts and tutoring.

Wales

Broadband

9. Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that isolated properties in Wales not included in Welsh Government community schemes or the BT roll-out receive quality broadband. [901771]

Stephen Crabb: Our National Infrastructure Plan published last month included a new £10 million fund to address those areas not included in the existing roll-out across the UK. We will work with the Welsh Government to identify innovative projects to address the hardest to reach parts of Wales which may be eligible, including those in the hon. Gentleman's constituency.

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13. Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on the roll-out of broadband in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [901775]

Stephen Crabb: The roll-out of superfast broadband in Wales as a result of our £57 million investment is progressing at pace and I am taking a very close interest in the Welsh Government's implementation of this project to ensure that all parts of Wales benefit from this UK Government funding.

Shale Gas

10. Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had on the potential benefits of shale gas extraction to Wales. [901772]

Mr David Jones: The shale gas industry has the potential to create thousands of jobs and support the UK's overall energy security—benefits that are worth exploring further. On 17 December, we launched a consultation on our Strategic Environmental Assessment which sets out the potential economic and environmental effects of further oil and gas activity in Great Britain.

Autumn Statement

12. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effects on Wales of the measures announced in the autumn statement. [901774]

Mr David Jones: The autumn statement sets out further action to deliver a responsible recovery and reinforces the Government's commitment to Wales.

We are providing additional resources to the Welsh Government, we are helping people in Wales by making a real difference to the cost of living, and we are making sure that work pays.

Treasury

Business: Investment

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph 1.50, page 23 of the autumn statement 2013, for what reasons business investment is expected to fall by 5.5% in 2013; and what assessment he has made of the implications for Government policy of such a reduction. [181731]

Nicky Morgan: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects business investment to have grown through 2013, with their December 2013 economic and fiscal outlook forecasting 1.7% growth from the end of 2012 to the end of 2013. However, because of a fall in the level of investment at the end of 2012, the total amount of business investment in 2013 is expected to be lower than in 2012, falling 5.3%.

The OBR, Bank of England and HM Treasury have cited two key reasons for weaker than expected business investment during the recovery; weak lending to businesses and high levels of uncertainty. Recent indicators suggest each of these factors has improved through 2013, with a

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range of surveys and statistics suggesting improving credit conditions and falling uncertainty, supporting investment.

Furthermore, the authorities have taken extensive action to support investment, including supportive monetary policy, the Funding for Lending scheme, cuts to the corporation tax rate, planning reform and an increased annual investment allowance.

The OBR forecasts business investment growth to strengthen in future years, consistent with the strengthening investment intentions seen in survey data, with growth of 5.1% in 2014, 8.6% in 2015 and rising to 8.9% in 2017.

Credit: Interest Rates

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much corporation tax was paid by (a) all payday lending companies and (b) each such company in the last three tax years. [181210]

Mr Gauke: The information requested for all payday lending companies is not available.

HMRC is unable to disclose information on corporation tax paid by individual payday lending companies as this would be a breach of its duty of confidentiality.

Debts: Developing Countries

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to support the work of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on formulating proposals for a sovereign debt work-out mechanism and building global consensus for its creation. [181846]

Sajid Javid: Co-ordinated international action through existing multilateral frameworks such as the Paris Club, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative have delivered billions of debt relief in recent years. Any proposal for a wider sovereign debt work-out mechanism would need to be considered on its merits.

Double Taxation

Mrs Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for HM Revenue and Customs of the recent High Court decision, R (on the application of Huitson) v Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (2011) EWCA Civ 893, in respect of section 58(4) of the Finance Act 2008. [180985]

Mr Gauke: UK residents are taxable on their worldwide income wherever it arises—including situations where it arises by way of foreign partnerships. Section 58 of Finance Act 2008 was enacted to help put that beyond doubt and in so doing, made clear that a wholly artificial tax avoidance scheme involving a foreign partnership comprised of foreign trustees did not work.

The Government have given full consideration to all decisions of the courts which relate to section 58, including the case referred to above.

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Inflation: Housing

Steve Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made on the coalition agreement commitment to work with the Bank of England to investigate how the process of including housing costs in the CPI measure of inflation can be accelerated; and if he will make a statement. [180992]

Nicky Morgan: From March 2013 the Office for National Statistics has been publishing 'CPIH', a measure of CPI inflation that includes owner-occupiers' housing costs. The UK Statistics Authority announced on 10 December 2013 that, after a review, CPIH had been awarded 'national statistics' status.

National Insurance Contributions: Immigrants

Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which categories of migrants are exempt from paying national insurance contributions; [180958]

(2) how many people entering the UK on intra-company transfers in 2012-13 were exempt from national insurance. [180959]

Mr Gauke: The basic rule is that migrant workers have to pay national insurance when they work in the UK. There are some exceptions for those who are sent here temporarily to work for their foreign employer. These are set out on HMRC's website at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic/work/emps-abroad.htm

There are no figures available about how many people entering the UK on intra-company transfers in 2012-13 were exempt from national insurance.

NATO

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer as a consequence of NATO's tax-exempt status. [181022]

Hugh Robertson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

No assessment has been made of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer as a consequence of NATO's tax-exempt status. This could only be done at disproportionate cost. NATO do not have a centralised accounting system or a central computerised search facility. Collating a reply would require coordinating inputs from around 40 NATO structures, located across all 28 NATO members states and tracking records back to 1957. Pre-1997 records are on paper files.

Network Rail

Mary Creagh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) following the reclassification of Network Rail, whether official borrowing and debt figures will continue to exclude Network Rail debt; [181317]

(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the Government's deficit of reclassification of Network Rail's debt. [181245]

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Danny Alexander [holding answers 6 January 2014]:As set out in the autumn statement, the Government welcome this review by the ONS and have always been committed to a transparent reporting of public liabilities. It will therefore implement the ONS's decision in reporting arrangements, in line with this Government's commitment to transparency. The reclassification of Network Rail to the public sector is a statistical decision. It does not change the industry structure or affect the day-to-day operations of the rail network.

The OBR highlighted the potential impact of a public sector reclassification in Box 4.2 of its December 2013 “Economic and fiscal outlook”. This was reiterated in paragraph 1.80 of the autumn statement 2013. The independent OBR will in due course estimate the impacts of this decision on the public finances and on the mandate.

