Written Answers
Wednesday 6 November 2013
Alcohol
Questions
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Home Office.[HL2979]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Home Office accounting systems do not identify separate expenditure on alcoholic refreshments. The information cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by Department for Transport.[HL2983]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): During the Financial Year 2012-13, no alcohol has been purchased for use within the Department’s headquarters building nor at its Agencies, except paid for by Department for Transport staff, or Ministers.
Animals in Scientific Procedures
Question
Asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) pharmaceutical products, (2) medical procedures, and (3) medical devices approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, have been tested using animals at some stage in their development.[HL3100]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The information requested is not collected.
Medicines for human use containing new active substances may not be developed without first being tested by an approved method. Unless a scientifically valid alternative is available, this will involve the use of animals. Such safety testing is a statutory requirement of European medicines law and is a necessary stage in the licensing of a new medicinal product for human use.
Armed Forces: Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Royal Navy's F35B squadron's aircraft will carry Fleet Air Arm Squadron and Navy markings. [HL3029]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): No. The F35B's stealth capabilities demand minimal markings and the United Kingdom's aircraft will carry only national markings.
Armed Forces: Helicopters
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Navy aircrew and maintenance personnel have now converted to the Merlin 3 helicopter. [HL2992]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the first Royal Navy Merlin 3 helicopter squadron will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force. [HL2993]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether marinisation of the Merlin 3 helicopter has been fully funded in the Ministry of Defence forward programme.[HL2994]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the handover of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force will take place if marinisation has not been completed.[HL2995]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): As of 31 October 2013, 31 aircrew and 150 maintenance personnel have converted to the Merlin Mk3 helicopter. 32 aircrew and 33 maintenance personnel are currently undergoing conversion training, with a further 24 maintenance personnel entering conversion training before the end of the year.
The first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force in autumn 2014.
The ship-optimisation of the Merlin Mk3 helicopter is part of a wider package of aircraft enhancements that form the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. The programme is currently in its Assessment Phase; programme funding will be considered as part of the Main Gate Business Case.
The transition of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force is already underway and is due to complete in advance of the planned modification of the airframe.
Children: Care
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children have been taken into the care of local authorities primarily as a result of the imprisonment of a parent or a person with parental responsibility in each of the last three years for which figures are available.[HL3086]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Information on the number of children who are taken into the care of local authorities primarily as a result of the imprisonment of a parent or a person with parental responsibility is not collected by the Department.
Children: Child Labour
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children who have been previous victims of forced or compulsory labour in the United Kingdom are now in education.[HL3122]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government does not collect this information. We recognise that any child victim of trafficking is in urgent need of protection and of supportive, secure care. Local authorities should ensure that they can call on appropriately trained and experienced individuals to help these children. From 2011 to 2013 the Department for Education invested £1.4 million in a Barnardo’s project to establish safe specialist accommodation for trafficked children.
Deaf and Deafblind People
Questions
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the development of more specialised community mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.[HL3004]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to introduce national commissioning for all mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.[HL3005]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): NHS England does not have any plans for commissioning community mental health services for deaf and deafblind people. These services are the commissioning responsibility of clinical commissioning groups.
NHS England does not currently have plans to introduce national commissioning for all mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.
Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003
Question
Asked by Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, when recently looted antiquities are publicly offered for sale by auction in the United Kingdom, what assessment they have made of the actions taken by police to enforce the provisions of the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 and to ensure that no such object receives an export licence to leave the United Kingdom.[HL2825]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government has made no specific assessment. It is for the police to investigate and submit to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) appropriate cases where there is evidence of a contravention of Section 1 of the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003, which makes it an offence to deal dishonestly in tainted cultural objects. (Border Force officers also have enforcement powers in cases involving import and export). It is anticipated that any such case would be drawn to the attention of the Secretary of State in the event that an application was made to export such an object. The Government takes the issue of illicit trafficking in cultural objects very seriously and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Home Office work closely together in this area. The Cultural Property Advice guide supports members of the trade in art, antiques and antiquities in understanding and complying with this legislation.
