Uganda

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the implications of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda for the operation of UK aid in (a) the health sector and (b) other sectors in that country. [195356]

Lynne Featherstone: The UK ended Budget Support to the Ugandan Government following concerns about corruption last year. Our development programme continues to support poverty reduction and growth in Uganda.

DFID is providing £16.3 million over four years to support an improved HIV prevention response in Uganda, which will include provision for specifically targeting Most At Risk Populations (MARPS). We also provide support through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. We are working with other donors and the Ministry of Health in Uganda to assess the likely impact of this legislation.

West Africa

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has offered to countries in West Africa to help tackle the recent outbreak of the deadly form of the Ebola virus. [195862]

Lynne Featherstone: DFID continues to closely monitor the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa. DFID has committed $30,000 (£17,908) for infection control training and supplies in Liberia through UNICEF. In Sierra Leone, DFID is supporting Ebola sensitisation efforts in communities and through UNICEF has prepositioned medical supplies to districts on the Liberia and Guinea borders. We are also working with the Government of Sierra Leone on their Ebola Emergency Response Plan to help bridge critical funding gaps.

In addition to our direct support, the UK funds a substantial share of contributions from the European Community Humanitarian Office, which has provided €1.4 million to the region to combat the recent outbreak.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Apprentices

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) median and (b) mean (i) annual and (ii) hourly salary is for (A) men and (B) women in Government-sponsored apprenticeship schemes; and what those figures were in each of the last five years. [195007]

Matthew Hancock: In 2012, the median gross hourly wage for an Apprentice in England was £6.09. The mean was £6.21. In 2011, the equivalent gross hourly wages were £5.83 and £5.80.

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For females, in 2011, the median gross hourly wage was £5.96 and the mean £5.88. In 2012, these were £6.19 and £6.23 respectively.

For males, in 2011, the median gross hourly wage was £5.43 and the mean £5.71. In 2012, these were £5.93 and £6.19 respectively.

Please note that the only available data we have for Apprenticeship Pay are for 2012 and 2011, from the two Apprenticeship Pay Surveys (APS). These surveys do not calculate an annual wage from the survey responses as the hours Apprentices work are variable. There was a pay survey conducted in 2007, but this is not considered to be comparable with the two later years.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-pay-survey-2012

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to introduce customer service training in the apprenticeship programme. [195934]

Matthew Hancock: An apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development programme designed by employers in the sector to meet the key requirements of the job role. In many cases this will include an aspect of customer service as many jobs recognise the importance of such skills and these will be reflected in the apprenticeship framework.

More than 400 employers are involved in the development of new apprenticeship standards as part of our Trailblazers programme. Where they see customer service skills as crucial to an occupation, they will include these within the new employer-led standards.

For individuals in jobs that are specific customer service roles there is a dedicated Customer Service Apprenticeship available.

Business

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many professional and business services special envoys have been appointed by his Department; and what the remit of those envoys is. [195937]

Michael Fallon: There are currently six appointed Business Ambassadors covering the Professional and Business Services Sector: Caroline Plumb—CEO FreshMinds, Alan Parker—Chairman Brunswick Group, Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE—CEO MITIE, Rona Fairhead CBE, Will Lawes—Senior Partner Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Steve Varley—UK Chairman and Managing Partner (UK and Ireland) EY.

Business Ambassadors are appointed by the Prime Minister to act as advocates of the UK, promoting the UK’s excellence, economy, business environment and its reputation as the international trade and inward investment partner of choice.

Business Ambassadors agree to undertake a programme of activities agreed with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) including, among others, holding events to promote UK businesses around the world, meeting overseas Ministers and inward missions; participating in trade missions; and providing insights into how UKTI can best deliver for business.

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Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to Growth is Our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services published in July 2013, what engagement plan for disseminating high value opportunity programme opportunities has been developed; and what opportunities have been identified within the professional and business services sector. [195986]

Michael Fallon: Through this strategy UKTI has invigorated its support for this vital sector including a sector-focused trade mission programme, new business ambassadors, a marketing plan, and a sharper focus on the High Value Opportunity (HVO) programme, to make sure professional and business services (PBS) businesses are aware of the export opportunities and are able to get involved. We are engaging with industry on how we maximise the impact of these activities and what more we can do to help. This has included discussions with businesses from this sector across the country and the devolved Administrations.

Companies are able to find out more about HVO opportunities including a link to an opportunity map at

https://www.gov.uk/high-value-opportunities

Business: Derbyshire

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses were registered in High Peak constituency in each of the last five years. [196244]

Michael Fallon: Companies House is only able to provide figures on the number of new companies it registered in each of these years by postcode area. As postcode areas can cross constituency boundaries, the figures below must be considered approximations.

Business: Regulation

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses; and if he will make a statement. [196014]

Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has put in place a robust framework to reduce the burden of regulation on all businesses, particularly small business.

In January 2011, we brought in the One-in, One-out rule. This required departments wanting to introduce new regulation which generated costs for business to first identify a corresponding cut in regulation elsewhere with the same value. In January 2013 this was increased to a more demanding One-In, Two-Out rule so that departments now need to find £2 of savings for every £1 cost they introduce. To date, as set out in the

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7th Statement of New Regulation published on 17 December 2013, we have cut the annual cost of domestic regulation by £1.19 billion.

We are also reducing the stock of regulation through the Red Tape Challenge, with over 3,000 regulations now having been identified to be scrapped or improved. When fully implemented, we expect that these changes will bring estimated annual savings to business of over £850 million.

Specifically to help small business, in April 2011 we introduced a moratorium exempting micro and start-up businesses from new domestic regulation for three years. From 1 April 2014 this was extended to include small businesses (with up to 50 employees) through the introduction of the Small and Micro Business Assessment (SaMBA).

Measures that this Department has introduced specifically to reduce the burden of regulation on small businesses include giving small and medium-sized enterprises the flexibility to determine the most appropriate set of accounting rules for them, along with flexibility in how they submit their company reports through regulatory changes to audit rules. We have also extended the qualifying period of unfair dismissal to two years and introduced a new employment status of employee shareholder.

Companies: Registration

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether information included in the registry of company beneficial ownership information will be available for free. [196058]

Jenny Willott: Companies House is a Trading Fund and must recover the costs for the services it provides where there are clear identifiable costs. However, Companies House already provides a lot of company data for free, including company appointments. It is actively working to increase the amount of data available for free and company beneficial ownership information will form part of this ongoing strategy.

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether information included in the registry of company beneficial ownership information will be cross-checked against data held by (a) passport authorities, (b) vehicle licensing authorities, (c) electoral registers and (d) other databases. [196059]

Jenny Willott: Companies House currently undertakes a range of checks across the breadth of documents delivered to them. In 2012-13 over 400,000 documents were rejected because they did not pass these checks.

We are carefully considering whether any further reform is necessary, whilst ensuring the UK's company registration regime remains quick, simple and inexpensive. We do not however envisage that this would include cross-checking data against other sources of information.

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the registry of company beneficial ownership information will contain a description of how the beneficial owner exercises

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control over

(a)

a company,

(b)

names of the chain of companies that demonstrate a person is the beneficial owner and

(c)

any other means by which a person exercises control over a company. [196061]

Jenny Willott: As outlined in the Government’s response to the Transparency and Trust discussion paper we are continuing to develop how details of the beneficial interest are to be recorded on the company’s register and at Companies House. We intend that this information will allow users of the register to build a meaningful picture of the company’s ownership and control structure.

Competition and Markets Authority

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprentices aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) between 19 and 24 and (c) 25 years or over are employed at the Competition and Markets Authority. [195281]

Matthew Hancock: The Competition and Markets Authority employs no apprentices at this time.

As a supporter of apprenticeships, the Government launched the first Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme in 2013.

