Written Answers to Questions
Monday 11 June 2007
Northern Ireland
Departments: Property
The following table provides the cost of leasing buildings and office space for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and its agencies in each of the last five years.
£ (a) NIO core Department (b) NIO agencies 2002-03 2,772,289 510,961 2003-04 4,639,322 757,961 2004-05 4,415,755 873,961 2005-06 5,298,142 958,961 2006-07 7,774,456 1,025,961
Departments: Travel Agents
We are unable to provide all of the information requested by the hon. Member.
Travel agency fees, historically, have not been separately identifiable on invoices; they are added to the total cost of arranging travel or accommodation so we are unable to easily identify the fees paid.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) core Department put a system in place in financial year 2005-06 in order to identify travel agency fees. The following table provides the travel agency fees paid in the last two financial years. The NIO’s agencies do not have the same system in place so for them to identify the fees would be at disproportionate cost.
NIO core Department £ 2005-06 66,000 2006-07 59,000
Legal Advice
The Department and its agencies have spent the following amounts on external legal advice during the past five years:
Amount (£) 2002-03 1,069,261.75 2003-04 469,273.99 2004-05 1,393,392.63 2005-06 1,051,442.37 2006-07 1,021,682.01
As with all public sector procurement, contracts for external legal services should be awarded on the basis of value for money, in line with the Government's policy on public procurement.
Within the figures above, one branch provided an overall figure for external legal advice and court representation as they had no means of providing a breakdown to show external legal advice only.
Public Prosecution Service NI were unable to provide a response to this question as it would not be feasible to disaggregate what was spent on advice and what was spent on the conduct of prosecutions. For them to do so would be grossly misleading as advice and the conduct of prosecutions are generally intimately intertwined and not capable of disaggregation.
Public Inquiries
Figures for the expenditure on each inquiry since its establishment, which have been rounded, are set out in the following table. The Patrick Finucane Inquiry has not been established.
Total costs of inquiry expenditure to end April 2007 (£) Robert Hamill Inquiry 10,411,000 Billy Wright Inquiry 7,217,000 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry 15,169,000 Bloody Sunday Inquiry1 180,775,000 Total 213,572,000 1 Of this total cost (rounded) £142.6 million falls to the NIO, the remaining £38.2 million falls to the MOD
My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy), said to the House on 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 757:
“I know that concern has been expressed in this House and elsewhere about the length and cost of some public inquiries. In particular, there are concerns about the cost of the Bloody Sunday inquiry—£129.9 million to date, with a predicted final cost of £155 million. I understand that unhappiness, but setting up that inquiry was the right thing to do, and I commend the work of Lord Saville and his team. Having been established, the inquiry must run its course if it is to be fair to individuals and if the truth is to emerge. We will, of course, take all reasonable steps to control costs in the inquiries that I have announced today, including capping legal costs where appropriate. We will ensure that the inquiries have the maximum powers, as well as aiming for better, quicker inquiries. Even so, these inquiries will inevitably mean the commitment of significant resources. The Government recognise people’s desire to see public funds spent on delivering better public services and effective policing. I recognise public concern about further expenditure on inquiries into the past”.
Since the establishment of the Robert Hamill, Billy Wright and Rosemary Nelson inquiries, the Government have worked with the inquiries to put in place a number of measures to ensure that, while they have the resources necessary to fulfil their task, costs are kept to a reasonable level. The specific steps that have been taken are as follows:
agreeing a management statement that includes a financial memorandum with the inquiries. The management statement sets out the broad framework under which any public funds are paid to the inquiries including the conditions under which public funds are paid and how the inquiry accounts for its expenditure. My officials hold regular formal meetings with the Robert Hamill, Billy Wright and Rosemary Nelson inquiries to discuss their financial forecasts under the terms of these documents;
letting the inquiries make use of the Northern Ireland Office procurement division and have access to other procurement expertise in order to ensure that value for money is secured;
setting maximum hourly fees levels for publicly funded counsel and solicitors;
introducing a general 40 hour weekly cap on fees;
ensuring representation by counsel is limited only to interested parties or key witnesses whose evidence is in dispute;
making sure the scope of the legal work that may be undertaken at the public expense is circumscribed by the respective inquiry costs protocol and that all bills in respect of publicly funded legal assistance are subject to monthly scrutiny by the inquiry solicitor who is required to authorise disbursements in excess of £100.
The chairmen of the Billy Wright Inquiry and the Robert Hamill Inquiry separately asked me to convert their statutory basis for their inquiries to the Inquiries Act 2005 under section 15 of that Act. One consequence of my decision to grant their request for conversion is that the framework for the award by the chairman of costs in relation to legal representation set out in section 40 of that Act applies. I know that both chairmen take seriously their responsibilities in this regard, and the provision in section 17(3) of the Act that:
In making any decision as to the procedure or conduct of an inquiry, the chairman must act with fairness and with regard also to the need to avoid any unnecessary cost (whether to public funds or to witnesses or others).
In respect of the Billy Wright Inquiry I exercised my power on 25 October 2006 to make a notice of determination under section 40(4) of the Act and notified the House by means of a written statement, Official Report, columns 89-91WS.
I plan to make a notice of determination in respect of the Robert Hamill Inquiry in due course.
Roads: Limavady
PSNI have advised that a total of seven injury collisions occurred between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 20061 on the Ballyquin Road between Greystone Road and Main Street Dungiven. The following figures detail the severity of the collision and the number of people injured. These figures do not include collisions at the junctions with Greystone Road and Main Street. Statistics for January 2007 have not been provided as all the information for that period has not yet been processed.
1 2006 figures are provisional and subject to change.
Source: Central Statistics Unit, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Lisnasharragh.
Number of collisions Fatal 0 Serious 5 Slight 2 Total 7
Number of casualties Killed 0 Serious 6 Slight 10 Total 16
Road safety works are now the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Administration.
Scotland
Departments: Property
The amount of money received by the Scotland Office from letting space in its properties was as follows:
£ 2002-03 128,806 2003-04 117,819 2004-05 195,389 2005-06 237,797 2006-07 394,683
The cost to the Scotland Office of leasing buildings and office space was as follows:
Cost (£) 2002-03 517,495 2003-04 492,512 2004-05 177,155 2005-06 182,704 2006-07 224,301
Where the Scotland Office rents office space within another Department’s building, the Office pays an agreed share of the overall running costs of the building, which includes such items as rent, rates, utilities, cleaning and security; a separate record is not held of the rental element of these costs. These figures do not take into account any space occupied by other Departments.
Departments: Recruitment
The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999 and since that date has incurred no costs on recruitment consultants.
Departments: Travel Agents
The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The Office is charged a fee per booking but does not separately record this figure.
