Staff

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the total staff cost has been of (a) the Office of Unconventional Oil and Gas, (b) the Office of Carbon Capture and Storage, (c) his Department's human resources services, (d) the EMR delivery unit and (e) his Department's press office in each year since June 2010. [206298]

Amber Rudd: The information is as follows:

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many officials in his Department are employed full-time in connection with implementing the Eco Design of Energy Related Products Directive, 2009/125/EC. [206765]

1 Sep 2014 : Column 115W

Amber Rudd: Following remaining recruitment, the Department will have five full-time officials working on Eco Design and Energy Labelling Directives.

ICF International are contracted by the team to provide technical advice and this is supplemented by support from analysts across DECC’s Energy Efficiency Deployment Office.

DECC have appointed the National Measurement Office to monitor compliance and enforce the Eco Design and Energy Labelling implementing measures within the UK.

Home Department

Alcoholic Drinks

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's policy is on alcohol consumption on the premises (a) in general and (b) during parties in her Private Office. [205327]

Karen Bradley: There is no prohibition of alcohol in the Department. This includes ministerial and official private offices.

Animal Experiments

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest period between inspection visits made to any UK establishment licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended in 2012) currently is for establishments deemed by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit to be of (a) high, (b) medium and (c) low risk. [206182]

Norman Baker: To identify the longest period between inspection visits made to any UK establishment licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended 2012) can be established only at disproportionate cost.

The Home Office Inspectorate follows a risk-based approach in deciding how often to visit an establishment. The risk assessment is specific to each establishment taking account of the factors as published in the 2012 Animals in Science Regulation annual report. Visiting frequency varies from at least once per year for a low risk establishment carrying out little or no research, through to some 40 times per year for large, high risk establishments.

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2013, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the changes in the number of procedures in the fundamental biological research category. [206311]

Norman Baker: The Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain 2013 report a total of 1.16 million procedures were conducted on animals with ‘Fundamental biological research’ as the primary purpose. This is a reduction of 11% over the figure for 2012. The change in the number of procedures carried out in this category, in any particular

1 Sep 2014 : Column 116W

year, depends on many factors. These factors include: investment in fundamental biological research; strategic decisions taken by funding bodies; global economic trends; scientific innovation; and, the development and uptake of validated alternative technologies.

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) with reference to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2013, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the large number of procedures in the direct diagnosis category; [206312]

(2) with reference to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2013, what procedures are included in the direct diagnosis category. [206313]

Norman Baker: The Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain 2013 report a total of 52,444 procedures were conducted on 6,725 animals with “Direct diagnosis” as the primary purpose. This represents a 3% increase on the total number of procedures, in this category, in 2012 and a 1% increase on the number of animals, in this category, in 2012. Most procedures reported under the category “Direct diagnosis” involve the collection of blood or blood products from either non-immunised animals or animals immunised against various antigens. The procedure of blood collection is classified as being of low severity and, with appropriate licence authority, may be repeated many times in the same animal. The products from these procedures, including whole blood and antisera, are used in diagnostic tests.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the publication of Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 2013, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of guinea pigs used in scientific procedures; and how many of those guinea pigs were used by DSTL Porton Down. [206618]

Norman Baker: The increase in the number of guinea pigs used in scientific procedures during 2013 is largely due to a change from tissue (mainly blood) collection post-mortem to collecting it ante-mortem. Collecting tissues post mortem is not a regulated procedure and therefore is not reported in the statistics.

In real terms, the number of guinea pigs needed for the collection of a specified volume of blood is fewer by the ante-mortem method than by the post-mortem method previously used. The blood collection is carried out on terminally anaesthetised guinea pigs, such that there is no actual additional suffering for the individual animals, compared with the post mortem method. Guinea pig blood and its components are used widely in biomedical research as reagents for non-animal research methods.

The number of guinea pigs used by DSTL Porton Down cannot be given as Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents the Home Office from releasing statistics for individual establishments. It is a decision for the Ministry of Defence to decide what information to release in regards to animals used under their individual certificates.

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Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to her Department's publication, Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 2013, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of procedures involving genetically-modified and harmful mutant animals; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce the numbers of such procedures. [206626]

Norman Baker: The increase in the number of procedures involving genetically-modified and harmful mutant animals is mainly in support of breeding for non-regulatory research. Such animals are only used for breeding with no subsequent procedures performed.

I have already asked officials to examine options to drive down the number of procedures for breeding genetically altered animals.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to provide for whistle-blowers to report concerns over breaches of animal experimentation licences. [206756]

Norman Baker: The Animals in Science Committee report on "Lessons to be Learnt" recommended that Establishment Licence holders should ensure that all those involved with work under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have a readily accessible means of raising ‘causes for concern’ with the management of their establishment. The Government response confirmed that we will take this forward.

Mechanisms for raising causes of concerns should be an integral component of a good culture of care and therefore bought into the remit of the Home Office Inspectorate. The Inspectorate has already worked with several organisations to develop guidance for interested parties.

Establishment licence holders should have systems in place to facilitate reporting of concerns as part of the requirement of the Animal Welfare & Ethical Review Body to establish and review management and operational processes for monitoring, reporting and follow up in relation to the welfare of animals housed or used in the licensed establishment.

