Knives: Greater London
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many knife-related crimes were recorded in (a) London, (b) Tower Hamlets and (c) Bethnal Green and Bow constituency in the last five years. [204172]
Norman Baker: Data for selected offences involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument are collected by the Home Office at police force area level only, so data are not available for Tower Hamlets or Bethnal Green and Bow constituency. Data for these selected offences are in the given table for the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police force areas for 2008-09 to 2012-13.
The offences covered are attempted murder, assault with injury, assault with intent to cause serious harm, robbery, threats to kill, sexual assault, rape and homicide. Figures for 2013-14 will be published by the Office for National Statistics on 17 July 2014.
| Knife and sharp instrument offences recorded by the Metropolitan and City of London police for selected offences in London,1 2008-09 to 2012-13 | |
| Total selected offences2 (number) | |
| 1 Police recorded knife and sharp instrument offences data are submitted via an additional special collection. Other offences exist that are not shown in this table that may include the use of a knife or sharp instrument. 2 Selected offences covered are attempted murder, assault with injury, assault with intent to cause serious harm, robbery, threats to kill, sexual assault and rape and homicide. Homicide data are taken from the Home Office Homicide Index. | |
London Marathon
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of people who have entered the UK in each of the last five years to participate in the London marathons and who remain in the country illegally; and if she will make a statement. [204205]
14 July 2014 : Column 512W
Karen Bradley [holding answer 10 July 2014]:No estimate has been made of the number of individuals who entered the UK specifically to compete in the London marathon and have overstayed.
Ministers: Official Cars
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many journeys Ministers of her Department have made using the Government Car Service; and how many such journeys were for the transportation of a red box. [204940]
Karen Bradley: The information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Paralympic Games 2012
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of people who came to the UK to participate in the 2012 Paralympic Games who remain in the country illegally; and if she will make a statement. [204201]
Karen Bradley [holding answer 10 July 2014]:No estimate was made of those who overstayed in the UK after entering to compete in the Paralympic Games.
Passports
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on courier services for passports outside the DX contract since 1 January 2014. [200529]
James Brokenshire: Her Majesty's Passport Office has incurred no costs outside contractual arrangements with DX since 1 January.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what target she has set for the time in which applicants should receive a call back from the Passport Office when making enquiries about applications. [200723]
James Brokenshire: Her Majesty's Passport Office's current guideline for returning calls is to do so within 48 hours. Her Majesty's Passport Office gives priority to those with the most immediate travel plans.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passport renewal applications have been upgraded from a standard application to the premium service in each of the last six months. [200748]
James Brokenshire: Historical data on the number of upgrades from a standard application to a premium service are not collated centrally.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of people who cancelled holidays in 2014 due to delays in passport applications. [201355]
James Brokenshire: Her Majesty's Passport Office does not collect these data.
14 July 2014 : Column 513W
Policy
Mr O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what level her Department values the reduction of risk of death per fatal casualty prevented; and if she will give an example of policy intervention where this evaluation was made. [203614]
Norman Baker: In order to estimate the cost of a homicide, the Home Office uses the value of a prevented fatality, which is estimated by the Department for Transport. The Home Office has produced three reports on the economic and social costs of crime, which contain the Department’s estimates of the value of preventing a fatality in relation to a homicide. The Home Office first estimated the economic and social costs of crime in 2000:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors217.pdf
The Home Office last comprehensively updated the costs of crime estimates in 2005:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100413151441/http:/www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/rdsolr3005.pdf
The Home Office’s 2011 publication provides its most recent revision to the unit costs of crime figures:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/97813/IOM-phase2-costs-multipliers.pdf
The costs within the costs of crime report are used to inform policy development. For example, the rationale in the impact assessment for Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme refers to the average and total cost of homicides related to domestic violence and abuse:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260899/DVDS_IA.pdf
Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many establishments deregistered for the purposes of carrying out marriages in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014. [202529]
Karen Bradley: The General Register Office (GRO) for England and Wales is responsible for maintaining the list of religious buildings registered for marriage.
The number of cancellations made for registered buildings for 2012 was 211, for 2013 was 180, and for 2014 (up to 25 June) is 106.
Riot Control Weapons
Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her timetable is for the decision on the use of police water cannon in Great Britain. [204127]
Damian Green: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 12 May 2014, Official Report, column 412W.
UK Visas and Immigration
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual salary of a UK Visas and Immigration asylum caseworker is; and how many asylum decisions such a caseworker makes on average in one year. [203401]
14 July 2014 : Column 514W
Karen Bradley: There are two grades of Asylum caseworkers in UKVI, EO decision makers and HEO senior decision makers.
The pay scales for these caseworkers are:
EO National—£22,770 to £26,209
EO London—£26,242 to £30,181
HEO National—£27,150 to 32,460
HEO London—£30,388 to £36,922
We are unable to provide average salary data for UKVI caseworkers.
This year we expect to employ an average of 409 caseworkers. Caseworkers are expected to conduct interviews, deal with decisions and take detained fast track appeals. They are expected to work on 225 of these in various combinations in a year.
Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment she has made of the appropriateness of the current number of female officers in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre; [203016]
(2) what steps she is taking to ensure that women in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre on suicide watch are only supervised by female officers; [203017]
(3) if she will take steps to ensure that women detained in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre can obtain feminine hygiene products without contact with male guards. [203018]
Karen Bradley: The Home Office and its service providers comply with all relevant employment legislation. The service provider for Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre, Serco, is required under their contract to employ sufficient female officers to enable appropriate searching and security arrangements for female detainees. Yarl's Wood IRC has 52% male detainee custody officers and 48% female.
Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) is the system used for monitoring individuals considered to be at risk of self harm and operates within the broader context of decency, safety, and the concept of a healthy centre.
ACDT requires centre managers to appoint trained assessors and named case managers in order to provide individualised care to detainees based on their particular needs. A female assessor or case manager should be appointed where it is appropriate but that is not a requirement.
Feminine hygiene items are freely available to residents. Access to these is not monitored by staff.
