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Written Answers to Questions

Friday 28 February 2014

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Equality

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many publications his Department has produced for the purposes of monitoring or promoting staff equality and diversity in each of the last five years; and what the cost of producing such publications was in each such year. [188880]

Dan Rogerson: DEFRA has published a total of 11 reports for the purposes of monitoring or promoting staff equality and diversity, as shown in the following table for each of the last five years. There were no external publishing costs as all material is compiled by DEFRA staff and published on the DEFRA public website.

Recent publications from 2012 onwards are shown at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs/about/equality-and-diversity

Archived equality and diversity publications are available at:

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/how/diversity/docs/equality-progress-2009.pdf

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/*/http:/www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/how/diversity/

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/how/diversity/gender/index.htm

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Flood Control

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will establish a Royal Commission to examine long-term measures to tackle flooding caused by climate change. [902729]

Dan Rogerson [holding answer 27 February 2014]:The Government do not intend to establish a Royal Commission to look at this issue. At the moment, our main focus is on supporting affected communities, but once the effects of the flooding have been addressed we will of course look at what lessons need to be learned. To oversee this work, the Prime Minister has established a new Cabinet Committee on Floods to co-ordinate strategic long-term plans on flood recovery and flood resilience.

Last year, the Government published the first National Adaption Programme which set out a wide range of actions to address the most significant climate risks we face as a country, including the risk of flooding. This was informed by the UK's first Climate Change Risk Assessment which was published in 2012.

Floods: Derby

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to provide funding for the Derby City flood defence project ‘Our River Our City’. [188785]

Dan Rogerson [holding answer 26 February 2014]:The allocation of flood grant in aid is administered by the Environment Agency. Decisions regarding the allocation of funding to individual schemes are made by the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and not the Secretary of State.

The Derby ‘Our City, Our River' Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) has the following indicative allocation of flood grant in aid funding shown in the published medium-term plan:

In addition to the indicative allocations above, £6 million in growth funding has currently been allocated for Derby City FAS across 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Release of funding is subject to the satisfactory scrutiny of the outline and full business case for the scheme. The outline business case is currently undergoing review by the Environment Agency.

Floods: Property Development

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how his Department assesses the effectiveness of sustainable drainage solutions in ensuring that other properties are not adversely affected by water run-off from new developments; and if he will make a statement. [188918]

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Dan Rogerson: DEFRA does not assess the effectiveness of sustainable drainage solutions. Lead local flood authorities are required to develop strategies to tackle local flood risks. Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, when implemented, will contain National Standards for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). The SuDS approving bodies within local authorities will be responsible for applying these standards. We intend to lay the implementing secondary legislation in April.

Maternity Pay

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the standard level and duration is of contractual maternity pay paid to civil servants in his Department. [189082]

Dan Rogerson: Core DEFRA employees who have completed one year's service by the start of their maternity leave, intend to return to work after their maternity leave and intend to complete at least one month’s service on their return, will be paid their full salary for the first 26 weeks of their maternity leave.

Meat: Ritual Slaughter

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 14 August 2013, Official Report, column 114W, on meat: slaughter, whether he has received the report of the EU Commission study on the methods of slaughter labelling; and what steps he plans to take following that study. [188867]

George Eustice: The report from the Commission on method of slaughter labelling is still awaited. Once the report is published I will be looking at options for providing information to consumers.

Rivers: Dredging

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will introduce derogations from the current licensing regime for dredging (a) main and (b) non-main rivers. [188619]

Dan Rogerson: I have no plans to introduce derogations for dredging in main rivers or other watercourses under the current consenting regimes.

The Government are proposing to take powers through the Water Bill to extend the Environmental Permitting framework to the Environment Agency's flood defence

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consents. In future, watercourse maintenance activities could qualify for simple standard-rules permits or, in some cases, be exempt from consent requirements subject to registration and compliance with standard conditions. Lessons learned from the seven ongoing River Maintenance Pilots will inform work on drawing up new national permits and exemptions. We plan to consult on our detailed proposals later in 2014.

Seas and Oceans: Special Areas of Conservation

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what depth his Department uses when defining the term “deep-sea” to determine which areas require special conservation measures; and what steps the Government are taking to (a) protect deep-sea species and habitats and (b) end the most destructive fishing gears at those depths. [188868]

George Eustice: Rather than a specific depth criterion, the UK Government prefer a spatial approach to protect deep-sea species and habitats. In effect this would mean limiting fishing activities to within the established fishing footprint and protecting sensitive habitats within it by closing areas with known vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs), or a high probability of them, to bottom fishing gears.

Vessel monitoring systems enable satellite monitoring to be precisely undertaken, making it possible to spatially manage the established fishing footprint and sensitive habitats within it effectively.

Slaughterhouses

Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of animals (a) slaughtered in the UK and (b) exported abroad for slaughter in each of the last 10 years. [188661]

George Eustice: The numbers of animals slaughtered in the UK over the past 10 years are shown in the following table, along with the number of live animals exported from the UK, taken from HMRC data.

Trade statistics as gathered by HM Revenue and Customs are classified such that it is not always clear whether exported live animals are destined for slaughter or for the breeding herd/flock. Therefore, the cases where the animal is obviously intended for further breeding have been removed to give our best estimates.

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Energy and Climate Change

Energy: Prices

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 239, on energy company charges, what estimate his Department has made of the amount of money suppliers have in credit as a result of direct debit overpayments. [188830]

Michael Fallon: Information held by this Department on the amount of credit held by supply companies in their customers' direct debit accounts was provided on a commercially confidential basis.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 239, on energy company charges, what estimate his Department has made of the number of customers who are in credit to their supplier. [188831]

Michael Fallon: Information held by this Department on the number of customers who have a credit balance on their direct debit energy accounts was provided on a commercially confidential basis.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 239, on energy company charges, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of suppliers' policies on refunding credit on consumer accounts in surplus. [188832]

Michael Fallon: Although all supply companies are required to refund a customer's credit on request unless there are reasonable grounds for refusing which must then be clearly explained, some set a level of credit that had to be reached before customers received an automatic refund.

Following negotiations, the following supply companies—E.ON, Edf Energy, Npower, British Gas, SSE and First Utility—will introduce arrangements to automatically issue refunds to customers if they have a credit balance over a minimum threshold (varying up to £10) at the end of a 12-month direct debit arrangement.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 239, on energy company charges, if he will make it his policy to require suppliers to refund credit on customer accounts. [188833]

Michael Fallon: Following negotiations, I am pleased to confirm that the following supply companies—E.ON, Edf Energy, Npower, British Gas, SSE and First Utility—will introduce arrangements to automatically issue refunds to customers if they have a credit balance over a minimum threshold (varying up to £10) at the end of a 12-month direct debit arrangement. I hope other suppliers will follow.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2014, Official Report, column 575W, on energy: prices, what estimate his Department has made of the number of non-domestic customers on non-tariff contracts with their energy supplier. [188844]

Michael Fallon: The Department does not hold this information.