The Government inherited the biggest deficit in the developed world from the previous Government. Thanks to difficult decisions the deficit is down by a third. The Government will continue to reduce the deficit by taking difficult decisions to cut public spending and prioritise investment in infrastructure to deliver a stronger economy and fairer society.

Olympic Games 2012: Touting

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps HM Revenue and Customs has taken to implement the recommendations of the Operation Podium report. [181813]

Mr Gauke [holding answer 6 January 2014]:HMRC engages with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and other police forces on a range of collaborative activities. During the Olympic and Paralympic period this included Operation Podium and a number of intelligence referrals resulted. Such referrals are often passed through HMRC's intelligence officers in the Regional Organised Crime Units and may go for investigation to HMRC's Criminal Taxes Unit (CTU). This unit is in the process of doubling its size to increase support to tackling economic crime such as this across the wider law enforcement community. The CTU is well positioned to support the MPS in targeting "ticket tout" opportunities which might still emerge from this intelligence.

Written Questions

John Healey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers of 10 December 2013, Official Report, column 202W, on infrastructure, and of 2 September 2013, Official Report, column 147W, on written questions, what account he took of paragraph 7.37 of the Office of the Leader of the House's Guide to Parliamentary Work in the preparation of his answer of 10 December 2013. [181048]

Nicky Morgan: It has been the practice of successive Administrations to refer Members to publications and other source documents from which information they are seeking can be extracted, as a means of being helpful, because directing Members to the source of the information can help provide further information on the same subject.

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Work and Pensions

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants in the UK were entitled to short-term benefit advances between April and December 2013; and how many such advances were issued to jobseeker's allowance claimants in the UK between April and December 2013. [181384]

Esther McVey: In the period April to December 2013 our Decision Makers awarded 60,749 Short-Term Benefit Advances to eligible benefit claimants. We do not collate the number of advances made broken down by benefit type, only the total number of Short-Term Benefit Advances made.

Members: Correspondence

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to respond to the letter of 20 November 2013 from the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland on employment and support allowance. [181423]

Esther McVey: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 758W.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 760W, on social security benefits, at what rate claimants are asked to repay such advances; and whether any (a) interest and (b) other charge is applied. [181344]

Esther McVey: Short-term benefit advances (STBA) are advances of current legacy benefits (including employment and support allowance and job seeker's allowance). The maximum recovery period is normally 12 weeks, but claimants may request a shorter recovery period if they wish. Deductions start from the second full benefit payment. Negotiating the amount of the weekly deduction and length of the recovery period is part of the STBA award process and agreement of the terms and conditions are necessary before an advance is paid. STBAs are advances of benefit and not loans therefore no interest or charges are applied.

The recovery period for universal credit (new claim) and (change of circumstances) advances is six months and for budgeting advances 12 months, starting from the next payment of universal credit after receipt of the advance. The rate of recovery for an advance is calculated by dividing the amount of benefit advanced by the number of months it is to be recovered over. This results in equal monthly repayment amounts which are deducted from the claimant's monthly universal credit award. Universal credit advances are advances of benefit and not loans therefore no interest or charges are applied.

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether a claimant who makes his Department or a jobcentre aware that they are in financial need will always then be informed that they

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may be eligible to claim a short-term benefit advance; and if not, under what circumstances such a person will be informed; [181417]

(2) what guidance his Department gives jobcentre staff on when to inform people that they may be eligible for a short-term benefit advance. [181418]

Esther McVey: Where a claimant states that they are in urgent need they will be given advice about claiming a short-term benefit advance (STBA). If an STBA is clearly not appropriate for example, the claimant has no entitlement to benefit, then they will be advised of alternative support services in their area.

Written guidance is provided to staff to help them decide whether a short-term benefit advance is appropriate.

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what circumstances a benefit claimant in financial need is eligible for a short-term benefit advance. [181419]

Esther McVey: All decisions on whether or not to award an advance of benefit are discretionary. In order to be eligible to apply for a short-term benefit advance (STBA) the claimant must meet the three qualifying criteria. As advances are made against future benefit, the claimant has to demonstrate that they are likely to be entitled to receive that benefit before a payment can be advanced. Affordability of recovery has to be considered as deductions from benefit reduce the amount of benefit a claimant receives, so it is important to ensure that the claimant is not put into a position where the amount of benefit left to them is too low. The claimant also has to meet the definition of financial need ie

“result in a serious risk of damage to the health or safety of the claimant or any member of their family”

and be unable to access any alternative sources of support, such as tax credits, savings, final wages etc.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of the potential benefits to claimants of disability benefits of allocating such claimants a named point of contact throughout the process of their claim; and if he will make this his policy. [181354]

Mike Penning: The Department is keen to ensure that all people are able to access its services and we take a variety of steps to provide help and support to enable individuals to engage with DWP. The support we offer is tailored to the personal needs of the individual and depends on which service is being used or which benefit is being claimed.

People may be able to access specialist disability services (if appropriate) and adjustments may be made to the way services and supports are provided to facilitate their access. Unfortunately it is not possible to give a named contact to a customer for the life of their claim as different staff may process the claim at various stages.

The support offered by DWP includes a variety of communication methods: face to face contact on our premises; home visits; telephony; online services, and

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written communications in a range of formats. Customers with mental health conditions may wish to use a representative or intermediary to help them to engage with us.

International Development

Developing Countries: Forests

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she has on how the Climate Investment Funds' Forest Investment Programme supports (a) capacity building in national parliaments and (b) the development of national legislation as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [181168]

Lynne Featherstone: The Forest Investment Programme (FIP) works with a wide range of stakeholders in eight countries. The FIP has the potential to support national parliaments and the development of national legislation, if this is identified as a priority in the investment plan prepared by the governments in these countries.

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she has on how the forest carbon partnership facility supports (a) capacity building in national parliaments and (b) the development of national legislation as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [181225]

Lynne Featherstone: The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Readiness Fund works with a wide range of stakeholders in 36 countries. The FCPF has the potential to support national parliaments and the development of national legislation, if this is identified as a priority in the Readiness Preparation Proposals (RPPs) prepared by the governments in these countries.