House of Commons Commission
Parliamentary Procedure: Publications
Caroline Lucas: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will take steps to make the latest edition of Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice available free of charge online. [204435]
14 July 2014 : Column 515W
John Thurso: Erskine May’s “Parliamentary Practice” is published by Butterworths under an exclusive licence granted by the trustees of the May Memorial Fund, registered charity 306057, who own the copyright to the work. I understand that the trustees are considering under what financial arrangements it might be practicable to make a digital version of Erskine May available online.
Public Accounts Commission
ICT
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how many mobile telephones, BlackBerrys and laptops were lost by the National Audit Office in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date. [204807]
Sir Edward Leigh: The information requested is as follows:
| January to December 2013 (12 months) | |
| Number | |
| January to June 2014 (six months) | |
| Number | |
14 July 2014 : Column 516W
When laptops or mobile phones/BlackBerrys are lost or stolen, the NAO follows these up in accordance with the guidance in the Government’s Security Policy Framework.
Procurement
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how much and what proportion of the National Audit Office's budget was spent on activities which were contracted out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how much and what proportion of the National Audit Office's budget he expects to be contracted out in 2014-15. [205193]
Sir Edward Leigh: The majority of the NAO’s contracted work planned in 2014-15 is in financial audit, where additional audit resources are provided by some half-a-dozen private audit firms. The NAO’s partners are chosen through a rigorous process, in line with EU rules on public sector procurement, to ensure value for money. Financial audit work comprises some 55% of the NAO’s total activity and around 20% of the NAO’s financial audit work is outsourced.
The use of private firms to carry out some audits is included in the NAO’s Strategy, approved by the Public Accounts Commission. The current mix ensures that the NAO maintains the breadth of insight into Departments which the C&AG derives on behalf of Parliament from having NAO staff undertake financial audits directly, but also has sufficient exposure to the framework partners so as to benchmark the NAO against the private sector and import best practice. The NAO also uses outsourcing arrangements in its value-for-money or investigations work where specialist skills are required.
| Percentage of NAO Activities contracted out | ||||||
| Actual | Estimate | |||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|
Total voted gross expenditure (Audit and Assurance) (£ million) | ||||||
Total voted gross expenditure (Audit and Assurance) excludes the following exceptional expenditure:
Restructuring of the NAO (£4.2 million in 2013–14)
Refurbishment of the NAO building (£16.2 million in 2009–10)
Temporary accommodation costs (£5.9 million in 2009–10).
Attorney-General
Billing
Nick de Bois: To ask the Attorney-General how many creditors remained unpaid by his Department as at 1 June 2014; and of those how many have been waiting for (a) 45, (b) 60, (c) 75 and (d) more than 75 days. [202147]
The Solicitor-General: The following table shows the number of Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol) invoices that were potentially outstanding to suppliers from the date that an invoice was received on 1 June. This table includes all invoices including those that cannot yet be authorised as the invoice was disputed or where further information was requested from the supplier.
The majority of TSol supplier invoices relate to disbursement spending on cases and in particular work undertaken by counsel.
| TSol1 | 46-60 days | 61-75 days | 76 days or more |
| 1 Tsol data also includes Attorney General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. | |||
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records a creditor when a valid invoice is received by the CPS’ payment centre and the following table shows the total number of creditors for any amount that remained unpaid on 1 June 2014.
| CPS | 46-60 days | 61-75 days | 76 days or more |
14 July 2014 : Column 517W
The following table shows the number of creditors that remained unpaid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on 1 June 2014 for (a) 45, (b) 60, (c) 76 days and over.
| SFO | 46-60 days | 61-75 days | 76 days or more |
Ministers: Official Cars
Lyn Brown: To ask the Attorney-General how many journeys Ministers of the Law Officers' Departments have made using the Government Car Service; and how many such journeys were for the transportation of a red box. [204931]
The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers have the use of one day and one evening car provided by the Government Car Service. The Attorney-General's Office do not keep a record of the number of car journeys undertaken by the Law Officers, or of the number of journeys made specifically for transporting a red box.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage farmers to extend the seasonal production of fresh fruit and vegetables. [204219]
George Eustice: DEFRA supports increasing the seasonal production of fruit and vegetables through working with the sector, investing in new technology and research, and our sponsorship of the Horticulture Innovation Partnership.
Since the recommendations by the Fruit and Vegetable Taskforce in 2010, the Government and industry have worked jointly to overcome barriers towards increasing the amount of indigenous fruit and vegetables produced. This has been despite the poor weather of 2012 and 2013.
Bees
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the decline in the bee population; what steps he is taking to tackle such a decline; and if he will make a statement; [204117]
(2) if he will place in the Library a summary of his Department’s chief scientific adviser’s latest analysis of the decline in the bee population. [204118]
Dan Rogerson: Changes in our bee and pollinator populations are due to a range of environmental pressures, including intensification of land use and loss of good quality habitat; pests and diseases; invasive species; use of pesticides; and climate change.
In 2013, DEFRA’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Ian Boyd, commissioned a report on the “Status and Value of Pollinators and Pollination Services” to review the current evidence on the impact of environmental pressures on pollinators. A copy of this report will be
14 July 2014 : Column 518W
placed in the House Library. We have just begun a two-year project to develop a framework and test methods for monitoring pollinator abundance.
In the autumn we will publish our National Pollinator Strategy, which includes a series of policy actions to safeguard pollinators. In the meanwhile, we will continue to raise public awareness through the launch this July of our call to action, “Bees’ Needs: Food and a Home”. This is a simple message for all land managers on the essential needs of pollinators and how to fulfil them.
We want to see a thriving bee and pollinator population in the UK, to enhance biodiversity and support our food production.
Common Agricultural Policy
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of 7 July 2014, Official Report, columns 127-31, on common agricultural policy, where the 10 centres for digital assistance for farmers will be located. [204672]
George Eustice: There will be three trial Digital Support Centres (DSCs) for specific invited applicants to test the service which will be run over the summer. These will be based in Cumbria and in Devon. Further DSCs will become available in the autumn to support farmers across England as more farmers from other areas are invited to register. The RPA is working now to identify the most appropriate locations for the DSCs to support this staged roll out. This analysis will include likely demand alongside information we have on broadband not-spots and areas where trusted intermediaries are operating. It is anticipated that there will be more than 10 DSCs available as demand grows.
