Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) male and (b) female recruits who commenced phase two training at Catterick Infantry Training Centre had undertaken phase one training at Harrogate Army Foundation College in each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement. [200581]

Anna Soubry: No female recruits undergo infantry training. The information requested for males is in the table:

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) male and (b) female recruits dropped out of training at Catterick Infantry Training Centre before completing phase one in each year since 2006; how many such recruits in each category were aged under 18 when they enlisted; and if he will make a statement. [200582]

Anna Soubry: Infantry training at Catterick is comprised of the Combat Infantryman’s course, which is a combined phase one and phase two course. For this reason it is not possible to provide the information requested for those who dropped out of training before completing phase one. The table shows all those who failed to complete the Combat Infantryman’s course.

No female recruits undergo infantry training and therefore figures shown relate to males only:

23 Jun 2014 : Column 91W

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) male and (b) female recruits have commenced phase one training at Catterick Infantry Training Centre in each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement. [200583]

Anna Soubry: Infantry training at Catterick is comprised of the Combat Infantryman’s course, which is a combined phase one and phase two course. The table includes all those who commenced the Combat Infantryman’s course.

No female recruits undergo infantry training and therefore figures relate to males only.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits of each sex commenced phase one training at AFC Harrogate in each year since 2006; how many recruits of each sex enlisted in an infantry role in that time; and if he will make a statement. [200601]

Anna Soubry: No females currently serve in the infantry. The information requested is shown in the following table.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits of each sex dropped out of training at AFC Harrogate before completing phase one in each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement. [200602]

23 Jun 2014 : Column 92W

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

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits of each sex completed training at AFC Harrogate in each year since 2006; how many recruits of each sex commenced phase two training (a) elsewhere and (b) at ITC Catterick; and if he will make a statement. [200603]

Anna Soubry: No female recruits undergo infantry training. The information requested is shown in the following table.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many recruits are expected to commence phase one training at AFC Harrogate in financial year 2014-15; and if he will make a statement; [200605]

(2) how many recruits are expected to commence phase one training at ITC Catterick in financial year 2014-15; and if he will make a statement. [200607]

Anna Soubry: The number of recruits programmed to start training at AFC Harrogate and ITC Catterick in financial year 2014-15 is shown in the table.

23 Jun 2014 : Column 93W

Assets

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assets his Department has sold and leased back over the last 12 months; what the sale price was of each asset so sold; and what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of leasing back each such asset over the period of the lease. [200903]

Dr Murrison: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, normally the Ministry of Defence sells its assets with vacant possession, only leasing back properties for short periods pending relocation of the occupants.

AWE

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facility rekit projects have taken place at the Atomic Weapons Establishment under the scope of the Nuclear Weapons Capability Sustainment Programme; and what the cost of each such project was. [200409]

Mr Dunne: The term rekit is used by the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) to mean the replacement or modernisation of process plant and/or equipment within an existing facility, including upgrading of building services. The following is a list of major facility rekits that have taken place or are taking place at AWE. There are also a number of more minor rekits under way which are not listed.

Depleted Uranium Upgrade

Beryllium Facility

Plutonium Capability Programme (A90)

Enriched Uranium Facility (A45)

Explosive storage and processing Facility

Salts Sustainment

Facility for assembly/disassembly of Warhead

The information relating to individual rekit costs for each facility for the years 2003 to date is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

AWE Aldermaston

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the completion date is for refurbishment of existing hydrodynamics research facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston; what the cost is of the refurbishment; and what the expected lifetime is of the new facilities. [200911]

Mr Dunne: The refurbishment of the existing hydrodynamics research facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston is planned to be completed by summer 2016.

The forecast cost of the refurbishment is £25.5 million.

The refurbished facilities will have a range of expected lifetimes, estimated at between 10 and 15 years.

Clyde Naval Base

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a skills breakdown of the civilian personnel employed at HMNB Clyde by (a) his Department, (b) Babcock, (c) Serco, (d) Rolls-Royce, (e) Thales and (f) other main contractors. [198728]

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Mr Dunne: A breakdown of the Ministry of Defence civilian personnel employed at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, by job family, as at 9 June 2014, is provided in the table.

A skills breakdown for Babcock, Serco, Rolls-Royce, Thales and other main contractors is a matter for individual contractors and is not held by the Department.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel employed at HMNB Clyde are resident in (a) Argyll and Bute, (b) West Dunbartonshire, (c) other parts of Scotland and (d) other parts of the UK. [198729]

Mr Dunne: As at 9 June 2014, the number of Ministry of Defence civilian personnel employed at Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde resident in Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire, other parts of Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom are provided in the table.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel are employed at HMNB Clyde by (a) his Department, (b) Babcock, (c) ABL Alliance, (d) Serco, (e) Rolls Royce, (f) Thales and (g) other main contractors. [198730]

Mr Dunne: As at 9 June 2014, 1,285 Ministry of Defence civilian personnel are employed at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde. Additionally, there are approximately 1,900 people employed in the Naval Base by contractors. The precise number is a matter for the contractors and will fluctuate, depending on the tasks and the number of sub-contractors employed.