Defence: Assistance Fund
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the purpose of the Defence Assistance Fund; and what was its cost in 2010–11, 2011–12, and 2012–13. [HL3015]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Defence Assistance Fund (DAF) is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) fund used to deliver activities in support of international defence engagement objectives. DAF-funded activities are aimed at developing the bilateral relationships and partnerships on which the MOD relies in support of current and contingent operations and to support wider overseas Government objectives. Approximately half of the DAF is used to fund international defence education activities in the UK and overseas.
Funds allocated to the DAF over the past three financial years are set out in the following table:
| Financial Year | DAF Allocation (£ millions) |
[1] A further £2.5 million was allocated to the DAF in-year through reprioritisation to support implementation of the International Defence Engagement Strategy.
Egypt
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have received about the process of drafting a new constitution for Egypt.[HL2962]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Egyptian government tasked a committee of 50 with proposing amendments to the 2012 constitution. Work began on 7 September with 60 working days to complete
consultations and drafting. The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), was told by the President of the Constitutional Committee during a call on 23 September that the process was on track. He said that the aim was a democratic and open society “worthy of our times”.
Employment: 18-24 Year-olds
Questions
Asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many 18–24 year-olds in England in employment are (1) in full-time education, and (2) not in full-time education; and of those in full-time education how many are (a) in full-time jobs, (b) in part-time jobs, or (c) self-employed.[HL3097]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): Table 1 shows the number of people in England aged1 18 to 24 in employment who are (1) in full-time education, and (2) not in full-time education. It shows of those in full-time education how many are (a) in full-time jobs, (b) in part-time jobs, or (c) self-employed. This information is taken from Quarter 2, 2013 of the Labour Force Survey.
| Table 1: People aged 18 to 24 in employment who are (1) in full time education and (2) not in full time education, Q2 2013 | |
| Number | |
Base: 18 to 24 year olds, England
Source: Q2 2013 Labour Force Survey
1 Age used is academic age, which is the respondents age as at the preceding 31st August
Asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each of the last three years, how many 18–24 year olds in England on zero-hours contracts are (1) in full-time education, and (2) not in full-time education. [HL3098]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the latest year for which figures are available, what were the average gross earnings of 18–24 year olds in England on zero-hours contracts who were (1) in full-time education, and (2) not in full-time education. [HL3099]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Peter Fullerton, Director, Collection and Production Operations, Office for National Statistics, to Lord Willis of Knaresborough dated November 2013.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking:
a) for each of the last three years, how many 18–24 year olds in England on zero-hours contracts are in full-time education. HL3098b) for the latest year for which figures are available, what were the average gross earnings of 18–24 year olds in England on zero-hours contracts who were (1) in full-time education, and (2) not in full-time education. HL3099
The requested information is not available. Information regarding people working on zero-hours contracts is available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). However, full estimates of the total number of people in employment on such contracts are not available from this source. This is, in part, due to respondents being unable to identify their type of employment contract correctly. This prevents reliable estimates being produced by age.
From autumn 2013, one of ONS’s large-scale monthly business surveys will include some questions on zero-hours contracts so as to obtain robust data directly from employers. These will be asked on a quarterly basis with the first results expected to be published in early 2014.
Environment: Sea Defences
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sea defences are in place in (1) Merseyside, and (2) Lancashire; and which sea defences are at present in the planning stages in those regions.[HL3041]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The following sea defences are in place in Merseyside and Lancashire; all figures are for km of sea defences.
| Asset Type | MAINTAINER | TOTAL (KM) | ||
| Environment Agency | Local Authority | Private | ||
Figures provided by the Environment Agency.
These defences are located in areas such as Southport, Lytham St Annes, Blackpool & Cleveleys, Cockerham and Morecambe, Bootle, Crosby and Litherland.
