Written Answers
Thursday 6 December 2012
Agriculture: Pesticides
Questions
Asked by Baroness Thomas of Winchester
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to prevent the contamination of surface water by water-soluble neonicotinoid pesticides. [HL3790]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): A thorough risk assessment is undertaken before the Government will consider authorising the use of a pesticide. This considers the ways in which the product may get into surface water and the effects it may have. Where appropriate, conditions of use are set, which may include restrictions on dose rates, timing of application or need to observe buffer zones adjacent to watercourses. Pesticide users are legally obliged to comply with these restrictions and take reasonable precautions to protect the environment when applying these chemicals.
Asked by Baroness Thomas of Winchester
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides on bee colonies; and what action they are taking to eliminate the risk of bee colony collapse as a result of neonicotinoid poisoning.[HL3791]
Lord De Mauley: All pesticides, including neonicotinoids, are tightly regulated. The risk assessment process, as set out in European legislation, looks in detail at the risks to honey bees. It considers a range of factors, including methods of application and examining both lethal and sub-lethal effects.
We carefully assess new studies as they emerge and consider how they alter the overall picture. We have consistently made it clear that we are prepared to take regulatory action if and when the evidence calls for this. Several new studies were published in spring 2012, suggesting that low doses of neonicotinoids could have sub-lethal effects on bees with consequences for bee populations. These recent studies and existing evidence were assessed by government experts and by the independent expert Advisory Committee on Pesticides. A summary of the evidence and the experts' assessment was published on 18 September. We have since considered a further study by Gill et al published in Nature in October.
We are carrying out our own research to fill gaps in what is known, including questions raised about the relevance of the recent studies to field conditions. New research to explore further the impacts of neonicotinoids on bumble bees in field conditions and to understand what levels of pesticide residues and disease in honey bees are normal will be completed early in 2013. We
have also commissioned a longer-term project to quantify the actual exposure of wild bumblebees to sub-lethal doses of neonicotinoid insecticides in UK landscapes.
The US phenomenon Colony Collapse Disorder, involving a complete or near-complete absence of bees in a colony, is not present in the UK.
Apprenticeships
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the latest year for which figures are available, how many people in England started an apprenticeship (1) before the age of 18, (2) between the ages of 18 and 21, (3) between the ages of 22 and 24, and (4) aged over 24; and how much funding those apprenticeships received from the Government.[HL3831]
Baroness Garden of Frognal: Table 1 shows the provisional number of apprenticeship programme starts by age in England, 2011-12.
Table 2 shows provisional estimated funding to support the delivery of apprenticeship programmes by age in England, 2011-12.
Provisional data for the 2011-12 academic year provide an early view of performance and will change as further data returns are received from further education colleges and providers. They should not be directly compared with final year data from previous years. Figures for 2011-12 will be finalised in January 2013.
Figures for estimated funding come from the individualised learner record. They provide an indication of the level of government funding. They should not be treated as actual spend, as spending is not reported at this level.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship Programme Starts by Age, 2011-12 (Provisional) | |
| Age | Apprenticeship starts 2011-12 (Provisional) |
| Table 2: Estimated Funding for Apprenticeships by Age, 2011-12 (Provisional) | |
| Age | Estimated Funding 2011-12 (Provisional) |
Source: Individualised Learner Record
1. Provisional data for 2011-12 should not be directly compared with data for earlier years.
2. All starts figures are rounded to the nearest ten except for England totals which are rounded to the nearest hundred. Estimated funding figures are rounded to the nearest million.
3. Age is based on age at the start of the programme.
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts by age is published in a supplementary table to a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 11 October 2012:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/Apprenticeship_sfr_supplementary_tables/.
Atos Healthcare
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance that “people with severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis should be offered a summary record of every consultation because of their cognitive difficulties”, they will proactively offer recording of Atos face-to-face assessments to all claimants with cognitive difficulties.[HL3642]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): All reports from Atos Healthcare now contain a personalised summary in plain English. We have also tested sharing these reports with claimants but results showed that this was not helpful to individuals. We have therefore agreed a more helpful variation of this with Professor Harrington and now issue the department's decision-maker's reasoning report to explain fit for work decisions.