The processes put in place are monitored as part of the inspection regime.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that research scientists are given appropriate training to understand the terms of their animal experimentation licences. [206757]

Norman Baker: The training requirements for all licence holders under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are set out in section 9 of the Guidance on the Operation of the 1986 Act.

The licensed establishments Named Training & Competency Officer (NTCO) has to confirm the suitability of applicants for personal licences and applicants are required to satisfactorily complete the relevant formal module training provided by Accredited Training Bodies.

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Personal licence holders are also required to undertake practical training under supervision until confirmed as competent in each technique at their place(s) of work. They should review their training and supervision needs regularly with their NTCO as a minimum every five years but generally more frequently.

Training for project licence holders includes the formal module training required and applicants will need to demonstrate the necessary scientific expertise and knowledge to direct and manage the programme of work applied for.

Establishment licence holders and Named Persons Responsible for Compliance are expected to understand the relevant legal and ethical issues relating to the use of animals under the 1986 Act. They are expected to undertake accredited training in the relevant module(s) to provide this understanding.

Records of training, supervision and competence are required to be kept by the Establishment and are open to inspection.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the implications for the regulatory regime for animal experimentation of the findings of the Animals in Science Committee report on Imperial College, published in July 2014. [206758]

Norman Baker: The Animals in Science Committee found no evidence of omission on the part of the Animals in Science Regulation Unit and its inspectors in their oversight of Imperial College London. I welcome and endorse their confidence in the work of inspectors.

Nevertheless, the ASC report makes several sensible recommendations to support inspectors in achieving improvement in establishments where a pattern of low-level concerns is apparent. The outcome of all the ASC's recommendations should be to drive better practice across all licensed establishments and I intend to ensure these improvements are made. I have fully accepted all the recommendations.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research her Department has conducted or assessed on the level of comprehension among research scientists conducting animal experiments about the terms of animal experimentation licences which they hold. [206759]

Norman Baker: Licence applicants are required to undergo formal training prior to obtaining licence which includes a requirement to understand the legislation and detailed information about their roles and responsibilities. Establishments are also required to continue to assess the competency of those holding licences, including their understanding of roles and responsibilities. These records of training, supervision and competence are available for formal inspection.

As part of the inspection process, Home Office inspectors regularly monitor licence holders’ understanding of their licences.

Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to her Department's publication Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 2013, published on

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10 July 2014, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the large number of procedures involving

(a)

sheep and

(b)

mice relative to the number of other animals used. [206786]

Norman Baker: Mice are the most commonly used species due to long-standing use in research, meaning that there is considerable existing data on the use of this species, their small size makes them convenient laboratory species, and most importantly now is the availability of many genetically altered strains.

The vast majority of sheep are used for production of blood products, including normal blood and antisera. Their large size and ease of housing and handling make them ideal animals for the large scale production of these products (other species also used for this purpose, but to a much lesser extent, are rabbits, horses and rodents). Repeated blood sampling is often counted as a separate use, hence the large number of re-uses for this species.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the numbers of inspectors in post to monitor animal experiments. [206930]

Norman Baker: The Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate plays a key role in the implementation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

I am committed to maintaining a strong and properly resourced inspectorate, and a full, risk-based programme of inspections. The relationship between inspectors, licence holders and animal care staff is crucial to the effective implementation of the regulatory framework. I will not jeopardise that relationship.

In June 2014 I agreed that the current number of inspectors was sufficient to meet the requirements of the 1986 Act following the implementation of European Directive 2010/63/EU. There are three key factors to be achieved from an effective risk-based inspection regime, monitoring compliance, intelligence gathering and an educational role. The Inspectorate implements a risk-based approach to inspection and the effectiveness of the risk-based approach continues to be monitored.

I commissioned the Animals in Science Committee to provide me with an independent report to consider lessons to be learnt from reviews and investigations into non-compliance stemming from allegations of non-compliance at Imperial College London. The ASC report was published on 2 July 2014 and it found no evidence of omission on the part of the Home Office Inspectorate in their oversight of ICL. I welcome and endorse its confidence in the work of inspectors.

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used in (a) between two and five, (b) between six and 10, (c) between 11 and 15, (d) between 16 and 19 and (e) more than 20 scientific procedures in 2013; and what assessment she has made of the reasons for increases in the number of animals being used in more than one scientific procedure. [206983]

Norman Baker: The Home Office does not hold the information asked for, as it does not form part of the regular data collection.

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The Secretary of State must give consent to the re-use of an animal in scientific procedures and specifically authorise the re-use in the project licence. Details of the specific conditions are in Section 5:19 of the Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Home Office inspectors will assess all project licence applications and this will include a rigorous harm/benefit analysis to ensure that the likely benefits of the work justify the expected harms that will be experienced by the animals. Work will only be authorised if it is for one of the permissible purposes outlined in section 5.3 (C) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and if the harms have been minimised.

During the lifetime of the licence the harms and benefits are continually reviewed by the Inspectorate as part of the inspection regime and also by the licence holder and other named officials within the establishment. This is to ensure that harms are always minimised while delivering benefits.

The majority of re-use is where animals have been subject to mild procedures such as dosing and sampling procedures in the testing of novel treatments, or blood collection for diagnostic purposes or for further laboratory tests not involving the use of live animals.

