Written Answers
Wednesday 10 April 2013
Alcohol
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what meetings were held by officials of the Home Office with (1) the Royal College of Physicians, (2) the Institute of Alcohol Studies, (3) Alcohol Concern, (4) the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, (5) the Scotch Whisky Association, (6) the British Beer & Pub Association, (7) the Portman Group, (8) Drinkaware, and (9) any individual drinks company, over the past six months.[HL6170]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Home Office officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
Proposals in the Government’s Alcohol Strategy, which were considered as part of a public consultation that commenced on 28 November 2012 and closed on 6 February 2013, included a series of roadshow events to discuss all aspects of the strategy. It also included technical consultation groups convened to discuss mandatory licence conditions, reducing regulations, and health as a licensing objective linked to cumulative impact.
These events have been attended by a wide range of partners and interested parties, including representatives of the drinks industry, trade associations for the drinks industry, and health bodies.
Alcohol: Rehabilitation Centres
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support, or are aware of plans to support, the siting of alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation centres (1) in residential areas, and (2) near schools. [HL6634]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): From April 2013, upper tier and unitary local authorities have received a ring-fenced public health grant. This includes funding for alcohol misuse prevention and treatment. Local authorities have the responsibility for commissioning alcohol treatment services based on local needs.
The siting of alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation centres in a local area will need to be in accord with local planning policies and determined in accord with local authority planning procedures.
Armed Forces: Covenant
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current implementation of the military covenant in Northern Ireland.[HL6179]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they sought the views of the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of the military covenant. [HL6180]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 11 February (WA 137), what meetings have taken place between Ministers of the United Kingdom Government and Northern Ireland Executive Ministers and political parties to discuss how the military covenant can be more fully extended to Northern Ireland and when and with whom such meetings occurred.[HL6182]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken following the failure of the Northern Ireland Executive to provide its views in the production of the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2012.[HL6253]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): The Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office (Mike Penning) chaired a round table discussion with service charities and the Commander 38 Brigade and officials from the Ministry of Defence on 22 January 2013 on how the Armed Forces covenant is operating in Northern Ireland.
Our assessment is that covenant provision in Northern Ireland is good and the Armed Forces value the public services provided by the various Northern Ireland Executive departments.
More than 90 per cent of the covenant measures currently in place or in the process of being implemented apply fully in Northern Ireland. There is good access to healthcare and housing and there are some bespoke support mechanisms for Northern Ireland, such as the Aftercare Service, which looks after former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Home Service Regiment.
My right honourable friend the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans together with a representative from the Northern Ireland Office participated in the DUP opposition day debate on the covenant in the other place on 21 November 2012, (Official Report, cols. 640-679).
The following table sets out the recent discussions that have been held by Ministers of State at the Northern Ireland Office (MOSNI) as part of a continuing dialogue on Armed Forces covenant issues.
| Date | Minister | Discussion with |
|
Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety | ||
My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans visited Northern Ireland recently where he had a further meeting with my honourable friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland and others on covenant business.
Officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Northern Ireland Office meet regularly to discuss issues affecting the Armed Forces community and engage when necessary with Northern Ireland Executive departmental officials to ensure that the needs of our serving and former personnel and their families' needs are met.
We are keen to see the Armed Forces covenant implemented as fully as possible and the Defence Secretary sought the views of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive on 19 June 2012. No written response was received. We hope that they will feel able to contribute to the 2013 annual report.
Armed Forces: Defence Budget
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the 10 programmes from which the largest share of the forecast Ministry of Defence underspend for 2012–13 have emerged.[HL6428]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Our forecast underspend in 2012-13 reflects three factors. First, we did not need to draw on our departmental unallocated provision, a sum prudently set aside as a provision against the risk of unforeseen events increasing the pressure on the defence budget. Secondly, as our plans on delivering commitments made in the Strategic Defence and Security Review have matured, we have reported expenditure between years to reflect our better understanding of when costs will be incurred. Thirdly, we have spent less in some areas than originally planned, for example as a result of efficiencies and successful commercial negotiations.
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any Ministry of Defence underspend in the financial year 2012–13 will be rolled forward in total to be used in the Ministry of Defence during 2013–14. [HL6429]
Lord Astor of Hever: The Treasury has agreed to exceptional budget flexibility for the Ministry of Defence and has agreed that the full amount of the underspend against the core budget in 2012-13 can be carried forward to subsequent years. Part of the underspend will be allocated to 2013-14 and part to 2014-15.
Armed Forces: Interpreters
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the safety of Afghan interpreters who have worked with British forces after the United Kingdom withdraws from Afghanistan; and what steps they will take to support those interpreters. [HL6451]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): We take our responsibility for all locally engaged (LE) staff, including interpreters, very seriously and have put measures in place to reduce and manage the risks that they face. We follow an agreed cross-government policy for cases of intimidation or injury. The evidence that we have does not, so far, indicate widespread intimidation of our LE staff, but we continue to monitor the situation.
As the Foreign Secretary has said, people who have put their life on the line for the United Kingdom will not be abandoned. The Government are conducting a review of their severance policy towards LE staff, as our presence in Afghanistan decreases and we hand security responsibility over to Afghan partners.
Armed Forces: Procurement
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the last savings taken from the Ministry of Defence by HM Treasury have affected the procurement baseline from which the 1% year-on-year procurement budget increase will be calculated.[HL6430]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): No.
Azerbaijan and Armenia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent an arms race between Azerbaijan and Armenia; and whether they are alerting other governments of the risks involved. [HL6594]
Lord Newby: In 1992, the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), which became the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 1995, called on all participating
states to introduce an embargo on deliveries of weapons and munitions to forces engaged in combat in the Nagorno-Karabakh area. The Government implement strictly this arms embargo and will issue licences for export to Armenia or Azerbaijan only where these are consistent with the terms of the OSCE embargo. We expect our OSCE partners to abide by the embargo and encourage all states to uphold their obligations under the conventional forces in Europe treaty.
The Government continue to call on all sides to use diplomatic means to reach a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and urge them to refrain from behaviour and rhetoric which would increase tension. They strongly support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to mediate negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Bahrain
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proposal by Sir Nigel Rodley, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and former member of the Bassiouni International Commission of Inquiry into violations of human rights in Bahrain, that there should be a new international commission of inquiry to look into fresh allegations of torture in Bahrain, to include forensic pathologists and forensic psychiatrists. [HL6384]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We have raised our human rights concerns with the Bahraini Government, including about allegations of torture and mistreatment of prisoners.
