Written Answers
Monday 16 December 2013
African Barrick Gold
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 26 November (HL Deb, col 1294), what was the basis for his suggestion that African Barrick Gold was a Canadian, rather than British, company.[HL3840]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): African Barrick Gold is headquartered in London, and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its parent company, Barrick Gold, is headquartered in Toronto and dual listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
Aggregates
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assumptions were made about the use of secondary aggregates in HM Treasury’s Infrastructure Carbon Review, and about the estimated possible carbon reduction which could be achieved by the use of secondary aggregates.[HL3771]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Technical Report, published by the Green Construction Board alongside the Infrastructure Carbon Review on 25 November considers the impact on carbon reduction through use of recycled materials1.
The report highlights that the selection of lower carbon materials is a good way of reducing the carbon impact of infrastructure. Such materials could be alternatives to steel or concrete or more traditional materials with recycled content. Representative asset owners from the water and transport sectors, who were consulted as part of this study, have claimed that the use of such materials in new infrastructure assets has brought significant carbon and cost reductions. The report also noted that when selecting a lower carbon material with recycled content (such as recycled aggregates), the location of the material source is key as, if located too far from the construction site, the carbon impact of transporting this material to the site could result in a higher carbon impact.
1http://www.greenconstructionboard.org/index.php/resources/infrastructure-carbon-review
Airports: Regional Airports
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of their expression of support for regional airports in the National Infrastructure Plan 2013, whether they are taking any measures to promote the use of Cardiff Wales Airport.[HL3913]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Government’s Aviation Policy Framework recognises the very important role that airports across the United Kingdom play in providing domestic and international air connections, as well as their contribution to economic growth.
The Welsh Government purchased Cardiff Airport from its previous owner in March this year and is formulating proposals for its operation on a commercial basis. Decisions on the airport’s future business strategy and operational management are therefore matters for the Welsh Government.
Animals: Pet Training Aids
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs research paper Effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs, whether they plan to ban the use of electric shock collars on dogs.[HL4001]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): DEFRA commissioned and has published research which provides evidence that electronic training aids can have a negative impact on the welfare of some dogs. However, the evidence from these studies is not strong enough to support a ban under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Government therefore has no plans to ban such devices in England. However, we have asked the industry to draw up guidance for dog owners and trainers advising how to use e-collars properly and to develop a manufacturers’ charter to ensure any e-collars on sale are made to high standards.
Apprenticeships
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by Ofqual on 1 November were (1) under the age of 21, (2) aged between 21 and 25, and (3) aged over 25.[HL3763]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Glenys Stacey to write to the noble Lord. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House Library.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by the Education Funding Agency on 1 November were (1) under the age of 21, (2) aged between 21 and 25, and (3) aged over 25.[HL3765]
Lord Nash: The Department for Education employed 44 apprentices on 1 November 2013, seven of whom worked within the Education Funding Agency (EFA). The age breakdown was:
| Age | No of apprentices within EFA |
Staff numbers that are less than five have been suppressed to preserve confidentiality.
For comparison, as at May 2010 there were a total of 18 apprentices employed by the Department.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by the Standards and Testing Agency on 1 November were (1) under the age of 21, (2) aged between 21 and 25, and (3) aged over 25.[HL3766]
Lord Nash: The Department for Education employed 44 apprentices on 1 November 2013. Fewer than five apprentices were employed by the Standards and Testing agency, and all were under the age of 21. Further detail on these figures has been suppressed to preserve confidentiality.
For comparison, as at May 2010 there were a total of 18 apprentices employed by the Department.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by Cafcass on 1 November were (1) under the age of 21, (2) aged between 21 and 25, and (3) aged over 25.[HL3768]
Lord Nash: Cafcass employed fewer than five apprentices on 1 November, and all were under the age of 21. Further detail on these figures has been suppressed to preserve confidentiality.
This is more than in May 2010 when Cafcass did not employ any apprentices.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service on 1 November 2013 were (1) under the age of 21, (2) aged between 21 and 25, and (3) aged over 25.[HL3826]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally) (LD): The Ministry of Justice is committed to improving the quality of and access to apprenticeships.
FIMCTS currently employs six apprentices as part of the Civil Service Fast Track apprenticeship scheme. All six started in September 2013 and are between the ages of 18-21. In total the MoJ took on 11 Fast Track Apprentices in September 2013; all between the ages of 18-21. The scheme aims to attract ta1en.ed school
leavers to the Civil Service and the Ministry is committed to on-going support for the scheme by offering places each year where possible.
In addition, from 1 April 2013 to 1 November 2013, a total of 461 existing HMCTS staff enrolled onto an apprenticeship qualification as part of our on-going up-skilling programme.
To provide the full information requested for existing staff apprenticeships would require obtaining and analysing individual records for the members of staff concerned and would incur disproportionate costs.
Armed Forces: Aircraft
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total cost of the Typhoon project up to the end of 2012.[HL3805]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The total expenditure on the Typhoon project to 31 March 2012, as published in the Major Projects Report (MPR) 2012, was £19.050 billion. This includes Typhoon Assessment, Demonstration, Manufacture and Support phase expenditure.
