Public Libraries

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak, of 18 December 2013, Official Report, column 755, which councils have opened new community library services in 2013; and which libraries have closed in English local authorities over the same period. [181315]

Brandon Lewis: My Department does not compile these statistics. I would note that Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy do publish annual statistics on public libraries, and the publication is available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Their latest survey (December 2013) estimates there are 4,313 public libraries operational in the United Kingdom.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer of 5 September 2012, Official Report, column 349W, which gives examples of newly opened libraries.

Recycling: Fires

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the costs to fire authorities of dealing with fires at recycling storage depots. [181490]

Brandon Lewis: We have made no estimate of the costs of fire and rescue authorities dealing with fires at recycling storage depots as this is an operational matter for local fire and rescue authorities.

Wind Power: Planning Permission

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the time taken to receive planning permission for onshore and offshore wind farms. [181570]

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Kris Hopkins: Ministers have regular discussions with other Government Departments on matters of mutual interest.

International Development

Consultants

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many consultants were employed by her Department in May (a) 2013, (b) 2012 and (c) 2011. [182214]

Justine Greening: The Department engaged 41 consultants in May 2011, 62 in May 2012, and 37 in May 2013.

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to her Department has been since May 2010 of paying consultants who were previously employed directly by her Department. [182374]

Justine Greening: Since May 2010, DFID has spent a total of £0.5 million on consultants who had previously been employed by the Department. The bulk of this was spent in 2010 and by 2013 the amount spent on consultants previously employed by the Department had been reduced by more than 90% compared to 2009.

No former staff are currently engaged as consultants by the Department.

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many former staff of her Department are now working as consultants for her Department. [182375]

Justine Greening: No former staff are currently engaged as consultants by the Department.

Developing Countries: Electricity

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what schemes her Department currently supports for off-grid electricity supply. [181467]

Mr Duncan: None.

Developing Countries: Females

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the British Council about her Department's policy of improving the lives of girls and women through better education. [182161]

Lynne Featherstone: The UK places girls and women at the centre of its approach to education in developing countries as part of its Strategic Vision for Women and Girls. The UK's flagship £355 million Girls' Education Challenge will enable up to 1 million of the world's poorest girls to receive a quality education in primary and secondary school, to help transform their lives. I have had no recent discussions with the British Council specifically on girls' education but we do engage with them on all aspects of education and we have recently

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been in partnership through the Developing Partnerships in Higher Education Programme (Delphe) which ended in June this year, though further discussions on this programme are still ongoing. I and my officials would be happy to meet at the soonest opportunity with any organisation sharing our commitment to this important issue.

Developing Countries: Genetically Modified Organisms

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the benefit to children in the developing world of golden rice. [181486]

Lynne Featherstone: DFID does not directly support the development and deployment of golden rice and has not therefore undertaken a specific assessment into the potential benefits. However, DFID is aware of several independent studies into golden rice and will be taking a close look at their results once the technology is closer to being made available to farmers in the Philippines.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the progress her Department has made towards the target of reaching 60 million people with access to water, sanitation and hygiene by 2015. [182163]

Lynne Featherstone: DFID’s progress towards the target of providing 60 million people with access to water, sanitation and/or hygiene by 2015 was reported in DFID’s 2012-13 annual report and accounts. In total, 19.6 million people had received access to water, sanitation and/or hygiene through DFID support by June 2013.

DFID continues to make progress towards this target and will provide an update in the 2013-14 annual report.

Energy

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department budgeted for energy costs since June 2010. [182217]

Justine Greening: DFID has budgeted £2.5 million for energy costs in its UK estates since June 2010.

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost of her Department’s energy bills were in each month since June 2010. [182218]

Justine Greening: Details of DFID expenditure on energy in each of the UK offices is available on our website at:

http://webview2.ecodriver.net/DFID/

Procurement

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of contracts awarded by her Department in 2012-13 were awarded without a competitive tender process. [182328]

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Justine Greening: 0.6% of contracts awarded during 2012-13 required a waiver of competition to be applied.

Redundancy Pay

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the total cost of redundancy payments paid to former staff of her Department who now work as consultants for her Department. [182213]

Justine Greening: DFID has policies in place precluding the rehiring as employees, or the direct engagement as consultants, of former members of staff who have left DFID employment with a redundancy compensation payment within the past two years.

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the highest redundancy package paid since June 2010 to former staff at her Department was. [182376]

Justine Greening: As this question relates to a single individual, the information is being withheld because releasing these details could lead to the individual being identified and would therefore breach the legitimate expectation of an individual's right to protection of their personal information.

South Sudan

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effect of the recent conflict in South Sudan on the number of (a) internally displaced persons, (b) people subject to food insecurity and (c) young people in full-time education in that country. [182243]

Lynne Featherstone: The current crisis in South Sudan has seen the number of conflict internally displaced people (IDPs) increase rapidly by more than 200,000 from just over 188,000 in late 2013 to approximately 400,000 today. Given the scale and intensity of the violence, and lack of access to key affected areas, the real number is likely to be much higher.

The number of people severely food insecure in South Sudan was estimated to be one million prior to the current crisis. Violence and displacement has resulted in the loss of livelihoods, particularly sources of food due to disruption in agricultural and pastoral practices, although active hostilities are impeding the ability of agencies to conduct a full assessment. As long as the conflict is ongoing, it is likely that severe food insecurity will increase, and IDP figures will escalate. Humanitarian agencies' priorities are to protect civilians from the ongoing violence and reach people affected by the crisis with assistance, including the provision of food. The UK has provided £12.5 million to the current crisis.

Schools in South Sudan are ordinarily closed until February, and in some northern states this can be as late as April. We have therefore not yet seen any negative impact of the conflict on school attendance although it is not yet clear if school buildings, books and other materials have been damaged in areas of conflict. DFID has existing education programmes in South Sudan and

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we will be reviewing over the coming weeks how best to continue or adapt our support in the light of the evolving situation.