The Government’s policy on torture is very clear. We stand firmly against torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. We do not condone it, nor do we ask others to do it on our behalf. We have consistently made clear our absolute opposition to such behaviour and our determination to combat it wherever and whenever it occurs.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), visited Bahrain on 11-12 March and discussed with the Ministers for the Interior, Justice and Human Rights, the Bahraini Government’s reform programmed and where the UK could provide further practical assistance in implementation. He reiterated our call for due process to be carefully and transparently followed in cases of detention or arrest. He also pressed that investigations into allegations of human rights violations by officials must be carried out effectively, with those found guilty given sentences that are proportionate to the convictions.
We have called for full compliance of all the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and expect the authorities to continue reviewing these.
We respect Sir Nigel Rodney’s views, and agree with him that any allegations of torture need to be investigated. A team of technical experts from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights visited Bahrain in December and reported good co-operation from across the Bahraini Government. In addition, we await with interest the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, who is due to visit Bahrain in May.
Bank of England
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Governor and the Bank of England were consulted about and supported their proposals to support lending for the purchase of residential properties. [HL6636]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): At Budget 2013, the Government announced the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee, which will be open from January 2014. The scheme is a temporary intervention designed to address the sharp decline in the availability of high loan-to-value lending in the wake of the financial crisis.
HM Treasury discusses policy developments with the Bank of England on a regular basis, through both formal and informal channels. Specifically, the Chancellor confirmed at the Treasury Select Committee hearing on 26 March that he had discussed the Financial Policy Committee review element of the scheme with the Governor of the Bank of England in advance of the Budget.
Banking
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to investigate the management of conflicts of interest by custodian banks, particularly in respect of securities lending.[HL6288]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Securities lending is an activity covered by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). There is currently a review of MiFID taking place. One of the changes that the review will make is to upgrade custody from its present status as an ancillary service to a full investment service, and those involved in custody will be subject to conflict rules.
Within the UK, custodian banks are regulated, and they are subject to conflict rules. Furthermore, the newly formed Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will take a close interest in wholesale conduct of which conflicts management is a key component.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Deighton on 18 March (WA 95-6) about banking, whether they will now answer the Questions asked.[HL6366]
Lord Deighton: I refer you to my previous Parliamentary Written Answers of 18 March 2013.
On 27 March the interim Financial Policy Committee (FPC) issued the statement from its policy meeting of 19 March. The interim FPC statement includes the following recommendation:
“1. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) should assess current capital adequacy using the Basel III definition of equity capital, but after: (i) making deductions from currently-stated capital to reflect an assessment of expected future losses and a realistic assessment of future costs of conduct redress; and (ii) adjusting for a more prudent calculation of risk weights.
2. The PRA should take steps to ensure that, by the end of 2013, major UK banks and building societies hold capital resources equivalent to at least 7% of their risk-weighted assets, as assessed on the basis described in Recommendation 1. Relative to that benchmark, major UK banks and building societies in aggregate currently have a shortfall in capital of around £25 billion”.
Since the financial crisis the British banking sector has strengthened its capital and liquidity position, and is continuing do so. Individual institutions have a continuing dialogue with their regulator as a matter of course.
In its 27 March statement the FPC recommends that the PRA should ensure that banks and building societies meet the FPC’s recommendations concerning bank capital “by issuing new capital or restructuring balance sheets in a way that does not hinder lending to the economy”.
Banking: Bonuses
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 18 March (WA 96) concerning bankers’ bonuses, what discussions they have had with the European Commission and the governments of other member states about the appropriateness of using Article 53(1) as the legal basis for the capital requirements directive IV; and whether they are now aware of any proposals being considered in the European Parliament to extend the scheme to fund managers.[HL6424]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government continue to assess the legal implications of the proposal to limit bonuses under the capital requirements directive IV.
The Government are aware that the European Parliament is considering a similar cap on fund managers’ pay as part of negotiations on the undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities directive V.
Banks: Bank of Ireland
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Bank of Ireland provides financial services for the Post Office; and, if so, whether the Bank of Ireland is registered in the Republic of Ireland or a separate Bank of Ireland company is registered in the United Kingdom.[HL6643]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Bank of Ireland (UK) plc is a subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Bank of Ireland (UK) plc is in partnership with the Post Office, offering a number of financial service products.
Banks: Cyprus
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of whether the recent troika agreement with Cyprus will result in deductions from deposits in any Cypriot banks located in the United Kingdom.[HL6644]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The recent troika agreement with Cyprus will not result in any deductions from customer deposits in any Cypriot bank located in the United Kingdom. The customer deposits of the Laiki UK branch were transferred to Bank of Cyprus UK, a UK subsidiary, on 2 April 2013.
Banks: Funding for Lending Scheme
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have estimated the profit benefit to banks of the Funding for Lending scheme as a result of subsidising the cost of borrowing by banks.[HL6457]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The benefit to banks from the FLS will depend on a range of factors including how much funding they draw down from the scheme, the cost of that funding, and the price at which they lend under the scheme.
The scheme is designed to incentivise higher net lending by making the cost of funding dependent on their lending performance over the period from 1 August 2012 to 31 January 2014. Banks that maintain or expand their net lending over this period will be able to borrow more cheaply under the scheme compared with banks whose net lending declines over the same period. However, the overall fee that banks will pay will not be set until their lending outturns are known, after the end of the drawdown window.
Benefits
Questions
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they will give to families with a stay-at-home parent. [HL6400]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government provide a number of benefits and services targeted at families with children, some of which are universal, such as 15 free hours a week early education for three and four year-olds and some of which are targeted on those on lower incomes, such as the child tax credit, free school meals, Healthy Start and—from September 2013—the new free early education entitlement for two year-olds.
For further information please visit www.gov.uk.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what benefits are available to 18 year olds who have left school or college and have no employment or other sources of income; and how entitlement for that group has changed in the past five years.[HL6508]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Entitlement to benefits is dependent upon individual circumstances and subject to the normal rules and conditions. Jobseeker's allowance is the main benefit to support 18 year-olds who have left school or college and have no employment or other sources of income to help them while they look for work. Entitlement conditions for this group have not changed in the past five years. Young people with a health condition or disability have been able to claim employment and support allowance instead of incapacity benefit and income support since October 2008. From 1 May 2012 the provision which allowed young people to claim contributory employment and support allowance without having paid any national insurance contributions was abolished. Young people now qualify in the same way as all other claimants.