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she has on how the International Climate Fund supports (a) capacity building in national parliaments and (b) the development of national legislation as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [181226]

Lynne Featherstone: The Government's International Climate Fund (ICF) does not provide any direct support to build capacity in national parliaments or develop legislation to tackle deforestation.

Tackling deforestation is a priority for the Government's International Climate Fund (ICF). The Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) Programme, which is funded through the ICF, is making a significant investment in reforms to improve forest governance in a number of developing countries, including Liberia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia.

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations the Executive Director for the UK of the World Bank has made on the need for the World Bank to allocate funds through the Climate Investment Fund’s Forest

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Investment Programme to

(a)

capacity building in national parliaments and

(b)

the development of national legislation as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [181227]

Lynne Featherstone: The World Bank does not take decisions on the allocation of Forest Investment Programme (FIP) funds. Decisions on the allocation of funds are taken by the FIP Sub-Committee, based on investment plans submitted by developing country Governments. The Sub-Committee comprises six donor countries and six recipient countries.

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations the Executive Director for the UK of the World Bank has made of the need for the World Bank to allocate funds through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility to (a) capacity building in national Parliaments and (b) the development of national legislation as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [181228]

Lynne Featherstone: The World Bank does not take decisions on the allocation of funds from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Decisions on the allocation of funds are taken by the Participants Committee, based on proposals submitted by developing country governments. The Participants Committee comprises up to 14 donor countries and 14 recipient countries.

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the President of the World Bank on World Bank support for capacity building in national parliaments and the development of national legislation as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [182016]

Lynne Featherstone: The World Bank hosts a number of multilateral programmes to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+). These programmes work in developing countries with a wide range of stakeholders, and have the potential to support national parliaments and the development of national legislation in the programmes which they support, if this is identified as a priority by the recipient governments. The Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), discussed a wide range of policy issues with the President of the World Bank.

Developing Countries: Politics and Government

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the UK is doing to promote good governance and anti-corruption initiatives through the G20. [181381]

Lynne Featherstone: The G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group exists to promote good governance and anti-corruption initiatives in the G20. The Working Group has recently completed the first year of implementation of the 2013-14 G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan. The Action Plan can be found at:

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www.oecd.org/daf/anti-bribery/G20_Anti-Corruption_Action_Plan_(2013-2014).pdf

We will work closely with the Australian presidency of the G20 in 2014 to ensure continued vigorous implementation of the Action Plan.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress her Department has made on improving access to clean water and sanitation globally; and what steps she is taking to address the findings of the report, We Can't Wait, published by WaterAid, WSSCC and Unilever on 19 November 2013. [181928]

Lynne Featherstone: I welcome the WaterAid report into what is a critical issue for developing countries, particularly for women and girls, and DFID is already addressing the issues raised.

On the conclusion concerning a role for the private sector in delivery of water and sanitation, DFID recently won an award for working with Unilever on a new approach to urban sanitation in Ghana;

On the post-2015 development framework recommendation, we strongly endorse the recommendations of the High Level Panel, which was co-chaired by the UK Prime Minister, and included an illustrative dedicated goal for water with ambitious targets for water and sanitation services;

On the world keeping its promises, we are also working through the Sanitation and Water for All initiative to ensure there is accountability on commitments donors and countries make.

The UK is on target to meet our commitment to support 60 million people gain access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services in the developing world through expanding existing projects and by entering into new partnerships with major WASH organisations.

International Assistance

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was pledged overall and by each of the top five donor countries to the World Bank's IDA 17 replenishment at the meeting in Moscow on 17 December 2013; what the Bank's and the UK's development priorities will be for IDA 17; and if she will make a statement. [181307]

Mr Duncan: The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), placed a written ministerial statement before Parliament on 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 128WS, on the outcome of negotiations on the 17th replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA 17).

The negotiations secured over £34 billion in total resources for IDA 17. In light of strong results and the reforms made since the last IDA replenishment as well as a commitment to further reforms, the UK has agreed to contribute an average of £938 million per year for the next three years to this total. Britain will also provide a concessional loan, to be paid back to the UK, worth £500 million over the three year period. Information on the pledges of others will become available once the World Bank Board has formally approved the outcome

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of the negotiations, expected to be March 2014, and so at this stage we are unable to publish figures for the other donors.

The UK has successfully ensured that our development priorities (economic development, gender, fragile and conflict-affected states, and tackling climate change) are the priority themes in IDA 17, which means that particular attention will be paid to improving IDA's impact in these areas. The UK has also secured a greater focus on value for money and results, for example by better tracking of cost-effectiveness and of the impact of IDA in these priority themes.

Palestinians

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of whether levels of food, fuel and medical supplies entering Gaza each day are adequate for the population of that region. [181305]

Mr Duncan: We are very concerned by the chronic humanitarian situation in Gaza, caused in part by restrictions on movement and access for goods and people. Recent fuel deliveries from Turkey and Qatar have helped to mitigate the situation in the short term, but the energy supply is still inadequate and many families are experiencing long blackouts each day. Reports from our partners indicate that the emergency response mechanisms are currently working adequately, but concerns remain over the need to replenish stocks and longer-term funding. We welcome the decision of the Israeli Government to temporarily extend opening hours at the Kerem Salom crossing, and will continue to lobby Israel and Egypt to improve access to Gaza in the longer term.

South Sudan

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan; what estimate she has made of the number of British nationals who remain in that country; and what assessment she has made of the safety of UK aid workers who remain in the country. [181379]

Lynne Featherstone: We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. The ongoing crisis has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, and left them in urgent need of assistance and protection. We are extremely worried about those whom humanitarian agencies cannot reach, for whom conditions are expected to be even worse.