As at September 2013, the most recent date for which figures are available, the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme had 100 18-21 year old apprentices employed in permanent posts across government on the 2-year scheme.

Education: Finance

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research his Department has commissioned into the effects of reducing funding to further, higher and adult education. [196108]

Mr Willetts: Changes to the Student Finance system were designed to meet the Government’s aims of increased dynamism and student choice. If the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) recurrent grant for teaching and the estimated fee income from students subject to regulated fees is combined, the overall Higher Education Institution resource from teaching actually rises from around £7.9 billion in 2011-12 to almost £8.5 billion in 2013-14. It has the potential to reach £9.9 billion in 2015-16 dependent on recruitment.

BIS has asked HEFCE to monitor the impact of the Higher Education (HE) reforms introduced in 2012 to assess the effect of changes. In March 2013, HEFCE published their first update “Higher Education-Impact of the 2012 reforms”. This is available online at:

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/about/intro/abouthighereducationinengland/impact/

This was followed a year later by an updated report entitled “Higher Education in England 2014” published on 10 April 2014. This provides an overview of recent shifts and longer-term trends in publicly-funded higher education and considers possible further changes and continuities in the year ahead. This is available online at:

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/heinengland/2014/

Analysts in my Department also monitor the impact of any changes to funding methods for Higher Education using leading data on applications for places. The latest

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application figures published by UCAS in January 2014 show that young people have not been put off applying to university. The application rate for young people from England has risen to 34.8% this year, the highest ever.

In Further Education, while the budget for adult skills has reduced, savings have been made in a way that protects the vulnerable and supports economic growth, ensuring that Government funding provides value for money. Overall funding for adult further education and skills is £4.1bn in 2014-15 financial year; of that £3.4bn will be granted to the Skills Funding Agency to support learners.

Because of the reforms we have put in place, more learners are taught today than under the last policy:

Over 1 million adult learners have participated in government-funded English and maths training in each of the last two years-higher than in previous years.

In 2012/13, there were 973,000 learners participating in Full Level 2 courses (similar to 2008/09), and 495,000 learners participating in Full Level 3 courses (up 16.8% on 2008/09).

There were 869,000 funded Apprentices participating in 2012/13 - almost double the number in 2008/09.

Advanced Learning Loans have been successfully introduced, encouraging 60,000 people to apply to take training courses at Level 3 and above.

An evaluation published in October 2013, based on a survey of nearly 500 colleges and providers, showed that there is strong support in the sector for the overall aims and objectives of the reforms. This report “Evacuation of the ‘New Challenges, New Chances’ Further Education and Skills reform plan”, is published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-and-skills-reform-plan-new-challenges-new-chances-evaluation

Exports

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the Government's progress in encouraging exports to emerging markets; and if he will make a statement. [195157]

Michael Fallon: UK exports of goods and services to Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) reached £34.9 billion in 2013, their highest level since records began in 1999. In the Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), highlighted rising exports, with combined goods exports to Brazil, India and China rising faster than those of the UK's competitors (France, Germany, Italy) in 2013, but said there was more to do.

UK Trade & Investment's Britain Open for Business: The Next Phase (January 2014) underlined that:

‘To deliver our ambitious trade and investment targets we are continuing vigorously to pursue opportunities in developed markets while strengthening our efforts in high growth markets’.

The Chancellor has given UKTI additional funding to strengthen its support for high growth markets.

Additionally, UK Export Finance (UKEF) is devoting additional resources to supporting High Value Opportunities. UKEF also has cover available for over 200 overseas markets and is increasing its product range to provide more effective support to Mid-Size Businesses (MSBs) and smaller companies.

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Football

Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the recommendations contained in the Association of Business Recovery Professionals publication entitled Level Playing Field: SMEs, taxpayers, and the Football Creditors Rule. [196373]

Jenny Willott: R3 has made some interesting recommendations which the football authorities should consider carefully. The football authorities have already made some changes, notably through agreeing "financial fair play" rules, salary caps and an early warning system for tax debts, as well as to governance arrangements, to increase financial stability in the leagues and to increase transparency for creditors.

Higher Education

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) when the Higher Education Funding Council for England plans to commence its annual monitoring exercise to collect information about the ongoing financial sustainability, quality of provision and changes to management and governance arrangements at alternative learning providers; and when that body plans to publish such information; [195753]

(2) when the Higher Education Funding Council for England will run its annual monitoring exercise to collect information about the ongoing financial sustainability, quality of provision, and changes to management and governance arrangements at alternative learning providers; and when the Higher Education Funding Council for England will publish this information. [195764]

Mr Willetts: The Department will publish guidance on the annual monitoring process and associated timetable in July 2014.

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any alternative learning providers have notified the Higher Education Funding Council for England of material changes which may affect their financial sustainability or quality of provision. [195761]

Mr Willetts: The requirement for providers to notify the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) of material changes which may affect their financial sustainability or quality of provision is a new condition that providers are required to meet after they have successfully applied to have courses designated under the new specific course designation arrangements. All alternative providers must go through the new process during the 2013/14 academic year. Of those providers that have already successfully applied none has yet notified HEFCE of material changes which may affect their financial sustainability or quality of provision.

Higher Education: Finance

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much in cash terms and what proportion of total university funding came from (a) domestic tuition fees, (b) foreign student fees, (c)

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public funding and

(d)

external sponsorship in the last year for which figures are available. [196285]

Mr Willetts: Information on the finances of English Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is collected and published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). A summary of the income of publicly-funded HEIs in England from Home and EU Tuition Fees, Non-EU Tuition Fees, Public Funding and External Sponsorship has been provided in the table.

Land Registry

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much compensation was paid by the Land Registry following fraudulent registrations in each year since 2005. [195443]

Michael Fallon: Indemnity figures are published in Land Registry’s annual report and accounts and the information for the years requested is collated as follows:

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Magnox Reactors

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Energy and Climate Change about the local socio-economic effects of the Magnox nuclear sites before the award of the decommissioning contract on 31 March 2014; and if he will make a statement. [195775]

Michael Fallon: This Department has not had any discussion with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) about the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) competition to secure a new parent body organisation for Magnox Ltd and Research Sites Restoration Ltd. The NDA ran the competition in strict accordance with UK and EU procurement regulations. Oversight and governance of the process was provided by the NDA’s Competition Programme Board. The Government are represented by the Shareholder Executive (on behalf of DECC), HM Treasury and Infrastructure UK.

Maternity and Paternity Pay

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of statutory maternity and paternity pay to parents of premature and sick babies. [195855]

Jenny Willott: The UK’s maternity leave provision is one of the most generous in the world; all employed women have a “day one” entitlement to 52 weeks of maternity leave. Mothers with 26 weeks qualifying service and meeting the earnings requirement are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). Those mothers who do not qualify for SMP may be entitled to Maternity Allowance. This means that expectant mothers and mothers can take time off work to prepare for and recover from childbirth and bond with their babies, and to deal with unexpected eventualities including ill health, premature births and any complications associated with sick babies.

Through the Children and Families Act 2014, the Government are introducing a new system of shared parental leave which will give parents much more flexibility in how to use their leave entitlement. This flexibility will be particularly valuable to parents who have to deal with difficult or unexpected circumstances and it will allow parents, for the first time, to take leave together in a way that suits them. The system will be available for working parents whose baby is due on or after 5 April 2015 (irrespective of when the baby is born), and will be introduced later this year so that it catches babies who are born early.

The Government have committed to explicitly considering the issues facing families with babies admitted to neonatal care within the context of the review that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced it will undertake on the review of changes to employment law enacted by the Children and Families Act after 2018.

