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Written Answers to Questions

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Business, Innovation and Skills

Appeals

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what legislative vehicles the Government plan to use to implement the proposals to streamline regulatory and competition appeals. [197007]

Jenny Willott: Ministers are considering officials’ advice before deciding on the scope and extent of the proposals to be implemented. Any legislative changes we decide to make will be taken forward when parliamentary time permits.

AstraZeneca: Pfizer

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions either orally or in writing he or his Ministers or officials in his Department have had with (a) Pfizer and (b) AstraZeneca in the last two months regarding any bid for AstraZeneca. [197493]

Mr Willetts: There are ongoing interactions at senior level between Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and senior executives from both AstraZeneca and Pfizer as part of the Department’s wider interactions with the Life Sciences industry.

BIS Ministers have spoken with the chief executives and others from both companies in the last couple of weeks about recent market developments including the approaches from Pfizer to AstraZeneca.

Business: Females

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage more women to franchise their businesses. [197026]

Matthew Hancock: The Government offer a wide range of support to all types of businesses to start up and grow, including franchises, for example through the Growth Accelerator, the New Enterprise Allowance, mentoring and the Start Up Loan scheme.

Women-led small and medium-sized businesses contribute around £82 billion to the economy. 42% of the 15,000 mentors trained through the Get Mentoring initiative are women and have contributed to the 27,000 strong mentoring network at:

www.mentorsme.co.uk

The latest figures show that over 37% of Start Up Loans have gone to female entrepreneurs.

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We will continue to work closely with the Women’s Business Council and others to help ensure that more women see starting and growing their own business as a real option.

New Businesses: Wales

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the performance of the Start Up Loan scheme in Wales to date; what the take-up has been under this scheme to date; and how much has been lent to which businesses in each constituency in Wales in each of the last three years. [196696]

Matthew Hancock: The Start-Up Loans scheme was extended to Wales in October 2013. To date 249 loans have been committed with a value of over £1.52 million.

The following table sets the number of loans made in each constituency and their value:

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Defence

Air Force: Recruitment

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many suitably qualified and experienced

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RAF personnel his Department has required for aircraft maintenance in each location in each of the last three years; and how many such posts were vacant in each location in each such year. [196037]

Anna Soubry: The data requested is tabled as follows:

Al-Sweady Inquiry

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who all the core participants in the Al-Sweady Inquiry were; and what the name and firm was of each of those participants' legal representatives. [196972]

Mr Francois: The following Iraqi nationals have been designated as core participants in the Al-Sweady Inquiry as they were either detained, or are related to those who died, during the engagements on 14 May 2004. All are represented by Public Interest Lawyers (PIL):

1. Hamzah Joudah Faraj ALMALJE

2. Mahdi Jasim Abdullah AL-BEHADILI

3. Ibrahim Gattan Hasan AL-ISMAEELI

4. Kadhim Abbas Lafta AL-BEHADILI

5. Abbas Abd Ali Abdulridha AL-HAMEEDAWI

6. Ahmed Jabbar Hammood AL-FURAIJI

7. Hussein Fadhil Abbas AL-BEHADILI

8. Atiyah Sayyid Abdulridha AL-BAIDHANI

9. Hussein Gubari Ali AL-LAMI

10. Kahz’al Jabratallah Khalad Mulla AL-HELFI

11. Hatar Moutashar Zeidan Shamekhy AL-LAMI

12. Khudhur Al-Swaiedi

13. Jasem Khalloufi Khreibet Al Alyawi AL-JAMINDARI

14. Ali Ati Raheemah AL-MOZANI

15. Rashak AL-AMSHANI

16. Sabrah Maryoosh HUSSEIN

17. Kamil Mowat Mohammed AL-MOZANI

18. Saad Radhi Khafeef AL-KEEMY

19. Yousef Ouda BADAY

20. Qassim Ghelan Neema Sahn AL-MAJIDI

21. Bareq Mohammed Hussein AL-KHALIFA

22. Ahmed Mshatat KAZEM

23. Karam Yaseen Laheet Sneshee AL-MOZANI

24. Zahra Resan MUHSIN

25. Abdelzahra Atti DAWOOD

26. Mahud Jihaijeh Dawood AL-MOZANI

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27. Ali Jaseeb Ghazi AL-MUHAMMADAWI

28. Jabra Abdulah MOHSIN

29. Nasser Ali Husain AL-DOUGHAAN

The remaining Iraqi witnesses, most of whom are also represented by PIL, are considered by the inquiry to be witnesses rather than core participants.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also a core participant in the Inquiry as it is the Government Department that was responsible for the conduct of the British Servicemen who are the subject of allegations.