A humanitarian response is under way where access is possible, but this is severely constrained by insecurity, and subsequent lack of humanitarian capacity in many locations. UK officials in Nairobi are monitoring the situation closely and remain in daily contact with humanitarian partners in South Sudan. The Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), recently announced £12.5 million to support the ongoing humanitarian response to provide tents, health care and other vital supplies to thousands of people who have fled their homes. This includes support to the UN humanitarian air service to airlift humanitarian workers and supplies into areas where access is possible. We are working to

8 Jan 2014 : Column 246W

further increase the capacity, safety and security of aid agencies to respond to the most vulnerable (particularly the most vulnerable women and girls) wherever access allows and prepare for when access improves. We are also co-ordinating with regional offices to ensure we are prepared for any possible refugee outflow.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not informed of every British national in South Sudan, but our assessment is that there are approximately 90 British nationals in South Sudan at present, many of whom are UN staff or have expressed a desire to remain in the country despite FCO travel advice. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Sudan and South Sudan

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to enhance economic participation rights of women in Sudan and South Sudan. [178267]

Lynne Featherstone: UK support to Sudan and South Sudan is helping to address barriers to and enhance opportunities for women's economic participation, including improving access to education, health care, justice and financial services. In 2012 UK aid funded health and nutrition related programmes which reached 457,811 women and girls. Between the start of 2011 and September 2013, UK support also helped 20,226 women access financial services.

In South Sudan, the UK's Girls Education programme is working to help 200,000 girls to complete secondary school education over five years, while the UK-led Health Pooled Fund is helping to deliver basic health services across six out of South Sudan's 10 states. The UK is also supporting 13,000 young women across four states to build their literacy and livelihoods skills as a foundation for future employment.

Due to the current situation in South Sudan, our immediate focus is on humanitarian support. We have announced a further £12.5 million to provide an emergency lifeline of tents, health care and other vital supplies to thousands of people who have fled their homes in South Sudan.

This is in addition to British humanitarian support of £24 million in October that has already allowed agencies on the ground to respond and provide food and medical supplies and reprioritise towards the most critical needs.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

South Sudan

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consideration he has given to closing the British Embassy in Juba; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on providing additional protection for staff who remain at the British Embassy in Juba. [181378]

Mark Simmonds: The overall security environment remains challenging and the protection of our staff is of paramount importance. We have a duty of care framework in place to assess whether the security situation warrants a drawdown of staff or closure of Post. Together with

8 Jan 2014 : Column 247W

other Government Departments in South Sudan, including the Ministry of Defence, we are monitoring the situation closely and keep the level of protection under constant review.

Energy and Climate Change

Electricity

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what the average cost was to the National Grid per MWHr of electricity generated by the Short Term Operating Reserve in each of the last five years; [181373]

(2) what the average cost was to the National Grid per MWHr of electricity generated by the Non-Balancing Mechanism category of the Short Term Operating Reserve in each of the last five years. [181376]

Michael Fallon: The following data from National Grid show the average cost per MWH of electricity of utilising the Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) over the last five full STOR years (April to March):

There has been strong downward pressure on these prices over the past few years as a result of increasing levels of competition.

National Grid does not currently monitor utilisation volumes and rates for Non-Balancing Mechanism sites in isolation. Overall, it believes that Balancing Mechanism and Non-Balancing Mechanism accepted tenders are comparable and therefore the above data apply to both.

Electricity Generation

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what estimate he has made of the average carbon dioxide emissions per MWHr of electricity generated by the Short Term Operating Reserve in each of the last five years; [181374]

(2) what estimate he has made of the average carbon dioxide emissions per MWHr of electricity generated by the Non-Balancing Mechanism category of the Short Term Operating Reserve in each of the last five years. [181375]

Michael Fallon: The Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) is an electricity reserve product procured by National Grid that acts as an insurance policy from sources of generation or demand reduction to manage wider system issues. Utilisation volumes are very low in comparison with the wholesale market. Neither Government nor National Grid holds data on carbon dioxide emissions for each provider or at an average rate for specific fuel types.

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Renewable Energy: Scotland

Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of renewable subsidies in Scotland (a) in 2013-14, (b) in the period till 2016-17 and (c) beyond 2016-17. [180939]

Gregory Barker: As the Government have explained in its written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee, there is no single definition of ‘subsidy':

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmenvaud/writev/61/energy.pdf

The Government set out the package of support they provide for renewables and other energy sources within this evidence. Upper limits on levies and agreed budgets may differ from actual expenditure on renewables, and forecast policy expenditure for renewable deployment are not modelled at a geographical level, and therefore figures for Scotland are not available.

The implications of Scottish independence for energy issues, including renewables, will be examined in forthcoming publications from the Scotland analysis programme.

Cabinet Office

Minister without Portfolio

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what international visits the Minister Without Portfolio the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings, has undertaken in his official capacity since 1 January 2012; and what mode of travel was used for each such visit funded by his Department; [181745]

(2) what international visits the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for Rushcliffe, has undertaken in his official capacity since January 2012; and what mode of travel was used for each such visit funded by his Department; [181746]

(3) what international visits the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for West Dorset, has undertaken in his official capacity since January 2012; and what mode of travel was used for each such visit funded by his Department; [181747]

(4) on how many occasions the Minister Without Portfolio the right hon. Member for West Dorset, has used an official car from the Ministerial Car Pool since 1 January 2012; and what the departure and destination locations were on each such occasion; [181742]

(5) on how many occasions the Minister Without Portfolio the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings, has used an official car from the Ministerial Car Pool since 1 January 2012; and what the departure and destination locations were on each such occasion; [181743]

(6) on how many occasions the Minister Without Portfolio the right hon. Member for Rushcliffe, has used an official car from the Ministerial Car Pool since 1 January 2012; and what the departure and destination locations were on each such occasion; [181744]

(7) how many special advisers have been employed by the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for West Dorset, since January 2012; and what the salaries, insofar as they were funded by his Department, were of those advisers; [181748]

8 Jan 2014 : Column 249W

(8) how many special advisers have been employed by the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for Rushcliffe, since January 2012; and what the salaries, insofar as they were funded by his Department, were of those advisers; [181749]

(9) how many special advisers have been employed by the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings, since January 2012; and what the salaries, insofar as they were funded by his Department, were of those advisers; [181750]

(10) how many staff have been employed by the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for West Dorset, since January 2012; and what the salaries, insofar as they were funded by his Department, were of those staff; [181751]

(11) how many staff have been employed by the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for South Holland and the Deepings, since January 2012; and what the salaries, insofar as they were funded by his Department, were of those staff; [181752]

(12) how many staff have been employed in the office of the Minister Without Portfolio, the right hon. Member for Rushcliffe, since January 2012; and what the salaries, insofar as they were funded by his Department, were of those staff; [181753]

(13) whether any special advisers are employed to support the right hon. Member for Welwyn, Hatfield in his role as Minister Without Portfolio; and at what cost such advisers are employed; [181333]

(14) how many officials of his Department are employed for the purpose of providing support to the right hon. Member for Welwyn, Hatfield in his role as Minister Without Portfolio; and at what cost such staff are employed. [181332]

Mr Maude: Successive Governments have included Ministers Without Portfolio.

