Obesity: Surgery

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that there should not be an upper age limit for gastric bypass operations; and if he will make a statement. [186386]

Jane Ellison: There is no upper age limit for gastric bypass operations. Operations are carried out on the basis of clinical need in accordance with NHS England's guidance “Clinical Commissioning Policy on Complex and Specialised Obesity Surgery”. A copy of this guidance has already been placed in the Library.

Pay

Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) permanent, (b) temporary and (c) contract staff in his Department are paid the living wage or above. [186690]

Dr Poulter: The Government support businesses that choose to pay the living wage. However, their prime policy concern is the national minimum wage for the low paid. This is independently set by the Low Pay Commission at a level that maximises the wages of the low paid without reducing their employment prospects. It is for workers and employers to decide the level of wages above the minimum wage based on current circumstances. This includes the Government as a procurer and an employer. Over 95%— around 20 million employees—earn above the minimum wage and the majority of public sector workers currently earn above the living wage. Government will always award contracts on the basis of the best value for money for the taxpayers—which includes the low paid.

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All staff employed or engaged directly by the Department —civil servants, temporary and agency staff—are paid the living wage or above, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation. Some staff, not employed or engaged by the Department but working for suppliers that provide services to the Department, are on rates less than the local living wage but above the minimum wage.

Prescription Drugs

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency consultation on a proposed early access to medicines scheme which closed in October 2012. [186848]

Norman Lamb: Following the consultation, engagement has continued with interested parties and across Government. Discussions are at an advanced stage and an announcement will be made as soon as these have concluded.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public appointments his Department made in the last 12 months; how many such appointments are remunerated posts; what the level of such remuneration is; and how many people so appointed are (a) women and (b) men. [186399]

Dr Poulter: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 301W.

Self-harm

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2014, Official Report, column 349W, on self-harm, how many people attended accident and emergency due to self-harm in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. [186964]

Norman Lamb: Data for the number of people attending accident and emergency (A&E) services due to self-harm in 2008-09 and 2009-10 are supplied in the following table.

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International Development

Bangladesh

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the role played by civil society organisations in Bangladesh's democracy. [186292]

Mr Duncan: Bangladeshi civil society makes an important contribution to democracy, including through holding the Government to account, calling for changes to policy, and challenging corruption. DFID works with a wide range of civil society organisations to improve governance in Bangladesh.

Criminal Investigation

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which organisation her Department and its subsidiary body use to tackle internal instances of crime, including corruption and fraud; and whether she has designated this organisation or any individual within it to grant authorisation for carrying out directed surveillance under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [186713]

Lynne Featherstone: The Department's Counter-Fraud and Whistleblowing Unit (CFWU), based within DFID's Internal Audit Department, is responsible for managing all internal and external referrals on crime, corruption and fraud. The CFWU team includes a core team of counter-fraud specialists who focus primarily on the assessment and investigation of allegations.

The Department is not a prescribed relevant public authority under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Developing Countries: Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the extent of the UK's involvement in abortion provision overseas in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2122. [186921]

Lynne Featherstone: The UK welcomes the Security Council's focus on improving access to sexual and reproductive health. The UK funds partners to deliver comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services including in humanitarian situations; we encourage other donors and partner agencies to do likewise. These services may include improving access to safe abortion in line with our policy paper on safe and unsafe abortion. In addition, we are currently developing new work to make sure that comprehensive SRH health services are included in emergency response and recovery and to build resilience in countries so they can be better prepared.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what plans he has to consult Parliament about the policies he has announced regarding the use of development aid for abortion services which are unlawful in the jurisdiction in which the UK is procuring them; [186922]

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(2) what obligations on the UK in relation to the provision of abortions arise from UN Security Council Resolution 2122; and pursuant to the answer to Lord Lester of 21 January 2014, Official Report,House of Lords, column 93WA, on abortion, which activities are required as a matter of international law; [186923]

(3) whether the abortions referred to in the written answer to Lord Lester of 21 January 2014, Official Report, House of Lords, column 93WA, would be performed on the request of the mother at any stage of gestation; what other criteria would be applied, if any; and if he will make a statement. [186831]

Lynne Featherstone: On access to abortion services, UK policy is clear: where abortion is permitted, we can consider support for activities to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of abortion services. UK development assistance is not used to procure illegal services. However, where access to safe abortion is highly restricted and maternal mortality and morbidity are high, which is often the case in conflict settings, we can help make the consequences of unsafe abortion more widely understood and can support processes of legal and policy reform.

The UK welcomes the Security Council's focus on improving access to sexual and reproductive health—also a UK priority. In conflict situations UK-funded medical care is provided by humanitarian organisations. These organisations work according to humanitarian principles which include providing aid according to need and need alone and without discrimination of any kind. Our partners are fully conversant with international humanitarian law principals. UN Security Council Resolution 2122(2013) does not impose any additional obligations in this respect.

Overseas Aid

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which projects funded by her Department have been (a) given an extension of or (b) started with a value of more than £50,000 in the current financial year. [186194]

Justine Greening: The information is as follows:

Part (a): Projects that have been given an extension of more than £50,000 in the current financial year

Projects which have been given an extension worth over £5 million in the current financial year are:

Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB)

Health Partnership Scheme (HPS)

Economic Empowerment of the Poorest

Prevention of Maternal Death from Unwanted Pregnancy

Girls-Participatory Approaches to Students' Success (PASS)

Evidence Base to catalyse a global market for Clean Cookstoves Extension

Mobile-Enable Community Services Extension (MECS)

Strengthening Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in Kenya plus (StARCK+) Programme

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Extension

Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT II)

Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN)

These programmes were given a cost extension in order to achieve significant additional results.

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Part (b): Projects that have started in the current financial year and had a value of more than £50,000

274 projects with a value of more than £50,000 have been approved this financial year. I have arranged for a list of these projects to be placed in the Libraries of the House. More information on international development projects funded by the UK Government is available on the Development Tracker, at

http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/

Palestinians

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to end aid dependency through the creation of jobs in Gaza. [186291]

Mr Duncan: DFID aims to support the creation of sustainable jobs though its programmes, such as a UN Relief and Works Agency job creation programme in Gaza, a World Food Programme project to provide vouchers for purchasing goods including those produced locally, and the Palestinian Market Development Programme which aims to support companies to develop new products and markets. There is no immediate prospect of ending Gaza's dependency on aid.

Philippines

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the announcement made during her visit to the Philippines on 24 November 2013, which cities will be allocated the £5 million investment in resilience; and how these cities were selected. [186318]

Justine Greening: The Managing Climate Risk for the Urban Poor programme will help fast-growing cities reduce the risks poor people face from floods, storms or droughts related to climate change. The process to select the cities in the Philippines is currently under way.