This year Defra approved £63 million for defences at Rossall and £22 million for Anchorsholme, both on the Lancashire coast. These schemes, led by Blackpool Council and Wyre Borough Council, aim to better protect 12,000 properties from coastal flooding. Construction works are due to commence in January 2014.
The following are coast protection schemes currently in the planning stages:
Data provided by the Environment Agency.
EU: Food
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proposal for a European Union regulation (COM (2012) 150) amending food safety directives as regards the powers to be conferred on the Commission in relation to the "breakfast directives".[HL3072]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): This proposal referred to by the noble Lord relates to the ongoing alignment of powers conferred on the Commission following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. In this case it concerns a review of the delegation of powers to the Commission for five related directives on coffee, chocolate, certain specified sugars, jams and preserved milks. The Government has been fully involved in the negotiations and a revised proposal was adopted by the Council of Ministers and European Parliament on 9 October 2013.
The Regulation as adopted sees a substantial reduction to the scope that was the original proposal for powers conferred on the Commission to amend the annexes of these directives using delegated powers. For example product definitions and product names were considered to be essential elements of these directives, and will continue to be subject to the full Ordinary Legislative Procedure. In addition any delegated powers will not be for an indeterminate period but for a fixed period of five years, with extension as necessary.
Food: Food Banks
Question
Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the report on food aid in the United Kingdom, including food banks, carried out for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by a team based at the University of Warwick earlier this year has not yet been published; and when they intend to publish the report.[HL3091]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Defra has commissioned research to review publically available evidence on the landscape of food aid provision and access in the UK.
All Government funded research projects are required to go through the necessary review and quality assurance processes prior to publication. Once this process is complete, the conclusions of this work will be made available on the Government’s website.
Freedom of Information
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many freedom of information requests they have turned down since the formation of the Coalition that have subsequently been upheld on appeal and complied with.[HL2877]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally) (LD): The Ministry of Justice publishes annual statistical reports on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for central government. These reports include statistics on the outcomes of internal reviews and appeals to the Information Commissioner. These reports can be accessed on the following webpage:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics
We do not hold statistics on the number of decisions by the Information Commissioner appealed to the First Tier Tribunal (Information Rights) and beyond, or on the outcomes of such further appeals. To obtain this information we would have to ask each central government body to investigate the outcome of each appeal individually. Therefore it would only be possible to provide this information at disproportionate cost.
Health: Free Social Care
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they are giving to the proposal of Macmillan Cancer Support that free social care should be provided to terminally ill patients wishing to die in their own homes; and what financial impact they estimate for the NHS through the implementation of such a policy.[HL2973]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Government recognises the need to ensure that the care people receive at the end of life is compassionate, appropriate and supports the exercise of choice. Following recommendations from the independent Palliative Care Funding Review, we established eight pilots to inform our decision on social care funding at the end of life, with the intention of establishing a new funding system for palliative care by 2015. Oversight of the pilots is being undertaken by NHS England.
Health: Mental Health
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role of the voluntary sector in the delivery of child and adolescent mental health services.[HL2963]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the relative accessibility of child and adolescent mental health services in (1) deprived urban communities, and (2) rural areas where reliability of and access to public transport is an issue. [HL2964]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of resource constraints on the commissioning of child and adolescent mental health services.[HL2965]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): With the exception of Tier 4 (in-patient) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning CAMH services to best meet the needs of their local population. The level of provision of CAMHS, as for all health services they commission, is decided by the local CCGs for all areas, whether urban or rural. Decisions made by CCGs are underpinned by clinical insight and knowledge of local healthcare needs and the provision of services
will vary in response to local needs. There is also a duty upon the National Health Service to ensure that resources are used as equitably and appropriately as possible.
From 1 April 2013, Tier 4 CAMH Services are commissioned by NHS England. NHS England is about to embark on a review of Tier 4 CAMH Services across the country which will help inform decisions about how such services are to be provided and delivered in the future. This will enable them to consider any emerging evidence of resource constraints and their likely impact.