23 Jun 2014 : Column 95W

Departmental Records

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of 2014DIN05-012 on JSP 441 - The Defence Records Management Policy and Procedures: Publication of Version 4:3 in the Library. [200742]

Dr Murrison: A copy of the Defence Instruction Notice 2014DIN05-012 regarding JSP 441 will be placed in the Library of the House.

France

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of agreements with the French Government to (a) undertake joint research at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Orion and Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique Laser Mégajoule, (b) allow use of hydrodynamics research facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (c) peer review technical and scientific data underpinning nuclear warhead certification. [200912]

Mr Dunne: The agreements with the French Government to undertake the joint research described are detailed in article 1 of the Teutates treaty 2010, available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/228571/7975.pdf

Intelligence Services

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will restrict the use of fused multidisciplinary intelligence at the forthcoming Joint and Combined Geo-INT event held by the Defence Geospatial Intelligence and Fusion Centre at RAF Wyton. [201076]

Mr Francois: Sharing and fusing intelligence in an increasingly complex world is essential if we are to understand threats to UK interests. The Ministry of Defence intelligence community works closely with international partners in the fulfilment of this aim. Any intelligence sharing is conducted in accordance with UK law.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the loudest decibel levels are that are produced by JSF F-35B during operations aboard an aircraft carrier. [200899]

Mr Dunne: The loudest operation to be conducted by the F-35B onboard an aircraft carrier is a Military Power take-off. The measured aircraft sound level of a Military Power take-off is approximately 145 dB at 135 degrees from the aircraft nose centre line, at a distance of 50 feet from the rear of the aircraft. The Military Power take-off is a standard operating procedure and managing exposure to noise is an integral part of normal embarked operations. This level of noise is similar to that of the Harrier, F18s, F15s and the same level as produced by an F-16.

23 Jun 2014 : Column 96W

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the value of purchasing AM-aluminium matting for landing pads for the JSF F-35B. [200909]

Mr Dunne: High temperature resistant concrete was considered as the most appropriate surface for the UK Joint Strike Fighter landing pads. AM-aluminium matting was considered but does not have the same durability for repeated use and would also result in a higher maintenance burden.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what risk assessment he has made of the safety of aircraft handlers and maintenance personnel due to the noise produced by the Joint Strike Fighter. [200915]

Mr Dunne: Full assessment has been made regarding the noise levels of the Joint Strike Fighter. Personnel noise exposure risk is managed in accordance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, 2005 and will include a combination of personal protective equipment and procedures to control daily noise exposure, normal practice for personnel operating machinery such as helicopters, tanks and other aircraft.

Military Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what deviations or exemptions from the Military Air Systems Certifications Process were made for the Airseeker aircraft; when those deviations or exemptions were made; and who authorised each such deviation or exemption; [200905]

(2) whether the deviations or exemptions from the Military Air Systems Certification Process that allowed the inaugural flight of the Rivet Joint aircraft on May 27 2014 were the final form that will be used for all operations. [200906]

Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 364W, to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck).

Ongoing work will progressively refine this release as additional information becomes available and further analysis is conducted.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) actual and (b) simulated flight hours pilots need to adjust from a fast jet with a heads-up display to one with only a helmet-mounted display. [200916]

Mr Dunne: The adjustment from a fast jet aircraft with a heads-up display to one with a helmet-mounted display cannot be quantified in hours as pilots are trained to operate the aircraft as a whole.

Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of whether arrangements for defence nuclear co-operations which were agreed at the UK-France summit in January 2014 summit comply with the (a) Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty, (b) treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

23 Jun 2014 : Column 97W

Nuclear Weapons and

(c)

other aspects of international law; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such assessments. [200908]

Mr Dunne: Arrangements agreed at the UK-France summit in January 2014 are entirely consistent with all of our obligations under international law including the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty and the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. I am withholding release of any assessments under the principle of legal professional privilege.

Official Visits

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits each of the Ministers in his Department have made since January 2013; and what the purpose of each such visit was. [200481]

Anna Soubry: Details of Ministers’ visits and the purpose of each visit overseas are published quarterly and can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications

Details of Ministers’ overseas visits and the purpose of each visit from January to December 2013 have been published. The details from January 2014 to date will be published in due course.

Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether bidders for the Next Generation Estate Contracts were invited to offer a blanket bid for all contracts. [201413]

Dr Murrison: The Next Generation Estate Contracts consist of six separate contracts which were advertised separately. Some companies chose to become involved in bids for more than one, but since the procurements were competed separately, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation did not encourage a ‘blanket bid’. It was left for tenderers to make their own commercial judgment in this respect.

Shipbuilding: Portsmouth

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with BAE Systems about delaying the closure of the Portsmouth

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shipyard until the results of the Scottish referendum are known. [201049]

Dr Murrison: No discussions have been held with BAE Systems about delaying the closure of Portsmouth shipyard pending the results of the Scottish referendum.

The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. The Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident that the people of Scotland will vote to remain within the United Kingdom in the referendum.