In the consultation paper ‘Proposals for non-domestic automatic rollovers and contact Renewals’, published on 14 February 2014, Ofgem estimates that for gas, of 0.55 million gas meter points supplied to micro-business customers 11% are on deemed or out-of-contract rates. For electricity, of 1.6 million electricity meter points supplied to micro-business customers 10% are on deemed or out-of-contract rates.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2014, Official Report, column 575W, on energy: prices, what estimate his Department has made of the number non-domestic customers on fixed-price deals. [188845]

Michael Fallon: The Department does not hold this information.

In the consultation paper ‘Proposals for non-domestic automatic rollovers and contact Renewals’, published on 14 February 2014, Ofgem estimate that for gas, of 0.55 million meter points supplied to micro-business customers 74% are on fixed-term contracts. For electricity, of 1.6 million electricity meter points supplied to micro-business customers 81% are on fixed-term contracts.

Equality

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many publications his Department has produced for the purposes of monitoring or promoting staff equality and diversity in each of the last five years; and what the cost of producing such publications was in each such year. [188879]

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Gregory Barker: The Department has produced the following publications for the purpose of monitoring or promoting staff equality and diversity in each of the last five years:

2009

No publication.

2010

The Department of Energy and Climate Change Equality and Diversity Strategy including the DECC Single Equality Scheme.

Yr Adran Ynni a Newid Hinsawdd: Strategaeth Cydraddoldeb ac Amrywiaeth gan gynnwys Cynllun Cydraddoldeb Sengl DECC.

DECC equality and diversity statement by Moira Wallace, Permanent Secretary.

2011

The DECC Welsh Language Scheme consultation: summary of responses and government response.

2012

The Department of Energy and Climate Change Equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and action plan

The Department of Energy and Climate Change Equality Objectives 2012-13.

2013

The DECC Equality Information Report 2013.

2014

The DECC Equality Information Report 2014.

There were no costs in producing the documents listed.

Forests

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will place in the Library a copy of the Business Case for the Government's financial support to the Sustainable Forest Landscapes facility of the World Bank's Biocarbon Fund. [188611]

Gregory Barker: In line with the UK Government's International Aid Transparency commitment, we aim to publish all successful business cases online within three months of approval. Business cases are located under case studies in International Carbon Fund section of the gov.uk website and I will be placing in the Libraries of the House a copy of the document.

Fuel Poverty

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) energy company obligation, (b) affordable warmth and (c) green deal grants have been accessed in (i) TR and (ii) PL postcode areas in each year since 2012. [189391]

Gregory Barker: Data for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) are currently available at local authority and parliamentary constituency level. We do not publish data at postcode level. However, the TR and PL postcode areas are mainly within Cornwall unitary authority area and the Green Deal and ECO quarterly Official Statistics release includes breakdowns by both administrative area and parliamentary constituency for the provisional number of ECO measures by obligation, including Affordable Warmth, up to the end of September 2013. See Tables 1.10a and 1.10b at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-deal-energy-company-obligation-eco-and-insulation-levels-in-great-britain-quarterly-report-to-september-2013

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The next quarterly Official Statistics release, covering activity up to the end of December 2013, is planned for publication on 20 March 2014.

Green Deal is not a grant regime. Green Deal Finance Plans are one element of the scheme and DECC will publish geographic breakdowns of Green Deal Plans as the programme becomes more established.

Fuel Poverty: Essex

Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of individuals who have been removed from fuel poverty as a result of the Energy Companies Obligation in (a) Essex and (b) Chelmsford constituency. [189435]

Gregory Barker: The Affordable Warmth and Carbon Saving Communities element of ECO are targeted at low-income households and areas. They play a vital role in tackling the principal cause of fuel poverty—energy inefficient housing. However, we cannot estimate the number of individuals or households removed from fuel poverty as a result of the Energy Company Obligation on a regional or constituency basis.

We do, however, publish ECO delivery data by administrative area (including Essex) and by constituency (including Chelmsford) on a quarterly basis. The most recent report, from December 2013, relates to ECO delivery up to the end of September 2013. This report and future updates are hosted on the ECO and Green Deal statistics website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-deal-and-energy-company-obligation-eco-statistics

Green Deal Scheme

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2013, Official Report, column 754W, on the Green Deal scheme, how much of the £200 million allocated to the Green Deal in November 2011 was budgeted for (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16; [188834]

(2) how much of the £200 million allocated to the Green Deal in November 2011 was spent in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 to date. [188835]

Gregory Barker: Of the £200 million announced in November 2011, £30 million was allocated to 2012-13 and £170 million to 2013-14. As of the end of January 2014, £55.2 million had been spent by DECC, £28.9 million in 2012-13 and £26.3m million in 2013-14 (including £21.75 million transferred to Scotland and Wales under the Barnet Consequential Settlement). We have also allocated up to £80 million to the Green Deal Communities scheme in 2013-14 and announced increases in the value of our cashback incentives on 18 February 2014 with applications to be accepted up to 30 June 2014. In addition, as part of the autumn statement, the Government have announced that £540 million will be made available to support energy efficiency improvements over the next three years.

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Maternity Pay

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the standard level and duration is of contractual maternity pay paid to civil servants in his Department. [189081]

Gregory Barker: Department of Energy and Climate Change employees who meet the following eligibility criteria will receive contractual maternity pay for 26 weeks at their normal rate of pay. To qualify an employee will need to:

meet the eligibility criteria for statutory maternity pay;

be in paid service with the Department and have at least one year's service by the 4th week before their expected week of child birth or by the time they start their maternity leave (service in another Government Department will count if it immediately precedes service in the Department);

they should not be employed on a casual, standby or short- notice appointment or a fixed-term contract of less than one year;

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undertake in writing to return to the civil service after their maternity leave for a minimum of one calendar month.

Natural Gas: Disconnections

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of properties that have disconnected from the gas grid in each of the last 10 years. [188633]

Michael Fallon: Ofgem monitors and publishes information about the disconnection of domestic gas and electricity supplies due to debt in its Social Obligations Annual Reports. Ofgem does not publish data about other reasons for disconnection. The following table, based on Ofgem's reports, show the number of domestic disconnections for gas supplies by each supplier from 2005-12. Data for 2013 are not yet available.