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Nuclear Installations

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what support his Department plans to provide to areas affected by changes to the nuclear decommissioning programme following the award of a new contract on 31 March 2014. [195776]

Michael Fallon: This Department, together with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), is fully committed to helping to deliver the Nuclear Industrial Strategy, including through the Nuclear Industry Council, on which the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) also sits. The announcement of the preferred bidder in the NDA’s parent body competition for Magnox Ltd and Research Sites Restoration Limited should not materially affect our support. The Cavendish Fluor Partnership brings a successful track record and extensive nuclear experience that will bring benefits to the decommissioning and clean-up programme. They are committed to developing the skills of the workforce and to meeting socio-economic responsibilities, as were all the bidders.

This Department will continue to work with DECC, the NDA and the industry to ensure that decommissioning is achieved safely, to schedule, competitively and taking into account UK economic benefit.

Overseas Trade: Israel

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the value of bilateral trade in agricultural goods and services between the UK and Israel was in each year since 2004. [196116]

Michael Fallon: Data on the agricultural goods trade between UK and Israel in each year since 2004 are shown in the following table. Data on the agriculture services trade are not available from official published sources.

Overseas Trade: Republic of Ireland

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what joint trade missions have been undertaken by the UK and the Republic of Ireland since 2010; and what steps he is taking to increase collaboration with the Republic of Ireland on trade and exports. [195631]

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Michael Fallon: The UK and Ireland have embarked on a wide programme of cooperation following the visit of HM the Queen to Ireland in 2011. Led by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, this programme is designed to develop and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Ireland over the next decade across a range of policy areas.

The UK and Ireland delivered the first ever joint trade mission between the two countries to the Singapore Airshow during the week commencing 10 February 2014. The UK-Ireland mission delegation consisted of 25 companies, 16 from the UK (including nine from Northern Ireland) and nine from the Republic of Ireland. Delivering a joint trade mission was one of the key deliverables for the 2014 PM/Taoiseach Summit.

UK Trade and Investment is committed to maintaining its work programme with Enterprise Ireland to further develop cooperation on trade promotion in support of UK and Irish business.

Regional Growth Fund: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many projects in Ashfield constituency have been selected to receive funding from the Regional Growth Fund in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many projects from Ashfield constituency have received final offer letters from the Regional Growth Fund in the latest period for which figures are available. [195636]

Michael Fallon: There was one round 4 Regional Growth Fund (RGF) project award from the Ashfield constituency. However, the postcode of the project has changed since and the project now falls under a different constituency.

There are two awards made to RGF programmes to which small and medium-sized enterprises in the Ashfield constituency may bid.

Robotics

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research and development into the commercial application of robotics his Department funds; and if he will make a statement. [196017]

Mr Willetts: This Department has worked with the Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Special Interest Group to develop a National Strategy for robotics in the UK, which will identify commercial opportunities in key sectors of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The Department and its partner organisations fund research and development into the commercial application of robotics as follows:

BIS

This Department is currently providing funding of £1.5m to support the development of autonomous road vehicles. The consortium (which includes Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the Transport Systems Catapult and other partners) will develop small pod-like vehicles capable of carrying up to two passengers and which will ultimately be capable of autonomous operations.

BIS has previously funded a two year automation programme with the British Automation and Robot Association that ended in September 2013. The £600,000 programme over two years enabled the provision of a

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one day manufacturing review and diagnostic to small and medium-sized enterprises on the potential to apply robotics and automation in their businesses. The programme also provided the opportunity for more detailed interventions. Over 268 one day reviews were carried out, and more detailed interventions accounted for a further 282 days of advice.

Research Councils

The Research Councils current investment into research related to the commercial application of robotics is £36.5 million, which includes a £10 million investment through the Natural Environment Research Council into Marine Autonomous Systems.

Technology Strategy Board

The TSB is the prime channel through which the Government support business-led technology innovation. Since 2010 it has invested £8 million in robotics and robotics related projects, helping business develop and commercialise new products and services.

The TSB is arranging an entrepreneur-led overseas delegation to the US in June 2014 to develop the UK’s brand in robotics and to engage with the rapidly growing robotics cluster in San Francisco and San Diego. This creates a real opportunity for UK robotics companies to capitalise on this growth and take a lead in integrating their technologies in a range of markets that could exploit them. The message behind the mission is that the UK is open for business and has innovative robotics companies that are interested in the US market and are ready to engage in dialogue, form partnerships and do business in the international arena.

In addition, the Government (through TSB) have previously funded research and demonstration of civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles through the £62 million ASTRAEA programme over the past seven years. The programme has made possible the ‘unmanned’ flight of a Jetstream 31 from Lancashire to Inverness, clocking up to 2,500 miles in flights between Lancashire and Inverness and around the Irish Sea.

UK Space Agency

The UK Space Agency encourages and supports companies and research organisations to spin-out technology developed through space exploration into non-space sectors. The funding provided by the Agency is for feasibility studies. The relevant studies funded are:

the application of Mars rover autonomous navigation for large off road vehicles; and

development of Auto-Resonant Control System.

Royal Mail

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what incentives were (a) offered to and (b) accepted by priority investors in relation to Royal Mail privatisation. [195211]

Michael Fallon: No incentives were offered to priority investors.

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) for which firms his Department has agreed bonus payments as part of the privatisation of Royal Mail; and on what criteria such payments were made; [195936]

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(2) how many firms that advised his Department on the privatisation of Royal Mail were awarded a bonus payment. [195939]

Michael Fallon: No firms have received bonuses in relation to the sale of Royal Mail shares.

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills who made the decisions and on what basis the decisions were made on how many shares would go to each priority investor, each institutional investor and each retail investor in respect of the privatisation of Royal Mail. [196282]

Michael Fallon: The Government set the overall allocation policy with the aim of getting the right balance between longer-term, stable investors, retail investors and shorter-term investors who provide liquidity in the market.

Allocations were made to a number of institutions who in the early stages of engagement were willing to place non-binding orders despite the risks attached to the initial public offering such as the industrial relations situation. These investors gave us confidence that there was sufficient demand to proceed with the IPO.

We had nearly three-quarters of a million retail applications so their allocations were scaled back as they were for institutional investors. Given this high demand, Ministers decided to prioritise smaller investors and put in place a cut-off above £10,000 and give everyone below that the same number of shares. Around 95% of retail investors were allocated shares.

Small Businesses: Derbyshire

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small businesses in High Peak constituency have received support from the Regional Growth Fund. [196243]

Michael Fallon: We do not hold the information requested. However, businesses in High Peak constituency are eligible to bid to the Regional Growth Fund programme administered by Derbyshire county council as well as national programmes.

Students: Loans

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what he expects the RAB charge to be for extra students entering higher education when the present cap on student numbers is removed in 2014-15. [195413]

Mr Willetts: We produce a single RAB charge that is an estimate of the overall cost of issuing loans to students. This charge is currently around 45% for full time students. Similarly, a single RAB charge will be applied to all students entering higher education in 2014-15.

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will break down by component elements the increase in the RAB charge from 33 per cent to 45 per cent. [195456]

Mr Willetts: The increase in the RAB charge has been due to:

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Macroeconomic effects-earnings growth has been lower than expected since the £21,000 threshold was set making it more generous in real terms than was expected at the time it was set; and

Modelling changes-we have made methodological improvements to our modelling of an individual borrower's earnings over time. We have done this through a new approach that takes greater account of an individual's past earnings and of Student Loans Company data on actual loan repayments.

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of student loans issued under the (a) pre-2012 and (b) new funding system that will be fully written off. [195458]

Mr Willetts: Our model is designed to estimate aggregate repayments across the full range of borrowers. It does not estimate outcomes at the individual level, such as the probability of an individual’s loan balance being fully written off.

However, Student Loans Company data for early pre-2012 cohorts show that around 10% of the cohorts up to 2005 have made no repayments since taking out their loans.

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's estimate is of the latest RAB charge for part-time students. [195459]

Mr Willetts: The current estimate for the resource accounting and budgeting charge for part-time students is 65%.

Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the student loan default rate is for students and graduates of (a) Bristol, (b) Cambridge, (c) Durham, (d) Exeter, (e) Leeds, (f) Manchester and (g) Oxford Universities. [196099]

Mr Willetts: Information on the repayment status of student loans is available in the Student Loans Company (SLC) publication ‘Income Contingent Repayments by Repayment Cohort and Tax Year’, which is available at the following link:

http://www.slc.co.uk/media/589346/slcosp012013.pdf

Institution-specific information is not published and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what revenue the Government received through student loan repayments in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013. [196183]

Mr Willetts: Information on the repayment of student loans is published in the Statistical First Release “Student Loans for Higher Education in England”. The latest publication is available at the following link.

http://www.slc.co.uk/statistics/national-statistics/newnationalstatistics2.aspx

The amounts repaid via HMRC through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) or directly to Student Loans Company (SLC) in the financial years 2009-10 to 2012-13 have been provided in the table. The statistics include repayments made on outstanding debt from both Mortgage Style and Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) loans.

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Statistics referring to the financial year 2013-14 will be published in June 2014.

Trade Promotion

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to Growth is Our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services published in July 2013, if the new envoy network has been convened through UK Trade & Investment; and what progress his Department has made in orchestrating a mission programme. [195994]

Michael Fallon: In line with the commitment in “Growth is Our Business” to invite leading business people from professional and business services (PBS) to act as sector envoys whilst travelling abroad, several individuals were approached to join the Prime Minister's list of Business Ambassadors. Appointments of four new PBS Business Ambassadors were announced in January 2014. These were Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE (Chief Executive Officer MITIE), Rona Fairhead CBE, Steve Varley (UK Chairman and Managing Partner (UK and Ireland) of Ernst and Young) and Will Lawes (Senior Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer). They joined Caroline Plumb (Chief Executive Officer, FreshMinds), and Alan Parker (Chairman, Brunswick Group), who were already active.

Business Ambassadors agree to undertake a programme of activities agreed with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) including holding events to promote UK businesses around the world, meeting overseas Ministers and inward missions, participating in trade missions and providing insights into how UKTI can best deliver for business.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to Growth is Our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services published in July 2013, whether his Department is on course to run at least two professional and business services dedicated trade missions each year; and what such missions have taken place since the Strategy was published. [195995]

Michael Fallon: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is developing professional and business services dedicated trade missions to North America, South America, South

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East Asia and India this year. These missions will complement other planned trade missions open to this sector, for example the business delegations which accompany the Lord Mayor of London's overseas visits.

UKTI delivered a professional services event in Russia with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in November 2013.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Africa

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has updated its advice given to UK nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and Gabon or who are considering visiting those countries following the recent outbreak of Ebola in the region. [195864]

Mark Simmonds: We have updated our travel advice for the following countries to notify travellers about the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease: Guinea, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and Cote d’Ivoire.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

We advise people travelling to the affected region to check the health advice issued by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

http://www.nathnac.org/ds/map_world.aspx

We will continue to monitor the situation in each country to ensure that our travel advice is up to date and accurate.

Argentina

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any assessment of the appointment of former Senator Daniel Filmus as head of the Malvinas Secretariat in Argentina. [195824]

Mr Swire: We do not judge that Mr Filmus’ appointment marks a significant change in Argentina’s policy towards the Falkland Islanders. Rather we understand that Mr Filmus is accountable to Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, who retains overall responsibility for Falklands policy within the Argentine Foreign Ministry.

Baltic States

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Latvia, (b) Lithuania and (c) Estonia about strengthening defence and security relationships with those countries. [196265]

Mr Lidington: On 24-25 March 2014, I travelled to both Latvia and Lithuania and met with the Latvian Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Foreign Minister, and the Lithuanian Foreign Minister and Vice-Minister of Defence. The focus of this visit was the situation in Ukraine. I will visit Estonia on 28-29 April and hope to

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meet the Estonian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, with whom I will discuss security and defence issues. Our defence relationship, led by the Ministry of Defence, with all three Baltic countries is strong and we co-operate on a wide range of areas.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had about the British Indian Ocean Territory resettlement feasibility study. [195738]

Mark Simmonds: The feasibility study has now begun in earnest and the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration continue to welcome views on it. Since the summer of 2013, BIOT officials have carried out three consultations, receiving responses from all major groups representing Chagossians and others with an interest. There will be further key consultation as the study progresses. We have also consulted with the Governments of the United States, Seychelles and Mauritius.

In November, the Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to look at this issue transparently in response to the Chagos Islands (BIOT) All Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) debate in the House of Lords. I have exchanged several letters with the Chair of the Chagos Islands (BIOT) APPG about the study and I have also discussed the study with the Mauritian Foreign Minister during a meeting at the African Union Summit in January. I subsequently wrote to the Mauritian Foreign Minister inviting the Mauritian Government’s engagement, which they have declined.

Burma

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 April 2014, Official Report, column 139W, on Burma, what commitments the Burmese immigration minister made on conduct of the census. [195982]

Mr Swire: On 26 March, I spoke to Immigration Minister U Khin Yi, reminding him of the Burmese Government’s assurance that all individuals would have the right to self-identify their ethnicity and that international observers would be allowed to monitor the census across the country. I also made clear that the census must have adequate security. The Immigration Minister acknowledged our concerns.

We are pleased that international observers were invited to monitor the enumeration process across the country. However we were deeply disappointed that the Burmese Government went against their long-standing assurances on census conduct, in particular the right to self-identify ethnicity. The Burmese ambassador was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 7 April, where I made clear that this decision was in contravention of international norms and standards on census conduct.

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Burma on protecting Burmese soldiers who refuse orders which could result in human rights abuses. [196328]

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Mr Swire: During my second visit to Burma in January, I personally pressed the Burmese Government and members of the Burmese military, including the Burmese Commander in Chief, to address our human rights concerns. I was also fortunate to visit Kachin State in January—the first British Minister to do so since Burma gained independence. I made clear to the Government and the military that conflict should end and that there should be unhindered humanitarian access to the areas affected. I also raised our concerns about very serious allegations of sexual violence in conflict and the forced conscription of child soldiers.

While I did not discuss the issue of soldiers refusing orders which could result in human rights abuses, a discussion of the nature of illegal orders featured during the Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context course, delivered by the UK Defence Academy in Burma in January. The 30 course participants were a mix of mid-ranking military officers, members of the police and officials from Burma’s foreign ministry.

Colombia

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Colombian government on human rights and the deaths of striking agricultural workers. [195962]

Mr Swire: The UK is fully engaged on a range of human rights issues in Colombia. The UK’s priority areas include access to justice, support to human rights defenders, work to prevent sexual violence against women and encouraging business to implement human rights protocols in their operations. The British embassy continues to monitor and raise human rights issues with the Colombian Government. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the Deputy Prime Minister both raised human rights with President Santos during their separate visits to Colombia in February.

In June 2013, the British embassy in Bogota met with representatives of peasant associations and civil society and requested that the Colombian Government initiate dialogue and investigate the alleged excessive use of force during the social protests involving striking agricultural workers in Catatumbo. The British embassy also raised concerns with the Finance Minister, Defence Minister and the Head of the Colombian police.

On 17 March 2014, senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials in the UK also met with the visiting Colombian Vice-Fiscal General, Jorge Perdomo, and discussed the progress made in the investigations into the deaths of the striking agricultural workers. They also discussed the reform of the Criminal Justice System, which would ensure the protection of fundamental human rights and the human rights situation in Colombia.

Most recently on 9 April 2014, senior FCO Officials in the UK and the British Embassy in Colombia discussed the Colombia chapter in the FCO’s 2013 Annual Human Rights Report, in which we raised the need for conclusive investigations into members of the security forces accused of excessive use of force during the protests of June to August 2013.