Visits Abroad

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries to which her Department has provided funding towards she has visited since she took office; and how long she spent in each such country. [182219]

Justine Greening: Details of all overseas visits undertaken by DFID Ministers are published under the transparency section of the DFID website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments %5B%5D=department-for-international-development &publication_type=transparency-data

Culture, Media and Sport

Betting Shops: Licensing

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many appeals against refusals of applications for betting shop licences were heard by local authority licensing committees in the last year; and in how many cases the refusal was upheld. [182413]

Mrs Grant: Licensing authorities are not required to report details of licensing committee appeals to the gambling regulator. Neither the Department for Culture, Media and Sport nor the Gambling Commission holds this information.

Broadband

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on promoting competition in provision of superfast broadband infrastructure; and if she will make a statement. [181677]

Mr Vaizey: The Government aim to create the regulatory and economic conditions to enable competition to thrive in the provision of superfast broadband. The UK has one of the most competitive markets in Europe with customers able to experience excellent choice of services and prices. This has been achieved with appropriate and proportionate market regulation by Ofcom, established by carrying out detailed market reviews. This Government have also taken a number of actions to facilitate investment in infrastructure including ensuring access to BT's poles and ducts, streamlining planning rules and issuing new guidance on streetworks.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the progress BDUK has made towards its three business aims agreed with her Department in 2011. [182068]

Mr Vaizey: Substantial progress has been made by DCMS, including BDUK, in delivering on these aims which fall under the overarching objective to stimulate private sector investment in order to deliver the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. The

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strategy for this objective was set out in Britain's Superfast Broadband Future published in December 2010 with a number of its detailed actions and objectives being refreshed in 2012.

Progress includes ensuring access to BT's poles and ducts through the Passive Infrastructure Access (PIA) rule, significantly opening up investment opportunities for new providers and increasing coverage to the middle and “final third” of the population. In addition, a number of utility companies have entered into commercial agreements with Communications Providers and allowed their infrastructure to be used to deploy superfast broadband.

Guidance on micro-trenching and street works issued in November 2011 to support local planning authorities in their understanding of the technical issues and speed up the planning decision process. Planning regulations were also relaxed last year to speed up the deployment of fixed broadband and mobile infrastructure and reduce costs to communications providers.

All of the community-led pilot projects, Highlands and Islands, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Herefordshire are in delivery and Broadband Delivery UK published the learning from the pilots in November 2011. Broadband Delivery UK allocated funding to project areas in August 2011. All enterprise zones are covered by plans for delivering superfast broadband. More generally, BDUK-funded projects are now making superfast broadband available to 10,000 homes a week, which will rise to 40,000 premises per week later this year.

The cumulative effect of these and other measures have directly contributed to the UK being in the top three EU member states for broadband coverage, take-up, usage and choice.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for each of the areas eligible for support from BDUK, what proportion of the investment planned in superfast broadband will come from (a) public funds and (b) BT. [182410]

Mr Vaizey: Numbers currently available to BDUK suggest a split between public and supplier funding as shown in the following table, but these figures are subject to change.

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Internet: Barrow in Furness

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of households without access to the internet at home in Barrow and Furness constituency. [182463]

Mr Vaizey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to answer given to him by the Minister for Civil Society on 14 May 2013, Official Report, column 138W.

Members: Correspondence

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton dated 3 December 2013. [182310]

Mr Vaizey: I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Gentleman. A response was sent on 9 January 2014. I am very pleased for him to join me in meeting with social media companies and officials from my Department will be in touch with details when a date has been agreed.

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Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of progress towards EU standard charges for mobile telephones. [181468]

Mr Vaizey: The EU’s third roaming regulation took direct effect in the UK in July 2012 and, as well as measures to promote competition, continues the downward glide path on caps for voice, data and SMS charges for consumers while they are roaming in Europe.

The Government published a Telecommunications Consumer Action plan in December 2013, an agreement between Government and the main telecommunication operators about how to work together, with Ofcom, in the key areas that impact on consumers’ bills. The Government has made it clear in our 17 September announcement that we would like to see an end to mobile roaming charges within the EU. We will work with industry to develop a negotiating position with the aim of eliminating mobile roaming charges within the EU by 2016.

Museums and Galleries

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 6 January 2014, Official Report, column 155W, on museums and galleries, which legislation governs the national museums and galleries. [182221]

Mr Vaizey: The information is as follows:

Public Libraries

Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what powers local library authorities have to charge, by annual subscription, reservation charge or loan charge, for loans of sets of music scores to borrowers living or working in their area; and what information she has on the use of those powers; [181968]

(2) what information her Department holds on the use by local library authorities of their powers to charge, by annual subscription, reservation charge or loan charge, for loans of sets of music scores to borrowers living or working in their area. [181508]

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Mr Vaizey: The Library Charges (England and Wales) Regulations 1991 set out the circumstances where local library authorities may charge for library facilities. The regulations provide the power for local library authorities to charge for lending sets of musical scores. Local library authorities may also charge for the reservation of any library material, including in circumstances when it needs to obtain the material from other library authorities. The amount and incidence of any charge is at the discretion of the local authority and charges may be by way of an annual subscription. Information is not held centrally on the use of the powers as it is a matter for individual local authorities, however, DCMS understands that the loan of music scores is not a service that is provided by all local library authorities, but there remain some large ‘core’ collections which all local library authorities can access via the request service.

Telephone Preference Service

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Telephone Preference Service in blocking unwanted cold calls. [181484]

Mr Vaizey: The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service and more than 19.5 million numbers are currently registered with them. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) considers complaints from consumers and can issue a monetary penalty of up to £500,000. Since January 2012, the ICO has issued four substantive monetary penalties totalling £360,000 in relation to unsolicited marketing calls being made to TPS registered consumers and action against 15 other organisations is also under consideration. In spring 2014, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and ICO will be reviewing the effectiveness of the TPS in preventing unsolicited direct marketing calls and we will consider Ofcom’s findings to determine whether further action is necessary:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/silent-calls/joint-action-plan

Also, we will be publishing our action plan on nuisance calls early this year.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make it his policy that Commonwealth citizens serving in the armed forces should be treated as home students for the purpose of student finance; and if he will make a statement. [182138]

Mr Willetts: It is the policy of successive Governments that eligibility for student funding is based on ordinary residency within the UK and in some cases the EEA. This applies irrespective of nationality or country of origin. Commonwealth citizens leaving HM armed forces who become settled in the UK and who meet the residency requirement may qualify for student funding.