As far as the role of the voluntary sector is concerned, whilst there has been no formal assessment of their role, the Government recognises the important contribution that the voluntary sector makes in meeting the needs of children and young people with a wide range of mental health problems, including providing advocacy and support, as well as some more specialised services such as in-patient services.
Internet: Violent, Sexual and Sensitive Sites
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent posting on Facebook of a video of a beheading, what steps they will take to protect United Kingdom internet users from exposure to violent, sexual or sensitive content.[HL2923]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): It is not for Government to tell media organisations whether they can use a particular picture or video, as long as it is not illegal. However, we do expect them to act responsibly, put appropriate protections in place (eg warnings or age restrictions) and listen to the views of their customers. Following the outcry from users over this content, Government welcomes the decision by Facebook to remove it.
Government is working, through the UK Council on Child Internet Safety, to develop a range of measures which will ensure that children, and other internet users, are protected from harmful or inappropriate content. For example, the network-level parental control filters currently being developed by the largest internet service providers will allow parents and other users to filter out categories of content, such as those which may be violent or sexual in nature.
London Underground: Bakerloo Line
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the case for extending the Bakerloo line further into South London.[HL3118]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): None. Any proposal to extend the London Underground is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London to consider, including how such a proposal would be funded.
Marine Conservation Areas
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to establish marine protected areas around England; and what is their target for the next five years.[HL3058]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): We aim to announce the decision on designation of the first set of new Marine Conservation Zones shortly. These will add to existing marine protected areas, which currently cover nearly a quarter of English inshore waters.
In the waters around England there are 44 Special Areas of Conservation with marine components, 44 Special Protection Areas with marine components and over 300 coastal Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We also aim to announce our plans for future work on Marine Conservation Zones; this is being considered alongside other environmental priorities, within the limits of what is affordable.
NHS Property Services Limited
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is the policy required of NHS Property Services Ltd to sell surplus NHS land and buildings for full market value; and whether they have sold any such land and buildings at less than full market value.[HL2902]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Chairman of NHS Property Services Ltd has resigned; how long he was in post; and whether any other non-executive members of the board have resigned.[HL2903]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the details of sales of surplus NHS land and buildings made by NHS Property Services Ltd are published in any board documents.[HL2904]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Chair of NHS Property Services Limited (NHS PS) has resigned after successfully steering the company through its setting up, launch and transition. He was appointed on 1 August 2012, on a two year contract.
The decision as to whether a property in the portfolio of NHS PS is surplus to National Health Service operational requirements resides with the commissioners, i.e. NHS England or a clinical commissioning group. NHS PS will only take forward a property according to the needs of commissioners, and a property will be released for disposal once commissioners have confirmed that it is no longer required for the delivery of NHS services.
NHS PS’s assets which are to be sold are marketed through an arm’s length open market process, which ensures that the market value is achieved in a sale. Where necessary the sale price is supported by the
District Valuer or other third party independent valuations. All disposals are handled in line with NHS Estatecode and Cabinet Office and HM Treasury guidelines.
Property to be disposed of is first listed on the Electronic Property Information Mapping Service website, which allows other public sector bodies to purchase it. Properties are listed on this website for 40 working days and if no other public sector organisation expresses an interest then they will be marketed.
Since the establishment of NHS PS on 1 April 2013, the company has disposed of 16 freehold properties, generating £13.1 million of receipts for the public purse. Information about the sales of surplus NHS land and buildings disposed of by NHS PS are published in their board papers.
The following table lists the property and date it was sold, the amount it was sold for and the market value.
These properties were based on a market value range
The sale of these properties made a total profit of £495,500, above estimated market value.
The identity of purchasers cannot be released to protect their confidentiality.
NHS: Expenditure
Questions
Asked by Lord Bassam of Brighton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the detailed capital expenditure for the Royal Sussex County Hospital for each year from 1997 to 2013.[HL2976]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their capital expenditure plans for the Royal Sussex Hospital for the period from 2013 to 2020.[HL2977]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Department routinely collects financial information from National Health Service trusts, but this information does not distinguish between individual hospitals within that trust.
