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Energy: VAT
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
How VAT receipts on each of (a) road fuel, (b) red diesel, (c) gas and (d) electricity are used; whether the European Union takes money from VAT income;
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Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government do not hypothecate revenues from VAT on road fuel, red diesel, gas and electricity. Revenue from taxes is pooled so that the spending it finances can be prioritised across the range of government activities in the most efficient way.
VAT-based contributions to the EU budget are not paid directly from the VAT revenue that is collected in the UK. Rather, the contributions are made against a VAT base assessed in a common manner in all of the member states.
Equality: Age Discrimination
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to make provision to combat age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services and a positive duty on public authorities to promote age equality within the Equality Bill. [HL4098]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): These issues were considered as part of the discrimination law review, as set out in the consultation paper on proposals for the Equality Bill, A Framework for Fairness. The Government's proposals for the Equality Bill package will be published shortly.
Food: Beef
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 9 June (WA 82), whether regulatory impact assessments in general are normally reviewed; and whether this is standard practice in all departments. [HL4247]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Baroness Vadera): In May 2007, the Government introduced a revised impact assessment process to improve clarity and transparency of new regulations. This has increased the focus on the costs and benefits associated with regulations, supported by a strengthened ministerial declaration that has helped bolster the quality of this analysis.
The revised impact assessment process has placed greater weight on post-implementation reviews, with the central guidance stating this should be carried out after three years (depending on the nature of the policy). This review should be used to establish the actual costs and benefits and whether the regulation is achieving the desired effects.
These revisions complement new arrangements introduced by the Office of the Leader of the House to carry out standardised post-legislative scrutiny. The
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These changes promote a more systematic approach to post-legislative scrutiny by Government, working with Parliament.
Housing: Flats
Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): In 2007-08, it was estimated that 48 per cent of new dwellings completed in England were flats.
Housing: Leasehold
Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Survey of English Housing for 2006 shows that there were 14.6 million (70 per cent) owner-occupying households, 3.7 million (18 per cent) social renters and 2.5 million (12 per cent) private renters. Of the 14.6 million owner-occupying households, 0.6 million (4 per cent) were leasehold houses and 1 million (7 per cent) were leasehold flats. The survey does not collect data in relation to whether rented houses and flats are leasehold or freehold.
Housing: Residential Leases
Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to review the law concerning forfeiture provisions in residential leases. [HL4024]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Law Commission has considered a range of ways in which a court may be able to deal with matters where default of a lease occurs, including the provision of notices and the power to order the sale of a forfeited property and for the proceeds of a sale to be distributed in a fairer manner.
It published its report in October 2006, setting out its views and how the law could be reformed, and work is continuing to establish the way forward.
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Through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 we have already improved the protection available to long leaseholders. This currently requires notices to be served; for any alleged breach to be determined by a court or leasehold valuation tribunal before any forfeiture action can be taken; and no forfeiture for amounts of less than £350 unless outstanding for more than three years.
We continue to be involved with the work being carried out by the Law Commission and will consider, in light of this work, whether any further changes are necessary to the law of forfeiture as it applies to residential leaseholders.
Indonesia: Religious Minorities
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether at the Universal Periodic Review of Indonesia by the United Nations Human Rights Council they raised the issue of the treatment of Ahmadiyah Muslims; and, if so, with what result. [HL4228]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): At the UN Human Rights Council examination of Indonesia under the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva on 9 April, the UK raised concerns about the treatment of the Ahmadiyah community. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Meg Munn, also expressed concern about the situation of the Ahmadiyah community to the Indonesian ambassador on 3 June.
On 9 June, the Indonesian Government issued a decree ordering Ahmadiyah members to “stop spreading interpretations and activities which deviate from mainstream Islam, including those which acknowledge that there was a prophet after Muhammed”. On 10 June, Indonesian vice-president Kalla confirmed that the Indonesian Government had no plans to ban Ahmadiyah provided it followed the law and that Ahmadiyah followers could continue to worship in their homes and mosques. The restrictions apply to them preaching or trying to convert others.
We will continue to monitor the situation of the Ahmadiyah community in Indonesia closely and seek opportunities to raise the issue of respect for religious freedom with the Indonesian authorities.
Iraq: EU Troops
Lord Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): There are around 5,600 troops from 13 EU member states operating in Iraq.
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Local Government: Design Reviews
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Andrews on 4 June (WA 62), when the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment expects to have reached its conclusions on whether or not its existing business plan contains the necessary resources to monitor and list local design review panels. [HL4046]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is currently considering a full range of activities that it could take forward and we are working with it to prioritise what to focus on as we continue to review its work programme over the year. It expects to reach a conclusion on this over the summer.
NHS: Structure
Lord Burnett asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Health Authorities (England) Establishment Order 1996 (SI No. 624) established 101 health authorities on 1 April 1996.