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Typhoon airframes the United Kingdom had in its inventory on 31 December 2012.[HL3806]
Lord Astor of Hever: As at 31 December 2012 the Ministry of Defence had taken delivery of 108 Typhoon aircraft.
Armed Forces: Intelligence
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Mark Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, on 11 November (HC Deb, Col 414), whether the agreement for use of the Crossbow facility used by the United States is made exclusively under the NATO Status of Forces Agreements of 1951 and 1955 or whether any part of those arrangements have been made outside the Agreements.[HL3836]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Crossbow capability conducts its mission as an Operational Capability Demonstrator under the 2007 Project Diamond Memorandum of Understanding that exists between the US Department of Defense and UK MOD.
Ascension Island
Question
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect that a new agreement on the use of Wideawake airfield on Ascension Island will be concluded with the United States of America; what the duration of the agreement will be; and whether the agreement will provide for Wideawake to be used as the diversionary airport for flights to or from St Helena when that airport opens in 2016.[HL3888]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK Government is currently in discussion with the US government over changes to the Wideawake Agreement, including the issue of diversionary options for aircraft travelling to and from St Helena. The detail and timings of the changes remains to be agreed, but the US have been a supportive partner in discussions and recognise the importance of the St Helena Air Access Project.
Audit Commission
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost of each local value for money study carried out by the Audit Commission in 2012-13; and what estimate they have made of the additional cost to public funds of the National Audit Office carrying out such studies under the terms of the Local Audit and Accountability Bill.[HL3875]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The Audit Commission produced three national value for money studies on Local Government during 2012-13, as well as others studies, for example summarising the results of the audit. The direct staff costs associated with the production of these reports are estimated to be Striking a Balance (£60,000), Tough Times (£55,000) and Local payment by results (£40,000). These figures exclude other and overhead costs, as these are not available. The Audit Commission has reduced its programme of research and value for money from 16 studies costing £5 million in 2009-10. The Audit Commission’s studies programme is funded through a top slice on the audit fee.
The National Audit Office already carries out national value for money examinations under existing powers conferred on the Comptroller and Auditor General by the National Audit Act 1983. The Local Audit and Accountability Bill, when enacted, will broaden these powers to also enable the National Audit Office to undertake examinations that relate to the use of resources by groups of relevant authorities, allowing a more end-to-end view on the use of public money.
We expect that the National Audit Office will undertake approximately six additional examinations each year, at an estimated total cost of £1.7 million per year. This
is set out in the Impact Assessment published alongside the Bill. The National Audit Office is funded directly by Parliament and will need to agree the budget for this work with the Public Accounts Commission.
More broadly, the abolition of the Audit Commission regime will deliver a net £1.2 billion of savings for taxpayers over a ten year period.
Banks: Royal Bank of Scotland
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they have given to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in respect of bonus and performance reward levels above which they will not vote in support at the RBS annual general meeting.[HL3775]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government’s shareholdings in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are managed on an arm’s length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI).
As an engaged shareholder, UKFI works to ensure incentives are based on long-term, sustainable performance which rebuilds the businesses of the banks and protects value for the taxpayer as shareholder.
The bonus pool for RBS Group is down over 50% since 2010.
Benefits: Motability Scheme
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost to the Exchequer of the provision of vehicles to people with mobility issues.[HL3937]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of the Department for Work and Pensions’ expenditure on mobility issues is spent through the Motability charity.[HL3938]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have the right to appoint or approve the trustees of the Motability charity.[HL3939]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of their expenditure on mobility issues is spent through Motability Operations plc; and what degree of governance the relevant Government Departments or the Motability charity exercise over Motability Operations plc.[HL3940]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions Ministers have had with Mobility Operations plc about the pay of that company’s senior executives and directors.[HL3941]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of how economically, effectively and efficiently public funds administered by the Motability Charity are spent.[HL3942]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to propose any changes to the use of Motability Allowance for the lease or purchase of vehicles for people with a disability.[HL3975]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the use of charities for the delivery of services based upon the payment of social security benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions.[HL3976]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con):Motability is an independent registered charity, which has contracted Motability Operations plc to deliver its car, powered wheelchair and scooter schemes. The Department for Work and Pensions works closely with Motability and facilitates the transfer of benefit to Motability Operations on behalf of those claimants who have chosen to join the Motability schemes. As at May 20131, there were 1,786,470 recipients of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). At November 2013, approximately a third of higher rate mobility component recipients had chosen to join the Motability schemes and two thirds had not. Currently, the Department transfers an estimated £1.7 billion in DLA higher rate mobility component to Motability Operations.
The Department for Work and Pensions also provides money to the Motability charity for the Specialised Vehicles Fund2, which Motability administers on its behalf. Funding for 2012-13 was approximately £18 million.