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the announcement made during her visit to the Philippines on 24 November 2013, whether the £5 million investment in resilience will be used to rebuild destroyed evacuation centres and storm shelters; and what plans she has to make further funding available for this purpose. [186319]

Justine Greening: The programme will help fast-growing cities reduce the risks poor people face from floods, storms or droughts related to climate change. An additional £15 million has been committed to the early recovery effort, bringing the UK's total contribution to more than £75 million, to help more than a million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many public appointments her Department made in the last 12 months; how many such appointments are remunerated posts; what the level of such remuneration is; and how many people so appointed are (a) women and (b) men. [186401]

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Mr Duncan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 301W.

Defence

Afghanistan

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the funding streams his Department has to the Afghan Government; what the purposes are for the funding in each case; what steps he is taking to ensure that such funds are used by the Afghans for the intended purposes; and if he will make a statement. [185296]

Mr Francois [holding answer 4 February 2014]: There are currently no Ministry of Defence specific funding streams provided to the Afghan Government.

Armed Forces: Redundancy

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review current armed forces redundancy legislation covering service personnel made compulsorily redundant close to pension point. [186789]

Dr Murrison: The decision to run an Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme was a difficult one, and over the period of the redundancy programme we have given very careful consideration to the possibility of changing the current legislation to address the concerns expressed by some of our personnel. However, we have concluded that it would be unfair to make proximity to immediate pension point a selection criterion for redundancy and we have maintained that approach throughout all four tranches of the programme. We have looked at the alternatives and concluded that wherever we draw the line somebody will always be just over it, and facing the possibility of perceived disadvantage.

The current Armed Forces Redundancy Schemes recognise those who miss out on immediate incomes by paying them significantly enhanced tax-free redundancy compensation lump sums. On average, this figure is around £73,000 and for an Army Major it can on average be around £100,000. Where people leave before the qualification point, any pension rights that have been earned will also give them preserved pensions and further tax-free lump sums which they will receive at age 60 or 65, depending on the pension scheme of which they are members.

Army: Training

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proportion of Parachute Regiment recruit training courses are at full capacity; [186961]

(2) what proportion of infantry recruit training courses are at full capacity. [186962]

Dr Murrison: Very few courses are currently running near to full capacity. We expect the position to change in 2014-15.

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Criminal Investigation

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisation his Department and its subsidiary bodies use to tackle internal instances of crime, including corruption and fraud; and whether he has designated this organisation or any individual within it to grant authorisation for carrying out directed surveillance under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [186707]

Dr Murrison: The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) and the service police investigate reported allegations of crime that fall within their respective jurisdictions. In addition, the Counter Fraud and Loss Prevention Unit supports efforts to reduce fraud and theft. A new Counter Fraud Strategy and a Counter Fraud and Loss Prevention Board has been established to drive improvements in managing the risk of fraud and loss across the MOD.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000, section 28 and the orders made under the Act specifically allow the MDP and service police to undertake directed surveillance. There is therefore no requirement for the Secretary of State for Defence to designate these organisations. All directed surveillance is conducted in full compliance with the legislative requirements.

MOD Donnington

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has held with Telford and Wrekin borough council on the expansion of MoD Donnington. [186459]

Dr Murrison: Discussions with Telford and Wrekin council concerning the potential redevelopment of the Ministry of Defence Logistics Commodities and Services (LCS) Donnington site have taken place within the context of the LCS Transformation project (LCS(T)). Similar discussions have also taken place with Cherwell district council about the potential redevelopment of LCS Bicester.

It is too early to state what the impact of LCS(T) will be on either of these sites.

Northern Ireland

Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assets his Department has sold in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the value of each such sale was. [186635]

Dr Murrison: Assets disposed of in Northern Ireland are listed in the following table:

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Property

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) name, (b) location, (c) floor space, (d) tenure status and (e) value is of properties (i) owned and (ii) occupied by (A) his Department and (B) agencies and public bodies accountable to him. [187283]

Dr Murrison: A list of Ministry of Defence sites has been placed in the Library of the House. In addition, properties valued at greater than £1 million are listed in the National Asset Register:

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7022/7022.pdf

The floor space and tenure status could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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Tornado Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps were taken in respect of recommendation 95 in the Tornado Airworthiness Review Team Report Table of Recommendations, Action Officers and Status Notes dated 5 February 1998; [186448]

(2) what safety issues were identified in recommendation 95 of the Tornado Airworthiness Review Team Report Table of Recommendations, Action Officers and Status Notes dated 5 February 1998 regarding the Tornado's ejection seat. [186449]

Mr Dunne: I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Trident

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the net book value is of a single Trident warhead. [186450]

Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 September 2013, Official Report, column 409W. The total net book value of the nuclear warhead stockpile is £273.7 million. There is no common net book value for individual warheads due to differing levels of depreciation.

The standard application of net book value takes account of depreciation which depends on individual assets' in-service dates.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the Government's commitment to give due consideration to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when making new policy and legislation, if he will place in the Library all assessments of how new policy and legislation from his Department since January 2013 has given due consideration to the UNCRC. [186581]

Dr Murrison: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), on 3 February 2014, Official Report, column 92W, to the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham).

The Ministry of Defence, and the wider Government, are fully committed to considering the impact of all new policies and legislation, where they impact specifically on children.

The Government are due to report to the UN Committee responsible for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child shortly. The Department for Education is co-ordinating the response with contributions from other Government Departments, including the work that the Ministry of Defence has undertaken. Once the Government have submitted their response to the UN Committee, a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what potential co-operative opportunities have been identified by his Department as potentially benefiting from the proposed Joint User Group for Reaper. [R] [186611]

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Mr Dunne: In consultation with the US, the proposed Joint User Group for the Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft System may develop co-operative opportunities through the exchange of lessons learnt and explore working with other nations in areas such as air certification, training, through-life support and interoperability.

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2014, Official Report, column 598W on unmanned aerial vehicles, what future basing options his Department has identified for the Reaper capability following the end of ISAF operations in Afghanistan. [R] [186664]

Mr Dunne: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave on 29 January 2014, Official Report, column 598W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham and Rainham (Rehman Chishti).

Unmanned Air Vehicles: Guided Weapons

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the joint UK-US firing trials of Brimstone missiles which took place at China Lake in December 2013 and January 2014 from MQ-9 Reaper. [R] [186610]

Mr Dunne: The trials completed in January 2014 and the data are still being analysed, therefore the results are not yet available.