Existing supply licence obligations and an industry Code of Practice provide protection for consumers in debt. For example, suppliers must not disconnect a domestic premises during October to March if they know or have reason to believe that the customer is of pensionable age and lives alone, or lives with only other pensioners or children under the age of 18.

Nurseries

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many workplace nurseries (a) directly operated by his Department and (b) operated by a third party on his Department's property there were at (i) 5 May 2010 and (ii) 5 February 2014; and how many such nurseries are expected to cease operating in (A) 2014-15 and (B) 2015-16. [189101]

Gregory Barker: Since its establishment in 2008, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has had no workplace nurseries that are: (a) directly operated by the Department, and (b) operated by a third party on the Department's property.

Deputy Prime Minister

Electoral Register: Second Homes

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of (a) how many and (b) what proportion of UK second home owners who will register to vote online at an address at which they are not primarily resident under individual electoral registration proposals. [189342]

Greg Clark: This information is not held centrally.

It is for the local electoral registration officer to decide whether a voter may be said to be resident at an address, and therefore eligible to be registered.

Electoral registration officers are required to consider each individual case on its own merits in line with Electoral Commission Guidance.

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Transport

Driving: Licensing

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps he has taken against unofficial websites offering government services relating to the application for driving licences. [188990]

Stephen Hammond: Cabinet Office Government Digital Service (GDS) is leading a cross-Government exercise about the operation of third-party websites which offer services associated with official Government transactions, including driving licence applications.

The Minister for Civil Society, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), and the Minister for culture, communications and creative industries, my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr Vaizey), are meeting Google shortly to discuss its terms and conditions for advertising the services offered by these third-party websites. GDS will also engage with other internet search engine providers about this issue.

Equality

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many publications his Department has produced for the purposes of monitoring or promoting staff equality and diversity in each of the last five years; and what the cost of producing such publications was in each such year. [188888]

Stephen Hammond: Nine equality monitoring reports were published for each of the four financial years ending 2011-12. These reports covered the centre (DfTc), each of the executive agencies and a corporate report which summarised the data contained in the other reports. Eight reports were published in 2012-13 because the Government Car and Despatch Agency had been absorbed into the centre.

The costs for each of the last five financial years were:

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons he approved the High Speed 2 route via Crewe rather than via Stoke-on-Trent; and if he will publish the quantitative and comparison data on both options. [188725]

Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd set out route, station and depot options for Phase Two of HS2 in its March 2012 reports, including why alternative options were not taken forward to later stages of the process. The options for serving Stoke-on-Trent directly were considered in

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these reports and were discarded due to engineering complexities and a lack of demand for an intermediate station in this location.

This led to the preferred route for Phase Two that was subject of a recent consultation. This consultation closed at the end of January and we are now considering responses ahead of announcing a decision on Phase Two by the end of the year.

Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to his speech to the National Rail conference on 29 October 2013, entitled “Why HS2 will spread prosperity”, what alternative options his Department considered to free up rail capacity; and for what reasons it has been decided that High Speed 2 will be the most cost-effective and economically beneficial way to free up capacity as opposed to (a) double-decker carriages and (b) other capacity increasing options. [188841]

Mr Goodwill: Since 2010 the Department has considered a wide range of alternative options to a high-speed railway including the use of alternative modes, a conventional speed line and upgrades to the existing rail network.

Our most recent assessment of alternatives focused on enhancements to the existing rail network since these are the closest in delivering capacity and journey time improvements comparable to those of HS2. The alternative schemes delivered lower benefits than HS2, failed to deliver sufficient additional capacity, could not offer a robust solution to the problem of poor performance and would significantly disrupt services on the existing rail network.

M25

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the risk assessments submitted from the (a) Highways Agency and (b) Metropolitan police on the proposal for a hard shoulder running on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27. [188668]

Mr Goodwill: For the all-lane running scheme on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27 the risk-based approach used to determine the expected safety performance will be published on the Highways Agency's website.

The Highways Agency does not have the authority to publish risk assessments on behalf of the Metropolitan police. They will need to be contacted directly.

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what risk assessment was carried out on the proposal for a motorway hard shoulder running on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27; and if he will make a statement. [188669]

Mr Goodwill: For the proposed all-lane running scheme on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27 a risk assessment has been carried out that considered the operational risks to the road user and road worker. This methodology was successfully developed on the M42 Active Traffic Management pilot scheme that has been open to traffic since 2006.

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The assessment shows that the all-lane running design is likely to provide safety benefits over and above those on a basic three-lane motorway.

The assessment shows that no road users will be disproportionately adversely affected and the risk to all users remains tolerable.

Railways: Disability

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that rail companies and station operators are improving access for disabled passengers. [188604]

Stephen Hammond: Network Rail and the train operating companies are required to have a disabled persons' protection policy setting out the services they will provide for disabled passengers, including staff assistance and provision of an accessible taxi for anyone who cannot access a particular station. If they carry out infrastructure work at a station they must also meet the EU and domestic standards set out in “Accessible Train Station Design: A Code of Practice” (DfT, 2011). Failure to meet these standards can lead to enforcement action by the Office of Rail Regulation. We also allocate about £7 million a year to operators under the Access for All Small Schemes Programme, which has funded accessibility improvements at more than 1,100 stations since 2006.

Railways: Franchises

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has under the new Thameslink Great Northern Franchise to ensure that refunds are processed automatically for any rail tickets purchased by credit or debit card. [189515]

Stephen Hammond: The Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the TSGN franchise, published on 26 September 2013, does not state that refunds are processed automatically for any rail tickets purchased by credit or debit card. However, under section 5.6.3 of the ITT the bidders are required to

“maintain a consistently high standard of ticket retailing service”,

and

“provide a range of ticket products and ticket retailing solutions that meets the needs of customers including those who may not be conversant with, or have access, to new technology”.

In addition, credit would be available to bidders as part of the quality assessment for exceeding these requirements, with, for example

“improvements to the overall ticket retail experience”.

Railways: Graffiti

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual cost to Network Rail is of the removal of graffiti from its property. [188717]

Stephen Hammond: As a private sector company limited by guarantee, graffiti removal has been an operational matter for Network Rail. The company has extensive landholdings and advises that it currently spends about £3.5 million a year on graffiti removal.

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Railways: South West

Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how many days the (a) Exeter St Davids to Tiverton Parkway, (b) Exeter St Davids to Salisbury, (c) Taunton to Bristol Temple Meads, (d) Plymouth to Newton Abbot, (e) Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot and (f) Plymouth to Penzance railway lines were closed in each of the last five years. [189234]

Stephen Hammond: This is not information that is held by the Department for Transport. This is a matter for Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain's rail network.