Environment Agency
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were employed by the Environment Agency in a full-time capacity in each month since June 2010. [204990]
Dan Rogerson: The table shows the total full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed by the Environment Agency from 30 June 2010 to 30 June 2014.
The numbers fell by 1,070 on 1 April 2013 as a result of the creation of Natural Resources Wales, which absorbed Environment Agency Wales staff.
The numbers include those staff directly employed on Environment Agency contracts of employment, either permanent or fixed term. The numbers do not include Employment Agency Staff, Consultants or Contractors.
The figure for January 2014, differs from that included in the reply given on 24 February 2014, Official Report, columns 91-92W, to the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle), where the figure included Employment Agency Staff, Consultants and Contractors. The figure given in this reply does not.
| Total full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed by the Environment Agency from 30 June 2010 to 30 June 2014 | |
| Number | |
14 July 2014 : Column 519W
EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his officials consulted their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive in preparation for the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 16 and 17 June 2014. [204177]
George Eustice: DEFRA's normal practice is to consult the devolved Administrations in preparation for all Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings. In this case the Northern Ireland Executive were consulted in advance on the briefing for all of the main agenda items.
14 July 2014 : Column 520W
The Northern Ireland Executive had the opportunity to see all of the briefing in advance, and their representative was present at the pre-council briefing meetings.
Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme: North West
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding was awarded under the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme to (a) Westmorland and Lonsdale, (b) Cumbria and (c) North West England; and what the (i) type and (ii) purpose was of the funding provided in each such area. [204835]
Dan Rogerson: Three rounds have been run since the scheme was announced in November 2011 and grant funding has been awarded as follows:
(a) Westmorland and Lonsdale—29 projects awarded a total of £232,355;
(b) Cumbria—224 projects awarded a total of £2,256,444;
(c) North west England—739 projects awarded a total of £7,007,954.
The scheme provides small capital grants between £2,500 and £35,000 to farmers, foresters and horticultural businesses to improve their competitiveness. The scheme aims to help businesses become more profitable and resilient, while reducing the impact of farming on the environment, by using resources more efficiently. Funding is awarded to individual projects; as such, the purpose of the funding in each area will vary from project to project.
Food Supply Networks Review
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2014, Official Report, column 175W, on Food Supply Networks Review, how many times he has met Professor Chris Elliott since March 2014. [204975]
George Eustice: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has met with Professor Chris Elliott twice since March 2014.
Freedom of Information
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on legal fees in cases relating to the release of information requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in each of the last five years. [204276]
Dan Rogerson: The Department does not hold the information requested.
Marine Protected Areas
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the total land mass of the UK was classified as a marine protected area or a marine conservation area in each of the last 10 years. [204634]
14 July 2014 : Column 521W
George Eustice: The specific year-by-year statistics requested are not routinely calculated for marine protected areas; 9.4% of the UK’s seas are currently designated as marine protected areas.
Ministers: Official Cars
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many journeys Ministers of his Department have made using the Government Car Service; and how many such journeys were for the transportation of a red box. [204937]
Dan Rogerson: The information could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
Parks: Pest Control
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on reducing vermin levels in public parks. [204713]
Dan Rogerson: DEFRA does not provide specific advice on reducing vermin levels in public parks. However, the usual good principles of wildlife management apply. Namely, to remove or reduce, as far as is practicable, the factors that attract vermin: access to food, water and shelter. If further action is necessary, then the services of properly trained pest controllers should be employed.
Rivers
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many English rivers he assesses are of good ecological status. [204542]
Dan Rogerson: The 2013 Water Framework Directive (WFD) classification results for England report that 1,017 rivers are assessed as being of, or having potential for, good ecological status. This is 21% of assessed river water bodies. These are the most recent classification results available for Cycle 1 of the WFD planning cycle (2009 to 2015).
Seas and Oceans
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the economic cost of the degradation of natural capital in the UK's marine environment. [204173]
George Eustice: The UK’s Marine Strategy Part One assessed the cost of degradation of the UK’s marine environment:
Marine strategy part one: UK initial assessment and good environmental status - Publications - GOV.UK
It estimated benefits forgone in a range of £5 million to £50.6 million from the degradation of marine assets, although this was only a partial estimate. The Natural Capital Committee has already considered how natural capital concepts can be applied to the marine environment and DEFRA is considering its advice.
14 July 2014 : Column 522W
Seas and Oceans: Environment Protection
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the UK's seabed is protected from the fishing practice of bottom trawling. [204165]
George Eustice: A single figure would not give an accurate picture of the area of the UK’s seabed that is protected from the practice of bottom trawling. This is due to the various fishing method restrictions used, including full spatial closures, seasonal closures and those based on the size of fishing vessels. Additionally, as DEFRA is only responsible for fisheries management for parts of the UK, with Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities leading in the 0-6 nautical miles area, these data are not held in one place.
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the seabed within the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone is designated as marine protected areas; and what proportion of such areas exclude the fishing practice of bottom trawling. [204168]
George Eustice: Around 9.4% of the UK continental shelf, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part V, Article 76, is designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This area includes all of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone.