World War I: War Memorials

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what funding support is available (a) for new war memorials to honour those killed in the First World War and (b) to recognise the contribution of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry; [186460]

(2) if his Department will support the erection of a memorial to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry at the National Arboretum. [186461]

Dr Murrison: I am always pleased to hear of plans to commemorate those who have served their country, and I would warmly welcome a memorial to the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, who have played such a distinguished role in many theatres. However, my hon. Friend will be aware that it is the policy of successive Governments that the cost of erecting new memorials is not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. Responsibility for the design, location, maintenance, protection, and any decision about what a memorial commemorates rests with the owner, or the organisation in which ownership is vested.

Yemen

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2014, Official Report, column 69 on Yemen, what steps his Department is taking to support the Yemeni and US Governments in combating any common threat. [R] [186663]

Dr Murrison: We continue to support the Government of Yemen to counter the threat posed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsular. As part of his routine engagement

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the Defence Attaché in Sana'a has regular meetings with members of the Yemeni Armed and Security Forces and with his US counterpart.

We are not currently providing any training to the Yemeni Armed Forces in Yemen although we continue to provide training to a small number of Yemeni Officers on professional development courses in the UK.

Transport

Criminal Investigation

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which organisation his Department and its subsidiary bodies use to tackle internal instances of crime, including corruption and fraud; and whether he has designated this organisation or any individual within it to grant authorisation for carrying out directed surveillance under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [186715]

Stephen Hammond: The Department's fraud policy states that Internal Audit are responsible for carrying out investigations in areas where fraud has occurred, either independently or in collaboration with line managers or nominated members of staff. The DfT Fraud and Bribery Response Plan states that the Head of Internal Audit should ensure that all investigations are carried out by suitably qualified persons. This may include internal audit or others, and where necessary the police. In practice, no internal audit staff have been granted authorisation for carrying out directed surveillance under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Similar principles normally apply in the Department's agencies.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has used one organisation, Robertson and Co., to carry out surveillance in one case. RIPA authorisation was not required, but in order to ensure good practice, a process that mirrored the RIPA process was used. DVLA investigations relating to crime, including corruption and fraud, are dealt with in accordance with DVLA Fraud Policy, by internal investigators, line management or HR as appropriate. Agreement is sought from the police or other prosecuting authorities to pursue appropriate investigations to prosecution. DVLA do not have the authority to carry out directed surveillance within the agency. The Driving Standards Agency uses Outforce Corporate Investigations Limited (OCI) to conduct internal investigations of crime, corruption or fraud. While, under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, their chief executive has statutory powers to grant authorisation to third parties to conduct limited directed surveillance on the Agency's behalf, this authorisation has not been designated to OCI and must be authorised personally by the chief executive in every case. OCI do carry out limited direct surveillance on behalf of the former DSA though this practice must be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner every two years.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) public and (b) private bodies to which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea is authorised to release the (i) identities and (ii) home addresses of car registration numbers. [186416]

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Stephen Hammond: No definitive list exists of those who may receive vehicle keeper data.

Information concerning the types of customers requesting DVLA data, the reasons why it is requested, and the volumes of enquiries processed can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/who-dvla-shares-data-with

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the Information Commissioner's Office on the propriety of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea releasing personal data of car registration number owners to private companies; and if he will make a statement. [186417]

Stephen Hammond: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regularly meets with the Information Commissioner's Office about the arrangements for managing the disclosure of vehicle keeper data to private companies.

Following its most recent audit of the DVLA's procedures for releasing vehicle keeper data, the Information Commissioner's Office found that there was a high level of assurance that processes were in place to mitigate the risks of non-compliance with data protection requirements.

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea carries out on the (a) bona fides and (b) operating standards of private parking companies before releasing personal data to such companies about the owners of car registration numbers. [186418]

Stephen Hammond: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) carries out a range of checks before releasing information to private parking companies. Companies must be members of an appropriate accredited trade association. Prior to granting membership, the accredited trade association must check the company’s operations to ensure that they comply with the relevant code of practice.

The DVLA scrutinises all manual requests for information to ensure that the company is genuine and that the request is appropriate. This includes confirming that the company is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, Companies House and the appropriate accredited trade association. Requests that fail to satisfy these checks are refused.

Companies wishing to request data through an electronic link must first serve a six-month probationary period making manual requests only. This allows the DVLA to monitor the company’s compliance, operating standards and use of the data before deciding whether an electronic link can be permitted.

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance under which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea has been providing personal data of car registration number owners to private parking companies. [186419]

Stephen Hammond: No single guidance document sets out the arrangements for the release of vehicle information to private parking companies.

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The law allows for the release of this information to those who can demonstrate reasonable cause to receive it.

A range of safeguards is in place to ensure that data are released only where it is fair and lawful to do so. Private parking companies requesting vehicle keeper data must be members of an appropriate accredited trade association and abide by its code of practice.

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to ensure that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea shall not in future supply private car parking companies with the personal data of car registration number owners; and if he will make a statement. [186420]

Stephen Hammond: There are no current plans to change the policy relating to the release of vehicle information to private car parking companies.

The law allows the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to release vehicle keeper information to those able to demonstrate reasonable cause to receive it. The DVLA has a range of safeguards in place to ensure that the data are released only where it is fair and lawful to do so.

The DVLA established a consumer forum for private parking matters in 2012, comprising of representation from DFT and the DVLA, Trading Standards, Citizens Advice, AA, RAC Foundation, Association of Car Fleet Operators, British Parking Association, Independent Parking Committee and independent consumer representation. Its aim is to examine high level issues and concerns relating to the release of vehicle keeper data for car parking enforcement and help deliver continuous improvement in standards in the sector.

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on incorporating legal highs in the remit of drug-driving offences. [186968]

Mr Goodwill: We have not had any specific representations other than a number of respondents to the Government's consultation on the drugs and their limits to be specified in regulations should also include so called “legal highs”. We will be publishing our response to the consultation shortly.

The new section 5A offence in the Road Traffic Act 1988 only allows specifying drugs that are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971. The Home Office has an existing regime to consider the risks that any new drug may present to the public. Specifying drugs not controlled under the MDA would by-pass that regime. In addition, the expert panel recommended the drugs that are most evident in drug driving after extensively reviewing the evidence. The Government believe that it is right to proceed with the evidence as it currently exists and monitor the new offence as we intend to do.

The Department will continue to gather and review evidence on which drugs are found in the driving population, so that this can be reflected in any future revisions to the regulations. Any driver who is impaired by any drug

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including so called “legal highs” not covered in section 5A can still be prosecuted under the existing section 4 “impairment” offence.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate HS2 Ltd has made of the number of classic compatible services originating at stations north of Wigan which will (a) call at and (b) terminate at Manchester Piccadilly once phase 2 of High Speed 2 is complete. [186303]

Mr Goodwill: The service pattern developed by HS2 Ltd assumes the proposed route that was released for public consultation on 17 July 2013 and does not envisage that any services originating north of Wigan would be calling at or terminating at Manchester Piccadilly. However this service specification has only been developed for modelling purposes and is purely indicative. It is not binding on what services will eventually operate on HS2 as it is not possible to write the timetable this far in advance of the proposed opening of the network.