Animal Experiments: Scotland

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of regulated procedures conducted in Scotland under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013 were carried out for (a) fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity and (b) toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation; [206621]

(2) what proportion of procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which were carried out in Scotland was conducted without anaesthesia in 2013; [206622]

(3) how many (a) genetically-modified animals and (b) animals with a harmful genetic defect were used in regulated procedures conducted in Scotland under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013; [206624]

(4) how many animals were used in regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland in 2013; [206634]

(5) how many regulated procedures were carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland in 2013; [206635]

(6) how many regulated procedures conducted in Scotland under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 involved (a) mice, (b) rats, (c) guinea pigs, (d) hamsters, (e) rabbits, (f) horses and other equids, (g) sheep, (h) pigs, (i) birds, (j) amphibians, (k) reptiles, (l) fish, (m) cats, (n) dogs, (o) New World primates and (p) Old World primates in 2013; and how many such procedures involved (i) genetically modified animals and (ii) animals with harmful genetic defects; [206637]

(7) what proportion of regulated procedures conducted in Scotland under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013 were performed in (a) public health laboratories, (b) universities and medical schools, (c) NHS hospitals, (d) government departments, (e) other public bodies, (f) non-profit making organisations and (g) commercial organisations. [206638]

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Norman Baker: During 2013 in Scotland, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA):

(a) 90% (568,135) were carried out for fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity

(b) 10% (63,273) were carried out for toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation

During 2013 in Scotland, 62.2% (392,894) of regulated procedures under ASPA were undertaken without anaesthesia.

In 2013 in Scotland, regarding the number of animals used in regulated procedures under ASPA:

(a) 335,116 genetically modified animals were used

(b) 21,435 animals with a harmful genetic defect were used

During 2013 in Scotland, 619,798 animals were used in regulated procedures under ASPA.

During 2013 in Scotland, 631,408 regulated procedures under ASPA were conducted.

During 2013 in Scotland, regarding the number of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA):

(a) 406,502 involved mice, of which:

(i) 272,311 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) 18,467 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(b) 29,693 involved rats, of which:

(i) 1,659 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) 1,034 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(c) 1,390 involved guinea pigs, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(d) 663 involved hamsters, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(e) 3,701 involved rabbits, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(f) 1,887 involved horses and other equids, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(g) 6,873 involved sheep, of which:

(i) 6 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(h) 597 involved pigs, of which:

(i) 11 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(i) 17,224 involved birds, of which:

(i) 585 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) 306 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(j) 937 involved amphibians, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(k) none involved reptiles

(l) 157,871 involved fish, of which:

(i) 61,950 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) 1,628 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(m) 11 involved cats, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(n) 936 involved dogs, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

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(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(o) none involved new world primates

(p) 702 involved old world primates, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

During 2013 in Scotland, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA in different types of designated establishment:

(a) none was performed in public health laboratories

(b) 79.6% (502,460) were performed in universities and medical schools

(c) none was performed in NHS hospitals

(d) 2.4% (14,822) were performed in Government Departments

(e) 9% (57,018) were performed in other public bodies

(f) none were performed in non-profit making organisations

(g) 9% (57,108) were performed in commercial organisations

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland in 2013; and how many such licences were in force at the end of 2013 in respect of work to be carried out in Scotland. [206623]

Norman Baker: The number of project licences granted, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland in 2013 was 107. The numbers of project licences in force in Scotland at the end of 2013 was 441.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Scotland was in the (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified severity banding at the end of 2013. [206632]

Norman Baker: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, was amended following the transposition of European Directive 2010/63EU, which came into force on 1 January 2013. Project licences are no longer accorded a severity banding and accordingly it is not possible to provide the information required as it is no longer collected.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places in Scotland were designated as a (a) supplying establishment, (b) breeding establishment and (c) scientific procedure establishment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 at the end of 2013. [206633]

Norman Baker: The total number of establishment licences, provided under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, in force in Scotland at the end of 2013 was 27. All 27 establishments were licensed to apply regulated procedures to protected animals. Eight of the 27 establishments were licensed for the keeping of protected animals for supply elsewhere and 14 were licensed for the breeding of protected animals. Some establishments are users, breeders and suppliers.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were recorded in Scotland in 2013; and how many such infringements led to a prosecution. [206636]

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James Brokenshire: There were two cases of non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 recorded in Scotland in 2013. Neither led to a prosecution.

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) mice, (b) rats, (c) guinea pigs, (d) hamsters, (e) rabbits, (f) horses and other equids, (g) sheep, (h) pigs, (i) birds, (j) amphibians, (k) reptiles, (l) fish, (m) cats, (n) dogs, (o) New World primates and (p) Old World primates were used in regulated procedures conducted in Scotland under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013. [206674]

Norman Baker: In 2013 in Scotland, regarding the number of animals used in regulated procedures conducted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986:

(a) 404,777 mice

(b) 29,693 rats

(c) 1,390 guinea pigs

(d) 663 hamsters

(e) 1,764 rabbits

(f) 45 horses and other equids

(g) 3,694 sheep

(h) 587 pigs

(i) 17,173 birds

(j) 69 amphibians

(k) No reptiles

(l) 156,692 fish

(m) 11 cats

(n) 833 dogs

(o) No new world primates

(p) 638 old world primates

Animal Experiments: Wales

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were recorded in Wales in 2013; and how many such infringements led to a prosecution. [205734]

Norman Baker: There were no cases of non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 recorded in Wales in 2013.