Roads: Graffiti

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual cost is to the Highways Agency of the removal of graffiti from its property. [188716]

Mr Goodwill: The Highways Agency does not separately identify the exact annual cost of removing graffiti from its property as this activity forms part of a wider contracted service which includes a number of other general maintenance activities.

Rolling Stock

Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total cost of rolling stock for double-decker carriages on the (a) West Coast Main Line and (b) High Speed 2. [188700]

Mr Goodwill: The most recent cost estimate for rolling stock on the High Speed 2 network is £7.5 billion, which includes contingency of £1.7 billion. This estimate is based on discussions with a range of rolling stock manufacturers and is not specific to any particular type of train.

The Department has not made an estimate of the costs of double-deck carriages on the West Coast Main Line. Before such trains could be used on the West Coast Main Line, the route (including diversionary routes) would need to be gauge cleared to allow sufficient space for the trains to operate. This would involve raising all overhead wires, raising bridges, modifying platforms on the route, modifying station canopies, moving or raising all signal gantries and other signage on the route, and lowering track in the tunnels. Work would need to be carried out to modify existing depots or to provide new ones. Additional works would also be required to enable line speeds to be maintained on the route. The extent of the works and the cost would depend on the kind of trains used.

West Coast Railway Line

Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to (a) lower the tracks to accommodate double-decker carriages on the West Coast Main Line and (b) heighten tunnels, bridges and catenary where appropriate. [188701]

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Mr Goodwill: The Department has not estimated the cost of modifying infrastructure on the West Coast Main Line to accommodate double-decker trains.

In the 2010 Strategic Alternatives Strategic Outline Business Case Atkins reviewed a long-list of potential interventions, including operation of double-decker trains on the WCML. The option was ruled out as train lengthening was thought likely to deliver similar outputs at lower cost and with less disruption.

Before double-deck trains could be used on the West Coast Main Line, the route (including diversionary routes) would need to be gauge cleared to allow sufficient space for the trains to operate. This would involve raising the overhead wires for the entire route, raising bridges, modifying platforms on the route, modifying station canopies, moving or raising all signal gantries and other signage on the route, and lowering track in the tunnels. Work would need to be carried out to modify existing depots or to provide new ones.

Additional works would also be required to enable line speeds to be maintained on the route, such as straightening sections of track where fast trains currently tilt. The extent of the works and the cost would depend on the kind of trains used.

Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra seats would be created (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of current passenger capacity if double-decker carriages were installed on the West Coast Main Line. [188703]

Mr Goodwill: The Department has not carried out an assessment of how many extra seats would be created if double-decker trains were operated on the West Coast Main Line. Before such trains could be used on the West Coast Main Line, the route (including diversionary routes) would need to be gauge cleared to allow sufficient space for the trains to operate.

Culture, Media and Sport

Arts: Essex

Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much arts funding (a) in total and (b) per head of population was allocated in (i) Essex and (ii) Chelmsford constituency in each year since 2010. [189436]

Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England makes its funding decisions independently of Government and as such we do not hold the information requested. Nearly £3 billion pounds will be invested in the arts over the lifetime of this Parliament. Local government funding for the arts is a matter for local authorities and my Department does not hold information on individual local authority spend.

Food: Advertising

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessments she has made of the proportion of food brands sold in the UK that have adver-gaming as part of their digital platforms. [189363]

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Mr Vaizey: DCMS has made no such assessment. Adver-gaming is regulated under the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (the CAP code, administered independently by the Advertising Standards Authority). On 25 February 2014 the Advertising Standards Authority/CAP announced new measures to ensure that food advertising remains responsible. These include a comprehensive literature review of the impact of digital and online marketing of food and drink products to children. The Advertising Standards Authority will also carry out a survey of food advertisements, with a focus on online, to assess whether there are any problem areas and will take action to bring advertising that breaks the rules into line.

UK Sport

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she requires UK Sport to provide equality assessments of its funding decisions. [189349]

Mrs Grant: UK Sport funding decisions are based on its Investment Principles, which can be found here:

http://www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/investment-principles/

Defence

Armed Forces: Floods

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) full-time service personnel, (b) reservists and (c) recruits from each of the three armed services have been deployed since 1 February 2014 to support rescue and prevention work following the recent flooding and storms. [188614]

Anna Soubry: The overall name for the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) support to civil authorities following the recent severe weather is Operation Pitchpole. At the peak of Op Pitchpole, 16 February 2014, the number of military personnel on task was as follows:

The definition of ‘on task’ includes all personnel at ‘notice to move’ (allocated to the Operation but not employed on specific tasks) and those deployed on visible tasks.

Burma

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2014, Official Report, column 6, on the Burmese army, what discussions he has had with the Burmese army on (a) investigations into alleged human rights abuses by the army and (b) the need to secure accountability. [188730]

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Anna Soubry: Human rights and accountability were two of the major themes of the Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context course that the UK Defence Academy delivered to members of the Tatmadaw (Burmese Military) in January this year.

Since the beginning of 2014, there have been a number of meetings between senior UK representatives and military chiefs during which a range of issues were discussed. During his most recent trip to Burma, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), lobbied both the Commander in Chief of the Burmese Army and the Kachin Northern Commander on human rights. On each occasion, our Defence Attaché has been present at those meetings.

Cyprus

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made on the number of birds illegally killed on the British sovereign base area of Dhekelia in 2013. [189451]

Anna Soubry: BirdLife of Cyprus recently provided the Sovereign Base Areas Administration with its report for autumn 2013 on illegal bird trapping activity in Cyprus. Countering illegal bird trapping activity is one of the key priorities of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and the Sovereign Base Areas Police and this is stated in the Chief Constable's annual report and strategic plan. Police enforcement action has resulted in 132 arrests over the last four years and seizure of large quantities of equipment.

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what area of invasive acacia tree was removed from his Department's land at Cape Pyla in the Cyprus sovereign base area of Dhekelia in each of the last three years. [189452]

Anna Soubry: No acacia tree has been removed at Cape Pyla in any of the last three years.

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the street value of the birds illegally killed on the British sovereign base area of Dhekelia in 2013. [189453]

Anna Soubry: Within the Sovereign Base Areas there are no restaurants selling illegally trapped birds, but where there is demand elsewhere we understand that the commercial street value of such birds is approximately €50 to €60 a dozen. Countering the illegal bird trapping activity is one of the key priorities of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and Sovereign Base Areas Police, which devote a considerable amount of resources to policing and removing infrastructure associated with trapping across the areas.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK's F-35 Joint Strike Fighters will be equipped to carry the B-61 nuclear bomb. [189369]

28 Feb 2014 : Column 518W

Anna Soubry: There are no plans for the UK's Lightning II to be equipped to carry the B-61 nuclear bomb.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests NATO has received from the US Government in relation to Alliance funding for the integration of the B-61 nuclear bomb onto the F-35. [189370]

Anna Soubry: We do not comment on the policy of our Allies.