Details of ministerial overseas travel are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-with-external-organisations-april-to-june-2013

This Department maintains a car pool for official purposes. The detailed information requested is not maintained.

I refer the hon. Member to the list of special advisers the Government publishes, the most recent of which was published on 25 October 2013. The list details special advisers in post, their pay band and their actual salary where this is £58,200 or higher. This can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-adviser-data-releases-numbers-and-costs-october-2013

Open Government Partnership

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Government are taking to encourage other members of the Open Government Partnership to implement their National Action Plans. [181380]

Mr Maude: Countries are responsible for implementing their own plans but the United Kingdom offers support to other member countries including via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

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During our tenure as chair of the OGP we organised a number of peer engagement events and oversaw the creation of the Independent Reporting Mechanism, which reports on countries' progress in implementing National Action Plans.

Pay

Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate based on the annual survey of hours and earnings published on 12 December 2013 the number and proportion of (a) people, (b) men and (c) women in (i) work, (ii) full-time work and (iii) part-time work in each (A) local authority area and (B) parliamentary constituency earning less than the UK living wage in 2013 to date. [180794]

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated January 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will estimate based on the annual survey of hours and earnings published on 12 December 2013 the number and proportion of (a) people, (b) men and (c) women in (i) work, (ii) full-time work and (iii) part-time work in each (A) local authority area and (B) Parliamentary constituency earning less than the UK living wage in 2013 to date. (180794).

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Hourly levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. It is not possible to estimate the number of people with earnings below specified thresholds, though it is possible to estimate the corresponding proportion of employee jobs. Figures relate to employee jobs, which are defined as those held by employees and not the self-employed.

In April 2013, the latest period for which results are available, the Living Wage rates suggested by the Living Wage Foundation were £8.55 for employees who worked in London and £7.45 for employees who did not work in London. Tables showing estimates of the proportion of employee jobs with hourly earnings below the living wage proposed by the Living Wage Foundation for each parliamentary constituency and local authority in the UK will be placed in the Library of the House.

Pay: Northamptonshire

Andy Sawford: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people who are employed and contracted workers are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage in (a) Corby constituency and (b) East Northamptonshire. [178865]

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated January 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people who are employed and contracted workers are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage in (a) Corby constituency and (b) East Northamptonshire. (178865).

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Hourly levels of

8 Jan 2014 : Column 251W

earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. It is not possible to estimate the number of people with earnings below specified thresholds, though it is possible to estimate the corresponding proportion of employee jobs. Figures relate to employee jobs, which are defined as those held by employees and not the self-employed.

In April 2013, the latest period for which results are available, the Living Wage rates suggested by the Living Wage Foundation were £8.55 for employees who worked in London and £7.45 for employees who did not work in London. The table shows estimates of the proportion of employee jobs with hourly earnings below the living wage proposed by the Living Wage foundation in Corby constituency and East Northamptonshire.

Defence

Afghanistan

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much of the proposed modification work on vehicles used in Afghanistan to make them fit for use on UK roads will be undertaken by (a) the Defence Support Group and (b) other agencies or companies; and if he will make a statement; [180946]

(2) how many of the companies which will undertake modifications of vehicles returning from Afghanistan to make them fit for use on UK roads have undertaken contract work during operations in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement; [180947]

(3) how much his Department has (a) allocated and (b) spent to date on the modification programmes for the vehicles bought specifically for Afghanistan to ensure that they are fit for use in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [180956]

Dr Murrison: I am withholding information on how much the Department has allocated to the modification programme, as negotiations with contractors are currently ongoing, and disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Decisions on the companies that will be involved in the work, and how much of it will be undertaken by the Defence Support Group or other agencies, will be made as the contractual process is finalised.

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Chief of Defence Materiel

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there is a break clause within the contract of employment between the Chief of Defence Materiel and his Department; and what the value of such a clause is. [181262]

Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 6 January 2014]:I can confirm that there is a break clause in the contract of employment between the Chief of Defence Materiel and the Ministry of Defence.

The value of any compensation payable in the event of the break being exercised would be determined in accordance with the rules of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme which is broadly one month's pay per year of service. In this case, compensation would be restricted because the individual earns more than the set maximum for the scheme (currently £149,820).

Defence Equipment and Support

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the salary, pension entitlement and benefits-in-kind are of the newly appointed Chief Executive of DE&S+. [181272]

Dr Murrison: The role of Chief of Defence Materiel (CDM) and the Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) are the same roles, with the new title reflecting the change in status of DE&S as an arm's length body. Details of salary, pension entitlement and taxable benefits-in-kind will, therefore, be set out in the MOD annual report and accounts in the normal way.

The most recent data, for the 2012-13 financial year, are set out in table 7.116 on page 75 of the report and at paragraph 7.118 on page 76. A copy of the report is available to view in the Vote Office and is also available on the internet at the following address:

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

Defence: Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the £60 billion planned spend on new equipment in the Defence Equipment Plan 2012 is (a) committed and (b) uncommitted. [178259]

Dr Murrison: The breakdown of the Equipment Procurement Programme into committed and uncommitted is published in the Defence Equipment Plan 2012. We will update the figures in the Defence Equipment Plan 2013, which will be published this year.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) other European Governments with a view to creating a VAT exemption for pan-European defence procurement projects; and if he will make a statement. [181065]

Dr Murrison: The Secretary of State for Defence has had no specific meetings on the issue, although it was raised by some member states in the lead-up to the 19-20 December European Council. The UK position is

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as set out in the 18-19 November Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions; that while we are willing to look at incentives for co-operation between member states on equipment in general, any such incentive must not result in market distortions and must be consistent with the law. Moreover, any specific tax proposals, including VAT exemptions, must be referred to the Economic and Financial Affairs Council as tax is a sovereign issue for individual member states to decide upon.