Tornado Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what event or risk involving a Tornado aircraft led to the approval of the Collision Warning System Technical Demonstrator Programme for that aircraft; when that event or risk was identified; and where it is recorded. [199756]

Mr Dunne: The Collision Warning System (CWS) Technical Demonstrator Programme (TDP) Final Report dated October 1996 details that the CWS TDP resulted from a series of airborne collisions involving various types of fast jets in the years prior to 1991. Although the TDP was evaluated using a Tornado GR1 test aircraft, the objective was to evaluate the CWS concept across all of the fast jet operational training environment.

Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other means in each year of the current parliament. [157543]

Mr Francois: I apologise for the length of time it has taken to provide the hon. Member with a response to her question. I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested shortly.

Substantive answer from Anna Soubry to Maria Eagle:

My predecessor undertook to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question of 5 September 2013, Official Report, column 490W, about the cost of ministerial travel in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in each year of the current Parliament. The information requested is presented in the following table. I am sorry for the delay in replying.

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Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 10 February 2014, Official Report, column 474W, on unmanned air vehicles: guided weapons, if he will take steps to receive parliamentary approval before the deployment of the armed forces to the redeployment of armed drones abroad. [198710]

Mr Francois: There is no intention for parliamentary approval to be sought before decisions on deployment or redeployment of individual items of equipment are made, though the Ministry of Defence may of course notify Parliament of significant deployments, as it does at present.

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 12 September 2013, Official Report, column 798W, on unmanned aerial vehicles, whether changes to the Reaper agreement pertaining to the UK Reaper Force Squadron have been finalised; and whether this agreement will remain in force following the cessation of NATO International Security Force missions in Afghanistan. [200600]

Mr Francois: The memorandum of understanding is still undergoing the review process. However, it will cover both the ISAF mission and any future wider NATO missions.

Written Questions

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many parliamentary questions tabled to his Department in the last parliamentary Session did not receive a substantive answer by the time of the 2014 Prorogation; and when each such question was first tabled. [200443]

Anna Soubry: One question tabled to the Ministry of Defence in the last parliamentary Session did not receive a substantive reply by the time of the 2014 Prorogation.

The tabling date for this question was 14 March 2014.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Apprentices

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people started apprenticeships in (a) Swindon and (b) the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [200658]

Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of apprenticeship starts in England by geography is published in a Supplementary Table to a Statistical First Release (SFR):

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships--2

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/298401/apprenticeships-starts-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls

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The Department does not collect further education information relating to the devolved Administrations.

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward proposals to give employers the choice of (a) having either a direct Government contract for apprenticeships and (b) accessing funding support through their chosen training provider. [200877]

Matthew Hancock: The Government have consulted on different options for routing apprenticeship funding via employers. The consultation closed on 1 May 2014. We are currently analysing the responses and are committed to designing a system that works for employers of all sizes and in all sectors. Next steps will be announced in the autumn.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2014, Official Report, column 213W, on apprenticeships, if he will make it his policy to collect information centrally on how many individuals who started an apprenticeship in the 2012-13 academic year were existing employees or new employees. [201338]

Matthew Hancock: Information will be collected via the Individualised Learner Record for the 2013/14 academic year onwards on the length of time a learner has been with their employer prior to starting their apprenticeship.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 599W, on apprenticeships, what steps he has taken to introduce grading into new apprenticeships; and whether such grading will be mandatory. [201339]

Matthew Hancock: Grading is being introduced into new apprenticeships through the Trailblazer process. Groups of employers are coming together to design apprenticeship standards and assessments. All new apprenticeships must be graded, and we have made grading of the end-point assessment a minimum requirement of the new apprenticeship programme.

Having had their standards approved and published in March, the first phase of Trailblazer projects are now working on their assessment plans, including implementation of the grading requirement.

Grading is important to ensure qualifications are aspirational for all—including those on track to pass who could benefit from being challenged to aim higher.

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on steps to encourage more firms to offer apprenticeships for the long-term unemployed. [904373]

Matthew Hancock: No recent representations have been received on steps to encourage more firms to offer apprenticeships for the long-term unemployed.

Despite that, we are taking forward action to do so. Apprenticeships play a vital role in equipping people to lead successful and rewarding working lives, and are a

23 Jun 2014 : Column 101W

key pathway into work. Apprenticeships and the introduction of study programmes for the 16-19 age group are at the heart of our drive to equip people with the skills that employers need. Traineeships, which we introduced last year, provide an education and training programme with work experience, focused on giving young people aged 16 to 23 the skills and experience they need to get apprenticeships and other sustainable jobs.

Australia

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what visits Ministers in his Department made to Australia in the last year; what the primary purpose was of those visits; and who accompanied them on those visits. [200759]

Jenny Willott: Details of Ministers’ overseas visits are published quarterly on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=department-for-business-innovation-skills&publication_type=transparency-data

Information for January to March 2014 will be published shortly.