In addition to this, Motability also benefit from a number of Government concessions including Zero Value Added Tax on the lease of a vehicle and on its sale at the end of the lease period. As the estimated value of this concession can only be determined using management information held by Motability, questions regarding its value should be directed to Motability and should be sent to: Declan O’Mahony, Director, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 5PX.
As an independent charitable organisation, Motability is wholly responsible for appointing trustees of the charity and directing and overseeing the Motability schemes. Consequently, questions regarding the appointment of trustees, oversight of Motability Operations and the salaries of its senior executives and directors should be directed at Lord Sterling of Plaistow, the Chairman of the Motability charity.
The Department regularly meets with the Director of Motability and the deputy Chairman of the charity as part of its governance of the Specialised Vehicles Fund and is able to discuss the performance of the Motability schemes more generally. These discussions help provide assurance that Motability is providing a good service to the disabled people who have chosen to join its schemes. Motability estimate that their car scheme is around 25 per cent cheaper on a like-for-like basis than other lease providers in respect of the same car models.
There are currently no plans to make any changes to the use of the higher rate mobility component of DLA for the lease or purchase of vehicles for people with a disability. However, the Department regularly monitors and evaluates the use of public funds by the organisations we work with, including charities such as Motability, to make sure the services they deliver are fit for purpose.
1Latest available DWP data
2The Fund provides financial assistance to those severely disabled scheme customers who require complex vehicle adaptations that allow them to enter a car as a passenger while remaining seated in their wheelchair or enables them to drive their car whilst seated in their wheelchair.
Benefits: Overpayments
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what statutory authority they have the legal authority to require citizens to repay the appropriate department, agency or local authority incorrect payments made in the areas of (1) housing, (2) disability benefit, and (3) pensions.[HL4062]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Section 75 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, and the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, provide the legal authority for recovering and determining overpayments of housing benefit.
Sections 71 and 74 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and the Social Security (Payments on Account, Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 1988, provide the legal authority for recovering and determining overpayments of legacy disability benefits and pensions.
Bovine Tuberculosis
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the recently culled badgers tested positive for tuberculosis; what proportion this was of those killed; whether the results varied between Gloucestershire and Somerset; and how many badgers killed on roads have so far been tested for tuberculosis.[HL3978]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Testing badger carcasses for TB was not undertaken on a routine basis during the pilot cull, or on badgers killed by road vehicles. High levels of TB were confirmed in badgers in the regions in which the cull areas are located during the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT). This has been confirmed by other research work carried out by independent scientists.
However a very small number of carcasses have been tested on occasion at the specific request of landowners when they are concerned if a culled badger appeared to be in a poor state of health.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of slaughtering cattle because of tuberculosis in the period between 2002 and the most recent date for which they have records; and how much was paid in compensation to the cattle owners.[HL3979]
Lord De Mauley: Responsibility for animal health matters, including compensation for disease affected cattle, has been fully devolved. The following costs are for TB affected cattle slaughtered in England.
| Year | Compensation | Haulage | Slaughter | Disposal | Salvage | Total |
Disposal costs relate to the amount paid out for condemned carcasses in which TB lesions have been identified. Defra’s costs are offset by salvage receipts. Therefore the real cost to Defra is what is paid out in compensation less the receipts received back for salvage.
Climate Change
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the total cost to the United Kingdom by 2030 of their climate change policies.[HL3947]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The Carbon Plan, published 2011, outlines the policy framework in place to meet the first three carbon budgets (to 2022) that will continue to deliver emissions reductions over the fourth budget period (2023 to 2027). The associated costs are presented on pages 112 and 1331. The Carbon Plan also presents estimates of the net benefits of these policies. However, these estimates do not account for the benefits of tackling global climate change.
In addition, moving to a low carbon economy can drive significant investment and support jobs across the country. In 2011-12 the UK’s Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services sector was estimated to employ close to one million people with turnover growing to 128 billion2.
The level of Carbon Budget 5 (2028 to 2032) will be set in 2016, at which time an assessment of the estimated costs will be published.
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-carbon-plan-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions--2
2HTTPS://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-carbon-and environmental-goods-and-services-2011-to-2012
Drones
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Astor of Hever on 19 November (WA 187), whether UK Reaper or other United Kingdom Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) are used to support the United Kingdom and International Security Assistance Force ground forces in Afghanistan from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas or whether the geographical area in which United Kingdom RPAS operate is limited to the Afghan side of the Durand Line.[HL3653]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): UK Reaper Remotely Piloted Air Systems are based in Kandahar, Afghanistan. It is current UK policy that they only operate within Afghanistan in support of ISAF ground Forces.
Energy: Nuclear Power Stations
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the return on equity likely to be made by EDF from the Hinkley Point nuclear programme.[HL3914]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): We have reached an agreement with EDF which provides for a fair return to the developer whilst representing value for money to consumers.
Environment: Public Foothpaths
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Ramblers’ Association report on the conditions of public footpaths Paths in Crisis.[HL3929]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The “Paths in Crisis” report contains some interesting information on rights of way and statistical analysis based on information collated by the Ramblers Association. Local highway authorities are responsible for safeguarding the benefits of public rights of way such as footpaths and bridleways. They are also responsible for determining their own local spending priorities. I would encourage local highway authorities to continue to make good use of working with volunteers on rights of way, including the Ramblers, in carrying out their local responsibilities.