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many regulated procedures conducted in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 involved (a) mice, (b) rats, (c) guinea pigs, (d) hamsters, (e) rabbits, (f) horses and other equids, (g) sheep, (h) pigs, (i) birds, (j) amphibians, (k) reptiles, (l) fish, (m) cats, (n) dogs, (o) New World primates and (p) Old World primates in 2013; and how many such procedures involved (i) genetically modified animals and (ii) animals with harmful genetic defects; [205735]

(2) what proportion of regulated procedures conducted in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013 were performed in (a) public health laboratories, (b) universities and medical schools, (c) NHS hospitals, (d) government departments, (e) other public bodies, (f) non-profit making organisations and (g) commercial organisations; [205736]

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(3) what proportion of regulated procedures conducted in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013 were carried out for (a) fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity and (b) toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation; [205737]

(4) how many (a) genetically-modified animals and (b) animals with a harmful genetic defect were used in regulated procedures conducted in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2013; [205738]

(5) what proportion of procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which were carried out in Wales, was conducted without anaesthesia in 2013; [205741]

(6) how many animals were used in regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales in 2013; [205743]

(7) how many regulated procedures were carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales in 2013. [205744]

Norman Baker: During 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA):

(a) 36,010 involved mice, of which:

(i) 18,886 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) 7,206 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(b) 3,345 involved rats, of which:

(i) 10 involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(c) 24 involved guinea pigs, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(d) none involved hamsters

(e) three involved rabbits, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(f) none involved horses and other equids

(g) 396 involved sheep, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(h) none involved pigs

(i) 643 involved birds, of which

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(j) 165 involved amphibians, of which

(i) nine involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(k) none involved reptiles

(l) 11,927 involved fish, of which:

(i) none involved genetically-modified animals

(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect

(m) none involved cats

(n) none involved dogs

(o) none involved new world primates

(p) none involved old world primates

During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA in different types of designated establishment:

(a) 2.8% (1,462) were performed in public health laboratories

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(b) 96.7% (50,826) were performed in universities and medical schools

(c) none were performed in NHS hospitals

(d) none were performed in Government Departments

(e) none were performed in other public bodies

(f) none were performed in non-profit making organisations

(g) 0.5% (251) were performed in commercial organisations

During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA:

(a) all (52,539) were carried out for fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity.

(b) none were carried out for toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation.

In 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of animals used in regulated procedures under ASPA:

(a) 18,707 genetically modified animals were used

(b) 7,206 animals with a harmful genetic defect were used

During 2013 in Wales, 59.3% (31,202) of regulated procedures under ASPA were undertaken without anaesthesia.

During 2013 in Wales, 51,576 animals were used in regulated procedures under ASPA.

During 2013 in Wales, 52,539 regulated procedures under ASPA were conducted.

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales was in the (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified severity banding at the end of 2013. [205739]

Norman Baker: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, was amended following the transposition of European Directive 2010/63EU, which came into force on 1 January 2013. Project licences are no longer accorded a severity banding and accordingly it is not possible to provide the information required as it is no longer collected.

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales in 2013; and how many such licences were in force at the end of 2013 in respect of work to be carried out in Wales. [205740]

Norman Baker: The number of project licences granted, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, in Wales in 2013 was 18. The numbers of project licences in force in Wales at the end of 2013 was 65.

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places in Wales were designated as a (a) supplying establishment, (b) breeding establishment and (c) scientific procedure establishment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 at the end of 2013. [205742]

Norman Baker: The total number of establishment licences, provided under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, in force in Wales at the end of 2013 was six. All six establishments were licensed to apply regulated procedures to protected animals. One of the six establishments was also licensed for the keeping of

1 Sep 2014 : Column 126W

protected animals for supply elsewhere. Three of the six establishments were also licensed for the breeding of protected animals.

Armed Forces: Arrests

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what process the civilian police must follow when attempting to arrest, summons or charge a serving member of the armed forces in connection with indictable offences. [205902]

Mike Penning: If a member of the UK armed forces is arrested and detained in police custody for a recordable offence, the custody sergeant is responsible for notifying the circumstances of arrest, detention and offence to the relevant service authorities.

Civilian criminal courts and service tribunals have concurrent jurisdiction to deal with accused persons who are subject to military law. The decision on which jurisdiction prosecutes a person subject to military law is a matter of consultation between all police agencies involved in the investigation in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and Service Prosecutions Authority.

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving military personnel have been arrested and charged with indictable offences by civilian police forces in each of the last five years. [205984]

Mike Penning: The information requested is not collected centrally by the Home Office. Aggregated data on arrests supplied to the Home Office do not include information about whether persons arrested were serving military personnel.

Asylum

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers had been waiting for an initial decision on their asylum application for more than one year at the end of (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013. [203287]

James Brokenshire: At the end of December 2011, 1,897 asylum applications from main applicants were pending an initial decision after 12 months, 2,561 at the end of December 2012 and 3,773 at the end of December 2013.

The figures provided are a subset of latest published statistics for applications received for asylum since April 2006 which are published by the Home Office on a monthly and quarterly basis.