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Commonwealth

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK’s trade in (a) exports and (b) imports for (i) goods, (ii) services and (iii) current accounts was with each Commonwealth country between 1988 and 2014. [195599]

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

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated April 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK’s trade in (a) exports and (b) imports for (i) goods, (ii) services and (iii) current accounts was with each Commonwealth country between 1988 and 2014. [195599]

Geography tables for the UK balance of payments are produced annually and the most recent publication covering 2002 to 2012 within Chapter 9 of the UK Balance of Payments Pink Book can be found at the link below.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bop/united-kingdom-balance-of-payments/2013/rft-part-3--chapter-9-tables--geographical-breakdown-of-the-current-account.xls

These tables cover a range of countries based on internationally agreed regulations. Estimates for Australia, Canada, Cyprus, India, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa are available. Estimates for other Commonwealth countries will be included in the relevant aggregations for example Sri Lanka is part of ‘Asia-Other’, but are not available separately.

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to promote freer trade (a) between the UK and other Commonwealth countries, (b) between Commonwealth countries and the EU and (c) amongst Commonwealth countries in Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean. [195634]

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

The European Commission leads on trade negotiations on behalf of the EU and its member states. The UK is a strong advocate of the EU’s ambitious trade agenda and has supported the pursuit of comprehensive trade agreements with several Commonwealth countries. Negotiations on free trade agreements with Canada and Singapore are close to finalisation, we are the EU’s strongest champion of a trade agreement with India, and a joint declaration between EU leaders and the Prime Minister of New Zealand last month paves the way to potential trade negotiations between the EU and New Zealand starting under the next European Commission.

The UK strongly supports economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the EU and seven regions across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. EPAs are in place with Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean, Mauritius and Seychelles, and we are working towards further agreements in west, east and southern Africa which will include several Commonwealth members. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malawi and Nigeria are among the countries that benefit from trade preferences granted unilaterally

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to developing countries by the EU. The UK argued strongly in favour of these, and as a result, Pakistan recently benefited from valuable additional EU trade access. In a move that promotes freer trade among Commonwealth members, the EU allows preferential market access to be retained even when production and processing is shared between developing countries.

The UK is also an active supporter of the Commonwealth Business Council which works to increase trade and prosperity across the Commonwealth.

Dmitry Firtash

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list all meetings Dmitry Firtash has had at his Department since May 2010; [195694]

(2) who Dmitry Firtash met at his Department on 24 February 2014; [195690]

(3) what was on the agenda for the meeting with Dmitry Firtash at his Department on 24 February 2014; [195691]

(4) if he will publish a note of the meeting with Dmitry Firtash at his Department on 24 February 2014; [195692]

(5) whether matters of national security were discussed with Dmitry Firtash at the meeting at his Department on 24 February 2014. [195693]

Mr Lidington: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials met Dmitry Firtash on 24 February to discuss developments in Ukraine and support for Ukraine from the international community. They did not discuss matters of national security. The meeting was part of a wider approach by the FCO to understand better the situation in Ukraine, by seeking information and views from a wide range of contacts, including senior business figures. The Government do not have plans to publish a note of the meeting at this time. According to our records, Dmitry Firtash has not attended any other meetings with the FCO in London.

Employment Agencies

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which five companies were used most often to provide temporary workers for his Department in the last financial year; and how much in agency fees was paid to each of them. [195553]

Mr Lidington: All contingent labour (provision of temporary workers) procured by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is provided by Hays Specialist Recruitment. In the last financial year (2013-14) £476,000 was paid to Hays in agency fees.

Falkland Islands

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with UK companies to encourage them to take part in construction and development projects in the Falkland Islands. [195961]

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Mr Swire: The hon. Member will be aware that responsibility for the promotion of business and trade opportunities in an Overseas Territory belongs to the Government of that Territory: in this case the Falkland Islands Government (FIG). We understand that FIG are planning to revise their Economic Development Strategy in the coming months to provide for the future development of all sectors of the Falkland Islands economy, and that they actively welcome the interest of UK companies. FIG itself would be best placed to provide the hon. Member with further details.

As noted in the Overseas Territories White Paper of 2012, the UK is strongly committed to supporting British companies who wish to do business in the Territories. The investment opportunities in the Overseas Territories were highlighted in November last year as part of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), with a half day Investment Forum which over 150 businesses attended. A similar event is planned as part of the JMC programme for this year.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage businesses in the fishing sector to operate in the Falkland Islands. [195963]

Mr Swire: The hon. Member will be aware that responsibility for the promotion of business and trade opportunities in the Falkland Islands, including in the fishing sector, lies with the Falkland Islands Government (FIG). FIG would be the best source of further information as they have responsibility for fishing policy, licence applications and most other maritime matters in the Islands.

As noted in the Overseas Territories White Paper of 2012, the UK is strongly committed to supporting British companies who wish to do business in the Territories. The investment opportunities in the Overseas Territories were highlighted in November last year as part of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), with a half day Investment Forum which over 150 businesses attended. A similar event is planned as part of the JMC programme for this year.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage businesses in the construction sector to build houses in the Falkland Islands. [195964]

Mr Swire: The hon. Member will be aware that the primary responsibility for the promotion of business and trade opportunities in the Falkland Islands, including in the construction sector, lies with the Falkland Islands Government (FIG). FIG would be the best source of further information on construction in the Islands as they have responsibility for all infrastructure development.

As noted in the Overseas Territories White Paper of 2012, the UK is strongly committed to supporting British companies who wish to do business in the Territories. The investment opportunities in the Overseas Territories were highlighted in November last year as part of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), with a half day Investment Forum which over 150 businesses attended. A similar event is planned as part of the JMC programme for this year.

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Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help workers in the oil industry to seek employment in the Falkland Islands. [195965]

Mr Swire: The hon. Member will understand that employment in the oil industry is primarily a commercial matter for the companies involved. However, the UK Government offer advice and support to those people and companies who wish to avail themselves of the varied economic opportunities in the Falkland Islands.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he plans to make to the statement of the President of Argentina on 2 April that the UK was keeping NATO's most powerful armed bases in the Falklands and that this included a nuclear attack submarine. [196189]

Mr Swire: The British ambassador in Buenos Aires has conveyed our disappointment to the Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister that the President of Argentina once again repeated her unfounded claims about the UK military presence in the South Atlantic on the very anniversary of Argentina’s illegal invasion of the Falkland Islands which tragically led to so many deaths on both sides. Claims that the Falklands is a “military nuclear base for NATO in the South Atlantic”, or represents a military threat to the region are obviously untrue: The UK’s military presence on the Falkland Islands is purely defensive in nature and the number of UK forces has declined to the minimum necessary to defend the Islands.

With regard to nuclear weapons, the UK's position is clear. The United Kingdom ratified the protocols to the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone covering Latin America and the Caribbean (the Treaty of Tlatelolco) in 1969, and it fully respects these obligations. The UK position on its deterrent is unambiguous and well known: the UK will not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons states parties to, and in compliance with, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iceland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Icelandic counterpart on strengthening UK-Icelandic business relations. [196325]

Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met both the Icelandic Prime Minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, and Foreign Minister, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, in London in September and November 2013 respectively. They discussed a range of topics, including the increasingly strong and productive trade relationship between the UK and Iceland.

The UK remains committed to a robust commercial relationship with Iceland, and there are many lucrative areas of trade and investment that we continue to cooperate on closely, such as fish-processing in Humberside and the proposed IceLink electricity interconnector.

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Iran

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call for the immediate release of the seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran since 14 May 2008. [195836]

Hugh Robertson: We have repeatedly expressed concern at the sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran to 20 years imprisonment. We raised the treatment of Baha’is with the UN Special Rapporteur at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014, and in our contacts with the Iranian authorities. We will continue to call on the Iranian Government to ensure that all Iranian citizens are able to exercise their right to freedom of religion, free from persecution and harassment.