Food Poverty
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of the level of food poverty and use of food banks in the United Kingdom; and whether they have drawn any conclusions for their welfare policy.[HL4024]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): There is no definition of food poverty in the United Kingdom. Food banks do not form part of the welfare system and the Department for Work and Pensions does not monitor their usage, or have any plans to do so. There is no robust evidence that welfare reforms are linked to increased use of food banks or that increased use is driven only by benefit claimants.
Gaza
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 4 December (WA 48), what representations they have made to the government of Egypt about the restrictions they have placed on the transfer of fuel and other essential goods into Gaza.[HL3944]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are pressing Israel, as the Occupying Power, to ease its restrictions on Gaza, stressing the damage that those restrictions are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians and how supporting legal trade for Gazans is firmly in Israel’s long-term interests. We have also encouraged the Egyptian authorities to ease the movement of bona fide travellers and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid through Rafah in the immediate term while expressing our hope that legal trade can also be introduced in the future. We have also called on the Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian authorities to find both an immediate and long-term solution to the fuel shortage in Gaza. Both the National Security Adviser and the British Consul-General in Jerusalem discussed the situation in Gaza with the Egyptian authorities during recent visits to Cairo.
Gibraltar and Spain
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the technical visit of the European Commission to monitor the flow of traffic in the border between Gibraltar and Spain took account of the evidence of the flow of the daily traffic for the previous six months.[HL3841]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Commission has expressed its thanks for all the information on the delays that the UK and Gibraltar provided before, during and after the technical visit. The period covered by the evidence started on 4 July, some three weeks before the Spanish authorities introduced disproportionate and time-consuming checks on 26 July. It is unsurprising that the Commission was unable to conclude that EU law had been infringed after the visit. The border operated much more smoothly than normal during the Commission visit. This is not the same as confirmation that Spain has acted lawfully. We remain confident that Spain has acted—and continues to act—unlawfully. We will continue to provide evidence of that to the Commission. Following a number of complaints from EU citizens about the checks made by the Spanish authorities at the border with Gibraltar, the Commission has found that the intensity of the random checks performed by the Spanish customs is unjustified.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the European Commission is being provided with evidence on a daily basis prior to their next visit to the border between Gibraltar and Spain on 25 March 2014. [HL3842]
Baroness Warsi: The UK, in partnership with the Government of Gibraltar, is continuing to gather data on the daily border delays in order to demonstrate their illegitimate, disproportionate and unlawful nature; and the impact they are having on EU citizens. This information has been, and will continue to be, provided to the European Commission. The Commission has committed to remain engaged and to follow-up in six months. It has also offered the possibility of a further visit to the border, though no date has yet been set for this.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made to implement all the recommendations made by the European Commission both to them and to the government of Spain.[HL3843]
Baroness Warsi: The European Commission wrote to the Government on 15 November with a number of recommendations, following their monitoring mission to the Gibraltar-Spain border in September. Recommendations made to the UK included developing risk based profiling and optimising legalisation and safeguards to fight tobacco smuggling. Implementation of the recommendations made by the European Commission in respect of Gibraltar is the responsibility of the Government of Gibraltar. The authorities in Gibraltar have confirmed that work has already begun to amend the Tobacco Act and that this will be designed to implement Commission recommendations where appropriate. They have also committed to work closely with the Commission to deliver their recommendations in good time.
The European Commission also wrote to the Government of Spain on 15 November with recommendations that we believe could significantly reduce queue times across the border. These include reviewing traffic organisation, increasing the number of vehicular lanes, and carrying out more targeted checks. We continue to press the Spanish authorities to implement their recommendations from the Commission and fully expect Spain to act on those recommendations without delay.
Global Forum on Human Resources for Health
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 18 November (WA 144), whether the Department of Health sent a representative to the World Health Organisation’s Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health.[HL3858]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Department for International Development (DfID) Head of Profession for Health attended the World Health Organization’s Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, on behalf of the United Kingdom, representing both DfID and the Department of Health.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for International Development regarding the World Health Organisation’s Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health.[HL3859]
Earl Howe: There have been no discussions between the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for International Development regarding the World Health Organization’s Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health. There have been discussions between officials in preparation for the meeting, to decide on attendance and to formulate objectives.
Government Departments: Management Information Reports
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Communities and Local Government produces monthly management information reports including indicators of performance against financial and other targets; and, if so, whether those reports are submitted to a Minister, the Permanent Secretary, or to another official.[HL3951]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston): My Department produces monthly management information reports (including indicators of performance against financial and other targets). This information
is submitted every month to the Department’s Finance Sub-Committee, Performance Sub-Committee and Executive Team (which includes the Permanent Secretary). The latest management information is also considered at each meeting of the Department’s Board (which includes Ministers and Non Executive Directors).