The latest release Immigration Statistics January to March 2014 is available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2014

and from the Library of the House. Asylum data tables (volume 1) are available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311790/asylum1-q1-2014-tabs.ods

Our aim this year is to ensure all claims made before April 2014 have an asylum decision by 31 March 2015. Furthermore, we are endeavouring to ensure all new claims received since 1 April 2014 get a decision within the six months service standard.

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We are raising our decision-maker productivity targets in order to deal with rising intake, and we are continually recruiting new caseworkers to maintain appropriate staffing levels and to support our aim to get within service standards by the end of the 2014-15 period.

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who used the Assisted Voluntary Returns scheme (a) submitted their first asylum claim after being detained in an immigration removal and (b) had their asylum case decided within the Detained Fast Track in each of the last five years for which records are available. [205783]

James Brokenshire: The information requested is shown in the following table.

The figures quoted have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols; as such it should be treated as provisional and subject to change.

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Asylum: Detainees

Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcomes of detention by length of detention for women asylum seekers detained by her Department were in each of the last three years. [205112]

James Brokenshire: Published figures on people detained in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers include those held in short term holding facilities, pre-departure accommodation and immigration removal centres. Figures exclude those held in police cells, Prison Service establishments, short term holding rooms at ports and airports (for less than 24 hours), and those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers and their dependants. The following table shows the number of female detainees who had claimed asylum at some point, by reason for leaving detention and by length of detention for each of the last three years.

The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of people detained in the United Kingdom for immigration purposes, within Immigration Statistics: January to March 2014, from the GOV.UK website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release

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Asylum: Housing

Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) budgeted and (b) actual per place unit cost estimated by her Department is for the COMPASS asylum housing contracts allocated to (i) G4S and (ii) Serco for the period of the contract. [205544]

James Brokenshire: The budgeted cost of COMPASS contracts was determined using actual per place unit costs derived through the competitive procurement process. The actual per place unit rates are commercially sensitive. Disclosure will prejudice the commercial interests of the Department and its suppliers.

Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from local authorities within Compass asylum contract areas on the (a) suitability of accommodation for asylum seekers provided by Compass, (b) overcrowding in that accommodation, (c) the need for local authorities to be notified when asylum seekers became resident there and (d) additional services required from local authorities when large numbers of asylum seekers move to an area. [206305]

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James Brokenshire: COMPASS accommodation providers must abide by specific standards, including rules on shared dwellings. The Home Office monitors the performance of the providers against quality and safety standards to ensure the suitability of accommodation provided for asylum seekers and works with providers to improve these where necessary. Poor performance by the providers can also have financial ramifications if they are found to be non-compliant. The Home Office has established working arrangements with all local authorities to consider the placement of asylum seekers in each area to ensure minimal impact on services and community cohesion. Local authorities are notified of all asylum seekers moving into their area, and they have an obligation to perform a duty of care for all their residents regarding health, social services and schooling for minors. In addition Home Office has appointed three service delivery managers (SDM) to work in partnership with the COMPASS providers and external stakeholders, principally local authorities. The role of the SDM is to arbitrate in difficulties between providers and local authorities.

Billing

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value is of duplicate

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supplier payments identified by her Department since 2010; and what proportion of such payments have since been recovered in each of the last two financial years. [205974]

Karen Bradley: The information requested is shown in the following table.

The volume and value of duplicate supplier payments identified since the 2010-11 financial year up to June 2014 is 54 payments for a total value of £2,495,793.63. We have recovered 53 payments totalling £2,494,661.63; the remaining payment was partially recovered and the company went into liquidation with the balance outstanding.

In the last two financial years the proportion of duplicate payments recovered by value was:

The volume and value of duplicate payments since 2010 have decreased significantly compared to the financial years prior to 2010-11.

Buildings

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will review her departmental estate in order to reduce costs; and if she will make a statement. [206690]

Karen Bradley: By September 2014 following relocation of the Department for Communities and Local Government to 2 Marsham Street the size of the non-operational administrative estate occupied by the Department will have reduced by 22% to 315,000 sq m since May 2010. Annual savings will be in excess of £50 million.

Further information on the performance of the Government's Civil Estate can be found at

http://www.gist.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/qds/2012-13/ho/spend-by-type-of-internal-operation/cost-of-running-the-estate/

Child Abuse in Cleveland Judicial Inquiry

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where in the public domain the Northern Regional Health Authority report of October 1988 entitled, Action Taken Following the Report of the Judicial Inquiry into Child Abuse in Cleveland may be found; if she will place a copy of this document in the Library; and if she will make a statement. [205539]

Norman Baker: The information requested relates to a former national health service organisation. The Department of Health has confirmed that this information is not available.

Children: Abuse

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will publish (a) all submissions and memos to Ministers and (b) correspondence with other government departments relating to the review by officials of the Geoffrey Dickens dossiers. [203924]

Norman Baker: The Home Secretary has appointed Peter Wanless, the Chief Executive of NSPCC, and Richard Whittam QC to undertake a review of the investigation commissioned by the Permanent Secretary in response to allegations raised about the handling of information from Geoffrey Dickens by the Home Office.

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Terms of reference of this review were placed in the House Library on 7 July and make clear that the review will consider the information that was available to the investigator, as well as any further information they feel is relevant. We expect that they will report in 8-10 weeks and will publish this report in full.

