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Written Answers

Monday 22 July 2013

Agriculture: Pesticides

Question

Asked by The Countess of Mar

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the research funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Food and Environment Research Agency into the effects of neonicotinoids on bees, consideration was given to the synergistic or potentiating effects of additional exposure of bees to glyphosate-containing herbicides.[HL1698]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): Defra has funded a number of pieces of research into the effects of neonicotinoids and other pesticides on bees. Defra has also funded research into possible synergistic effects of pesticide combinations, particularly combinations of insecticides and fungicides. Some of this research has been carried out by the Food and Environment Research Agency. Defra has not funded research looking at synergistic or potentiating effects of exposure of bees to neonicotinoids and to glyphosate.

Alcohol: Rehabilitation Centres

Question

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 25 April (WA 435), whether law enforcement agencies hold any records of contracts or commercial relationships with the Transforming Choice Community Interest Company alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation centre scheme in the City of Liverpool; and, if so, which agencies hold such records.[HL533]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The Ministry of Justice has previously answered for its law enforcement agencies that fall under the remit of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service and I refer the Noble Lord to the response given on 25th April, Official Report, WA 435.

There are a number of other Government Departments which operate their own law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice is not able to confirm whether each of these agencies has a contract with or a commercial relationship with the Transforming Choice Community Interest Company.

Apprenticeships

Question

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask the Chairman of Committees how many (1) apprentices, and (2) interns have been, and are, currently employed by each department in the House

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of Lords, in each of the last five years, including bicameral departments based in this House, PICT and political offices funded by the House; and of that number, how many subsequently became full-time members of staff.[HL1418]

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel): No apprentices or interns are currently employed by the House of Lords Administration, nor have any been employed in the past five years. The Administration does not offer apprenticeships, but it does run training schemes for certain groups of staff including staff in Catering and Retail Services, the Parliamentary Archives (the only bicameral department based in this House), the Finance Department and the Human Resources Office. These schemes involve sponsored study with day-release or study leave and lead to recognised professional qualifications. The Administration has a generous scheme of support for further and higher education. It also runs a work experience programme, which this year hosted 21 work experience students.

In the last five years, PICT has employed two apprentices and no interns. Of those, neither have become full-time members of staff.

The House of Lords provides funding for the Opposition and the Convenor of the Crossbench Peers (“Cranborne money”), but the use of that money is a matter for those offices.

Armed Forces: Defence Budget

Questions

Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 11 June (WA 224), how much of the Ministry of Defence's underspend since 2010 was spent on defence equipment or running costs.[HL1599]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): There was no underspend in Financial Year (FY) 2010-11. None of the underspend in FY 2011-12 was available to be carried into future years. In recognition of our improving financial management, HM Treasury has granted us the freedom to roll all of our underspend from FY 2012-13 into 2013-14 or FY 2014-15. We have yet to determine precisely the profile of the reallocated funds. We will publish details of our spending in the Main and Supplementary Estimates for those years.

Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 10 April (WA 261), how much of the Ministry of Defence's underspend since 2010 came from the Defence Equipment and Support area.[HL1600]

Lord Astor of Hever: The figures for each year are available at Note 2 to the Department's Annual Report and Accounts for the relevant year, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

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Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 10 April (WA 261), whether the Ministry of Defence's unallocated provisions came out of the funds available for equipment procurement; and, if so, whether their non-use in 2012–13 represents a funding cut or savings measure on the defence budget.[HL1601]

Lord Astor of Hever: The Departmental Unallocated Provision was set aside from the Defence programme before the Annual Budget Cycle, which allocated resources to equipment procurement and running costs. That it was not used in Financial Year 2012-13 represents neither a funding cut nor a savings measure, as it is available to carry forward into future years.

Armed Forces: Medals

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what timetable exists to process outstanding applications for the Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp; by what date is it intended the last medals will be awarded to survivors; and what plans and timetable are in place to process applications, and where appropriate award medals, from the relatives and family members who have applied for consideration to receive the award on behalf of their deceased family member.[HL1442]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): On current planning, all outstanding applications received so far from surviving veterans for the Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp will be processed by the end of the summer 2013. The assessment of applications received from widows

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will begin thereafter, followed by those from Next of Kin. However, applications from surviving veterans subsequently received will always be afforded priority over other cases.