DWP has asked Atos Healthcare to accommodate requests for audio recording where a claimant makes a request in advance of their assessment. We are currently developing criteria in order to evaluate the success of this approach and will await the results of this evaluation before making a decision on the future of this service.
Banking
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the concentration of the banking sector in London; and whether they will take steps to encourage the development of regional banks. [HL3650]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): Decisions concerning the opening and closing of branches and agencies are taken by each financial institution, on a commercial basis. As with other banking service providers, regional banks will need to balance customer interests, market competition and other commercial factors when considering their strategy and the Government do not intervene in these decisions.
However, the Government recognise the importance of a diverse and competitive banking sector and there are a number of initiatives already underway. As announced in the banking reform White Paper, the Financial Services Authority is also reviewing the prudential and conduct requirements for new entrants to the banking sector to address barriers to entry and expansion.
BBC: World Service
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to releasing and reallocating Department for International Development funds to prevent the closure or reduction of BBC World Service broadcasts to developing countries, to regions where there is conflict, or to states responsible for abuses of human rights.[HL3813]
Baroness Northover: DfID is required by HM Treasury to spend the majority of its budget in ways which meet the definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA). The department's small non-ODA budget is fully committed. The BBC World Service does not meet the criteria required to be categorised as ODA because its primary purpose is not the economic development and welfare of developing countries.
Bees
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they are funding into the decline in bee numbers. [HL3635]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): HM Government recognise the importance of all pollinators, including bees, and their value to both food security and sustaining the natural environment. We are currently considering a range of evidence on the state of bees and other pollinators in order to determine what action is required.
Defra is providing £2.5 million over five years (from 2010-11) towards the £10 million Insect Pollinators Initiative which is being jointly funded with the Scottish Government, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Wellcome Trust. The initiative’s projects are looking at different aspects of the decline of insect pollinators.
Defra has two further small research contracts that are piloting new methods for surveying bees and other pollinators and helping to understand the status and habitat requirements of solitary and social bees.
Natural England has also supported work to update the British “red list” of bees, wasps and ants as a way of identifying those most at threat and in need of future funding to secure their continued survival.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what effect they forecast the decline in bee numbers will have on the price of food.[HL3637]
Lord De Mauley: There are many factors that impact on the prices we pay for food. The most important of these are world commodity prices, exchange rates and oil prices, as well as the demand for food, fluctuations in global weather and labour costs.
The Government recognise the importance of all pollinators, including bees, and their value to both food security and sustaining the natural environment.
While we have not conducted any work to forecast the impact of declining bee numbers on the price of food, it is estimated that insect pollinators contribute £500 million per year to UK agriculture. We are currently considering a range of evidence on the state of bees and other pollinators in order to determine what action is required.
Burma
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Government of Burma's policies towards provision of humanitarian assistance and healthcare to minority ethnic nationalities in the conflict zones of that country.[HL3788]
Baroness Northover: The Government of Burma have allowed the Mynamar Peace Support Initiative to deliver humanitarian and development programmes to minority ethnic groups in ceasefire areas.
In Kachin, where there is no ceasefire, access to internally displaced people in Kachin Independence Army controlled areas has been restricted. The UK is supporting groups that are able to work around these restrictions and provide critical humanitarian support.
In Rakhine, where there has been a recent increase in communal violence between the de-facto stateless Muslim Rohingya and the majority Buddhist Rakhine communities, the Government of Burma have stated their commitment to enabling access, logistic support where appropriate and ensuring the safety of humanitarian actors. The UK has provided humanitarian support and will, with international partners, continue to monitor the situation.
Cyprus
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Warsi on 7 November (WA 227) and 13 November (WA 274), when they last engaged in a review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of current United Nations operations in Cyprus; whether they proposed to amend any United Nations decisions from 1963–74; and whether they will identify specific United Kingdom documents or proposals relating to this matter.[HL3699]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): While the leaders of the two Cypriot communities continue to support a UN led process, the UK will consider this to be an appropriate strategy and will not make an independent assessment of its effectiveness. The last UN Secretary-General report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus was published on 12 March and can be found at the UN mission website: www.uncyprustalks.org/nqcontent.cfm? a_id=24868&tt=graphic&lang=11
The UK, in its role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, plays an active role in encouraging the UN to review the effectiveness and efficiency of all current peacekeeping operations mandated by the UN Security Council. This includes the UN peacekeeping operation in Cyprus.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the security and humanitarian needs of the citizens living in Goma.[HL3833]
Baroness Northover: We are extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. 130,000 people in and around Goma have been displaced by recent violence. Many are living in overcrowded camps with inadequate facilities where cholera and other diseases pose a significant threat. 30,000 people have fled into South Kivu in the past week, where they have faced abuses at the hands of ill-disciplined Congolese Army troops. We have reports of widespread looting in Goma by M23 troops.