The closure of fisheries in MPAs located in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for their respective Administrations. Therefore, information on the proportion of such areas in the UK is not readily available. As part of DEFRA’s revised approach to fisheries management, 17 new byelaws have been introduced to protect vulnerable habitats from damaging bottom trawling activities in MPAs. Details of these byelaws, including the boundaries of closed areas, are available at:
Cornwall Closed Area European Marine Site:
http://www.cornwall-ifca.gov.uk/new_byelaw
Devon and Severn mobile gear protection byelaw:
http://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk/News
Eastern European Marine Site byelaw:
http://www.eastern-ifca.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=202
Isles of Scilly European Marine Site byelaw:
http://www.scillyifca.gov.uk/European_Marine_Sites
Kent and Essex Bottom towed gear byelaw:
http://www.kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk/i-want-to-find-out-about/regulations/keifca-byelaws/keifca-district-byelaws/
North Eastern Humber Estuary European Marine Site byelaw:
http://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/legislation-and-byelaws/byelaw-regulations/
North Eastern Flamborough Head byelaw:
http://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/legislation-and-byelaws/byelaw-regulations/
North Western European Marine Site byelaw (named byelaw 6):
http://www.nw-ifca.gov.uk/
Northumberland mobile gear byelaw:
http://www.nifca.gov.uk/byelaws/new-ems-byelaw/
14 July 2014 : Column 523W
Northumberland Seagrass protection byelaw:
http://www.nifca.gov.uk/byelaws/new-ems-byelaw/
Southern Seagrass protection byelaw:
http://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/
Southern Bottom towed gear byelaw:
http://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/
Sussex Prohibition of fishing byelaw:
http://www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143&Itemid=205
Four new MMO byelaws linked below:
http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/protecting/conservation/ems-byelaws.htm
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the potential economic benefits of an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas in UK waters. [204171]
George Eustice: The Impact Assessment for the designation of the first tranche of marine conservation zones assessed the economic benefits of marine protected areas (MPAs). Marine protected areas are expected to result in increases in ecosystem services including provisioning (i.e. increased fish numbers), regulating (i.e. climate regulation), cultural and recreational services. Overall, networks are likely to have additional benefits, such as an increase in biological resilience to adapt to changed conditions. While it is not possible to fully monetise the economic benefits of MPAs the Government are continually reviewing and developing the evidence base in this area with a wide range of interested parties.
Training
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what professional development courses are made available to staff of his Department; and what the cost to the public purse is of each such course. [204343]
Dan Rogerson: This information is not held centrally and to gather it would incur disproportionate cost.
Defence
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
19. Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet his Belgian counterpart to discuss the procurement of F-35 joint striker fighters by that country. [904818]
Mr Dunne: The Joint Strike Fighter is a collaborative Programme, and the UK is one of Nine Partner Nations. The US Government lead on all aspects of Joint Strike Fighter Foreign Military Sales. The UK has no plans to discuss the procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with Belgium.
Army Expenditure
20. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received regarding reductions in expenditure on the Army. [904819]
14 July 2014 : Column 524W
Mr Francois: I regularly receive representations from right hon. and hon. Members and others on a range of issues concerning the Army.
Anti-Malarial Prophylaxis
21. Mr Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on prescribing anti-malarial prophylaxis to members of the armed forces serving overseas. [904820]
Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence follows the advice of Public Health England’s Advisory Committee for Malaria Prevention in providing appropriately tested and effective methods of chemo-prophylaxis to service personnel who are deploying to areas of the world where there is a risk of contracting malaria. The exact choice of drug depends on a number of factors, including the region the individual is deploying to, the health of the individual and any past history of side effects.
Armed Forces: Complaints
Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service complaints were filed in the last five years; and how many such complaints related to allegations of bullying. [204443]
Anna Soubry: Figures on the number of complaints made by service personnel in the last five years are published in the Service Complaints Commissioner’s (SCC) Annual Reports. The full reports are presented annually to the House and are also located at the following website:
http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/newsandpublications.htm
The figures available for complaints made by service personnel about bullying for each year are also published in the Annual Reports. Details of the number of complaints that are heard by a panel (level 3) are also published. All of this information can be found in the relevant pages:
2013 Annual Report—page 72, appendix 3
2012 Annual Report—page 62, appendix 3
2011 Annual Report—page 59, appendix 3
2010 Annual Report—page 89, appendix 6
2009 Annual Report—page 36, table 7
Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service complaints went to a full board hearing in the last five years. [204445]
Anna Soubry: Figures on the number of complaints made by service personnel in the last five years are published in the Service Complaints Commissioner’s (SCC) Annual Reports. The full reports are presented annually to the House and are also located at the following website:
http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/newsandpublications.htm
The figures available for complaints made by service personnel about bullying for each year are also published in the Annual Reports. Details of the number of complaints that are heard by a panel (level 3) are also published. All of this information can be found in the relevant pages:
2013 Annual Report-page 72, appendix 3.
2012 Annual Report-page 62, appendix 3.
14 July 2014 : Column 525W
2011 Annual Report-page 59, appendix 3.
2010 Annual Report-page 89, appendix 6
2009 Annual Report-page 36, table 7.
Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve the service complaints system. [904805]
Anna Soubry: Service personnel deserve to have a fair and effective complaints system. I announced in March that we had been working for some time with Dr Atkins, the Service Complaints Commissioner, on proposals for a more efficient system.
In her most recent report, Dr Atkins concluded that she was optimistic that a fairer, more effective system has been agreed, and that, once implemented, service personnel will have access to a redress system that they deserve. The Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill which was introduced in the House of Lords on 5 June 2014 will improve the system to make sure that is what they will get.
Defence: Procurement
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the £1.2 billion underspend in his Department's equipment budget in 2012-13 arose as a result of programme slippage; what programmes were behind schedule; and for what reason those programmes were behind schedule. [202638]
Mr Dunne: Our analysis of the £1.2 billion underspend in 2012-13 in our equipment programme shows that it has been caused by a combination of factors, including better than expected outcomes from contract negotiations; budget being allocated for risks that did not materialise; and the impact of programme slippage against plans.
A detailed analysis of programme slippage by programme is not currently available, but further work to improve our detailed understanding of variations against planned spending patterns and the implications for project costs in future years is nearing completion.
Due to our improved financial discipline the Treasury have allowed us to carry over in-year underspends into our future year budgets. The last National Audit Office Major Projects Report showed an 88% reduction in overall project delays.
We now have the assurance of a stable and well managed budget and confidence that defence programmes are affordable and deliverable.
Intelligence Services
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2014, Official Report, column 95W, on the Intelligence Service, if he will take other steps to ensure that fused and shared data are not used for targeted killing by foreign states outside Afghanistan. [R] [204048]
Mr Francois: Intelligence shared with foreign states by the Ministry of Defence is conducted under UK and international law. I am satisfied that the Department's controls on the sharing of intelligence are robust.
14 July 2014 : Column 526W
Nigeria and Ethiopia
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answers of 12 June 2014, Official Report, column 233W, on Africa, what the current (a) rank, (b) squadron and (c) function is of each member of UK personnel deployed in Nigeria and Ethiopia. [R] [204025]
Mr Francois: The disposition of UK service personnel in Nigeria and Ethiopia, as of 7 July 2014, is articulated in tabular form as follows.
