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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

All Party Groups

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups. [193557]

Mr Lidington: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly meet with parliamentarians, including All Party Groups. They provide briefings to groups both in writing and in person, and our embassies overseas assist with visits whenever parliamentarians are travelling on official business.

Bahrain

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the security situation in Bahrain. [193551]

Hugh Robertson: We stay in close contact with the Government of Bahrain on the security situation, most recently when the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), met the Bahraini Interior Minister on 24 March. The UK has expressed concern over the recent IED attacks in Bahrain and condemns all acts of violence.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports his Department has received on breaches of medical neutrality and the supply of medical care for people injured by security forces in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [193845]

Hugh Robertson: We expect the Government of Bahrain to meet all their human rights obligations and ensure all patients have access to all the medical care they require.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the death in custody of Jaffar al Durazi in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [193846]

Hugh Robertson: Following the death of Jaffar Mohamed Al Derazi, on 27 February, the Bahrain Public Prosecution Office announced that he died of natural causes, as a result of a sickle cell disease. We understand the Ministry of Interior's ombudsman is launching his own investigation and I await the findings.

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Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress by the Government of Bahrain towards ending torture and abuse of detainees since 2011; and if he will make a statement. [193847]

Hugh Robertson: We welcome the steps the Government have taken to improve accountability, including through the establishment of the Office of the Police Ombudsman and an independent Prisoners' and Detainees' Commission. However, we remain concerned by continuing allegations of mistreatment and torture and encourage the Bahraini Government to carry out thorough and transparent investigations into these allegations.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the level of medical support given to victims of torture in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [193848]

Hugh Robertson: We expect the Government of Bahrain to meet all of their human rights obligations and ensure all defendants have access to all the medical care they require.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of confessions obtained through torture being used as evidence in terrorism cases in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [193849]

Hugh Robertson: The British Government consistently and unreservedly condemn torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. We have not received any specific evidence of the use of torture to extract confessions for terrorism cases. We continue to work with the Bahraini authorities to share best practice on torture prevention measures and address allegations of mistreatment.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the work and methods of the Special Investigation Unit in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [193850]

Hugh Robertson: We welcome the establishment of the Special Investigations Unit to determine the accountability of those who have committed unlawful or negligent acts, but we have concerns about the low conviction rates. We encourage the Special Investigations Unit to continue to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into all incidents.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has provided to (a) the Office of the Police Ombudsman and (b) the Special Investigation Unit in Bahrain since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [193851]

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Hugh Robertson: In 2013, we funded Northern Ireland Cooperation Overseas (NICO) work with the Office of the Police Ombudsman on several priority areas. This included sharing UK best practice on complaints procedures, investigation reports and the role of prison inspection. We have built on this work, and since early 2014 we have been supporting NICO to deliver a 15 month package of support to help build the capacity of the Ombudsman's Office, increase accountability and public confidence.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of reprisals against individuals who raise complaints with the Office of the Police Ombudsman in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [193852]

Hugh Robertson: We have not received any reports of reprisals against individuals who raise complaints with the Office of the Police Ombudsman.

China

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on ending the illegal wildlife trade. [193754]

Mr Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the issue of the illegal wildlife trade during his Strategic Dialogue with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi at the end of February. The Secretary of State expressed his thanks for the participation of the Chinese delegation in the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade earlier that month, and encouraged China to support the follow-up conference to be held in Botswana in 2015.

Egypt

Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with his Egyptian counterpart the jailing of journalists for legitimate news reporting activities and the case of Mr Hossam Meneai; and if he will make representations calling for Mr Meneai’s release. [193534]

Hugh Robertson: The UK is very concerned by the deterioration in freedom of expression in Egypt, and the arrest and charging of several journalists, including Mr Meneai who was released in February. On 6 February, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made clear the UK’s concerns about the closure of political space and the restrictions on freedom of expression in Egypt, including the arrests of human rights activists and journalists. We are monitoring the journalists’ cases closely and will continue to urge the Egyptian Government to demonstrate they are committed to respecting fundamental human rights, including the right of journalists to operate without fear of prosecution.

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Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take diplomatic steps to respond to reports of violations of human rights and judicial processes in the simultaneous sentencing to death of 529 people in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [193616]

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement on 24 March saying he was ‘deeply concerned' by the reports that 528 individuals were sentenced to death by a court in Al Minya, Egypt. He urged the Egyptian authorities to ensure full respect for defendants' rights, and expressed hope that they would review this unacceptable sentence.

Human Trafficking

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the UK’s embassies and consulates play in preventing human trafficking in source countries. [193547]

Mr Swire: Britain’s diplomatic missions implement a Human Trafficking Strategy overseas, on behalf of her Majesty’s Government. They work with foreign governments in source and transit countries to build their capacity to disrupt and tackle human trafficking. They support local investigators to increase prosecutions for human trafficking offences and conduct awareness raising projects. They contribute to the UK’s and international efforts to combat trafficking by ensuring that UK interests are effectively represented bilaterally and in multilateral fora including the EU and the UN. Our missions also address the root causes of human trafficking through the Department for International Development’s work in the world’s poorest countries.

Middle East

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the implications on regional security of the announcement by the Israeli Defence Force of the discovery of a tunnel extending 700 metres into Israel from Gaza. [193772]

Hugh Robertson: We have not made an assessment of this issue.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of Iran's financial and material support for terrorist groups in the Middle East. [193773]

Hugh Robertson: We continue to have serious concerns about Iran's support for groups such as the military wings of Hamas and Hezbollah, armed groups in Iraq, and across the region. There is a significant body of international sanctions which targets such activity, including UN prohibitions on the export of weapons by Iran, that the UK supports. The UK believes that this Iranian activity has a serious destabilising effect on regional security and calls on Iran to respect its international obligations.