The UK has just announced an additional £18 million in humanitarian support to those affected by the crisis. This will provide food to 100,000 vulnerable people, reach 11,000 severely malnourished children with lifesaving treatment and provide clean water, shelter and emergency education to more than 130,000 people. We continue to follow the situation closely, and advocate for safe humanitarian access to affected populations and the protection of vulnerable people.
Energy: Smart Meters
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when a smart metering programme will be established.[HL3877]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma): The smart metering programme is being delivered over phases: the foundation stage and mass rollout. During the foundation stage, which began in April 2011, the Government are working with the energy industry, Ofgem, consumer groups and other stakeholders to ensure all the necessary groundwork is completed before energy suppliers start the major programme of installations. Mass rollout is expected to begin in late 2014 and be completed by the end of 2019.
Equality Act 2010
Questions
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 22 November (WA 406–7), what are their
reasonseb;normal;j for concluding that the repeal of liability for third party harassment under the Equality Act 2010 would not decrease existing legal protection.[HL3676]
Baroness Stowell of Beeston: Section 40(2) to (4) of the Equality Act 2010 explicitly makes an employer liable for harassment of an employee by a third party, such as a customer, when the employer knows that the employee has been harassed on two previous occasions and fails to take reasonable steps to prevent that employee being harassed again. It is our view that these provisions are unnecessary as such a situation is capable of being covered by the general harassment provisions under Section 26 of the Equality Act, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.
In addition to this, a remedy may be available under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 where the harassment causes the employee alarm or distress, and a claim for constructive dismissal could be made where the harassment is such that the employee feels no alternative to leaving their job.
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 22 November (WA 406–7), whether they will publish the responses to their consultations on (1) the repeal of Section 40 of the Equality Act 2010, and (2) Sections 124(3) and 138 of Equality Act 2010. [HL3677]
Baroness Stowell of Beeston: We will as soon as practicable publish copies of formal responses to both consultations received from organisations which did not specify that they wished their responses to remain confidential. Copies will also be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Equality Act 2010 in eliminating sex discrimination in golf clubs.[HL3737]
Baroness Stowell of Beeston: No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Equality Act 2010 in eliminating sex discrimination in golf clubs during the Act's first two years of operation.
We are committed to a full post implementation review of the impact of this Act by 2015.
Food: Aspartame
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the University of Hull's study of aspartame was originally scheduled to finish; when it will be completed; why it has been delayed; how much funding was originally committed for the study; whether the cost of the study has risen from that level; and, if so, why and by how much.[HL3640]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Aspartame has been extensively tested to ensure it can be safely used but there are a small number of people who allege ill-health effects following consumption. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) therefore commissioned Hull University to carry out a study on alleged adverse reactions to aspartame.
The study commenced in July 2009, was scheduled for completion in October 2010 and aimed to recruit 50 self-diagnosed aspartame-sensitive participants along with 50 matched controls. The cost for this initial plan was £150,728. Metabolomic profiling, to determine any effects on plasma and urinary metabolite profile, was added at an additional cost of £136,995. To make the study more robust the number of self-diagnosed aspartame-sensitive participants was increased from 50 to 75, with the same increase in matched controls. The increase in participants and additional metabolomic analysis increased the cost by a further £173,664.
Metabolomic profiling is a rapidly developing scientific field. In order to put any findings from the profiling in context, additional clinical chemistry analysis of the clinical samples is required. The contractual documents for this additional analysis are not yet complete and we are therefore unable to provide further information on the costs at this time but shall let the noble Countess have this information once the contract is signed.
Difficulties were encountered with recruiting sufficient volunteers to participate in the study which caused delay. However, subsequent changes in the recruitment approach remedied this. The draft study report, including results from the additional analysis under negotiation, is expected to be with the FSA in January 2013. It will then be subjected to peer review before publication.
Government Departments: Staff
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff currently employed in the legal department of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are (1) barristers, and (2) solicitors; and how this compares to the numbers in each year since 1997.[HL3793]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): Core Defra’s in-house legal team transferred to the Treasury Solicitors Department (TSol) and its small team of prosecutors transferred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on 1 September 2011. At the time of the transfer, Defra employed 76 solicitors and 16 barristers.
Information on the number of barristers and solicitors employed by Defra before 1 September 2011 could be provided only by incurring disproportionate cost.
Government of Wales Act 2006
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost of challenging the competence of the National Assembly for Wales to enact the Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Bill; and whether, following the
ruling of the Supreme Court, they plan to replace the Government of Wales Act 2006 with an Act using the reserved powers model.[HL3654]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson): The Supreme Court has made no order for costs so individual parties will bear their own costs. Total costs for the Government are in the process of being finalised.
The Government have no plans to replace the current Welsh devolution settlement. The Commission on Devolution in Wales is considering at the moment whether any modifications to the settlement are necessary to make it more effective, and the Government will consider its recommendations when it reports in 2014.
Health: Controlled Trials
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the fact that selected results of the Pacing, graded Activity and Cognitive behaviour therapy: a randomised Evaluation trial were published in March 2011, when they expect the return to employment statistics of the trial to be published; and what assessment they have made of the value for money of this trial.[HL3819]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Lord Marland): Two papers relating to the findings of the PACE trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial of CBT, graded exercise, adaptive pacing and specialist medical care for the chronic fatigue syndrome, have been published. The findings have been reported in the Lancet in March 2011 (published online in February 2011) and in PLoS ONE in August 2012.
Findings relating to employment status over 52 weeks across the four arms of the trial are published in the paper in PLoS ONE, Adaptive Pacing, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Graded Exercise, and Specialist Medical Care for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: McCrone P. Sharpe M. Chalder T. Knapp M, Johnson AL, et al. (2012) PLoS ONE 7(8): e40808. doi: 10.1 371/journal.pone.0040808. The timing of the publication of findings resulting from research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) is determined by the research team.
The MRC, which funded the trial through a grant to Queen Mary, University of London, assesses whether the research proposed in a grant application represents good value for money in terms of the resources being requested as part of the peer review process.
Health: Mental Health
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much was spent on psychological therapies in the National Health Service broken down by (1) modality or type of psychological therapy, and (2) region or administrative area, in each year between 1997 and 2008.[HL3659]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The following table shows National Health Service expenditure on psychological therapies broken down into four modalities during financial years 2003-04 to 2007-08. The information was collected for the first time in 2002-03. It was not collected centrally before that. However, data from 2002-03 which is comparable to the data collected in the subsequent years are not available.
| 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
|
Psychology Therapy Services not allocated to service categories | ||||||
Source: National Survey of Investment in Adult Mental Health Services Reports
The available information on expenditure by primary care trust (PCT) on psychological therapies has been placed in the Library. This represents the direct spend on psychological therapies reported by each PCT. The totals in the table above include all expenditure on psychological therapies by the NHS, so are slightly higher than the direct spend of PCTs.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much has been spent on psychological therapies outside the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme, broken down by (1) modality or type of psychological therapy, and (2) region or administrative area, in each area since 2008. [HL3660]
Earl Howe: The following table shows National Health Service expenditure on non- Improving Access to Psychological Therapies broken down into four modalities during financial years 2008-09 to 2011-12
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | |
|
Psychology Therapy Services not allocated to service categories | ||||
Source: National Survey of Investment in Adult Mental Health Services Reports
The available information on expenditure by primary care trust (PCT) on non-IAPT psychological therapies has been placed in the Library. This represents the direct spend on non-IAPT psychological therapies reported by each PCT. The totals in the table above include all expenditure on non-IAPT psychological therapies by the NHS.
Internet: 4G Spectrum
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the 4G auction process has been delayed.[HL3624]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The auction process has not been delayed. Ofcom remains on schedule for the auction process for the spectrum at 800 MHz and 2600 MHz to start by the end of 2012, with the licences being awarded to successful bidders early in 2013.
Israel and Palestine: West Bank
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel for all existing residents of Area C of the West Bank to have adequate access to water supplies, sewerage, refuse disposal and schools.[HL3465]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): On 14 May, the EU's Foreign Affairs Council called on Israel to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C. They discussed halting forced transfer of population and demolition of Palestinian housing and infrastructure, ensuring access to water and addressing humanitarian needs. The UK along with our EU partners continue to make this case to the Israeli Government.
Legal Aid
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to tighten the rules to prevent known criminals from using legal aid in cases directly related to their crimes.[HL3751]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Legal aid is available in criminal cases where the interests of justice require it and the individual cannot afford to pay. Defendants who can afford to contribute to the cost of their defence should do so. However, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 prohibits restrained assets to fund legal expenses that relate to the offences upon which the restraint order is predicated. The Government are concerned about public confidence in the legal aid system and the Justice Secretary has ordered an examination of aspects of the system that affect its credibility with the public.
Libraries: Volunteer-run Libraries
Questions
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of volunteer-run libraries.[HL3628]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether volunteer-run libraries are subject to the statutory public library requirements.[HL3629]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: Volunteer-run libraries are subject to statutory public library requirements if they form part of a library authority’s statutory service. This department has worked with Arts Council England and the Local Government Association, together with the Department for Communities and Local Government, Defra and the Cabinet Office, on the commissioning of guiding principles for local authorities in the engagement of volunteers in the library service. This report is due for publication in the new year.
Local Authorities: Art and Sculpture
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to safeguard art owned by local authorities, in the light of the decision by Tower Hamlets Council to sell the Henry Moore sculpture Draped Seated Woman.[HL3693]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Government do not have formal powers to intervene in matters such as this, which are ultimately for local authorities. Local authorities should take account of local opinion before taking decisions on cultural assets. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has in place mechanisms to protect our national heritage. For example, the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art enables the country to retain some of our most valuable assets.
NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups
Question
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to monitor performance against the duty on clinical commissioning groups to seek out and adopt best practice and to promote innovation.[HL3776]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The NHS Commissioning Board must conduct an annual performance assessment of each clinical commissioning group. This will assess how well the clinical commissioning group has discharged its functions during the year.
The NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, specifies that the assessment must include an evaluation of how the group has discharged its duties to:
exercise its functions effectively, efficiently and economically;obtain advice from persons with professional expertise; andinvolve and consult with the public.
We anticipate this will include how clinical commissioning groups will satisfy their duty to promote innovation.
NHS: Procurement
Question
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish the findings of the recent consultation on the NHS Procurement Strategy.[HL3846]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): In May 2012, the NHS chief executive launched the review of NHS procurement. The review will conclude at the end of December 2012 and the report will be published early next year.
Overseas Aid
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the effectiveness of the UK Aid programme supporting schools in Nigeria.[HL3786]
Baroness Northover: The UK aid programme in Nigeria is on track to help educate 800,000 children and train 5,000 teachers under existing programmes. DfID is working with federal and state governments to improve what is taught in schools and to improve the supply of books and materials.
A recent report on “DfID's Education Programme in Nigeria” by the Independent Commission on Aid Impact (ICAI) recommended that more should be done to improve learning outcomes. The report recommended that DfID should have stronger agreements with state governments outlining their policy and financial commitments to secure faster progress on primary education. The report recommended that DfID should work with the United Nations Children's Fund Girls’
Education Programme to achieve improved performance and agreed targets over the next 12 months. DfID accepts these recommendations.
The ICAI report was a limited enquiry which did not fully reflect the UK's achievements in promoting primary education in Nigeria. A recent annual review of DfID's largest project, namely the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) shows that it is on track to expand its learning improvement work from 1,000 schools two years ago to 10,500 schools by 2014.
As the ICAI report makes clear, northern Nigeria is an extremely challenging environment and it will take many years before significant and widespread improvements in girls' education can be achieved.
Overseas Stability
Questions
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Building Stability Overseas Strategy will be mainstreamed across Government.[HL3784]
Baroness Northover: The Secretaries of State for Defence, for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and for International Development take a close interest in implementation of the Building Stability Overseas Strategy. This is complemented by a number of cross-government official-level structures overseas and in Whitehall to help ensure the approach is properly mainstreamed. Joint visits overseas by senior officials have also been used to promote joint working and implementation of the strategy. There has been considerable progress over the past year, outlined in detail in the Foreign Secretary's Written Ministerial Statement from 17 July 2012 (Official Report, col. 126 WS), tabled jointly with Secretaries of State for Defence and International Development.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for further consultation on the Building Stability Overseas Strategy, including opportunities for debate and scrutiny of conflict prevention by parliamentarians and civil society.[HL3785]
Baroness Northover: The Government welcome debate and scrutiny from parliamentarians and civil society groups on our approach to conflict prevention. The House of Lords has twice debated the Building Stability Overseas Strategy, most recently on 30 October 2012. Scrutiny of the Government's work in this area has been the subject of a number of reviews including from the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy as well as the regular inquiries of departmental Select Committees. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues has also taken a close interest. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact and the National Audit Office have both recently reviewed the Conflict Pool.
Parliamentarians and civil society organisations attended an event on 26 November 2012 which provided officials with a range of valuable inputs, including on
the Conflict Pool and the department's approach to women, peace and security. There will be more such opportunities to contribute over the coming months.
Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the Libraries Act 1964.[HL3627]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no plans at present to review the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
Railways: Fares
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who is responsible for checking that railway fares conform with limits announced by the Government, in the light of the potential for manipulation within the fares basket; and whether the results of such checks are made public.[HL3830]
Earl Attlee: Department for Transport officials use a monitoring system called FIRM (fares increase regulatory mechanism) which incorporates fares regulation rules into its software. Using FIRM, officials ensure that fares baskets conform to these rules, including with respect to the permitted degree of flexibility.
Under the fares regulation rules, train operators may increase individual regulated fares by up to an additional 5% (2% for Southern) above the average cap on regulated fares as long as the average increase across their basket of fares is no more than the average cumulative cap.
The checks of the fares baskets undertaken using FIRM are not made public as the contents of fares baskets are commercially confidential.
Railways: High Speed 2
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when an announcement will be made on the preferred route of a high-speed rail link from Birmingham to Manchester.[HL3789]
Earl Attlee: The Secretary of State for Transport is currently considering advice on options for phase 2 of HS2, including a high-speed rail link from Birmingham to Manchester and is planning to make an announcement on this soon.
Railways: Intercity Express Trains
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 29 November (WA 81), whether, when specifying the interior design of the proposed Intercity Express trains, they considered the improvements made in motor-coach designs in allowing increased space for passengers. [HL3911]
Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport's specification for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) was an output specification that provided incentives to bidders to increase the space available for seating without being at the expense of passengers' knee room. The detail of the interior design was for bidding consortia to determine based on current best practice, including, if appropriate, lessons learnt from improvements made in other industries.
Rights of Way
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent Ramblers report on the reduction of funding for rights of way in England, what discussions they intend to have with local authorities about the levels of funding for rights of way works.[HL3806]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): The allocation made to local authorities for public rights of way work forms part of the unhypothecated environment protection and cultural services block from central government. It is for local authorities to decide what level of funding they allocate from this block to rights of way works in accordance with local priorities. Defra does not intend to direct them to particular levels of spend. Local access forums provide the opportunity for local people to express their views on funding the public rights of way network in their area and how they would like to see it improved.
Roads: Maintenance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is a regulation in place which specifies the standard of repairs to the highway which should be carried out after work by utilities is concluded; who is responsible for enforcing this; and whether penalties are enforced.[HL3810]
Earl Attlee: Yes there is. Section 70 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 provides for a duty on the street works undertaker to reinstate the street. Where this does not happen an offence is committed. Section 71 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991
states that reinstatement by undertakers must comply with whatever specification may be prescribed for materials and standards of workmanship. The regulations which cover these sections are the Street Works (Reinstatement) Regulations 1992 and these are further described in the Code of Practice Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (April 2010). Highway authorities have powers to inspect works and impose appropriate fines, and do so.
Schools: Funding
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to monitor and scrutinise the use of direct funding by individual academies to ensure value for money, high standards of financial management, proper governance and probity.[HL3688]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): The Department for Education operates an accountability framework for academy trusts that is based on a combination of statutory requirements and obligations to Parliament. The arrangements are set out in the DfE’s published accountability statement. It aims to strike an appropriate balance between assurances for Parliament and freedoms for the sector. Assurance on the use of public funds is obtained from a number of sources. These include audited accounts, budget forecast returns and, from this year, an opinion on regularity provided by external auditors. As charitable companies, academy trusts are required by law to publish audited accounts each year. This is more rigorous, in terms of independent scrutiny and transparency, than the system for local authority maintained schools.
Schools: Sport
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department of Health intends to introduce a wider healthy schools agenda as part of a sports legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.[HL3709]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): From April 2013 local authorities will take on responsibility for the public's health. They will have the flexibility and resources to determine how they work with schools to help children and young people be healthy, active and participate in sporting opportunities.
The department remains committed to supporting an Olympic and Paralympic legacy that inspires a generation. That is why we are investing over £36 million in the School Games and Change4Life School Sports Clubs.
South Sudan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision has been made by the United Kingdom and the international community to support (1) community
health workers in primary health care, and (2) primary school teachers, in South Sudan who are no longer receiving government salaries.[HL3853]
Baroness Northover: The UK does not currently provide any funding directly through government systems in South Sudan. However, donors currently pay over 50% of health worker salaries (through non-governmental organisations). We are continuing to do so, including during the initial stages of the new UK-led Health Pooled Fund, which is being established to provide basic health services in six out of South Sudan's 10 states. Donors in South Sudan are also looking at options for supporting primary teachers through non-salary incentives, such as learning materials and personal items.
South Sudan needs to restart its oil revenues in order to pay government staff. There have been serious delays in the payments of salaries and cuts in allowances and incentives for staff as a result of the halting of South Sudan's oil production in January 2012. Following extensive engagement from the international community, including through UN Security Council Resolution 2046, Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of agreements in Addis Ababa on 27 September 2012, which should allow oil production to restart. The UK and the international community are now supporting both countries to move forward with implementing the Addis Ababa agreements. We are also working with the Government of South Sudan to encourage them to prioritise health and education allocations within the budget.
Sudan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Multi-Donor Trust Fund in South Sudan has been withdrawn; and, if so, what alternative support will be provided to central government and local organisations to ensure continuity in sustainable primary health care.[HL3852]
Baroness Northover: The Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) in South Sudan will stop funding project activity on 31 December 2012, and will close by June 2013. In order to ensure the continuity of primary healthcare the UK, USA and World Bank have worked in partnership with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to develop new primary health care delivery programmes in all of South Sudan's 10 states. The UK is the lead donor for the Health Pooled Fund, a new multi-donor pooled fund which will maintain service delivery and help to strengthen health systems in six of South Sudan's 10 states. It is expected that Australia, the EU and Sweden will also contribute to the fund which plans to help treat at least a quarter of a million children. The USA and the World Bank are developing programmes to cover two each of the remaining four states.
Donors are also pressing the Government of South Sudan to allocate their own resources to pay for medicines in the future. However, in the short term, the UK, USA and Norway are establishing an emergency
medicines fund, which will help to provide one year's worth of essential medicines following the closure of the MDTF.
Taxation: Corporation Tax
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Newby on 15 October (Official Report, col. 1251), whether they have now reached a decision on the devolution of responsibility for corporation tax in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Executive.[HL3647]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Joint Ministerial Working Group on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy has concluded its discussions on the potential devolution of corporation tax. The group has reported its findings to the Prime Minister.
Young Offenders: Mental Health
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to reduce the number of children and young people with mental health issues who
are temporarily detained in police cells as a result of the unavailability of other agencies or appropriate holding and treatment facilities.[HL3537]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): While the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) allows for police stations to be used as one of a range of places of safety, the MHA Codes of Practice for England and Wales and guidance issued jointly by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Department of Health agree that police custody should be used as a place of safety only in exceptional circumstances for individuals, including children and young people, suffering from a mental health crisis.
The Home Office is working with the Department of Health, ACPO and others to develop better local protocols between police and mental health services so that all individuals, including children and young people, who are found by the police in immediate need of care and control can get a response from the most appropriate service and, where needed, prompt access to a health-based place of safety.
The Government have invested a total of £54 million over the four years to 2014-15 to deliver better mental healthcare to children and young people when they experience mental health issues.