Royal Armoured Corps
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future establishment, equipment and role of the Royal Armoured Corps; and if he will make a statement. [204541]
Mr Francois: Under the Army 2020 structure, the Royal Armoured Corps will be formed of 10 Regular Regiments made up of three Armoured Regiments, three Armoured Cavalry Regiments and three Light Cavalry Regiments with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment continuing to support public duties and ceremonial commitments; four Reserve Regiments and one independent Regular squadron providing a Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Area, Survey and Reconnaissance capability.
The overall establishment of the Royal Armoured Corps will be around 6,000.
The Armoured Regiments will continue in their existing role as direct combat units and will continue to be equipped with the Challenger 2 tank. From 2020, the Close Reconnaissance troop is planned to have the Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV).
The Armoured Cavalry Regiments will continue to provide a manned reconnaissance and surveillance capability. They will be equipped with Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) and, from 2020, the Scout SV.
The Light Cavalry Regiments will provide a highly mobile tactical reconnaissance capability in both mounted and dismounted roles, mainly equipped with Jackal and Coyote vehicles.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the Stimson Task Force report on his drone policy; and if he will make a statement. [R] [204027]
14 July 2014 : Column 527W
Mr Francois: There has been no formal assessment of the Stimson Task Force report against the existing policy on the operation of the UK Armed Forces’ Unmanned or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
Communities and Local Government
Air Travel
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what occasions each Minister within his Department has taken domestic flights on official business since May 2010. [204289]
Brandon Lewis: This information could be provided only at disproportional cost. Details of ministerial overseas travel and meetings with external organisations are routinely published every quarter and information can be accessed on the Department’s web page via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dclg-ministerial-data
Buildings
Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the duration of his Department's lease at 2 Marsham Street is; and what break clause arrangements there are. [204622]
Brandon Lewis: The move to 2 Marsham Street will reduce my Department’s running costs by £9 million a year from 2015-16. Overall, these changes will save the Government £24 million a year.
The Department does not have a lease for 2 Marsham Street. Our co-location with the Home Office is formalised through an inter-department Memorandum of Terms of Occupation.
Since 2010, the Department has had considerable success in reducing the cost of its wider estate through the rationalisation of retained office space and targeted building disposals. This has seen the Department surrender six leasehold office properties through a combination of lease breaks and expiries, generating net savings in the period of around £7 million per annum. The Department has also successfully sub-let surplus space across its leasehold office estate during the same period, reducing the overall property costs by around £6.5 million per annum.
Building on this success, in 2013-14, we have already secured further savings of £4.6 million by subletting further space in Eland House in London. Most recently, the Department negotiated the early surrender of Eland House and is scheduled to relocate to 2 Marsham Street.
This illustrates the scope for local government and, indeed, the public sector as a whole to make sensible savings through better property management.
In June 2013, supporting the Prime Minister’s commitment to support the development of small and medium enterprises, the Department agreed terms with business incubator providers to take vacant space at 2 Rivergate House in Bristol and Bridge House, Guildford. This is an important part of the Government’s drive to
14 July 2014 : Column 528W
assist the start-up and small and medium enterprises sectors and we are also working with the Government Property Unit on potential Government Space for Growth opportunities in other properties held by DCLG.
Community Infrastructure Levy: Leeds
Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Leeds City Council Community Levy. [204538]
Nick Boles: Leeds City Council are not yet charging the Community Infrastructure Levy. Their proposed levy rates underwent independent examination in June and they now await issue of the Examiner's Report, which is expected in due course.
Community Land Trusts
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of community land trusts as a way of delivering affordable housing. [204629]
Kris Hopkins: We are encouraging councils and larger housing associations to identify new community-based partnership members, including community land trusts, who may be able to bring additional community capacity in developing new affordable homes.
There is particular scope for community land trusts to contribute to affordable homes though neighbourhood planning. We are working with the National Community Land Trusts Network and others to raise awareness of community land trusts with groups who are preparing neighbourhood plans.
Families: Disadvantaged
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made in turning round families in the Troubled Families programme; how many families in each local authority area have taken advantage of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [204872]
Kris Hopkins: The Troubled Families programme is making good progress. As at the end of May 2014, local authorities had turned around 52,833 families. As at the end of March 2014, they had identified 111,574 families, and were working with 97,202 of those families.
My Department regularly publishes this information and the latest breakdown by individual local authority can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/troubled-families-programme-progress-information-and-families-turned-around
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria will be used to assess the performance of the Troubled Families programme; and how this links to the triggering of payment to providers. [204873]
14 July 2014 : Column 529W
Kris Hopkins: In March 2012 the Government published the Financial Framework for the Troubled Families Programme:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11469/2117840.pdf
This set out the criteria that local authorities should use in identifying families eligible for central funding, and what results they would need to achieve in order to claim the results-based payment.
My Department has also commissioned an independent evaluation of the programme which is looking at the progress and outcomes local authorities achieve with troubled families across a broader set of issues, and the savings made as a result.
Fire Services
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many front-line firefighters are female; and how many of such firefighters still active in front-line service are over the age of 55 years. [201620]
Brandon Lewis: Numbers of firefighters are collected annually from each fire and rescue authority, and this includes profiles by age and by sex. The latest data are shown in the tables.
These show that in England in March 2013 there were 1,755 female firefighters, and 1,040 firefighters over the age of 55. Separate age profiles for males and females are not currently collected.
| Firefighter numbers by rank and sex, England, March 2013 | ||
| Number | ||
| Men | Women | |
| Firefighter numbers by rank and age, England, March 2013 | |||||||
| Number | |||||||
| 17 to 24 | 25 to 35 | 36 to 45 | 46 to 55 | 56 to 65 | 66+ | Age not stated | |
The proportion of firefighters who are women has risen since 2010.
14 July 2014 : Column 530W
Fire Services: West Midlands
Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with West Midlands Fire Authority on staffing patterns in that fire service. [204053]
Brandon Lewis [holding answer 9 July 2014]: Staffing patterns are entirely the responsibility of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. I have had no discussions with the authority on this matter.