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Mozambique

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Mozambique on efforts to end violence against women; and what representations he has made on that country's draft criminal code which may allow those accused of sexual violence to avoid prosecution if they marry the victim. [193990]

Mark Simmonds: The UK is a strong supporter of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) and is strongly committed to advancing women's rights which Mozambique ratified in 1997. Officials at our high commission in Maputo regularly engage with the Government of Mozambique on the issue of women's rights, including in the context of CEDAW, which we consider to be an essential tool to progress gender equality domestically and internationally.

We have a number of concerns about the provisions set out in the draft Mozambican Penal Code Review Bill and have raised these at the highest level in the Mozambican Parliament. We understand that draft article 223 (which could have allowed those accused of sexual violence to avoid prosecution if they marry the victims) will not now be included in the legislation proposed to Parliament.

Palestinians

Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority about reports that cultural and sporting events in the Palestinian Territories are named after Palestinian terrorists. [193767]

Hugh Robertson: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 25 March 2014, Official Report, columns 189-90W.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority on the publication on Fatah's Facebook page of maps depicting geographic Israel replaced by Palestine. [193872]

Hugh Robertson: Our consulate-general to Jerusalem raised the issue of incitement on Fatah's Facebook page with the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on 6 March 2014.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority on recent comments by the senior Fatah official Ahmed Assaf on Dalal Mughrabi. [193873]

Hugh Robertson: We have not raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority.

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Qatar

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to ensure that UK companies involved with construction around the Qatari World Cup 2022 provide good conditions of work. [193282]

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the Business Secretary launched the UK's Action Plan on business and human rights in September 2013. It sends a clear message to British companies of our expectation about business behaviour, including those operating overseas. We welcomed Qatar's recently launched Workers Charter, developed with the International Labour Organisation, which seeks to protect the rights of migrant employees. We expect all businesses to comply with the Charter.

Russia

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which G8 sub-groups Russia has been a participant in the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of the effect on the work of such sub-groups arising from the suspension of Russia from the G8. [193291]

Mr Lidington: There have been numerous G8 working groups over the past 10 years. Russia has participated in all these working groups as a member of the G8.

No decision has yet been taken on how to proceed with these working groups following Russia’s suspension from the G8.

South Korea

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South Korean government on monitoring and controlling the South Korean distant water fishing fleet following the formal warning issued to South Korea by the EU about frequent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing violations in west Africa. [193472]

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

In accordance with the terms of the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) regulation, responsibility for engaging with third countries that have been identified as not co-operating in the fight against IUU fishing rests solely with the European Commission. While that engagement process is under way, it would not be appropriate for individual member states to make direct approaches to identified countries.

South Sudan

Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic efforts his Department is making to support the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in bringing both sides of the South Sudanese conflict to the negotiating table and securing a deal for political reform. [193313]

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Mark Simmonds: The UK is co-ordinating closely with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the South Sudan peace process, including through the UK Special Envoy to the Peace Talks who has been based in Addis Ababa since January. We have committed $1 million to the IGAD mediation efforts, and have provided technical advice and personnel to the Monitoring Verification Mechanism established by IGAD to monitor the cessation of hostilities.

Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the role and influence of South Sudan's neighbouring countries in the conflict in South Sudan. [193645]

Mark Simmonds: South Sudan's neighbouring countries have played an important role in calling for parties to show leadership in reaching a political settlement, and to respect the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Our Special Envoy to South Sudan recently visited Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda to encourage them to continue to push for peace in South Sudan. At the same time, since the outbreak of conflict, we have been clear to all of South Sudan's neighbours that their actions should not contribute in any way to the escalation of violence.

Spain

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the plans of the Spanish Government to grant Spanish citizenship to the descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century; whether he has made representations to the Spanish Government on that matter; and if he will seek assurances about the capability and integrity of the proposed system for establishing eligibility for such grants of citizenship. [193598]

Mr Lidington: I have not received any reports on the Spanish Government's plans to grant citizenship to the descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries, beyond what has been reported in the media. Citizenship policy is a member state competence.

St Petersburg International Economic Forum

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government plan to send representatives to the St Petersburg International Economic Forum; and if he will make a statement. [193696]

Mr Lidington: We continue to monitor events closely in Ukraine, including Crimea, and are considering carefully any HMG representation at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

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Ukraine

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the commitment in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement signed by the EU and the interim Ukraine administration on 21 March 2014 to a political dialogue designed to promote gradual convergence on foreign and security matters with the aim of Ukraine's ever-deeper involvement in the European security area reflects an EU policy objective of Ukraine eventually joining NATO; and if he will make a statement. [193782]

Mr Lidington: While NATO and the EU play complementary and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international peace and security, they are separate organisations. There is no connection between the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and NATO membership.

Ukraine has a long standing relationship with NATO and is a valued contributor to a number of NATO operations. The UK Government continue to support defence reform in Ukraine and hope that its Government will continue to work with NATO in the future.

Communities and Local Government

Affordable Housing: Lancashire

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes have been (a) started and (b) completed in (a) Rossendale and (b) Darwen since May 2010. [193548]

Kris Hopkins: The Homes and Communities Agency publishes information every six months about the number of affordable housing starts on site and completions for programmes it funds, broken down by local authority. This information can be found here:

http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/housing-statistics

These statistics do not include information on any affordable housing that has not been reported to the Homes and Communities Agency, such as some affordable housing funded solely through developer contributions.