Although the Treasury Solicitor’s Department is not a core participant, the Inquiry Chairman has accorded them equivalent status in recognition of the very large number (over 500) of current and former service personnel that they represent in this Inquiry.

A smaller number of military witnesses were either unrepresented or represented by Kennedy’s and are considered witnesses, not core participants.

Armed Forces: Mesothelioma

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals have been awarded a war disablement pension for mesothelioma since 1994; what estimate he has made of the number of former members of the armed forces who have gone on to develop mesothelioma; and if he will make a statement. [196896]

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is unable to provide the number of individuals awarded a

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war disablement pension (WDP) for mesothelioma since 1994 in the time scale requested. However, as at 31 March 2013, 50 individuals were in receipt of a WDP for a recorded condition of mesothelioma.

The MOD has no estimated data of former personnel with mesothelioma.

Baha Mousa and Al-Sweady Inquiries

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the costs of the (a) Baha Mousa inquiry and (b) Al-Sweady inquiry are classified by his Department as being operational and reclaimable from the Treasury Special Reserve. [196971]

Mr Francois: The costs of the Baha Mousa and Al-Sweady inquiries were not deemed by the Department to be true net additional costs associated with activity to support specifically authorised operations and were not reclaimed from the Treasury Special Reserve.

Consultants

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which 10 consultancy firms were paid the most by his Department in the last financial year; and how much each of those firms was paid. [195571]

Anna Soubry: The top 10 companies which provided external assistance to the Ministry of Defence in financial year 2012-13 are shown on the following table.

Marines

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many berths are assigned to Royal Marines on board the (a) Queen Elizabeth Carriers, (b) Type 45 and (c) Type 26. [197060]

Mr Dunne: Berths on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers (QEC), Type 45 Destroyers (T45) and the planned Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS) are not assigned for the exclusive use of Royal Marines personnel. However, each of them provides, or will provide additional flexible accommodation, depending on the type of operation on which it is deployed.

QEC will provide accommodation for nearly 1,000 personnel above that for the ship’s crew. Space available for an embarked military force (EMF) will depend on the size of the air group carried and the scale and type of operation being undertaken. The T45 is capable of accommodating an EMF of up to 60 personnel.

The T26 GCS programme remains in its Assessment Phase and the design will not be finalised until the main

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investment decision has been taken. However every effort is being made to maximise the platform's ability to embark an EMF, particularly with its Flexible Mission Bay capable of housing a variety of EMF boats and vehicles.

Puma Helicopters

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the long-term future of the Puma helicopter; and if he will make a statement. [197133]

Mr Dunne: We expect the Puma to continue in service, providing medium support helicopter lift until around 2025. Initial Operating Capability of the Puma Mk2 fleet is on schedule to be achieved in March 2015, with Full Operating Capability in December 2015.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of Bay Class Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships; and if he will make a statement. [197484]

Mr Dunne: The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, working closely with the Royal Navy, is an integral part of the United Kingdom's maritime capabilities. The Bay Class amphibious landing ships are used as required to support naval operations.

This use is in accordance with the extant health and safety, merchant navy, and international maritime regulations.

Satellites: West Freugh

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what satellites currently use facilities at West Freugh for data transmission. [197170]

Mr Dunne: The satellite reception capability at the West Freugh site is currently used to receive satellite observed environmental data (meteorological, oceanographic and observed weather) from several different satellite sources. I am withholding details of specific satellites as disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Skynet 5 satellites can use facilities at West Freugh for data transmission. [197171]

Mr Dunne: Skynet 5 does not currently use the facilities at West Freugh for data transmission.