Chief Scientific Advisers

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many meetings he has had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser in the last 12 months; [200784]

(2) how many meetings the Minister of State for (a) Business and Enterprise, (b) Universities, Science and Skills and (c) Skills and Enterprise has had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser in the last 12 months. [200796]

Mr Willetts: As was the case under previous Administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Consultation Papers

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many consultation documents his Department issued which received fewer than 100 separate responses in each of the last four years. [201214]

Jenny Willott: Data on consultation response rates are not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Disabled Students' Allowances: North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people are in receipt of disabled students' allowance in (a) the North West, (b) Warrington and (c) Warrington North constituency. [200880]

Mr Willetts: Information on students awarded and paid Disabled Students’ Allowance is published annually by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in the Statistical

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First Release ‘Student Support for Higher Education England’. The latest statistics are available at the following link:

http://www.slc.co.uk/media/694170/slcsfr052013.pdf

A further breakdown for Warrington North constituency, Warrington LEA and the North West has been provided in the table for the academic year 2012/13. Equivalent figures for the academic year 2013/14 will be available from November 2014.

Engineering: Females

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress his Department has made on increasing the number of women in engineering roles. [200799]

Mr Willetts: BIS funds or supports a range of activities aimed at increasing the number of women in science and engineering roles. 55% of National Science and Engineering Competition prize winners were girls, as was the UK Young Engineer of the Year 2014.

BIS also funds STEMNET to run the STEM Ambassadors programme: a nationwide network of over 28,000 volunteers who visit schools to inspire young people, act as role models and bring STEM career opportunities to life. 40% of STEM Ambassadors are women. 91% of UK state secondary schools accessed STEM Ambassadors between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014.

BIS is also part of the ‘Your Life’ campaign that is designed to boost participation in science, technology, engineering and maths at school and beyond. Over 180 leading businesses and institutions have pledged to do more to highlight the career opportunities open to those studying STEM subjects, committing to create over 2000 new entry level positions including apprenticeships, graduate jobs or paid work experience posts.

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As one of our pledges under the ‘Your Life’ campaign, on 12 June 2014, the Minister for Skills and Enterprise, my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock), announced £30 million funding to increase the supply of engineers, to encourage more women into the sector and to address engineering skills shortages in smaller companies. The fund will enable engineering companies to establish training programmes to develop future engineers and boost the number of women in the profession. £10 million of the fund will be directed to a call to ‘Developing Women Engineers’ and £10 million to a call to ‘Improving Engineering Careers’.

Insolvency

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many complaints the Government have received on the England and Wales personal insolvency regime in relation to (a) bankruptcy, (b) individual voluntary arrangements and (c) debt relief orders in each year since 2010; and what the nature was of such complaints. [200891]

Jenny Willott: The Insolvency Service (Agency) does not hold records that categorise complaints in this way for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. The Agency’s records are held in relation to complaints received in respect of the official receiver’s administration of bankruptcies and debt relief orders (DROs) from 2012-13 onwards.

Since June 2013, following introduction of the Insolvency Practitioner Complaints Gateway, the Agency has maintained records of complaints made against Insolvency Practitioners (IPs) and their administration of individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) and Trust Deeds (a Scottish equivalent of IVAs)—no records are held for IVAs alone.

The following table summarises complaint numbers in respect of the official receiver or IP’s administration of bankruptcies, IVA/Trust Deeds and DROs.

Records detailing the nature of complaints received in relation to the official receiver’s administration of bankruptcy and DRO cases have only been held since 2013/14. The complaints are categorised as follows:

Delay in taking action;

Delay in replying to correspondence;

Delay in returning telephone calls;

Personal conduct (of a member of staff);

Misleading/incorrect information;

Failure to inform/reply;

Failure to act;

Incorrect action; and

Quality of service by 3rd party acting for the Agency.

The nature of complaints received in respect of an IP’s administration of IVAs are categorised as follows:

Complainant not receiving a completion certificate;

IP’s failure to deal with correspondence;

Complainant disputing payment protection insurance compensation is asset in IVA;

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Complainant believes they were given poor advice; and

IP failed to deal with an IVA/Trust Deed in a timely way.

Minimum Wage

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the budget for enforcement of the National Minimum Wage was in 2013-14; and what that budget will be in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16. [201385]

Jenny Willott: The national minimum wage enforcement budgets for 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 in principle were set out in parliamentary question 174284 on 7 November 2013, Official Report, column 351W.

The 2014-15 budget was reviewed at the start of the financial year and will be considered again at mid-year and may be subject to change.

Money Lenders

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many telephone calls the Illegal Money Lending Unit helpline received from (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last four years. [201228]

Jenny Willott: The Illegal Money Lending Teams in England, Scotland and Wales receive intelligence via the helpline and also through via the “report a loan shark” web page on www.gov.uk, text messages, other electronic media and referrals from enforcement and debt advice agencies.

Below is a breakdown of the number of calls received over the last four years and also the number of total pieces of intelligence received via all communications channels.

Trading Standards is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and so it is not possible to provide comparable data.

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 14 May 2014, Official Report, column 678W, on money lenders, how many actionable reports led to a conviction in each of the last four years. [201229]

Jenny Willott: The Illegal Money Lending Teams conduct complex and sensitive investigations. The length of each investigation will be influenced by the circumstances of the specific case. In some instances convictions can be delivered only through months of proactive intelligence gathering and community engagement. Because of this, some cases span multiple years and so there is not necessarily a direct link between the numbers of actionable reports and the numbers of convictions in any one year.

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Below is a breakdown of the number of operations, arrests and prosecutions completed by the Illegal Money Lending Teams in England, Scotland and Wales in each

23 Jun 2014 : Column 106W

of the last four years and the number of custodial sentences handed down by the courts.