My Department also submits these monthly management information reports to HM Treasury.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs produces monthly management information reports including indicators of performance against financial and other targets; and, if so, whether those reports are submitted to a Minister, the Permanent Secretary, or to another official.[HL3962]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Directors in Core Defra receive monthly financial information and are responsible for producing progress reports against their business plans and other matters for the Departmental Board (Supervisory Board).
Management information on financial performance and other measures is reported quarterly to the Supervisory Board. The Board comprises all Defra Ministers, the Permanent Secretary, four Directors General, the Finance Director and four Non- Executive Directors.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Scotland Office produces monthly management information reports including indicators of performance against financial and other targets; and, if so, whether those reports are submitted to a Minister, the Permanent Secretary, or to another official.[HL3998]
The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): Management information is regularly reviewed by the head of the office and senior management team. The Management Board, which includes Ministers, also reviews management information.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Work and Pensions produces monthly management information reports including indicators of performance against financial and other targets; and, if so, whether those reports are submitted to a Minister, the Permanent Secretary, or another official.[HL4032]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) produces a range of monthly and quarterly management information reports.
The monthly information on finance, planning and performance focuses on our departmental strategic priorities which are outlined within the DWP Business Plan http://transparency.number10.gov.uk/business-plan/16.
The reports combine analysis of financial, numerical and narrative information in reporting performance against a number of indicators including financial budgets and the internal Performance Management Framework which sets out the metrics and agreed planning assumptions the Department uses to monitor its performance. These monthly reports are submitted to the DWP’s Executive Team which includes the Permanent Secretary; and the Departmental Board which includes all Ministers.
On a quarterly basis the Department publishes the Quarterly Data Summary (QDS) which shows the taxpayer how the government is spending their money. The Department’s QDS publications are available on www.gov.uk and via the Government Interrogation Spending Tool (GIST). This is an interactive webpage maintained by the Cabinet Office.
Grenada
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to recommend that Grenada be allowed to negotiate debt reduction with all creditors equally, including multilateral institutions, rather than through several bilateral fora, such as the Paris Club. [HL3838]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Discussions on the treatment of sovereign debt take place within the framework of the Paris Club, a multilateral forum composed of official creditors.
The Paris Club membership actively supports greater coordination across all creditors to developing countries— including international financial institutions, emerging sovereign creditors and commercial creditors—through its principle of comparability of treatment and its outreach policy.
Further information on the operation of the Paris Club is available at: http://www.clubdeparis.org/en/.
Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to investigate whether section 31 of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 regarding the sale of employment rights for shares in the employing company is being used for agreements with employees on high salaries as a means of conferring capital gains tax benefits.[HL3795]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The employment law change allowing companies and individuals to make employee shareholder agreements came into effect on 1 September 2013.
This new status is expected to appeal to innovative and fast growing companies, who are encouraged to give employees the potential to share in the future success of their company without paying capital gains tax on at least some of theft gains. The employee shareholder status is designed to be accessible to individuals at all income levels and it is expected that a range of companies and individuals will benefit.
The Government will monitor the use of employee shareholder agreements as part of its normal policy review process.
Health: Healthcare Assistants
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect 50 per cent of working healthcare assistants to be holding the Care Certificate, as proposed by the Cavendish Review.[HL3818]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): This Government wants to ensure that all healthcare assistants and social care support workers receive a consistent quality of training in the fundamental skills of caring which ensures they understand both the skills and behaviours needed to deliver good care. The Government has asked Health Education England, working with Skills for Care and Skills for Health and other stakeholders, to consider how a Care Certificate could be introduced into health and adult social care settings.
The full details of the Care Certificate have still to be worked out with stakeholders, but, in line with the tone and content of the Cavendish Review, it will build on what is already there (current training provision, the Code of Conduct, Common Induction Standards, National Minimum Training Standards) and make the most of what is best in the current system.
Our current assumption is that the roll out of the Certificate should begin with new entrants and people who change employers. Further consideration needs to be given to how someone already working as a healthcare assistant or a social care support worker and who meets the standards can demonstrate this without having to undergo unnecessary repeat training.
Once the Certificate has been launched, the Care Quality Commission will update its guidance to service providers citing the Care Certificate as the expected way of demonstrating compliance with the registration requirement that all healthcare assistants and social care workers are properly trained and inducted before they care for people. The Chief Inspectors for Hospitals and Social Care will inspect providers against this registration requirement. This will have the practical effect of making the Care Certificate close to mandatory for new healthcare assistants and social care support workers in regulated settings.
Health: Ophthalmology
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect on the use of new eye lens technologies in the treatment of cataract patients using NHS services of the implementation of the proposals in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.[HL3864]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The implementation of the Health and Social Care Act is intended to create a strong framework for improving the quality of services, ensuring that National Health Service patients have access to evidence-based care through clinically led commissioning arrangements.