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Basic Skills

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his Department provided for delivery of basic skills training by (a) providers graded 1 or 2 by Ofsted and (b) other providers in each of the last three years. [181389]

Matthew Hancock: The funding for basic skills training from the Adult Skills Budget for the past three academic years is set out in the following table. The figures include spend on delivery of basic skills training (English and maths) by all providers and those with Ofsted Grade 1 and 2. Aside from funding for apprenticeships, allocations to providers are not ring-fenced for specific types of provision. This follows our approach of encouraging freedom and flexibility, where providers have discretion to use their allocation to best meet the needs of local learners and employers.

British Business Bank

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects funds to be allocated to companies from the British Business Bank. [181684]

Matthew Hancock: British Business Bank schemes are already providing funding to businesses across the UK.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in his Department work for the British Business Bank on a (a) full-time and (b) part-time basis. [181685]

Matthew Hancock: There are 63 full-time equivalent people employed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills working for the British Business Bank. There are currently no part-time workers.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) he, (b) other Ministers and (c) officials in his Department had with (i) business groups and (ii) individual companies on the British Business Bank between 1 June 2012 and 31 December 2013. [181686]

Matthew Hancock: Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations up to 30 June 2013 are published quarterly on the gov.uk website which you

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can access using the following hyperlink. Information for July to December 2013 will be published in due course.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments% 5B%5D=department-for-business-innovation-skills& publication_type=transparency-data

Information on any meetings between officials and business groups and individual companies on the British Business Bank is not held centrally.

Engineering Skills Review

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his response to the Perkins Review of Skills in Engineering is. [182215]

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Sir Peter Luff) on 8 November 2013, Official Report, column 396W.

Literacy

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how much his Department has spent on the provision of adult literacy services in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; [182187]

(2) what steps his Department is taking to support adult literacy. [182188]

Matthew Hancock: It is the Government's priority to ensure that all adults in England have the basic literacy and numeracy skills they need to find and sustain employment and which can also contribute to other benefits, such as improved health and well-being.

We aim to improve the current level of literacy of working age adults. Since August 2012, we have fully funded any adult to complete an English GCSE where they do not have one as well as continuing to support people to achieve other English and ESOL qualifications which help them progress to that level.

Our reforms to further education (FE) will improve the quality of the teaching work force, reward the best providers and ensure learners are stretched to achieve the best they can.

In August 2013, we introduced a bursary scheme which offers up to £9,000 to the brightest and best graduates to train as specialist teachers and teach English in FE.

From spring 2014 we will be funding a pilot for a continuous professional development programme to enhance the skills of English teachers to teach to GCSE level and identify innovative and best approach. Also, the Centres of Excellence in Teacher Training will be identifying and disseminate best practice in teaching English to post-16 students.

From 2015, new English GCSE qualifications will require a closer focus on essential skills like spelling and grammar.

All intermediate apprentices will be required to work towards achieving a Level 2 in English from August 2014. All young people undertaking a traineeship will be required to study English unless they have already achieved a Level 2.

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In the December 2013 autumn statement we announced that we will pilot a requirement that young people aged 18-21 without a Level 2 qualification in English and maths undertake training to improve these vital skills from the very outset of a claim for jobseeker's allowance.

In June 2013 we announced that, from April 2014, unemployed JSA claimants with very poor spoken English language skills will be required to train to bring their skills up to the level expected by employers. Claimants will be mandated by Jobcentres to English language training with a FE provider.

The amount spent on the provision of adult literacy services (English basic skills training from the adult skills budget) for the past three academic years is set out in the following table.

Medicine: Students

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many medical students are currently studying at universities in England; and how many such students are UK citizens. [181479]

Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on students at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Information on the nationality of higher education enrolments in medicine subjects at English HEIs for the academic year 2011/12 has been provided in the table.

Information for the 2012/13 academic year will become available from HESA on 16 January 2014.

Railways: Freight

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential contribution of increased rail freight capacity to (a) regional economic growth and (b) economic growth in West Yorkshire. [181933]

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Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has had no such discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

Research: Finance

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the science and research budget for the next financial year. [181450]

Mr Willetts: The Department published allocations for the periods concerned in the booklet “The Allocation of Science and Research Funding 2011-12 to 2014-15” (20 December 2010):

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocation-of-science-and-research-funding-2011-12-to-2014-15

This gives the total budget for 2014-15 as £4.57 billion.

The Department has also announced additional allocations since the spending review through fiscal events totalling £609 million in 2014-15.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will establish a public inquiry into allegations by small business owners that the Royal Bank of Scotland forced viable companies into default so the bank could seize their assets. [181884]

Matthew Hancock: Regulation of the banks is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

The FCA announced on 29 October 2013 that an independent skilled person will be appointed under section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to review allegations about Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) treatment of customers in financial difficulties. This followed the FCA's consideration of reports published by Sir Andrew Large into lending practices at the RBS and, separately, by Lawrence Tomlinson.

Space Technology

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the potential of synergetic air-breathing rocket engines for placing large-scale solar stations in geo-stationary orbit; and if he will make a statement; [182151]

(2) what assessment he has made of the potential of synergetic air-breathing rocket engines for improving the speed and efficiency of travel; and if he will make a statement. [182152]

Mr Willetts: This Government have announced we will invest £60 million in synergetic air-breathing rocket engines. This decision was based on a detailed economic assessment of the uses of their technology. The new space planes that these engines can power will, in principle, be capable of delivering components into orbit for assembly into a range of larger scale space structures, including those designed for solar energy applications. The engines in new space planes could provide a means of reusable space access, and also improve flight times across the globe.