Over 170,000 new affordable homes have been delivered in England since April 2010 (to the end of September 2013). Our Affordable Homes Programme will lever in £19.5 billion of public and private investment over the current spending review period. Over 2015-18, we will be investing a further £23 billion in public and private funding for affordable housing.

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Betting Shops

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward legislative proposals to give local authorities powers to restrict the number of betting shops opening in their areas; and if he will make a statement. [193727]

Nick Boles: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 December 2013, Official Report, columns 741-42W, which outlines the broad advice we give to councils who want to use article 4 powers to tackle localised problems in relation to betting shops.

The Budget announced the Government's intention of creating a wider ‘retail' use class, excluding betting shops and payday loan shops.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is undertaking a broader review of gambling policy.

Carbon Monoxide: Alarms

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will review the effectiveness of the regulations covering the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes. [193742]

Stephen Williams: In England, building regulations provide that a carbon monoxide alarm should be installed where a new solid fuel burning appliance is installed. My Department keeps these regulations under constant review through its work with its key partners in industry and its links with the cross Government group on carbon monoxide.

We are also engaged in a review into property conditions in the private rented sector, this will carefully consider whether landlords of privately rented accommodation should be required to install carbon monoxide alarms in their properties.

Fire Services: Floods

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward proposals to impose on fire and rescue services a statutory duty to respond to flooding. [194057]

Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 16 January 2014, Official Report, column 610-11W.

Fire Services: Northamptonshire

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were employed at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue in each of the last five years. [192230]

Brandon Lewis: To assist the hon. Member, the following table shows staffing strength figures across the last 10 years, alongside the number of incidents attended.

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Ground Rent

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many rentcharge payers his Department has arranged to receive rentcharge redemption in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and Humber and (c) Brigg and Goole constituency. [192396]

Kris Hopkins [holding answer 20 March 2014]: This information is not centrally held in the form requested.

Ground Rent: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate he has made of the number of freehold properties in Greater Manchester subject to chief rents; and if he will make a statement; [192151]

(2) how many Rentcharge payers his Department has arranged to receive Rentcharge redemption in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Greater Manchester in each of the last five years. [192166]

Kris Hopkins: This information is not centrally held in the form requested.

Housing: Construction

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the level of control that local planning authorities are able to exert in ensuring that developers deliver housing on sites identified as part of an authority's five-year supply. [185630]

Nick Boles: It is for local planning authorities to assess the likely delivery of sites that make up their five year supply. They should update their five year supply annually, and in doing so replace sites that are no longer likely to deliver housing in the five year period with ones that are.

This Government have introduced a wide ranging package to support stalled house building. These include the Get Britain Building investment fund aiming to unlock new homes on stalled sites, and a £474 million

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investment fund in local infrastructure for stalled locally-supported, large scale housing sites and commercial development. Our investments to date are helping to bring forward new homes, boosting the construction industry and stimulating economic growth.

The Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 enables developers with any Section 106 agreement, irrespective of the date of signature, to apply for a review of the affordable housing component to ensure development is not being made unviable by unrealistic requirements. Such unrealistic Section 106 agreements result in no development, no regeneration and no community benefits: a sensible review can result in more housing and more affordable housing. Since September 2013, we have let lapse the temporary measure (introduced by the last Administration) which allowed developers to roll forward their planning permissions; this ending of the measure will increase the incentive for developers to start on site before permission expires. We are also now seeking to tackle the inappropriate use of planning conditions and speed up the process of gaining non-planning consents.

In addition, we have a comprehensive programme to sell surplus and redundant public sector land and property, freeing up taxpayers' money and providing land for new homes.

Local Government Finance: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was received by Warrington Borough Council in council tax support funding in each year that such support has been available; and what estimate he has made of the amount that council will receive for 2015-16. [187788]

Brandon Lewis [holding answer 24 February 2014]: The Government provided £3.3 billion to local authorities for localised council tax support in 2013-14 and intend to maintain this level of funding in cash terms in 2014-15 and 2015-16. There is no separately identifiable amount for this support at a local authority level within retained business rates or revenue support grant. Warrington borough council also received £270,363 in transition grant in 2013-14.

Multiple Occupation

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many multiple occupancy properties there were in the UK in each of the last 10 years; [193639]

(2) if he will make an assessment of the fire safety of houses converted into multiple occupancy properties; [193642]

(3) what estimate he has made of how many multiple occupancy properties do not have the correct licence; [193641]

(4) if he will make an assessment of potential effect on a neighbourhood of houses being converted into multiple occupancy properties; [193640]

(5) what recent representation he has received on multiple occupancy properties. [193638]

Kris Hopkins: The Department collects data based on an evolving annual question to local authorities

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"of how many Houses of Multiple Occupancy are there in your authority"

to

"estimate how many Houses of Multiple Occupancy are in your authority".

The estimated total number of houses of multiple occupancy in England over the last 10 years are:

As of 2012-13, 59,441 houses in multiple occupancy were estimated to be mandatory licensable dwellings as defined in section 55(2) (a) of the Housing Act 2004 and Statutory Instrument 371/2006. The Department has not made any estimate of the number that do not have the correct licence.

There is a statutory duty on local authorities to licence larger higher risk houses of multiple occupation of three or more storeys housing five or more unrelated persons. The mandatory houses of multiple occupation licensing regime addresses poor management practices and aims to secure a reduction in death and injury from fire and other health and safety hazards, and ensures adequate provision of amenities.

In addition to licensing powers, local authorities are responsible for the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which provides a risk based evaluation tool for local authorities to identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. The Housing Act 2004 imposes a duty on local authorities, in partnership with their local Fire Rescue Authority, to take enforcement action against serious (Category 1) hazards. Furthermore, the Building Regulations (Part b) require smoke detection in all new and converted properties.