Benefits

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many benefit appeals there have been in each of the last three years; how many have been in respect of Employment and Support Allowance decisions; how many have found in favour of the claimant; how many cases have been postponed, adjourned or are outstanding; what was the backlog in (1) 2007–08, and (2) 2013; and what has been the cumulative cost of the tribunals over the past three years.[HL1305]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The question has been interpreted as relating to the First-tier tribunal - Social Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The SSCS tribunal hears appeals against decisions about benefit entitlements and tax credits made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Local Authorities.

The table below shows, for all appeals, and for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) appeals separately, to the SSCS tribunal: 1) the number of appeals received and disposed of; 2) the number and proportion of appeals found in favour of the appellant; 3) the number of appeals postponed; 4) the number of appeals adjourned; and 5) the number of cases outstanding, in 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 (the latest period for which statistics have been published).

Note:

The above data is taken from published statistics.

These are cases that were disposed of at a hearing. The total number of cases cleared at hearing includes some cases that were withdrawn and on which no decision was made. These figures are therefore not the sum total of decisions in favour and decisions upheld.

Load figures cannot be obtained retrospectively, therefore, we cannot provide this data unless report was obtained at that time.

The number of cases outstanding as at 31 March 2008 was 44,516, against a receipt of 229,123 appeals in 2007/8.

There are always a number of ‘live’ appeals in the SSCS tribunal progressing through the stages of receipt, decision and promulgation; the total level of work in hand cannot therefore be described as a backlog. As the volumes of SSCS receipts increased significantly and rapidly (from 339,213 in 2009/10 to 507,131 in 2012/13 (an increase of 49%)), the capacity of the SSCS tribunal to deal with them has also increased in response.

In addition to local initiatives, such as identifying additional hearing venues across HMCTS estate, and increasing the use of Saturday sessions, HMCTS continues to respond strongly at a national level to continue to increase the capacity of the SSCS tribunal and reduce waiting times. Measures in place include ongoing recruitment of additional judges and medically qualified members and the review and continuous improvement of administrative processes both internally and between HMCTS and DWP. All of this is having a positive effect. The total number of disposals (which includes

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appeals disposed of at a tribunal hearing as well as those struck out, superseded or withdrawn) has increased significantly from 279,000 in 2009/10 to 465,500 in 2012/13 (an increase of 66%).

The average waiting time for all appeals heard by the SSCS tribunal has fallen nationally from 23 weeks in 2011/12 to 18 weeks in 2012/13.

An appeal can be adjourned for a variety of reasons, such as for further evidence to be gathered, to allow DWP time to consider evidence handed in on the day, or if the appellant is unable, due to medical or other reasons, to continue with the hearing.

A combination of reasons can lead to a decision being overturned on appeal. For example a hearing may generate additional evidence, in particular oral evidence, provided by the appellant at the hearing.

HMCTS and DWP are working closely together to improve the process for decision making and appeals. In July 2012, working with the tribunal’s judiciary, HMCTS introduced a revised decision notice in the SSCS to provide feedback on reasons for overturned DWP decisions.

Building on this, we are in the process of a phased introduction of a summary paragraph of reasons in all cases. This approach is being introduced, initially for eight weeks from 10 June, in Birmingham, London (Fox Court), Glasgow and Liverpool in relation to cases involving a Work Capability Assessment (which includes decisions made about claims for ESA).

The information provided in the summary paragraph of reasons will be analysed by the DWP over the summer to identify trends in the data and any learning to help DWP decision-makers.

In April 2013 DWP introduced mandatory reconsideration for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment, which will be extended to all other DWP administered benefits and child maintenance cases from October 2013. The mandatory reconsideration process results in a linear, escalating process for claimants wishing to dispute decisions. The decision maker will contact the claimant to provide an explanation of the decision under dispute and encourage the claimant to provide any additional information or evidence that may change the decision. This will ensure DWP has an opportunity to resolve disputes at an early stage.