The Knight Review ‘Facing the Future’, found huge variations in the way fire and rescue authorities operated and concluded that there were significant opportunities for sensible savings such as through: sharing of senior staff, reforms to flexible staffing and crewing arrangements, better procurement, shared services, collaboration with emergency services and other organisations on service delivery and estates, sickness management, locally led mergers and operational collaborations, new fire-fighting technology, preventative approaches and working with local businesses.
Housing: Construction
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) sites and (b) homes where building is yet to start which have full planning permission. [203668]
Nick Boles [holding answer 7 July 2014]: In my answers to the right hon. Member of 10 December 2013, Official Report, column 158W and 16 January 2014, Official Report, column 611W, I outlined the myths being propagated on land-banking and observed how these were disproved by hard, empirical evidence from experts. I also noted the inaccurate claims being punted around by HM Opposition, remarked how their policy proposals would actually reduce house building; and explained the steps that the coalition Government have taken to help kick-start stalled sites, from development finance, to section 106 reform, to increasing the incentive for developers to start on site before permission expires.
The latest figures from Glenigan estimate that the number of dwellings with planning permission that are classified as “on hold or shelved” has steadily fallen thanks to the action we are taking. Conversely, the number of dwellings with planning permission that are moving towards a start has steadily increased, both due to the action we have taken to tackle stalled sites, but also due to the increase in the number of homes being granted planning permission. Indeed, a total of 216,000 permissions were given for new homes in 2013-14.
A rising number of homes progressing towards a start is a positive indicator of increasing housing construction. The leader of the Opposition, the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), on 15 January 2014, Official Report, column 846, incorrectly described them as “houses where nothing is happening”. This is an incorrect description of the Glenigan statistics and reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of rising planning approvals. It is the ‘on hold/shelved' indicator where nothing is happening.
The following table illustrates our progress:
14 July 2014 : Column 531W
| Snapshot as of: | On hold/shelved | Progressing towards start |
| Note: Dwellings on sites with 10 units or more; excludes sites which have been sold, were due to be sold, or else information not available. | ||
Taken together, these two indicators show that the Government's long-term economic plan is working and turning around the mess and recession left by the Labour Government. Moth-balled sites are springing into action; more homes are being planned; and more homes are being built out.
Of course, there is more to do—and the measures in the Infrastructure Bill on planning conditions will further cut the time it takes for sites with planning permission to start on site. We also have a series of schemes to increase development finance to both small and large builders, to boost local authority capacity to unlocked stalled sites, and (as outlined in the answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 117W) to support ongoing housing starts.
ICT
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many mobile telephones, BlackBerrys and laptops were lost by his Department in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date. [204466]
Brandon Lewis: The following items were reported lost during 2013 and during 2014 to date:
| Item | 2013 | 2014 to date |
All departmental IT is fully security encrypted.
The departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.
Any BlackBerry reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately and remotely locked.
There has been no data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.
14 July 2014 : Column 532W
Landlords: Scotland
Mr Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the register of landlords in Scotland in reducing bad practice. [R] [204056]
Kris Hopkins: The coalition Government support a bigger and better private rented sector and are keen to minimise the burden of regulation on the vast majority of good landlords. Excessive red tape would just force up rents and reduce choice and supply for tenants.
We believe that imposing a national register of landlords would be disproportionate and unfairly penalise good landlords who are fully compliant with their obligations. It would cost an estimated £40 million a year—costs which ultimately would be passed on to tenants in higher rents.
As an alternative to such regulation, we support the use of voluntary accreditation by local authorities coupled with strong enforcement action to crack down on the small minority of rogue landlords who rent out overcrowded and dilapidated property. Voluntary accreditation helps drive up standards and increase levels of professionalism among landlords.
We have not formally assessed Scotland’s scheme, but I note that an answer to a parliamentary question in the Scottish Parliament in January 2013 noted that since the scheme was introduced in 2006, it had cost landlords £11 million in fees and a further £5 million in costs to taxpayers, but only 40 landlords had been refused in total over that period out of almost 200,000 landlord registrations. This suggests that such state regulation had not been effective at tackling rogue landlords despite significant costs imposed on the whole rented sector.
Local Government Finance
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average level of local authority debt is per capita. [204610]
Brandon Lewis: I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing, for each local authority in England, the total external debt and the debt per capita as at 31 March 2014. The average debt per capita for all local authorities in England is £1,530.
The debt figures are collected on the capital payments and receipts (CPR4) provisional out-turn form completed by each local authority in England and published at the following location;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-capital-expenditure-and-receipts-in-england-2013-to-2014-provisional-outturn-and-2014-to-2015-forecast
Ministers: Official Cars
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many journeys Ministers of his Department have made using the Government Car Service; and how many such journeys were for the transportation of a red box. [204933]
Brandon Lewis: The information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
14 July 2014 : Column 533W
Planning Permission
Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have introduced an Article Four Direction within all or part of their geographic boundary. [R] [204956]
Nick Boles: My Department is aware of 168 local authorities who have issued an Article 4 direction which apples to either all or part of their geographic boundary.
Private Rented Housing
Mr Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the new Model Tenancy Agreement will be published. [R] [204054]
Kris Hopkins: We plan to publish the Model Tenancy Agreement later in the summer.
Sir Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the introduction of selective licensing in relevant areas and the level of private-sector rates; and if he will make a statement. [204242]
Kris Hopkins: Selective licensing allows local authorities to license all privately rented housing in a designated area that suffers from low housing demand and/or significant antisocial behaviour. The Department does not routinely collect information on the number or extent of licensing schemes although local authorities were asked on a one-off voluntary basis to provide this information last year. 194 local authorities responded, of which, 14 had introduced licensing. While an assessment of the impact of licensing on private sector rents has not been undertaken, we believe that licensing puts unnecessary extra costs on good landlords, thereby pushing up rents, and reduces choice.
Sir Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department plans to publish the conclusions of its review of property conditions in the private rented sector; and whether his Department plans to restrict borough-wide selective licensing schemes. [204243]
Kris Hopkins: We plan to publish an analysis of the replies and proposed next steps, including any decision that may be made on restrictions of borough-wide licensing schemes, in the summer.