Wales
Departments: Carbon Emissions
The Carbon Trust completed an audit of the Wales Office energy and water usage in May 2006, using total expenditure on utilities to calculate the volume of emissions for the year.
For travel by air and road our carbon emissions were calculated using Pure, the clean planet trust calculator available on their website.
Departments: Official Cars
The Wales Office has a Toyota Prius in London and another in Cardiff for ministerial use.
These cars were chosen as they have low carbon emissions.
Departments: Official Residences
The Wales Office does not have any official ministerial residences.
Floods
Around 170,000 properties in Wales are at risk from flooding. Flood and coastal risk management is a devolved function. I understand that current policy in Wales is to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk to people, property and natural environment by encouraging the provision of defences and flood warnings, and discouraging inappropriate development in areas at risk. I also understand that Welsh Ministers are currently implementing new flood risk management arrangements to enable improved responses to the increased risk presented by climate change.
Work carried out by the Environment Agency and Welsh local authorities to manage these risks is supported financially by the Welsh Assembly Government, who have increased their funding for flood and coastal defence this year to over £30 million.
Prince Charles
(2) what public funds his Department plans to make available for celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales;
(3) what celebrations his Department is planning for the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales.
2019 will mark the 50th anniversary. No decisions have been taken as yet.
Railways: Standards
My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State and I take a close interest in the performance of train services between London and South Wales, and have met the service providers to discuss issues affecting passengers in Wales. Following recent suggestions that some of the services might be terminated at Port Talbot I spoke to the Managing Director of First Great Western, who assured me that this would happen only in the most extreme circumstances. I also welcomed Network Rail’s announcement that it planned to hold a full investigation into the overrunning engineering works that disrupted these services.
Leader of the House
Departments: Official Residences
EC Law
As I have indicated in response to earlier questions, most recently to the hon. Lady on 26 April 2007, Official Report, column 1203W, discussions have been taking place on this issue following the report from the Modernisation Select Committee in 2005. These discussions are continuing.
Transport
Bridges: Tolls
The information requested is available on the Department for Transport's website:
http://www.dft.gv.uk/pgr/roads/roadpricingstu/guidancenote/.
The website is currently being updated and the revised information will be available on Thursday, 14 June. Copies of the new information will be placed in the House Libraries on that date.
British Transport Police
This information is held by the British Transport Police and is available from the force on request.
Cycling: Highway Code
Ministers and officials of the Department for Transport regularly meet and discuss various issues informally with a number of cycling organisations. There have been many such discussions since the current version of the Highway Code was first published in 1999.
Since the proposed revisions to the Highway Code were laid before Parliament on 28 March, DfT officials met representatives of CTC to discuss their concerns about certain cycling rules within the Code on 9 May. There have also been discussions by telephone and e-mail between DfT officials and CTC representatives on this issue.
Driving: Mobile Phones
The Road Safety Act 2006 increased the penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving to three penalty points and discretionary disqualification on top of the existing fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 in the case of the driver of a goods vehicle or a bus/coach). If a fixed penalty is accepted the penalty is three points and a £60 fine. The new penalty came into effect on 27 February 2007. If the police see poor driving and find a driver distracted by a call on a hands-free mobile phone, then they can prosecute the offence of not being in a position to have proper control of a vehicle. The same penalties apply. The police have stepped up their enforcement of these offences.
In addition, extensive publicity is being run as part of the Department's THINK! road safety campaign. The campaign to publicise the higher penalty was launched in January 2007, using a mix of television, press, radio and online advertising and which included a TV advertisement which features a new message aimed at those who call people who are driving.
Galileo Project
Galileo has been defined and agreed as a civil system since the project's inception. While Galileo's open service, like that of GPS, can be accessed by all and therefore could be used by military forces, Galileo remains a civil programme under civil control. This has repeatedly been confirmed by the EU Transport Council; most recently in its October 2006 Council Conclusions.
Great Western Trains: Standards
Ministers last met First Great Western and Network Rail to discuss performance on 24 May 2007. The meeting on 24 May was specifically held to discuss FGW performance in the light of performance of FGW and Network Rail against their respective targets in the joint performance improvement plan (“JPIP”).
Lorries
I expect to receive the report by October and it should be published in due course. I have no plans to publish a response but will consider the issues carefully.
M60: Road Signs and Markings
Variable message panels were fitted as standard to Traffic Officer Service vehicles prior to patrols starting on the M60 in January 2006. They are already authorised to display some messages to instruct traffic.
The Highways Agency carefully considered the use of scrolling arrows as one of the legends which can be displayed on the variable message panel fitted to the Traffic Officer vehicles. The agency has decided that it is inappropriate to use scrolling arrows at this time. This decision will be kept under review as the Traffic Officer Service develops.
The use of light emitting devices is regulated under the Road Traffic Act 1988 by the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989. Regulation 13 of these regulations permits vehicles used for police purposes to be fitted with a lamp or illuminated sign that emits a flashing light. Scrolling arrow traffic signs are considered to emit a flashing light.
Ministers: Official Cars
The Prime Ministers guidance, Travel by Ministers and the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House, sets out which cars may be provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency for official ministerial use.
The cars available to Ministers and their vehicle excise duty bands are detailed in the following table.
Make/model VED band Rover 75 Connoisseur F Mondeo Zetec F Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive F Toyota Prius T3 B Vectra Design CDTi F Honda Civic ES hybrid B Mondeo Zetec TDCi F Vauxhall Omega Elite F
Motorcycles
I have been asked to reply.
It is impossible to quantify the number of off-road leisure facilities available for use by mini-bikes in the UK. Anecdotal evidence indicates that a number of commercial kart tracks (there are around 100 such tracks in the UK) are offering their facilities for such use. However safety concerns mean the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU)—the national governing body for motorcycle sport—will not licence such tracks and therefore ascertaining how many offer such services is simply not possible.
Motorways: Road Traffic Control
The M42 Active Traffic Management pilot project, including hard shoulder running, became fully operational in September 2006. The Highways Agency is currently evaluating the performance of the pilot project and, while it is too early to draw definite conclusions, the initial results are encouraging. I expect to receive an evaluation of the pilot project from the Highways Agency later this year. The agency is continuing its thorough review of the network to identify potential locations that might benefit.
Motorways: Walls and Fences
The Highways Agency commissioned TRL (formerly the Transport Research Laboratory) in 2004 to examine the cost effectiveness and performance of central reservation barriers installed on major roads in Great Britain.
Typical installation costs for a metre of Double Sided Tensioned Corrugated Beam barrier (galvanised metal) and Vertical Concrete Barrier were £33 and £155 respectively. Over a 50 year period the whole life costs of concrete barriers were estimated to be about 15 per cent. to 20 per cent. lower than metal barriers.