Members: Correspondence

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will arrange for the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) to receive a reply to his letter of 4 February 2014 to the Cabinet Secretary; [189300]

(2) if he will arrange for the hon. Member for North Durham to receive a reply to his letter of 18 December 2013 to the Permanent Secretary of his Department. [189301]

Anna Soubry: I understand that the Permanent Secetary has now responded to the hon. Gentleman's letter and has apologised for the delay in replying. I hope the hon. Gentleman will take the response as a reply to his letter of 4 February to the Cabinet Secretary on the same matter.

Military Aid: Floods

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect deployment of armed forces personnel to tackle flooding has had on current operational readiness; and if he will make a statement. [189337]

Mr Francois: The personnel allocated to assist with flooding were selected in such a way that their participation in Operation Pitchpole will have no impact on the military's preparedness for future operations. None of the personnel involved were scheduled to be employed on other operations over the period, and no collective training for future operations was interrupted.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operational contingency plans he has made for future capability requirements in the event of further flooding. [189339]

Mr Francois: The MOD's support to civil authorities following the recent severe weather, Operation Pitchpole, is ongoing. Following the end of the flooding recovery stage we will work with the civil authorities to learn lessons from the flooding.

We will continue to work closely with and provide assistance to the civil authorities under Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) principles.

Military Bases: Scotland

Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what timetable he has set for the (a) closure and (b) any associated decontamination work of Craigiehall army base prior to its sale; [188718]

(2) what progress he has made in identifying potential buyers for Craigiehall army base, Edinburgh. [188737]

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Dr Murrison: The Army Basing Plan announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 5 March 2013, Official Report, columns 845-48) stated that the regular Army would be leaving Craigiehall not before 2016. It is too early to identify any potential buyers of the site. A timetable for closure and investigations into any potential decontamination (if required) will be established in due course.

Radioactive Waste: Fife

Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will set out a timetable for remedial action work to begin and be completed at Dalgety Bay; [186061]

(2) if he will discuss with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation detailed options for cleaning up the radiation contamination at Dalgety Bay; [186062]

(3) for what reasons his Department was not represented at the Dalgety Bay Forum on 30 January 2014; [186064]

(4) if he will instruct officials of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to meet representatives of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Dalgety Bay community within the next week. [186066]

Dr Murrison: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to work closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and the stakeholder group it has assembled, with a view to agreeing an appropriate long- term solution for managing the radium contamination at Dalgety Bay.

I will write shortly to the right hon. Gentleman with the detail of the timelines for the further scientific risk assessment and other work necessary to identify an appropriate long-term solution at Dalgety Bay. This timetable has been agreed between SEPA and the MOD and should result in identification of the preferred management option for the site by summer 2014.

Having published the Outline Management Option Appraisal, MOD officials will be meeting both SEPA and Public Health England on 6 February 2014 in order to establish the health protection criteria necessary to inform the development and definition of the management option.

Once work on identifying the most appropriate long- term management option has concluded, we expect to play an active part in supporting SEPA in its engagement with wider stakeholders (including the Dalgety Bay Forum) to discuss the practicalities of implementation.

With regard to the recent meeting of the Dalgety Bay Forum on 30 January 2014, no requirement was placed on the MOD to present but we remain willing to participate in any future discussions with the Forum whenever this is necessary and as requested by SEPA as Chair of the Forum.

Substantive answer from Andrew Murrison to Gordon Brown:

In my answer of 6 February 2014 (Official Report, columns 352W-353W) and further to your letter of 9 January, I promised to inform you of the progress that has been made and the proposed way forward at Dalgety Bay following the Adjournment debate on 17 December 2013.

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As you are aware the Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains committed to working alongside the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and other interested parties as part of a coalition to address the issue of radioactive contamination at Dalgety Bay in the long term.

As promised, the MOD has finalised the preliminary Outline Management Options Appraisal report. You were given a draft copy and it was published by SEPA and the MOD on 22 January.

The Outline Management Options Appraisal report aims to provide an indication of the potential nature and range of available measures and activities which could be implemented to enable the effective long-term management of the contamination and concludes that the preferred option is likely to comprise a combination of each of the measures and activities presented.

However, further work is required before the best possible course of action can be determined. This work includes developing a more detailed quantitative risk assessment and health protection and remediation criteria.

The sequence of events and timeframe needed to deliver this further work and provide an effective long-term management solution to the issue at Dalgety Bay are as follows:

1. The MOD will develop a more detailed risk assessment (DQRA) to define the most appropriate management option, taking account of the views provided by SEPA and PHE at a recent meeting on 6 February.

2. The MOD will define and develop a proposal for an appropriate long-term management solution informed by the PHE and DQRA contribution by the end of June 2014.

3. SEPA will assess the wider implications of implementation on stakeholders and the local community, starting from June 2014.

4. At the same time the MOD will establish the extent to which the Department may fund the management solution and agree with SEPA and other parties an appropriate management model for overseeing any remediation and subsequent transition to the “normalised” management arrangements.

The definition of a normalised management regime that we are using is the point at which the risk to human health can be maintained at the level deemed to be acceptable by Public Health England without the need for monthly monitoring and recovery of radioactive sources (radium-226) and current access restrictions, such that the ‘land' is deemed suitable for its current use within the context of Part 2A of the Environment Protection Act 1990, at which point MOD would expect SEPA to resume responsibility for routine monitoring and the Local Authority, Moray Estates and Sailing Club to assume their respective responsibilities for maintaining sea defences etc.

Accordingly, I have asked my officials to seek a view by the end of March from Public Health England (PHE) as to the level of reduction in current radioactive levels necessary to achieve long-term public safety within a “normalised” management regime. Normalisation implies putting in place any measures necessary to contain or remove contamination to ensure the risks to public safety remain very low in the long term. I have raised the importance of achieving this without delay with the Department of Health.

Until the work outlined above is completed the MOD will continue the monthly monitoring and recovery programme to ensure the risk to the public remains very low.

Railways: Concessions

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to extend railcard discounts to reservists. [188686]

Anna Soubry: We are in discussion with the Association of Train Operating Companies on this issue, and we hope that it will reach a conclusion soon.