The total cost of the SSCS tribunal to HMCTS between 2010/11 and 2012/13 was £305M (£91M in 2010/11, £99M in 2011/12, £115M in 2012/13). The increased cost of the tribunal is due to inflationary uplifts and also due to the expansion of the tribunal to deal with the increased volume, and mix, of appeals received.

Community Relations

Question

Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the Islamic tenets of abrogation and Al Hijra are promoted by Muslim clerics in the United Kingdom; and what effect this may have on the cohesiveness of community relations.[HL1592]

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The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government does not generally conduct assessments of matters of theological concern, and has not done so in this case.

Copyright

Question

Asked by Lord Clement-Jones

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have revised their intention for measures contained within their document Modernising Copyright, published in December 2012, to come into force in October 2013.[HL1664]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): The Government intends to introduce these measures as soon as possible and it remains the intention that they should be laid before Parliament in the autumn. However, the implementation timetable now reflects the desire for Members of the House to have sufficient opportunity to discuss the measures. It is unlikely therefore that the proposals will come into force until April 2014

Cyprus

Question

Asked by Lord Kilclooney

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as a guarantor power for Cyprus, they are aware of any discussions between the governments of the Republic of Cyprus and Russia about the possible construction of air bases and deep sea port facilities for Russian forces.[HL1638]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): Her Majesty’s Government is aware of recent media reports that appear to suggest that the Cypriot and Russian governments have discussed a possible defence cooperation agreement that might involve the use of air and port facilities in the Republic of Cyprus. The Government is not party to any such discussion.

Darfur

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the deaths of seven United Nations Mission in Darfur peacekeeping personnel following an attack in Darfur on 13 July.[HL1631]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): On Saturday 13 July an African Union-UN Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) convoy was attacked in South Darfur state. Seven Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed and 17 peacekeepers and police injured. An investigation into this attack is currently underway by the United Nations and we await their findings.

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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), released a statement on 15 July condemning the attack and offering his condolences. The statement also reiterated the UK’s support to UNAMID.

Employment: Pay

Question

Asked by Lord Marlesford

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people in the United Kingdom are paid (1) weekly, (2) fortnightly, (3) monthly.[HL1589]

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Lord Marlesford, dated July 2013.

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking Her Majesty’s Government how many people in the United Kingdom are paid (1) weekly, (2) fortnightly, (3) monthly. (HL1589)

Although it is not possible to estimate the number of people with the pay periods requested, it is possible to estimate the proportion of employee jobs in these categories using data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Estimates are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence.

I attach a table showing the proportions of employee jobs paid weekly, fortnightly, every four weeks and every calendar month in April 2012, the latest period for which results are available

Notes:

. Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

Source:

Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics

Eritrea

Question

Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in Eritrea. [HL1641]

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The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We have received no reports of unrest since the temporary takeover of the Ministry of Information by Eritrean soldiers on 21 January, although there are continuing reports of tensions between the Eritrean government and factions in the military. We are concerned by the reported electricity and other shortages. We also remain concerned by the continuing poor human rights situation. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), raised these concerns when he met Osman Saleh, Foreign Minister of Eritrea, on 11 July.

Food: Food Banks

Questions

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Trussell Trust report (1) that the number of people receiving emergency food aid from their food banks in April, May and June 2013 was three times the number in the same period in 2012, (2) that 19 per cent of referrals in April, May and June 2013 related to benefit changes, compared to 12 per cent in 2012, and (3) that 33 per cent of referrals in April, May and June 2013 related to benefit delays, compared to 31 per cent in the same period in 2012.[HL1625]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): We have made no assessment of the Trussell Trust statement. Jobcentre Plus signposts people to food banks but does not keep records of the number of referrals. The Trussell Trust states that only 2 per cent of their referrals come via Jobcentre Plus. Benefit processing times have been steadily improving over the last 3 years with 90 per cent of jobseekers allowance and 85 per cent of employment support allowance claims cleared with 16 days.

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect that the proposed increase from three to seven days in the time between a person losing their job and receiving jobless benefits will have in the number of people requiring help from food banks.[HL1626]

Lord Freud: No such assessments have been made. The proposed increase of waiting days to seven would have a single effect at the start of a person's entitlement when final wages would often be available. People in financial need before their first benefit payment may be eligible for an advance of benefit.