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Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Government's Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published in August 2013, Action Point 6, whether a finalised engagement plan has been produced with Norstec and COREs; and if he will make a statement. [181535]

Michael Fallon: Following initial development work on a separate engagement strategy it was decided that COREs would feed into the work already planned by Norstec focusing on events around Global Wind Day on 15 June 2014. Norstec will lead on development of an engagement strategy.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Government's Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published in August 2013, Action Point 4, how many share fair events for supply chain opportunities have been organised and delivered to date. [181536]

Michael Fallon: Since the inception of the Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind, there have been two share fairs. The first took place on 13 June 2013 and the second on 5 November 2013, at the RenewableUK Conferences in Manchester and Birmingham respectively. We expect this to be an ongoing event to enable industry to publicise supply chain opportunities in the offshore wind sector.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Government's Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published in August 2013, Action Point 9, whether the Offshore Wind Investment Organisation to deliver inward investment into the UK has been established; and if he will make a statement. [181537]

Michael Fallon: The Offshore Wind Investment Organisation has been established within UK Trade and Investment to increase significantly inward investment into the offshore wind supply chain. It is working with foreign owned companies to promote investment opportunities in areas of the supply chain where there is most potential for the creation of new jobs and the reduction of deployment costs.

Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish the Government's plans to create orders for British firms in the offshore wind energy industry. [181828]

Michael Fallon: The Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published on 1 August 2013, sets out a joint industry and Government plan to build a competitive and innovative UK supply chain that delivers and sustains jobs, exports and economic benefits for the UK.

Further to this strategy, on 4 December 2013, Government published the final Contract for Difference (CfD) strike prices and contract terms under the Electricity Market Reform (EMR). The full EMR Delivery Plan was published on 19 December 2013. This commitment

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represents an important step in giving more confidence to the offshore wind industry to invest in Britain and create jobs.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to Action Point 16 of the Government's Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published in August 2013, when he expects to publish the Low Carbon Innovation Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [182119]

Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

We expect this document to be published in February 2014.

Treasury

Child Benefit: Barrow in Furness

John Woodcock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Barrow and Furness constituency opted out of receiving child benefit prior to 6 January 2013; how many such households have subsequently opted out; and how many have been subject to the high-income child benefit charge. [182244]

Mr Gauke: The self-assessment deadline for the year 2012-13 is 31 January 2014. When this deadline has passed, and all declarations have been fully processed, we will know the total number of people affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Details on the number of claimants who have chosen to “opt-out” of child benefit payment will be available in the next Child Benefit National Statistics publication. This is due to be published on 28 February 2014 and will be available here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/child-benefit.htm

Details on the timings of when claimants chose to stop their payments are not available.

Corporation Tax

Mr Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the public's perception of the influence of Ernst & Young on the reform of corporation tax legislation; and if he will make a statement. [181533]

Mr Gauke: The Government are committed to better tax policy making and recognises the importance when developing policy of consulting with all interested parties, as set out in the Corporate Tax Road Map. The Government take all views into consideration, but ultimately decisions on tax are for Ministers. We do not therefore feel that it is appropriate or necessary to conduct an assessment of the public’s perception of specific companies’ influence on corporation tax legislation.

Financial Stability Board

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Government contribute to the Global Financial Stability Board in (a) staff and (b) money terms. [182140]

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Sajid Javid: The Financial Stability Board, is a separate legal entity which is currently hosted and funded by the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. The UK Government do not make any contributions of money or personnel towards the Board secretariat.

The Government and UK independent regulators are represented at the Board by the relevant officials. It is currently chaired by the Governor of the Bank of England.

The Financial Stability Board may decide to raise subscriptions from members in the future to cover its costs. It is for that reason that the Government amended the Financial Services and Markets Act (2000) to give the Treasury the power to direct the regulators to collect fees from the financial services industry to cover the costs of the Treasury's membership of the Financial Stability Board.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is towards the Global Financial Stability Board; and which policy objectives he is pursuing through membership of the Board. [182141]

Sajid Javid: My policy, and that of all involved UK authorities, is to actively engage with the Financial Stability Board to support its work in establishing and promoting the implementation of effective regulatory, supervisory, and other financial sector policies.

The key objective in working with the Financial Stability Board lies in the creation of a stable and resilient global financial system that is best suited to providing support to the real economy.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the recent work of the Global Financial Stability Board; and if he will make a statement. [182142]

Sajid Javid: The UK is very supportive of the Financial Stability Board, its work to improve the stability of the financial system and its role in coordinating national financial authorities and international standard setting bodies. We will continue to engage proactively with the Financial Stability Board as the agenda is taken forwards.

Income Tax: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the cost to the UK of implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax. [181446]

Danny Alexander [holding answer 9 January 2014]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 13 June 2013, Official Report, column 390W. The UK Government's second annual report on the implementation of the fiscal aspects of the Scotland Act 2012, to be published before 1 May 2014, will include any revisions to the estimated costs for implementing the Scottish rate of income tax.

Members: Correspondence

Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Walsall North will receive a

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reply to his letter of 11 November 2013, sent to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and subsequently transferred to the Treasury, reference 7/29806/2013; and what the reasons are for the time taken to provide a response. [181181]

Sajid Javid [holding answer 6 January 2014]: I have replied to the hon. Member.

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury dated 3 December 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr David Feltham. [181600]

Sajid Javid: I have replied to the right hon. Member.

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton dated 1 November 2013. [182309]

Mr Gauke: I have replied to the hon. Member.

Payment Systems Regulator

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what range of financial penalties for compliance failure the new Payment Systems Regulator will be able to impose when it becomes fully operational in 2015; and if he will make a statement. [181610]

Sajid Javid: The Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 provides that the Payment Systems Regulator, once established, will be required to publish and apply a statement of principles regarding the imposition and amount of penalties. The Payment Systems Regulator will have to justify any financial penalty it imposes on a participant in a regulated payment system. The level of any penalty will be subject to a full merits appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Revenue and Customs: Newry

Ian Paisley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date HM Revenue and Customs' offices in Newry will be closed. [181639]

Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has not taken the decision to close the offices in Newry.

HMRC has given very early information to people in 21 offices across the UK, including Newry, that some or all of the work done in their offices does not fit the long-term plans for the Department and they have been invited to consider voluntary exit given this. Acceptance is entirely voluntary. HMRC will honour its commitment to keep the Newry office open until at least 2015.

Staff in any adjoining or nearby inquiry centres have also been invited to consider voluntary exit because of the potential impact on them in future too. This does not pre-empt HMRC's decision around the future of inquiry centres and the outcome of the Needs Enhanced Support pilot in January 2014.

