2 Apr 2014 : Column WA187

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA187

Written Answers

Wednesday 2 April 2014

Alcohol

Questions

Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice, if any, the Department of Health issued to HM Treasury on the health impacts of removing the alcohol duty escalator in the 2014 budget.[HL6185]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Budget representations between Ministers and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are confidential.

Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as a result of the 2014 Budget, alcohol duty will be frozen for super-strength white cider products. [HL6259]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): 'White cider' products — those made with less than 35% fruit juice — are treated as made wine for duty purposes. The duty on all made wine increased by inflation on 24 March 2014.

Atos Healthcare

Questions

Asked by Lord Morrow

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of Atos Healthcare’s complaints policy and procedure, as held by the Department for Work and Pensions. [HL6389]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all persons undergoing medical examinations by Atos Healthcare in respect of benefit applications are advised of the complaints procedure and policy, as held by the Department for Work and Pensions; if so, whether this has been routine practice since Atos Healthcare commenced service provision; and how persons are made aware of the complaints policy and procedure.[HL6390]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): I will place a copy of Atos Healthcare’s complaints policy and procedure in the House library.

Atos Healthcare provides leaflets which are available in all their assessment centres for information on their complaints procedure and policy.

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA188

Banking: Teller Machines

Question

Asked by Lord Myners

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the risk to financial stability and overall confidence of the withdrawal by Microsoft in April 2014 of support for the Windows X OS (2001) operating system used to support automated teller machines.[HL6141]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The operators of ATMs have been aware of this development for some time and have been considering the potential implications and what the appropriate response should be. The Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority have been in discussions with those operators to ensure that the mitigating actions are proportionate to the perceived risk. Either the Bank of England or the Financial Conduct Authority will write to you and a copy of the letter will be placed in the library of the House.

Banks: Lloyds Banking Group

Question

Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action, if any, they propose to take in relation to Lloyds Banking Group, following the BBC investigation into redress following payment protection insurance compensation awards.[HL6294]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Ensuring that banks provide appropriate redress for their customers is a matter for the independent regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA has stated that it is keeping a close eye on how the industry handles all payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints and will be quick to challenge anything it thinks is unfair. The FCA is currently conducting a thematic review of PPI complaints-handling, and results of its investigation into larger firms' complaint-handling will be published later this year.

Burma

Question

Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports about the proposed Emergency Provisions on Marriage Act for Burmese Buddhist women, which would take away from women their right to choose whom they marry. [HL6285]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We have yet to see specific draft laws, but are concerned about the possible implications of the legislation being proposed and are

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA189

closely following the ongoing discussions. We have raised our concerns and continue to urge the Burmese government and parliament to ensure all draft laws are in line with international standards, and make clear that respect for the rights of women and freedom of religion and belief must be guaranteed.

Central African Republic

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, that Muslims trapped in enclaves in Bangui and other locations in the west and north of the Central African Republic are in danger of being killed, despite the presence of international peacekeepers; and what is their assessment of her statement that “failing to provide vital aid could lead to decades of instability and the creation of a new and fertile breeding ground for religious extremism” in the Central African Republic. [HL6251]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) clearly remains very poor, and the circumstances described by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights are a serious concern. African and French forces are making a vital contribution to security, with the UN Secretary General describing the African-led International Support Mission to CAR (MISCA) as having made a significant difference in terms of protection of civilians, having “prevented near massacres and gross human rights violations”. However, there is clearly more to be done and discussions with our partners in the UN and EU on how the international response can be strengthened are ongoing.

Humanitarian aid sits alongside protection of civilians as the top priority for the international community. The UK has played a strong role on this as one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors to CAR. The UK has so far committed £17 million to CAR since the start of the crisis, and has recently confirmed a further £6 million contribution. The EU has so far announced €101 million aid to CAR in 2014. We will continue to press for greater contributions to the humanitarian appeal from the international community.

Childcare: Costs

Question

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Family and Childcare Trust’s recent annual childcare costs survey; and what steps they are taking (1) to ensure that local authorities provide enough childcare for working parents as stipulated under the Childcare Act 2006, and (2) to support disadvantaged families to meet rising childcare costs.[HL6174]

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA190

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Family and Childcare Trust figures show that in real terms over the past year, in England, the cost of nurseries fell by 2%, the cost of after-school clubs fell by 5% and the cost of a child-minder’s after-school pickup fell substantially by 13%. However, the Government is not complacent, and we are taking steps to further increase childcare supply:

1. More schools are opening their own nurseries for the first time, and we are establishing child-minder agencies to increase the number of child-minders available.2. An increasing number of existing school nurseries are extending opening times, from 8.00am to 6.00pm.3. We are also making it easier for good nurseries to grow, by removing red tape and planning restrictions.