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Education

Academies

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what criteria he uses to decide whether to intervene in academies that are failing. [189429]

Mr Timpson: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), may intervene in an academy when he is satisfied that standards of performance are unacceptably low. For both academies and maintained schools the definition of ‘unacceptably low' is that attainment and progress are below the measures set out in the floor standard, or that the academy is in an Ofsted category of concern.

He may also intervene if an academy is in breach of the Academies Financial Handbook.

The sponsored academies programme has been a huge success in transforming the fortunes of the weakest, most challenging schools. The vast majority of schools which have become sponsored academies are now thriving thanks to the greater freedom afforded to them and the strong, new leadership of these sponsors. However, in the small number of cases where an academy is not performing well, Ministers are clear that they will hold the trust to account.

Barnfield Federation

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when officials in his Department have met counterparts in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss the Barnfield Federation since May 2010; and what the purpose was of each such meeting. [189455]

Mr Timpson: We do not hold data on inter-departmental meetings between the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills going back as far as May 2010. However, between September 2013 and February 2014, officials from the Education Funding Agency met their counterparts in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills or the Skills Funding Agency in person or via teleconference on 28 occasions to discuss the ongoing joint Education Funding Agency/Skills Funding Agency investigation into the Barnfield Federation.

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education who was responsible for the regulation of the Barnfield Federation. [189456]

Mr Timpson: As a further education corporation, Barnfield college is responsible for discharging its duties as set out in all relevant legislation, including education and charity legislation, and its Instruments and Articles of Government. The three Barnfield academy trusts are independent companies with their own responsibilities under company and charity law.

The Department for Education has ultimate responsibility for the regulation of academies, including ensuring there is an adequate framework in place to provide assurance that all resources are managed in an effective and proper manner and that value for money is secured.

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Ofsted is responsible for the inspection and regulation of services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Ofsted provides an independent assessment of the quality and standards of education and assesses the educational achievement of pupils.

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA), an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, regulates adult further education and skills training in England and ensures that public funds are spent as Parliament intended.

Child Minding

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the Task and Finish Group for Childminder Agencies last met; and how often that group has met since the introduction of the Children and Families Bill. [188861]

Elizabeth Truss: The Task and Finish Group last met on 26 November 2013. It has met five times to date.

Children: Autism

Mr Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make an assessment of the findings of the report entitled “Ruled Out”, published in February 2014 by Ambitious About Autism, that substantial numbers of autistic children are being unlawfully excluded from schools. [188915]

Mr Timpson: All exclusions from school must be lawful, reasonable and fair. Statutory guidance sets out schools' responsibilities in relation to exclusion and there is no excuse for schools not to adhere to the correct process. Ofsted would take seriously any evidence that a school had acted unlawfully in excluding a pupil.

The Department for Education is funding the National Autistic Society with £440,000 over two years. Part of this funding is being used to employ an exclusions adviser who can give advice to parents and professionals to help prevent unlawful exclusion and reduce the need for formal exclusion from school.

Officials from the Department are due to meet Ambitious about Autism to discuss the “Ruled Out” report and will continue to work with it and other autism groups to improve provision for children and young people with autism.

Female Genital Mutilation

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking in schools to tackle female genital mutilation. [189707]

Mr Timpson: Female genital mutilation is child abuse and a criminal offence. It is an issue that schools should take very seriously, and any school concerned that a pupil is at risk should contact its local authority safeguarding team immediately.

On 25 February the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) and I met campaigners, including Fahma Mohamed, the 17-year-old student whose inspirational work has featured prominently in the media. Following

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that meeting, the Secretary of State issued a statement setting out our intentions. That statement has been published at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/michael-gove-guidance-for-schools-on-female-genital-mutilation

Foster Care

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department issues on the standard of accommodation which should be provided to foster children. [189024]

Mr Timpson: Standard 10 of “Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards” clearly sets out the Government's expectations about the minimum standard in relation to the physical environment of the foster home.

¹https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/192705/NMS_Fostering_Services.pdf

Free School Meals

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will rank each primary school in each local authority area according to the percentage of children on free school meals; and what category each such school is. [189372]

Mr Laws: The requested information has been placed in the House Library.

Free School Meals: Liverpool

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency and (b) Liverpool are eligible for but do not claim free school meals. [189298]

Mr Laws: The Department for Education routinely collects information on pupils who are both eligible for and claiming free school meals. This information is published in the “Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2013” Statistical First Release¹. Information on the number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals but do not claim them is not collected by the Department.

The Department has published a research paper, “Pupils not claiming free school meals: 2013”², which presents estimates of the numbers and proportions of pupils who are entitled to receive free school meals but are not claiming. The paper compares registration rates for children aged between 4 and 15 and highlights regions and local authorities where under-registration rates are high. Figures from this paper show the estimated under-registration rate for Liverpool local authority is 6% compared with an England average of 11 %.

¹ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-pupils-and -their-characteristics-january-2013

² https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupils-not-claiming -free-school-meals-2013

Internet: Bullying

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what statistics his Department collects on instances of (a) cyber-bullying and (b) children self-harming as a result of abuse or bullying. [189500]

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Mr Timpson: The Department for Education does not collect statistics on instances of cyber-bullying, or on children self-harming as a result of abuse or bullying.

A number of expert organisations—such as the Diana Award and NSPCC—have undertaken surveys to try to measure the extent of cyber-bullying. These surveys reveal wide variation in reported incidence, which could be because personal interpretation of what constitutes cyber-bullying varies.

Estimates from an evidence review carried out by the Childhood Wellbeing Centre (at the Institute of Education, University of Kent and Loughborough University) for the Department in 2011, found that between 8% and 34% of children and young people in the UK have been cyber-bullied. Evidence from the 2010 Longitudinal Study of 15,000 14 to 16-year-old people in England (LSYPE), which is funded by the Department, found that cyber-bullying was the most common form of abuse along with name-calling.

We are also funding a series of questions about bullying in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 Crime Survey for England and Wales. One of the questions asks 10 to 14-year-olds about whether or not they have experienced cyber-bullying in the last 12 months. This will give us a baseline estimate of prevalence and will help us to track trends over time.

In terms of self-harm, we know from research studies such as the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) longitudinal study of a nationally representative sample of 1,116 twin pairs (2012), that bullying is associated with an increased risk of self-harm. However, there are no reliable statistics on the prevalence of self-harm due to abuse or bullying. The Department of Health funds the multicentre study of self-harm in England, which collects data in three cities about young people and adolescents attending emergency departments in six hospitals with self-harm. This study does not look at bullying or abuse in particular, but shows that relationship difficulties, including problems with friends, are a common reason for self-harm in girls. This study is, however, based on admissions data which constitute a small proportion of self-harm episodes.