13 Jan 2014 : Column 381W

Shareholders

Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of shares by value owned by individuals. [181501]

Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

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 Questions asking what estimate has been made of the proportion of shares by value owned by individuals (181501).

The results of the most recent ONS share ownership survey were published in “Ownership of UK Quoted Shares, 2012”, which is available on the ONS website. The latest year for which data are available on the proportion of shares by value owned by individuals is 2012.

The figures for the period 1963-2012 are shown in the table. These are taken from Table A of the above publication, which also provides the proportion for all other beneficial ownership categories.

The individual beneficial ownership category includes holdings owned by individual persons resident in the UK (whether registered in their own name, through a PEP/ISA, or as clients of a stockbroker or fund management group); shares held for employee share ownership schemes; and shares held in trusts with named individual beneficiaries.

Tax Avoidance: Beer

Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the amount of revenue lost to the Exchequer through the avoidance of VAT and excise duty on beer in the last year for which figures are available. [181499]

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Mr Gauke: Estimates of total revenue losses associated with the beer illicit market for the UK are published in ‘Measuring Tax Gaps’. These estimates cannot be disaggregated.

The Government announced at autumn statement that we would introduce a registration scheme for alcohol wholesalers which will be fully implemented by 2018. This will help to reduce alcohol fraud though better regulation of the wholesale sector which is the point at which illicit products are normally distributed.

The Beer Tax Gap published in 2013 can be found at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-2013.pdf

The associated tables are found here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-table2013.xls

Taxation: Environment Protection

Dan Byles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of what the effects of the carbon price floor would be on consumer electricity bills in each of the first five years of its operation if all other factors affecting the price were unchanged; [181531]

(2) what estimate he has made of what the effects would be of the carbon price floor on average wholesale electricity prices in each of the first five years of its operation if all other factors affecting the price remained unchanged. [181532]

Nicky Morgan: The Government’s latest assessment of the impact of climate change and energy policies on consumer energy prices and bills was in March 2013¹. This sets out impacts for 2013, showing that the carbon price floor was estimated to add around £1 per megawatt hour (MWh) or 2% to wholesale electricity prices in 2013 (2012 prices, not including VAT) around £5 (2012 prices, not including VAT), or less than 1%, to the average household energy (gas and electricity) bill in 2013. The Government have not estimated what the impact would be in subsequent years if all other factors affecting the electricity price remained unchanged.

^l https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estimated-impacts- of-energy-and-climate-change-policies-on-energy-prices-and-bills

Taxation: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used to assess proposals to create new devolved taxes under the Scotland Act 2012; and whether any such proposals have been made. [181464]

Danny Alexander [holding answer 9 January 2014]: A description of the process to create new devolved taxes in Scotland is set out in chapter 6 of the first following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/192494/First_Annual_Report_on_ he_Implementation_and_Operation_of_Part_3_of_the _Scotland_Act_2012.pdf

To date no proposals to create new devolved taxes have been made.

13 Jan 2014 : Column 383W

Transport

Biofuels

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much palm oil was imported for bio-fuels in the most recent period for which figures are available. [181494]

Mr Goodwill: The latest near complete dataset available Biofuel statistics: Year 5 (2012 to 2013), report 5 suggests that in 2012-13 approximately 1.407 million litres of biodiesel derived from palm oil was reported by suppliers. As a proportion of overall supply of biofuels this represents 0.1%. The data indicate that all biodiesel derived from palm oil was imported.

A full year's data for biofuels feedstocks for 2013-14 are not yet available. Biofuel statistics: Year 6 (2013 to 2014), report 1 records that no biodiesel derived from palm oil was reported in the first quarter, although this is report one of six and therefore contains an incomplete dataset.

Statistics covering the volume of biofuel supplied by feedstock and country of origin under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation are available at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/series/biofuels/

Bus Services: Visual Impairment

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 to oblige bus operators to provide audio guidance on alighting points for passengers using their services, with particular reference to the needs of blind people and the visually impaired. [181438]

Stephen Hammond: I recognise that many people find audio and visual announcements useful and understand the social benefits of having such systems on buses.

However, we have no plans to make these systems mandatory through amendments to existing legislation as the business case for operators cannot be demonstrated and the Government are unwilling to force financial burdens of this kind on the industry in the current financial climate.

We will continue to work with bus industry stakeholders to identify the best solutions to improve access to the public transport system for all passengers.

Buses: Testing

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of MOT test requirements for buses when those vehicles are used entirely for the purpose of transporting mountain bikers up and down mountains and hills; and if he will make a statement. [182308]

Stephen Hammond: The Department has not carried out a roadworthiness review in relation to buses transporting mountain bikes as this type of operation would not fall within scope of vehicle roadworthiness testing. Buses used on public roads are expected to have a valid roadworthiness test certificate.

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Buses: Tyres

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is conducting or has commissioned research on the issue of the age of tyres on buses and coaches. [181358]

Stephen Hammond: The Department has not undertaken research into the effect of age on the performance of tyres fitted to buses and coaches. The Department undertook a sample survey of the age of tyres currently fitted to older buses and coaches during the autumn of 2013. Officials are currently reviewing available evidence from the international community to inform the possible commissioning of future research on this subject.

Commuters

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of people in the UK who commute to work by (a) public and (b) private means of transport. [182159]

Stephen Hammond: Estimates of the usual method of travel to work for residents of Great Britain from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are published in table TSGB0108, downloadable from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/259264/tsgb0108.xls

Of the estimated 29 million people in employment in 2012, the LFS estimates that 5 million (17%) travelled to work by public transport and 24 million (83%) by private transport modes (which includes cycling and walking).

Estimates from the National Travel Survey on the number of commuting trips by mode of transport also show the same proportional split between public and private modes. These are published in table NTS0409, downloadable from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/35612/nts0409.xls

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the average (a) distance and (b) length of time it takes people in the UK to commute to work. [182160]

Stephen Hammond: Estimates of the average distance and length of time of a commuting trip for residents of Great Britain are available from the National Travel Survey in published tables NTS0405 and NTS0406, downloadable from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/nts04-purpose-of-trips

In 2012, the average length of a commuting trip was nine miles and took 28 minutes.