Local authorities that are concerned about the number of houses of multiple occupation in their area may issue an Article 4 Direction under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. The effect of issuing an Article 4 Direction is that planning permission must be sought before converting a single use dwelling into a house of multiple occupation.

The Department does not make any central assessment of the fire safety of houses converted into houses of multiple occupation, their potential effect on local neighbourhoods or their licensing status. These are matters for local authorities to consider when exercising their powers and duties.

We have not received any recent representations from organisations concerning houses in multiple occupation. However, we have begun a review on conditions in the private rented sector. A discussion paper closed on 28 March 2014 and has elicited responses from a wide

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range of organisations. These responses will be used to inform the next stage of the review.

New Towns

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what principles and criteria new developments will be required to meet in areas designated as garden cities. [193457]

Kris Hopkins: We will be publishing a prospectus on locally-led garden cities in due course.

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisation and individuals (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met to discuss the recently announced garden city prospectus; and how many such meetings have been held with each organisation or individual. [193459]

Kris Hopkins: Ministers and officials routinely meet a wide range of individuals and organisations on issues relating to housing and planning, including supporting locally-led large scale development. Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations are available on my Department's website.

New Towns: Ebbsfleet

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what proportion of the Government's proposed Ebbsfleet development will be funded by (a) the private sector and (b) public-sector resources; [193426]

(2) what plans his Department has for how the new development corporation at Ebbsfleet will work with existing local authorities; [193435]

(3) when he plans to publish detailed proposals for the new development corporation announced for Ebbsfleet; and if he will make a statement; [193429]

(4) how the Government's proposed Ebbsfleet development will be funded; [193428]

(5) what consultations the Government have undertaken in drawing up plans for their proposed development at Ebbsfleet; [193425]

(6) what infrastructure his Department has planned and what resources it has allocated in relation to the development of housing at Ebbsfleet. [193424]

Kris Hopkins: At this year's Budget, we announced that we would consult on the creation of an Urban Development Corporation to deliver a new Garden City at Ebbsfleet. Discussions with the local authorities and other local partners are already under way, and we will consult formally on the draft order in due course.

The Government will fund the creation and administration of the Corporation. We will consult with local partners on its precise scope and remit.

The Budget also announced that up to £200 million funding for infrastructure will be available to support the work. Once established we expect the Corporation to identify funding priorities. Any public funding will be subject to proper value for money considerations.

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Non-domestic Rates

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish guidance on how local authorities can keep business rates linked to green energy and carbon neutral or passive developments; and what proportion of business rates he expects local authorities to retain. [193464]

Brandon Lewis: The business rates retention scheme ensures that authorities keep 50% of business rates income from all properties, including green energy and carbon neutral or passive developments, in their local areas. In addition, the Government have already made regulations to ensure that business rates from new renewable energy projects will be retained in full by the relevant local authorities. The regulations can be found at the following address:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/108/contents/made

Parking

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make an assessment of the potential effects of the provisions of the Consumer Rights Bill on the provision and management by local authorities of controlled parking zones. [193160]

Jenny Willott: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Unless otherwise excluded, the provisions of Part 1 Chapter 4 (the Services Chapter) of the Consumer Rights Bill will apply to contracts where a trader provides a service to a consumer.

A motorist who does not comply with the waiting restrictions, or permitted parking conditions if available, in a controlled parking zone will be contravening the applicable traffic regulation order. This would not give rise to a contractual claim under the Services Chapter of the Consumer Rights Bill.

Parking services may be contractually provided by a trader to a consumer, for example private companies offering parking services near major airports are very likely to be held to be providing them under a contract, and where that is the case the Services Chapter of the Bill would apply.

Wind Power

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many onshore wind farm applications for what wind capacity were received by the Secretary of State in each month in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013; and how many of those applications of what capacity had been recommended for consent by the Planning Inspectorate. [193073]

Kris Hopkins [holding answer 25 March 2014]:I can confirm that 47 onshore wind farm appeals were recovered by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government between 2009 and 2013.

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Of these recovered appeals since 2009, I would note that 21 are still in progress; 14 were rejected; eight were allowed as per the Inspector's suggestion. Five were rejected by Ministers taking a different opinion to the inspectors' suggestions; and four were withdrawn.

All cases pre-date the final published planning practice guidance issued this year by my Department.

The Department does not hold information on the energy capacity of onshore wind farms subject to a planning appeal.

Defence

All Party Groups

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups. [193384]

Anna Soubry: 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 26 March 2014, Official Report, column 300W.

Armed Forces: Complaints

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service complaints submissions of each type were received by the Service Complaints Wing in each year since 2010; how many such complaints were heard at (a) Level 1, (b) Level 2 and (c) Army Board level; what time was taken for each complaint to be completed at each level; and if he will make a statement. [192874]

Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), announced changes to the Service Complaints System on 13 March 2014, Official Report, column 35WS, which should lead to higher proportion of complaints being decided more quickly.

The following tables show since 2010 the number of service complaints received by the Service Complaints Wing in each year, the number of informal complaints and service complaints at Level 1, Level 2 and Army Board level resolved in each year, and the average time it has taken in days for complaints to be resolved in each year.

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Informal complaints have been included in these statistics and this is the first stage of a complaint. If it cannot be resolved, or an individual does not want to try to resolve their complaint informally, they are entitled to submit a service complaint.