Between 1997-98 and 2002-03, the numbers of organisations that evolved into the present day strategic health authorities (SHAs) reduced from 100 to 95. These evolved into 28 SHAs in 2003-04, which were then configured into the existing 10 organisations established on 1 July 2006.
There were 303 primary care trusts established during 2003-04. These were reconfigured into the current configuration of 152 organisations, which were established on 1 October 2006.
Prisoners: Housing and Resettlement
Lord Dholakia asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prisons in England and Wales provide resettlement services to prisoners upon leaving prison and subsequently. [HL4154]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): All prisons in England and Wales provide resettlement services to prisoners. Establishments ensure that resettlement interventions along the seven pathways for rehabilitation—which include accommodation, education, training and employment, health, drugs
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Prisons: Chaplains
Lord Sheikh asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which prison establishments in England and Wales do not have a full-time Imam as part of the chaplaincy; and what are their plans to improve access to Islamic chaplaincy services within prisons. [HL4204]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): There are currently 34 prisons in England and Wales with full-time Muslim chaplains.
Of those that do not have a full-time Muslim chaplain, the following prisons have part-time Muslim chaplains or Muslim chaplains appointed on a sessional basis.
Those with part-time Muslim chaplains:
Bedford, Blundeston, Brinsford, Buckley Hall, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Coldingly, Doncaster, Edmunds Hill, Elmley, Gartree, Grendon/Springhill, Guys Marsh, Hindley, Holloway, Huntercombe, Kennet, Kirkham, Leeds, Leicester, Lindholme, Lowdham Grange, Moorland, Norwich, Nottingham, Parkhurst, Peterborough, Rye Hill, Shrewsbury, Standford Hill, Stocken, The Verne, Wakefield, Wealstun, Wellingborough, Wymott.
Those with sessional Muslim chaplains:
Acklington, Albany, Altcourse, Ashfield, Ashwell, Askham, Aylesbury, Blantyre House, Bristol, Brockhill, Bronzefield, Bullwood Hall, Camp Hill, Canterbury, Castington, Channings Wood, Cookham Wood, Dartmoor, Deerbolt, Dorchester, Downview, Drake Hall, East Sutton Park, Eastwood Park, Erlestoke, Exeter, Ford, Forest Bank, Foston Hall, Garth, Gloucester, Haslar, Haverigg, Hewell Grange, Hollesley Bay, Holme House, Hull, Kingston, Kirklevington, Lancaster, Lancaster Farms, Latchmere House, Lewes, Leyhill, Littlehey, Low Newton, Maidstone, Morton Hall, New Hall, North Sea Camp, Northallerton, Parc, Preston, Reading, Send, Shepton Mallet, Stafford, Styal, Sudbury, Swansea, Thorn Cross, Usk/Prescoed, Warren Hill, Wayland, Werrington, Wetherby, Whatton, Winchester, Wolds.
All prisons have multi-faith chaplaincy teams to meet the needs of the prison. Needs will vary over time and depend on a range of factors, including the make-up of the prison population. We are looking at this time to ensure in particular that all prisons have appropriate provision for Muslim chaplains in view of the numbers of Muslim prisoners, and the significant additional role that Muslim chaplains have in combating potential extremist views by providing proper Islamic teaching and classes. Work is under way to strengthen provision so that the service can ensure it is maximising this resource.
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Regulation of Investigatory Powers
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people have been convicted of the offence of withholding computer passwords or encryption keys since the introduction of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [HL4122]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Part 3 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act provides for the offence of failure to disclose a key to protected information in response to a notice under Section 49. Since it was brought into force in October 2007, two individuals have disclosed their keys when required to do so. A further four individuals have prosecutions pending for failure to comply with a notice.
Skills
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much funding was awarded to Cogent Sector Skills Council for nuclear skills training in each of the past five years. [HL4223]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): The Cogent Sector Skills Council covers a number of science-based industries within its footprint. These include chemicals and pharmaceuticals, petroleum, polymer, nuclear and oil and gas. Cogent was licensed in February 2004 but was a trailblazer SSC before that.
Cogent SSC Ltd has received core funding from government for all the industries it covers, as set out below. This cannot, however, be split into specific sums for each industry. The science-using industries which Cogent covers are highly regulated and have many generic skills issues. Action to deliver skills solutions to address those issues therefore often needs to cover the whole of Cogent's footprint. Cogent's core funding was:
2003—£1.043 million;2004—£1.25 million;2005—£1.46 million;2006—£1.25 million; and2007—£1.6 million.Cogent recognises the changing circumstances in the nuclear sector, particularly the need to re-skill the current workforce, with decommissioning and potential new build. Its response has included a successful bid and subsequent development of a national skills academy nuclear (NSAN). Government funding for the academy, which is matched to investment from industry, is as follows:
development year £0.5 million;capital funding of £5.1 million over three years; andrevenue funding as follows:year one (2008)—£1.8 million;year two (2009)—£1.37 million; and year three (2010)—£0.427 million.23 Jun 2008 : Column WA213
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