Tornado Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration his Department gave to procuring the Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System with Collision Warning software for installation on the Tornado aircraft. [197168]

Mr Dunne: The requirement of the Ministry of Defence was for an Instrument Debriefing System. Records of any consideration given to the procurement of additional capabilities are no longer centrally held and the retrieval of this information would be possible only at disproportionate cost.

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Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by whom the decision was taken not to proceed from the Technology Demonstrator Phase of the EASAMS collision warning system to Full Development and Production; and whether that decision was reflected in the relevant platform risk registers. [197169]

Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 April 2014, Official Report, column 96W.

Risk Registers are not designed to record the outcome of the scoping of systems which are at pre-concept stage.

Trade Unions

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any plans to end the employee trade union membership dues check-off system. [196762]

Anna Soubry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne), on 2 April 2014, Official Report, column 730W, to the hon. Member for Leicester South (Jonathan Ashworth).

Type 45 Destroyers

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when each Type 45 Destroyer will be installed with the ECPINS-W Subs software; and what estimate he has made of the total cost of that installation. [196953]

Mr Dunne: The Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System software is planned to be installed on the Type 45 Destroyers (T45) as the primary element of the Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information System (WECDIS) navigation capability. This will enhance the Type 45's navigation capability, which currently uses a mix of paper charts and an Electronic Charting System, commonly used on commercial shipping. The new WECDIS system will remove the need for paper charts and includes additional warfighting command and control functionality.

The programme will ensure the system and training arrangements comply with the latest international standards, which were defined after the T45 build contract was awarded.

The rollout of WECDIS on the six T45s is scheduled to take place from early 2016, subject to the ships’ operational programme, and is expected to cost £5.6 million for all six platforms. This covers the cost of development, acceptance, testing and trials, platform rollout and user training.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the potential utility of the MQ-4C Triton drone; and whether his Department plans to procure any of those aircraft. [196639]

Mr Dunne: Among other options, the potential utility of systems representative of the MQ-4C Triton in addressing the UK’s potential wide area maritime surveillance

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requirement is currently under review as part of the Air ISTAR Optimisation Study (AIOS), which will provide analysis in support of potential decisions in the 2015 strategic defence and security review.

Education

Brighton

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if he will make a statement. [197458]

Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education does not plan to relocate its staff or offices to Brighton.

Following the Department’s Estates Review in 2012, it was announced that the Department would rationalise the existing estate from 12 core sites to six, while maximising the efficiency of the retained sites. This has now been accomplished and the six remaining properties are located in Coventry, Darlington, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Children: Databases

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons the ContactPoint database was discontinued. [197558]

Mr Timpson: ContactPoint was discontinued because it was disproportionate.

The Government believe it is unjustifiable to hold information on every child in England and to make it accessible to hundreds of thousands of people.

Children: Day Care

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many child care places for disadvantaged two year olds have been created since September 2013. [197435]

Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education does not hold information on how many child care places for disadvantaged two-year-olds have been created since September 2013. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that every eligible child, whose parents want a child care place, is able to take one. We are reforming the early education market so that places are both more affordable and accessible. We are encouraging more schools to provide places for two-year-olds, including as part of an offer of provision between 8 am and 6 pm. The introduction of childminder agencies will also provide a new way for parents to find places that are suited to their needs.

Culture: Education

Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many and what proportion of schools in England provide the minimum level of cultural education proposed in Appendix A of Cultural Education: a summary of programmes and opportunities, published in July 2013; and if he will make a statement; [197608]

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(2) how many and what proportion of pupils aged (a) seven, (b) 11, (c) 16 and (d) 18 or 19 years have received the minimum level of cultural education proposed in Appendix A of Cultural Education: a summary of programmes and opportunities, published in July 2013; and if he will make a statement. [197609]

Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education does not collect data on the number or proportion of schools in England providing the minimum level of cultural education proposed in Appendix A of Cultural Education: a summary of programmes and opportunities. Nor does the Department collect data on what proportion of pupils, of any age, have received the minimum level of cultural education it proposes.

The levels of cultural education the Appendix proposes are not mandatory, but are included as a point of reference for schools.