Rented Housing
Mr Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department intends to publish the results of the review of residential property conditions. [R] [204055]
Kris Hopkins:
DCLG published a discussion document earlier this year, which invited views on what more could be done to improve property conditions in the private rented sector and tackle rogue landlords. Responses
14 July 2014 : Column 534W
are now being considered and we will publish our response along with a summary of the views submitted later this summer.
Second Homes: Westmorland
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many second homes there were in each parish in Westmorland and Lonsdale on the most recent date for which data are available. [204423]
Brandon Lewis: This information is not held centrally.
Senior Civil Servants
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many senior civil servants appointed to positions in his Department since 2010 were previously (a) political appointees within that Department and (b) employed by a political party. [204319]
Brandon Lewis: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Training
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what professional development courses are made available to staff of his Department; and what the cost to the public purse is of each such course. [204338]
Brandon Lewis: There are currently 26 approved professions across the Civil Service. The majority of development courses available to support the continuous professional development of those concerned are provided through the central training portal, Civil Service Learning. This means all available course costs are centrally negotiated, ensuring economies of scale and best value for Government. The individual cost of these courses range in price depending on profession and the training required and it would involve disproportionate cost to provide the detailed information requested.
Travellers
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to increase council powers to evict unauthorised traveller encampments; and if he will make a statement. [205023]
Brandon Lewis: The Government are concerned about the cost and disruption that can be caused by unauthorised traveller encampments. That is why on 9 August 2013 we sent all council leaders in England updated guidance, reminding them to act swiftly and setting out the strong powers councils and landowners have to remove illegal and unauthorised sites on both public and private land.
Our planning policy for traveller sites, issued in March 2012, removed the last Administration's planning guidance (Circular 01/06) which restricted the ability of councils to initiate enforcement action. We are currently reviewing whether further improvements can be made to planning policy and guidance to assist councils in taking action against unauthorised development.
14 July 2014 : Column 535W
In addition, in the Localism Act 2011 we introduced provisions in England to allow for an appeal against enforcement or a retrospective planning application, not both. And in 2013, we removed a previous restriction on the use of Temporary Stop Notices that prevented local authorities in England taking enforcement action against a caravan used as a main residence.
Wind Power: Planning Permission
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many onshore wind development planning applications that had been considered by local planning authorities were subsequently called in by his Department in each of the last five years. [204131]
Kris Hopkins: Since January 2010, three applications for onshore wind development have been called in by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles). The three applications have all been called in during 2014.
All three followed requests by local or neighbouring Members of Parliament to call in the applications.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Adult Education
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to make additional provision for adult education in places where centres such as Learn Direct are being closed down. [204360]
Matthew Hancock: Learndirect is one of many providers delivering training, particularly English and Maths qualifications. The Skills Funding Agency anticipates that in geographic areas in which learndirect is reducing provision, other providers offering the same provision will engage with communities and local partners to meet geographic need.
Agriculture: Business
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in England were registered as agricultural businesses in each of the last five years. [204540]
Michael Fallon: Numbers of agricultural businesses registered for either VAT and/or PAYE in England are provided in the table.
These estimates are drawn from the ONS publication ‘UK Business: activity, size and location’, which provides information on the number of active VAT and/or PAYE registered businesses in the UK. Any smaller non-employing businesses that are not registered for VAT will not be included. This publication is available at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-register/uk-business/index.html
14 July 2014 : Column 536W
| Number of Agricultural businesses in England registered for VAT/PAYE | |
| Notes: 1. The figures are based on all VAT/PAYE registered businesses in the SIC industrial classification sector ‘01 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities. 2. A small number of businesses were not included on the Inter Departmental Business Register before 2012; the effect at this level of detail is not known but the statistics given here for 2009 to 2011 may be slightly lower than if those businesses had been included. | |
Apprentices
Mr Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many higher apprenticeships were delivered via the (a) Higher Education Funding Council for England and (b) Skills Funding Agency in each of the last five years. [204399]
Matthew Hancock: Employers offer apprenticeships, with training providers delivering the required training within an apprenticeship. Government funding for apprenticeships, including higher apprenticeships, is currently provided by the Skills Funding Agency to apprenticeship training providers.
Information on the number of Government funded higher apprenticeships is published in a statistical first release (SFR) at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/learner-participation-outcomes-and-level-of-highest-qualification-held
Apprentices: North West
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeships were created in (a) Westmorland and Lonsdale, (b) South Lakeland, (c) Cumbria and (d) the North West (i) since 2010 and (ii) between 2005 and 2010. [204787]
Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of Apprenticeship starts by geography is published by academic year in a Supplementary Table, entitled ‘Breakdown by geography, equality and diversity and sector subject area: starts 2002/03 to 2012/13’,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
Business: Northern Ireland
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2014, Official Report, column 536W, on business: Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the success of the recent roadshow his Department co-hosted to promote the delivery of the British Business Bank in Northern Ireland. [204144]
14 July 2014 : Column 537W
Matthew Hancock: The recent roadshow in Northern Ireland, hosted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), was attended by the Northern Ireland Executive, Invest Northern Ireland and a range of finance providers from Northern Ireland, including representatives from leading banks. The roadshow resulted in ongoing discussions with the Executive and finance providers to explore how the Business Bank can build upon existing levels of support in Northern Ireland.
Officials from BIS and the Business Bank attended a meeting in Belfast on 9 July 2014 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), Invest Northern Ireland and local investors as part of this continuing engagement, aimed at encouraging greater participation by Northern Ireland’s private sector in the Business Bank’s £300 million Investment Programme.
On 2 July 2014, Government published a one-year update on the Economic Pact, which set out how the Government and the Executive have been working with the Business Bank to ensure Northern Ireland businesses and entrepreneurs can benefit from national finance schemes. This close co-operation will continue so that more local businesses gain from the available programmes.
Consumers: Protection
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to prevent sister companies offering similar products to consumers at substantially different prices. [204404]
Jo Swinson: The Government believe that the consumer is best served by the operation of open competition between companies, and do not generally intervene to regulate what businesses may or may not charge consumers for goods or services. Pricing policies such as these are commercial decisions for the trader, and are best left to the market. However, if there is evidence of collusion that is harming consumers, this should be provided to the Competition and Markets Authority, as the UK’s independent competition authority, who will consider it for investigation in line with their prioritisation principles.