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust includes the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Sussex Eye Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, and the Hurstwood Park Regional Centre for Neurosciences.
The figures in the following tables are a breakdown for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust of the charge against the Capital Resource Limit (CRL) data collected from 2006-07 to 2012-13 summarisation schedules.
| Charge Against CRL — Summary | 2012-13 £000s | 2011-12 £000s |
|
Less: Donations Towards the Acquisition of Non-Current Assets | ||
| Charge Against CRL — Summary | 2010-11 £000s | 2009-10 £000s |
|
Less: Book Value of Assets Disposed of to Non-NHS Organisations | ||
| Charge Against CRL — Summary | 2008-09 £000s | 2007-08 £000s |
|
Less: Book Value of Assets Disposed of to Non-NHS Organisations | ||
| Charge Against CRL – Summary | 2006-07 £000s |
In common with many other public and private sector organisations the Department only holds accounting data at organisation level for seven years, and therefore figures prior to 2006-07 are not available.
Future predicted capital cash flow is in the following table:
| £ million | |
This information is the best that is currently available but is subject to change.
Palestine
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider Palestinians who were born and live in Gaza and the West Bank to be refugees.[HL2890]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Under the operational definition used by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Palestine refugees are people whose normal
place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948, and who lost both their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, and their dependents. The descendants of Palestine refugee males are also eligible for registration. Some of those eligible were born and/or live in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA’s mandate has been regularly considered and renewed by the UN General Assembly.
Palestine refugees are not necessarily refugees as defined by the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. Those Palestinians receiving UNRWA assistance or protection are ineligible for refugee status under the Convention, pursuant to Article 1D of the Convention. Those Palestinians who have not been assisted or protected by UNRWA must establish, if seeking asylum, that they meet the definition of a refugee in Article 1A of the Convention.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Nations Relief and Works Agency keeps records of the origins of Palestinians under its care; and, if so, how many such persons left Israel in 1948.[HL2891]
The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Bates) (Con): The registration of refugees forms an essential part of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s mandate and operations. This includes both the original refugees from 1948 and their descendants. When the Agency began operations in 1950, it was responding to the needs of about 750,000 Palestine refugees who had lost their home and livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.
Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the effectiveness of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.[HL2936]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): While no such assessment has been made, since these Regulations came into effect on 26 May 2011, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has used its new monetary penalty powers to issue six substantial monetary penalties totalling £800,000 for breaches of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), in relation to unsolicited marketing calls and texts. One of those penalties was recently overturned on appeal by the First-Tier Tribunal hearing, and the ICO is planning to appeal against this particular decision. Additionally, as a result of their enhanced powers, the ICO has issued more than 250 third party information notices to communications service providers.
Railways: Colne
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in each of the past five years, how many trains to Colne have been turned around before reaching either Nelson or Colne due to their running late.[HL3116]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): This is not information that is held by the Government.
Under the Franchise Agreement, there is no obligation to provide the Government with train performance information to the level of detail requested. The Train Operator may have the information to this level of detail.
Railways: First Great Western
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the premium to be paid by First Great Western over the 23-month period of the franchise extension; what is the basis of the profit-sharing agreement; and whether the amount of the premium is capped.[HL3040]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The agreement with First Great Western will see a premium of at least £32.5m being delivered over the 23 months of the contract. A profit sharing arrangement is in place but the details of this are commercially confidential. The actual premium/ subsidy figures will be published by the Office of Rail Regulation on their website, annually in arrears.
Railways: North East and North West Links
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve intra-regional rail transport in the North East of England, and between the North East and North West.[HL3114]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): In the spirit of localism, the Government believes that local authorities and Passenger Transport Executives, working closely with Local Enterprise Partnerships, are best placed to determine the investment priorities for their areas. Department for Transport officials are in regular contact with local authorities in the North East and Tees Valley Unlimited (the Local Enterprise Partnership) to provide advice on the development of their plans.