History: Education

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of history lessons were taught by non-subject specialists in each of the last five years. [197546]

Mr Laws: Information on the percentage of history lessons taught to pupils in years seven to 13 by non-subject specialists is publicly-available online, and published in the main tables at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2010-provisional (Table 14)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2011 (Table 14)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2012 (Table 14)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2013 (Table 13)

Data for 2009 are not available.

Offences Against Children

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of local authorities in England and Wales have plans in place for tackling potential child sexual exploitation. [197312]

Mr Timpson: The independent report of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC)’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in gangs and groups, published on 26 November 2013, found that 98% of Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCBs) in England considered CSE to be a strategic priority and that 57% of LSCBs had agreed a joint CSE strategy with their partner agencies.¹ These figures were taken from evidence gathered by the OCC in early 2013. The OCC are planning to review the position later this year. Current statutory guidance on CSE says that LSCBs should ensure that specific local procedures are in place covering the sexual exploitation of children and young people and that the needs of the children affected are considered when local services are planned and commissioned.² LSCBs should set up a sub-group, reporting to the Board, to drive progress on CSE. The guidance does not place a requirement on LSCBs to develop a CSE strategy, but this has come to be regarded as best practice. It does, however, say:

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“Sexual exploitation should be covered in local needs assessments and, where it is a significant issue, the LSCB should help ensure it is regarded as a priority.”

More recently, the Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation Action Plan, published by the Department for Education in November 2011, set out actions to help LSCBs to prioritise CSE, including to:

“develop an effective local strategy ensuring there is a co-ordinated multi-agency response to child sexual exploitation, based on a robust, thorough risk assessment of the extent and nature of CSE locally.”³

The Department for Education is not responsible for child protection in Wales.

¹ If only someone had listened—final report of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups:

http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_743

² Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278849/Safeguarding_Children_ and_Young_People_from_Sexual_Exploitation.pdf

³ Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-sexual-exploitation-action-plan

Reading

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to implement the recommendations on support for the reading skills of oral deaf children in the Reading, Dyslexia and Oral Deaf Children report published by City University and the Nuffield Foundation. [197272]

Mr Timpson: The report by City University and Nuffield Foundation¹ considers ways and strategies to help teachers identify reading problems and dyslexia for deaf children. There are no specific recommendations for Government in the report, it is for schools and professionals working with deaf children to consider the significance of the findings and how it informs their practice in identifying and supporting children with hearing loss.

Through the Children and Families Act 2014, the Government aim to improve support for children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) including deaf children. It also includes support for teachers and other school staff to gain the knowledge and skills to support pupils with SEN and disabilities.

The new SEND Code of Practice due to come into force in September, will set out clear guidance for schools on the process for appropriate identification, assessment, monitoring and securing further support for all children and young people with SEN and disabilities including those with sensory impairments.

In addition, the Department for Education is funding the National Deaf Children's Society to provide information, curriculum support and impartial advice to enable deaf children and young people to achieve expected levels of achievement in learning at all key stages.

¹ http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/reading-and-dyslexia-deaf-children

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School Meals

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average cost of a primary school meal was in 2013. [197434]

Mr Laws: The Department for Education does not hold the information requested.

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of additional catering staff needed in schools to deliver the extension of free school meals to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 in September 2014. [197436]

Mr Laws: This information is not held centrally.

In his autumn statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced over £1 billion revenue funding for universal free school meals for pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 between 2014 and 2016. This funding, which includes special provision of £22.5 million for small schools in 2014-15, will be used by schools to pay for the cost of producing school lunches for newly eligible pupils, including any additional staff required.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 7 April 2014, Official Report, columns 707-8W, on school meals, how many academies (a) were invited to respond and (b) responded to the survey by the School Food Trust in 2012. [197596]

Mr Laws: The School Food Trust (now the Children’s Food Trust) wrote to more than 1,500 academies in January 2012. Of the 641 academies that replied, 635 said they were committed to following the new food standards, even though they are not required to do so.