Health: Pharmaceutical Pricing Schemes
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the new Pharmaceutical Pricing Regulation Scheme will deliver increased access to innovative medicines.[HL3920]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how any payments by the pharmaceutical industry under the new Pharmaceutical Pricing Regulation Scheme will be allocated to secure patient access to innovative cancer medicines.[HL3921]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The 2014 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS), published on 3 December 2013 and a copy of which has already been placed in the Library, sets out a number of commitments the Government has made to increase access to innovative medicines which improve outcomes for patients. For example:
— the basic cost-effectiveness threshold for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence appraisals will be retained at a level consistent with the current range and not changed for the duration of the agreement;— companies may request value-based appraisal of their new medicines, and such requests will not be unreasonably refused; and— NHS England is committed to on-going implementation of Innovation, Health and Wealth, which seeks to improve National Health Service use of innovative treatments for the benefit of patients. This commitment is reflected in the Mandate for NHS England and NHS England will be expected to demonstrate progress throughout the duration of this agreement.
The new scheme will limit growth in the NHS branded medicines bill, including growth arising from spend on new products. However the percentage payments that members of the scheme make to ensure that growth remains within the agreed limits will not apply to sales of new products launched after 31 December 2013 in order to incentivise investment in innovative medicines which improve outcomes for patients, including cancer patients.
Allocations to NHS England take account of the income expected from payments under the PPRS to limit growth in the medicines bill.
Housing
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the increase in median rents for each rate of local housing allowance in each broad rental market area that informed the award of targeted affordability funding.[HL3986]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): This information is not available.
The Local Housing Allowance rates for April 2014 will be published in January 2014, alongside the 30th percentile of local rents for each broad rental market area. This will enable transparent monitoring of any divergences between the rates and local rents. We are using the targeted affordability funding to increase some LHA rates by up to 4 per cent to help prevent more areas becoming unaffordable.
Housing Benefit
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many families in each district of Greater Manchester have been helped with discretionary funding as a result of changes to housing benefits rules commenced in April 2013.[HL4039]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The Department has collated six-monthly returns detailing DHP awards made by Local Authorities in Great Britain between the beginning of April to the end of September 2013. This includes the number of awards granted, but not the number of families who have claimed from the DHP fund.
The Department has pre-announced that this information will be published on 20 December 2013.
This year the government contribution to Discretionary Housing Payments has been increased to £180 million. As part of this, local authorities are able to bid for funding from a £20 million reserve fund. The scheme is open to bids until 3rd February 2014
International Olive Council
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to reverse their decision to block Palestine from becoming a member state of the International Olive Council.[HL3878]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK has not made a decision to block Palestinian membership of the International Olive Council. At the November meeting of the International Olive Council the Palestinian Authority decided not to ask for a vote on their application for full membership of the Council.
Israel
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning reports that civilians were killed by the Israeli army in Yatta, south of Hebron, on 26 November.[HL3877]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Officials from our Embassy in Israel discussed details of this issue with Israel’s Head of COGAT’s International Division, Lt. Col Guy Sholtz, on 3 December.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to encourage the government of Israel to withdraw the Prawer Plan on the relocation of Bedouin citizens.[HL3879]
Baroness Warsi: I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer given by the Minister of State, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Mr Robertson) on 3 December 2013 (Official Report, column 594W).
Israel and Palestine: West Bank
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to encourage Israeli and Palestinian co-operation over the Meged oilfield in the West Bank.[HL3876]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Meged oilfield is located in the Israeli village of Meged, close to the Green Line. We do not currently have plans to take action relating to the Meged oilfield.
Local Economic Partnerships
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 11 November (WA 100), how they exercise their role as the legally accountable body for application of European Union structural funds in respect of ensuring that Local Enterprise Partnerships fairly include Roma communities in the delivery of their programmes.[HL3906]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): I refer the noble lady to my earlier reply on 11 November on this issue. The Government has made it clear to Local Enterprise Partnerships that they must include all relevant partners and interested parties in the development of their strategies.
National Infrastructure Plan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the benefits to the resilience against flooding of the Great Western main line in the Exeter area of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme described on pages 127-8 of the National Infrastructure Plan 2013.[HL3933]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Two kilometres of the Great Western main line between Cowley Bridge and St David’s station and associated infrastructure, including St David’s station, will benefit from reduced flood risk in the area covered by the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme. The proposed scheme will reduce annual flood risk to 1 in 100.
Nature Conservation: Brown Hares
Questions
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the target set in the 1995 Joint Nature Conservation Committee Species Action Plan for the doubling of the spring numbers of brown hares in 1995 by 2010 was achieved; and, if not, what was the shortfall and whether they are taking further action to achieve the target.[HL3893]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Although there has been no recent National Survey Scheme for brown hares, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust monitors the trends from game keeping hare bags recovered. The hare bag index up to 2010 appeared to show that hare numbers were over halfway towards achieving the biodiversity target of doubling numbers between 1995 and 2010. This positive trend in part reflects the contribution of agri-environment schemes such as Environmental Stewardship to habitat and landscape restoration.
Our biodiversity strategy for England 2011-2020 supersedes the previous strategy. There is no expectation that the UK will report against the previous strategy’s Biodiversity Action Plan species targets again.