Pupils: Attendance

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many responses to the consultation on the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 were made (a) nationally and (b) by private individuals; and how many such responses were (i) in favour of and (ii) opposed to the draft regulations. [189447]

Michael Gove: The amendments made by the Education (Pupil Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 followed an extensive review on improving attendance in school by the then Government Expert Behaviour Adviser Charlie Taylor.

Mr Taylor published his recommendations, and the Government formally responded formally at the time. This subsequent amendment removed the misconception that pupils are entitled to 10 days annual holiday during term time. The Department for Education did not consult formally on this subsequent amendment to regulations as it did not alter headteachers' ultimate discretion to grant leave of absence from school in certain circumstances. We made it clear that a leave of absence should be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

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Schools: Vocational Guidance

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the revision to the statutory guidance for schools on fulfilling their duty to secure access to independent careers guidance for their students will be published. [188693]

Matthew Hancock: The revised statutory guidance on careers guidance will be published in due course, in good time for schools to take it into account when planning careers provision for the 2014-15 academic year.

Young People: Training

Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the British Chambers of Commerce Skills and Employment Manifesto published in January 2014. [188728]

Matthew Hancock: I met the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in February this year and welcomed the publication of its Skills and Employment Manifesto. I agree with its underlying principles that employers have a role to play in providing inspirational careers guidance and in the design and delivery of vocational education.

Good careers guidance is about inspiration as much as advice. Longer-term mentoring, particularly from employers, can inspire young people and give them the support and personal resilience needed to succeed. Strong connections with businesses should be at the heart of what every school or college does. The National Careers Service (NCS) supplements the advice and guidance which schools and colleges are required to provide for their students.

Vocational qualification reforms have ensured that only those qualifications that are of demonstrably high value to employers will be reported in school and college performance tables. The new Tech Level qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds will also include the involvement of employers in their delivery and assessment. These reforms will give students much greater confidence when choosing their qualifications that they are recognised and valued by employers.

We are also reforming apprenticeships to make them more rigorous and responsive to the needs of employers. Trailblazers, led by employers and professional bodies are leading the way in developing the new standards in a wide range of sectors. In future, every apprentice will train towards the achievement of a short and easy to understand employer designed standard.

We have also introduced traineeships and education and training courses that include work experience and help young people develop their employability skills.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Argentina

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what direct or indirect bilateral funding arrangements his Department has with Argentina. [189499]

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Mr Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has no direct or indirect bilateral funding arrangements with the Federal Government of Argentina. FCO spending in Argentina is reducing and limited to supporting Chevening Scholarships and British Council activities. What remains is exclusively aimed at building long-term partnerships with the Argentine people, including businesses and future leaders, or tackling global issues, such as climate change and human rights.

British Nationals Abroad

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance his Department offers to relatives of British nationals killed abroad who are required to travel to foreign countries for criminal trials but are in financial hardship. [189334]

Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides a wide range of support to bereaved families after the death of a British national abroad, but it cannot fund their travel to another country to attend a trial. The FCO does however provide partial funding to a specialist external partner, Missing Abroad, which can support bereaved families with this need by securing flights at significantly reduced prices or for free, and also provides partial funding to organisations at international airports in the UK that can support families who are travelling.

I also refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 27 November 2013, Official Report, column 287W, and to my answer of 28 January 2014, Official Report, 470W.

Burma

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the Burmese Government's preparations for the census to ensure it is a complete, credible and peaceful process; what discussions he has had on the potential effect of the census on ethnic tensions in Burma; and what recent representations he has made to his Burmese counterpart on official recognition of the Royhingya under the census. [189340]

Mr Swire: British officials have held several discussions with Burmese officials, members of the Rohingya and other ethnic community leaders, UN bodies and development agencies about the upcoming census. In January, our ambassador discussed the census with ethnic armed group leaders in Chiang Mai, and the head of DFID Burma accompanied the Burmese Minister for Immigration and Population on a visit to Rakhine State in February to discuss the census with the Muslim and Buddhist communities.

The British Government are providing significant funding to the census in 2014 because it will be a vital source of data to inform better Government service delivery, help the Government manage public finances more transparently, and underpin private investment and job creation. We, and other donors, have been working with the Burmese Government and the UN to manage and mitigate the risks, including ethnic tensions, which could be associated with the census to ensure as peaceful, credible and complete a process as possible.

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The census form contains a space that enables people to self-identify their ethnicity, such as Rohingya. The form and census process are being discussed between the Government and members of the Rohingya community and other ethnic groups.

Capital Punishment

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on the Strategy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty; and what recent assessment he has made of the prospects for global abolition of the death penalty. [189341]

Mr Lidington: Global abolition of the death penalty remains our firm goal, which we are pursuing through a multi-year strategy (2011-15). We have raised the issue in bilateral discussions with countries of concern and in multilateral forums, and we continue to fund projects throughout the world in support of abolition. The international trend towards abolition of the death penalty was last confirmed and reinforced when more countries than ever before voted in support of the biennial UN General Assembly resolution which calls for a worldwide moratorium—last held in 2012. We will continue to work intensively to help ensure that the 2014 UNGA resolution against the death penalty is again supported by more countries than ever.

China

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit China in 2014. [189046]

Mr Swire: As Minister of State with responsibility for China I am keen that we continue to build the momentum in our bilateral relationship. I accompanied the Prime Minister on his visit to China in December 2013. I hope visit again in 2014.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission on Gibraltar in 2014 to date. [189019]

Mr Lidington: UK officials have had extensive discussions on a number of issues with the European Commission on Gibraltar in 2014. This includes a series of meetings at a senior level in January.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the process is by which UK citizens can relocate to Gibraltar. [189021]

Mr Lidington: HM Government of Gibraltar have constitutional responsibility in this area. Non-Gibraltarian British citizens can enter Gibraltar on a valid passport and remain in Gibraltar for up to three months. They would need to establish themselves as a qualified person (i.e. job seeker, worker, self-employed person or student) to be given an extended right of residence.

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Gibraltar: Spain

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on Gibraltar in 2014 to date. [189029]

Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised his concerns about illegal incursions by Spanish state vessels into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters with the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Gonzalo de Benito, on 20 February. He also reiterated his proposal of April 2012 for ad hoc talks involving all relevant parties. We will continue to use all necessary measures to uphold UK sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

North Korea

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in respect of advice from the UN Human Rights Council to tackle human rights abuses in North Korea. [189027]

Mr Swire: The Government remain deeply concerned at the reports of shocking state-sanctioned human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement of 24 February 2014, Official Report, columns 6-7WS. The Commission of Inquiry report will be formally considered by the UN Human Rights Council when it meets in March.