The latest figures show there are around 100,000 more childcare places than in 2009. We have also introduced a requirement in statutory guidance for local authorities to publish an annual report to parents and elected members on childcare provision in their area.

To help disadvantaged families, the Government has extended the 15 hours per week of funded early education already available for all three and four year-olds to include the most disadvantaged 20% of two year-olds. This will be extended further to 40% from September 2014.

All families in Universal Credit will be able to receive up to 85% support towards their childcare costs, up from 70% in the current tax credit system. This change will see 300,000 working families getting more out of the money they earn.

The Government recently announced that the new Tax-Free Childcare scheme will be increased up to £2,000 per child and extended to all children under 12 within the first year. In addition to giving support to the self-employed, the scheme has been adjusted to ensure that those working part-time, earning £50 per week and above; those on maternity, paternity or adoption leave; and those starting their own business who may not meet the minimum earning requirement will be included, giving them help with childcare costs for the first time.

Furthermore, the new Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) will provide nurseries, schools and other providers of funded early years education with extra money for disadvantaged three and four year-olds, improving access to high quality childcare. The EYPP will be £50 million in 2015-16. We will consult on the details of the programme shortly.

Children’s Centres

Question

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to integrate children’s centres in local schools, and (2) to increase provision for family-targeted support services as part of the duty of childcare centres.[HL6176]

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA191

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): More than half of all children’s centres are co-located with schools or nurseries. Children’s centres already provide services for parents such as health and employment services and advice services. It is for local authorities to ensure that the services provided to families meet the needs of their local communities.

Cyprus: Sovereign Bases

Question

Asked by Baroness Scott of Needham Market

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the level of illegal bird trapping within the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus. [HL6230]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Sovereign Base Areas are a separate territory and not part of the Republic of Cyprus. Countering illegal bird trapping is one of the key priorities of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and the Sovereign Base Areas Police. This is stated in the Chief Constable’s annual report and strategic plan. Police enforcement action has resulted in 132 arrests and convictions over the last four years for bird trapping offences and the seizure and destruction of large quantities of equipment. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration reviews regularly what additional measures could be introduced within the Sovereign Base Areas. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration also consults with the Republic of Cyprus on the implementation and where practicable, coordination, of measures to reduce illegal bird trapping.

Education: Mathematics and English

Question

Asked by Lord Quirk

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Nash on 15 October 2013 (WA 76–7) and 21 October 2013 (WA 122), by what mechanism they have subsequently monitored the enhancement of teaching in maths and English, and with what outcomes.[HL6360]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The new national curriculum sets out very clearly what should be taught to pupils. However, it deliberately gives teachers the flexibility to decide how to teach it. The Department for Education expect schools to identify the support that they need to prepare for the new curriculum, recognising that different schools will face different challenges.

The Department has provided funding to teaching schools to work with their alliances and beyond, and we have been signposting schools to the range of free support that is available in English and mathematics including the resources developed by the National Literacy Trust and the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics. The sector-led expert

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA192

subject groups have been providing audit tools and guidance, and publishers are bringing a variety of new materials to market.

The Government is funding a national network of around 30 maths hubs to drive up the quality of mathematics teachers. Each hub will be led by an outstanding school and will provide support to all schools in the area, across all areas of mathematics education. Systematic phonics has been emphasised in the teaching of early reading in the new national curriculum because evidence shows that it is the most effective way of teaching all children to begin to read. We have provided match-funding of £23 million to primary schools to purchase high quality phonics resources.

Ofsted, as part of their on-going programme of inspection, report on the quality of teaching in schools to ensure that teaching in subjects such as English and mathematics is resulting in improved achievement.

Egypt

Questions

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of Egypt regarding the protection needs of Syrian and Palestinian refugees now irregularly in Egypt; and if so, what action they are taking in respect of such refugees use of unseaworthy boats in attempts to reach Europe; and whether they consider that humanitarian access to third countries can be secured for refugees with relatives therein.[HL6264]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We have had extensive consultations with the Egyptian government, human rights organisations and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regarding refugees in Egypt, including about the indefinite detention and deportation of refugees from Syria who were detained after attempting to leave Egypt irregularly by boat to Europe. The Egyptian government released almost 200 detainees and has taken constructive steps to reduce animosity towards Syrians, including through the media and by allowing Syrian children access to public schools and hospitals.

Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking in relation to the sentencing to death of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.[HL6293]

Baroness Warsi: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement on 24 March saying he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the reports that 528 individuals were sentenced to death by a court in Al Minya, Egypt. He urged the

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA193

Egyptian authorities to ensure full respect for defendants’ rights, and expressed hope that they would review this unacceptable sentence.

Asked by Lord Lamont of Lerwick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Egypt about human rights in Egypt.[HL6305]

Baroness Warsi: The British Government has concerns over the human rights situation in Egypt, which we regularly raise with the Egyptian government. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to Foreign Minister Fahmy on 7 January and raised his concerns over events in Egypt, including the arrest of human rights activists and journalists, and excessive use of force by the police at protests. Ministers have also made several public statements regarding the human rights situation in Egypt. Most recently, on 24 March the Foreign Secretary made a statement regarding the sentencing to death of 528 individuals in Minya, calling on the Egyptian government to ensure that the defendants’ rights are fully respected and expressing our hope that the Egyptian authorities would review the sentences.

The British Government continues to encourage the Egyptian government to adhere to international laws and support the Egyptian people in their desire for a democratic and prosperous society.

Asked by Lord Lamont of Lerwick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Egypt about the death sentences recently passed on supporters of President Morsi.[HL6306]

Baroness Warsi: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement on 24 March saying he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the reports that 528 individuals were sentenced to death by a court in Al Minya, Egypt. He urged the Egyptian authorities to ensure full respect for defendants’ rights, and expressed hope that they would review this unacceptable sentence.

Asked by Lord Lamont of Lerwick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any representations to the government of Egypt about the conduct of the trial of President Morsi.[HL6307]

Baroness Warsi: In August 2013 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), called for the release of all political detainees, including Dr Morsi, unless there were criminal charges to be made against them. He emphasised that it was vital that any charges were not politically motivated. Since then Dr Morsi has been charged, and now faces trial on charges including incitement to murder, espionage and planning terrorist acts. We are following developments in these cases closely.

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA194

The conduct of trials is a matter for the Egyptian courts, but we have urged the Egyptians to respect due process and the rule of law. We see these as crucial to maintaining stability and the protection of human rights, including the right to a fair trial.

Embryology

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 23 January (WA 153–4) and Earl Howe on 20 March (WA 50–51), what view the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s Expert Panel reached regarding the relative appropriateness of models using rodent eggs or embryos instead of those from macaques on the basis of published research; and to what extent published research with rodent eggs or embryos has been referenced by the Expert Panel as evidence regarding the potential safety of either pronuclear transfer or spindle-chromosomal complex transfer.[HL6254]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it has no further information to add to that given in my Written Answer of 20 March 2014 (Official Report, cols. WA50-51) and my noble friend, Lord Younger of Leckie's Written Answer of 23 January 2014 (Official Report, cols. WA153-154 ).

The HFEA has also advised that the Expert Panel has now begun work on its third report for the Government, which will be published in late May 2014. The Panel's second report from March 2013 can be found on the HFEA's website at:

www.hfea.gov.uk/6372.html

EU: Membership

Question

Asked by Lord Tebbit

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the European Union has set any territorial limit on which countries are eligible to accede to the Union. [HL6120]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union states that, "Any European State which respects the values referred to in Article 2 and is committed to promoting them may apply to become a member of the Union”. The values, set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union are, “respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities” in societies in which “pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail”.

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA195

There is no internationally-agreed, formal definition of the word “Europe”. Any decision by the European Union to admit a new Member State requires the agreement of all existing members.

Female Genital Mutilation

Question

Asked by Lord Blencathra

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will instruct the Crown Prosecution Service to bring prosecutions relating to all cases of female genital mutilation reported in London since 2009.[HL6240]

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to tackling cases of female genital mutilation (FGM), however it can only prosecute cases referred to it by the police which meet both of the tests outlined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

The Code sets out a two stage test which must be applied when deciding whether a case should be prosecuted. The first stage is the evidential test which requires prosecutors to be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. If the evidential stage of the test is met prosecutors must then go on to identify the relevant public interest factors tending for and against the prosecution in order to form an overall assessment of whether a prosecution is in the public interest.