Network Rail’s Northern Hub and electrification projects are on schedule to deliver significant connectivity improvements between the North East and North West in two phases. In December 2016, services between
Liverpool and Newcastle will use the Chat Moss route via Manchester Victoria giving substantial journey time reductions. From December 2018 electrification between Manchester and York will be completed giving further journey time savings.
Research and Development
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase investment in research and development in the north-east of England. [HL2988]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): The Government is encouraging the increase of research and development (R&D) expenditure by UK based businesses, including those in the North East of England through a range of measures, including R&D tax credits and the programmes delivered by the Technology Strategy Board. We are also working with the two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) as they develop their smart specialisation strategies for European Structural and Investment funds. Within the North East LEP this will build upon the work of the North East Independent Economic Review, led by Lord Adonis, particularly with their plans for open innovation centres in key areas of the Industrial Strategy.
R&D Tax Credits are the single largest Government support for business investment in R&D. In the year ending March 2011 claims totalled £1.1 billion on expenditure of £10.9 billion. The rate of tax relief available through the SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) R&D tax credit was raised to 225 per cent in April 2012, making it among the most competitive regimes in the world, which further incentivises companies to invest in R&D. The Government believes that the Above the Line credit introduced on 1 April 2013 for large companies is effective in influencing R&D investment decisions and will help to increase the overall level of UK R&D activity.
The Technology Strategy Board is the Government's prime channel for supporting business-led technology innovation. It delivers a range of programmes in support of businesses undertaking research and development including Collaborative R&D. Smart and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. The Technology Strategy Board also provides opportunities for innovative businesses through the growing network of Catapult centres—including NAREC. (The National Renewable Energy Centre) part of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Blyth, as well as the Centre for Process Innovation in Wilton and Sedgefield, part of the High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Catapult.
Since June 2007 the Technology Strategy Board, with partner and business contributions, has invested around £2.5 billion in innovation projects across the UK. Businesses supported range from pre start-up, start-up and early stage micro businesses, to large multi-nationals.
As part of the Government's Spending Review for 2015-16 the Chancellor has announced a £185 million budget increase for the Technology Strategy Board. The move will enable the Technology Strategy Board to enhance the role it plays in generating UK economic growth by building on its existing support programmes for innovative UK businesses, and by developing new programmes.
In addition, we have taken a number of further actions which are likely to increase business expenditure on R&D including: the introduction of an Innovation Vouchers programme, additional support to help companies access venture capital, increased investment in the Small Business Research Initiative, and the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UK RPIF), which will secure over £1 billion support for the development of new research facilities and partnerships between universities, businesses and charities.
This wider support also includes £3 million for Newcastle University through HEFCEs (The Higher Education Funding Council for England) Catalyst Fund to establish the Neptune National Centre for Subsea and Offshore Engineering. The £7m research and development centre will act as a place for industry and academia to interact, providing crucial infrastructure for emerging research opportunities.
Roads: M4
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 20 June (WA 77–8), whether they plan to improve the stretch of the M4 motorway between junction 3 and the Chiswick Flyover to full motorway standards including a 70 miles per hour speed limit; if so, when; and if not, why not.[HL3073]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Highways Agency currently has no plans to improve the stretch of the M4 Motorway between Junction 3 and the Chiswick Flyover to full motorway standards including a 70 miles per hour speed limit. The reduced speed limit was introduced in 1999 due to the geometry of the road, and the reduction of three lanes to two lanes at the elevated section. These factors have not changed.
Roads: Road Safety
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they spent on promoting the safe use of roads in 2012–13.[HL3088]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): In 2012-13 the central Department for Transport spent £3,708,680 on THINK! road safety campaigns. The Vehicle & Operator Services Agency spent £111,649 supporting the safe use of
roads through their communications, providing advice to operators of heavy goods vehicles, public service vehicles, MOT testers and authorised examiners.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Driving Standards Agency, Highways Agency, Vehicle Certification Agency, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency all promote safe use of roads through their general operations which is not separately identified as communications expenditure.