The accident statistics examined in the study showed that the number of serious casualties per kilometre is comparable between metal and concrete barriers, but there was a lower rate of slight casualties and accidents where concrete barriers were installed. No fatal casualties have resulted from an impact with a concrete barrier.
Railways: Eastbourne
The standard class peak day return is priced £39.80, the off peak at £20.60. The Pricebuster off peak day return to London Victoria is £13. Season tickets cost £81 for seven days, the monthly fare is £311.10 and the rate for an annual ticket is £3,240.
Railways: Freight
The Government are currently consulting on the proposals in the White Paper “Planning for a Sustainable Future” for a new planning regime for nationally significant infrastructure, within which Government would set out clear strategic objectives in the form of National Policy Statements (NPS). We have yet to decide on the scope of NPS for Transport, including the extent to which they might deal with railfreight infrastructure, under the proposed new regime.
Railways: Gravesham
The Government will detail the outputs they wish to purchase from the railway for the period 2009-2014 in the high level output specification to be published in July. No further information is available before then.
Railways: Offensive Weapons
This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport Police who can be contacted at: British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN, E-mail:
general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk.
Road Traffic: Wellingborough
There are currently no plans for Ministers to visit Wellingborough to discuss traffic movements with local residents.
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Details of Highways Agency major road schemes that have had cost increases approved between 2000 and July 2006 are available in Appendix Two of the National Audit Office report—Department for Transport: Estimating and Monitoring the Costs of Building Roads in England—published on 15 March 2007. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the following website link:
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/06-07/0607321.pdf
Since July 2006, we have also approved cost increases on the following major road schemes:
A2 Bean—Cobham widening Phase 2
A2/A282 Dartford improvement
M25 J1b-3
A14 Haughley New Street to Stowmarket improvement
A3 Hindhead improvement
A38 Dobwall bypass
A595 Parton to Lillyhall improvement
A46 Newark to Widmerpool
A1 Dishforth to Barton
A1 Bramham to Wetherby (including Wetherby bypass)
A66 Long Newton GSJ
A69 Haydon Bridge bypass
A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton
A57/A628 Mottram—Hollingworth—Tintwhistle
M1 J10-13
A5—M1 Link (Dunstable Northern bypass)
A27 Southerham to Beddingham improvement
M25 J28/A12 Brook Street interchange.
South Hampshire Rail Group
The group sent a submission to the Department which was received on 22 May 2007. It is now being considered and I expect a reply to be sent shortly.
South West Trains: Surveys
The National Passenger Survey reported by Passenger Focus provides a network-wide picture of customers' satisfaction with rail travel. Passengers opinions are collected twice a year from a representative sample of passenger journeys. It is for train operators rather than Government to decide whether there is a need for more detailed surveys of their own passengers.
Tolls
We have made no such estimate. It is up to interested local authorities to propose local schemes as local solutions to local problems.
The Secretary of State announced in a written ministerial statement on 8 February 2007, Official Report, column 47WS, the publication of guidance for local authorities interested in developing business cases for funding from the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) for local schemes to tackle congestion. The road pricing section of this guidance sets out the Government's position on these points.
(2) what provisions he plans to make for the transfer of electronic on-board units fitted to vehicles using local authority road pricing schemes, in the event that the user changes their vehicle; and who will be responsible for the costs incurred thereby;
(3) what provision will be made for the issuing of single invoices where drivers and operators register with multiple road pricing schemes; and what arrangements will be made for the sharing of data between authorities to enable this to happen.
On 8 February 2007 the Secretary of State announced in a written ministerial statement, Official Report, column 47WS, the publication of guidance for local authorities interested in developing business cases for funding from the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) for local schemes to tackle congestion. The road pricing section of this guidance sets out the Government’s position on this point.
Traffic Commissioners: Licensing
Traffic Commissioners have powers under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 and the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, to grant and take disciplinary action against operator licences for public service vehicles and large goods vehicles.
For many years, Traffic Commissioners have delegated responsibility for issuing licences, in cases where the application is straightforward and it is clear that the eligibility criteria are met, to administrative staff employed by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
Trains: Bicycles
The Department has received several hundred letters about the integration of cycling and rail. Of those a small number refer specifically to issues on South West Trains.
Bidders for the South Western franchise were asked to consider cycle-rail integration matters in their bid submissions as are the three current franchises that are out to tender; East Midlands, West Midlands and New Cross Country are also being asked. The Intercity East Coast franchise replacement specification will also require bidders to consider bike-rail integration and facilities at stations.
Vehicle Number Plates: Theft
When the tamper resistant plate initiative was launched after the first manufacturer passed the standard in 2006, DVLA provided publicity material for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) to distribute to all their members. A second manufacturer has now passed the test and further publicity is planned.
International Development
Departments: Carbon Emissions
The Department for International Development is strongly committed to the new set of sustainable operation targets launched in June 2006, including the specific commitments on reducing carbon emissions. DFID calculates all carbon emissions from buildings and travel from guidance and conversion factors supplied to us by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Departments: Travel Agents
Specific data for agency commission for the central travel contract for the Department for International Development is only available from 2003-04 as follows:
£000 2003-04 150 2004-05 150 2005-06 150 2006-07 150
Between 1997 and 2003 the management charges were calculated on the basis of a combination of volume and savings incentives, but central records do not exist of the total fees paid during this period, and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
Guinea-Bissau: International Assistance
The UK does not have a bilateral development assistance programme with Guinea-Bissau, though we have recently supported the Government to develop a security sector reform framework, and an NGO to conduct a demining assessment.
The UK's imputed share of multilateral agency development assistance to Guinea-Bissau was £2.517 million in 2005 (based on the UK's total funding for each multilateral and that multilateral's distribution of official development assistance and official aid each year). Agencies normally pool donor funding, so no breakdown of UK spending against individual projects is available.
Overseas Aid
The figures are set out in the following tables:
£000 Destination Name 2004 2005 Guinea 1,738 811 Guinea-Bissau — — Liberia 8981 4150 Mali 200 716 Mauritania 281 — Senegal 4,984 3,802 Sierra Leone 3,3254 31,159
£000 Country EC UN World Bank Other Multilateral Total 2004 Guinea 2,602 1,030 850 169 4,650 Guinea-Bissau 978 313 606 152 2,048 Liberia 2,102 503 - 182 2,787 Mali 8,088 840 1,653 2,552 13,133 Mauritania 3,330 372 985 456 5,143 Senegal 4,079 624 3,930 3,949 12,583 Sierra Leone 4,477 1,257 927 2,459 9,120 2005 Guinea 1,062 1,097 2,089 -117 4,131 Guinea-Bissau 1,135 384 944 54 2,517 Liberia 3,699 1,248 - 375 5,322 Mali 9,106 759 8,085 871 18,821 Mauritania 1,033 580 3,195 -53 4,755 Senegal 2,288 749 12,551 991 16,578 Sierra Leone 5,978 1,328 3,785 644 11,736
UK funding to multilateral institutions cannot be directly attributed to any country; the estimates above are imputed shares based on the UK's total funding for each institution, and that institution's distribution of official development assistance (ODA) and official aid each year.