The annual Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights report includes the DPRK as a country of concern. The full report can be found at:

www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk

Pakistan

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the arrest and detention of Pakistani anti-drones campaigner Mr Kareem Khan. [189439]

Hugh Robertson: Following the reported detention of Mr Khan, I received representations from members of the public and Members of Parliament in correspondence. FCO officials were also contacted by diplomatic missions to discuss the case and potential responses. I understand that Mr Khan has been released by the Pakistan authorities.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate reports of the arrest and detention of Pakistani anti-drones campaigner Mr Kareem Khan. [189440]

Hugh Robertson: I am aware of Mr Khan's case and reports that Mr Khan has now been released by the Pakistan authorities.

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Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his counterparts in the Pakistan government reports of the arrest and detention of Pakistani anti-drones campaigner Mr Kareem Khan. [189441]

Hugh Robertson: I am aware of Mr Khan's case and reports that Mr Khan has now been released by the Pakistan authorities. HMG regularly raise human rights concerns at the highest levels with the Government of Pakistan and will continue to do so. The Prime Minister raised human rights concerns when he visited Pakistan.

Pakistan: Iran

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Pakistan on preventing tensions in the region following reports that Iran may send troops into Pakistan. [189028]

Hugh Robertson: I am aware of the reports of potential Iranian action following the detention of five border guards by the Jaish al-Adl separatist group on the Iran-Pakistan border earlier this month.

I understand that Iran and Pakistan have been in close contact since the abduction. The incident was discussed by both parties at a three-day meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Border Commission on 19-21 February. The commission stressed the need for co-ordinated efforts against cross-border terrorism and formed a dedicated committee to pursue the recovery of the kidnapped Iranian guards. Pakistan has clearly stated its willingness to act on any information concerning the presence of the guards in Pakistani territory. I support all efforts to ensure that the matter is resolved peacefully.

The UK is committed to promoting stability, peace and security in the South Asia region. We hold regular discussions on these issues with the Pakistani Government, and with others in the region.

Peru

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Peruvian counterpart on the case of Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly. [188971]

Mr Swire: I have followed the case closely since Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum's arrest on 7 August 2013 on drug trafficking charges. Consular staff in Lima are in close contact with the Peruvian authorities and continue to provide full assistance to Ms Reid, who is also receiving support from the British charity, Prisoners Abroad. Officials are also in regular contact with Ms Reid's family. The Irish Department for Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Michaella McCollum, who is an Irish national.

Uganda

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk to LGBT people resident in or visiting Uganda following the introduction of legislation to criminalise homosexuality in that country. [189344]

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Mark Simmonds: In his statement of 24 February the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), said there can be no doubt that this Bill will increase persecution and discrimination of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Ugandans. We have updated our Uganda Travel Advice on the environment for LGBT travellers. The UK will continue to press the Government of Uganda to defend human rights for all, without discrimination on any grounds.

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Uganda about the effect on the human rights of LGBT people of the new legislation to criminalise homosexuality. [189345]

Mark Simmonds: The UK Government have consistently raised their concerns about the anti-homosexuality legislation with the Ugandan Government at the most senior levels. I raised the issue with the Ugandan Foreign Minister on 28 December 2013, again on 28 January 2014, and most recently with the Deputy Foreign Minister on 13 February 2014. I was able to hear at first hand what life is like for LGBT people in Uganda during a meeting with Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), on 11 February.

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Uganda authorities about the safety of LGBT citizens and visitors to Uganda following the publication of a list naming 200 people as homosexual by Red Pepper. [189346]

Mark Simmonds: The British high commissioner in Kampala met the Inspector General of Police to seek and obtain assurances on the protection of LGBT individuals and civil society organisations on 20 February. Since its publication on 25 February, we have extensively discussed the Red Pepper list with Ugandan civil society. We will continue to seek assurances from the Ugandan authorities, and to stress the need for responsible journalism in Uganda.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to offer diplomatic support to Ukraine. [189042]

Mr Lidington: The situation in Ukraine has been a great source of concern and the focus of attention across Government. It is clear that the people of Ukraine want to move towards a different future and the voices of those who have protested over several months have been heard.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), outlined on 24 February 2014, Official Report, columns 26-29, the UK Government's work in supporting Ukraine. The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, have discussed Ukraine with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov of Russia, with Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Tusk, and with Foreign Ministers from Germany, Poland and more widely at the G20 Foreign Ministers in Australia.

28 Feb 2014 : Column 531W

The UK Government, as part of the international community, will work with the new Government to encourage stability and reform and are working with international partners to mobilise international financial assistance to address the country's serious economic problems.

The Ukrainian Parliament—the Rada—is elected to represent the Ukrainian people. We welcome the swift steps it has taken to appoint a new Government of national unity who can rule Ukraine until new elections in May. Ukraine has a pressing need for constitutional reform, improvements to its political culture, free elections, an end to pervasive corruption and the building of a stable political structure. We look to the new Government to create the conditions for such change, in a spirit of reconciliation, and to ensure accountability for human rights violations.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with his Russian counterpart on the political instability in Ukraine; [189047]

(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that British diplomatic contacts with Ministers and officials in Ukraine are held with representatives of the legitimate Government of that country; [189237]

(3) with reference to the statement on 24 February 2014 by Prime Minister Medvedev of Russia that the current situation in Ukraine represents armed mutiny, what assessment he has made of the activities and status of the interim authorities in that country. [189243]

Mr Lidington: The situation in Ukraine has been a great source of concern and the focus of attention across Government. It is clear that the people of Ukraine want to move towards a different future and the voices of those who have protested over several months have been heard.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), outlined on 24 February 2014, Official Report, columns 26-29, the UK Government's work in supporting Ukraine. The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, have discussed Ukraine with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov of Russia, with Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Tusk, and with Foreign Ministers from Germany, Poland and more widely at the G20 Foreign Ministers in Australia.

The UK Government, as part of the international community, will work with the new Government to encourage stability and reform and are working with international partners to mobilise international financial assistance to address the country's serious economic problems.

The Ukrainian Parliament—the Rada—is elected to represent the Ukrainian people. We welcome the swift steps it has taken to appoint a new Government of national unity who can rule Ukraine until new elections in May. Ukraine has a pressing need for constitutional reform, improvements to its political culture, free elections, an end to pervasive corruption and the building of a stable political structure. We look to the new Government to create the conditions for such change, in a spirit of reconciliation, and to ensure accountability for human rights violations.