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she had with the Scottish Government on the Butler-Sloss inquiry into child abuse. [204699]

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will include Kincora Boys Home in East Belfast in the scope of the Butler-Sloss child abuse inquiry. [204811]

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Butler-Sloss Inquiry into child abuse will have scope to include public bodies and non-state institutions based in Northern Ireland. [204875]

Norman Baker: On 7 July the Home Secretary announced an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. The inquiry will consider whether public bodies-and other non-state institutions-have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse. The Inquiry will co-operate fully with Devolved Administrations. However all relevant issues in Scotland and Northern Ireland are now devolved and will be a matter for those administrations to consider. In Wales the inquiry will cover those institutions which concern non-devolved matters. The Home Secretary has made clear that the Home Office will talk to the Devolved Administrations and work with them on this Inquiry.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any files on child abuse have been passed to her Department by (a) other parts of the Government or (b) hon. Members; and in what year such files were so passed. [205428]

Norman Baker: The Independent investigation commissioned by the Permanent Secretary considered what material this Department had received in respect of child sexual abuse. Copies of the Executive Summary of that review and the Terms of Reference were deposited in the House Library on 31 July 2013. On 7 July the Home Secretary announced that Peter Wanless would lead a review into this investigation. Terms of Reference for this review have been placed in the House and we expect the work to conclude within eight to 10 weeks. Any files passed to the Home Office, whether by hon. Members or otherwise, which suggest criminal activity has occurred, are passed to the police.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if she will ensure that the review by Peter Wanless will include any actions or discussions of government departments other than the Home Office in respect of the handling of the Geoffrey Dickens files; [205645]

(2) whether her Department holds any information indicating that the Geoffrey Dickens files were shared with or seen by any other government department. [205646]

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Norman Baker: The Permanent Secretary commissioned an Independent Investigation to determine what material the Department had received in respect of child sexual abuse, including any from Geoffrey Dickens. Copies of the Executive Summary of that review and the Terms of Reference were deposited in the House Library on 31 July 2013. On 7 July the Home Secretary announced that Peter Wanless would lead a review into this investigation under the Terms of Reference that have been agreed, a copy of which is available in the House Library. The review is expected to conclude within 8-10 weeks and a full report of the review report will be published.

Clothing: Islam

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the wearing of (a) the niqab and (b) the burka by individuals during any official interaction with (i) police officers and (ii) immigration officers. [205063]

Mike Penning: The information is as follows:

(i) Police officers must observe the requirements of the Codes of Practice under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 governing the removal of headgear. A copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

(ii) All passengers wearing a veil or face covering on arrival in the United Kingdom will be asked to remove their veil so that their appearance can be compared with the photograph in their passport, in order that the Border Force officer can be satisfied as to their identity and nationality.

Common Travel Area: Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have had with their Irish counterparts on the Common Travel Area since May 2010. [206665]

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their Irish counterparts on a range of subjects, including the Common Travel Area.

Community Relations: Islam

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of levels of trust held by the British Muslim community in the Prevent strategy. [204223]

James Brokenshire: Prevent aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The revised Prevent strategy published in June 2011 has three key objectives. These are to:

respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it;

prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support; and

work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address.

The delivery of Prevent requires strong partnerships with a range of local groups in the community, including British Muslims among others.

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The Prevent strategy we inherited from the last Government was flawed. It confused the delivery of Government policy to promote integration with Government policy to prevent terrorism, which was a source of mistrust. That is why we refocused the Prevent strategy in 2011, to separate Prevent from broader integration work.

Local Prevent co-ordinators across the country work with local services, partners such as the police, Charity Commission and members of local faith communities, to understand local risks and needs, and deliver targeted projects and outreach work. We fund 30 Prevent priority areas to work on the frontline and with those vulnerable to extremism, including funding projects tailored to local needs. Prevent co-ordinators provide regular feedback to the Home Office, which helps shape the future development and implementation of the Prevent strategy.

Preventing terrorism means challenging extremist (and non-violent) ideas that are also part of a terrorist ideology. The Prevent strategy focuses on all forms of terrorism, but is clear that the most serious risk to our national security comes from al-Qaeda, its affiliates and like-minded organisations. For this reason, the report of the Prime Minister’s Extremism Task Force (ETF), published last December, set out a definition of Islamist extremism. It noted that this ideology should not be confused with traditional religious practice. It is based on a distorted interpretation of Islam, which betrays Islam’s peaceful principles and also includes the uncompromising belief that people cannot be Muslim and British, and insists that those who do not agree with them are not true Muslims.

Crime: Lancashire

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of crime in (a) Preston constituency, (b) Preston City Council area and (c) Lancashire in each of the last five years. [205623]

Norman Baker: The Home Office does not collect data at Parliamentary Constituency Level or at City Council level. Data are provided in Table A for Preston Community Safety Partnership and Lancashire police force area.

Cultural Heritage: Theft

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will hold discussions with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime on a global response to the sale of stolen antiquities to fund terrorism. [205748]

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Norman Baker: The UK takes the funding of terrorist organisations through any means very seriously. This Government endorsed guidelines on countering trafficking in cultural property and related offences at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its twenty-third session in May 2014.

Disclosure and Barring Service

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual salary is of the Chief Executive of the Disclosure and Barring Service; what element of that salary is performance-related; and what assessment she has made of the performance of the management team at the disclosure and barring service in the last three years. [205540]

Karen Bradley [holding answer 17 July 2014]: The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was launched in December 2012. The annual salary of the chief executive is £124,230, which is not performance-related. Performance of the management team is a matter for the DBS board. Operational performance is considered by Ministers on a regular basis.