A decision on the Government's preferred route for Phase Two will be taken by the Secretary of State by the end of 2014. The train service pattern, and ultimately the timetable for HS2 services, will be subject to the usual industry planning processes before bringing the scheme into operation.

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements will be required to the existing West Coast Main Line north of Wigan to allow classic compatible services to run to stations beyond Preston; and what estimate HS2 Ltd has made of the cost of such improvements. [186304]

Mr Goodwill: The consultation on the Phase Two route closed at the end of January 2014. A decision on this route is expected before the end of 2014.

Under the route we consulted on platform extensions would be required at Preston station and Carstairs—where classic compatible trains would split to serve Edinburgh and Glasgow—to accommodate the proposed 400 metre long trains. The track layout at Carstairs would also need to be remodelled.

A high level estimate of the works to both Preston and Carstairs suggests these works would cost approximately £151 million (including contingency), this is included in the HS2 budget for Phase 2.

Further work is being undertaken by HS2 Ltd and Network Rail on the introduction of classic compatible trains onto the WCML between Golborne and Scotland as well as the selection of Carstairs as preferred location for splitting and joining classic compatible trains.

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which other sites were considered as potential locations for the rolling stock maintenance depot currently planned for Bamfurlong. [186307]

Mr Goodwill: A long list of options for rolling stock maintenance depots was generated following a sifting exercise of all the potential options identified by HS2 Ltd. 21 potential rolling stock maintenance depot locations were identified on the western leg and these were further

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sifted down to derive the Golborne option presented as part of the proposed scheme for consultation. All depot options can be found in the report “Engineering Options: West Midlands to Manchester”.

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 771W, on High Speed 2 Railway Line, which individual upgrades HS2 Ltd believes are required to the existing West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Wigan to enable classic compatible services to Preston and beyond without the Winterbottom to Bamfurlong spur; and what the cost estimate of each individual upgrade is. [186314]

Mr Goodwill: The consultation on the Phase Two route closed at the end of January 2014. A decision on this route is expected before the end of 2014.

Under the route that was consulted on, significant works would be required between Crewe and Warrington, involving the widening and four-tracking along 24 km of the route, where there are significant constraints. In addition, Crewe station and the junction would need to be remodelled or an additional grade separated junction from the high speed line to the north of the Crewe tunnel would need to be provided.

HS2 Ltd have not looked in detail at these works or the potential associated costs.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a redacted version of the Major Projects Report excluding any content detrimental to the developer of the High Speed 2 project. [186739]

Mr Goodwill: On 30 January 2014 the Secretary of State for Transport exercised the power of veto to withhold the release of the November 2011 Major Projects Authority Project Assessment Review report. A copy of his statement of reasons has been provided to both Libraries of the Houses of Parliament.

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the result of the compensation consultation on High Speed 2 will be published. [186839]

Mr Goodwill: I cannot confirm the date when the decisions on long-term discretionary compensation measures will be announced as responses to the consultation are still being considered. However, it is our intention to have schemes in place by the summer.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the announcement in the Autumn Statement 2013 on changes to rules on vehicle tax discs, what guidance his Department plans to issue to car dealers and repair workshops on (a) determining whether a car is taxed, (b) determining whether to use trade plates when road-testing a car and (c) informing customers of the tax status of loaned cars. [186820]

Stephen Hammond: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is developing a detailed communications strategy that will support the abolition of the tax disc. This will be delivered in consultation with stakeholders

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and will ensure that the differing needs of the motor industry and the general public are recognised. Specific advice will be provided on how to check the licensing status of vehicles.

Northern Ireland

Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assets his Department has sold in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the value of each such sale was. [186575]

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport has not sold any assets in Northern Ireland during the last five years.

Parking: Fines

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the amount of local authority revenue generated from parking charges and fines deriving from the use of fixed and mobile closed circuit television cameras in the latest period for which figures are available. [186914]

Mr Goodwill: The figures are not centrally collected. Local authority financial returns to the Department of Communities and Local Government do not show whether income from parking penalty charge notices (PCNs) is from fixed and mobile closed circuit television cameras.

An analysis of local authority parking finances in England by the RAC Foundation published in December 2013 reports that total income from parking in 2012-13 was £1.4 billion of which £0.4 billion comes from on-street tickets and permits, £0.35 billion from on-street penalty charges and £0.6 billion from off-street charges and penalties.

Private Roads

Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to encourage the adoption of unadopted roads where there is a dispute over responsibility for paying for essential maintenance. [186272]

Mr Goodwill: The decision on whether or not local authorities adopt roads on new residential developments, and therefore maintain those roads at the public expense, rests with each individual local highway authority. While we would expect them to act reasonably in all matters we would not seek, nor do we have powers, to influence them in these matters.

The Department has worked with representatives of the home building sector and with local highway authorities, and has encouraged them to work together to make best use of the existing powers for road adoption at their disposal. To assist this we have developed some model planning conditions that, where used, should work to ensure that roads on new residential developments are built to an acceptable standard, so that adoption can take place.

We are currently considering the effectiveness of the draft planning conditions we issued, and will be happy to write to you and update you on the outcomes in June.

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Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public appointments his Department made in the last 12 months; how many such appointments are remunerated posts; what the level of such remuneration is; and how many people so appointed are (a) women and (b) men. [186406]

Stephen Hammond: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 301W.

Public Expenditure

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport into which budgets the £16 million removed from the accounting category Transport Security in his Department's 2013-14 budget was moved; and what guarantees are in place to ensure the same provision of security is maintained under the new budget allocation. [186647]

Mr Goodwill: The £16 million was moved internally from the Transport Security budget line to Maritime and Aviation Security and included within the following lines:

+£39 million resource increase for Maritime, £26.6 million relating to the transfer from MOD of SAR Helicopters.

+£14 million resource increase for Aviation, including £5 million for the Airports Commission.

There is no reduction to the overall security budget. Transport Security teams are aligned with their modal counterparts and transport security work, rather than in a separate Transport Security Directorate. The movement of budgets now reflects this structure and the roles and responsibilities for modal security teams remain unchanged. A cross-modal team co-ordinates transport security across the Department and we have instituted senior level governance structures to ensure that the complete transport security programme is maintained.

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the sources of revenue within the sales of assets accounting category for the Marine and Coastguard Agency in the financial years 2012-13 and 2013-14. [186648]

Stephen Hammond: The sources of revenue within the sales of assets accounting category for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the financial years 2012-13 and 2013-14 are as follows:

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Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the £70 million liability attached to the International Maritime Organisation building. [186649]

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport (DFT) owns the freehold of 4 Albert Embankment; the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) hold the property on a lease until 2032. The United Kingdom is the host nation to this UN body and the terms of the lease reflect that relationship. The DFT could be liable to reinstate the property in the event of its destruction by fire or other causes. The replacement cost of £70 million is a contingency sum; it is based on a figure estimated in 2005-06 as increased by an index, plus a sum for rental income forgone during the replacement process.

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the reasons for the growth in the cost of central administration in his Department between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years. [186650]

Mr Goodwill: The following table provides a comparison of the Department's Estimates provision for 2012-13 and 2013-14 for Section O (Central Administration). There has been no increase in the provision for departmental expenditure limit related to this expenditure.

The Department's accounts for 2012-13 give an explanation of the variations between budgeted spend and outturn for 2012-13. These are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-transport-annual-report-and-accounts

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the components of income via interest and dividends in the accounting category K: Aviation, Maritime, Security and Safety in the financial years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. [186651]

Stephen Hammond: The components of income via interest and dividends in the accounting category K: Aviation, Maritime, Security and Safety for the financial years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 relate to the Department for Transport's shareholding in National Air Traffic Services (NATS).

Details of the dividends received in each year are as follows:

10 Feb 2014 : Column 483W

Railways: Franchises

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Livingston of 16 January 2014, Official Report, column 646W, on East Coast Railway Line, if he will publish the minutes and any papers from his Department's meetings monitoring train operator performance. [186565]

Stephen Hammond: The dialogue and actions agreed with operators are commercially sensitive; however the Office of Rail Regulation and Network Rail regularly publish performance statistics for all train operators.

Railways: Freight

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure alternative strategic rail freight interchange sites to Radlett are fully explored. [186594]

Stephen Hammond: The assessment of alternative strategic rail freight interchange sites is properly a commercial matter for the private sector and will continue to be determined through the planning process.

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact London Gateway will have on rail freight interchanges in London and the south-east. [186627]

Stephen Hammond: Network Rail has advised that its recently published study of freight markets identified strong growth in demand for intermodal freight services over 30 years requiring the development of new terminals around major conurbations throughout the country.

The response to that demand, however, is properly a commercial matter for the private sector strategic rail freight interchanges concerned and the logistics and distribution markets.

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for the rail freight line between Southampton and the west midlands. [R] [186852]

Mr Goodwill: There is no specific “rail freight line” between Southampton and the west midlands, but this is a key route for rail container traffic from the port of Southampton. As part of its Rail Investment Strategy for 2014-19 the Government announced the creation of the “Electric spine”, a high capacity passenger and freight electric corridor running from the south coast through Oxford, Bedford and via the Midland Main Line to the east midlands and South Yorkshire, with a link from Oxford to the west midlands and the north-west. Government are looking to Network Rail to convert the route from Southampton to Basingstoke to overhead electrification and to electrify the sections between Basingstoke and Reading and between Oxford and Coventry via Leamington. The work should include gauge clearance for large containers and appropriate links to depots and freight facilities.

In addition to these specific works, the Government have committed £200 million towards the further development of the Strategic rail Freight Network.

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These funds are allocated by the rail freight industry itself to develop those sections of the network that are of particular strategic importance for freight.

Railways: Radlett

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the 30-year life expectancy of the proposed strategic rail freight interchange at Radlett. [186628]

Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State has made no such assessment since the development and management of strategic rail freight interchanges is a matter for the private sector.

Railways: Sundon

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluation he has made of the proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Sundon with the newly-created passing loop. [186629]

Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State has made no such evaluation. The assessment of strategic rail freight interchanges is made through the planning process, and the assessment of the capability and capacity of the passing loop is an operational matter for Network Rail.

Network Rail has advised that the new passing loop has been designed to be compatible with the adjacent proposed Prologis terminal development.

Road Traffic Offences

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act 1988 were prosecuted for an offence while they were participating in authorised off-road motor events in each of the last 10 years. [186510]

Mr Goodwill: The Department of Transport does not hold any criminal prosecution data. These data are held by the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not the specific circumstances of each case. It is not possible to identify from these centrally held data whether an offender, prosecuted for an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988, committed an offence while participating in an authorised off-road motor event. This detailed information may be held by the courts on individual case files which due to their size and complexity are not reported to Justice Statistics Analytical Services. As such, it can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Roads: Capital Investment

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of roads capital spending by his Department was spent on facilities primarily aimed at (a) motor vehicles, (b) pedestrians and (c) cyclists in the last year. [186965]

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Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport is providing capital funding through a number of funding streams that benefit highways and provide facilities for road users, including (a) motorists, (b) cyclists and (c) pedestrians. The Department for Transport does not centrally hold information on what proportion of this funding is spent on each.

Severn River Crossing

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2014, Official Report, columns 13-14W, on tolls, what the (a) gross and (b) net revenue from the (i) Severn Bridge and (ii) Second Severn Crossing was in 2012. [186913]

Mr Goodwill: The Severn River Crossings had gross revenue of £97.5 million and net revenue of £81.2 million in year ending 31 December 2012. This information is not split by crossing as Severn River Crossings Ltd (the concessioner) operates the crossings as a single concession. In 2012 it is estimated that 25% of toll-paying traffic used the Severn Bridge and 75% of toll-paying traffic used the Second Severn Crossing. The answer of 3 February 2014, Official Report, columns 13-14W, was based on traffic count data not tolling data.

Jet Skis

Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of current powers of harbour authorities for preventing accidents involving jet skis. [186841]

Stephen Hammond: Harbour authorities can do much to prevent accidents involving personal watercraft by working with local user groups and hire companies to encourage the safe and competent use of such vessels. They can also draw on advice published by national organisations, such as the Royal Yachting Association's Safety Advisory Notice for recreational mariners which was published in January. The combination of existing national legislation and well-crafted harbour byelaws provides adequate coverage for deterring or prosecuting misdemeanours.

West Coast Railway Line

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for the tender for the next west coast main line franchise. [186761]

Stephen Hammond: The current inter-city west coast franchise ends in November 2014. As announced by the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), on 26 March 2013, the Department is in the process of negotiating a new inter-city west coast franchise by Direct Award for the provision of services until the commencement of the next competed franchise.

The next competed inter-city west coast franchise is due to begin serving passengers in April 2017. As set out in the Programme Prior Information Notice published at the same time, we currently plan to issue the OJEU notice and pre-qualification documentation in August 2015, with the invitation to tender following in January 2016 for pre-qualified bidders.

10 Feb 2014 : Column 486W

Justice

Community Orders: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints have been received on Community Payback since Serco was awarded the contract for that scheme in London; and on what date that contract commenced. [186641]

Jeremy Wright: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 17 January in reply to a similar question and placed a copy of my letter in the House Library.