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency and risk mitigation plan is in place in respect of the £7 billion for the completion of the aircraft carrier, the OPVs and the Type 26 destroyers; and what the level of contingency is. [181221]

Dr Murrison: As set out in the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) annual Equipment Plan, funding for MOD procurement projects routinely includes an element of risk contingency. This contingency is commensurate with the level of risk exposure of each project and will vary as risks are mitigated and new ones identified. The precise level of risk contingency allocated for each project is considered to be commercially sensitive as it would prejudice any ongoing or future negotiations. I am therefore withholding this information.

EU: UK Papers

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the papers recently presented to the European Council on Battlegroups and Dual-Use Technologies and small and medium-sized enterprises. [181063]

Dr Murrison: No papers on battlegroups, dual-use technologies, or small and medium-sized enterprises have recently been presented by the UK to the European Council.

EU Common Foreign and Security Policy

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) other European Governments on the updating of the European Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [181064]

Dr Murrison: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has not discussed updating the European Security Strategy with the European Commission. Ahead of the 19-20 December European Council discussion on Defence, an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers, attended by the Secretary of State, discussed whether such a strategy was necessary. The UK did not support an update of the European Security Strategy.

While there was no consensus on updating the European Security Strategy, the European Council on Defence, attended by the Prime Minister, invited

"the High Representative, in close co-operation with the Commission, to assess the impact of changes in the global environment, and to report to the Council in the course of 2015 on the challenges and opportunities arising for the Union, following consultations with the member states".

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Gibraltar

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the strategic value of Gibraltar in terms of (a) defence and (b) defence diplomacy. [181246]

Dr Murrison: The 2012 White Paper on Overseas Territories (CM 8374), published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 28 June 2012, made it clear that Gibraltar, alongside our other overseas Joint Operating Bases, makes an important contribution to the security interests of the UK, the territories themselves and our allies. Gibraltar also supports a range of defence engagement activities including, for example, Royal Gibraltar Regiment training exercises in north and west Africa. Her Majesty's Naval Base in Gibraltar is regularly used by the navies of our allies and partners.

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for courtesy visits to Gibraltar by Royal Navy warships in the next 12 months; if he will list the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels which have made courtesy visits to Gibraltar in each of the last three years; and what assessment he has made of the diplomatic value of courtesy visits to Gibraltar by UK warships and fleet auxiliaries. [181247]

Dr Murrison: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister for the Armed Forces, the hon. Member for North Devon (Sir Nick Harvey), on 17 July 2012, Official Report, column 758-60W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Caroline Dinenage).

Since 1 June 2012, the following Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships have visited Gibraltar:

2012

HMS St Albans

HMS Atherstone

HMS Shoreham

HMS Diamond

HMS Blyth

HMS Sutherland

HMS Daring

HMS Westminster

HMS Echo

HMS Enterprise

HMS Bulwark

HMS Montrose

RFA Mounts Bay

HMS Northumberland

HMS Monmouth

2013

RFA Wave Ruler

HMS Cattistock

HMS Talent

HMS Dragon

HMS Kent

HMS Monmouth

HMS Trenchant

HMS Ledbury

HMS Enterprise

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HMS Echo

HMS Tireless

RFA Lyme Bay

RFA Mounts Bay

HMS Westminster

HMS Penzance

HMS Triumph

RFA Fort Victoria

HMS Pursuer.

This list does not include HMS Sabre and HMS Scimitar, which are permanently based in Gibraltar.

The RN and RFA do not conduct “courtesy” visits to Gibraltar; all ships' visits are for operational reasons, and these will continue through the next 12 months and beyond as required.

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a Royal Navy warship of the size of a frigate was last based at Gibraltar; whether there are any plans to base a frigate at Gibraltar; what the potential (a) diplomatic and (b) naval utility would be of basing a frigate at Gibraltar; if he will make it his policy to base a frigate or larger warship at Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [181248]

Dr Murrison: The Government assesses that the Royal Navy in Gibraltar has sufficient assets to deliver its current tasking. However, we constantly review the permanent and visiting naval presence in and around Gibraltar and will adjust it if necessary. We expect larger Royal Navy ships to continue to visit Gibraltar in relation to operational and training activity, reflecting its utility as a permanent joint operating base. However, they will continue to be based in the UK. Diplomatically, we continue to focus on political engagement with the Spanish Government.

The Gibraltar Squadron was formed in August 1985, and information on the earlier Gibraltar Guardship role, which was latterly based in UK waters, is not held centrally. I will write to my hon. Friend once the naval records have been reviewed.

Libya

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training teams his Department has deployed to Libya since the death of Colonel Gaddafi. [181372]

Dr Murrison: Since the end of the Gaddafi regime, the Ministry of Defence's assistance to Libya has been focused on providing high level advice on defence reform through what is now known as the Defence Advisory and Training Team in Tripoli.

This team provides the main platform for UK training in Libya. Since October 2011 five training teams have been engaged in capacity building programmes on English Language training, explosive ordnance disposal schools, joint operational planning capability and assisting the development of the Libyan navy.

The English Language programme has been completed but teams are currently engaged in Libya on the other three programmes.

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South Sudan

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to providing additional protection to staff who remain at the British Embassy in Juba. [181377]

Dr Murrison: The overall security environment remains challenging and the protection of HMG staff is of paramount importance. Additional protective equipment has been dispatched to Juba for use by the remaining embassy personnel and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a duty of care framework in place to assess whether the security situation requires further measures to be taken. Together with Whitehall partners, including the FCO, we are monitoring the situation closely, keeping the level of protection under constant review.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his European counterparts about creating a European Reaper Users Association; and if he will make a statement. [181024]

Dr Murrison: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has not had specific discussions with European counterparts about creating or joining a European Reaper Users Association.

Communities and Local Government

Fire Services

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what guidance he has provided to fire authorities on levels of financial reserves; [181301]

(2) what the total amount of financial reserves held nationally by the Fire and Rescue Service is; and how much is held by each individual fire authority. [181302]

Brandon Lewis: There is no prescriptive national guidance that specifies a minimum or maximum level of reserves. Rather, fire and rescue authorities in England should determine the optimal level as part of their wider financial planning.