ODA is defined as flows administered with the promotion of economic development and welfare of developing countries as their main objective, that are concessional in character and convey a grant element of at least 25 per cent. Aid to countries on Part 1 of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of aid recipients is eligible to be recorded as ODA. Official aid (OA) has the same concessional and qualitative features as ODA but covers aid to countries on Part 2 of the DAC list of recipients. (Note: From 2005 Part 2 of the DAC list of recipients ceased to exist and aid to countries on a new combined list of DAC list of recipients of official development assistance is eligible to be recorded as ODA).
The list of multilateral organisations used to produce this table is not exhaustive; only multilaterals who provide the DAC with detailed information about their distribution of funds, and to whom the UK provided funds, were analysed in the production of this table.
Negatives represent accounting adjustments, not a net flow to the UK; zero figures are indicated with a dash.
Overseas Aid: Energy
The World Bank's fiscal year runs from 1 July to 30 June each year. For fiscal year 2004 (starting 1 July 2003) the Bank lent $1.05 billion for energy projects. This amount increased to $1.9 billion in fiscal year 2005 and $3.1 billion in fiscal year 2006. Figures are not yet available for Fiscal Year 2007.
The UK has provided £1.65 billion in core contributions to the World Bank's International Development Association since 1 April 2003. Annual payments from the UK and other bank shareholders are just one source of finance drawn upon by the bank to provide loans and credits to developing countries. Therefore, it is not possible to say precisely what proportion of the UK's contribution was spent on energy programmes, but it is highly likely that some of it was allocated to the energy sector.
At the Gleneagles summit in 2005, the UK secured G8 agreement that the World Bank should lead on establishing a new clean energy investment framework (CEIF) that would operate across the international financing system. The aim of this framework is to accelerate and catalyse public and private sector investments in cleaner energy in developing countries.
House of Commons Commission
Palace of Westminster: Smoking
As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Doran) on 20 March 2007, Official Report, column 757W:
“The Health Act 2006 introduces a ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed or substantially enclosed public places from 1 July 2007. While the Act does not formally apply on the parliamentary estate, the Commission, on the advice of the Administration Committee, has decided that the House should comply with the principles of the legislation, as it is not desirable that those who work on or visit the parliamentary estate should be treated differently in this respect than in other workplaces and public places. The Commission recognises, however, that many who work on the estate are unavoidably present for long periods, particularly when the House is sitting. It is therefore desirable to make reasonable provision for those who wish to smoke to do so, provided that the health and safety of other users of the estate is not adversely affected.
With these principles in mind, the Commission has decided that smoking should cease to be permitted from 1 July 2007 in all internal areas of the House of Commons estate, including in bars and private offices. From that date smoking will, however, be permitted in four designated external areas: the Terrace, Commons Court (North West corner), North Terrace (between Portcullis House and Norman Shaw South), and in a designated area on the west side of Canon Row courtyard. Cigarette receptacles will be provided in these areas. “No Smoking” signs will be displayed at entrances to the buildings. I understand that the House of Lords Administration and Works Committee will report its recommendations shortly on the smoking policy for the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate.”
I understand that the House of Lords agreed to the recommended policy on Wednesday 9 May.
Solicitor-General
Departments: Buildings
The costs for the Public Prosecution Service for the year in question were as follows:
£ Rent 1,917,014 Rates 412,029 Shared Charges 275,282 Electricity 151,228
I am informed by the Ministry of Justice that the rental and other accommodation costs for premises occupied by the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission since its establishment are set out in the following table.
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Premises Rental 114 250 251 272 Other Accommodation Costs: 147 245 251 265 Cleaning 11 27 30 30 Other Building Costs 31 11 8 23 Service Charges 43 63 61 97 Electricity 15 27 29 32 Rates 47 117 123 83 Other Telephone Costs 8 26 19 23 Insurance 10 23 8 3 Equipment and furniture 11 7 6 11 Rental and maintenance of equipment 0 2 21 23 Total 290 553 556 596
The rental and other accommodation costs for the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and then the Public Prosecution Service over the last five years are as follows:
£ 2006-07 Rent 1,917,014 Rates 412,029 Shared Charges 275,282 Electricity 151,228 2005-06 Rent 1,463,368 Rates 391,098 Shared Charges 235,579 Electricity 126,702 2004-05 Rent 1,084,031 Rates 379,165 Shared Charges 207,140 Electricity 101,604 2003-04 Rent 891,946 Rates 355904 Shared Charges 324,371 Electricity 74,351 2002-03 Rent 467,344 Rates 184,835 Shared Charges 314,830 Electricity 31,174
I am informed that as the Police Central Process Office (CPO) use accommodation within the existing Police Estate, the use of this incurs no direct rental or accommodation costs to the CPO and no figures are available.
Scott Inquiry
I refer also to the answer given on 13 March 2007, Official Report, column 177W, on the progress of the review being conducted by Mr Scott.
Since then, Mr. Scott has had meetings with a total of eight witnesses, three in Belfast at the end of March and five in London at the beginning of May. He has made further enquiries of other witnesses in the light of those meetings, most of whom have now responded. Mr. Scott expects to be in a position to submit his report to the Attorney-General in due course.
Culture, Media and Sport
Anniversaries: Prince Charles
There have been no such discussions.
No such celebrations have been planned at this stage.
No such funds have been earmarked at this stage.
Art Works
The Goodison report made 45 recommendations and 29 have already been addressed by a range of different bodies, including my Department. We are continuing to explore ways in which elements of the other proposals might be implemented to best effect.
My Department had a number of discussions with the Treasury following publication of the Goodison report and discussions are ongoing on a wide range of related issues concerning the cultural sector.
Arts Council
There are seven large projects which have been cancelled by the Arts Council in the past five years:
Project description Date cancelled A development fund project to build capacity within the British Chinese community. February 2002 A feasibility study and development study for a touring agency to explore the creation of six centres in areas of the eastern region with sizeable Black, Asian and Chinese communities. December 2004 A project to create a centre of excellence for African dance in London. March 2005 A project to purchase a mobile cinema, with 100-seat capacity and equipped with 35mm and video projection and digital sound. March 2005 A project to create a centre for Black theatre by leasing and fitting-out a 300-seat theatre. June 2005 A flagship regional media production centre project, predominantly for Black, Asian and Chinese artistic work, from Slough borough council. June 2005 A project to set up a new community music centre incorporating recording studios, workshop, office and storage spaces. October 2006
Information on further cancelled projects could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Arts: Charitable Donations
Arts and Business, funded by my Department through Arts Council England, has promoted the tax incentives available to private donors through training for arts institutions and through their 2006 ‘Individual Giving Manual’ publication. My Department is also working with Arts and Business on a tax guide for arts institutions, which will include updated information following the changes announced in the last budget.