Freedom of Religion

Question

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Derby

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the European Union guidelines on promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, agreed by the Council of Ministers on 24 June.[HL1613]

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The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We worked closely with EU partners to develop guidelines for EU country offices to strengthen their work on the right to freedom of religion or belief across the world. We were gratified that these guidelines took as their original inspiration the UK’s own freedom of religion or belief toolkit. We believe the guidelines are a valuable tool for EU country offices and the embassies of individual EU member states to use, and look forward to strengthened joint working with our EU partners to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is more widely guaranteed and that any violations are tackled in the most effective manner.

Healthcare: Costs

Questions

Asked by Lord Laird

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any of the proposals in their consultation document Sustaining services, ensuring fairness are intended to enable the National Health Service to record, collate and transmit to the Department of Health, on a continuous basis, the names and number of European Union pensioners registering with the National Health Service and of those already registered once they reach pensionable age.[HL1536]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the proposed full eligibility check in the new system for registering with the National Health Service outlined in Sustaining services, ensuring fairness is intended to require all people, United Kingdom nationals or otherwise, to provide evidence of nationality, immigration status and, if required, European Health Insurance Card number and issuing country when contacting the National Health Service.[HL1537]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they state in their consultation document Sustaining services, ensuring fairness that fairness suggests that existing temporary residents should not have to start making payments for treatment; and whether that criterion is also intended to apply to the charging of the home countries of existing European Union pensioners for their healthcare.[HL1538]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The consultation seeks views on proposals to develop a system whereby all patients, regardless of their nationality, who are newly registering with the National Health Service for first time, are assessed for eligibility to free NHS care, which will include providing relevant information that will allow the Government to reclaim money it is entitled to from other European Economic Area (EEA) Member States such as European Health Insurance Card details. In particular, as set out in the consultation, we propose to develop a more robust process for identifying newly arriving EEA state pensioners and capturing their details which facilitate funding to the United Kingdom from their member state. However, where this data is available for those EEA pensioners already residing here it will also be used in this way.

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The consultation also proposes to charge those non-EEA nationals coming to the UK to live who do not yet have permission to do so permanently either by applying a health levy to their visa application or by requiring them to have health insurance. Currently such people are entitled to free NHS care. It may not be fair to begin to charge those temporary migrants already living here who came here on the understanding that their healthcare will be free, but a final decision on that point has not been taken.

Homelessness: Rough Sleepers

Question

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the recommendations contained in St Mungo’s report No more: Homelessness through the eyes of rough sleepers.[HL1412]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): We value the work that St Mungo’s has done for homeless people for over 40 years and will continue to work with them and other voluntary sector partners to tackle and prevent rough sleeping.

We are investing £470 million over the current spending period to prevent and tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including £34 million to the Greater London Authority to provide No Second Night Out and other rough sleeping services across London and £5 million for a Social Impact Bond which we have developed with the Greater London Authority to work with approximately 830 entrenched rough sleepers.

In London No Second Night Out is making a big difference and all local authorities in England have committed to adopt the No Second Night Out approach by the end of 2013. The CHAIN annual data for 2012/13 shows that No Second Night Out helped ensure that three quarters (75%) of new rough sleepers spend just a single night on London’s streets.

We are stepping up action to prevent migrant rough sleeping including support the ‘Before You Go' campaign (Poland) to cover Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania. The campaign has been developed by homelessness charity, The Passage, to show the harsh reality of what can happen to those who travel to the UK unprepared and end up on the streets.

We are continuing to support local authorities to raise their game through a new £1.7 million Gold Standard support and training scheme, across the country, to deliver the best possible service to those that are at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping.

Houses of Parliament: Demonstrations

Question

Asked by Lord Goodlad

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Metropolitan Police's powers to manage demonstrations on the western side of Old Palace Yard include powers to control noise levels; and, if so, whether, in exercising those powers, consideration

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is given to the effect of the permitted noise level on members and staff working in the Palace of Westminster.[HL1690]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): The police have no specific powers to control the noise levels of demonstrations.