In accordance with the Data Protection Act and our obligations in relation to the protection of confidentiality when handling personal data, the figures provided have been rounded to the nearest 10, where ‘*' denotes a number less than, or equal to five. When rounding up number to the nearest 10, numbers ending in ‘5' have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service complaints were taken to an employment tribunal in each year since 2008; how

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many such cases were found against his Department; how much compensation was paid as a result of such findings in each such year; and if he will make a statement. [192877]

Anna Soubry: Service complainants must have made a valid Service complaint about the same matter, and have not withdrawn it, for the employment tribunal (ET) to be able to consider their complaint. The following table sets out details of ET claims lodged by Service personnel on this basis in each calendar year from 2008.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service complaints at each level are still open and unresolved since (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement. [193107]

Anna Soubry: The information requested is shown in the following table.

The Ministry of Defence recognises that delays in the Service complaints process can cause unnecessary anxiety to those involved. In addition to the longer-term changes to the role of the Service Complaints Commissioner announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) on 13 March 2014, Official Report, columns 35-36WS, all three Services are working hard to reduce the backlog, and to identify how processes can be improved to reduce the time it takes to address Service complaints.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints have been made in each year of operation of the Service Complaints Commission at each level of representation from (a) women and (b) minority ethnic personnel in each branch of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [193108]

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Anna Soubry: Under the current Service complaints systems, complaints can be considered at three levels, but this distinction does not apply to how a complaint is made.

Data on Service complaints by gender were not recorded until 2012, following a recommendation by the Service Complaints Commissioner in her 2011 annual report. The number of complaints received by each branch of the Services from women in 2012 was as follows:

Naval Service: 41

Army: 68

RAF: 41.

Data on the number of complaints received by the Services from minority ethnic personnel have not previously been collected, but are being assembled for the 2013 Annual Report which is due to be published shortly.

Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) serving and (b) ex-serving members of each branch of the armed forces were out of time to make an official complaint following their being wrongly disciplined following receipt of a police caution; and if he will make a statement. [191501]

Anna Soubry: A service complaint must normally relate to an event which happened in the previous three months. As it is no longer the policy to consider administrative action against service personnel who are in receipt of a police caution, all personnel who have been subject to such action in the past would now be out of time. However, the regulations allow for a complaint to be allowed after the end of the three-month period if it is considered just and equitable to do so.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to reverse sanctions still having an effect after November 2008 on serving members of each of the armed forces who were disciplined following receipt of a police caution; how many serving members of the armed forces were so involved; and if he will make a statement [191504]

Anna Soubry: No steps have been taken to reverse sanctions still having an effect after November 2008. Information on the number of serving personnel affected could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a Defence Instruction Notice has been circulated detailing the impact of a summary hearing on the Police National Computer; and if he will make a statement. [193113]

Anna Soubry: A Defence Instruction Notice on this subject has not been issued. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 March 2014, Official Report, column 843W, which gave details of the booklet "Your rights if you are accused of an offence under the Service justice system" provided to everyone who is accused of a service offence.

Armed Forces: Offenders

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made on addressing

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its wrongful application of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 to the cases of 1,400 individuals; and if he will make a statement. [192923]

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence is aware of this issue and is exploring a range of potential options.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what pension cost saving has been made from the early termination of employment of armed forces personnel; [193625]

(2) what advice on pensions has been given to armed forces personnel who are made redundant. [193626]

Mr Dunne: The final costs and savings from the armed forces redundancy programme will depend on a number of factors such as the level of natural departures, salary, rank and length of service of the personnel selected. We have made no estimate of the pension cost savings accruing specifically from the redundancy programme, since this is part of broader workforce reductions. We estimate, however, that by 2021-22 we will have achieved cumulative savings of some £23 billion as a result of reductions in service and civilian personnel and greater efficiency in the conduct of non-front line activities.

Service personnel are provided with clear and accessible information with which to understand their entitlements under the armed forces redundancy and pension schemes, including through the provision of booklets and more detailed information in Joint Service Publications. However, the Ministry of Defence does not provide financial or legal advice, and neither can we take responsibility for individual financial decisions. Personnel who require such advice are directed by their Unit HR staffs to a list of Services Insurance and Investment Advisory Panel (SIIAP) approved independent financial advisers. However, personnel are, of course, free to use the services of any independent financial adviser.

Army: Disciplinary Proceedings

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library any legal advice his Department has received on the legality of the AGAI 67 internal sanctions regime; and if he will make a statement. [193648]

Anna Soubry: Legal advice is not disclosed, as it is subject to legal professional privilege.

Defence Animal Centre

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were employed at the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray in each year since 2010. [193060]

Anna Soubry: The number of staff employed at the Defence Animal Centre in each year since 2010 is shown in the following table:

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The data have been rounded to the nearest five to limit disclosure and ensure confidentiality. The 2013-14 figures reflect a temporary surge in personnel who were recruited on fixed-term contracts and staff numbers are therefore expected to reduce in line with the drawdown of operations in Afghanistan.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals of what species are currently held in the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray. [193061]

Anna Soubry: As at March 2014 there were around 250 dogs and around 130 horses being held in the Defence Animal Centre.

The horses will go on to perform ceremonial duties with either the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment or the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

The dogs will go on to perform a variety of roles including protection dogs, patrol dogs, explosions and drug detection dogs, and search dogs.

Dmitry Firtash

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish all contacts between his Department and Mr Dmitry Firtash since May 2010. [193181]

Anna Soubry: We are not aware of any contact between the Ministry of Defence and Mr Dmitry Firtash since May 2010.

Internet

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what services his Department provides that are (a) available online only and (b) planned to move to online only. [190362]

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence provides public-facing services that are digital by default as a general principle but alternative means are provided where a specific user group has particular access requirements. For example, the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency provides alternative means of accessing all its public-facing services.