Postal Services

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with Royal Mail regarding the redirection notices it provides to other postal operators. [201400]

Jenny Willott: None. Matters relating to its operations and services, which includes its redirection service, are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail’s management.

Science: Finance

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of levels of public expenditure on science on UK economic productivity figures. [200800]

Mr Willetts: A number of academic studies find a positive link between research and development (R&D) investment and economic growth. Much of the relevant evidence was set out in a recent report for BIS “Insights from international benchmarking of the UK science and innovation system¹” and the 2014 BIS Innovation Report.²

A further recent UK report estimated that public investment in science yields a social rate of return of around 20%, through its impact on private sector productivity³. This means that for every £1 spent by Government on R&D, private sector output rises by 20 pence per year in perpetuity. This effect could be larger where additional public spending on R&D attracts additional private R&D spending. The same report and other studies have shown that there is a “crowding-in” effect of public investment on R&D. The effect is greater in industries that conduct significant R&D or collaborate with universities.

¹Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/science-and-innovation-system-international-benchmarking

²Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/innovation-report-2014-innovation-research-and-growth

³ Available at:

http://sciencecampaign.org.uk/UKScienceBase.pdf

Shipbuilding: Overseas Workers

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of former BAE staff at the Portsmouth shipyard who have been recruited by overseas ship-builders. [201062]

Michael Fallon: The local taskforce is working to secure positive outcomes for all staff leaving BAE in Portsmouth. It is too early to draw conclusions.

We recognise the importance of manufacturing and engineering skills to the economy: these will be vital to building the Solent area's strengths in marine and maritime. BIS is working closely with industry, Jobcentre Plus, and Portsmouth council to support those employees impacted by BAE's decision to close its shipyard in Portsmouth.

The Southampton and Portsmouth City Deal announced a £1 million DWP Rapid Response Service that will support those recently made redundant. Government and local industry will invest £3 million in a Marine and Maritime Employer Ownership for Skills Programme, responding to the immediate skills needs in small and medium-sized enterprises in the advanced manufacturing sector.

Additionally, the existing UK-wide Talent Retention Solution is available to help match skilled workers to engineering jobs in the UK and is currently advertising 693 vacancies in the south of England on its website.¹

¹ Active TRS vacancies listed on 18 June 2014.

Students: Finance

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written statement of 16 June 2014, Official Report, columns 70-1WS, on student support in England, how many of the students who were unable or chose not to provide adequate evidence of residency were studying at an alternative provider with designated courses; at which provider they were studying; for what qualifications they were registered; and on what basis his Department calculated that £65 million was due to be paid to 1,333 students. [200842]

Mr Willetts: The number of students who were unable or chose not to provide adequate evidence of residency who were studying at an alternative provider with designated courses and providers at which they were studying, was included in the data set placed in the Library of the House to accompany the written ministerial statement on 16 June 2014.

A breakdown of the courses these students are studying that is not held in the form requested. I have asked the

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Student Loans Company to compile these data and I will place a copy in the Library of the House as soon as it is available.

The £65 million figure given in the written ministerial statement is the amount of student support that would have been paid in relation to the 5,548 students deemed to be ineligible following the residency checking exercise. It was calculated using actual awards for students who had approved applications and average award amounts for students whose applications had not reached the approval stage at the time payments were suspended.

Sunday Trading Act 1994

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received from UK retailers on the effect of the Sunday Trading Act 1994 on their businesses. [201116]

Jenny Willott: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has received representations from a number of correspondents in the last 12 months on Sunday trading. These include representations from Asda Stores Ltd, the Horticulture Trades Association and shopping centres advocating further liberalisation, as well as others such as the Association of Convenience Stores, some large retailers, two individual stores and small groups, supporting the current Sunday trading rules or for further restrictions.

Telephone Services

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many premium rate type telephone lines were in use for members of the public to contact his Department in (a) June 2010 and (b) June 2014. [201215]

Jenny Willott: The Department had no public facing premium rate lines in use in June 2010 or June 2014.

TNT

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom regarding the postal service standards provided by TNT. [201401]

Jenny Willott: Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) meet officials from Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services, on a regular basis to discuss a broad range of market issues. There have not been any specific discussions about TNT Post’s service standards.

All postal operators are subject to regulatory conditions set by Ofcom. These regulatory conditions cover such things as the security and confidentiality of the mail that operators handle and ensure that effective complaints procedures are in place for consumers. More information about Ofcom’s regulatory regime can be found on its website at:

www.ofcom.org.uk

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Communities and Local Government

Compulsory Purchase

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average length of time taken by his Department to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order to a local authority is. [201047]

Nick Boles: Since May 2012 (when the National Planning Casework Unit took responsibility for this area of work) the average length of time to make a decision on opposed planning Compulsory Purchase Orders has been 10 to 11 weeks.

Compulsory Purchase: Haringey

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) when he expects to reach a decision on whether Haringey Council will be issued with a Compulsory Purchase Order in relation to the site of 1-3 Paxton Road, London N17 0PB; [201048]

(2) when his Department received the application from Haringey Council for a Compulsory Purchase Order to be issued for the site of 1-3 Paxton Road, London, N17 0PB. [201046]

Nick Boles: We are currently considering whether to confirm a Compulsory Purchase Order known as the London Borough of Haringey (Northumberland Development Project) (No. 1) submitted by Haringey Council which includes the site of 1-3 Paxton Road. The order was received in the Department on 5 September 2012.