Under the Public Order Act 1986 the police do have powers to place conditions on the location, duration, or the maximum number of persons attending a demonstration as necessary to prevent serious disruption to the life of the community. In making such an assessment the police will take into consideration the concerns of the community.

Westminster City Council byelaws also prohibit noise levels that give reasonable grounds for annoyance and give the police powers to seize instruments or equipment used in contravention of these byelaws.

Legal Aid

Question

Asked by Lord Pannick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to introduce (1) primary legislation, (2) secondary legislation, or (3) administrative action, to implement the proposals in the consultation paper Transforming legal aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system.[HL1255]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Between 9 April and 4 June 2013 the Government consulted on a number of proposals to reform legal aid via the Transforming Legal Aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system consultation. This included a proposed model of competitive tendering for criminal legal aid services. We have been clear we must continue to bear down on the cost of legal aid, including nearly £1 billion of taxpayers’ money spent on criminal legal aid a year, to ensure we are getting the best deal for the taxpayer.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation and as set out in the consultation paper, we anticipate implementing the proposals through secondary legislation and, where necessary, contract amendments.

Migrants: English Classes

Question

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, on 26 June (HC Deb, col 315) that “if you’re not prepared to learn English, your benefits will be cut,” what plans they have to increase funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages classes for migrants.[HL1548]

Baroness Garden of Frognal: We are considering how to deliver the additional English language provision for jobseekers announced in the Spending Review, with details to be announced in due course.

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Personal Independence Payment

Questions

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 9 July (WA 36–7), how they were able to confirm with Atos Healthcare that the withdrawal of assessment centres provided by sub-contractors would have no impact on the average journey time of claimants in lot 3.[HL1629]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Based upon DWP forecast volumes of PIP assessments Atos have demonstrated through their supply chain contractual arrangements that they have full geographic coverage with an additional capacity of at least 15% in each of their supply chain partners, as well as back up options across their network, should volumes prove higher than expected. Using assumptions to estimate the number of claimants within each postcode area, Atos have calculated that once volume of assessments and the number of consultation centres available reaches its peak, the estimated travelling time for claimants is in line with that set out in their tender.

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 9 July (WA 36), whether the refinement of their forecasts drew on data supplied by Atos; if so, how they ensured its accuracy; how they reconcile the forecast fall in the number of assessments with a drop in the number of assessment centres; and what assessment they have made of the impact of those revised figures on the average journey times for claimants in lot 3. [HL1630]

Lord Freud: DWP's forecast volumes of PIP assessments do not draw on any data supplied by Atos — they are based on historical DLA claims data. Atos have demonstrated through their supply chain contractual arrangements that they have full geographic coverage with an additional capacity of at least 15% in each of their supply chain partners, as well as back up options across their network, should volumes prove higher than expected.

Philippines

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will discuss with the government of the Philippines the implementation of that country’s Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, and in particular provisions in that legislation to enable those aged under 15 to receive community-based intervention rather than a custodial sentence.[HL1609]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government has not, to date, raised the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act with the Government of the Philippines. However, we have

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co-ordinated with EU colleagues who have themselves raised and discussed the issue of the age of criminal responsibility with the Philippine Department of Justice.

Planning: Land Value

Question

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 3 July (WA 232), whether they are undertaking any work to capture a greater proportion of the increase in site values for community benefits over and above those already captured under section 106 agreements.[HL1478]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The Government believes the Community Infrastructure Levy and section 106 agreements together provide a fair and effective mechanism which balances development viability with the need to capture community benefits when sites come forward for development.

Where the levy is collected, at least 15% of those receipts are passed to local communities to support the development of the area. Where a neighbourhood plan is in place, this share increases to 25% of levy receipts.

Excessive taxes or levies on development would discourage construction and building, meaning less regeneration, less growth and fewer community benefits.

Police: Black Police Association

Question

Asked by Lord Ouseley

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to investigate allegations made by the Black Police Association during the 1990s that it had

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been smeared and undermined by different police constabularies and that many of their members had their careers sabotaged by such activities.[HL1452]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): It is crucial that allegations made by an individual member of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) regarding Greater Manchester Police seeking intelligence on those participating in the Macpherson Inquiry are rigorously investigated. Greater Manchester Police have referred themselves to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which is considering this matter.