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of brown hares shot in February and March each year.[HL3895]
Lord De Mauley: Wildlife management is a devolved matter, so I am answering only for England. I am aware that the situation may be different in the devolved administrations.
Defra does not collate such information. However, the latest information published by the Mammal Society (Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook 4th edition 2008) states that an estimated 390,000 brown hares are shot each year in Great Britain. Monthly data is not provided.
NHS: Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by the Secretary of State for Health on 19 November (HC Deb, col 1097), why they believe that “no one noticed” cruelty at Mid-Staffordshire hospital.[HL3816]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): We accept the findings of Robert Francis QC’s public inquiry, Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, February 2013, that at every level of the healthcare system, there was a failure to put the needs and safety of patients first, and to act on the warning signs that there were significant problems at the Trust.
However, we believe that the Trust Board were ultimately accountable for the poor standards of care delivered under their management. As the Inquiry stated, “the Trust prioritised its finances and its Foundation Trust application over its quality of care”.
On November 19, the Government published its full response to the Inquiry, Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First, November 2013. A copy has already been placed in the Library. The measures set out in this will together put in place the action needed to revitalise the culture of the National Health Service around a consistent focus on the needs of the patients it serves.
— A robust inspection regime, with physical inspection by experts, considering whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led;— A new failure regime based on quality as well as finance, which will allow much swifter intervention to put things right;— Monthly transparency on staffing levels, falls, pressure sores, complaints and other key indicators which will provide a smoke alarm locally and nationally, if things are not right;— A new criminal offence of providing certain types of false or misleading information and a new statutory duty of candour which will set clear expectations around openness and honesty;— A fit and proper persons test for Board directors, so that those responsible for failures in care are prevented from working elsewhere in the system; and— Where breaches of the new fundamental standards take place, the Care Quality Commission will ultimately have the powers to prosecute and there will be much stronger accountability for managers—for quality as well as finance.
NHS: Nurses
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many, and what percentage, of hospital trusts have informed the economic regulator of the National Health Service that they are planning major nurse redundancies in the 2014-16 period.[HL3815]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The information requested is not held centrally in the form requested for National Health Service foundation trusts, or NHS trusts.
NHS trusts are not routinely required to report on planned redundancies in advance. However, NHS trusts need to submit details of any redundancies which would cost over £100,000 to the NHS Trust Development Authority human resources team for approval.
For NHS foundation trusts, Monitor has annual plans that include workforce numbers, but are not disaggregated to determine whether any reductions relate to natural wastage or redundancies.
Palestine
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have held with other European countries about opening dialogue with Hamas; and what steps they will take to promote dialogue between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.[HL3880]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We have had no recent discussions with European partners about opening dialogue with Hamas. We continue to follow developments on Palestinian reconciliation closely. We have made it consistently clear that we will engage with any Palestinian government that shows through their words and actions that they are committed to the rejection of violence and pursuit of a negotiated peace. President Abbas has reaffirmed his committement to those principles and we regret that Hamas has to date refused to do so.
Pat Finucane
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to hold any further inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane.[HL3898]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): We have no plans to carry out a further review or inquiry into this case.
Pilgrims
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the steps taken by Birmingham City Council Trading Standards in dealing with problems arising in travel arrangements for pilgrims to Hajj and Umrah; and whether they intend to encourage other local authorities to take similar steps.[HL3770]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): I fully support the good work of Birmingham City Council Trading Standards in enforcing consumer protection legislation in this area. I also support the Council’s work to inform Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims of the issues they need to be aware of when
considering a pilgrimage trip, and to encourage aggrieved pilgrims to complain to the relevant authorities if things go wrong.
Like any other business organising package travel those arranging travel to the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia are subject to the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and other consumer protection legislation covering unfair trading practices. These Regulations carry criminal penalties and provide consumers with extra contractual rights. Organisers of trips must also have an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) from the Civil Aviation Authority.
It is for each local authority to decide which issues should be given priority in its area. I would certainly encourage local authorities in areas with similar problems to address the matter, as Birmingham has done, to tackle bad traders and engage with the affected community to improve understanding of the application of the law to these services.
Roads: Car Traffic
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were their forecasts for car traffic in 2012 made in (1)1989, (2)1997 and (3) 2008; and what was the actual car traffic usage in 2012.[HL3930]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The performance of car traffic forecasts by the Department for Transport and its predecessors since 1969 was reported in ‘Road Transport Forecasts 2013’, which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260700/road-transport-forecasts-2013-extended-version.pdf
Figure 11 shows that outturn car traffic has sometimes been close to the forecasts, and sometimes either exceeded or been below them.
Outturn car traffic in Great Britain for 2012 was 387 billion vehicle kilometres (bvkm). Outturn car traffic in England for 2012 was 332bvkm. The mid-point 1989 forecast for cars and taxis in Great Britain in 2012 was 469bvkm. The 1997 National Road Traffic Forecasts projected figures of 460bvkm in 2011, and 493 bvkm in 2016, from which a figure for 2012 of 467 bvkm may be inferred. The 2008 Road Transport Forecasts projected car traffic in England of 348 bvkm in 2010 and 389bvkm in 2015, from which a figure for 2012 of 365bvkm may be inferred.