Big Lottery Fund
The following figures reflect how much and what percentage of the Big Lottery Fund's grants have been made to charities registered with the Charity Commission in each of the last three years. These figures do not include Awards for All.
Year ending Registered (£) All awards (£) Percentage 31 March 2005 173,244,887 687,534,837 25.2 31 March 2006 292,283,816 461,070,289 63.4 31 March 2007 168,369,682 307,428,658 54.8
The Big Lottery Fund has undertaken that 60-70 per cent. of its funding will go to the voluntary and community sector. They will report on progress towards this undertaking annually.
Channel 4 Television
(2) what her policy is on the (a) ownership and (b) funding of Channel 4.
DCMS has made no recent assessment of the merits of different forms of ownership of Channel 4. The Government believe Channel 4 plays a key role as a publicly owned broadcaster providing a distinctive contribution to public service broadcasting. The Government recognise Channel 4 is likely to face financial pressures in the future that may have implications for its ability to deliver fully its public service remit. We therefore welcome Ofcom’s current review of Channel 4's financial prospects and will take a close interest in the outcome. In the meantime, we are considering the possible case for short term forms of assistance to Channel 4.
Departments: Official Residences
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not allocate official residences to its Ministers.
Departments: Property
The Department has received income from the sale of Departmental land and buildings as follows:
£ 2002-03 — 2003-04 232,000 2004-05 126,000 2005-06 2,500,000 2006-07 470,000
Departments: Publications
The DCMS annual report cost £20,628 to design, typeset and print.
Digital Broadcasting: Equipment
On 8 November 2005, Ofcom published research by the Generics Group which examined the cost and power consumption implications of digital switchover for UK households. The report estimates that for those households that incur a cost as a result of switchover, the actual cost will depend on the equipment requiring conversion and the level of voluntary conversion carried out before switchover. Typical non-voluntary costs for TV and recorders in households containing an average collection of reception equipment are therefore estimated to range from £26 to £153.
Olympic Games: Greater London
[holding answer 7 June 2007]: The revision of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London is in progress. It will be published as soon as possible, following its agreement.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has set up a process to identify suitable facilities across the UK for inclusion in the pre-Games Training Camp Guide, which will be provided to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to aid them in identifying appropriate venues and sites for their training camps. The deadline for facilities to register themselves for inclusion in the Guide was 31 January 2007.
With over 700 applications received, there has been a tremendous level of interest from potential facilities around the UK. The process now is to assess the applications to identify which ones meet the stringent criteria for inclusion in the guide. Initial collation of information was carried out by the Nations and Regions Group and LOCOG are now carrying out an assessment and selection process. The London 2012 Organising Committee have created a steering group to oversee the process which includes experts on training camps from the British Olympic Association, British Paralympic Association and other UK sporting bodies.
Facilities will be notified of their inclusion in the pre-Games Training Camp Guide at the beginning of 2008. The guide will be published at the Beijing games in the summer of 2008.
Sports: Finance
While the Government keep under review the roles and responsibilities of the public agencies for sport, there are no immediate plans to transfer responsibility and funding of high performance programmes in non-Olympic sports from Sport England to UK Sport.
Prior to April 2005, national governing bodies were awarded funding by Sport England specifically to support their World Class Performance programmes. The following awards were made to non-Olympic sports for the period April 2004 to March 2005:
Sport Funding awarded (£) England and Wales Cricket Board 2,000,000 English Golf Union 450,000 English Ladies' Golf Association 513,000 English Karate Governing Body 531,905 England Netball 1,529,430 British Orienteering Federation 304,000 Rugby Football League 1,500,000 Rugby Football Union 1,000,000 Rugby Football Union for Women 1,397,671 England Squash 772,800 British Water Ski 176,589
Since April 2005, Sport England has awarded funding to non-Olympic sports to support the delivery of their four-year strategic plans and has not ring-fenced funding for high performance programmes within the overall allocation per sport per plan. National governing bodies apply the funding they receive to deliver against a range of key performance indicators (KPIs). Sport England has said that it is not, therefore, possible to identify specific funding amounts for high performance programmes.
The exceptions to this are the Football Association and the Lawn Tennis Association, neither of which has any elite-orientated KPIs and apply funding devolved to them through their whole sport plans solely to grassroots and development activities.
Sports: Public Participation
Sport England has not carried out any specific research to explore the impact of high performance programmes in sports outside the Olympic movement on mass participation rates.
Sports: Rural Areas
No formal assessment has been made of the likely effects of the establishment of community sports hubs (formerly known as sports villages) on the surrounding areas. Sport England is currently assessing the feasibility of the model. However I would expect these hubs to significantly improve community facilities and have a positive impact on regeneration in the areas where they are based.
Sports: Schools
(2) what representations she has received from (a) hon. and right hon. Members, (b) schools, (c) teachers, (d) parents and (e) others on the funding position of the Panathlon Challenge in each of the last two years;
(3) what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of the Panathlon Challenge in increasing the involvement of school children in competitive sport; and if she will make a statement.
No such research has been commissioned. The Government are committed to establishing a framework for competitive sport through the National School Sport Strategy, which includes a national network of Competition Managers who promote competitive sport; and the UK School Games, which is developing competitive sporting opportunities for young people between now and 2012.
My Department has received one public petition on funding for the Panathlon Challenge and the following other representations:
2006 2007 MP's 1 7 Schools/teachers 10 0 Parents 0 0 Others 7 3
The Government have committed over £1.5 billion of funding to school sport in the five years to 2008, including over £800,000 from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) for the Panathlon Challenge. DfES have no plans to commit further funding to the Panathlon Challenge.
Increasing the quality and amount of competitive school sport is at the heart of the work of all School Sport Partnerships.
The 2005-06 School Sport Survey showed that:
97 per cent. of schools held a competitive sports day,
71 per cent. of pupils were involved in intra-school competition, and
37 per cent. of pupils from years four to 11 were involved in inter-school competition, a rise of 12 per cent. on 2003-04.
To support and further develop our work on competitive school sport, we are establishing a network of competition managers across School Sport Partnerships.
The first wave of 20 competition managers were appointed from September 2005 and the recruitment of a second wave of 42 competition managers is almost complete. Between September 2006 and March 2007 there were over 150,000 attendances by young people at over 2,000 competitions organised by competition managers. A further wave of recruitment will begin later this year raising the total number of competition managers to at least 90 by the end of 2007.