There are, however, instances where services are provided exclusively online:

initial career applications to join the Royal Navy, Army and RAF and related medical questionnaires can only be completed online. These can, however, be completed at the appropriate recruitment offices if required.

the cancellation or amendment of any UK Defence Standard which is not protectively marked is only notified online.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he or officials of his

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Department have had with their US counterparts on the annual report of the US Defense Department Office of Test and Evaluation on the F-35 programme. [193585]

Mr Dunne: UK officials are embedded within the US Joint Strike Fighter Programme Office and so had full visibility of the US Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) report.

The report is an annual activity, aimed at independently assessing joint strike fighter performance, with DOT&E staff having full access to the programme.

All of the issues raised in the 2013 report are well-known by Ministry of Defence officials and are being actively managed by the programme.

Military Aid: Floods

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on the work of military personnel in flood recovery operations. [193213]

Mr Francois: Defence personnel have provided and continue to provide invaluable support to the relief efforts. Defence’s contribution peaked at 5,000 personnel—from all three services and the reserves—providing everything from sandbagging to aerial reconnaissance, as well as highly visible reassurance to the public. This contribution to the national effort in response to flooding was at the behest of the respective local authorities.

As of 21 March 2014, the Ministry of Defence still has 220 personnel committed in the field. They are assigned to support the Environment Agency, inspecting 150,000 flood defence assets across England. This task is expected to be completed by 4 April 2014. The Defence contribution will continue after this through the standard joint regional liaison officer network.

Military Bases

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his Department is consulted, informed or otherwise involved in the procurement of communications systems and services at US bases in the UK. [R] [193037]

Mr Francois: At United States Visiting Forces (USVF) bases in the UK, the USVF operate a number of US communications systems. The USVF are responsible for the procurement of these communications systems and associated services, and liaise with the Ministry of Defence as appropriate.

Public Expenditure

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how much his Department underspent in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13. [192643]

Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 25 March 2014]: The Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts provide a complete analysis of underspend in each year. The reports are available on the gov.uk website at the following links:

2010-11:

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https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/27067/mod_ara1011.pdf

2011-12:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/35009/20121206_mod_annual_report_12.pdf

2012-13:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/222874/MOD_AR13_clean.pdf

RAF Menwith Hill

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) US service personnel, (b) US civilians and contractors, (c) RAF personnel, (d) UK army personnel, (e) UK navy personnel, (f) UK civilians, (g) US military chaplains, (h) UK military chaplains and (i) UK contractors’ personnel were employed at RAF Menwith Hill in the latest period for which figures are available. [192892]

Mr Francois: The number of personnel at RAF Menwith Hill are given in the following table and are current as of 24 March 2014.

The number of police officers are not included in the figure for UK civilians, as the Department does not release the details of police officers at particular locations for security reasons.

Type 26 Frigates

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the introduction of the Type 26 Frigate. [193523]

Mr Dunne: The Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme is currently in its assessment phase. As is the standard practice with equipment projects, the build programme will not be set until the main investment decision has been taken, when the design is more mature, which is currently expected towards the end of 2014.

Ukraine

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to retain a permanent British garrison in continental Europe in response to recent events in the Crimea; and if he will make a statement. [193348]

Mr Philip Hammond: In the 2010 strategic defence and security review, the Government took the decision to withdraw all forces from Germany by 2020 for reasons explained in that document. Basing all of the UK’s reaction forces together in the Salisbury plain training

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area allows them to train effectively together ahead of deployments. Retaining forces in Germany—or choosing to base them elsewhere in continental Europe—would not be effective or desirable in optimising force generation and preparedness. Recent events in Ukraine will be taken into consideration as part of the analysis informing the next national security strategy and strategic defence and security review.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2014, Official Report, column 504W, on unmanned air vehicles, in which countries Royal Air Force operators have been trained. [R] [193035]

Mr Francois: Royal Air Force Reaper Remotely Piloted Air Systems operators are trained in the UK and the US.

Leader of the House

Electronic Government: Petitions

Jake Berry: To ask the Leader of the House how many e-Petitions have led to debates being arranged in the House since their introduction. [193795]

Mr Lansley: Since the launch of the Government e-petitions site, 27 petitions have reached the 100,000 signature threshold making them eligible for consideration for debate. The topics of 22 have been the subject of debate in the House of Commons, most as a direct result of the e-petition. Seven of these debates have taken place in Westminster Hall on a Monday afternoon, in the additional time made available specifically for the consideration of e-petitions.

Issues raised in e-petitions which have not reached the 100,000 signature threshold have also been debated regularly in the House.

Women and Equalities

All Party Groups

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the Government Equalities Office's policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups. [193558]

Mrs Grant: I refer the hon. Member to the reply from the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude) of 26 March 2014, Official Report, column 300W.

Carers

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities (1) what progress her Department has made on the establishment of regional pilots to test different ways to support carers to remain in work; which regions have been selected to run such pilots; what funding is being

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made available for such pilots; and when she expects such pilots to begin; [193490]

(2) what steps she is taking to assist people with caring responsibilities to set up their own small business. [193491]

Jenny Willott: The Government Equalities Office (GEO), the Department of Health, and the Department for Work and Pensions are working together with the Social Care Institute for Excellence to develop five regional pilots to:

investigate the take-up and use of an assistive technology fund to support carers who are in employment;

develop the care market for self-funders, to provide services that are outside traditional care services; and

support carers to set up their own business.

GEO is providing £40,000 to scope the work, which includes identifying possible locations, key partners and cost options for the pilots, and we anticipate the launch of these pilots in June 2014.