This slower than forecast growth is largely explained by unforeseen rises in oil prices, and the economic downturn. Figure 10 shows that, when outturn population, incomes, and motoring costs are input to the National Transport Model, it successfully forecasts the level of road traffic in 2012, and its trajectory since 2003.
Chapter two of Road Transport Forecasts 2013 explains that the uncertainty in key economic inputs is tackled by producing a range of road demand projections, taking into account a reasonable set of paths for the economic inputs.
Schools: Free Meals
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 6 November (WA 59), whether the universal free school meals offer is intended to improve nutritional standards irrespective of pupils’ ability to pay; and, if so, why the offer will not apply to independent schools. [HL4023]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Our decision to introduce universal free school meals for infants will have a range of benefits. These will include ensuring that all children in the eligible year groups attending state schools will have the opportunity to eat a nutritious school lunch.
Independent schools do not receive public money for the services that they offer, but they are free to use the school food standards as a benchmark if they wish to.
Shipping: Health and Safety
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 3 December (WA 41) what sizes of ships and what areas of restricted operations would be covered by the proposal submitted to the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from ships for exemption from European safety requirements.[HL3968]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The United Kingdom’s proposals were set out in a detailed technical schedule that has been considered by the European Commission. The schedule has been developed in consultation with the shipping industry and interested parties. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will issue a draft Merchant Shipping Notice for consultation in due course. In the meantime, a copy of the technical schedule with information about the application of particular exemptions in terms of ship type and area of operation will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Smithwick Tribunal
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Smithwick inquiry into the murders of Royal Ulster Constabulary officers Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan in South Armagh in 1989.[HL3896]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to discuss the findings of the Smithwick tribunal with the government of the Republic of Ireland; and, if so, when.[HL3897]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): The report from the Smithwick tribunal raises some serious concerns which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said on publication she wished to discuss with the Government of the Republic of Ireland. She has discussed the Smithwick Report in telephone conversations with An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore.
Officials in the Northern Ireland Office are working closely with the PSNI, and with colleagues in the Republic, to address the recommendations. It is important to note that levels of cooperation between An Garda Siochana and the PSNI are now at unprecedented levels and arc playing a crucial part in combating terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland.
The report and its findings have already been discussed at official and Ministerial level with the government of the Republic of Ireland, and further discussions are planned in the coming days and weeks.
South Sudan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage and support South Sudan’s application to join the Commonwealth.[HL3918]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We welcome South Sudan’s interest in becoming a member of the Commonwealth. Whether South Sudan satisfies the criteria for admission will be a decision for the Commonwealth as a whole. The process to determine whether South Sudan meets those criteria is still at an early stage and Commonwealth Heads of Government have asked the Commonwealth Secretariat to work on this.
Sudan
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Sudan following the announcement by the Sudanese defence minister, Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, of a major military offensive in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.[HL3954]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We have repeatedly urged all parties, both bilaterally and in discussions at the UN, to agree a cessation of hostilities to allow for the full and impartial humanitarian access that is so desperately needed in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. We are also supporting the efforts of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel chaired by former President Mbeki to bring together the Government
of Sudan and the leadership of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (North). We expect the talks that were originally due to take place on 11-14 December in Addis Ababa to be rescheduled as a matter of priority.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Sudan regarding reports that they have recently acquired Sukhoi Su-24 ground attack aircraft.[HL3955]
Baroness Warsi: We have not made specific representations to the Government about media reports on the acquisition of Sukhoi Su-24. Alleged breaches of the UN embargo on Darfur will be assessed in the final report of the UN Panel of Experts. We have repeatedly made clear to the Government of Sudan that aerial bombardments on civilian targets are wholly unacceptable.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether Sukhoi Su-24 ground attack aircraft have been used by the government of Sudan in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, in October 2013.[HL3956]
Baroness Warsi: We are aware of media reports suggesting the acquisition of Sukhoi Su-24 aircrafts by the Government of Sudan, but have no information on whether these particular ground attack aircraft have been used in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, or elsewhere in Sudan. We have repeatedly made clear to the Government of Sudan that aerial bombardments on civilian targets are wholly unacceptable.
Teachers: Misconduct
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many teachers are currently (1) suspended, and (2) under investigation, in England.[HL3846]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Responsibility for the regulation of serious teacher misconduct passed to the Secretary of State for Education on 2 April 2012.
The Secretary of State has only one sanction available when considering serious teacher misconduct: prohibition from teaching. Other teacher misconduct issues and all competence issues are dealt with by employers. There is no central record of employer actions including where they suspend a teacher.
On 30 November 2013, 146 teachers had been prohibited by the Secretary of State from teaching. A further 16 have interim prohibition orders that prohibit them from teaching whilst an investigation is on-going.
On 30 November 2013, 282 cases were in the course of investigation.