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Iranian authorities about the persecution and detention of members of the Bahá'í faith in that country. [196289]

Hugh Robertson: We have repeatedly expressed our concern at the treatment of the Baha’i community in Iran, including the sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran to 20 years imprisonment and the regular harassment the community suffers from. We raised the treatment of Baha’is with the UN Special Rapporteur at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014, and in our contacts with the Iranian authorities. We will continue to call on the Iranian government to ensure that all their citizens are able to exercise their right to freedom of religion, free from persecution and harassment.

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his German and US counterparts on securing the unconditional release of Pastor Saeed Abedini from prison in Iran. [196290]

Hugh Robertson: We remain deeply concerned about the detention and treatment of Pastor Saeed Abedini. We have called publicly for the Iranian Government to release him and to end all persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith. We have not discussed this particular case with German or US officials, but discuss regularly with them action we can take to improve human rights in Iran.

Laos

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Laos about the persecution of Christians in that country. [195902]

Mr Swire: Our recently reopened embassy in Vientiane regularly raises human rights concerns with the Lao Government, including their adherence to their international human rights commitments that protect freedom of religion and belief. Laos has seen some improvements in religious freedom over the past decade with a reduction in the number of long-term Christian prisoners of conscience. However, we are aware of cases of Christians being arrested for proselytising. The EU raised these cases at the last EU-Laos Human Rights Dialogue in

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February 2013 and we will press for them to be raised at the next EU-Laos Human Rights Dialogue which will take place in Brussels in May 2014. We continue to work with the EU and other like-minded partners to raise our concerns about religious freedom with the Lao Government.

Lesotho

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK Government Ministers have visited Lesotho since 2010. [196122]

Mark Simmonds: I visited Lesotho in March 2013 as part of a larger tour of the Southern African region. My visit to Lesotho was the first bilateral ministerial visit to the Kingdom since 2002. I was delighted that the Prime Minister of Lesotho was able to visit the UK between 4-9 April, further strengthening bilateral relations and the ongoing links between our two countries. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), and I both enjoyed meeting the Prime Minister of Lesotho during his visit to the UK.

Middle East

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of (a) Palestinians and (b) Jews displaced from their country of origin in the Middle East since 1984. [195958]

Hugh Robertson: We have not made an estimate on this issue and do not keep records of this type.

North Korea

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in North Korea on freedom of religion. [196307]

Mr Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has never met his Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) counterpart.

However, the UK takes every opportunity to raise with the DPRK authorities our concerns about their appalling human rights record, not least with regard to freedom of religion or belief. The British embassy in Pyongyang last raised our concerns with the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2013. A senior official in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised this issue with the North Korean embassy in February 2014.

We have also raised concerns specifically about recent reports that 33 people have been sentenced to death for alleged contact with Kim Jung-wook (aka Kim Jong-uk), a South Korean arrested by the DPRK authorities last year on suspicion of trying to establish underground churches. We have requested official confirmation of what has happened to the individuals concerned and called on the DPRK to respect the provision in its constitution guaranteeing “freedom of belief in religion”. We also played a leading role in securing a strong

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resolution at the UN Human Rights Council, calling for accountability for the range of human rights violations documented in the DPRK.

The annual FCO human rights report, published on 10 April 2014 includes the DPRK as a country of concern. The full report can be found at

http://www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk

Occupied Territories

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Israel regarding plans for the creation of a new settlement in the Old City of Hebron. [196143]

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), issued a statement on 17 April 2014 condemning the Israeli decision to create a new settlement in Hebron.

Official Visits

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what the country of origin was of each special mission to the UK that has been refused since 4 March 2013; and what the grounds were for each refusal; [196034]

(2) whether he would refuse to consent to a special mission on (a) human rights grounds and (b) where the person in question has been the subject of a UK judicial arrest warrant, European Arrest Warrant or similar judicial process; [196032]

(3) what the country of origin was of each special mission to the UK since 4 March 2013; and whether any person travelling on a special mission to the UK has been the subject of (a) an arrest warrant or (b) a criminal investigation conducted by SO15 since 4 March 2013; [196033]

(4) pursuant to the written statement of 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-6WS, on special mission immunity, how many special missions have been (a) consented to and (b) refused under the pilot process; and if he will make a statement. [196035]

Mark Simmonds: I refer to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-56WS. The Secretary of State announced a new process by which we would be informed of visits that may qualify for special mission status. The pilot process has improved the process for communicating and decision-making in respect of visits that may qualify for special mission status. Since the pilot's inception, we have received six such requests. There are no requests outstanding.

The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), confirmed to the House on 12 July 2013, Official Report, columns 427W and 429W, that two of the requests which were granted, related to visits by Lieutenant General Benny Gantz of the Israeli Defence Forces and Doron Almog, Prime Minister Netanyahu's Chief of

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Staff for Bedouin Status improvement. In view of the confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no plans to publish further details about requests that have been granted or refused. But if those applying for special mission status wish to announce the details of their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do so.

All applications for special mission status are considered carefully in view of both obligations incumbent upon the UK under customary international law and our policy of ending impunity for the most serious of international crimes and a commitment to the protection of human rights. Above this, it is for the courts to decide on the legal consequences of any decision to grant special mission status.

Overseas Trade

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure UK embassies, high commissions and consulates are promoting trade with the UK. [196322]

Mr Swire: Over the past three years we have put commercial and economic diplomacy at the heart of the FCO’s agenda. We are committed to supporting British business and boosting UK trade as set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Charter for Business and UKTI’s Strategy “Britain Open for Business: the Next Phase”.

We have opened new missions and reinforced our economic diplomacy staff in many of the fastest growing markets in the world. We have taken steps to strengthen commercial skills at all levels within our embassies. Ambassadors and their teams across our network are lobbying hard to open markets, promote free trade, support pro-growth policies and counter risks to economic stability. This approach lies at the heart of our G8 agenda on tax, trade and transparency and underpins our ongoing work to deliver an ambitious EU-US trade deal.

With UKTI we are delivering a number of ambitious initiatives across the globe to promote trade and investment and boost jobs and growth. The High Value Opportunities programme aims to assist UK businesses to secure £10 billion of business in key emerging markets. The Prime Minister has appointed 16 trade envoys who are working with our embassies and high commissions to champion opportunities for British business and lobby to improve the business environment and resolve market access issues.

Our Posts are also promoting Britain through the “Great” campaign—a visually powerful campaign that is making real strides in promoting the UK as a modern and innovative country in which to invest and with which to do business. Ministers have been urged to travel extensively to support this. We are focusing our efforts on both established markets and those emerging markets where there is high potential for growth in the future.

The FCO and UKTI are also committed to implementing the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee review: Supporting UK Exporters Overseas (see Treasury Minute CM 8847—37th report), a key component in the Government’s ambition to achieve £1 trillion of exports annually by 2020. We have committed to an economic ‘roadmap’ to the £1 trillion target, closer joint

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working on our trade and investment strategy and on planning across government, and work to address visa barriers to trade and investment.

Pakistan

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Pakistan expressing disapproval of the recent decision in that country to prosecute a nine month old child for planning a murder. [195863]

Hugh Robertson: This is a matter for the Pakistani authorities. However, I am pleased to hear that charges against the child have now been dismissed by a judge.

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Pakistan government on the case of Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar who have been sentenced to death for allegedly sending a text message regarding the prophet Mohamed. [196041]

Hugh Robertson: I am concerned to hear about the case of Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar and the imposition of the death penalty on them. We regularly raise the issue of blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both Muslims and religious minorities, at the highest levels in Pakistan. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and our principled opposition to it in all cases and we will continue to raise both these issues with the Government of Pakistan.