In December 2012 we published the best practice document ‘50 ways to save’, which recommended:

“Utilise £16 billion of reserves creatively: Councils are sitting on £4.1 billion of unallocated (non-school) financial reserves and a further £12.4 billion of earmarked non-school reserves. Many ‘earmarked’ reserves do not actually have a proper purpose. Make creative use of reserves to address short-term costs, such as restructuring or investing now to realise savings in the longer-term (e.g. ‘invest to save’ projects).”

The financial reserves held by single purpose fire and rescue authorities in England are published here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266268/Revenue_Outturn_Summary__RS__data_2012-13_by_LA_-_Revised_16-Dec-2013.xls

8 Jan 2014 : Column 257W

Local Government Finance: North Yorkshire

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total net change in central Government funding to (a) Middlesbrough Council and (b) Redcar and Cleveland Council has been since May 2010. [181409]

Brandon Lewis: It is not possible to calculate the net change in central Government support to individual local authorities over this period due to changes in the way that local government is financed. From 2013-14, local government has been able to retain a portion of business rates and receive the benefit of any growth on this amount.

Details of the provisional settlement for 2014-15 are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-information-for-local-authorities-and-non-domestic-rates-pools

Details of previous settlements are available at:

http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/ssas.htm

Private Rented Housing: Construction

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what funds his Department has allocated to the Build to Rent scheme; and how much has been lent under that scheme to date; [177356]

(2) how many applications under the Build to Rent scheme have been (a) received, (b) accepted and (c) refused from (i) private developers, (ii) housing associations, (iii) housing co-operatives, (iv) local authorities and (v) other entities; [177357]

(3) if he will publish, for each application (a) accepted and (b) refused under the Build to Rent scheme to date, (i) the amount loaned or requested, (ii) the recipient and (iii) the number of units of housing covered by the application; [177358]

(4) how many (a) developments and (b) homes have (i) been started and (ii) been completed under the Build to Rent scheme since the commencement of that scheme; [177359]

(5) how many of the properties built under the Build to Rent scheme to date are (a) affordable rents, (b) social rents and (c) market rents. [177376]

Kris Hopkins [holding answer 26 November 2013]: The Government have allocated £1 billion of commercial finance support to the Build to Rent Fund to deliver up to 10,000 new homes for private rented sector at market rate. The Build to Rent Fund will help to give hard working families greater choice of high quality rented accommodation, as part of the Government's commitment to create a bigger and better private rented sector.

Over £4 billion of bids have been received in response to the two bidding rounds undertaken for the Build to Rent Fund.

A total of 95 eligible bids were received for Round One, requesting £1.4 billion of funding. Two contracts have been signed so far. These contracts relate to the following projects:

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Centenary Quay in Southampton, where 102 new private rented sector units will be delivered for £3.5 million of funding to Crest Nicholson. The first tenants are expected to occupy these new homes from May 2016.

Three Towers in Manchester, where 192 new private rented sector units will be delivered for £7.9 million of funding to CS Capital Partners IV LP. The first tenants are expected to occupy these new homes from July 2015.

A total of 126 bids have been received for Round Two, requesting £2.8 billion of funding. Bids are currently being shortlisted for Round Two, following the close of applications on 31 October.

Applicants to Rounds One and Two self-classified themselves as follows:

It is not possible to provide further details on other contracts until they have been signed due to the ongoing commercial negotiations.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the ability of tenants to manage service charges and leaseholder responsibilities after purchasing leasehold properties under the Right to Buy scheme. [181309]

Kris Hopkins: The Government have been clear that Right to Buy applicants must be provided with information on both the benefits and the responsibilities that homeownership brings. Our Right to Buy booklets—‘Want to make your home your own?’ and ‘Thinking of buying a council flat?’—provide tenants with advice and tools to help them work out the costs of homeownership. The booklets are available free from social landlords or can be downloaded at:

http://righttobuy.communities.gov.uk/howtoapply/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thinking-of-buying-your-council-flat--2

The Housing Act 1985 includes a number of duties for social housing landlords on supporting potential Right to Buy leaseholders. Social housing landlords must provide all tenants with a document containing information on leaseholder responsibilities and other matters, to assist them in making their decision. As part of the offer notice to a Right to Buy applicant, landlords must also provide an estimate of service charges for the first five years of ownership.

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The Department is currently considering the responses to its recent consultation on proposals to cap leaseholder charges at £10,000 outside London (and £15,000 in London) where the works to tenanted homes receive future government funding. I would expect social landlords to ensure that leaseholder charges are always proportionate and rational, and deliver good value for money.

Ministers are open to representations on what further steps can be taken to help public sector leaseholders.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Beef: Horsemeat

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what new safeguards his Department has put in place to ensure processed horsemeat is no longer being labelled as beef. [180970]

George Eustice: Following the horsemeat fraud there was a widespread programme of testing beef products for horse DNA that included both local authorities and industry. The UK Government were instrumental in prompting action at a European level including the Europe wide testing of products and has pressed successfully for a second round of Europe wide testing in 2014.

The Food Labelling Regulations 1996 and the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EC) 1169/2011 require that the labelling of foods is not misleading. The penalty for breach of the Food Labelling Regulations is a fine at level five on the standard scale.

Stronger legal remedies for serious criminal fraud are available under the Fraud Act 2006. The Government recognised very early in the incident that there was likely to be complex international criminal activity involved, which is why the UK police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Europol were contacted at an early stage in the incident and the Food Standards Agency and the police have been working jointly since February. Investigations are ongoing.

Transport

Airports: Thames Estuary

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of further study of the Isle of Grain option outlined in the interim report of the Airports Commission; and which contractors have been engaged to complete this work. [181359]

Mr Goodwill: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Blackpool South (Mr Marsden) on 6 January 2014, Official Report, columns 116-17W.

Caldervale Railway Line

Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the time scale is for electrification of the Calderdale line between Manchester Victoria and Leeds. [181299]

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Stephen Hammond: Currently no time scale exists for electrification of the Caldervale line. However, earlier this month the Government announced a joint taskforce to explore future electrification in the north. This group will provide the Secretary of State for Transport with an interim report within 12 months setting out how schemes can be brought forward and their development accelerated.