This is a complex case. After the close of the inquiry there were matters in respect of which further views of the interested parties were sought and considered. This has delayed the decision in this case.

We hope to issue the decision on this shortly. It is not appropriate to comment further as to do so may prejudice the Secretary of State’s decision.

Equal Opportunities

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what targets his Department has for increasing diversity; and what progress has been made on meeting those targets in the last year. [199921]

Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 434W.

Housing: ICT

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that newly built residential properties have access to telephone and internet services. [201013]

Nick Boles: Developers and internet providers recognise the importance of telephone and internet

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provision in new builds and that customers’ expectation is these services will be available on the day they move in. My Department, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is working with house builders and providers of telephone and internet services to ensure newly built residential properties have access to telephone and internet services.

Housing: Planning Permission

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of how many local authority plans arising from which authorities he has rejected the proposed local development framework and required additional housing supply in excess of that specified in the regional spatial strategy. [198800]

Nick Boles [holding answer 9 June 2014]: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), has not rejected any local plan.

The coalition Government have put local plans and local councils at the heart of planning. We have abolished the unpopular and ineffective top-down targets in regional strategies, shifting power and responsibility for housing and planning to local councils and local communities. Regional strategies are no longer relevant for local plans coming forward for examination.

The Localism Act 2011 removed planning inspectors’ powers to impose changes on local authorities’ draft local plans. Instead, independent planning inspectors now report to the local authority and identify any conflicts between a draft local plan and national policy and regulatory process. They are able to recommend modifications to overcome these issues if they are asked to do so by the council itself. The local authority is free to choose to accept the inspector’s modifications and adopt the draft plan, or resubmit a new plan. This approach is aimed at encouraging a more collaborative process as the public examination proceeds.

Local Government

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what representations his Department has received from (a) local authorities and (b) others on sanctions available to councils under the Localism Act 2011 where councillors have been found to have been in breach of the code of conduct under that Act; [199699]

(2) what representations his Department has received on the effectiveness of the role of the independent person under the Localism Act 2011; [199698]

(3) what plans he has to carry out a post-implementation review of the local government standards framework in the Localism Act 2011. [199700]

Brandon Lewis [holding answer 12 June 2014]: As stated in the impact assessment on the abolition of the Standards Board regime (published in January 2011), a

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post-implementation review will be carried out three to five years after implementation of the policy in July 2012.

My Department routinely receives representations about standards arrangements in local government, and indeed, on a whole range of local government issues. We will have regard to representations and comments when we undertake our post- implementation review.

However, Ministers are clear that the new provisions are a significant improvement on the old, discredited regime. The Localism Act 2011 has clarified predetermination rules allowing elected councillors to campaign and speak up on local issues. We have reversed the petty culture of malicious and unfounded complaints that wasted time and energy and undermined the good reputation of local government. We have increased transparency on councillors’ interests, and put in place criminal sanctions for the very rare instances of corruption. This is complemented by the role of political parties in ensuring good conduct, the law of libel, and the ultimate sanction—the ballot box.

Noise: Pollution Control

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department provides to music venues facing potential closure from noise abatement notices as a result of change of use of neighbouring buildings under permitted development rights. [200374]

Nick Boles [holding answer 17 June 2014]: Under nuisance law, it is for a local authority to decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not a noise constitutes a statutory nuisance. The ‘character of the locality’ is one of a number of relevant factors that would be taken into account, and well-established music venues would certainly be a consideration in assessing the reasonableness of the activity being carried out.

The National Planning Policy Framework states that existing businesses wanting to develop in continuance of their business should not have unreasonable restrictions put on them because of changes in nearby land uses since they were established. This policy is clearly material when considering planning enforcement cases in relation to new land use changes nearby. Our new suite of planning guidance directly addresses the issue of noise, including advice on noise mitigation measures. This can be found online at:

http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/noise/noise-guidance/

The licensing process also provides an adjudication mechanism between local residents and licensed premises by which practical measures can be introduced to control and mitigate noise. Statutory guidance recommends practical conditions such as closing doors and windows, the installation of acoustic curtains or rubber speaker mounts. While recognising the need to tackle public nuisance, the guidance also advises that licensing authorities should be aware of the need to avoid inappropriate or disproportionate measures that could deter events that are valuable to the community, such as live music.

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More broadly, it is also in the commercial interests of any developer wishing to sell and market new residential accommodation near an existing music venue or licensed premises, or indeed in any urban environment, to take into account nearby noise, and seek to address that via good internal design and appropriate mitigation mechanisms (such as double glazing).

Planning Permission

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average length of time taken by his Department to make a decision on a planning application referred to is. [201044]

Nick Boles: During 2013-14, 272 planning applications were referred to the Secretary of State under the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009. Records indicate that the average number of days it took to make a decision was 21 days.