Schools: Governing Bodies

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to ensure that governors are disqualified when a school governing body is found guilty of disability discrimination. [197246]

Mr Timpson: Regulations set out the circumstances in which a person is disqualified from holding or continuing to hold office as a governor at a maintained school. These include bankruptcy, conviction for an offence carrying a sentence of imprisonment, disqualification from being a company director or charity trustee, and persons whose employment is prohibited or restricted.

The Department for Education has issued advice to school governing bodies on their duties under the Equality Act 2010, including in respect of disability.

It is for governing bodies of state-funded schools to comply with any orders of the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) in relation to claims of disability discrimination.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice his Department provides to local authorities when a school governing body is found guilty of disability discrimination. [197247]

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Mr Timpson: The advice that the Department for Education provides to local authorities in relation to disability discrimination is contained in its publication ‘Equality Act 2010—Advice for School Leaders, School Staff, Governing Bodies and Local Authorities’, which is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269341/Equality_Act_2010_-_advice.pdf

The publication does not advise local authorities in relation to governing bodies that are found to be in breach of the provisions set out in the Equality Act 2010. Consideration of and remedy for disability discrimination is a matter for the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

Special Educational Needs

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions Ministers of his Department have had with representatives of sixth form colleges on the effects of reductions in education funding for 18 year olds on students with severe or complex disabilities. [197273]

Matthew Hancock: We are protecting the funding that sixth-form colleges receive for 18-year-old students with severe or complex disabilities. The funding reductions that apply generally to 18-year-old students do not apply to those assessed to have special educational needs, learning difficulties or disabilities.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects of reductions in education funding for 18-year-olds on students with severe or complex disabilities and who attend specialist schools. [197274]

Matthew Hancock: The reductions in education funding for 18-year-old students do not apply to those with severe and complex disabilities who attend special schools. From August 2014 special schools will receive a flat rate £10,000 for all their 16 to 18-year-old student places, together with top-up funding from local authorities for individual students.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools which cater for students with severe or complex disabilities have indicated to his Department that they plan to reduce provision for such students since December 2013; and what reasons have been given for these plans. [197275]

Mr Timpson: This information is not collected centrally.

World War II: Education

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of secondary school students who studied the Second World War as part of their (a) GCSE and (b) A-level studies in each year since May 2010. [197548]

(2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of secondary school students who studied the First World War as part of their (a) GCSE and (b) A-level studies in each year since May 2010. [197547]

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Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education does not hold information on the individual topics which students elect to take in their GCSE and A level examinations. Information on the proportion of pupils attempting GCSE history is published in the 2009/10¹, 2010/11², 2011/12³ and 2012/13⁴ GCSE and equivalent results statistical first release.

Information on the number of entries in A level history is published in the 2012/13⁵ A level statistical first release.

¹https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-england-academic-year-2009-to-2010-revised (Table 9)

²https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-academic-year-2010-to-2011 (Table 9)

³https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-academic-year-2011-to-2012 (Table 9)

⁴https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised (Table 9)

⁵https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-level-and-other-level-3-results-england-2012-to-2013-revised (Table 14)

Northern Ireland

Employment Schemes: Learning Disability

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will take steps to ensure the negotiations between her Department and Praxis result in the continuation of the Secret Garden Service provided by that organisation. [197413]

Mrs Villiers: The decision to invite Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) to take over management of Hillsborough Castle will provide a secure future for the castle and bring considerable economic benefits to the surrounding area.

To deliver those benefits, HRP needs control of the site currently used by Praxis in order to construct the infrastructure necessary to enable substantial visitor numbers to be welcomed to Hillsborough.

The terms of Praxis' use of the Walled Garden site were always clear that they would need to leave if given one month's notice. Praxis confirmed over a year ago that it would leave if given one month's notice.

Praxis

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions she has met with representatives of Praxis Care in the last 12 months; when she last visited a Praxis residential facility; and if she will make a statement. [196082]

Mrs Villiers: There have been several meetings between Praxis and my officials throughout the last year, and I personally met Praxis Care in March 2013, and again in March 2014.

As the services provided by Praxis fall primarily within the devolved sphere in Northern Ireland I have not visited a Praxis residential site. I am, however, aware from conversations I have had with a range of people of the excellent work the charity does with its service users.