Females

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of trends in the number of women in public life. [193212]

Mrs Grant: Women are now increasingly represented in public life but there is still more to be done. In 1979, only 3% of Members of Parliament were women; today, 22.6% are women. The 2010 general election also had 877 women candidates, which was a new record and an increase of approximately 22% on the 2005 general election. In addition, 45% of new appointees to public boards between April 2013 and September 2013 were women and the Government have set an aspiration that this figure will be 50% by the end of this Parliament.

To help ensure greater representation of women in public and political life, the Government have enabled parties to use positive action, should they wish, to increase participation by under-represented groups; extended to 2030 the ability for parties to use women-only shortlists; and secured agreement with the three main parties to collect and publish data on the diversity of their candidates.

Females: Business

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what meetings (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have held with (i) the British Banking Association and (ii) other relevant organisations to discuss access to finance for female entrepreneurs. [193492]

Jenny Willott: Ministers and officials regularly meet with stakeholders, including the British Banking Association (BBA), to discuss access to finance for female entrepreneurs. In 2013, Government and the BBA published a joint report “Banking on Women” on this issue and we continue to work with them to ensure delivery of the recommendations arising from that report.

Older Workers

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what meetings (a) she, (b) Ministers in her

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Department and

(c)

officials in her Department have held with (i) Age UK and (ii) the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education to discuss the trialling of new approaches to supporting the skills development of older workers. [193487]

Jenny Willott: Equalities Ministers have chaired roundtable discussions on older workers in July 2012 and in September 2013; both of these meetings involved Age UK and considered skills development. Other participants included Older Women’s Network Europe, National Council of Women, Employers’ Network for Equality and Inclusion, the Age and Employment Network, Carers UK, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Equality and Human Rights Commission and Centrica. Officials also frequently meet with a range of organisations to discuss older workers, including Age UK and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities (1) what progress her Department has made in developing guidance and toolkits for employers on retention practices for older workers; [193488]

(2) with which organisations and individuals her Department has co-operated on the development of guidance and toolkits for employers on retention practices for older workers. [193489]

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

We intend to build on the existing products available at:

www.dwp.gov.uk/agepositive

notably ‘Employing older workers: an employer's guide to today's multi-generational workforce' and ‘Employer case studies: employing older workers for an effective multi-generational workforce' published by DWP and the ‘Healthy Ageing Workplaces On-line Toolkit for employers and workplace managers' developed by the Age Action Alliance.

In order to develop these existing resources further we have approached key stakeholders, including the CBI, TUC, Age UK, Carers UK and many more.

The Government are committed to publishing a Framework for Action on Extending Working Life later in the spring where we will say more about the development of guidance and toolkits.

Public Expenditure

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the programme budget of the Government Equalities Office was in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and what the real terms proportional change was between 2009-10 and 2013-14. [193257]

Mrs Grant: The programme budgets for the Government Equalities Office from 2009-10 are:

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The real term proportionate variance in budget between 2009-10 and 2013-14 is an increase of 60%.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the staffing budget of the Government Equalities Office was in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and what the real terms proportional change was between 2009-10 and 2013-14. [193258]

Mrs Grant: The staffing budgets for the Government Equalities Office from 2009-10 are:

GEO became a part of DCMS in 2012. This transfer involved the integration of all the corporate and support functions of GEO, including HR, finance, press and communications, ministerial support and strategy and planning, with those teams in DCMS. The administration budget for GEO for 2014-15 (unlike the figure for 2013-14 and previous years) does not include those corporate and support functions and therefore cannot be compared with the budgets from the previous years on a like for like basis.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the staffing budget for the Government Equalities Office is for (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16 years. [193265]

Mrs Grant: The administration budget for the Government Equalities Office (GEO) for 2014-15 is £3.8 million. The budget for 2015-16 has not yet been finalised.

GEO became a part of DCMS in 2012. This transfer involved the integration of all the corporate and support functions of GEO, including HR, finance, press and communications, ministerial support and strategy and planning, within those teams in DCMS. The administration budget for GEO for 2014-15 (unlike the figure for 2013-14 and previous years) does not include those corporate and support functions and therefore cannot be compared with the budgets from previous years on a like for like basis.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the Government Equalities Office programme budget is for (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16. [193268]

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Mrs Grant: The programme budget for the Government Equalities Office in 2014-15 is £10.6 million. The budget for 2015-16 has not yet been finalised.

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities when she expects to meet each of the recommendations in the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women on the Seventh Periodic Report of the UK Government. [193218]

Jenny Willott: Following the examination of the UK's seventh Periodic Report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in July 2013, and in accordance with our legally binding obligations under CEDAW, we are obliged to submit to the Committee the following reports on the steps taken to implement their recommendations on:

i. Abortion laws and services in Northern Ireland by November 2014; and

ii. Legal Aid and access to justice by November 2015.

The Government are fully committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and the continued implementation of CEDAW to make the Convention a reality for all women in the UK. We are working with relevant Government Departments, the devolved Administrations and our overseas territories to consider the Committee's recommendations in their most recent concluding observations. The UK's eighth periodic report to the CEDAW Committee is due to be submitted to the Committee in 2017, where we will outline the action we have taken to implement those recommendations.