Genetic Modification

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 18 March (WA 20), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of any documented advice pertaining to definitions of genetic modification in humans that was provided by the Wellcome Trust.[HL6115]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The working definition of genetic modification in humans, in relation to mitochondrial donation, referred to in the Written Answer of 4 March, Official Report column 304 was determined by the Department in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer for England. No advice from the Wellcome Trust was used in this determination.

Gibraltar and Spain

Questions

Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any threat by Spain to fine merchant ships bunkering at Gibraltar.[HL6155]

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA196

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Hoyle, on 24 March 2014, Official Report, Column WA71.

Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many incursions into Gibraltarian waters by Spanish government armed vessels occurred in (1) 2012, (2) 2013, and (3) January and February 2014.[HL6156]

Baroness Warsi: We would expect Spanish Navy vessels to be armed, and some Spanish law enforcement officers on board other vessels may carry personal weapons. However, we cannot always tell and do not, therefore, keep statistics on whether the vessels are armed or not.

Government Departments: Budgets

Question

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the percentage cost over-run established by the management board for any budget in the Ministry of Defence to merit being tabled at the departmental management board; and how many times in the last 12 months that has occurred.[HL6281]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Defence Board receives a monthly report on the performance of each of its Top level Budgets showing the forecast position against the allocated budget. It also receives information on the delivery of the Ministry of Defence’s key equipment and other projects. The Board assesses this management information at each meeting and takes action as and when necessary.

Government Departments: Expenditure

Question

Asked by Lord Selkirk of Douglas

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure of the Department for Work and Pensions, in reserved areas, per capita in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland, in each of the last five years.[HL6163]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Expenditure of the Department for Work and Pensions, in reserved areas, per capita in England, Scotland and Wales can be found in the table below.

Expenditure for Northern Ireland has not been included as DWP does not administer benefits for Northern Ireland.

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA197

Sources: DWP accounting data, HMT Country and Regional Analysis tables, and ONS population estimates

The sources for this data can be found on the following web sites.

Benefit expenditure is from Regional Tables produced by DWP

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266830/expenditure_by_region_201213.xls

The benefit expenditure on individuals living overseas, or with address not recorded on statistical data sources, has not been included in the table above.

Administrative expenditure is from Country and Regional Analysis Tables produced by HMT

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261663/CRA_2013_Combined_Database_for_Publication.xlsx

Population Estimates have been produced by Office for National Statistics

England

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/england-population-estimates-1971-2012.xls

Scotland

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/scotland-population-estimates-1872-2012.xls

Wales

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/wales-population-estimates-1971-2012.xls

Asked by Lord Selkirk of Douglas

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 26 March (WA 118–19), what was the percentage of expenditure from the Exchequer spent in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; what are the populations of each of those nations according to the latest figures, in total and as percentages of the total United Kingdom population; and what was the percentage of the total expenditure from the Exchequer spent per capita in each of those nations in each of the last five years.[HL6401]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) published in November 2013, provides country level splits of identifiable public expenditure on a total as well as per capita basis over a five-year outturn period from 2008-09 to 2012-13. The data within the CRA can also be adapted to show expenditure as percentages on a total as well as per capita basis. The answers to the data request are summarised in the tables below;

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA198

Population Estimates from the ONS for England and for Wales are based upon the 2011 Population Census

Population Estimates from NISRA for Northern Ireland are based upon the 2011 Population Census

Population Estimates from GRO for Scotland are based upon the 2001 Population Census for mid-2008 to mid-2010

Population Estimates from GRO for Scotland are based upon the 2011 Population Census for mid-2011 & mid-2012

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA199

Government Departments: Surveys

Questions

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what customer, user and satisfaction surveys were conducted in the last 12 months in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the agencies that report to it; which of them have been reported to the management board in the last 12 months; and which were commissioned by the management board.[HL6037]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Consular Directorate (CD) carried out monthly Customer Satisfaction surveys from June 2011 to September 2013. A separate Customer Satisfaction survey for assistance customers began in October 2013 and ends in June 2014. A short survey was conducted in early 2014 with customers of the Malaga and Ottawa Contact Centres on why they contacted us and were unable to find information from other sources, for example via gov.uk. Prisoners Abroad (a non-governmental organisation), who work on behalf of British nationals in prisons overseas, is currently conducting a survey which includes a question seeking feedback on the FCO. Reunite (a specialist NGO with which the FCO works closely) is currently conducting a small scale survey to specifically evaluate customer experience of FCO assistance in cases of child abduction.

Although none of the surveys noted above were commissioned by the FCO’s Management Board, data from them has been shared with them.