Freedom of Information
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on legal fees in cases relating to the release of information requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in each of the last five years. [204269]
Jo Swinson: Much of the legal advice given to the Department in connection with cases relating to the release of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is provided by the Department’s own directly employed legal advisers. No records are kept which would allow us separately to identify the cost of internal advice on Freedom of Information Act matters.
Where appropriate, the Department also obtains external litigation services in connection with such cases by instructing the Treasury Solicitor’s Department. It would be very difficult to identify from the information held by the Department in respect of payments for external legal services, payments in respect of cases relating to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The costs of trying to collate this information for each of the past 5 years would be disproportionate.
14 July 2014 : Column 538W
Gazumping
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovations and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage estate agents to notify buyers and sellers of the cost guarantee and other options available to them to prevent the practice of gazumping. [203918]
Jo Swinson: There are many different contractual arrangements buyers and sellers of property can enter to help manage risks and uncertainty in the process. They all entail different levels of risk, costs and benefits to both parties. The Government support free, independent advice and guidance for consumers, through their funding of Citizen’s Advice, across a wide range of issues. However, ultimately matters such as conveyancing contracts should be discussed with a buyer or seller’s solicitor who can advise on the best approach an individual could take, should they wish to do so, according to their circumstances.
Higher Education
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what progress he has made in negotiations with private publishers on the confidentiality clauses negotiated by them when supplying university libraries; [204124]
(2) what steps he is taking to promote the Open Access academic publishing movement in the UK. [204123]
Mr Willetts: The Government remain committed to making publicly funded and published research freely and openly available. In the long term we believe the most effective form of Open Access (OA) will be Gold OA. I last commented on this subject in November 2013 in the Government’s response to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee report on OA and this answer updates on progress since that statement.
I was very pleased that in May 2014 the Institute of Physics (IoP) Publishing, a major publisher of academic papers, introduced an ‘offsetting’ arrangement that will allow institutions to publish more open access papers without incurring additional costs. I strongly encourage other publishers to follow the IoP Publishing’s lead.
Further, the ‘Access to Research’ initiative was launched in February 2014 through the support of the publishing community. It allows students, independent researchers and small businesses to access many of the world’s best academic papers through their local libraries.
We intend to maintain this level of progress and I am pleased that Universities UK (UUK) have agreed to take on a co-ordinating role for the continued implementation of OA policy in the UK. This follows a recommendation in the Finch Group’s report “Review of progress in Implementing the Recommendations of the Finch Report”. UUK are in the process of setting up a group which will consist of key stakeholders similar to that of the Finch Group.
Additionally, the Research Sector Transparency Board (RSTB) which I chair advises Government on how to increase access to research data. My intention is that the RSTB will also continue to play a role in OA and preservation of scientific data.
14 July 2014 : Column 539W
In relation to confidentiality clauses, this Department continues to monitor the situation and is encouraged by recent developments in this area.
Finally, I wish to record my appreciation for the achievements of Ron Egginton, our lead official on OA who sadly and suddenly died on 8 June 2014. His expertise and commitment was instrumental in the progress that has been achieved in making the UK the leading major nation on OA.
Manufacturing Industries: Scotland
Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage the manufacturing industry in Scotland. [204600]
Michael Fallon: Targeted initiatives to encourage manufacturing in Scotland are a devolved matter for the Scottish Government. However we are taking steps to strengthen manufacturing capability across the UK. These include support for innovation and technology commercialisation through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, help for businesses seeking to tap into opportunities in foreign markets, and in January 2014, Reshore UK was set up to assist UK manufacturers looking to win back production and jobs from overseas.
We are taking action to increase manufacturing investment. In the 2014 Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), doubled the annual investment allowance to £500,000 until the end of 2015. 100% first year capital allowances in enterprise zones will also be extended for three years to 31 March 2020.
We are also helping energy intensive industries by compensating them for indirect costs of the carbon price floor and EU ETS extending beyond 2015-16. EIIs will also be compensated for the renewable obligation and feed-in tariffs from 2016-17.
Postal Services
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on any regulatory changes in regard to the Universal Postal Service; and if he will make a statement. [204602]
Jo Swinson: Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills meet with 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 regulatory changes to the universal service.
The minimum requirements for the universal postal service, which includes among other things, the six day a week postal service to all addresses in the UK—rural and urban—at an affordable and uniform rate, are enshrined and protected in primary legislation—the Postal Services Act 2011. These minimum requirements can only be changed by Government with the approval of both Houses of Parliament.
This Government have no plans for making any changes to the minimum requirements.
14 July 2014 : Column 540W
Senior Civil Servants
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many senior civil servants appointed to positions in his Department since 2010 were previously (a) political appointees within that Department and (b) employed by a political party; [204318]
(2) on what occasions each Minister within his Department has taken domestic flights on official business since May 2010. [204288]
Jo Swinson: The information requested in these questions is being researched. I will write to the hon. Member with a response and arrange for copies of these letters to be placed in the Library of the House.
Training
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what professional development courses are made available to staff of his Department; and what the cost to the public purse is of each such course. [204336]
Jo Swinson: BIS staff have access to a wide range of learning tools to support professional and leadership development. These are available through the Civil Service Learning portal.
BIS does not centrally collate details of individual attendances on professional development courses. To collate this information would incur disproportionate cost.
Cabinet Office
Arts
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost to the public purse was (a) in total, (b) of wine served at, (c) of food served at and (d) of catering staff working at the Best of British Creative Industries reception on 30 June 2014; and which ministers attended that event. [204246]
Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much was spent from the public purse on (a) wine and (b) food served at the Best of British Creative Industries reception on 30 June 2014; what the other costs to the public purse were of hosting the event; how many catering staff were required to facilitate the event; and which Ministers attended the event. [204444]
Mr Maude: The Prime Minister holds a wide range of events for a range of sectors in the UK economy and meets leaders from all areas of industry. The creative industries employ nearly 1.7 million people and are worth £70 billion to the UK economy, and the Prime Minister is keen to find out how we can do better still in this area. The cost of the reception for approximately 400 guests from across film, music and theatre was £8,860.