Palestinians

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of 10 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank who were murdered by the Israeli military in March 2013. [196156]

Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives various reports throughout the year on the issues affecting Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, this includes reports, from credited and un-credited sources, on Palestinians killed by the Israel Defence Forces.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli government regarding the distribution of water between Palestinians and settlers in the west bank. [196157]

Hugh Robertson: Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised the issue of water distribution in the west bank with the Israeli Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on 22 April 2014.

Private Sector

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many jobs have been transferred from the public to the private

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sector as a result of privatisations or outsourcing by his Department since May 2010. [195511]

Hugh Robertson: Comprehensive information on all outsourcing activities and the number of jobs involved is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Russia

Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the Russian annexation of Crimea on the Moldovan government's commitment to signing an Association Agreement with the EU. [195756]

Mr Lidington: The Government of the Republic of Moldova began to negotiate an Association Agreement with the EU in January 2010. Negotiations concluded in June 2013 and the text was initialled at the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2013. Throughout this period, the Moldovan Government have been clear in their wish to achieve signature of the Association Agreement as early as possible. This position has not changed in recent weeks.

The Conclusions of the European Council held on 20 and 21 March 2014 confirmed the aim of the EU to sign the Association Agreement no later than June 2014. The UK is working with our European partners to ensure the conditions are in place to meet this deadline, including through the appropriate parliamentary scrutiny.

The UK supports Moldova’s choice of European integration, which will help to bring greater stability, prosperity and democracy to all Moldovan citizens. We have been clear in dealing with Russia that Moldova should be able to make its own choices, including on European integration, without pressure from third countries.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives from the European Commission on European sanctions on Russia. [196301]

Mr Lidington: As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), told the House on 8 April 2014, Official Report, column 101, we are gravely concerned about the situation in Crimea and in the east of Ukraine. We have consistently condemned Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea including in public statements, international fora and in bilateral contacts with the Russian Federation.

The UK has played a key role in ensuring a tough and united response from the international community. We have reviewed all bilateral engagement with Russia and have frozen military co-operation, refused export licence requests which may be used by the Russian military, and postponed a number of planned ministerial summits. Along with other G7 members, the UK has withdrawn participation in the planned G8 summit in Sochi in June, and will instead take part in a G7 meeting in Brussels.

The Foreign Secretary has taken part in a number of discussions on sanctions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in which the European Commission has

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also been involved. On 14 April, the FAC agreed to expand the second tier of sanctions and to add further names to the list of individuals subject to those sanctions. The FAC agreed on the urgency of completing work on a possible third tier of more far-reaching sanctions, which might be implemented in the absence of meaningful diplomatic engagement by Russia or further provocation against Ukraine. The European Commission was tasked to identify such economic measures.

As the Foreign Secretary has made clear to the Russian Foreign Minister, the EU remains prepared to impose additional sanctions should that become necessary. Russia should be clear that any deliberate escalation of this crisis may bring serious political and economic consequences.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for the UK of international sanctions against Russia. [196303]

Mr Lidington: The effect of sanctions so far imposed by the EU is on individuals from Crimea and Russia most closely involved in violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The EU has been clear that it would move to impose a package of wider economic sanctions if there is a lack of progress on the diplomatic front and further moves by Russia against Ukraine. Such measures would have consequences for the UK’s commercial relationship with Russia, and for those of other EU member states, but the clear aim would be to demonstrate to Russia that there are wider consequences for its actions in Ukraine, while minimising the impact on the EU.

Scandinavia

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Norway, (b) Finland and (c) Sweden about the security situation in the Scandinavian region. [196263]

Mr Lidington: We have a strong and regular dialogue with Norway, Finland and Sweden on security and defence issues at both ministerial and official level, bilaterally and in the context of regional groupings such as the EU and NATO. In the past year, I have met with my counterparts, and a number of Government officials, from each of Norway, Finland and Sweden, as well as the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister and Finnish Prime Minister.

Syria

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security and humanitarian situation in Kessab. [195799]

Hugh Robertson: We remain deeply concerned about the safety of all in Kessab and in all areas affected by the conflict. We believe that the majority of Kessab’s inhabitants, including most of the ethnic Armenian population, left the town because of fighting in the area. They join the more than 9 million Syrians of all faiths and ethnicities who have been driven from their homes by the ongoing conflict.

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Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish government on the security and humanitarian situation in Kessab. [195800]

Hugh Robertson: We have regular discussions with the Turkish authorities regarding the appalling situation in Syria. We work closely with Turkey to coordinate the substantial humanitarian effort in the region and we welcome their assistance in facilitating aid delivery. Turkey is also a valued security partner of the UK. We work closely with Turkey to restrict the ability of foreign fighters to cross into Syria. We will continue to engage with Turkey on these important topics.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on which actors are currently involved in, or have helped to facilitate, recent violence in Kessab. [195816]

Hugh Robertson: We understand that a wide range of groups have been involved in the fighting, including Ansar al-Sham, and Sham al-Islam, as well as the al Qaeda affiliated al-Nusra Front.

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made on establishing a date for a third round of negotiations for the Geneva Conference on Syria. [196110]

Hugh Robertson: The Geneva 2 process is currently stalled because of the Syrian regime’s refusal to accept UN/Arab League Joint Special Envoy Brahimi’s proposal on the agenda for a further round of talks. We remain in very close contact with the UN and our international partners in our efforts to find a way to make progress on the political track.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the safety of the Armenian community in Kessab. [196188]

Hugh Robertson: We remain deeply concerned about the safety of Armenians and members of all other minority groups in Syria. We believe that the majority of Kessab’s inhabitants, including most of the ethnic Armenian population, left the town because of fighting in the area. Our understanding is that they have mainly joined other Armenian communities in Syria and neighbouring countries. They join the more than 9 million Syrians of all faiths and ethnicities who have been driven from their homes by the ongoing conflict.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the composition of the different groups which comprise the combatants in Kessab. [196190]

Hugh Robertson: We understand that a wide range of groups have been involved in the fighting, including Ansar al-Sham, and Sham al-Islam, as well as the al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra Front.

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Uganda

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Commonwealth governments regarding Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act. [195354]

Mr Swire: As I made clear to the House in the Adjournment debate on this subject on 2 April, combating violence and discrimination against LGBT communities forms an integral part of our tireless efforts to protect and promote human rights internationally. We have raised our deep concern about the Anti-Homosexuality Act with the Government of Uganda at the highest levels. Since that debate, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds), has raised the issue with the Ugandan Foreign Minister on 3 April.

Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act runs counter to the Commonwealth’s commitment to equality and respect without discrimination on any grounds. The Foreign Secretary wrote to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on 1 March to ask him to work with us to review the worrying trend on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in some Commonwealth member states. I discussed the issue with the Commonwealth Secretary-General on 19 March. We also use Commonwealth fora, such as the Commonwealth Law Ministers’ meetings (CLMM), to raise concerns. Our high commission in Kampala continues to discuss the issue with Commonwealth high commissions.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to assist in the return of occupied Ukranian government buildings to the Ukranian Government. [195734]

Mr Lidington: The occupation by armed groups of government buildings in towns in eastern Ukraine is a further dangerous escalation of an already dangerous situation. On 14 April, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement condemning these acts and said that it was important that the EU gave a clear, strong and united response. He also called on Russia to repudiate these lawless acts.

On 17 April, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the commitments made in talks between the EU, US, Ukraine and Russia in Geneva; that all illegally armed groups must be disarmed, all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners, and all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated. He said that rapid implementation was essential. On 23 April, he spoke about this issue with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, urging Russia to take steps to fulfil the Geneva statement and to de-escalate the situation in eastern and southern Ukraine, including making a clear public statement calling for illegally armed groups in eastern Ukraine to disarm and vacate occupied buildings. He also invited

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Russian diplomats to join efforts by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Monitoring Mission in the eastern Ukraine.