Asked by Lord Harris of Haringey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 5 March (WA 397–8), what representations they have received from the Mayor of London, separately from the London Assembly, specifically on the subject of the impact of changes to welfare benefits on the people of London.[HL6517]
Lord Freud: We are not aware of any representations received in the past year from the Mayor of London, separately from the London Assembly, on the impact of changes to welfare benefits on the people of London.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they are giving to local authorities on whether emergency payments to families under welfare assistance schemes should or may be provided in the form of welfare stamps or vouchers instead of cash; whether the use of such stamps or vouchers should be restricted to food and other items deemed to be essential; if so, what items should be considered as essential; and whether a local authority’s duty to provide emergency support for destitute families can be fulfilled by referring them to food banks and other charities.[HL6630]
Lord Freud: Prior to the abolition of parts of the discretionary social fund and the introduction of the new arrangements, the Department for Work and Pensions consulted extensively with local authorities and the devolved Administrations and it ran two series of regional workshops throughout 2012. The department has also provided a wide range of data on its social fund reform website, including application and award figures since 2005-06, demographic information, fact sheets, annual reports, social fund decision-maker guidance and frequently asked questions.
It is for local authorities to decide how they design and operate their welfare assistance schemes and it is for local authorities to satisfy themselves that the measures they take meet their statutory obligations. The department has no role in providing guidance to local authorities about these schemes and has no say in how they are run.
Local authorities are well aware of their obligations and duties to their citizens and the need to be transparent about that. To enhance accountability to the public, the Department for Communities and Local Government has issued a code of recommended practice for local authorities on data transparency.
Building Regulations
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that materials used for cavity wall insulation in buildings on flood plains reduce the risk of waterlog and avoid the additional expenses involved in removing unsuitable materials after flood events; and whether they are taking steps to ensure that technicians are trained to deal with those problems. [HL6204]
Lord Newby: The conservation of energy and power and resistance to moisture aspects of insulation are covered by building regulations. Building regulations do not address flood resilience so cannot require that insulation is unaffected by flood water. However, guidance on types of insulation to be used in flood-risk areas is included in Improving the Flood Performance of New Buildings: Flood Resilient Construction, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
The Green Deal code of practice places an obligation on Green Deal providers to ensure that any materials installed do not increase the risk of damage to the building fabric or the health of the occupants. Additionally, Green Deal approved installers are specifically trained and certificated for installing cavity wall insulation and have to install products, that are also certificated, in accordance with the product specification and the appropriate British Standard.
Burma
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of religious freedoms in Burma. [HL6572]
Lord Newby: We remain concerned by the apparent systematic destruction of mosques during the violence in Rakhine state in 2012. More recently mosques were attacked during the recent unrest in central Burma in late March. We also note reports of the destruction of places of worship in Kachin state during the ongoing conflict and continued restrictions on freedom of worship in Chin state.
The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), visited Rakhine state during his visit to Burma in December 2012 and pressed the Burmese Government to prevent human rights abuses. We continue to encourage the Burmese Government to issue a formal invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief to visit Burma and assess the situation.
We continue to call on the Burmese authorities to sign up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which includes commitments on protecting religious freedoms. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised this issue with the Burmese Foreign Minister during his visit to the UK in February. Subsequent to this discussion, officials met the Burmese Foreign Minister on 15 February and were informed that the Burmese Government had been advised by the Burmese National Human Rights Council on 10 December that they should consider ratifying the ICCPR. We will continue to follow developments on this issue closely.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the progress on meeting the benchmarks of (1) the ending of conflict in Burma, (2) improved humanitarian assistance, in particular in Kachin and along the eastern border, and (3) addressing the status and wellbeing of the Rohingyas, as set by the European Union Council conclusions on 26 April 2012; and whether they will vote in favour of the lifting of sanctions against Burma at the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April.[HL6631]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): In April 2012, the EU suspended all sanctions on Burma, with the exception of the arms embargo and the restrictions on equipment which could be used for internal repression. This was in recognition of the positive progress against EU benchmarks as laid out in Council Conclusions of January 2012. In addition, the EU Council Conclusions of 23 April 2012 committed to respond positively to further progress and set out clearly that the EU expected the unconditional release of remaining political prisoners and looked forward to the end of conflict and substantially improved access for humanitarian assistance—in particular in Kachin—as well as to addressing the status and improving the welfare of the Rohingya.
There has been further progress. Many more political prisoners have been released. Despite an escalation in the conflict in Kachin at the end of last year, tentative discussions between the Government and ethnic groups
are continuing. We hope that these discussions, along with the Burmese Government’s existing reconciliation efforts, will be successful. There have also been some improvements in humanitarian access to conflict areas. However, some new issues have arisen since last April. The outbreaks of violence in Rakhine State have led to a grave humanitarian situation, and the recent violence in Meiktila points to a troubling trend. We are seriously concerned about persecution of minority religions. The Government in Napyidaw need to make further progress on the rule of law, transparency and accountability.
It is in this wider context that the EU will review sanctions on Burma. The Foreign Affairs Council’s decision on 22 April will be a marker for both how far Burma has come and where challenges remain.
Whatever the outcome of the April decision, which is contingent on securing unanimity, we want the EU to strengthen its future engagement with Burma, to catalyse deeper, irreversible reform and to use its collective influence for forward-looking collaboration with Burma on human rights, responsible trade, development, electoral and constitutional reform. We will argue for an EU policy framework which sets out how we will both work with the Burmese Government and encourage them to address the many challenges that they face.
Charities
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 25 March (WA 193), how many charities have incurred a civil penalty in each of the last five years. [HL6603]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): Companies House cannot distinguish those companies which are charities from those which are not. Therefore, it cannot provide figures on how many charities have incurred a civil penalty in each of the last five years.
Children: Looked-after Children
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that each looked-after child who is not enrolled at a mainstream provider is allocated pupil premium support, in line with each child’s personal education plan or statement.[HL6281]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash): The pupil premium is allocated for children in reception to year 11 year groups who have been looked after continuously for at least six months. In the financial year 2012-13, the premium
was allocated at a rate of £623 per pupil. The pupil premium will increase to £900 per pupil in the financial year 2013-14.
Pupil premium grant for eligible looked after children in non-mainstream provision can be allocated to the setting where the child is being educated or held by the local authority to spend specifically on additional educational support to raise the pupil's standard of attainment.
The Pupil Premium Conditions of Grant 2012-13 document states that the local authority must consult non-mainstream settings about how the amount held by the authority should be used. The relevant local authority's Virtual School Head or Looked After Children Education Service must also be consulted on how the amount for looked after children is to be spent to support these pupils in accordance with a child's personal education plan (PEP).