DNA: Databases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to access DNA databases from other European countries to aid crime detection in the UK. [206804]

James Brokenshire: It is possible for police forces to request checks to be made via Interpol of the DNA databases of other European countries. Routine access to European Union databases would require the UK to implement the Prüm Council Decisions 2008/615/JHA and 2008/616/JHA.

The Home Secretary outlined the Government's position on Prüm in the House of Commons on 10 July 2014, Official Report, column 492.

Dogs: Noise

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department grants permission to laboratories to cut the vocal cords of dogs in order to reduce noise. [206627]

Norman Baker: The Home Office would not authorise the cutting of vocal cords of dogs under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. We cannot envisage any scenario where that would be acceptable unless it were for the health and well-being of the individual animal with the procedure conducted under the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

Electronic Surveillance

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she authorised the UK's classification of (a) Google, (b) Facebook, (c) webmail services and (d) other companies that operate in the UK as external communications. [201104]

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James Brokenshire: External Communication is defined within the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and the statutory Interception of Communications Code of Practice which was approved by Parliament and came into force on 1 July 2002. The Government has no present plans to amend the definition of external communication.

Under RIPA, interception warrants are issued by the Secretary of State.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government plan to bring forward legislative proposals to change (a) the classification of external communications for the purposes of interception and (b) other aspects of UK surveillance law. [201105]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 23 June 2014]: External Communication is defined within the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and the statutory Interception of Communications Code of Practice which was approved by Parliament and came into force on 1 July 2002. The Government have no present plans to amend the definition of external communication.

Entry Clearances

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications are presently deferred or on hold awaiting the outcome of the legal action in respect of the financial requirement that is presently before the courts. [205896]

James Brokenshire: According to Home Office management information, as at 31 March 2014, 3,134 family visa applications were on hold following the July 2013 High Court judgment in MM & Others. Following the Court of Appeal ruling in favour of the Home Secretary which confirmed the lawfulness of the income threshold policy, as a rational and reasonable means of achieving the legitimate aims of reducing taxpayer burdens and promoting integration, from 28 July, the individuals whose applications were on hold, pending this judgment, will now receive a decision. Decisions will take account of all the information presented. Any application which met all the requirements apart from the minimum income threshold now stands to be refused. The applications which have been subject to the hold will be decided as soon as possible. It is likely to take several weeks to complete this work. Overseas our regions are rebalancing resources to ensure decisions are made as quickly as they reasonably can be, allowing full consideration of the facts of the cases. This is with the aim of resolving all applications within three months in line with service standards for settlement applications.

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent by her Department on legal representation and court costs in respect of action over the financial requirement. [205900]

James Brokenshire: In the case of MM & Others concerning the minimum income threshold under the family Immigration Rules, the costs incurred by the Home Office as at 3 July 2014 were approximately £163,000.

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Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to introduce service standards and set processing time limits for visa applications made at overseas posts. [205901]

James Brokenshire: Service Standards are in place for the processing of visa applications submitted overseas.

Entry Clearances: Indian Subcontinent

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken was from a visa appeal being granted at tribunal to the post issuing the visa in (a) Mumbai and (b) Islamabad in the most recent period for which figures are available. [205899]

James Brokenshire: From 1 January to 31 March 2014, it took on average 34 days in Mumbai and 31 days in Islamabad to issue a visa after the tribunal decision was received in the respective post.

Entry Clearances: Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress she has made on the detailed implementation of the proposed British-Irish visa scheme. [206666]

James Brokenshire: On 16 June 2014 the Home Secretary announced the introduction of the British-Irish visa scheme. From autumn 2014, Chinese and Indian nationals with a visit visa issued in China and India respectively will be able to use an Irish visa to travel to the UK and a British visa to travel to Ireland without the need for a separate visa. This is underpinned by a range of detailed implementation activity.

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) primary and (b) secondary legislative provision is required for the implementation of the proposed British-Irish visa scheme; and if she will make a statement. [206667]

James Brokenshire: No changes to primary legislation are required. Amendments will be made to the Immigration (Control of Entry through Republic of Ireland) Order 1972.

EU Law

Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the UK has lost EU infraction proceedings since May 2010 which relate to matters that fall within her Department's responsibility. [206659]

Karen Bradley: Since May 2010 the UK has not lost any EU infraction proceedings which relate to matters that fall within the Home Office's responsibility.

Euthanasia

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to routinely refuse visas to foreign nationals who enter the UK with the aim of encouraging or assisting suicide. [206107]

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James Brokenshire: A foreign national may be refused entry clearance or leave to enter the UK if, from information available, the person’s exclusion is considered to be conducive to the public good. This could include information indicating that the person may be intending to commit an offence while in the UK. Each decision is made on a case by case basis taking into account all the relevant factors.

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports she has received on the time taken for the Metropolitan Police to act in the case of a foreign national conducting a seminar which is alleged to have encouraged assistance with suicide in London, June 2013; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the case is now properly investigated. [206115]

Mike Penning: No such reports have been received. The investigation of criminal offences is an operational matter for the police. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Government to interfere in police investigations.