In addition, we have established the UK school games to help develop the content and structure of competitive sporting opportunities for young people between now and 2012.
Theatre: Disabled
Arts Council England budget allocations for 2008-09 onwards have yet to be decided.
Government funding for the arts is distributed, within broad guidelines, through Arts Council England. The following figures provide a breakdown of its funding to theatre organisations that include disability as an element or focus of their programming or activity.
£000 London England 2005-06 2,132 3,233 2006-07 2,172 3,297
£000 London 1,117 England 3,791
It has not been possible to provide figures for funding to organisations where disability is an inclusive or integrated part of their work.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Although usage of ammunition for the Automatic Lightweight Grenade Launcher has been higher than initially anticipated, this issue has been successfully addressed through our Urgent Operational Requirement process. Supply has been increased to meet the requirement and in-theatre stocks of ammunition are currently assessed as adequate.
The situation in Afghanistan is liable to change over the forthcoming four years and our force package will adapt to the evolving situation, including the ability of the Afghan National Army to take greater responsibility for its own affairs.
Tl-4 are triage categories, used by in-theatre medical staffs to prioritise the treatment of casualties following an incident, Tl being most urgent. These categories are dynamic, based on a variety of physiological factors (e.g. pulse and breathing rate) and do not necessarily correspond to the severity of the injury sustained. For example, Tl may subsequently be categorised as very seriously injured (VSI), seriously injured (SI) or unlisted (UL) once they reach a field hospital. We do not record and verify data on triage levels centrally.
The MOD is committed to openly publishing statistics on the number of service personnel injured on operations. Information on casualties and fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan is published on the MOD website:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Operations Factsheets
Aircraft: Electronic Engineering
At the time of the crash of Swissair Flight 111 we were already aware of the potential safety issues associated with Kapton wiring.
In 1987, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency carried out an investigation of Kapton wiring. The investigation resulted in a number of specification requirements, which now form the basis of tests included in British Standards and in Defence Standards. These Defence Standards are the benchmark for all general airframe electrical wiring used on UK military aircraft.
Armed Conflict: Journalism
Our policy, produced in consultation with editors and press and broadcasting organisations, and the British Red Cross, is that the MOD will seek to assist appropriate inquiries into the death or injury of a journalist inside a conflict zone so far as we can. We would not normally conduct such inquiries ourselves.
Armed Forces
The job description of those employed in each household is shown in the following table.
Rank Description CGS House manager (colour sergeant) Responsible for day to day running of household. Planning and organising functions. Liaising with Kensington Palace on matters concerning security and repair. Managing household accounts and claims at initial level. Organising hosting of high profile guests. House orderly (corporal) Responsible for day to day running of residence. Assisting in planning and organisation of functions. Ensuring good husbandry of CGS’s uniform and formal forms of dress. Assisting the House Sergeant in the management and organisation of CGS’s household. Assisting with the hosting of high profile guests. Cleaner (civilian contractor) General cleaning of the residence. Assistance with routine household duties including laundry and ironing. GOC NI House sergeant (sergeant) Responsible for the day to day running of residence. Managing the staff and house account. Supporting all official and social functions as directed by GOC. Responsible for ensuring good husbandry of GOC’s uniform and formal forms of dress. Cook (corporal) Working when required in support of official functions. Consulting with GOC over menu recommendations and preparation. Cleaning of kitchen and cooking equipment to ensure high standards of hygiene are maintained. Assisting with service, where necessary at large functions. Working in officers’ mess when not required by GOC. Gardener Maintenance of garden, grounds, outbuildings and garden equipment. Planting and developing garden and vegetable patch. Weeding and clearance of fallen leaves and debris. Cleaner (civilian) General cleaning of house and immediate exterior. Assistance with routine household duties including bed making, laundry and ironing. Occasional back of house assistance at functions. CinC Land House sergeant (corporal) Responsible for day to day running of household. Managing civilian staff. Organising and implementing functions. Greeting VIPs in CinC’s absence. Security of residence including liaison with civil police. Liaison with DHE and outside agencies on maintenance of the official residence. House orderly (private soldier) Responsible for day to day running of residence and all associated functions in the absence of the house sergeant. Ensuring good husbandry of all the CinC’s uniform and formal forms of dress. Chef (part-time—24 hours per week) (civilian contractor) Preparing and producing lunch, main meals, snack meals, buffet meals. Cleaning of kitchen and cooking equipment to ensure high standards of hygiene are maintained. Assisting with ordering of goods, monthly stock take, invoices and checking deliveries. Gardener (civilian contractor) Trimming of grass and associated edges. Bushes and shrubs to be trimmed and kept free of weeds. All outside areas to be kept tidy and cleared of fallen leaves and branches. Fenced walls to be kept clear of brambles, overhanging branches and undergrowth. If applicable, vegetable areas to be tended. Cleaner (civilian contractor) General cleaning within the house and immediate exterior. Washing up, bed making, washing and ironing and any other normal household duties as required. Assistant cleaner (part-time—15 hours) (civilian contractor) General cleaning within the house and immediate exterior. Washing up, bed making, washing and ironing and any other normal household duties as required. Adjutant General House sergeant (sergeant) Responsible for day to day running of residence. Organising and implementing social and work related functions. Greeting VIPS in AG’s absence. Security of residence including liaison with civil police. Liaising with DHE, MHS and outside agencies regarding maintenance of the official residence. Ensuring good husbandry of all AG’s uniform and formal forms of dress. Gardener (32 hours per week) (civilian contractor) Trimming of grass and associated edges. Bushes and shrubs to be trimmed and kept free of weeds. All outside areas (three acre area) to be kept tidy and cleared of fallen leaves and branches. Fenced walls to be kept clear of brambles, overhanging branches and undergrowth. Vegetable areas to be tended. Domestic assistant (civilian contractor) General cleaning within the house and immediate exterior. Washing up, bed making, washing and ironing and any other normal household duties as required.
Armed Forces: Bereavement Counselling
[holding answer 4 June 2007]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the written ministerial statement I made on 7 June 2007, Official Report, columns 26-29WS.
Armed Forces: Dental Services
Under the direction of the Principal Dental Officers (PDO), Defence Dental Services (DDS) Regional Headquarters are responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of primary dental care to the armed forces in the UK and overseas.
The locations of the nine UK Regional Defence HQs, plus two overseas, and the numbers of DDS personnel at each, broken down by role, are shown as follows. In Germany and Cyprus primary dental care is extended to authorised dependants and other entitled personnel.