We are not aware of allegations in relation to smearing or undermining members of the NBPA. The Government is committed to greater diversity in policing and the Rt Hon Damian Green MP, Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, recently met representatives of the NBPA to discuss the recruitment, retention and career progression of black and minority ethnic officers, and community confidence in the police.

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Question

Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the value of asset seizures under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in each of the last five years in (1) Northern Ireland, and (2) England.[HL1492]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): The total amounts recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as taken from the Joint Asset Recovery Database is as follows:

Public Bodies

Question

Asked by Baroness Gould of Potternewton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the change in the number of people appointed to public bodies who were (1) women, (2) ethnic minorities, and (3) disabled, in 2011–12; and what they consider to be the reasons for that change.[HL1438]

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Commissioner for Public Appointments collates and publishes diversity statistics annually. The latest figures for 2012-13 can be found at: http://publicappointmentscommissioner. independent.g ov.uk/.

Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Both the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Cabinet Office’s Centre for Public Appointments are working to reduce the barriers to applicants from all sections of society.

Social Care: Adults

Questions

Asked by Lord Low of Dalston

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the provision of universal services in England to prevent or delay the development of an adult’s need for care and support.[HL1597]

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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the provision of universal services in England to prevent or delay the development of a carer’s need for care and support.[HL1598]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The Partnerships for Older People Projects programme, that ran from 2006 to 2009, worked to assess the effectiveness of a wide range of services to prevent, delay and reduce needs for care and support. The final national evaluation report can be found on the National Archives website at:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/2013010 7105354/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsand statistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_111240

In addition to this, clause 2 of the Care Bill will, for the first time, place a clear legal duty on local authorities to provide or arrange preventative services.

Somaliland, Puntland and Somalia

Question

Asked by Lord Boateng

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level and impact of remittances on development in (1) Somaliland, (2) Puntland, and (3) Somalia.[HL1653]

Baroness Northover: Remittances have been important for the economy of all three areas of Somalia, particularly as a key source of finance for businesses. Remittances are estimated to account for 50% of Somalia’s gross national income and to support up to 40% of the population, or 3.8 million people. Remittances play an important role in the lives of a large number of individuals and in the overall stability of the country.

The overall impact on human development of remittances in all areas of Somalia has, however, been very limited. Somalia is yet to achieve a single millennium development goal, 43% of the population live on less than one dollar a day, unemployment is estimated to be between 60% to 80% and a woman has a 1 in 10 chance of dying in her reproductive years. Studies have also found that remittances in Somalia can discourage job-seeking as individuals have chosen to rely on remittances for their livelihoods, rather than work in local jobs.

Tibet

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Human Rights Watch report They Say We should Be Grateful on human rights abuses in Tibet; whether they have made any estimate of the number of people from nomadic tribes who have been forcibly resettled and relocated to Chinese villages; and whether they intend to draw the report to the attention of the Chinese authorities.[HL1439]

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The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We are aware of the recent Human Rights Watch report which makes reference to a number of issues about which we have serious concerns. However, we have not been able to make an assessment of the number of people who have been relocated due to the lack of reliable data. There has been criticism by some Chinese academics of the impact of the state-led development programmes including the lack of local consultation. We are very concerned about reports of forced relocations amongst Tibetan communities. We regularly raise our concerns about the situation in Tibet with the Chinese authorities and did so most recently on 12 July.

We remain of the view that sustainable prosperity and stability in Tibet - as in other parts of China - depends on greater public participation and transparency. We continue to urge the Chinese authorities to recognise minority rights for Tibetan people, including the right to cultural life and to appropriate economic and social development as outlined by both the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which China has signed. We will maintain a dialogue with the Chinese authorities on these issues and we encourage Human Rights Watch to bring the report to the attention of the Chinese authorities.

United Arab Emirates

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of the United Arab Emirates following the trial of 94 persons accused of plotting to overthrow the government in that country, the sentences on those found guilty, and the subsequent arrests of two brothers of those convicted; and whether in particular they will raise issues of compliance with the United Nations Convention against Torture and disclosure of evidence to defence counsel.[HL1427]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We have raised our concern about aspects of the way the trial was conducted, such as lack of access to international observers, accusations that defendants could not access their lawyers, and the length of the sentencing.