The FCO's Digital Transformation Unit worked with the Government Digital Service on a small scale survey they commissioned in Pakistan, Spain and USA on customer satisfaction (with the FCO’s online content). We do not expect to report results to the FCO's Management Board, but rather to the Digital Transformation Unit and the Government Digital Service.

Wilton Park (an FCO Executive Agency) carries out monitoring and evaluation assessments of all its conferences. Results are assessed by the Monitoring and Evaluation sub-committee of the Wilton Park Advisory Council, who report to the Wilton Park Board twice a year. Results are published as a standalone section within the Annual Report, laid before Parliament every July.

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what customer, user and satisfaction surveys were conducted in the last 12 months in the Department for International Development and the agencies that report to it; which of them have been reported to the management board in the last 12 months; and which were commissioned by the management board.[HL6211]

Baroness Northover (LD): Overseas Pensions Department conducts an annual customer satisfaction survey. The results are published in DFID’s Annual

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA200

Overseas Superannuation Accounts Report which is reported to the DFID Executive Management Committee each year.

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what customer, user and satisfaction surveys were conducted in the last 12 months in the Department for Transport and the agencies that report to it; which of them have been reported to the management board in the last 12 months; and which were commissioned by the management board.[HL6215]

The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer): The information requested regarding the conduct of customer, user and satisfaction surveys across the Department for Transport and its agencies in the last 12 months is as follows:

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA201

Higher Education: Student Loans

Questions

Asked by Lord Barnett

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 26 March (HL Deb, col 528), whether the previous sale of student loans was put out to tender; and, if so, how many bids were received.[HL6410]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The November 2013 sale of Mortgage Style student loans was an open and competitive process. From around 40 interested parties The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills received 10 initial bids. From those 10 bids the purchaser was selected following an assessment against a range of criteria and the pre-agreed sale objectives.

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many part-time students have been in receipt of a tuition fee loan, in each of the last five years.[HL6419]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Student Loans Company (SLC) publishes statistics on awards and payments of student support in the Statistical First Release (SFR) Student Support for Higher Education in England, which is available at the link below.

http://www.slc.co.uk/statistics/national-statistics/newnationalstatistics1.aspx

Table 5A of the SFR provides information of the number of part-time students who were paid student support in the academic years 2010/11 to 2012/13. Tuition Fee Loans have been available to eligible part-time students since the 2012/13 academic year so were not reported in earlier years. In total, 30,500 English and EU domiciled part-time students were paid a Tuition Fee Loan in 2012/13.

Statistics referring to student support paid to part-time students in the Academic Year 2013/14 will be available from November 2014.

Inflation

Question

Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the detailed assumptions underlying the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast of divergence between the consumer prices index (CPI) and the retail prices index (RPI) measures of inflation over the next five years, leading to an RPI rate almost double the CPI rate, as set out in the Budget 2014 Red Book. [HL6330]

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA202

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are responsible for producing and publishing the official forecasts for inflation in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The assumptions underlying their latest forecasts are set out in the Economic and fiscal outlook (EFO), published on 19 March 2014.

The OBR also set out their assessment of the differences between RPI and CPI inflation in their Working Paper No. 2: The long-run difference between RPI and CPI inflation.

Israel

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 20 March (WA 54), what response they received from the government of Israel to their representations of 11 March regarding the death of Mr Raed Zeiter. [HL6325]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): In response to UK representations regarding the death of Mr Raed Zeiter, Israel informed us that there would be a joint Israeli-Jordanian investigation into the incident. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Mr Robertson), discussed the issue with the Jordanian authorities during his visit last week.

Kenya

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reported killing of church-goers in an attack on a church in the Likoni district of Mombasa; and what information they have about who was responsible.[HL6250]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are concerned by the 23 March attack on a church in Likoni district, Mombasa, which left six people dead and many more injured. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack and the Kenyan authorities are currently treating it as a criminal incident.

Moldova

Questions

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other European Union member states about bringing forward the signing and ratification of the European Union’s Association Agreement with Moldova.[HL6224]

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA203

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), discussed the EU-Moldova Association Agreement with his European Union counterparts at the European Council on 20-21 March 2014. The European Council decided to advance the signature of the Association Agreements with Moldova and Georgia. Reconfirming its objective to further strengthen the political association and economic integration with Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, the European Council confirmed the objective of signing the Association Agreements, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, which were initialled at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius last November, no later than June 2014.

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any decision has yet been taken to send European Union observers to monitor the parliamentary elections to be held in Moldova later this year.[HL6225]

Baroness Warsi: There has been no decision to send European Union monitors to monitor the parliamentary elections in Moldova later this year. The United Kingdom supports, and would anticipate contributing to, an international monitoring mission, lead by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE’s) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OHDIR), following an invitation from the Moldovan government.

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what political and military assurances, if any, they have given to the government of Moldova regarding the territorial independence and sovereignty of that country. [HL6226]

Baroness Warsi: Since independence, the UK has been a steadfast supporter of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. That will not change. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), have repeatedly made this clear to the Government of Moldova, most recently during Mr Lidington’s visit to Moldova in January.

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans ministers have to visit Moldova or meet government representatives of that country.[HL6227]

Baroness Warsi: The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), visited Moldova on 28 and 29 January following the successful visit of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA204

(Yorks) (Mr Hague), in 2013. Mr Lidington met Prime Minister Iurie Leanca; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Integration Natalia Gherman, leaders of the pro-European Coalition; leaders of the opposition; and the leader of the Gagauz autonomy, Mihail Formuzal. Whilst in Moldova Mr Lidington reiterated the UK’s support to Moldova in its European aspirations and support for the EU-Moldova Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other European Union member states about the introduction of a visa waiver programme between the European Union and Moldova.[HL6228]

Baroness Warsi: The UK has had no direct discussions with European partners about a change in UK visa requirements for Moldovan citizens. The UK has maintained a watching brief on negotiations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission and EU Schengen Member States on visa free travel to the Schengen area for Moldovan citizens holding a biometric passport. A formal proposal was made in November 2013 by the European Commission following the successful implementation by the Republic of Moldova of all its benchmarks set out in its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. In February the European Parliament approved the Commission proposal. It is for Schengen countries to decide on any changes to their visa rules. The UK is not a participant, so does not take part in the decision-making process. The UK is not expected to adopt or implement any changes as a result of the EU agreement. The UK will continue to require that Moldovan nationals obtain a visa before travelling to the UK.

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking with their European partners to de-escalate tensions between Moldova and the autonomous regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia. [HL6229]

Baroness Warsi: The UK supports international efforts to find a sustainable settlement on Transnistria and supports the 5+2 process, in which the EU holds observer status.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and senior officials regularly discuss Transnistria and Gagauzia with their EU and other counterparts. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), discussed the situation with Prime Minister Leanca; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Integration Gherman; leaders of the pro-European Coalition; leaders of the opposition; and the leader of the Gagauz autonomy Formuzal, when he visited Moldova in January. The UK, drawing on its own experience of conflict resolution in Northern Ireland, is active in conflict prevention and confidence building work on the ground. Our Embassy in Chisinau runs events

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA205

bringing together activists and political leaders from all parts of Moldova including Transnistria and Gagauzia to discuss shared problems and identify solutions. The embassy is also engaged in a number of other initiatives, including on the important subject of guarantees that could underpin the process leading to a settlement and an eventual settlement itself.

Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are in contact with the Chairman-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) about the situation in Ukraine, Crimea and Russia; whether there will be an emergency meeting of the OSCE Council of Ministers; and whether the previous chairman and future chairman are also available for negotiations.[HL6153]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The United Kingdom has been working closely with the Swiss Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairmanship-in-Office in supporting their efforts to harness the tools of the OSCE to contribute to de-escalating the current crisis in Ukraine. OSCE Chairman and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter has taken part in regular Contact Group conference calls with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), the US Secretary of State, European and other allies and the United Nations in recent weeks.

The OSCE has been active in its response to the crisis and has deployed a number of observers to Ukraine. These include the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Representative on Freedom of the Media, a human rights assessment mission led by the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and two visits by the OSCE Chairman’s Personal Representative. A National Dialogue project to identify areas for further OSCE activities to support confidence-building between different parts of Ukrainian society deployed on 20 March. A group of unarmed military observers were also on the ground in eastern and southern Ukraine between 5–20 March following a request from the Ukrainian government under the Vienna Document 2011, though we regret that they were prevented from entering Crimea on a number of occasions. ODIHR has also just launched an election observation mission to observe the Ukrainian Presidential Elections on 25 May. This mission will total 1,000 observers by polling day, of which the UK will provide approximately 100.

We welcome agreement at the OSCE to the deployment of a Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Such a mission, putting independent observers on the ground, is in the interests of all parties and we support its rapid deployment.