Location Principal dental officer Principal dental warrant officer Principal dental corporal Civilian administration assistant Scotland (Edinburgh) 1 1 1 0 Northern England (Catterick) 1 1 1 1 East Midlands and Anglia (Cranwell) 1 1 1 0 West Midlands and Wales (Innsworth) 1 1 1 0 London and South East (London) 1 1 1 0 Home Counties (Aldershot) 1 1 1 0 Wessex (Tidworth) 1 1 1 1 Portsmouth 1 1 1 1 South West (Devonport) 1 1 1 0 Germany (Wegberg)1 1 1 1 1 Cyprus (Episkopi)2 1 1 1 0 1 In addition there is one army major responsible for clinical operations and one civilian clerk translator. 2 In addition there is one part time Civilian Orthodontist.
Armed Forces: Hearing Impaired
[holding answer 4 June 2007]: The compensation threshold for “hearing loss due to service” applies only to bilateral noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss. It does not apply to other forms of hearing loss or injury, such as that caused by blast. The 50 dB threshold was introduced into the war pensions scheme in 1993 as part of a package of changes which focused benefits on the more severely disabled and is also common to the related Civilian Industrial Injuries Disablement Scheme. The same threshold is used for compensating for this condition in the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, which also focuses on the more severely injured. This approach is based on contemporary scientific evidence and understanding. This has been confirmed in recent years by several reviews carried out by independent audiological experts. There are no plans to review the threshold, although we remain open to consider new evidence that may arise.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Army Board
The full cost of running the outer offices of the Army Board members are not recorded separately and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
However, the majority of the costs arise from staff pay and the establishment of each office remained largely unaltered between 2002 and 2006. The 2006 establishment together with the 2006 salary range for each position is shown as follows. These figures do not include civilian overtime or staff car drivers.
Member £000 Secretary of State 1 x SCS 55-116 1 x B1 47-66 1 x Lt Col 60-66 1 x C Faststreamer 23-40 1 x D 18-27 3 x E1 14-26 Minister of State for the Armed Forces 1 x B2 40-53 1 x Lt Col equivalent 60-66 1 x C Faststreamer 23-40 1 x D 18-27 Minister of State Defence Equipment Support 1 x B2 40-53 1 x C1 30-40 1 x C Faststreamer 23-40 1 x D 18-27 Under Secretary of State for Defence 1 x B2 40-53 1 x Lt Col equivalent 60-66 1 x D 18-27 1 x E1 14-26 Chief of the General Staff 1 x Lt Col 60-66 3 x Maj 43-51 1 x Capt 34-40 1 x WO2 30-39 Second Permanent Under-Secretary of State 1 x B2 40-53 1 x C Faststreamer 23-40 2 x C2 23-32 1 x D 18-27 Commander in Chief Land 1 x Lt Col 60-66 1 x Capt 34-40 1 x SSgt 30-39 Adjutant General 1 x Lt Col 60-66 1 x Capt 34-40 1 x SSgt 30-39 Assistant Chief of the General Staff 1 x Lt Col 60-66 1 x Capt 34-40 1 x Sgt 26-32 Quartermaster General 2 x Maj 43-51 1 x E1 14-26 Master General of the Ordnance 1 x Lt Col 60-66 2 x Maj 43-51 1 x E1 14-26 General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland 1 x Lt Col 60-66 1 x Capt 34-40 1 x WO2 30-39
A breakdown of UK commercial and military flights undertaken in 2006 is shown in the following table. The military flights shown form part of wider funded flying activity, which is required to keep pilots trained and aircraft and airfields current and serviceable. The cost for RAF flights is a notional cost only calculated on the basis of a combination of aircraft capitation rates and flying hours. Information on Army flights has not been maintained in a way that would enable a representative notional cost calculation to be made.
Board member RAF rotary and fixed wing taskings Notional cost (£) Army rotary wing taskings Commercial flights Cost of commercial flights (£) CGS 26 79,100.80 35 0 0 2nd PUS 2 7,481.12 0 1 222 CinC Land 5 4,452.17 38 7 545.34 AG 10 43,145.66 37 5 852.10 ACGS 5 25,103.68 1 1 316.40 DG Land Equip 0 0 0 1 98.50 MGO 0 0 0 3 448 GOCNI 1 4,245.86 0 46 11,561.99
Since February this year the tasking of all military flights, both fixed wing and helicopters has been controlled by a single organisation within the Ministry of Defence acting under central policy direction. This policy requires that a high level of scrutiny is applied to such flights and that a detailed case should accompany each application.
Factors such as time, route, destination, protocol and security are considered, as well as the status of the customer, the availability of other, more cost-effective, methods of transport and the efficient use of our aircraft. Operational taskings always take priority over routine travel.
Army Board: Official Cars
The principle guidance which sets out the criteria used for selecting cars used by non-ministerial members of the Army Board for use in the UK is contained in JSP 800, the Defence Movements and Transportation Regulations Volume 5—Road Transport. Chapter 2—First Edition Jan 2007. A copy of this guidance is available in the Library of the House. In addition, any requirements for specialised vehicles, such as armoured staff cars, are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Army: Greater London
The total expenditure on Official Entertainment by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) London District in the financial year 2006-07 was £2,922.26. The expenditure broken down by function, is listed in the table as follows.
Date Cost (£) Function Event/Reason 2006 10 May 107.64 Dinner Party Hosting of Military, Civilian and Palace Dignitaries 16 May 62.81 Formal Lunch Household Division Trustees Meeting 17 May 31.42 Formal lunch Irish Guards Regimental Trustees Meeting 17June 165.02 Formal lunch Hosting of VIPs and Dignitaries Post Queen’s Birthday Parade 5 July 205.00 Formal Dinner Hosting of VIP Metropolitan Police Officer 7 July 279.50 Formal Lunch Hosting of CGS 5 September 191.95 Formal Lunch Meeting with Eyre Estates Trustees regarding Kings Troop RHA 26 September 104.21 Formal Dinner Party Unit cohesion—Commanders 3 October 110.97 Formal Dinner Party Hosting of Commanders and Military Attaché 12 October 187.20 Formal Dinner Party Enhancing community relations Army and District Stakeholders 1 November 178.18 Formal Dinner Party Unit cohesion—Regimental Adjutants 28 November 99.32 Dinner Party Hosting of GOC UKSC(G) 4 December 229.19 Formal Dinner Party Hosting of Household Division, past present and future 2007 17 January 251.62 Formal Dinner Party Hosting of Crown Equerry and Guests 13 February 123.40 Formal Dinner Hosting of D News and guests 22 February 252.00 Formal Dinner Unit cohesion—Foot Guards staff at ITC Catterick 1 March 95.55 Dinner Party Hosting of ACDS (R and C) and London District Commanders 14 March 83.36 Formal Dinner Hosting of Colonel Irish Guards 21 March 163.92 Formal Dinner Party Hosting of Brigade Major and MP’s
All expenditure on official entertainment is subject to strict departmental rules and compliance with the principles of propriety set out in Government Accounting.