Regeneration: Liverpool

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness and progress of the Anfield regeneration project. [198911]

Kris Hopkins [holding answer 9 June 2014]: This local regeneration project is being overseen by Liverpool city council, and is not the responsibility of my Department.

This Government cancelled the last Administration’s controversial Pathfinder programme and its top down targets.

Given my Department’s quasi-judicial role in the planning process, it would not be appropriate to comment at this stage on any current or pending planning application.

Transport

Chief Scientific Advisers

Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings he has had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser in the last 12 months. [200793]

Stephen Hammond: As was the case under previous Administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of projected ticket prices for rail passengers using the High Speed 2 rail line. [200848]

Mr Goodwill: In order to test the case for HS2, current fares were assumed to increase by RPI+1% annually until 2036 after which fares are assumed to

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grow in line with inflation. No fares differential was applied to services using the high-speed infrastructure. This is an assumption which provides an appropriate basis for modelling costs and benefits, but does not represent a prediction of future rail fares, which will be affected by Government policy, market and industry changes across the GB rail network over many years.

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects High Speed 2 will require a separate ticket pricing structure from regular rail services. [200850]

Mr Goodwill: The HS2 business case demonstrates that the project can deliver significant benefits for the country without any fares differential being required for journeys using the high-speed line. It is too soon to know what fares will be set for travel on HS2 services. Government decisions about fares structures and regulation will be taken closer to the commencement of HS2 phase 1 services in 2026.

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish information on ticket pricing for High Speed 2. [200851]

Mr Goodwill: There are currently no plans to publish information relating to the likely structure or level of ticket prices for journeys using the HS2 railway following the opening of HS2 phase 1 in 2026 and beyond.

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what form he expects the Chinese investment in High Speed 2 to take. [201342]

Mr Goodwill: The 2013 spending review provided a long-term funding commitment of £50 billion to deliver HS2. We are continuously seeking ways to reduce costs to the taxpayer, and we are very open to proposals around including elements of private financing, including Chinese investment.

Opportunities for external investment might exist in relation to rolling stock and development and regeneration around stations. This could provide benefits to both taxpayers and investors.

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects Chinese workers to be employed in the construction of High Speed 2. [201343]

Mr Goodwill: Contracts let for the construction of HS2 infrastructure and rolling stock will be open to competition irrespective of country of origin, in accordance with EU and UK procurement legislation.

Prospective bidders are welcome to work alongside British-based bidders.

It will be for bidders to propose how they can best deliver their proposals and the contribution of British companies and supply chain will be of interest.

HS2 Ltd is undertaking a range of initiatives to ensure businesses are aware of the opportunities and their forthcoming requirements so that they can prepare, so as to compete effectively.

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Any non-EU overseas workers would of course be subject to the UK's immigration regime and would be required to comply with whatever regulations were in force at the time.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to provide training for drivers of heavy goods vehicles to increase awareness of the dangers faced by cyclists. [200680]

Stephen Hammond: In addition to licence acquisition tests which require drivers to demonstrate knowledge of vulnerable road users, the EU mandated Driver Certificate of Professional Competence requires drivers of heavy goods vehicles to carry out five days of further training in every five-year period. Within the confines of the directive, we would encourage drivers and employers to

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select the training which best meets their needs, which may be a course on vulnerable road users.

We welcome initiatives such as ‘Exchanging Places' events where cyclists and drivers of HGVs and buses get to experience the perspectives of others , and encourage local authorities to consider such activities which can improve road sharing.

Telephone Services

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many telephone lines with the prefix (a) 0845, (b) 0844 and (c) 0843 his Department (i) operates and (ii) sponsors; how many calls each such number has received in the last 12 months; and whether alternative numbers charged at BT local rates are available in each such case. [201389]

Stephen Hammond: The Department has three numbers in use detailed in the following table:

Women and Equalities

Domestic Violence

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Ministers for Women and for Equalities what recent discussions the Government Equalities Office has had with the Home Office about ending domestic abuse and violence against women. [201226]

Nicky Morgan: I have regular meetings and discussions with my colleagues on this and other matters affecting women and equality, including attending the Violence Against Women and Girls Inter-Ministerial Group, and working with ministerial colleagues to co-ordinate policy on tackling this abhorrent crime. Officials from the Government Equalities Office work closely with Home Office colleagues on this policy area and recently co-hosted an event working with employers to recognise and support employees who are victims of domestic violence.

Work and Pensions

Compensation

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been paid in consolatory payments for claimants in (a) Preston and (b) the rest of the UK in each of the last three years. [201097]

Mike Penning: Information regarding the amount paid in consolatory payments to claimants in Preston is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The amount paid in consolatory payments to GB claimants in each of the last three years is in the table.

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Employment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of employment opportunities resulting from the Commonwealth Games; and if he will make a statement. [201060]

Esther McVey: It is estimated by the organising committee, Glasgow 2014 Ltd, that up to 30,000 employment opportunities will be created by the Commonwealth games.

Employment and Support Allowance

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress his Department has made on improving the employment and support allowance appeals process. [904380]

Mike Penning: Appeals against employment and support allowance decisions decreased by just under 90% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2013.