Crossrail Line

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which of CAF, Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd, Siemans plc or Bombardier Transportation (UK) Ltd he plans to award preferred bidder status for the forthcoming Crossrail rolling stock contract. [182480]

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Stephen Hammond: The Crossrail rolling stock and depot contract is being procured by Crossrail Ltd, and they are currently evaluating bids from Bombardier Transportation (UK) Ltd, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA (CAF) and Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd; Siemens plc withdrew from the competition in July 2013. Crossrail Ltd is procuring this contract on behalf of Transport for London.

I will make a statement to the House regarding the identity of the winning bidder upon completion of the procurement process by the spring of this year.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has had with (a) Amazon, (b) the Royal Mail and (c) Amazon and the Royal Mail in the last two years; and what local labour market information for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot was discussed or shared at those meetings. [182043]

Stephen Hammond: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has not held any meetings with Amazon.

The DVLA holds monthly contract service review meetings with Royal Mail. The local labour market is not part of the agenda at these meetings and has not been discussed.

Driving: Licensing

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has ever exercised discretion in revoking the licence held by a new driver who has accumulated six penalty points since the introduction of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. [182059]

Stephen Hammond: When the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) receives a notification of endorsement from a court or fixed penalty office of a driver who meets the criteria of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, a letter is produced by the DVLA informing the driver that his/her driving licence will be automatically revoked five days from the date of the letter. There is no discretion or right of appeal.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of new drivers that did not have their licence revoked under the provisions of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 following the accumulation of six penalty points in each year since that Act's introduction; and under what circumstances each such non-revocation took place. [182060]

Stephen Hammond: All drivers who accumulate six or more penalty points within their two year probationary period have their driving licence automatically revoked by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when the DVLA is notified by a court or fixed penalty office of such a driver.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what point a new driver who has accumulated six penalty points has his or her licence revoked. [182226]

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Stephen Hammond: When the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) receives a notification from a court or fixed penalty office of a driver who has accumulated six penalty points in the first two years of becoming a qualified driver and so meets the criteria of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, a letter is produced by the DVLA informing the driver that his/her driving licence will be automatically revoked five days from the date of that letter.

Helicopters

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority the adequacy of the existing parameters of regulation for helicopter safety. [181616]

Mr Goodwill: The safety of UK civil aviation is among the best in the world. Each year UK aircraft make approximately 1.15 million flights. Civil helicopter operations are subject to strict oversight and regulation to ensure the highest possible levels of safety.

The Civil Aviation Authority is currently undertaking a review of commercial civil offshore helicopter operations and there may be elements of that work that influence overall civil helicopter operations. As part of that review, the CAA will consider if there are lessons to be learned for the safety of civil helicopter operations more broadly.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full addresses of the 339 dwellings and 21 community facilities that will be demolished if High Speed 2 proceeds as the Government currently plan. [181410]

Mr Goodwill: The addresses of the 339 dwellings and 21 community facilities which will be demolished are set out in Section 2 of the Environmental Statement Volume 2 Community Forum Area (CFA) reports. The CFA reports and map books are published online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and-map-books/hs2-phase-one-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and-map-books

Printed copies of all hybrid Bill and Environmental Statement documents have been deposited at the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department will re-commence the work on a direct Heathrow Airport link to High Speed 2, which was suspended in January 2013. [181411]

Mr Goodwill: The Government support a direct high speed connection to Heathrow. We consider however that further work on a link to Heathrow should await the final conclusions and recommendation of the Airports Commission. We have therefore paused work on the link until the Commission's work has been concluded. The recent publication of the Commission's Interim Report does not change this.

13 Jan 2014 : Column 387W

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the addresses of the 67 dwellings that will be significantly affected by noise from High Speed 2 as stated in the Environmental Statement on High Speed 2. [181412]

Mr Goodwill: The addresses are already published in the Environmental Statement for HS2 Phase One. Section 11 of each of the Volume 2 Community Forum Area (CFA) reports contains details of the assessment of impacts and effects on individual dwellings, including address information. The properties are also detailed on the Operational Noise and Vibration Impacts and Likely Significant Effects maps in the CFA map books.

The CFA reports and map books are published online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and-map-books/hs2-phase-one-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and-map-books

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the 300 existing businesses that will be required to relocate together with their full addresses and the number of employees of each company as stated in the Environmental Statement on High Speed 2. [181413]

Mr Goodwill: The number of businesses within each Community Forum Area (CFA) which would be directly impacted by the Proposed Scheme (ie those that lie within land which would be acquired for the construction of the Proposed Scheme) are set out in Section 10 of the Environmental Statement Volume 2, CFA Reports. The businesses are grouped into similar types and these are listed in Section 10.4 of each of the reports. The number of employees within businesses has been estimated through a combination of sources, for example surveys of businesses, employment datasets, employment floor space and standard employment density ratios and therefore may vary from actual employment at the sites. The names of businesses and the streets on which they are located are also included.

The CFA reports are published online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and-map-books/hs2-phase-one-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and-map-books

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional support will be available to those businesses that will be forced to relocate as set out in the Environmental Statement on High Speed 2. [181414]

Mr Goodwill: Businesses displaced by the scheme will be compensated within the provisions of the relevant compulsory purchase legislation—generally known as the Compensation Code. This recognises the importance to businesses displaced from their existing premises (by compulsory purchase of those premises for public works) of being able to relocate to another site. The Compensation Code normally provides for the cost of such relocation to be taken into account under the heading of disturbance compensation.

13 Jan 2014 : Column 388W

The Secretary of State recognises the importance for existing businesses of being able to plan their relocations with as much advance information as is reasonably practicable, to ensure a smooth transition of their operations from one location to another. An information paper will shortly be released with additional information on support provided to businesses which have to relocate.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the 1,510 jobs together with the organisations that provides them that HS2 Ltd states are at risk as set out in 7.10 of the non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement on High Speed 2. [181415]

Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd has drawn on research undertaken by the London Development Agency into the relocation of companies and jobs in relation to the London 2012 Olympic Games and has made an assumption about the number of businesses that will not continue operations when their premises are required for the HS2 Scheme. The assessment is based on a proportion of businesses impacted and no assessment has been made of the likelihood of any individual business deciding whether to extinguish its operation or relocate.

It is therefore not possible to provide a list of jobs or businesses that may be at risk of not continuing. The approach used is set out in further detail in paragraphs 11.6.10 to 11.6.17 in Volume 3 of the Environmental Statement.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the full addresses of (a) the six Grade II listed buildings that will be demolished, (b) the four Grade II listed buildings that will be altered and (c) the eight Grade II listed buildings that will be removed and relocated together with (i) the estimated dates of such demolition, commencement of alterations and removal and (ii) the full addresses of the relocation sites under plans for High Speed 2. [181416]

Mr Goodwill: The addresses of all the Grade II listed buildings to be affected are set out in Table 1, Schedule 17 ‘Listed Buildings’ of the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill.

The estimated dates for construction works have been published in Volume 2, Section 2 of the Environmental Statement for each Community Forum Area (CFA). These dates will be subject to further detailed refinement.

The relocations comprise:

The monument to the Christie family, the obelisk to Baron Southampton and the drinking fountain in St James Gardens at Euston;

the Robert Stephenson statue at Euston Station; and

the railings around Euston Square and war memorial.

All of these historic items will be incorporated into the urban realm at Euston.

There are also two pairs of stone piers with lampstands at either end of Mornington street railway bridge; these will be reinstated when the bridge is rebuilt.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) individuals and (b) organisations have contacted HS2 Ltd or his Department to ask for an extension to the consultation period on the environmental statement on High Speed 2. [182154]

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Mr Goodwill: Since the launch of the consultation on the HS2 environmental statement on 25 November 2013, the Department for Transport has received correspondence on the length of the consultation period from the individuals and organisations specified in the following table. It is important to note that in some cases the Members of Parliament listed below have forwarded on the views of their constituents. Where no organisation is specified, the entry refers to someone that the Department believes made contact in an individual capacity. It is possible that the consultation length may have been raised in other correspondence alongside other issues in a few cases, and these may not have been captured in this table given the time available.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish his plans for maintaining full access to the Broadwater Sailing Club during the construction phase of High Speed 2. [182469]

Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd will be working with the Sailing Club regarding access arrangements and they will contact the Sailing Club to discuss these options as the construction details are finalised during the Bill process.

Invalid Vehicles: Car Tax

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to his plans to remove the requirement for vehicles to display a paper tax disc, how he plans that the payment of vehicle excise duty will be monitored for those mobility scooters which are subject to it. [182076]

Stephen Hammond: Although some mobility scooters must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and display a ‘nil duty’ tax disc, they are exempt from the payment of vehicle excise duty. When the tax disc is abolished, there will be no requirement for these nil duty discs to be displayed on mobility scooters. As these vehicles are exempt from vehicle excise duty, no monitoring will be required.

M6

Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of daily vehicle movements on the M6 motorway between junctions 4 and 12 was in each year since 2004. [181425]

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Mr Goodwill: The range of daily traffic flows on the M6 motorway between junctions 4 and 12 in each year since 2004 are as follows:

2004: between 81,000 and 147,000

2005: between 81,000 and 152,000

2006: between 78,000 and 150,000

2007: between 81,000 and 153,000

2008: between 85,000 and 158,000

2009: between 86,000 and 157,000

2010: between 80,000 and 151,000

2011: between 84,000 and 158,000

2012: between 74,000 and 159,000

2013: between 70,000 and 159,000 (estimated, based on January to October).

The range demonstrates the lowest and highest annual average daily traffic flow as measured on defined sections of the motorway between these two junctions.

Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of daily vehicle movements on the M6 toll road was in each year since 2004. [181426]

Mr Goodwill: Average daily traffic flows on the M6 toll in each year since 2004 are as follows:

2004: 45,723

2005: 44,773

2006: 47,679

2007: 45,898

2008: 40,508

2009: 38,519

2010: 39,760

2011: 35,711

2012: 35,000

2013: 38,642 (estimated, based on January to August).

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the cost of taking the M6 Toll Road into public ownership. [181471]

Mr Goodwill: The Department has not made an estimate of the cost of taking the M6 Toll road into public ownership.

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how many hours the M6 motorway was closed in either direction in Cumbria and Lancashire due to accidents in each of the last five years. [182462]

Mr Goodwill: Over the last five years (1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013 inc), on the M6 in the Cumbria and Lancashire areas, 90 road traffic collisions have been recorded that resulted in a total closure (all lanes both carriageways) or whole closure (all lanes one carriageway) with a total of 344 hours and 10 minutes impact duration being recorded.

Please note this is the total impact duration, that being the time where the capacity, of one or more running lanes, has been reduced and not just the time that all lanes were closed.

The information above is broken down on a year-by-year basis as follows:

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2009: 18 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 44 hours 50 minutes;

2010: 14 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 24 hours 9 minutes;

2011: 17 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 69 hours 27 minutes;

2012: 16 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 72 hours 8 minutes; and

2013: 25 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 133 hours 36 minutes.

Motor Vehicles

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to record all non-UK registered vehicles in the UK. [182400]

Stephen Hammond: Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK do not need to be registered with the DVLA and are exempt from UK tax and registration for up to six months in any 12 month period. This six month exemption is a provision within EU legislation, which also grants UK registered vehicles the same privilege while abroad.

Once the six month exemption period has passed, vehicles must be taxed and registered under UK law. Vehicles that remain after the exemption period has expired may be subject to enforcement action.

The DVLA is working with the UK Border Force and the police to explore how data can be used by the police to identify foreign registered vehicles that have been in the UK for longer than six months. Once this exploratory work has been completed a plan of action will be developed for implementing the proposed solution.

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has made to its European counterparts on preventing the use in this country of non-UK registered vehicles in the last year. [182405]

Stephen Hammond: Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK are exempt from UK licensing and registration for up to six months in any 12 month period. This exemption is provided for in EU law and also applies to UK vehicles while abroad. Once the exemption period has passed, foreign registered vehicles must be licensed and registered according to UK law. Vehicles that remain after the exemption period has expired may be subject to enforcement action. This can include wheel-clamping, removal and disposal of the vehicle.

The Department has not made any representations to its European counterparts on preventing the use of non-UK registered vehicles in this country in the last year.

Railways: Bolton

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many investigations the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency has undertaken in each year since 2010 into passenger train journeys serving Bolton following alleged infringements of the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. [182101]

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Stephen Hammond: The investigation of train journeys is not within VOSA's remit.

Railways: Fares

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the decision to limit rail fares to RPI+0 in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015; and if he will provide a breakdown of that cost. [182399]

Stephen Hammond: In the Chancellor’s autumn statement the average regulated fare rise was reduced to RPI plus 0% for 2014. This reduction will require Government to adjust levels of franchise compensation, and the amount to be paid will be determined through negotiations with train operators.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the decision to limit the amount train operating companies are able to vary rail fares to 2% in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015; and if he will provide a breakdown of that cost. [182408]

Stephen Hammond: The decision to reduce the amount train operators can vary rail fares to 2% was one of a number of measures announced in the Government’s Fares and Ticketing Review that will benefit rail passengers. This measure will require Government to adjust levels of franchise compensation, and the amount to be paid will be determined through negotiations with train operators.

Railways: Finance

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total amount of (a) publicly funded and (b) private investment in the railways since 2010. [181530]

Stephen Hammond: Details of publicly funded investment in Britain's Railways between 2010-11 and 2012-13 as reported by Network Rail can be found on Network Rail's website at the following link:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/Annual-return/

The link includes funding provided for support of the railway infrastructure for England, Wales and Scotland by both the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland This information includes all enhancements to the railways and associated infrastructure for Great Britain, excluding Transport for London and Crossrail expenditure.

Details of Crossrail spend can be found on the ORR's website. Crossrail spend is listed as part of the ‘Other Government Support' column:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/htmi/8752da4c-fe20-4c1c-8a3d-5afd402f3f1d

Other information is available as part of the Department for Transport's Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209980/annual-report-and-accounts-2012-2013.pdf

Details of private investment in Great Britain's railways are available on ORR's website at the following link:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/5cc4eb14-fe68-4b72-aebf-81625df90d86

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Railways: Franchises

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which existing rail franchise contracts (a) have been or (b) he plans will be renewed by direct award to the incumbent operator; and what stage negotiations with the incumbent operators have reached in each such case. [178898][Official Report, 17 January 2014, Vol. 573, c. 15MC.]

Stephen Hammond: As per the franchising timetable announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on 26 March 2013, a number of new franchise contracts need to be negotiated via Direct Award. These are new franchises, not extensions of existing contracts.

Direct Awards have already been negotiated with Essex Thameside (c2c) and First Great Western. The contracts began in May 2013 and October 2013 and will run until September 2014 and July 2016 respectively.

The Department has recently received the proposal for Greater Anglia, the Direct Award for which will commence July 2014 and run until October 2016. We are in negotiation with Northern and First Capital Connect whose Direct Awards will run from April 2014 to February 2016 and April 2014 to September 2014 respectively.

The Department is preparing the Requests for Proposal for TransPennine (April 2015—February 2016); Intercity West Coast (November 2014—November 2017); South Eastern (October 2014—June 2018) and South West Trains (February 2017—April 2019). We are in initial discussions with London Midland (September 2015—June 2017); East Midlands Trains (April 2015—October 2017) and Cross Country (October 2016—October 2019).

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits to rail passengers of management contracts with operators. [181529]

Stephen Hammond: The Government agree with the Brown Review that there may be a case for management contracts where a franchisee is facing major and sustained disruption because of infrastructure works, and where revenue growth will be less important than maintaining services through the disruption, such as in the recently tendered TSGN franchise.

Rescue Services

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions both the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Belfast, and the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Stornoway, were simultaneously staffed at below risk-assessed levels between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013. [182045]

Stephen Hammond: I have asked officials at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to compile the data for the period asked. The process to compile the data involves reconciliation from multiple sources. I will write with the information requested once this has been collated and a copy will be placed in Libraries of the House.

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Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of shifts at maritime rescue co-ordination centres were staffed at below risk-assessed levels in 2013. [182049]

Stephen Hammond: In 2013 2,560 out of 11,680 shifts were staffed at below risk-assessed levels across Her Majesty's Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC). This equates to 21.9% of all shifts.

Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty's Coastguard is using the current long-established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

Rescue Services: Belfast

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Belfast was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in December 2013. [182048]

Stephen Hammond: During December 2013 Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk-assessed levels on 11 occasions out of 62 shifts.

Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty's Coastguard is using the current long-established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

Rescue Services: Liverpool

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Liverpool was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in December 2013. [182046]

Stephen Hammond: During December 2013 Liverpool Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk-assessed levels on 15 occasions out of 62 shifts.

Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty's Coastguard is using the current long established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

Rescue Services: Stornoway

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Stornoway was staffed at below risk-assessed levels in December 2013. [182047]

Stephen Hammond: During December 2013 Stornoway Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk-assessed levels on 13 occasions out of 62 shifts.

Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Majesty's Coastguard is using the current long-established pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables each MRCC to be connected to at least one other MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

13 Jan 2014 : Column 395W

Rolling Stock: North West

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2013, Official Report, column 631W, on rolling stock: North West, what volume of passengers on the Bolton corridor peak time journeys is sufficient to trigger the contingency plans drawn up by his Department and Northern Rail. [182114]

Stephen Hammond: Northern and TransPennine Express monitor passenger numbers and crowding levels and update the Department regularly.

The contingency plan was developed and proposed by Northern.

It is for Northern to implement as and when they deem it necessary—this is for the operator to decide as they are best placed to make the decision based on their local knowledge and making use of their existing fleet.

Virgin Trains

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what fees have been paid by the Government to Virgin West Coast since the introduction of the management contract in December 2012. [181527]

Stephen Hammond: Virgin West Coast retains 1% of revenue as per the contracted terms. This is the “fee” as agreed in the management contract.

For the relevant 16 week period ending 31 March 2013 within the financial year 2012-13 (ending 31 March 2013), Virgin West Coast Trains’ “fee” for the provision of the Franchise Services totalled £2,860,000.

In the same period, the Government received £24,313,000 as a premium payment from Virgin West Coast.

Cleared, audited accounts are not yet available for the tax year 2013-14.