[holding answer 23 May 2007]: The current salary range for Ministry of Defence staff working in the household of the General Officer Commanding London District is shown in the following table.
Salary scales have been used for military staff and are indicative only. The original figure of £112,508.69 quoted for staff costs in FY 2005-06 included the costs of a driver. Drivers are appointment related rather than household related and should not have been included in household costs. They have therefore not been included in this answer. Actual salaries are being withheld on the grounds that they represent personal data under the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Salary details for those civilian staff that are employed by contractors are being withheld for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
Role Rank Salary range House Sergeant Sergeant £27,000 to £34,000 Catering/Chef Civilian Cleaning Assistant Civilians
The figure of £4,701.76 previously provided under the generic heading “maintenance” contained £1,000 for planned maintenance. Invoices for planned maintenance totalled £1,036.02 therefore the total spend on maintenance was actually £4737.78. This covered a range of costs, broken down as follows:
Description of maintenance £ Eradication of mice—initial visit 112.50 Eradication of mice—follow up visit 84.38 Chimney repairs 1,060.00 Roof repairs 15.65 Shower repair 65.48 Renewal of waste pipes sinks and basins 115.66 Clean carpets to public areas 62.92 Renewal of shower hoses and sprays 59.94 Shower repair 17.68 Remove and later re-fix bath panels 15.26 Renewal of worktops, seal wall joint and make good wall tiling 202.11 Renewal of chromium plated metal support leg to worktop 20.79 Remake bath panel frame 32.74 Check system/rectify faults 316.00 Bath repair 44.57 Battery back ups x 4 219.00 Renew rubber plug and chain to basin 3.30 Make connection for waste from washing machine 106.54 Supply and fix washing machine valves 80.53 Redecorate utility room 200.00 Electrics tripping out main breaker 40.25 Basement electrics tripping out test all 120.75 Clear blockage in drain 16.88 Repair to wardrobe 32.44 Re-fix loose door fitting 3.34 Replace broken window 49.01 Repair power supply to alarm system (currently running on back up battery) 40.25 Re-plaster wall in kitchen 258.28 Re-tile wall in kitchen 253.20 Renew MK fuse board to basement, moulded units 306.02 Renew MK fuse board to basement 218.52 Tefal Steam Generator Iron 175.00 Kitchen Equipment 164.58 Stock Crockery/Crystal 224.21
Army: Manpower
The Chef has been trained as a Corporal Chef Royal Logistics Corps at a cost of £16,500.
Army: North East Economic Forum
The cost of the Chief of the General Staff’s travel to and from the North East Economic Forum was £1,976.65. This figure is broken down as follows:
Transport From To Cost (£) Helicopter Minley RAF Northolt 598.37 Plane RAF Northolt Teesside Airport 648.60 Plane Teesside Airport RAF Northolt 729.68 Total 1,976.65
The costs of staff cars cannot be broken down from the central budget and are therefore not included.
The costs of transport to and from other engagements during the day of the North East Economic Forum have not been included.
Astute Class Submarines
Three Astute class submarines are on order with BAES (Submarine Solutions). I also refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statement of 21 May 2007, Official Report, columns 55-56WS, which confirmed the build of a fourth boat.
Further boat orders are being considered, subject to affordability. We are working with industry as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy to achieve an affordable and sustainable submarine programme.
Bermuda Regiment
The Inspection Team had a specific remit to comment on the Bermuda Regiment’s ability to perform the ceremonial duties demanded of it. The timings of and performance on both the rehearsal and the actual parade were therefore accurately noted. The principal members of the Royal Party were HRH the Duke of York and HE the Governor of Bermuda. The landau had to progress slowly and then pause between Government House and the Cabinet Office while the gun salute, delayed while the regiment took up post, was completed.
The Inspection Team put 46 soldiers (11 per cent.) through their annual personal weapons test over the two days of the inspection, without prior notice and without the individual soldiers having a chance to practise. The team had no exact UK figures as comparators but used its collective military judgment and experience as the basis of their comment: “Although low, this pass rate is consistent with other part time organizations in the UK”. The team had some experience of serving with the TA and with the Home Service Part-Time element of the Royal Irish Regiment (and Ulster Defence Regiment before) as well as considerable experience with regular soldiers. It felt that a 70 per cent. “first time” pass rate was probably comparable to (but not quite as good as) that likely to be achieved by part-time British soldiers faced with an equivalent unrehearsed, no-notice test. It also noted that the pass rate would be improved by regular practice.
Chinook Helicopters
I have taken this question to be relating to the “night enhancement package” (NEP) which was fitted as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) to parts of our Chinook fleet as an aid to pilots in low light levels. Equipments acquired under UOR arrangements are only fitted for the period of the particular military operation for which they were needed, unless a subsequent decision is taken that the requirement is enduring. We are currently reviewing the long term requirement for the NEP.
CMT Dynamics
The Ministry of Defence Financial Management Shared Service Centre has no record of any payments being made to CMT Dynamics.
Departments: BAE Systems
According to our records, none of the current Board of Directors of BAE Systems have worked previously for the Department.
Departments: Carbon Emissions
The Ministry of Defence collects and collates information on: energy used in its buildings; quantities of aviation, marine and ground fuels supplied to the armed forces and for their logistical support; and road and air mileage travelled by military and civilian personnel and ministers on business. This information is converted to carbon dioxide equivalent emissions using the Government’s conversion factors and reported each year in the Department’s Sustainable Development Report. Building emissions data are validated by the Building Research Establishment and provided annually to the Sustainable Development Commission for its assessment of the Department’s performance against the Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets.
Departments: Data Protection
The definition of 'found to have been in breach' can be broad. Depending on their nature, breaches by Government Departments of the Data Protection Act 1998 can be dealt with by the Information Commissioner, the Courts or by Departments at an informal local level. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departments: Ministerial Policy Advisers
Special advisers’ involvement in party political matters is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, including section 22 (iii), and the guidance issued by the Cabinet Secretary in December 2006 and May 2007, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.
Departments: Pendle
The Ministry of Defence does not plan its expenditure on a regional basis.
Departments: Property
Details of properties owned by the Ministry of Defence in the relevant period that are valued at over £1 million can be found in the national assets register, copies of which are available in the Library of the House or at
www.official-documents.gov.uk.
Information on properties owned that are below £1 million in value is not held centrally and will take time to collate. Details of properties rented by this Department are not held centrally and it will need to be determined whether the information can be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
The 2005-06 Departmental Resource Accounts show the net book value of land and buildings at 31 March 2006 as follows:
Value (£) Dwellings 2,912,696,000 Other land and buildings 15,543,467,000
The details requested are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departments: Travel Agents
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.