In addition, local authorities are required to certify that they have passed on the correct amount of funding to schools or, where funding has been spent centrally, that it has been spent in line with the conditions of grant.
Children: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 19 March (WA 131) and 26 March (WA 215), what particular problems have been identified during the period since the United Kingdom signed the European Convention on the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in May 2008 which need to be addressed before the Convention can be ratified.[HL6619]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Before ratification of any convention it is important to establish what legal, administrative and practical arrangements may be needed to ensure full compliance with provisions within the convention. Officials are currently leading the work to establish the steps that would be required to ratify and implement the convention. This work needs to be further progressed before any further details of what barriers, if any, pertain to this process.
Cities: Economic Development
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 26 March (HL5949), whether the “cities and their surrounding functional economic areas as key drivers of national growth” referred to in that answer encompass (1) Northumberland, (2) West Cumbria (Barrow, Copeland and Allerdale), (3) north Lancashire and south Cumbria (Lancaster and South Lakeland), (4) urban East Lancashire (Blackburn, Hyndburn,
Rossendale, Burnley and Pendle), (5) West Lancashire (Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and West Lancashire), and (6) Cornwall; and, if so, of which city regions they consider those areas to be a part.[HL6548]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The statistics in my earlier Answer were drawn from Unlocking Growth in Cities published in December 2011 which set out the rationale and the Government's proposed approach to the city deal initiative. This dataset is not based on any concept of a city region geography. Cities are defined using primary urban areas, a definition initially adopted in the report State of the English Cities published in 2006. There are 56 such areas in England. Each is larger than an individual local authority district, there is a minimum population threshold of 125,000 and land is classified as urban according to set definitions from the Ordnance Survey. These primary urban areas incorporate the following localities among those listed in the question:
Blackburn;Burnley;Pendle;Blackpool;Fylde; andWyre.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which parts of Lancashire are included in the functional economic area that forms part of the Lancashire bid under the wave 2 city deals programme; and what is the rationale for the boundaries of that area.[HL6549]
Baroness Hanham: The city deal programme focuses on cities as key drivers of national growth and wave 2 includes Preston; selected as one of the 14 cities invited to participate on the basis of having the largest population size outside of London and the eight core cities.
Wave 2 cities have been invited to define an appropriate functional economic area on the basis of factors relevant to the nature of the single economic challenge or opportunity which is the focus of the deal and practical factors such as the relevant travel to work area taking into consideration local enterprise partnership geographies. The current deal proposals encompass the local authority areas of Preston and South Ribble district councils working with Lancashire County Council under the auspices of the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership. The Government are in detailed conversations with local partners and hope to agree the deal later this year.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the difference between the local growth deals they plan to introduce in the run-up to 2015, and the waves 1 and 2 city deals programmes; and whether the local growth deals will extend to the areas of England not already covered by city deals.[HL6551]
Baroness Hanham: The Government's response to Lord Heseltine's Review of Growth was clear that we will allocate funding to all local areas through a local growth deal. Local enterprise partnerships cover all of England, and all local enterprise partnership areas will get some funding, with those areas with the best offer receiving more.
Where appropriate, local growth deals will build upon the work already undertaken for city deals.
Commonwealth Charter
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Warsi on 4 March (WS 117–8), how the principles of the Commonwealth Charter apply to the situation of the Chagossian people.[HL6519]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): Many Chagossians are members of the Commonwealth by holding UK, Mauritian or Seychellois nationality. The Commonwealth Charter is a clear statement of the values that all Commonwealth member states should adhere to.
Successive Governments have expressed regret for the way the resettlement of the Chagossians was carried out in the 1960s and 1970s. This would not have met the values aspired to in the Commonwealth Charter. Because it was wrong, substantial final compensation has been paid.
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 11 March (WA 40), how they interpret “other grounds” in the context of Part II of the Commonwealth Charter; and whether they will be seeking to learn how the Commonwealth member states that criminalise homosexual activity also interpret those words. [HL6545]
Baroness Warsi: The Commonwealth Charter reflects the overarching values of the Commonwealth and the aspirations of its citizens, bringing together commitments set out in previous declarations and affirmations.
We remain concerned by attempts of some Commonwealth states to introduce punitive laws to address homosexuality but were pleased to achieve strong language on the Commonwealth’s opposition to all forms of discrimination in the charter. We want to ensure that the charter becomes a key document for holding Commonwealth members accountable to Commonwealth values and continue to encourage all Commonwealth member states to adhere to its values.
Companies Act 2006
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the levels of the civil penalties laid down under the Companies Act 2006 are proportionate. [HL6605]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): The issue of civil penalties for the late filing of company accounts was carefully considered by Parliament during the passage of the Companies Act 2006. The changes to the penalty regime were the first to be introduced since the introduction of civil penalties in 1992, and the scale of penalties then in force was becoming less effective in encouraging the timely filing of accounts. The provision of up to date company information is one of the building blocks of the UK economy and the register of company information maintained by Companies House is accessed millions of times every year, striking evidence of the value placed on company information by the business community. Since the changes introduced by the Companies Act 2006, compliance rates have increased and the number of companies receiving penalties is declining. The percentage of companies now filed up to date stands at almost 99% with 94% filing on time. Therefore, I consider that the levels of civil penalties laid down under the Companies Act 2006 are appropriate.
Companies House
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 25 March (WA 194), how many businesses have incurred a civil penalty in each of the past five years. [HL6604]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): Businesses become susceptible to a civil penalty only if they are registered as limited companies with Companies House. Companies House maintains statistics on the number of penalties incurred by limited companies and publishes them on its website. Information on the number of penalties incurred in each of the past five years can be found at: http://www.companieshouse. gov.uk/about/lateFilingPenaltiesStatistics.shtml.
Consumer Contracts
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to implement the recommendations set out by the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission in “Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts: Advice for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills”, published on 19 March.[HL6485]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): This department welcomes the advice from the law commissions. We are considering the law commissions’ recommendations and will publish the Government’s response shortly.
Corporal Derek Woods and Corporal David Howes
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will institute an inquiry into the decision by the police and army not to try and effect a rescue of Corporal Derek Woods and Corporal David Howes on 19 March 1988; and whether they have learnt any lessons from the later decision by some officers to arrest suspects.[HL6661]
Lord Newby: There are no plans to institute an inquiry into operational decisions taken at the time of the murders of Corporal Derek Wood and Corporal David Howes.