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My Department and I value greatly the contribution that Praxis has made, and continues to make, to the community in Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister

AstraZeneca: Pfizer

Ann McKechin: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what criteria he used to select those who he has instructed to review any bid for AstraZeneca; [197491]

(2) what discussions either orally or in writing he or his Ministers or officials have had with (a) Pfizer and (b) AstraZeneca in the last two months regarding any bid for AstraZeneca. [197492]

The Prime Minister: We are committed to ensuring that the life sciences sector in this country continues to flourish and grow, with the UK at the forefront of life sciences R and D, and retaining our role as a leading manufacturing base. While ultimately the potential takeover bid is a matter for the respective boards and shareholders of the two companies, Ministers and officials across Government have engaged with both companies to ensure that the outcome is positive for the long-term future of this sector in the UK.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave at Prime Minister’s Questions today.

Transport

Oxford-Hereford Railway Line

Sir Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide an estimate of the costs of redoubling the section of the North Cotswold line between (a) Charlbury to Wolvercote Junction and (b) Evesham and Norton Junction. [197158]

Stephen Hammond: The provision of a cost estimate for further redoubling of the North Cotswold line would normally be sought from Network Rail only when a business case is identified for the extra benefits this enhancement would provide. No business case has yet been identified and so a cost estimate is not being sought. Network Rail is investigating the opportunities for line speed improvements on the route to reduce journey times.

Roads: Yorkshire and the Humber

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the cost of urgent repairs to roads managed by the Highways Agency in (a) Huddersfield constituency, (b) Kirklees and (c) Yorkshire. [197282]

Mr Goodwill: The Highways Agency does not separately identify the cost of urgent repairs on its roads by constituency area. This type of expenditure forms part of a wider contracted service, which includes a number of other general maintenance activities.

Taxis

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings he has had with each private hire vehicle operator since 2010. [197534]

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Stephen Hammond: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published every quarter and this information can be accessed on the GOV.UK website via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-transparency-data#meetings

Scotland

Employment Figures

7. Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of recent trends in employment figures in Scotland. [903829]

David Mundell: Latest official figures show that employment levels are at a record high with 2.6 million people over 16 now employed in Scotland. Over the last year 68,000 more people entered work, including an increase of 46,000 in the female employment level.

These figures show that the Government's long-term economic plan is working, and how Scotland benefits as part of the UK.

Consular Support

8. Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on consular support for Scottish citizens overseas in the event of Scottish independence. [903830]

Mr Alistair Carmichael: There have been no discussions with Scottish Ministers on consular support for Scottish citizens in the event of independence.

As part of the UK, Scots travelling abroad have guaranteed access to consular support by one of the world’s largest, most experienced global networks.

Income Tax

13. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress the Government have made on implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax; and if he will make a statement. [903835]

Mr Alistair Carmichael: The UK and Scottish Governments continue to work closely together on the implementation of the Scotland Act 2012 which significantly increases the Scottish Parliament’s financial powers.

The Government’s second annual report on the Act was laid in Parliament yesterday and provides a full update on implementation of the fiscal powers.

Highlands and Islands: Economic Potential

14. Mr Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the economic potential of the Scottish Highlands and Islands; and if he will make a statement. [903836]

Mr Alistair Carmichael: The Scottish Highlands and Islands play an important role in the Scottish economy.

The UK Government recognise this and has demonstrated strong support for rural areas through measures such as the fuel duty rebate scheme, the

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abolition of the fuel duty escalator, and in the Budget 2014 supporting Scotch whisky by freezing duty on spirits.

English-Scottish Border Regions

15. Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the potential implications of Scottish independence for the regions on either side of the English-Scottish border. [903837]

Mr Alistair Carmichael: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart), earlier today.

Employment

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in Scotland that depend on the UK's membership of the EU. [194114]

David Mundell: The Single Market gives UK businesses access to the world’s largest trading bloc with 500 million people and 21 million companies generating £11 trillion in economic activity.