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA206

There are no current plans for an extraordinary OSCE Ministerial Council, but the Permanent Council met in Vienna in special session on 3 March, and has met to discuss Ukraine on a number of occasions since, including an address from Ukraine’s Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia on 20 March. The Chairman-in-Office continues to consult with all OSCE participating States on how best the Organisation can contribute to the de-escalation of the current crisis, including the previous and forthcoming Chairs.

Passports

Question

Asked by Lord Swinfen

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the passports of everyone arriving in and leaving the United Kingdom are properly checked.[HL6010]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): Border Force is, through its Operating Mandate, required to undertake checks on the passports of all passengers who enter the United Kingdom at the Primary Control Points. Border Force undertakes electronic checks on most outbound passengers and physically checks passports on a strictly targeted basis. The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority work closely with air carriers in the UK to ensure that proper checks are in place. The Government is further committed to introducing exit checks on all modes by 2015.

Police: Deaths in Custody

Question

Asked by Lord Ouseley

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are aware of any plans to bring prosecutions in respect of the deaths of (1) Azelle Rodney, (2) Jimmy Mubenga, (3) Christopher Alder, (4) Sean Rigg, (5) Habib Ullah, (6) Ricky Bishop, and (7) Anthony Grainger; and what assessment they have made of the ability of the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue prosecutions in cases involving deaths in custody or during police operations.[HL6129]

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has robust processes for dealing with cases involving deaths in custody or in contact with police which follow the requirements of the then Attorney General's “Review of the Role and Practices of the CPS in Cases Arising from a Death in Custody 2003”.

All death in custody cases are dealt with by the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division to ensure consistency of approach and that they are dealt with by lawyers with the necessary skills and experience. Only very experienced senior lawyers, who are specifically designated, are permitted to review death in custody

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA207

cases. The reviews carried out by the senior lawyer in cases involving deaths in custody are examined by their line manager and then by the Head of Special Crime & Counter Terrorism Division (or her Deputy). They are then submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for final approval. In any case where the decision is not to proceed, unless the DPP is satisfied that it is “plain beyond doubt” that there is no case to answer, experienced external counsel will be instructed to advise.

The status of the specified cases is as follows:

(1) Azelle Rodney: Following the publication of the report of Sir Christopher Holland in relation to his inquiry Mr Rodney’s death, the IPCC wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions to ask that the CPS review the case. This review is underway and the CPS is working with the IPCC in order to determine whether any further investigation is required. Once the CPS is satisfied that it has received a full file, it will consider whether charges should be brought.(2) Jimmy Mubenga: prosecutions were announced on 20 March 2014.(3) Christopher Alder: prosecutions took place in 2002 – all defendants were acquitted.(4) Sean Rigg: The CPS has provided investigative advice to the IPCC in relation to allegations of perjury. A charging decision has not been requested.(5) Habib Ullah: The CPS has received a full file and is considering whether charges should be brought.(6) Ricky Bishop: Mr Bishop died in 2001. The case has not been referred to the CPS within the last 3 years.(7) Anthony Grainger: a prosecution was announced on 16 January 2014.

Police: Lynette White Inquiry

Question

Asked by Lord Ouseley

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken against those responsible for the abandoned case involving eight South Wales police officers charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in the 1988 Lynette White murder inquiry.[HL6308]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): This case is the subject of civil litigation. HM Government is, therefore, unable to comment at the present time.

Police: Misconduct

Question

Asked by Lord Marlesford

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they authorised the Metropolitan Police to carry out an investigation into the incident involving Rt. Hon

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA208

Andrew Mitchell MP at Downing Street; and when they expect the final report on the investigation to be available.[HL6194]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) conducted an investigation into the incident at the Downing Street gates on 19 September 2012 involving Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP and a police officer. This was supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The MPS and the IPCC are operationally independent and Her Majesty’s Government has no role in deciding whether to carry out such an investigation.

As a result of the investigation, two police officers involved in the incident have been dismissed for gross misconduct and decisions in relation to another three officers are awaited. The IPCC has requested that the MPS publish its report once the misconduct proceedings have been concluded. It will be for the MPS to decide whether or not to publish the report.

Public Order Act 1986 and Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Questions

Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions have been brought in the last 10 years under sections 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29B, 29C, 29D, 29E and 29F of the Public Order Act 1986 and under sections 31 and 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.[HL5769]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions brought in the last 10 years under sections 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29B, 29C, 29D, 29E and 29F of the Public Order Act 1986 and under sections 31 and 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have resulted in a guilty verdict.[HL5770]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences under the Public Order Act 1986 and Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in England and Wales, from 2004 to 2012 (latest data available) can be viewed in the table.