The arrest of suspects is a matter for the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Council Tax
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the annual council tax bill each local authority has set as the minimum to be paid by persons of working age under the council tax reduction scheme; and, in each case, how much each household of two or more adults would therefore have to pay each month.[HL6510]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): Information regarding the design of local schemes and the number of households affected is not held centrally. Not withstanding, I refer the noble Lord to the answer of 26 March 2013 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1073W) on the councils which have implemented schemes which promote best practice and are compliant with the transition grant.
Council Tax and Housing Benefit
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will monitor the levels of council tax and rent arrears each month following (1) the replacement of council tax benefit by the council tax reduction scheme, and (2) the introduction of the reductions in housing benefit paid to tenants of social housing where there are spare bedrooms.[HL6629]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): In regard to local council tax support schemes there are no plans to monitor the level of arrears each month. We will continue to monitor levels of council tax arrears generally on an annual basis. In regard to the spare room subsidy, the Department for Work and Pensions has committed to evaluating the removal of the spare room subsidy and the impact on claimants and landlords will be included in their evaluation report.
Crime: Alcohol-related Crime
Questions
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with chief constables and police and crime commissioners about addressing the causes of alcohol-related crime.[HL6328]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
Details of these meetings are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis and are subsequently published on the Cabinet Office website.
Most recently, chief constables and police and crime commissioners took part in the public consultation on the Government’s Alcohol Strategy that commenced on 28 November 2012 and closed on 6 February 2013. This included roadshows and technical groups, which were held alongside the more formal consultation.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of domestic violence linked to alcohol consumption.[HL6329]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: A review of the evidence on alcohol misuse and harm in England was produced in support of the Government’s Alcohol Strategy and as part of the Department of Health’s evidence to the Health Committee’s inquiry into the Alcohol Strategy. The review found that alcohol-related crime is estimated to cost around £11 billion per year and suggests a strong link between alcohol use and crime, particularly violent crime including domestic violence. The latest data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show that in 2011-12 in almost half (47%) of violent incidents the victim believed the perpetrator to be under the influence of alcohol. This was highest in incidents of stranger violence (65%), followed by acquaintance violence (41%) and then domestic violence (39%).
Department of Health written evidence to Health Select Committee July 2012 (Annex B) http://www. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhealth/132/132we02.htm.
Crime Survey for England and Wales 2011-12 Nature of Crime tables: http://ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/nature-of-crime-tables--2011-12/index.html.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of alcohol consumption on levels of crime in England.[HL6330]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: A review of the evidence on alcohol misuse and harm in England was produced in support of the Government’s alcohol strategy and as part of the Department of Health’s evidence to the Health Committee’s inquiry into the alcohol strategy. The review found that alcohol-related crime is estimated to cost around £11 billion per year and suggests a strong link between alcohol use and crime, particularly violent crime. The latest data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show that in 2011-12 in almost half (47%) of violent incidents the victim believed the perpetrator to be under the influence of alcohol and a fifth (20%) of all violent crime occurred in or around pubs or clubs.
Department of Health written evidence to Health Select Committee July 2012 (Annex B) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm20l213/cmselect/cmhealth/132/132we02.htm.
Crime Survey for England and Wales 2011-12 Nature of Crime tables: http://ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/nature-of-crime-tables--2011-12/index.html.
Cyprus
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether approval for the exploration of gas or oil in the waters off the coast of the United Kingdom Sovereign Territory in the island of Cyprus is a responsibility of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus or the Government of the United Kingdom.[HL6420]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The declaration made by the Government in 1960 makes clear the UK’s intention not to develop the sovereign base areas for other than military purposes.
Exploration for oil and gas in the territorial waters of the sovereign base areas would require the consent of the relevant UK authorities.
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the political and financial situation in the Republic of Cyprus, they will consider a temporary recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for the purposes of direct commerce and flights.[HL6621]
Lord Newby: The UK does not recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This approach is in line with our international commitments.
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they hold any information, as a guarantor power in Cyprus, on the annual murder rate on that island between 1963 and 1974, and in each political sector for the subsequent 39 years.[HL6624]
Baroness Warsi: The Government do not hold any information on the annual murder rates in Cyprus.
Cyprus and Northern Cyprus
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the international proposals for a Cyprus bailout are restricted to the territory governed by the Greek Cypriot Government or whether they will apply to the Turkish Cypriot territory in Northern Cyprus. [HL6345]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Cyprus has officially requested financial assistance from euro area member states through the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Cyprus reached an agreement with the IMF, the European Commission and the European Central Bank on the key elements of a financial assistance programme on 25 March 2013. The programme has yet to be formally approved by the euro area-only ESM, or the IMF board.
The northern part of Cyprus is not under the effective authority of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC). As such, banks there are not subject to RoC regulations and the economy is not directly subject to measures and taxes decided by the RoC.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government (1) whether European Union citizens in the Republic of Cyprus can cross the border into Northern Cyprus, and (2) having crossed the border whether they can use the ATMs in Northern Cyprus.[HL6422]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): Cypriots and foreigners have been able to cross into north Cyprus since 2003. We are not aware of any restrictions on the use of automated teller machines in north Cyprus, but EU citizens are advised to check with their bank in the first instance.
Cyprus: Financial Assistance
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what, in real terms, will be the immediate, medium and longer-term impact through the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union, of the recent £10 billion eurozone bailout to the Republic of Cyprus. [HL6323]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Cyprus has officially requested financial assistance from euro area member states through the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Cyprus reached agreement with the IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank on the key elements of a financial assistance programme on 25 March 2013. The programme has yet to be formally approved by the euro area-only ESM, or the IMF Board.
The UK is not a member of the ESM and, therefore, has no exposure to financial assistance provided by it, either directly or indirectly through the EU budget. Further, in line with the political commitments secured by the Prime Minister, neither is there any contribution to the programme from the EU-backed European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM).
Cyprus: Financial Services
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many financial services firms incorporated and regulated in Cyprus are active in the United Kingdom. [HL6286]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): There are 120 financial services firms incorporated and regulated in Cyprus that are active in the United Kingdom.
Czech Republic
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have had any discussions with the Government of the Czech Republic regarding the sale by the BBC of spectrum granted initially to the BBC in part to promote democracy in the Czech Republic.[HL6494]
Lord Newby: The Government have had no discussions with the Czech Government about the transfer of ownership of BBC Radiocom Praha. The transfer is a matter for the BBC World Service, which continues to broadcast daily on the same frequencies for a minimum of eight hours per day.
Debt
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the implications for the management of the United Kingdom economy of the views on fiscal multipliers expressed in the International Monetary Fund’s recent paper The Challenge of Debt Reduction during Fiscal Consolidation.[HL6352]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Fiscal multipliers estimate the impact of different elements of tax and spending consolidation on GDP. The Government note the International Monetary Fund’s discussion of fiscal consolidation in the March 2013 working paper The Challenge of Debt
Reduction during Fiscal Consolidation
. The OBR’s October 2012 forecast evaluation report did not see evidence to suggest that multipliers were significantly different than estimated in the June Budget 2010 forecast. The OBR has not altered the estimated fiscal multipliers being used in its latest forecast.
Diego Garcia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 11 March (WA 11), whether Diego Garcia has been used for rendition flights since 1 January 2010.[HL6318]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The UK has not used nor has it permitted the use of Diego Garcia for rendition flights on any occasion between 1 January 2010 and the present day.
Egypt
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the state of police relations with religious minorities in Egypt and their effect on religious freedoms.[HL6574]
Lord Newby: Reform of the security sector was a key demand of the 25 January 2011 revolution. Since then there has been ongoing tension between the police and sections of society. We do not assess that religious minorities have been a particular aspect of this.
However, throughout the period of transition, we have raised with the Egyptian Government the issue of respect for human rights in general and the dangers of sectarianism in particular. We have encouraged the Egyptian authorities to ensure respect for minority rights and accountability of the security forces be enshrined in the Constitution.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), visited Egypt on 13-15 March and urged the Egyptian authorities to improve the human rights situation. We also have an ongoing dialogue with the Egyptian authorities on the importance of reforming the security apparatus to ensure compliance with human rights and the rule of law.
At a wider level, my noble friend the Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Warsi, attended the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation summit in Cairo on 6 and 7 February to deliver a speech on the importance of freedom of religion or belief and tackling religious intolerance.
Electronic Communications Act 2000
Question
Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider making an order by statutory instrument under Section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 to modify legislation to enable low-impact housing notices to be served electronically.[HL6533]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): There are no plans to amend existing housing legislation in relation to issuing Section 8 orders under the Electronic Communications Act 2000.
Legislation, notably the Housing Act 2004, already provides for licences and other documents, including low-impact housing notices, to be in electronic form. The Government have no intention of restricting such channels of communication.
Employer Ownership Pilot
Question
Asked by Lord Knight of Weymouth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable, on 11 September 2012, how many of the Employer Ownership Pilot projects (1) have a funding agreement in place, (2) have received such funding, (3) have started, and (4) have been completed.[HL6617]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): Of the 37 Employer Ownership round 1 projects announced on 11 September, 28 have a funding agreement in place and are operational. 17 have started to draw down funding. Funding for the projects is paid against actual delivery, claimed in the majority of cases on a quarterly cycle. Therefore, in some cases, projects have started to deliver but have not yet made their first claim. Individual grant offer letters set out the timetable for payments against milestones agreed with each grant recipient.
None of the projects has yet been completed. Round 1 projects are in their early stages and will receive funding over a number of years.
Employment: Jobcentre Plus
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Freud on 25 March (Official Report, col. 944), how many Jobcentre Plus offices in England, Scotland and Wales have opened on a Sunday for the purpose of calling claimants in for interview during the latest year for which figures are available.[HL6534]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Three jobcentres have opened on a Sunday in the past year. Saltcoats Jobcentre on 24 February 2013 and 3 March 2013. Dunfermline Jobcentre on 20 January 2013 and Harrogate Jobcentre on 10 March 2013.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Ministers have visited any Jobcentre Plus offices during Sunday openings since June 2010.[HL6536]
Asked by Lord Watson of Invergowrie
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Jobcentre Plus offices currently operate targets and league tables relating to the extent to which their staff sanction jobseekers.[HL6583]
Lord Freud: None, Jobcentres have two nationally set targets for off flows from benefits and reducing losses in monetary fraud and error.
Asked by Lord Watson of Invergowrie
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take in respect of Jobcentre Plus district managers who allow, or have allowed, the operation of targets and league tables relating to the extent to which staff at Jobcentre Plus offices sanction jobseekers.[HL6585]
Lord Freud: I refer you to the comments made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the House on Friday 22 March. “There are no targets for sanctions. There will be no targets. Anybody caught imposing a target will be dealt with. That is absolutely clear. That message has already gone out. It went out before on innumerable occasions”. (Official Report, col. 1194, 22 March 2013).
Employment: Women
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the effectiveness of United Kingdom law and other measures in combating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation of women in the workplace.[HL6064]
Lord Newby: Women make up half the workforce in Britain but they are disproportionately underrepresented in senior positions. If we want to harness the full potential of this country, we need to remedy this imbalance and waste of talent.
The Government are therefore taking forward a number of non-legislative measures to tackle discrimination against women in the workplace and to help drive growth.
For example, our voluntary approach to increasing the number of women on boards has seen the biggest ever jump in the past year to 17.3%. Our aim is that at least half of the appointments to public boards by 2015 should be women.
We have also launched a voluntary initiative on gender equality transparency called “Think Act Report” that asks private and voluntary sector employers to make things fairer for women at work through greater transparency on pay and other workplace issues. Over 60 leading firms have signed up covering over a million employees.
Where individual women do, however, need protection against cases of discrimination, harassment and victimisation in the workplace, the Equality Act 2010, implemented by this Government, provides some of Europe's strongest workplace anti-discrimination legislation.
Where appropriate, we are ready to strengthen this protection further. For example, we are providing employment tribunals with the power to require employers who lose an equal pay case to carry out a pay audit.
The Government Equalities Office is committed to reviewing the Equality Act 2010 within five years of its introduction as part of a post implementation review. This review will assess whether the Act, including its employment provisions, is working as intended,
In addition, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has a role under Section 11 of the Equality Act 2006 to monitor the effectiveness of equality legislation.
EU: Cyprus
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they supported the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund in requiring the Republic of Cyprus to apply a levy on amounts covered by the deposit guarantee scheme operating in that country as a condition for supporting its refinancing. [HL6540]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Cyprus has officially requested financial assistance from euro area member states through the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Cyprus reached agreement with the IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank on the key elements of a financial assistance programme on 25 March 2013.
The UK was not party to the discussions between Cyprus and the euro area on the financial assistance package or the levy that had been proposed as part of the measures announced on 16 March.
The UK Government welcome the Cypriot Government's commitment that the deposit guarantee will be respected and those with under €100,000 will not lose out.
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the conditions under which the Republic of Cyprus was admitted to (1) the European Union, and (2) the eurozone, on the current political and financial situation in
that country; and whether they will seek within the European Union to review the impact of those decisions on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during the intervening period.[HL6622]
Lord Newby: The Government have made no such assessment and will not be seeking a review of the impact of either decision.
Finance: Early and Prompt Payment Schemes
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on United Kingdom gross domestic product resulting from prompt payment.[HL6292]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): Cash flow difficulties arising from late payment affect the viability of many small and medium-sized businesses and as such any improvement would have an impact on GDP, although data are not available to quantify this.
Recent research by Experian indicates that the average amount of time businesses are taking to settle invoices is falling, from 25.7 days after agreed terms in 2011 to 24.7 days in 2012. This is positive for the economy, but there is still scope for considerable improvement, which the Government have sought to push for by encouraging companies to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code.
Finance: Investment
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 11 March (WA 17) about public investment forecasts, whether they will arrange for the information requested to be published in the Official Report.[HL6539]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The information requested is provided in the table below.
| Public Sector Net Investment (% GDP) | |
Finance: Late Payment
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to reduce the amount of money owed as a result of late payment in the United Kingdom economy.[HL6293]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): The Government take late payment very seriously. They are working to reduce the volume of unpaid invoices in the UK economy by promoting best practice through the prompt payment code, through central government setting an example and paying at least 80% of undisputed invoices within five days, by ensuring that government prime contractors pay their
suppliers within 30 days, and by encouraging the take-up of tools like e-invoicing which can make payment more automated.
Finance: Loans
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to extend the maximum term for loans borrowed against small self-administered pension scheme funds from five to 10 years, and to introduce a system of graduated or delayed payment for such loans.[HL6495]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government currently have no plans to amend the maximum term for loans borrowed against small self-administered schemes (SSAS) or to introduce a system of graduated or delayed payment for such loans. As with all areas of the tax system, the Government keep this policy under review.
Financial Action Task Force
Question
Asked by Lord Harris of Haringey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 26 February (WA 303), what is the status of agreements of the Financial Action Task Force.[HL6514]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is responsible for setting global standards on anti-money-laundering, counterterrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing. It is a policy-making body and its recommendations and standards do not have formal legal status unless implemented through EU directives and national legislation. We expect proposals for a fourth EU money-laundering directive to reflect the most recent revised FATF standards. Any new requirements, including the extension of the definition of politically exposed persons, would not be implemented in the UK until the directive is agreed and Her Majesty’s Government have consulted on its transposition.
Gaza
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel to encourage them to give clearance for the import into Gaza of raw materials for the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital.[HL6479]
Lord Newby: On 30 January, officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv asked Israel’s co-ordinator of government activities in the territories to allow the import into Gaza of raw materials for the St John’s
Eye Hospital and passed over a list of the items needed. We also regularly raise access issues with Israeli Ministers, senior officials and the Israeli defence forces, including the issues of medical supplies to Gaza. We will continue to monitor the situation regarding access issues.
Government Departments: Ministerial Meetings
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what engagements were undertaken by HM Treasury ministers between January and March 2013 in the English regions of (1) the North West, (2) Yorkshire and Humber, and (3) the North East.[HL6608]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Treasury Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations1.
1 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what engagements were undertaken by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Ministers between January and March 2013 in the English regions of (1) the North West, (2) Yorkshire and Humber, and (3) the North East.[HL6609]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): The information is as follows:
|
1. Speech at the Conference for Growth 2013 event at Doncaster | ||
|
2. Speech at the Humber LEP RGF R3 launch at Baths Hall, Scunthorpe | ||
|
1. Meeting with LEP and Leeds City Council2. Leeds College visit | ||
|
Company visits to Graham and Brown and Precision Polymer Engineering | ||
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what engagements were undertaken by Department for Communities and Local Government Ministers between January and March 2013 in the English regions of (1) the North West, (2) Yorkshire and Humber, and (3) the North East.[HL6610]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): Between 1 January and 31 March 2013, the following departmental visits by Ministers have taken place in local communities in that part of the country:
Secretary of State:
industrial cadets visit in Liverpool on 21 January; and Cabinet meeting in Leeds on 28 January.
The Right Honourable Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State
visit to Paradise Primary Faith school in Dewsbury on 17 January 2013; and visit to Moorend Academy in Huddersfield on 15 March 2013.
The Minister for Housing:
visit to Laing O'Rourke in Sheffield on 28 February 2013;Portas visit to Rotherham on 28 February 2013;dinner with housing representatives in Carlisle on 14 March 2013;visit to Fresh Field Court in Carlisle on 15 March 2013;visit to Carlisle College in Carlisle on 15 March 2013;visit to homelessness project St George’s Crypt in Leeds on 28 March 2013; andvisit to LILAC project in Leeds on 28 March 2013.
Nick Boles MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State:
visit to Cumbria on 7 January 2013;visit to Elmet and Rothwell constituency on 24 January;visit to Pudsey constituency on 24 January;
neighbourhood planning visit, joint with right honourable Don Foster MP, to Cumbria on 25 February; andvisit to York on 14 March 2013.
The
Right Honourable
Don Foster MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State:
meet the local community council to discuss neighbourhood planning in Stockport on 8 February 2013;visit a Youth United project in Oldham on 8 February 2013; andneighbourhood planning visit, joint with Nick Boles MP, to Cumbria on 25 February.
Brandon Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State:
various business visits in North Tyneside on 14 March 2013;meeting with the Association of North East Councils in Darlington on 14 March 2013;visit the Maxim Brewery in Durham on 14 March 2013;visit to Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service HQ on 14 March 2013; and meeting with the Society of Independent Brewers in Sheffield on 15 March 2013.
Baroness Hanham, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
visit to Hull Energy Works scheme in Hull on 14 March 2013; andvisit to Marfleet Environmental Industries Park in Hull on 14 March 2013.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what engagements were undertaken by Department for Work and Pensions Ministers between January and March 2013 in the English regions of (1) the North West, (2) Yorkshire and Humber, and (3) the North East.[HL6612]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): I can confirm that Ministers from this department have, during the specified
period, visited Jobcentre Plus offices in Bolton, Wigan and Warrington, Action on Addiction in Liverpool and a benefit centre office in Bolton.
Gypsies and Travellers
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which local authorities have produced local plans identifying a supply of specific deliverable Traveller sites sufficient to provide five years’ worth of pitches against their locally set targets; and whether they have discussed with local authorities the implications of a lack of such a plan for decisions on subsequent planning decisions when considering applications for the grant of temporary planning permission.[HL6454]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): This information is not collected centrally. More broadly, 71% of local planning authorities in England now have a local plan at the publication stage or beyond. The Planning Advisory Service and the Planning Inspectorate have together visited over 200 local planning authorities to provide help with getting a good quality local plan in place. Planning guidance on Traveller sites was published in March 2012. A copy was placed in the Library of the House and is available on my department's website.
Health: Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Question
Asked by Lord Bassam of Brighton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the operating surplus or deficit for Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust during the last three financial years.[HL6569]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust's reported annual accounts position for each of the last three financial years is shown in the following table.
| 2009-10 Annual accounts surplus/(operating deficit) £000s | 2010-11 Annual accounts surplus/(operating deficit) £000s | 2011-12 Annual accounts surplus/(operating deficit) £000s | |
Health: Cardiology
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to use the most up-to-date population statistics available from the Office for National Statistics when planning and implementing any changes in service delivery in major NHS reorganisations, and in particular in the reconfiguration of children’s heart surgery services in England.[HL6461]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have taken the most recent population figures into account as part of the decision to close one of the London centres currently offering children’s heart surgery; if so, what assessment they have made of the availability of beds and expertise based on
those figures; and whether they have considered a formal collaboration between the three London centres instead of closing one of them.[HL6462]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): National Health Service organisations should ensure they have considered the relevant evidence necessary, which may include population statistics, to assist them with the planning and delivery of service change.
The Safe and Sustainable review of children's congenital heart services is a clinically led, NHS review, which is independent of Government. It was for the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts to decide what data to use in deciding the future pattern of these services and which options for reconfiguration to consider.
Health: Dermatology
Questions
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why dermatology has been placed in Domain 2 at the NHS Commissioning Board.[HL6303]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans the NHS Commissioning Board has to introduce a national clinical director for dermatology.[HL6304]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The NHS Commissioning Board will be accountable for improving outcomes for patients across all five domains on the NHS Outcomes Framework. Aspects of the treatment of people with skin conditions could be considered under any of the five domains. This will require a change in the mindset of the National Health Service, focusing on people as individuals rather than on the conditions from which they may be suffering; and on the patient pathway, not on the organisations that treat them.
We understand that the NHS Commissioning Board, in recruiting a cadre of National Clinical Directors to support the five domains, has sought to emphasise this new approach. Many of the national clinical directors have cross-cutting roles rather than roles related to individual medical conditions. There are no plans to introduce a national clinical director for dermatology, but senior members of the board’s medical directorate are in constructive dialogue with the British Association for Dermatology on the best ways of improving outcomes for patients with skin conditions.
Health: Diabetes
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce prevention and referral indicators for diabetes patients with podiatric conditions in the 2014–15 clinical commissioning group indicators.[HL6496]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to commission a targeted national campaign to raise awareness of foot care for those with diabetes.[HL6497]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will include diabetes as a sixth improvement area in the Mandate of the NHS Commissioning Board. [HL6498]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The first mandate to the NHS Commissioning Board, known as NHS England from 1 April, setting out the ambitions for the health service for the next two years, was published on 13 November 2012. It was drawn up following consultation with the public, health professionals and key organisations across the health and care system.
The improvement areas referred to correspond to the five domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework and NHS England will need to demonstrate progress against the five domains and all of the outcome indicators in the framework. Under domain 2, NHS England is being asked to make measurable progress towards making the National Health Service among the best in Europe at supporting people with ongoing health problems to live healthily and independently, with much better control over the care they receive. This objective includes people with diabetes.
The mandate is intended to provide the NHS with much greater stability to plan ahead. Other than in exceptional circumstances, including a general election, it cannot be changed in the course of the year without the agreement of NHS England. There are currently no plans to amend the current mandate, which will come into effect from 1 April 2013.
The mandate will be refreshed annually to ensure it remains relevant and up to date following consultation in line with the requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The case for adding new objectives will be considered as part of the process for developing future mandates.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consultation on potential new indicators for consideration for the 2014-15 Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set (CCGOIS), which ran between 1 February and 1 March 2013, did not include prevention and referral indicators for diabetes patients with podiatric conditions.
A set of recommended indicators will be published on the NICE website in August 2013. It will then be for NHS England to decide on the final CCGOIS indicators for 2014-15.
There are currently no plans to run a national campaign to raise awareness of foot care for those with diabetes. Local commissioners are responsible for the provision of services for local populations and may undertake awareness initiatives, if appropriate.
Health: Expenditure
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the Department of Health spent at 2012–13 prices on (1) the National Health Service, and (2) personal social services, in each of the years (a) 2009–10, (b) 2010–11, and (c) 2011–12; and what it is forecast to spend in 2012–13.[HL6434]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The following tables show total National Health Service and personal social services (PSS) expenditure from 2009-10 to 2012-13, both in nominal and 2012-13 prices.
PSS funding has been transferred from the Department of Health to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and does not form part of the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) from 2011-12.
Prices based on gross domestic product deflators as at 20 March 2013.
| NHS & PSS Expenditure 2009-10 to 2012-13 | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Nominal | Outturn | Outturn | Outturn | Plan |
| £ million | £ million | £ million | £ million | |
Source: Department of Health Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12
| In 2012-13 Prices | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Outturn | Outturn | Outturn | Plan | |
| £ million | £ million | £ million | £ million | |
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the (1) revenue, and (2) capital, expenditure at constant prices, of the Department of Health on the National Health Service from 1996–97 to the forecast for 2012–13; and what was the percentage change each year from the previous year.[HL6435]
Earl Howe: The following tables show the revenue and capital National Health Service expenditure of the department from 1996-97 to 2012-13, and include the nominal and real terms increases over the period.
NHS real terms growth is measured using the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator. The GDP is the general measure of price increases across the whole economy and is consistent with that used by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
GDP deflators used are as dated 20 March 2013.
| Table 1: NHS Revenue Expenditure England—1996-97 to 2012-13 | ||||
| Year | Revenue Net NHS Expenditure £ billion 5,7 | % increase | % real terms increase 8 | |
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1.Expenditure pre 1999-00 is on a cash basis.
2.Expenditure figures from 1999-00 to 2002-03 are on a Stage 1 resource budgeting basis.
3.Expenditure figures from 2003-04 to 2009-10 are on a Stage 2 resource budgeting basis.
4.Expenditure figures from 2009-10 to 2010-11 are on an aligned basis.
5.Expenditure figures are not consistent over the period (1996-97 to 2012-13) and this should be noted when making comparisons between years.
6. Figures from 2003-04 include a technical adjustment for trust depreciation
7. Expenditure excludes NHS Annually Managed Expenditure (AME)
9. Revenue is quoted gross of non-trust depreciation and impairments; prior to September 2007, revenue was quoted net of non-trust depreciation and impairments. This brings DH in line with HMT presentation of the statistics