The British Government will continue to work closely in support of the Government in Ukraine, and encourage Ukraine’s political leaders to continue to respond to events calmly and with determination, in order to harness the united efforts of all Ukrainians to work together for a successful future.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Russian counterpart on the situation in Ukraine. [196302]

Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed the situation in Ukraine with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on 23 April. The Secretary of State pressed for the immediate implementation of the 17 April Geneva agreement. He urged Russia to take steps to de-escalate the situation in eastern and southern Ukraine, including making a clear public statement calling for illegally armed groups in eastern Ukraine to disarm and vacate occupied buildings. He also invited Russian diplomats to join efforts by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Monitoring Mission in eastern Ukraine.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has in place to be executed in the event of further Russian aggression on the Ukrainian border. [196320]

Mr Lidington: As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), told the House on 8 April, we are gravely concerned about the situation in Crimea and in the east of Ukraine. We have consistently condemned Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea including in public statements, international fora, and in bilateral contacts with the Russian Federation.

The UK has played a key role in ensuring a tough and united response from the international community. We have reviewed all bilateral engagement with Russia and have frozen military cooperation, refused export licence requests which may be used by the Russian military, and postponed a number of planned Ministerial Summits. Along with other G7 members, the UK has withdrawn participation in the planned G8 Summit in Sochi in June, and will instead take part in a G7 meeting in Brussels.

The Secretary of State has taken part in a number of discussions on sanctions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in which the European Commission has also been involved. On 14 April, the FAC agreed to expand the second tier of sanctions and to add further names to the list of individuals subject to those sanctions. The FAC agreed on the urgency of completing work on a possible third tier of more far reaching sanctions, which might be implemented in the absence of meaningful diplomatic engagement by Russia or further provocation against Ukraine. The European Commission was tasked to identify such economic measures.

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As the Secretary of State has made clear to the Russian Foreign Minister, the EU remains prepared to impose additional sanctions should that become necessary. Russia should be clear that any deliberate escalation of this crisis may bring serious political and economic consequences.

Vietnam

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to draw attention to the persecution of Christians in Vietnam; and what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Vietnam on that matter. [195903]

Mr Swire: We highlight Vietnam as a country of concern in the annual Foreign and Commonwealth Office human rights report published on 10 April.

Our assessment is the Vietnamese Government are allowing more space for religious expression and have increased the number of churches and places of worship approved for use in 2013. In general the Vietnamese are able to practise the religion of their choosing and a number of prominent Ministers, including the Prime Minister, are openly Buddhist.

The authorities take a harder line when religious groups are involved in political movements, with persecution taking place in this context.

Our embassy continues to promote freedom of religion and belief in this atmosphere and meets with leaders of all faiths. In January it accepted a petition by families of Catholic activists on trial and supported an EU statement calling for the Vietnamese to uphold freedom of expression in these cases. Staff also attended meetings, alongside other EU member states, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling for greater transparency over allegations that authorities had intimidated Catholics in Nghe An province.

We also make sure to raise our concerns at a ministerial level at every opportunity—be it through the annual UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue in October 2013 or the Secretary of State’s meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh earlier this month. The UK also runs projects designed to allow greater scope for civil society to develop and receive basic protections when raising their concerns and pursuing their beliefs.

Western Sahara

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the effects of delays in the organisation of the referendum in Western Sahara on the security situation in that region. [196298]

Hugh Robertson: We receive reports on the security situation in the region including in Western Sahara from a number of sources. The UN mission, MINURSO reports each year to the UN Security Council, most recently in document S/2014/258 dated April 2014.

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on human rights in Western Sahara. [196299]

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Hugh Robertson: Her Majesty’s Government have regular discussions with their US counterparts, including on Western Sahara. We support UN efforts to find a negotiated settlement.

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2014, Official Report, columns 161-2W, on Syria, on what basis the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom was selected as the recipient of £200,000. [195973]

Hugh Robertson: The FCO’s Human Rights Development Programme Board approved funding to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) based on the strength of their project proposal. WILPF have been active in promoting the participation of Syrian women at the Geneva II peace conference, have developed a strong network of Syrian women activists, and work in close collaboration with other international non-governmental organisations. Their activities support our wider efforts to ensure that Syrian women are fully included in the political process.

Justice

Alternatives to Prison: Preston

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people residing in Preston constituency are (a) being monitored by an electronic tag (b) subject to a suspended sentence order and (c) subject to a community order. [196141]

Jeremy Wright: On 30 September 2013, 492 people in Lancashire were monitored by an electronic tag. A more detailed breakdown below Probation Trust area is not collected centrally.

Data on the number of people subject to a suspended sentence or community order are published in Offender Management Statistics Quarterly. The most recent report covers the period to 30 September 2013 and shows that 1,368 offenders subject to a suspended sentence order and 2,288 offenders subject to a community order were supervised by Lancashire Probation Trust. This includes people who are both monitored by an electronic tag and supervised by Probation. A more detailed breakdown below Probation Trust area is not collected centrally. The most recent Offender Management Statistics report may be found on the gov.uk website.

Benjamin Mire

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when and for what reasons Benjamin Mire left his judicial appointment on the property tribunal. [196399]

Mr Vara: Mr Mire chose to resign as a valuer chair of the Southern Property Tribunal on the 16 July 2013 following an investigation into his conduct. The reasons given by Mr Mire form part of the information gathered in the course of a judicial conduct investigation which is

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confidential and may only be disclosed in certain circumstances as set out in section 139 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (a) started and concluded its investigation into Benjamin Mire; and what steps that office subsequently took. [196400]

Mr Vara: The investigation into Mr Mire’s conduct was initiated by the president of the Residential Property Tribunal in accordance with the Judicial Complaints (Tribunals) Rules 2008 and the Judicial Discipline (Prescribed Procedures) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office was advised of the complaint against Mr Mire on 13 October 2011.

The investigation was conducted in accordance with the regulations and ceased upon Mr Mire’s resignation as a valuer chair of the Southern Property Tribunal on the 16 July 2013.

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether Benjamin Mire was shown the report of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office into his conduct. [196401]

Mr Vara: The investigation into Mr Mire’s conduct was conducted in accordance with the Judicial Discipline (Prescribed Procedures) Regulations (2006) (as amended). The regulations require a draft of a review body report to be disclosed to the subject of the disciplinary process. The regulations were followed accordingly in this case.

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice under what circumstances the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office report on Benjamin Mire can be made public. [196402]

Mr Vara: Information gathered in the course of a judicial conduct investigation is confidential and may only be disclosed in the circumstances set out in section 139 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what timescale Benjamin Mire would have been removed from his appointment to the property tribunal following the conclusion of the report on the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office had he not resigned from that post. [196403]

Mr Vara: Mr Mire’s conduct was investigated in accordance with The Judicial Discipline (Prescribed Procedures) Regulations 2006 (as amended). These regulations provide opportunities for the subject of the disciplinary process to make further representations and for the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice to consider these and take such action as they think fit. It is therefore not possible to specify a time frame for concluding the disciplinary process. Mr Mire resigned before the disciplinary process was concluded.

Since 1 October 2013, judicial conduct has been considered under the Judicial Discipline (Prescribed Procedures) Regulations 2013. These now provide for

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the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice to continue to make a finding of misconduct in certain circumstances where a judicial office holder has ceased to hold office during the course of a conduct investigation.

Cherry Groce

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) if he will grant the request by the family of Cherry Groce for legal aid for their representations at the inquest into her death; and if he will make a statement; [195620]

(2) when he expects to have concluded his consideration of whether to grant legal aid to the family of Cherry Groce for their representations at the inquest into her death. [195619]

Mr Vara: Following a review of its decision in the Groce family’s case, the Legal Aid Agency made a funding request to the Lord Chancellor. The Lord Chancellor has considered the request and has granted funding.