Court proceedings statistics for the year 2013 are planned to be published by the Ministry of Justice in May 2014.

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates' court and found guilty at all courts for selected offences under the Public Order Act 1986 and Crime and Disorder Act 1998, England and Wales, 2002-2012⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA209

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA210

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA211

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA212

“-” Nil

(1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

(3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates' court for April, July and August 2008.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

PQ HL 5769 & 5770

Schools: Learning Aids and Equipment

Question

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to increase investment in (1) technological equipment for mathematics and science lessons in schools, and (2) interactive tools as learning aids for teachers to use in all academic subjects.[HL6175]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): We do want to see schools making informed decisions about what technology will best meet their specific needs. With this in mind, the Department for Education has recently launched The Education Technology Action Group (ETAG), a new policy development group which aims to identify and develop opportunities to maximise the effective use of learning technology across higher education, further education and primary and secondary schools. The group brings together a number of industry and education bodies involved in technology. ETAG will develop a series of evidence based proposals to support the increased use of technology in education at all levels.

The Department for Education is also running a project to explore how schools can make good use of 3D printers in teaching the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Schools from forty two teaching school alliances, including primary schools such as Fairlawn Teaching School in Lewisham and High View School in Plymouth, have been supported to buy a 3D printer and create interesting and innovative schemes of work, lesson plans and projects using the 3D printer to enhance teaching and learning.

Schools: Pupil Premium

Question

Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all maintained and academy schools in receipt of the pupil premium use the funds directly to support disadvantaged pupils.[HL6398]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Headteachers of maintained schools and academies are expected to use their professional judgement in determining which well-evidenced interventions to invest in to raise the attainment of their disadvantaged pupils. A headteacher may decide to spend some of their pupil premium on whole school interventions, such as improving the quality of teacher feedback, as the evidence shows that this has a significant impact on the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

While headteachers have this freedom, they are also held accountable for the impact of this additional funding in three different ways. Firstly, the performance tables set out the attainment and progress of disadvantaged pupils and the gap between them and their peers. Secondly, Ofsted inspects the achievement of all pupils in a school, and where disadvantaged pupils are making insufficient progress, inspectors are likely to grade a school as requiring improvement and will recommend that the school undertakes a pupil premium review.

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA213

Thirdly, schools are required to publish online how much pupil premium funding they receive, how they have used this funding and an evaluation of the impact that it has had.

Schools: Religious Education

Question

Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to maintain the status of religious education teaching in schools; and what assessment they have made of the role of religious education in fostering inter-community relations.[HL6200]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government firmly believes in the importance of Religious Education (RE). To help maintain progress in improving RE teaching, we are establishing a subject expert group on RE chaired by Dave Francis from RE:ONLINE. By working with schools to clarify the key challenges in teaching RE, the expert group will help to ensure that support and resources are available for high quality RE teaching. In addition, as part of reforms to non-EBacc subjects, Ofqual is considering how it could improve the content and rigour of the Religious Studies GCSE.

South Sudan

Question

Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans the Troika and the European Union have to counter any undermining of the peace process in South Sudan, in particular if the Intergovernmental Authority on Development is rebuffed by the government of South Sudan and the rebels.[HL6287]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are deeply concerned that both sides continue to disregard the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Alongside our Troika and EU partners, we have been clear that all must come to the negotiating table fully committed to peace, without preconditions. The conclusions of the EU Foreign Affairs Council of 17 March set out the possibility of targeted restrictive measures against individuals obstructing the political process.

State Aid

Question

Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 24 February (WA 226–7) concerning European Union powers over United Kingdom state aid to undertakings, whether additional costs arose from delays to projects of between six and 18 months; and, if so, what is the extent of such costs.[HL6367]

2 Apr 2014 : Column WA214

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): Aid givers should ensure that time for State Aid approval is built in to their project plans, and an upper limit of 18 months is set out in the Procedural Regulation. An assessment of the overall cost impacts of the State Aid approval process across all Government projects has not been undertaken.

Transnistria

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent request for incorporation into Russia by leaders of Transnistria.[HL6265]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Government is aware of media reports of calls by figures in Transnistria for incorporation into Russia. This Government supports the territorial integrity of Moldova; we have repeatedly made this clear to the Government of Moldova, Russia and the Transnistrian authorities.