In accordance with our obligations under this Convention, we are required to report on the recommendations by 2017 and be examined by the Committee in 2018.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps the Government have taken to meet each of the recommendations in the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Seventh Periodic Report of the UK Government; and what progress has been made on each recommendation. [193233]

Jenny Willott: Following the examination of the UK's seventh Periodic Report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in July 2013 I wrote to all my relevant ministerial colleagues asking them to consider the Committee's recommendations. Departments are taking forward the individual recommendations as appropriate, while my Department will be monitoring progress of implementation on a quarterly basis. In addition we have worked with the Women's Resource Centre and other NGOs to raise awareness of the recommendations and consult on priorities for implementation. In accordance with our obligations under this Convention, we are required to report on the recommendations by 2017 and be examined by the Committee in 2018.

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Vocational Guidance

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities if she will publish guidance and make available resources for parents to enable them to help their children make well-informed career and subject choices. [193493]

Jenny Willott: In November 2013, we published the Government’s Women and the Economy Action plan. We announced that the Government Equalities Office (GEO) is developing a toolkit for parents to enable them to support their daughters make well-informed career and subject choices. It is working with the PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) Association and consulting with a range of schools, teenage girls and their parents to develop an online resource that will be piloted later this year. We know that parents are the most important influences of children’s career choices, and the aim of this toolkit will be to offer information, advice and links to further resources to support parents in this vital role.

Women's Business Council

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities (1) how many full-time equivalent members of staff she has allocated to support the work of the Ministerial Taskforce established to implement the recommendations of the Women's Business Council; [193483]

(2) what meetings (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have held with external organisations or individuals to discuss the work programme of the Ministerial Taskforce established to implement the recommendations of the Women's Business Council; [193485]

(3) what assessment she has made of the achievements to date of the Ministerial Taskforce established to implement the recommendations of the Women's Business Council; [193484]

(4) how many meetings of the Ministerial Taskforce established to implement the recommendations of the Women's Business Council have been held; on what date each such meeting was held; who attended each such meeting; and how many further meetings she expects will be held in 2014. [193482]

Jenny Willott: Ministers have met twice since June 2013 to oversee delivery of the recommendations for government arising from the Women's Business Council report and to drive progress on the Government's action plan, which was published in November 2013.

The first meeting of this group was held on 5 September, chaired by the Secretary of State and attended by the Ministers for Women and Equalities, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare, Minister of State for Employment and the Minister of State for Universities and Science. A further meeting was held on 27 November, again chaired by the Secretary of State and attended by the Ministers for Women and Equalities, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare, the Minister of State for Employment, the Minister of State for Care and Support and senior officials representing the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and the Minster of State for Universities

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and Science. The next meeting of the group is to take place on 3 April, with further meetings likely to be held later this year.

The secretariat for the ministerial group is provided by officials from the Government Equalities Office as part of their usual duties, supported by officials in other Departments. There are frequent and ongoing discussions involving Ministers and officials from several Government Departments and their external delivery partners to take forward the commitments within the action plan.

Cabinet Office

Balance of Payments

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent estimate he has made of the UK's current account deficit. [193883]

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

Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated March 2014:

On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what recent estimate has been made of the UK's current account deficit (193883).

The current account deficit for Quarter 4 2013 was estimated to be £22.4 billion, which equates to 5.4% of GDP. These estimates were published on 28 March 2014 as part of the Balance of Payments publication and are the latest available.

Further details on the latest Balance of Payments estimates can be found at:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bop/balance-of-payments/q4-and-annual-2013/index.html

Cancer

Andrew Percy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the mortality rate from cancer has been in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency, (b) Yorkshire and Humber and (c) England in the last 15 years. [193620]

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

Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated March 2014:

On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the mortality rate for deaths caused by cancer has been in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency, (b) Yorkshire and The Humber and (c) England in the last 15 years. [193620].

The most recent figures available are for 2012. Table 1 shows the age-standardised mortality rate where cancer was the underlying cause of death for England, the region of Yorkshire and The Humber and the Brigg and Goole parliamentary constituency from 1998 to 2012 (where available). Rates are not presented for Brigg and Goole before 2001 because the corresponding population estimates are not available.

The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each year by sex, age, cause, marital status, and place of death are published annually on the National Statistics website at:

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/mortality-statistics--deaths-registered-in-england-and-wales--series-dr-/index.html

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Debts

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the value of unsecured debt owed by individuals in each income decile in each year since 2010. [193861]

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

Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated March 2014:

On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate he has made of the value of unsecured debt owed by individuals in each income decile in each year since 2010 (193861).

The Office for National Statistics does collect information on unsecured debt owed by households and individuals from the Wealth and Assets Survey; a longitudinal study of the economic circumstances of households in Great Britain. However, currently only data pertaining to the first two waves of the survey (2006/08 and 2008/10) are available. The main findings from the survey for the period 2010/12 will be published in May 2014. Furthermore, 2010/12 was the first period that full income data were collected on the survey. These data require further quality assurance and will not be available until June/July 2014. It is not possible to look at unsecured debt by income decile for the previous two waves which have been published.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2013, Official Report, columns 291-2W, on the Electoral Register, whether the information on how many (a) UK- and

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(b)

foreign-born citizens over the age of 18 and qualified to vote in UK parliamentary elections in each English and Welsh parliamentary constituency is now available. [193803]

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

Letter from Caron Walker, dated March 2014:

On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the information on how many (a) UK- and (b) foreign-born citizens over the age of 18 and qualified to vote in UK parliamentary elections in each English and Welsh parliamentary constituency is now available. (193803)

The 2011 Census did not collect information about citizenship although passports held and countries of birth were collected and can be used as a proxy.

The specially commissioned table (CT0240) includes the following three categories of those who are eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary elections:

Born in UK;

Commonwealth citizens that are resident in the UK, and either have leave to enter or remain in the UK or not require such leave. It also includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

Born elsewhere but with a British passport.

A copy of the table will be placed in the Library of the House.