Schools: Free Meals
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the proposed scheme to provide free school meals to all infants attending schools or nurseries will be compulsory; if so, whether parents will be prevented from supplying their children with packed lunches; and whether the proposed scheme will apply to children attending private schools.[HL3068]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): By September 2014 all state-funded primary schools will be expected to provide free school meals to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 and will be funded to enable them to do so.
The universal free school meals offer will not apply to nurseries – entitlement to free school meals for pupils in nursery classes and at key stages 2–4 will continue as now. It will also not apply to independent schools. Parents will not be obliged to take up the offer of a free school meal, and schools will continue to be free to set their own policies regarding packed lunches, as is the case now.
Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund
Questions
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with NHS England about the cancellation of the Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund.[HL2882]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the suspension of the Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund, when the decision was taken to cancel the Fund completely.[HL2883]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that innovation in specialised services can be maintained in the light of the cancellation of the Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund.[HL2884]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): NHS England has advised that the scale of this task—to bring together regional commissioning into a single, nationally consistent operating model for specialised services commissioning—has resulted in a level of unplanned expenditure. To manage this
unplanned expenditure both in year and into the future, NHS England has needed to concentrate its efforts on their core commissioning requirements. The Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund announced by NHS England in August 2013, sits outside the core requirements and in October NHS England reluctantly took the decision to suspend it. NHS England has advised that it remains committed to both leading and facilitating the uptake and spread of innovation and will seek ways to reinstate the fund in future years.
NHS England still has a commitment to innovation. Over the last six months it has overseen the establishment of 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), all of which have agreed a five-year licence framework and objectives which include building a culture of partnership and collaboration; promoting inclusivity, addressing local, regional and national priorities; and creating wealth through co-development, testing, evaluation and early adoption and spread of new products and services.
In addition, the NHS England Innovation team has developed support systems to ensure that it works with both the National Health Service and external organisations to enable the faster uptake of innovative technologies and approaches which promise real benefit to both patients and the frontline NHS, including:
-
The Regional Innovation Fund
—£5 million is available this financial year to support the acceleration and spread of innovation across the NHS. The aim of this fund is to support front line organisations in taking forward service redesign using innovative approaches;-
Small Business Research Initiative
—this programme is led by Eastern AHSN on behalf of 15 AHSNs and has a £10 million budget; and-
Challenge Prizes
—NHS England continues to build on positive conversations with industry, with the intention of securing significant sponsorship for future rounds of challenges. The Challenge Prize expert panel, and the NHS England Domain leads, are reviewing options for what should be the next round of challenges.
Departmental officials have been and continue to be in contact with NHS England, so as to be fully briefed on the rationale behind the decision to suspend the fund and next steps.
Transport: Trams and Light Rail
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have had any discussions about the building of a tram or light railway in the London Borough of Southwark.[HL3119]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Transport funding in London is a devolved matter for the Mayor and Transport for London. No discussions have been held between the Department for Transport in respect of building a tram or light railway in the London Borough of Southwark.
Transport: Transport Authorities
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for Transport Authorities.[HL3120]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Government is considering locally developed schemes, under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, to adopt a Combined Authority model of governance in four Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) areas. Combined Authorities bring together local transport, economic development and regeneration functions into one body. These Combined Authorities require Government approval and the passage by Parliament of a statutory instrument, subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses.
Zimbabwe
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial aid or support the United Kingdom has given, directly or indirectly, to the government of Zimbabwe since 2010.[HL2757]
The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Bates) (Con): It is UK government policy not to put funds directly through the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ). This is due to an assessment that the GoZ lacks commitment to the UK’s partnership principles including human rights, anti-corruption and domestic accountability. Instead all UK development support is delivered through multilateral organisations, notably United Nations agencies, international non-governmental organisations and the private sector.