The taskforce has been asked to ensure eight named routes are considered. This did not include the Caldervale line but the taskforce is free to consider the case for any route in the north. We plan to announce the structure and terms of reference of the taskforce shortly.

Driving: Young People

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people aged under 22 (a) applied for a driving licence and (b) passed their driving test in (i) Great Britain, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) each English region in each of the last 10 years. [181406]

Stephen Hammond: The total number of applications received from people aged under 22 is not available.

However, 8,445,132 driving licences have been issued to people under the age of 22 in the last 10 years. Of this, 7,337,437 were for a first provisional driving licence. Below is a breakdown of the total number of licences issued to people under the age of 22 per year.

The following table provides a breakdown of the number of people under the age of 22 who passed a driving test in England, Scotland, Wales and Great Britain. Information for individual English regions is not available.

Information about the number of tests passed is only available from 1 April 2004.

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Northern Rail

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects a decision to be taken on the devolution of Northern Rail services; and if he will make a statement; [181512]

(2) what assessment he has made of the potential risks and benefits of devolving Northern Rail services. [181513]

Stephen Hammond: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 January 2014, Official Report, columns 122-3W, to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr John McDonnell)

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what total premium payments have been made by Northern Rail since 2010. [181526]

Stephen Hammond: Premium payments by train operators are published by the Office of Rail Regulation at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/6d363642-c3a9-4a29-9477-542810798fa7

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has prepared contingency plans for Directly Operated Rail Services, or a subsidiary of Directly Operated Rail Services, to operate Northern Rail Services in the event that it is not possible to agree a new contract with the incumbent operator. [181985]

Stephen Hammond: In line with the Secretary of State's statutory duty to maintain the running of passenger rail services under the Railways Act 1993 (as amended), it might be that Directly Operated Rail Services (DOR) or a subsidiary of DOR could operate Northern services.

Pedestrian Crossings

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made an assessment of the case for lowering the assumed 1.2 metres per second walking speed used for calculating crossing times in his Department's guidance. [181383]

Mr Goodwill: The Department's guidance on designing pedestrian crossings, including setting timings, is given in Local Transport Note 1/95: The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings, Local Transport Note 2/95: The Design of Pedestrian Crossings, and Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/05: Pedestrian Facilities at Signal-controlled Junctions.

The Department recommends that where a crossing may be used by a large number of older people or those with mobility issues, for example outside residential care homes, this should be taken into account when setting timings.

The Department is currently undertaking a review of traffic signing legislation, including the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions. Once this is concluded, the Department will consider the need to update guidance to reflect these changes.

8 Jan 2014 : Column 262W

Roads: Safety Measures

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2013, Official Report, columns 427-8W, on roads repairs and maintenance, for what reasons concrete safety barriers are not also being introduced on dual carriageway A roads; when metal barriers are due to be replaced; and if he will make a statement. [181331]

Mr Goodwill: The design of motorways and 'A' class trunk roads is different, particularly at junctions, which means that the risk assessment in determining the appropriate type of barrier is different for motorways and 'A' roads. The selection of the type of safety barrier for the installation on 'A' roads is subject to an assessment on a case by case basis. The assessment takes into account the costs of installation and maintenance as well as accident statistics.

To date concrete safety barrier has been installed on many dual carriageway ‘A’ roads including the A1, A421, A46, A27, A55, A2/A282 and the A12 with future concrete safety barrier works programmed for the A13 and A23.

Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it a requirement that all new railway rolling stock to be introduced in the next 10 years will be configured to retain (a) the existing role of conductor and guard and (b) on-board catering facilities. [182002]

Stephen Hammond: In line with the market led approach set out in the March 2012 Rail Command Paper, ‘Reforming our Railways: Putting the Customer First’, it will be for the relevant asset owners and potential future operators to determine the configuration of rolling stock, in line with the franchise specifications and the relevant safety and legislative requirements. The previous Administration similarly did not specify rolling stock types or interior layouts and design.

Virgin Trains

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what subsidy has been paid by the Government to Virgin West Coast since its franchise was extended in December 2012. [181528]

Stephen Hammond: Subsidies payments to train operators are published by the Office of Rail Regulation at:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/6d363642-c3a9-4a29-9477-542810798fa7

West Coast Railway Line

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is currently responsible for the maintenance of trains on the west coast main line; and at what depots this maintenance takes place. [181837]

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is currently responsible for the maintenance of trains on the west coast main line; and at what depots this maintenance takes place. [181915]

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Stephen Hammond: Franchisees operating trains on the west coast main line are responsible for the provision of rolling stock required to operate their services. The details of what maintenance takes place at which depot can be ascertained from contacting the 10 passenger train operating companies.

Health

Abortion

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will take steps to ensure that women do not

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experience undue delay in accessing abortion services in the first 10 weeks of a pregnancy; [181111]

(2) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the declining proportion of abortions taking place at under 10 weeks' gestation; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that women do not experience undue delay in accessing abortion services. [181112]

Jane Ellison: In the last 10 years the proportion of abortions performed before 10 weeks’ gestation has increased by 33%. In 2011, 77.7% of abortions were performed before 10 weeks, while in 2012 77.4% were. This suggests a levelling rather than a decrease. Data for the last 10 years are set out in the following table:

In March 2013, the Government published ‘A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England’ which emphasises the importance of early access to abortion services. A set of key indicators is being developed to monitor progress against the ambitions in the framework. One of the proposed indicators is the percentage of national health service funded abortions carried out at under 10 weeks' gestation.

Clinical guidance—‘The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion’—published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists sets out that abortion services must offer an assessment within five working days of referral or self-referral and that services should offer women the procedure within five days of the decision to proceed. Therefore the total time from access to procedure should not exceed 10 working days.

Air Travel

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of air travel (a) within and (b) outside the UK by officials in his Department was for each of the last 10 years. [181871]

Dr Poulter: The Department is unable to provide information requested for the whole 10 year period. Information held by the Department by financial year from 2005-06 to 2012-13 is provided in table 1. This information is provided by the suppliers of the centrally provided contracts for rail and air travel excluding fees or ancillary services.

Information drawn from the Department's Business Management System for costs claimed through i-expenses, where staff have incurred legitimate business costs themselves and subsequently claimed reimbursement, is included in table 2.