We are aware of reports that further arrests have been made and we will continue to be explicit that it is important that due process is followed carefully and transparently in all cases.

The Government stands firmly against torture. We have consistently raised our absolute opposition to such behaviour and our determination to combat it wherever and whenever it occurs. We have, along with others, made clear to the United Arab Emirates authorities our concerns about allegations of torture and mistreatment.

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Young Offender Institutions: Festival and Celebration Dates

Question

Asked by Baroness Stern

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements are made for marking (1) children's birthdays, (2) Mother's Day, (3) Father's Day, (4) Christmas and other Christian festivals, (5) Eid-ul-Adha and other Muslim festivals, and (6) other religious festivals, in (a) young offender institutions, (b) secure training centres, and (c) secure children's homes; and whether the Ministry of Justice or Youth Justice Board issue any policy instruction or guidance to establishments in relation to the arrangements for marking any of those events.[HL1182]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): We recognise that young people benefit from regular contact with family and every effort is made to ensure that young people have access to this provision, especially on significant days. We respect the right for young people in custody to practise their faith and aim to accommodate any requirements of this nature as far as it is practicable.

(a) Young Offenders Institutions:

The National Offender Management Service sets out in Prison Service Instruction 51/2011 that all establishments make arrangements for offenders to observe all recognised religious occasions. Whilst there is no policy to govern arrangements for young people’s birthdays, mother’s day and father’s day, each under 18 Young Offenders Institution has arrangements in place to appropriately observe culturally significant events.

(b) Secure Training Centres:

The Youth Justice Board does not issue any specific policy instruction or guidance on the listed events to establishments. Secure Training Centres make arrangements locally.

(c) Secure Children’s Homes:

The Department for Education does not collect or hold any information on what arrangements are made for marking the listed events. However, the Department is aware that Secure Children’s Homes do make their

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own arrangements to mark such occasions with individual children. Children’s Homes Guidance and Regulations stipulates that staff must be sensitive to matters of religion and as far as practicable, every child placed in a children’s home should be offered the support they need so that they are able to attend services, receive instruction and observe any requirement of their religious beliefs.

Young Offenders: Restraint and Self-harm

Questions

Asked by Baroness Stern

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children detained in (1) young offender institutions, (2) secure training centres, and (3) secure children's homes, have (a) been taken to hospital, and (b) been admitted to hospital, following self-harm in the last five years.[HL1183]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children detained in (1) young offender institutions, (2) secure training centres, and (3) secure children's homes, have (a) been taken to hospital, and (b) been admitted to hospital, following a restraint injury in the last five years.[HL1184]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The YJB does not collect self harm or restraint data on children who have been taken to hospital or children who have been admitted to hospital. The figures shown are the number of self-harm and restraint incidents involving serious injury that required hospital treatment.

Table 1 shows the number of children detained in (1) young offender institutions, (2) secure training centres, and (3) secure children’s homes who received hospital treatment following serious injury following self-harm, and the proportion of all self-harm incidents requiring hospital treatment by year and sector.

Table 2 shows the number of children detained in (1) young offender institutions, (2) secure training centres, and (3) secure children’s homes who received hospital treatment following serious injury following a restraint incident, and the proportion of all restraint incidents requiring hospital treatment by year and sector.

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Source:

Monthly returns from the secure estate to the YJB (Youth Justice Board)

Source:

Monthly returns from the secure estate to the YJB (Youth Justice Board)

Notes:

• The term ‘Serious injury requiring hospital treatment’ includes serious cuts, fractures, loss of consciousness, damage to internal organs and poisoning. Treatment reflects the more serious nature of the injuries sustained and may include stitches, re-setting bones, operations and providing overnight observation.

• At establishments where 24-hour healthcare is available the young person may remain onsite for treatment meaning the figures could be understated.

• Due to the way the data is collected it is not possible to tell if the same children are involved in multiple incidents throughout the time period, meaning the figures could be overstated.

• The figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and can be subject to change over time.