The Ministry of Justice has not received any complaints about delivery of Community Payback in London by Serco. Data provided by Serco on complaints to the company itself indicate that during the period 31 October 2012 to 31 October 2013 the company received 69 complaints relating to Community Payback in London.

The contract with Serco Group plc commenced on 31 October 2012. It was agreed with the contractor at the start of the contract that the period up until 30 April 2013 would be a “bedding-in” period, after which formal assessment against targets would begin.

Serco is meeting key targets and out-performing the national average on a number of key measures. Key performance measures and outcomes during 2013-14 will be published at the year end, on a similar basis to that used in the Management Information Addendum to the National Offender Management Service Annual Report, once the data have been validated.

Courts: Translation Services

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many court cases were delayed as a result of a lack of an interpreter or translator in each month since the court interpreter contract started. [186116]

Mr Vara: The contract with Capita-TI was introduced in criminal courts in the north-west in December 2011 and was implemented across the rest of Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service on 30 January 2012. Figures are not available for the number of court cases delayed a result of problems with interpreters. The Ministry of Justice does, however, publish statistics on the number of criminal trials that were ineffective and the reasons for that. These are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-statistics-quarterly--2

We have seen dramatic improvements over the life of the contract so far: record numbers of bookings are now being made and fulfilment rates are regularly achieving 95%. Complaint levels are very low and we continue to drive further improvement. The interpreting contract was introduced to tackle the inefficiencies and inconsistencies in the previous system and it has already saved taxpayers £15 million in its first year.

Death by Driving: Sentences

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made on increasing maximum sentences for those convicted of causing death when driving while disqualified or uninsured. [902393]

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Jeremy Wright: During the debate on dangerous driving on 27 January, I committed to consider the concerns raised by Members about maximum penalties for serious road traffic offences. We are looking particularly closely at current penalties for disqualified drivers who cause death or serious injury following representations my hon. Friend has made on behalf of the Stock family.

Employment and Support Allowance Appeals

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made on ensuring that the judiciary provide the Department for Work and Pensions and appellants with reasons for their decisions on employment and support allowance appeals. [902395]

Mr Vara: The provision of this information is a matter for the judiciary. As the hon. Member is aware, however, they have agreed to provide the DWP and the appellant with summary reasons for their decisions in employment and support allowance appeals. This approach was successfully piloted at four tribunal venues from June 2013 and will be rolled out this year.

EU Law

Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many EU directives his Department has transposed into UK law since 2010; and how many directly acting EU regulations have come into effect in his Department's area of responsibility in the same period. [183870]

Mr Vara: Since 2010 my Department has transposed three EU directives fully into UK law, and partially transposed one further directive.

In the same period, two EU regulations with application to the UK (either where the UK has exercised its Title V Justice and Home Affairs opt-in, or where no opt-in exists) have come into force and applied. Two further regulations in this Department's area of responsibility in which the UK will participate have come into force, but do not yet apply.

HMP Chelmsford

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cells there are at HMP Chelmsford; and how many of those are safe cells. [902397]

Jeremy Wright: So-called “safer cells” are those which have additional features to reduce the risk of suicide or self-harm. While HMP Chelmsford does not have a designated “safer cell”, it does have two gated cells which allow for constant observation of prisoners who may be at risk of self-harm.

Prisoners

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average number of those (a) convicted and (b) on remand in English prisons was in each of the last five years. [185859]

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Jeremy Wright: The Offender Management Statistics Quarterly Bulletin published on 30 January 2014 provides details of recent trends in the prison population. The bulletin can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/276074/omsq-q3-2013.pdf

The “Story of the Prison Population 1993 to 2012” is an in-depth look at the prison population over this period and the major factors contributing to the changes. It can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/218185/story-prison-population.pdf

Since 2010, those who break the law are now more likely to go to prison, and they go to prison for longer.

Prisoners' Release

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many prisoners diagnosed with a terminal illness were granted (a) release on temporary licence and (b) compassionate release in each of the last five years; [184949]

(2) how many older prisoners were granted (a) release on temporary licence and (b) compassionate release in each of the last five years; [184950]

(3) what guidance is provided to older prisoners seeking compassionate leave. [184951]

Jeremy Wright: Guidance to prison governors on temporary release is contained in Prison Service Order (PSO) 6300, which is publicly available. In addition, prisons are required to produce a leaflet for prisoners explaining how and when they may apply for temporary release and how their suitability for release will be considered. Guidance on early release on compassionate grounds is contained in PSO 6000 (for determinate prisoners) and PSO 4700 (for indeterminate prisoners), each of which is available to prisoners.

Old age, of itself, is insufficient grounds to justify the release of a prisoner. Prisoners may be considered for early or temporary release where there are sufficiently compelling, compassionate reasons and the release does not put the public at risk. This will include cases where the prisoner requires medical care or treatment that cannot be provided while they remain in prison, but which can safely be provided outside the prison setting. No release may take place without a satisfactory risk assessment and release will always be conditional, with the prisoner liable to be recalled to prison if necessary.

Temporary release can be a valuable tool to help with rehabilitation and deal with compelling, compassionate circumstances, but it must never be authorised at the expense of public protection. We commissioned reviews of temporary release policy and practice last summer and will be taking steps to ensure that the public is properly protected when offenders are released.

The following table gives the total number of releases on temporary licence (ROTL) in the past two years for prisoners aged 60 or over at the time of release (data on ROTL for 2009 and 2010 are not available and 2013 data will be available later this year.).

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There were over 400,000 releases in total in each of 2011 and 2012. It should be noted that these figures and those in the table above give the number of releases rather than the number of prisoners released and that one prisoner may be released on many occasions. They also relate to temporary releases for any reason; i.e. including resettlement release as well as release for a special purpose, which might include medical treatment in the community. The medical condition of those prisoners who were granted temporary release is not routinely recorded so we cannot say how many prisoners granted temporary release were diagnosed with a terminal illness at the time of release.

The following table gives the number of early compassionate releases of prisoners in the last five years for which data are available, broken down by the age of those released at time of release (records show whether an early release was on medical or other compassionate grounds but do not show the nature of any illness at the time of release).

Prisoners: Women

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many women serving a custodial sentence in prison in England and Wales had a miscarriage in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013; [186251]

(2) how many women serving a custodial sentence in prison in England and Wales gave birth in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013; [186252]

(3) how many women served a custodial sentence while pregnant in England and Wales in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013. [186253]

Simon Hughes: The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained from individual prison establishments only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons: Private Sector

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much privately run prisons contribute to the costs of call-outs of the (a) National Tactical Response Group, (b) police and (c) ambulances. [185077]

Jeremy Wright: The National Tactical Response Group is part of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). It is a specialist team whose role is to assist public- and private-sector establishments in safely managing and resolving serious incidents in prisons. The total cost

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of call-outs by the National Tactical Response Group is not available, nor is breakdown of the cost of call-outs to private- and public-sector prisons.