Female Genital Mutilation

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from Sussex police on enforcement of laws preventing female genital mutilation; and if she will make a statement. [205281]

Norman Baker: Female genital mutilation is an extremely harmful practice which the coalition Government is committed to tackling. Neither the Secretary of State for the Home Department nor I have received any representations from Sussex police on enforcement of laws preventing female genital mutilation.

HM Passport Office

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many enquiries HM Passport Office has received from hon. Members in each of the previous 18 months. [205653]

James Brokenshire: In 2013, Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) received 1,123 written inquiries from Members of both Houses and 813 telephone enquiries via the 'MP's hotline' service. In the first six months of 2014, HMPO has received 1,394 written enquiries and 13, 906 telephone inquiries.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the amount to be paid in additional payments to staff at HM Passport Office who committed to work a set number of overtime hours between 5 July and 31 August 2014. [206344]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 21 July 2014]: Overtime is a matter of choice for each member of staff. The determination of those who qualify for the additional payment and therefore the cost of additional payments will be on the basis of the actual overtime hours worked during the period 5 July and 31 August 2014.

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Human Trafficking

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take additional steps to tackle human trafficking within the UK’s borders. [205994]

Karen Bradley: The Government are determined to stamp out all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking, regardless of whether these crimes have involved cross-border movement. The Modern Slavery Bill will give law enforcement the tools to tackle modern slavery and enhance support and protection for victims. The Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive are both bringing forward their own legislation to tackle this terrible crime and we are working with them closely to ensure a co-ordinated approach across the UK. We are also undertaking a comprehensive programme of activity which includes awareness-raising for front-line professionals, to ensure that they can spot the signs of modern slavery, including human trafficking, and know what to do.

Illegal Immigrants: Employment

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the reasons for the reduction in businesses fined for employing illegal immigrants since 2010. [199441]

James Brokenshire: Since 2010 there has been a 13% increase in the number of civil penalties issued to businesses employing illegal migrant workers with 2,149 penalties issued in 2013-14 compared with 1,899 in 2010-11.An assessment of enforcement activity and operating procedures in relation to illegal working visits led to increased deployment and a renewed focus on illegal working in 2013. This resulted in 8,573 illegal working visits in 2013-14 compared with 5,441 in 2012-13. Additionally the target of issuing 2,500 Notices of Potential Liability (NOPL) for a civil penalty was exceeded with 3,562 NOPLs being issued in 2013-14 compared with 1,659 in 2012-13 equating to a 70% increase. We are committed to tackling illegal working and we are increasing our multi-agency operations to step up enforcement action against businesses. Through the Immigration Act and secondary legislations, we are getting tougher with non-compliant employers by increasing the maximum financial penalty from £10,000 to £20,000 per illegal worker; making it easier to enforce payment in the civil courts; and simplifying right-to-work checks for legitimate employers.

Immigrants: Detainees

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of detainees who have escaped from detention or from escort in each of the last four years have been returned to detention. [202823]

James Brokenshire: The proportion of detainees who have escaped from detention or from escort in each of the last four years who have been returned to detention is 37% (7) of 19 detainees. One detainee was not returned to detention but located overseas. Major changes to the estate since 2010 have included the closure of the lower

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security site at Oakington Reception Centre in November 2010 and increased capacity at the higher security centre at Harmondsworth in July 2010. The management information above has been reached by the examination of individual records. It does not form part of published statistics and is not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications. It is provisional and subject to change.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are currently available for immigration detainees; how many such places are currently occupied; what assessment she has made of the effect of fraud in English language tests on the number of immigration detainee places needed; and if she will make a statement. [204643]

James Brokenshire: As of August 2014, the Home Office has the capacity to detain 3690 immigration detainees in the immigration detention estate. On 18 August 2014, 2941 of the 3690 spaces were occupied.

In addition to this Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) which provides for immigration detainees to be held in prisons. As of the week beginning 18 August 2014 794 immigration detainees were held in prison, of which 214 were held in HMP Verne.

Capacity and use of the detention estate is reviewed regularly at a strategic level to allow Immigration Enforcement to plan operational activity. The Educational Testing Services operations followed this process, which included the use of detention alongside other activity to address any abuse or criminality.

As stated to the House on 24 June, the Home Office will provide regular updates to the House on the ETS-related activity. These updates will be provided as part of the regular publication of data on the department’s work on borders and immigration.

Immigration: Appeals

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions a Home Office immigration refusal decision was withdrawn by the Home Office on or immediately prior to an appeal hearing date in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum chamber) in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014 to date. [203351]

James Brokenshire: A complete set of data relating to decisions withdrawn by the Home Office on or immediately prior to the appeal hearing date in the First-tier Tribunal for all appeal types is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Immigration: Disclosure of Information

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the effect of data breaches of sensitive immigration information on people whose details have been accidentally published online. [207005]

James Brokenshire: The Home Office takes data breaches of any type extremely seriously and they will be subject to our established procedure for managing data-related

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incidents. This entails a detailed risk-assessment exercise to determine the impact on the data subject together with actions designed to reduce the level of exposure wherever it is practical to do so.

Subject to the outcome of the risk assessment the Department may choose to inform the data subjects and the primary factor in this decision is the personal safety and security of those concerned. Regardless of whether the decision is taken to inform data subjects or not, every effort is made to remove the material in question from all platforms visible to the public.