Our reforms to the appeals process mean claimants are now contacted much earlier, with the decision explained to them, and—through Mandatory Reconsideration—they are given the opportunity to provide further evidence. This is helping to resolve disputes as early as possible, and avoids the need for costly and protracted appeals.

We are using feedback from the First tier Tribunal to improve our approach to decision making as part of the Department's continuous improvement work, and where we identify improvements, we will make them.

Employment and Support Allowance: Bradford

Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many cases in Bradford are (a) pending and (b) being processed through his Department's mandatory reconsideration mechanism; [201011]

(2) how many cases in Bradford are awaiting mandatory reconsideration of employment and support allowance decisions. [201009]

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available.

Employment and Support Allowance: West Yorkshire

Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional resources his Department is making available to reduce the time taken to process requests for mandatory reconsideration of employment and support allowance decisions in West Yorkshire. [201010]

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Esther McVey: We have targeted the resource we use nationally so that requests are processed as quickly as possible to minimise any undue delays, without compromising good quality decision making.

In addition we are currently reviewing the customer journey to understand where the pinch points are in the decision-making process in order to reduce the end-to- end journey time.

Employment Schemes: Glasgow

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with Glasgow city council on the Glasgow Guarantee. [200754]

Esther McVey: The Secretary of State has not had recent discussions with Glasgow city council on the Glasgow Guarantee.

Jobcentre Plus

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which jobcentres (a) do and (b) do not have wi-fi access for jobseekers to use. [201099]

Esther McVey: The Digital Jobcentres project will modernise the Jobcentre digital infrastructure by delivering wi-fi and Web Access Devices (WADs) across the Jobcentre network. From now until the end of October, we will be installing wi-fi and new Web Access Devices (WADs) across the Jobcentre network.

The following 39 Jobcentres already have wi-fi available for jobseekers to use:

London Bridge

Ashton under Lyme

Newport

Hammersmith

Rusholme

Rugby

Poole

Inverness

Newton Abbot

Wigan

Chester

Warrington

Swansea

Oldham

Motherwell

Harrogate

Abertillery

Bath

Bargoed

Caerphilly

Sutton

Ebbw Vale

Altrincham

Merthyr Tydfil

Hyde

Tredegar

Stalybridge

Wolverhampton

Stretford

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Scarborough

Airdrie

Coventry

Erdington

Rotherham

Sheffield, Cavendish Court

Wakefield

Shotton

Blackwood

Derby

By the end of October 2014, the remaining offices in the Jobcentre network will have wi-fi installed and available for jobseekers to use.

Jobcentre Plus: Middlesbrough

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of changes in the number of interpreters available at Middlesbrough Jobcentre in the last 12 months. [200844]

Esther McVey: There have been no changes in the number of interpreters available at Middlesbrough Jobcentre (James Cook House, 79 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2BA) in the last 12 months.

National Employment Savings Trust Scheme

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are enrolled in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST); how many such people enrolled in NEST are making additional payments by direct debit each month; and what the average additional contribution by direct debit each month is. [201100]

Steve Webb: The National Employment Savings Trust announced on 1 April 2014 that they have over a million members.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold information about the number of scheme members making monthly additional payments by direct debit to NEST nor does it hold information on the average additional contribution by direct debit each month to NEST.

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much is paid out in tax relief each month for savers within the National Employment Savings Trust; and what the average amount paid out in tax relief has been to a scheme member in each month. [201126]

Steve Webb: The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold the information requested.

Personal Independence Payment

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for personal independence payment have been refused to date. [200968]

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Mike Penning: The available data on the number of claims and decisions made up to 28 March 2014 have been published and are available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/317425/pip-statistical-release-june-2014.pdf

Between 8 April 2013 and 28 March 2014, 34,300 claims to personal independence payment had been disallowed.

Notes:

1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.

2. Figures do not include claims withdrawn prior to a decision.

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims have been submitted for personal independence payment in each month since its introduction. [200969]

Mike Penning: Further to the figures published on 5 June 2014, the following table shows how many claims have been submitted for personal independence payment:

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time to process a personal independence payment claim has been in each month since it was introduced. [200972]

Mike Penning: The information you have requested is not currently available.

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants for personal independence payment who require a home consultation have waited longer than (a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four, (e) five and (f) six or more months for such a consultation. [201021]

Mike Penning: The information requested is not currently available.

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Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what comparative assessment he has made of the average waiting time for claimants of the personal independence payment who require a home consultation in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) the UK. [201022]

Mike Penning: The information requested is not currently available.

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many applications for personal independence payment were made by individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness in each of the three months to June 2014; [201248]

(2) how many decisions on applications for personal independence payment from individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness were made in each of the three months to June 2014; [201249]

(3) what the average duration has been of the assessment period for each claim for personal independence payment from a person diagnosed with a terminal illness in each of the three months to June 2014. [201251]

Mike Penning: I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 18 June 2014, Official Report, column 629W. Information on clearance times is not currently available. Statistics on clearance times are intended for future publication.

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the contracts for personal independence payment assessments were awarded to Atos and Capita; and how many applications they were forecast to have processed by (a) March 2014 and (b) March 2015. [201250]

Mike Penning: The start date for both Atos and Capita contracts was 31 July 2012.

No forecast figures are available for numbers of applications processed.