Neither the Home Office nor the Department of Health collects information covering any charges to privately-operated prisons in relation to police and ambulance call-outs. These data could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Probation

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether it will be a requirement in the tendering process for probation work that contractors must demonstrate how partnership working will exist under the new arrangements. [186043]

Jeremy Wright: Responding to local needs and building local partnership working are central to the aims of the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme.

Organisations bidding to run one of the new community rehabilitation companies will need to clearly demonstrate how they will engage with statutory and non-statutory partners in order to deliver offender services. Once contracts are awarded, NOMS will monitor local partnership working as part of its role in contract managing the delivery of services. In addition, contracts will be designed to respond to changing demands and priorities at local and national levels, taking on board input from PCCs and other local partners as necessary.

We have established local competition teams who have been engaging with local partners during the competition process and set up three reference groups, two for PCCs and local authorities and one focused on integrated offender management to help inform our reforms at a national and local level. We have also set up a competition data room which will allow bidders to access information on existing partnerships and those working with offenders in each contract package area.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish his risk assessment of the probation change proposals and its effect on partnership work and impact on service delivery. [186059]

Jeremy Wright: Responding to local needs and building partnership working are central to the aims of the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme. Organisations bidding to run one of the new community rehabilitation companies will need to clearly demonstrate how they will engage with statutory and non-statutory partners in order to deliver offender services.

There are no plans to publish the programme's risk register. We have always been clear that we will seek to protect a safe space for free and frank discussions between Ministers and civil servants. It is firmly in the public interest that advice to Ministers is not inhibited or watered down because of concerns it may be made public.

Procurement

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of his Department's contracts have been let to companies with (a) one to five, (b) six to 49, (c) 50 to 250 and (d) more than 250 staff. [182677]

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Jeremy Wright: The information you have requested is not centrally held and we would incur disproportionate costs to gather.

However, I am able to tell you that in the 2012-13 financial year, 34.81% of total procurement spend was spent with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment his Department has made of a possible in-house bid for shared services contracts within his Department. [186632]

Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice is currently considering options for the future delivery of its back office admin services. All options are being evaluated to ensure they provide value for money for taxpayers and continue to meet the needs of customers.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many public appointments his Department made in the last 12 months; how many such appointments are remunerated posts; what the level of such remuneration is; and how many people so appointed are (a) women and (b) men. [186402]

Mr Vara: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer provided by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 301W.

Public Defender Service

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Queen's Counsel were employed by the Public Defender Service in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012, (e) 2013 and (f) 2014. [187168]

Mr Vara: Prior to 2014, the PDS did not employ Queen's Counsel. It is the LAA's priority to ensure that clients can access legal advice. In 2014 we have employed two Queen's Counsel, with another due to begin employment in late February.

Taxation: Appeals

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many (a) first-tier and (b) upper-tier tax tribunal judges there were in each year since 2010; [184740]

(2) for how many days (a) first-tier and (b) upper-tier tax tribunal panel members sat in each year since 2010; [184741]

(3) how many (a) first-tier and (b) upper-tier tax tribunal expert panel members there were in each year since 2010; [184742]

(4) how much was paid to tax tribunal panel members in each year since 2010. [184745]

Mr Vara: The information is as follows:

PQs 184740 and 184742

HM Courts & Tribunals Service first published statistical data on the number of tribunal judges and members in 2012. These statistics can be found at:

10 Feb 2014 : Column 492W

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/diversity-stats-and-gen-overview

The number of tribunal judges and members in the first-tier and upper tribunal in 2012 and 2013 is provided in the following table. The figures are taken from the judicial database and are based upon an individual’s primary appointment, which is where they sit for the majority of their time.

PQ 184741

The following table shows the number of days panel members sat in the first-tier tribunal tax chamber by financial year. Members do not sit on tax cases in the upper tribunal.

PQ 184745

The following table provides a breakdown of the total judicial fee costs attributed to all fee-paid judicial office holders, which includes lay members, for the years requested. The table also includes details of all judicial expenses for the same periods but these figures include expenses paid to salaried judges as well as all fee-paid office holders.

Telephone Services

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the Cabinet Office Guidance for Customer Service Helplines, published on 26 December 2013, when his Department expects to comply with the instruction set out in that guidance that non-geographic 084 numbers should by default use the 03 prefix. [183212]

Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice is reviewing its use of telephone number prefixes with reference to the “HMG Guidance for Customer Service Lines” published on 26 December 2013, prioritising those service lines serving vulnerable or low income groups. It is intended to complete this review by March 2014.

As stated in previous answers to parliamentary questions, the Department's approach is not to use 084 or 087 for non-geographic numbers and instead, wherever possible, to assign 0300 numbers, for which the tariff is similar to

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calling an 01 or 02 (geographic) number, whether the caller is using a fixed line or a mobile phone—see:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130423/text/130423w0004.htm#130423w0004. htm_wqn27

and

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?ids2013-11-20a. 175002.h&s=Vaz+0845#g175002.q0

The Department currently uses 41 0300 numbers, and is in the process of changing more 0845 numbers to 0300; this includes use of a dual numbering system with 03 as the primary number, as described in the guidance.

The Ministry of Justice uses a total of 35 0844 and 0845 numbers, compared to 77 08 numbers stated in the answer to a parliamentary question asked in December 2009—see:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm091214/text/91214w0037.htm#09121438001670

Thameside Prison

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the length is of the contract agreed with Serco for HM Prison Thameside on 20 December 2013; and what estimate he has made of the cost of the contract to the public purse over the lifetime of the contract. [183065]

Jeremy Wright: Serco were selected as the preferred bidder for the contract to run HMP Thameside in June 2009. The contract for the PFI prison was signed on 30 June 2010. The contract was amended on 18 December 2013 to deliver additional prisoner places. The contract duration is 26½ years from 30 June 2010. The original contract value was £417 million. The estimated additional cost for the additional places over the remaining life of the contract is £120 million.

Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff on each grade have (a) been recruited to work in HM Prison Thameside and (b) left in each year since that prison opened. [183150]

Jeremy Wright: The information requested is not collected centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost. At HMP Thameside, staff are employed by a number of providers to deliver a range of services including, for example, probation services, education and health care, as well as custodial services.

Written Questions

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to his answer of 27 January 2014, Official Report, column 386W, on written questions, whether the wide range of issues that special advisers advise Ministers on include the answers to parliamentary questions. [185603]

Mr Vara: Special advisers are employed to provide advice and assistance to Ministers across a wide range of areas, as required and in line with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

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Young Offenders

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to ensure that young offenders leave custody better equipped to avoid a life of crime. [902396]

Jeremy Wright: The Government will introduce a new pathfinder secure college in 2017, which will equip young offenders with the skills and qualifications they need to pursue a life free from crime. We are also enhancing education provision in young offender institutions and taking steps to improve the resettlement of young people leaving custody.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Adult Education: Chelmsford

Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in Chelmsford constituency are enrolled in adult skills sessions. [185597]

Matthew Hancock: Final data for the 2012/13 academic year show that there were 4,190 adult (19+) learners participating in further education and skills in Chelmsford parliamentary constituency.

Apprentices

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools of 7 January 2014, Official Report, House of Lords, column 1473, on Report Stage of the Children and Families Bill, what funds have been allocated by his Department to assist training providers and award organisations to ensure that apprentices who have previously failed key skills due to a lack of support are able to sit a new functional skills test; and when such apprentices can expect to be able to site a new functional skills test. [186148]

Matthew Hancock [holding answer 4 February 2014]: The Skills Funding Agency provides funding to enable all apprentices to achieve the level of English and maths to meet the requirements of their apprenticeship framework. Therefore, any apprentice who previously failed their key skills would be eligible to be funded for functional skills in order that they achieve their apprenticeship framework. Providers are able to use their existing allocations to fund these qualifications, and should speak to the awarding organisation offering the qualification to see when the next assessment window is for their apprentice to take the relevant test.

The Agency provides additional funding to support those apprentices that require additional support to achieve their functional skills or apprenticeship framework because of learning difficulties or disabilities.

Apprentices: Barrow in Furness

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many apprenticeships were started in the Barrow and Furness constituency in each industrial sector in each of the last five years; [186677]

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(2) how many new apprenticeships were started in Barrow and Furness constituency in each of the last five years; and if he will publish such figures with reference to apprentices' (a) age and (b) gender. [186678]

Matthew Hancock: Apprenticeship data are not available by industrial sector. Within an industry, a learner may undertake a wide range of apprenticeship frameworks.

Apprenticeship starts by geography (including parliamentary constituency) and age are published in a supplementary table to the SFR:

http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3D49B725-2FD2-451E-9A5E-116D788E43F4/0/Nov2013_ApprenticeshipStartsbyGeographyLevelAge.xls

Business: Females

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many women's business centres are still operational; and how such centres can be contacted. [186511]

Matthew Hancock: We recognise the importance of encouraging female entrepreneurship and welcome initiatives like women's business centres and the role they can play in providing advice and support to women. These centres are operated by the private sector and we do not hold details of the numbers of centres in operation or contact details.

Business: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what support the Government are giving to business growth opportunities in Greater London. [186423]

Michael Fallon: The last spending round in summer 2013 further underlined Government's ongoing commitment to devolve economic powers to local areas. It recognises the role Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have to play in promoting local growth, by giving LEPs control of at least £2 billion a year through the Local Growth Fund (LGF) for the life of the next Parliament, and over £5 billion of European Structural and Investment Funds to allocate for the period 2014-20. The Government's local growth policies aim to help all parts of the country achieve their economic potential.

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It is for the Mayor, advised by the London Enterprise Panel, to determine priorities for economic development in the capital and to use the resources available to the GLA, the LEP and its partners to support business growth in Greater London.

At a national level, Government have made changes to regulations to make it as easy as possible for businesses to start and grow. These changes ensure business support is simpler, more joined up and easier to access.

The Government are working with SMEs and helping them in a number of ways, including enabling better access to both debt and equity finance; reducing red tape; enabling SMEs more easily to access public procurement opportunities; and making sure that the support we provide SMEs is delivered in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Business: Higher Education

Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for what reasons those universities not based in the eight core city local enterprise partnerships areas are ineligible to apply for a university enterprise zone. [186957]

Mr Willetts: The Government have made available a fund of £15 million over three years, so we will be able to fund only three to four projects. The core cities are the focus for this pilot because of their particular role in driving local and national economic growth. In addition, this approach means that we are limiting the number of deadlines for most local enterprise partnerships at a crucial time in the development of their strategic economic plans.

Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make it his policy to allow all universities to apply for a university enterprise zone. [186958]

Mr Willetts: University enterprise zones are a new policy initiative, which the Government are piloting before a possible wider roll-out. The pilot will be evaluated to inform decisions on expanding the scheme.

Economic Growth

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that regions of the UK other than Greater London benefit from economic recovery and new business growth. [186645]

Michael Fallon: The Government's local growth policies aim to help all parts of the country achieve their economic potential. Government have made a clear and consistent commitment to decentralisation. This means empowering people who are best placed to act in the interests of local areas.

The last spending round in summer 2013 further underlined Government's ongoing commitment to devolve economic powers to local areas. In England, it recognises the role local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have to play in promoting local growth, by giving LEPs, through Local Growth Deals, control of at least £2 billion a year through the Local Growth Fund (LGF) for the life of the next Parliament, and over £5 billion of European Structural and Investment Funds to allocate for the period 2014-20.

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The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a key part of the Government's strategy to drive up growth across England. The RGF is a £3.2 billion fund, with £2.6 billion committed in rounds 1 to 4, £300 million in round 5 and at least a further £200 million to be made available in round 6.

The objectives of RGF are to create economic growth by levering private sector investment and creating sustainable private sector employment; and to rebalance the economy by helping those areas and that are currently dependent on the public sector.

Additionally, the UK's industrial strategy is a long-term, whole-of-government approach to support economic growth across the UK. Government are working in partnership with business to create more opportunities, deliver more jobs and make the UK more competitive. Some assistance such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee is available in all parts of the UK, though business support is a devolved matter. In relation to Northern Ireland, the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive agreed an economic pact in June 2013. This included a commitment to take forward a package of measures to help build a stronger economy and secure a shared future for all its people.

Electrical Safety

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many injuries have been caused by electrical products either (a) then subject to or (b) subsequently subject to a product recall action in each of the last five years; [186430]

(2) how many dwelling fires have been caused by electrical products either (a) then subject to or (b) subsequently subject to a product recall action in each of the last five years. [186431]

Michael Fallon: The information requested is not available. However any such incidents would be expected to be reported to the manufacturer of the product, either directly or via the supply chain. The person with responsibility for the product on becoming aware that they have placed an unsafe product on the market is required to inform their local authority trading standards service. Those with the responsibility for placing products on the market are required to have reasonable processes in place to ensure that they become aware should they have placed an unsafe product on the market. Local authority trading standards services have the responsibility for the enforcement of the relevant product safety legislation.