Since 1992, the UK’s bilateral trade with EU member states has more than trebled and trade with Europe accounts for roughly 3.5 million jobs in the UK, around 11% of the workforce.

In 2012, Scottish exports to the EU are estimated to have amounted to approximately 45% of Scotland’s total international exports (excluding oil and gas). The Government does not collate figures for the number of jobs in Scotland that depend on UK membership of the EU. However, independent analysis published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in March 2014 suggested that, in 2011, approximately 335,000 jobs in Scotland were associated with Scottish exports to the EU.

Health Services

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on NHS Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [194117]

David Mundell: NHS is an almost devolved matter; the Secretary of State and I have had no such discussions.

Homelessness

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of homeless (a) single people and (b) families in Scotland. [194115]

David Mundell: Homelessness statistics in Scotland are published by the Scottish Government who gather the information from local authorities.

The last such publication was on 25 March 2014 and is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables/HomelessOcttoDec2013

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Cabinet Office

Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay

Mr Sanders: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average time taken to process applications for redundancy payment is through My Civil Service Pension; and what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken. [197038]

Mr Maude: MyCSP Ltd, a mutual joint venture, provides scheme administration for the civil service pension arrangements under a contract managed by the Cabinet Office.

Redundancy schemes under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme are covered by separate commercial arrangements between MyCSP Ltd and each individual employer.

The average time for completing these individual exercises is not collated centrally.

Conditions of Employment: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of people who are (a) employed on zero-hours contracts and (b) paid at a rate below that defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage in Warrington North constituency. [197165]

Mr Hurd: 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 to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking what estimate he has made of the number of people who are (a) employed on zero-hours contracts and (b) paid at a rate below that defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage in Warrington North constituency. (197165).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles labour market statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS), following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.

Employed on zero-hours contracts

An estimate of the number employed on zero-hours contracts cannot be provided for Warrington North constituency.

Estimates of the numbers and characteristics of people in employment on zero-hours contracts are available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), but not the APS. Questions on zero-hours contracts are not asked to all respondents of the APS, so are therefore not available from this source. From the LFS, estimates cannot be provided at constituency level, for quality reasons, due to small sample sizes.

As the LFS is a survey of people resident in households, ONS announced on 23 August 2013 that it would additionally undertake a survey of businesses to obtain an employer- based estimate to complement the existing LFS employee-based figure, as in the following link:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/mro/news-release/ons-announces-additional-estimate-of-zero-hourscontracts/zhc0813.html

Results from the ONS business survey were published on 30 April 2014:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/contracts-with-no-guaranteed-hours/zero-hours-contracts/artzero-hours.html

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This adopted a slightly different definition to the LFS, and reported on the number of employee contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours, which provided work in the survey reference period. This estimate includes, but is not exclusively, “zero-hours contracts” and covers some other contract types that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours.

However, estimates cannot be provided at constituency level from the business survey, as sufficient information is not available.

Living wage

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Hourly levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. It is not possible to estimate the number of people with earnings below specified thresholds, though it is possible to estimate the corresponding proportion of employee jobs. Figures relate to employee jobs, which are defined as those held by employees and not the self-employed.

In April 2013, the latest period for which results are available, the Living Wage rates suggested by the Living Wage Foundation were £8.55 for employees who worked in London and £7.45 for employees who did not work in London. At this time, the proportion of jobs in Warrington North constituency with hourly earnings excluding overtime below £7.45 was 19.9%.**

Guide to quality:

The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV. For example, for an estimate of 50% with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 45% to 55%. This is given by 50% +/- ({2*.05}*50).

Key:

* CV > 5% and <= 10%

** CV > 10% and <= 20%

Employment: East Midlands

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the total number of (a) private, (b) public and (c) third sector jobs in (A) Ashfield constituency, (ii) Nottinghamshire and (iii) the East Midlands in each of the last five years. [197305]

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

Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office for the total number of (a) private, (b) public and (c) third sector jobs in (i) Ashfield constituency, (ii) Nottinghamshire and (iii) the East Midlands in each of the last five years (197305).

Employment statistics for local areas are calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Estimates of people employed in the third sector are currently not available from the APS. Individuals employed in voluntary organisations, charities and trusts are included in private sector estimates.

Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. In the APS the distinction between public and private sector is based on respondents’ views about the organisation for which they work. The public sector estimates provided do not correspond to official Public Sector Employment estimates. Those are derived directly from employers and are based on a National Accounts’ definition and are not available for areas smaller than regions.

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The tables show the number of people who were employed in the public or private sector resident in the requested geographies. These estimates are compiled from APS interviews held during the period January 2013 to December 2013, the latest period available, and the 12 month periods ending in December from 2009 to 2011.

As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.

National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Communities and Local Government

Business Improvement Districts: Birmingham

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2014, Official Report, column 488W, on Business Improvement Districts: Birmingham, for what reasons no decision has yet been taken on the Business Improvement District for Sparkbrook and Springfield. [197531]

Brandon Lewis: We are considering carefully all the evidence and written representations and will issue a decision in due course.

Children: Supported Housing

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of children aged under 16 years living in supported housing. [197549]

Kris Hopkins: The Department does not hold information on the number of children in existing supported housing tenancies; however this information is collected for new

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lettings. The new lettings data is collected in the CORE (Continuous Recording of Lettings and Sales), which reports there were 11,370 children (under 16 years) in the households who were let supported housing in England in 2012-13.

Companies: Fraud

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to announce the allocation of additional support to local authorities in England to support corporate counter-fraud activity. [197204]

Brandon Lewis: We are currently working with a range of representatives from across the sector to identify the most effective mechanism for distributing the £16.6 million over 2014-15 to 2015-16 across local government to help local government combat fraud. We intend to make an announcement about our plans for this investment later in the spring.

Disadvantaged

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the 100 most deprived wards as measured by the index of multiple deprivation are. [197424]

Stephen Williams: The Index of Multiple Deprivation is not calculated for electoral wards but is available for lower-layer super output areas in England. These are a census geography each containing approximately 1,500 people.

The 100 most deprived lower-layer super output areas in England, according to the 2010 English Index of Multiple Deprivation, are listed in the table.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is updating the Index of Multiple Deprivation, with publication anticipated in summer 2015.

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Environmental Health

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many environmental health officers are currently employed by each local authority. [197200]

Brandon Lewis: The Department does not collect detailed information on the staff roles employed by local authorities.

Fire Services: Pensions

Mrs Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whether he has (a) discussed with and (b) received any representations from the Fire Brigades Union regarding the adoption of a firefighters' pension scheme which would allow members to retire on the basis of length of service rather than age; [107178]

(2) if he will make an assessment of the (a) fairness and (b) viability of reforming the firefighters' pension scheme allow members to retire on the basis of length of service rather than age. [107177]

Brandon Lewis: The Government are reforming all public service pension schemes to ensure that they remain fair to workers and sustainable for taxpayers. The transitional protection arrangements for the firefighters’ pension schemes are set out in the Proposed Final Agreement which was published in May 2012. The transitional protections use age to calculate a member’s entitlement to protection. More firefighters are protected from changes than any other large public service workforce.

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There has been recent correspondence with the Fire Brigades Union on the scope and timing of discussions on this issue. Copies of this correspondence can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firefighters-pension-scheme-reforms

Housing: Complaints

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints have been received by the Housing Ombudsman service in the latest year for which figures are available. [197131]

Kris Hopkins: In 2012-13, the Independent Housing Ombudsman received 3,657 inquiries and 6,391 formal complaints. In that year, 543 complaints resulted in a determination decision following a formal intervention.

I would note that, as of March 2013, the Ombudsman's remit covered 2,123 landlords, representing 2.9 million housing units.

Source:

Independent Housing Ombudsman Ltd Annual report and Financial Statements 2012-13

Insects

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the draft National Pollinator Strategy as it relates to planning. [197034]

Nick Boles: Ministers within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from other Departments to discuss a range of matters.

Landlords: Prosecutions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many landlords have been prosecuted in England for (a) illegal evictions and (b) harassment in the latest three years for which figures are available. [197201]

Kris Hopkins: The following table lists figures from 2009 to the most recent period for which information is held: