Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 29 January 2008
House of Commons Commission
Members: Information and Communications Technology
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and Smartphones are available to Members via PICT, the parliamentary ICT service. This service has been available since June 2006. The devices and their voice and data costs are met by individual Members while the supporting infrastructure is funded centrally. The product range is regularly reviewed and at present four different devices can be selected. BlackBerries are not available under this service because none of the responses received to the full EU tender proposed that product.
Northern Ireland
Intimidation
The NIO has procedures in place for dealing with complaints of harassment and bullying. Where staff wish complaints to be dealt with informally, they can approach their line management, but no central record is maintained of such approaches. During the last 12 months there has been only one formal complaint of bullying reported in the NIO core, and none in its agencies.
Until recently, all staff joining the NIO underwent mandatory equal opportunities awareness training as part of their induction, which included guidance on appropriate behaviour in the workplace. This has been replaced by a new diversity course, concentrating on treating others with dignity, which is also currently being rolled out to the whole Department.
Electoral Commission Committee
Political Parties: Finance
The Electoral Commission informs me that it published new guidance on donations for regulated donees in Northern Ireland in October 2007. The Commission wrote to all MPs, MEPs and MLAs representing Northern Ireland or Northern Ireland constituencies, setting out the broad scope of the donation controls and alerting them to publication of the guidance.
Additionally, it wrote to the Labour leadership and deputy leadership candidates in May 2007 and the Liberal Democrat leadership candidates in October 2007. These letters summarised the donees’ requirements to record, check permissibility and report in relation to both donations and loans.
The Commission regularly gives advice on request to regulated donees on particular issues related to loans and donations.
Recruitment of Chairman
Under section 3 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the appointment of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission is subject to the agreement of Mr. Speaker. The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission has proposed a panel to recommend the appointment and Mr. Speaker has invited the following to serve on this panel:
Baroness Fritchie (Chair)
Cindy Butts (nominated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments)
Sir Neil McIntosh
David Norgrove
Peter Viggers MP
Defence
Armed Forces: Casualties
Information on the detailed causes of deaths to UK regular armed forces personnel is only currently available up to December 2006. The numbers killed in off-duty road traffic accidents (on the public highway) in each year between 2002 and 2006 are shown in the following table.
Number 2002 55 2003 40 2004 46 2005 44 2006 49 Total 234
Armed Forces: Deployment
The following table shows the number of UK service personnel deployed on operations by location at 14 January 2008. The number of personnel in theatre will naturally fluctuate on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and other factors.
Location Number Total 13,480 Of which: Afghanistan 6,800 Iraq 4,600 At Sea 620 Qatar 410 Cyprus 280 Kuwait 350 Oman 180 Kosovo 120 Bahrain 60 Bosnia 10 Other 30 1 Countries with 10 or more personnel are shown separately. Other countries with fewer than 10 personnel per country include Georgia, Nepal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia.
Armed Forces: Schools
Service Children’s Education’s overall R-DEL (Resourced Departmental Expenditure Limit) Control Totals (CTs) for each of the past five years was as follows:
£ Million 2003-04 65.634 2004-05 73.705 2005-06 74.769 2006-07 75.600 2007-08 73.347
The reduction in Resource Control Totals between 2006-07 and 2007-08 reflects the internal transfer of responsibility and funding for Estates Maintenance to Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) with effect from 1 September 2006.
Civilians: Pay
The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There are no UK-based civilians (UKBCs) employed overseas at Ministry of Defence establishments in receipt of pay below the UK minimum wage. MOD does employ locally engaged civilians (LECs) overseas. The majority of civilian personnel employed overseas by MOD are LECs and not civil servants. LECs are recruited locally, and may be nationals of the host country, expatriates or accompanying dependants of MOD personnel (UKBCs or service personnel). LECs are employed on terms and conditions analogous with local employment law and market forces, and not those of the UK.
Clause 21
The Military Covenant is a stand-alone paragraph contained within the Army Doctrine (Land Operations); it does not contain any clauses.
Under the War Pensions Scheme, the Department has the discretionary power in article 21 of the Service Pensions Order to meet the cost of any necessary expenses in respect of the medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment of a member of the armed forces that arise wholly or mainly arise as a result of the disablement due to service where it is not provided for free of charge under other legislation of the United Kingdom. This power predates the NHS and is now little used. The two main areas of expenditure under this provision are (1) the individual costs of war pensioners undergoing ‘remedial treatment’ at homes run by Combat Stress and (2) treatment costs for war pensioners who reside overseas.
Departmental Computers
As a result of the theft of the Royal Navy laptop, the Ministry of Defence has initiated an investigation into the details of all computers lost or stolen since 2003. This investigation is under way and I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available and arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House.
Departmental Data Protection
The Department’s security incident reporting system does not currently identify breaches relating to access to personal data as a separate category. We are now putting in place arrangements to identify such incidents on the database.
Educational Support
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: The service indicator on the annual school census in England was introduced in January 2008.
Iraq: Hercules Aircraft
[holding answer 13 December 2007]: Recommendation G stated that the Hercules C130K should be fitted with a basic aircraft data recorder. This is not a safety feature but an air accident investigation tool.
This recommendation was not pursued following a cost-benefit analysis which concluded that it was not cost-effective given the time it would take to fit the equipment compared with the expected out of service date for Hercules.
For recommendation K, a draft Information Exchange Agreement on the routine sharing of transport aircraft vulnerability data has been passed to the US. We are working to bring this work to a conclusion as soon as possible.
Iraq: Military Equipment
The provision of training, mentoring and monitoring of Iraqi Security Forces is a primary task for UK forces in Iraq, with training provided to 10th and 14th Iraqi Army Divisions at divisional, brigade and battalion level. At the divisional level, training and mentoring focuses on the appropriate structures required of a divisional HQ.
At brigade level, it focuses on the practicalities and execution of joint operations, while the battalion level receives dedicated infantry training.
Training is also provided to The Department for Border Enforcement and the Iraqi Police Service.
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 14 November 2007, Official Report, column 257, to the hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton).
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: All units deploy at the required strength for the tasks they are asked to fulfil during their operational tour.
Information on the number of troops from each unit which deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the last 12 months is being collated. I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.
Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency
The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) is the uniformed, unarmed element forming part of the larger Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency. The MGS provide an unarmed guarding service to Defence personnel and property.
There is one recorded instance since 2003 where the Ministry of Defence Guard Service have directly replaced the Ministry of Defence Police at a Defence establishment. This was at DSDA Longtown, Cumbria, in 2004.
Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency: Recruitment
The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) has no set annual targets for recruitment. Instead it keeps recruiting requirements under constant review and recruits sufficient MGS officers to meet the numbers required to provide an unarmed guarding function across the defence estate.
Culture, Media and Sport
Alcoholic Drinks: Licensing
(2) how many and what percentage of applications for extended alcohol licences have been rejected since the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003.
Under the Licensing Act 2003 there are no nationally set prescribed hours. Premises licence holders may apply to vary their hours; however, each application has to be considered locally on its merit and may be rejected. This information is not held centrally
Data collected for the latest DCMS Statistical Bulletin on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment, were published on 8 November 2007 and show that, between April 2006 and March 2007, of the 162,053 total premises licences 5,126 were for 24 hours. It should be noted that, of these, 2,493 are hotels which only serve private guests and friends of guests. These premises were able to serve guests for 24 hours under the old licensing regime.
A breakdown by region is as follows:
Region 24 hour licences East midlands 221 East of England 400 London 417 North-east 135 North-west 1,511 South-east 685 South-west 1,095 Wales 179 West Midlands 279 Yorkshire and the Humber 204 Note: Information was not provided by every licensing authority.
Arts
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: According to the Taking Part survey, 77 per cent. of all adults in England have taken part in the arts in the last 12 months. 66 per cent. of people attended arts events, 52 per cent. of people participated in an arts activity, and 43 per cent. did both.
Arts: Grants
The Arts Council operates at arm’s length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them.
The arm’s length principle ensures that the arts are not ‘run’ by the Government and are not subject to political interference Individual funding decisions are taken independently by people with expert knowledge of the sector.
The Arts Council have said the following in response to requests to see the names of the organisations listed in their proposals:
“Our proposals for non-renewal of funding cannot be made available until our National and Regional Councils make final decisions. This information is considered confidential and commercially sensitive during the response period. This is especially so in the case of a recommendation that might be overturned by the National Council or a Regional Council. Regularly funded organisations who have a right to respond to our recommendation, should be able to do so freely without fear that our intention to reduce or stop their funding is potentially unnecessarily, and without their consent, released into the public domain. A full announcement will be made at the beginning of February.”
Arts: TBR
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: The research project conducted by TBR will cost £75,000. DCMS is paying £45,000 and Arts Council England is contributing £30,000.
The project aims to:
map the voluntary arts sector in England
assess opportunities for growth in the sector and
consider the impact of adult and community learning on participation in the arts and crafts.
The report will be published in the summer.
Cultural Heritage
The heritage sector plays a crucial role in ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy and participate in the cultural life of the nation. The Taking Part Survey estimates that 70 per cent. of people visited a historic site at least once during the past 12 months.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
The Department has devised a plan which has identified potential savings of 562 tonnes of CO2 by March 2009.
In particular, the Department plans to replace its gas boilers with ones which are more efficient. This will significantly reduce our carbon emissions. We are seeking advice from the Carbon Trust on this.
Departmental ICT
My Department is undertaking the following information technology projects:
Project (a) Start date (b) Original planned completion date (c) Current expected completion date (d) Planned cost (e) Current estimated cost Electronic document management system October2007 October 2008 October 2008 £1.5 million £1.5 million Migration of Department's websites to new content management system February2008 June 2008 June 2008 £250,000 £250,000 Migration of ICT services to a new outsourcing contract January 2008 May 2008 May 2008 £647,000 £647,000
Departmental Marketing
The information is as follows:
(a) The following items were procured by the Department in the last five years bearing the Departments branding:
250 pens in 2003;
200 mugs in 2003;
13 T-shirts in 2007.
(b) The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate costs.
English Heritage
Works to listed cathedral buildings are exempted from the need to obtain listed building consent, on account of the structures and procedures put in place by the Church of England to agree such works. Decisions as to how works are undertaken are made by Church bodies.
The Department’s listed places of worship grant scheme supports repairs to English cathedrals by making grants equivalent to the VAT incurred. English Heritage also makes grants towards cathedral repairs.
My Department looks to English Heritage to provide specialist advice on matters of conservation.
Football
[holding answer 24 January 2008]: Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had a number of discussions with the premier league about the funding contribution to good causes following their broadcasting agreement.
These discussions are nearing completion and we intend formally to announce the detail of the funding in the near future.
Heritage Lottery Fund
[holding answer 25 January 2008]: The information requested is as follows:
Year of award Value of awards RPI year-average Value of awards at 2007-08 average prices1 1995-96 195,267,557 150.2 270,150,455 1996-97 476,899,459 155.4 637,707,256 1997-98 325,228,374 158.8 425,559,885 1998-99 351,143,796 163.8 445,581,482 1999-2000 268,842,743 166.4 335,831,211 2000-01 333,566,630 171.3 404,602,466 2001-02 320,722,772 173.8 383,464,856 2002-03 345,834,965 177.5 404,832,442 2003-04 329,487,834 182.5 375,216,177 2004-05 367,638,574 188.2 406,033,993 2005-06 318,650,170 193.1 342,893,049 2006-07 315,161,358 200.3 326,935,004 Total 3,948,444,232 — 4,758,808,276 1 Based on the retail prices index used by HLF Finance Dept for investment management.
Leader of the House
Members: Allowances
The rules in the Green Book allow hon. Members to stay overnight away from home in order to perform their parliamentary duties for which appropriate costs are reimbursed.
The Members Estimate Committee will review the Green Book in the light of the debate on Members' pay, pensions and allowances on 24 January 2008. Powers in the Climate Change Bill for local authorities to pilot waste incentive schemes for domestic waste are not yet in use. Consequently, no such claims have been received or paid. However, if charges are introduced as part of such schemes, the House will review whether it is appropriate to reimburse waste charges incurred by Members, given their purpose to act as a financial incentive to increase recycling and reduce the total amount of waste or whether, as with the congestion charge, Members are required to make all payments themselves.
Work and Pensions
Community Care: Finance
The information is in the following table.
Financial year Community Care Grant budget in Great Britain (£ million) 1997-98 97 1998-99 98 1999-2000 98 2000-01 100 2001-02 103 2002-03 108 2003-04 118 2004-05 128 2005-06 138 2006-07 141 2007-08 141 Note: There is also a small contingency reserve (which has varied between £0.5 million and £2 million) which is available to cover unforeseen spending, for example, on flooding. Source: Annual reports on the Social Fund by the Secretary of State for Social Security/Work and Pensions.
Housing Benefit
The information for Great Britain has been placed in the Library. Information regarding Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Incapacity Benefit: Appeals
Incapacity benefit claimants found capable of work and who appeal the decision may either claim jobseeker's allowance, which is paid at the full personal allowance rate but minus any disability premiums, unless they qualify for those premiums on alternative grounds; or claim income support, but at a reduced rate. If on appeal the decision is overturned, benefit will be restored in full from the appropriate date.
We currently have no plans to change these rules.
I have been asked to reply.
From April 2003 until March 2007 261,660 appeals have been received by the Appeal Tribunal against decisions not to award incapacity benefit. 92,977 of the appeal outcomes were in favour of the appellant.
Received Cleared in favour SSCSA April 2002 to March 2003 61,148 19,631 April 2003 to March 2004 62,970 22,253 April 2004 to March 2005 62,609 21,144 April 2005 to March 2006 63,646 23,680 April 2006 to March 2007 72,435 25,900
Figures for the amount of income support and jobseeker’s allowance not paid to appellants who were subsequently successful are not held by the Department for Work and Pensions because it is not possible to cross-reference incapacity benefit (IB) appeals with the data on income support (IS) and jobseekers allowance (JSA) recipients. To provide a figure the Department for Work and Pensions would need to identify which IB appellants subsequently claimed IS and JSA and they are unable to do this with the data they hold.
Local Housing Allowance
The evaluation evidence from the Local Housing Allowance Pathfinders showed clearly that money advice services provided by local authorities were working well. With help from local authorities, and partners such as welfare organisations, credit unions and banks themselves, around 96 per cent. of customers in Pathfinder areas now have a bank or building society account.
The evaluation evidence also shows that around a quarter of customers in Pathfinder areas said that they opened the account so that they could receive payment of the housing allowance. We are sharing the lessons learnt through the Pathfinders during national rollout to help those without access to a bank account to open one.
We are also encouraging local authorities to ensure that payment facilities are available for the small proportion of customers who cannot open a bank account.
The Department for Work and Pensions is leading a campaign to help financially excluded people access free money advice. The “Now Let's Talk Money” campaign will direct them to suitable bank accounts, local trusted sources of affordable credit and confidential advice.
No. The Post Office card account does not have the facility to receive any deposits other than a state benefit.
National Insurance: Foreigners
Information is not available prior to 2005-06. The available information has been placed in the Library.
National Insurance: Immigrants
Applications for national insurance numbers for employment purposes have automatically been subject to a proof of right to work check since July 2006.
Management information shows that between July 2006 and 30 November 2007 8,643 such applications were refused on the basis of not satisfying the right to work requirement. Details of these cases have been passed to the Border and Immigration Agency.
Pensioners
I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, 29 January 2008:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply your parliamentary question on the proportion of UK citizens who reached state retirement age and had never been employed in the UK. (181633)
According to the labour force survey (LFS) for the three months ending November 2007, it is estimated that 400,000, or 3 per cent. of the 11 million UK nationals living in the UK who were at, or over, retirement age, had never worked.
The LFS estimates at this detailed level are only consistent with the UK population estimates published in February and March 2003 and they do not incorporate the more recent population estimates that are used in the monthly Labour Market First Release
As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents
The information is not available.
Unemployment: Young People
I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, 21 January 2008:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply your parliamentary question on how many people aged (a) 16 to 18 and (b) 18 to 24 years were unemployed (i) on 1 May 1997 and (ii) on the most recent date for which figures are available, (181650) The information in the following table is from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and is the closest match to your request using published statistics. The data are seasonally adjusted and weighted to the most recently published UK population estimates.
Thousand Three months ending May 1997 Three months ending November 2007 Aged l6 to 17 years 168 197 Aged 18 to 24 years 489 516
Seasonally adjusted estimates of International Labour Organisation unemployment levels and rates by age are published each month in the labour market statistics first release. Please visit the following link:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/LMS_FR_HS/WebTable09_age.xls
As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
Transport
Aviation: Noise
The cost of the ANASE project was £1,401,517.60.
Aviation: Security
The summit was hosted by the Secretary of State on 19 July 2007 and was attended by senior representatives from the aviation industry. The main conclusions from the summit were that Government and industry should work together to ensure passengers arriving at airports last summer were better prepared and to consider how the one bag restriction can be lifted without compromising security.
Bus Services: Concessions
(2) how much has been allocated to Taunton Deane Borough Council to fund national free concessionary bus travel scheme for pensioners in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008 to date; and what percentage of that cost was provided by Central Government.
[holding answer 25 January 2008]: Funding for concessionary travel is part of a block within Revenue Support Grant (RSG), so it is not possible to disaggregate information for the allocation of it to individual Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs) in 2005, 2006 and 2007. For the extra cost of the all-England bus concession from April 2008 an additional £212 million will be paid directly to TCAs in England by special grant, rising to £217 million in 2009-10 and £223 million in 2010-11. In the provisional distribution of the grant in 2008-09 Taunton Deane borough council would receive £0.388 million through the special grant. This is in addition to their existing concessionary fares funding through RSG and represents an increase of 33 per cent. on the amount they spent on concessionary fares in 2006-07.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
The Department for Transport has engaged with the Carbon Trust to produce a carbon management energy efficiency report which gives recommendations across the Department on new schemes, estate enhancements and best practice that will bring about a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The report has recently been completed and the Department is currently developing an action plan which details the recommendations to be implemented, timescale for implementation and the estimated emissions savings. The plan is expected to be finalised by 31 March 2008.
Additionally, the Department for Transport has commissioned a Green Fleet Review from the Energy Saving Trust and will be acting upon its recommendations. The Department will also be using the Sustainable Procurement Task Force's “Flexible Framework” to benchmark its capability to deliver sustainable procurement and we will be utilising an ongoing programme of staff training, workshops and guidance to reinforce the message.
Departmental Contracts
Lists have been placed in the Libraries of the House for commissions recorded within the Department and its agencies accounting systems as consultancy for financial years 2005-06 and 2006-07.
The Department does not generally publish reports prepared by consultants that it has engaged. However, requests for copies of such reports would be considered under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Departmental Data Protection
[holding answer 7 January 2008]: The Department for Transport includes its seven agencies, a shared service centre and the central Department. The only business unit within the Department that is responsible for significant amounts of personal information that is stored and/or processed overseas is the Driving Standards Agency.
The Driving Standards Agency has a contract with Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd. for the delivery of the driving theory test. Pursuant to this contract, the following data on candidates sitting their test are stored and processed in the United States:
Title; First name; Surname; Address; Postcode; Alternative postal address (if required); Phone number (optional); e-mail (optional); Date of birth; Gender; Specific card details that enable payment to be taken i.e. expiry date, card number, name, issue number; Date of test; Location of test; Test Score; Response to each multiple choice question; Response to each hazard perception test clip; Test category taken; Test pass/fail; Pass certificate number (if applicable); Special accommodation arranged i.e. voice over language, reader recorder,; British sign language/signer, translator (if required); Survey responses (optional); and Ethnic group (optional).
The Vehicle Certification Agency has offices in US, Japan, Malaysia, India and China. These offices keep small volumes of personal information of its UK Civil Servants based overseas, locally employed staff and contractors. The total number of individuals included is less that 100, five of which are VCA UK civil servants.
The central Department has a contract with Penna plc for the storage and processing of data relating to the performance management of DFT staff. These data are stored and processed in the United States. The information held includes employee name, team, e-mail address, gender, employee ID, pay band and responses to assessment questions. Approximately 8,800 records relating to civil servants are currently stored.
Heathrow Airport: Construction
The recent incident at Heathrow is currently being investigated by the air accidents investigation branch (AAIB), and it is not appropriate at this stage to speculate on the cause. We will be awaiting the outcome of the investigation, which will include such recommendations as the AAIB deems appropriate.
Heathrow remains a very safe airport and safety continues to be our foremost concern as we develop proposals for adding capacity at Heathrow.
Heathrow Airport: Noise
(2) which postcode areas will be exposed to increased noise by the ending of the Cranford Agreement on Heathrow airport;
(3) which postcode areas would experience increased noise by the ending of the westerly preference at Heathrow airport;
(4) which postcode areas would experience less noise as a result of ending the Cranford Agreement in relation to Heathrow airport;
(5) which postcode areas will experience less noise as a result of ending the westerly preference at Heathrow airport;
(6) which postcode areas would be adversely affected by noise as a result of building a third runway at Heathrow airport; and which postcode areas would be added to the 157 dB Leq noise contour for Heathrow as a result of building a third runway;
(7) which postcode areas are affected by noise from Heathrow airport at the level of 50 dB;
(8) which postcode areas will be affected by aircraft noise at a level of 50 dB or greater as a result of building a third runway at Heathrow.
The noise effects of the various possible changes at Heathrow are illustrated by a series of noise contours contained in the supporting technical report 'Revised Future Aircraft Noise Exposure Estimates for Heathrow Airport' issued as part of the current consultation 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport'. Contours are shown from 57dBA, with 54dBA contours included for sensitivity purposes. In addition, the Department's website includes a facility allowing individuals to identify the likely change in noise levels, by postcode, under the various proposals. This includes Heathrow options with and without the Cranford agreement, mixed mode and a third runway. The noise levels are from 57dBA upwards and are presented with both a westerly preference and an easterly preference. They are indicative and should be used only as a guide.
The search facility includes postcodes in the following local authority areas: Bracknell Forest, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston-upon-Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Runnymede, Slough, South Bucks, Spelthorne, Wandsworth, Windsor and Maidenhead. Areas outside those boroughs are not expected to experience any change. Further information is on the website at:
www.dft.gov.uk/heathrowconsultation
and the postcode facility can be accessed at:
www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/heathrowconsultation/furtherinformation/postcodesearch/ .
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties
Regional figures are unavailable prior to 2002.
Vehicles scrapped in Essex and Chelmsford since 2002 are available in the following table.
Essex Chelmsford 2002 75 3 2003 1,056 2 2004 1,034 31 2005 829 1 2006 907 82 2007 1,110 209 Total 5,011 328
Railways: Kent
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: The premium fares that may be charged for domestic high speed services are specified in the Franchise Agreement between the Secretary of State, and London and South Eastern Railways (LSER).
At this stage, the Department has not had any discussions with LSER on the premium fares that may be charged on domestic high speed services.
Travel: Concessions
The £212 million funding allocation for 2008-09 is based on generous assumptions about increasing take-up of passes (85 per cent. in aggregate across England), extra journeys (10 per cent. or £100 million), and average fare (£1.34). It also includes a significant contingency to take account of the difficulty of allocating funding on a formula basis and uncertainty around the precise pattern of new journeys.
This new funding is being made available to cover only the additional costs of the new concession. Additional concessions will still have to be funded at an authority's discretion.
We consulted on four possible distributions of the grant. These options used data likely to reflect the main drivers of cost of the new concession (e.g. retail floor space, visitor numbers, bus patronage) in different combinations. Our proposed distribution is based on the most popular option. Travel concession authorities in the south-east will receive £25.14 million in total—an increase of 34 per cent. against what was spent in the region on concessionary travel in 2006-07. A list of the relevant local authorities and the proposed funding for each is as follows:
2008-09 special grant allocation (£ million) Buckinghamshire Aylesbury Vale 0.358 Chiltern 0.165 South Bucks 0.165 Wycombe 0.363 Total 1.052 East Sussex Eastbourne 0.482 Lewes 0.214 Rother 0.297 Wealden 0.276 Total 1.269 Hampshire Basingstoke and Deane 0.342 East Hampshire 0.205 Eastleigh 0.305 Fareham 0.278 Gosport 0.194 Hart 0.142 Havant 0.327 New Forest 0.493 Rushmoor 0.283 Test Valley 0.225 Winchester 0.256 Total 3.048 Kent Ashford 0.348 Canterbury 0.546 Dartford 0.395 Dover 0.333 Gravesham 0.274 Hastings 0.424 Maidstone 0.444 Sevenoaks 0.233 Shepway 0.346 Swale 0.298 Thanet 0.524 Tonbridge and Mailing 0.251 Tunbridge Wells 0.329 Total 4.744 Oxfordshire Cherwell 0.426 Oxford 0.821 South Oxfordshire 0.317 Vale of White Horse 0.261 West Oxfordshire 0.255 Total 2.080 Surrey Elmbridge 0.283 Epsom and Ewell 0.194 Guildford 0.352 Mole Valley 0.187 Reigate and Banstead 0.260 Runnymede 0.162 Spelthorne 0.244 Surrey Heath 0.200 Tandridge 0.146 Waverley 0.262 Woking 0.254 Total 2.544 West Sussex Adur 0.167 Arun 0.403 Chichester 0.359 Crawley 0.326 Horsham 0.251 Mid Sussex 0.271 Worthing 0.357 Total 2.134 Unitary Bracknell Forest 0.251 Brighton and Hove 1.715 Isle of Wight 0.848 Medway 0.669 Milton Keynes 0.743 Portsmouth 0.836 Reading 0.926 Slough 0.356 Southampton 1.059 West Berkshire 0.334 Windsor and Maidenhead 0.321 Wokingham 0.213 Total 8.271
Underground Assets
The Department has provided financial support to the National Underground Assets Group (NUAG), which is working to establish an effective and efficient means of recording, storing, sharing and displaying information on underground assets. The group has representatives from industry and local authorities as well as Ordnance Survey and the Association for Geographic Information. The Government support other related initiatives such as:
VISTA which uses GPS to generate 3-D models of the location of assets; and
Mapping the Underworld which identifies new technology to locate assets.
The three projects complement each other and share their conclusions to ensure compatibility of proposals.
Innovation, Universities and Skills
Departmental Performance Appraisal
The Department is in the process of conducting and collating skills audits. As a consequence it is too early to offer any conclusions at this stage. The Department is also in the process of defining a skills strategy which will look to establish policies and methods for enhancing skills in Department employees going forward. Again this strategy is in the development stage. The Department has also made the skills pledge, a public commitment to support all employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSEs).
Departmental Training
No training is offered to trade unions representatives financed directly by this Department, though like all employees they do receive funding for their work and personal development training as any good employer would. All trade unions representatives receive their TU training and funding through the Union Learning Fund setup in 1998.
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Arms Trade: Nigeria
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: Information on ECGD business supported prior to 1991 is not held on a basis which enables defence to be identified separately from other sectors. ECGD has however supported no defence business on Nigeria since that date.
Bankruptcy: Peterborough
It is not possible from records held centrally and in a readily available format to provide all the information requested. The following table provides the statistics which could be compiled in the time available and which most closely match those requested.
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20061 Traders 8 9 23 20 12 14 Non-traders 36 39 47 67 108 40 Missing 0 0 0 0 1 0 Total bankruptcies 44 48 70 87 121 54 1 January to June Notes: 1. The Insolvency Trade Classification (ITC) was used to classify trading-related bankruptcies (and company liquidations) until end September 2006. However, only the period from January to June 2006 is provided because of the way the data are held. 2. The figures above include bankruptcies filed on either the petition of the debtor (trader) or of a creditor. 3. The geographical information presented above is based on bankrupts' postcodes and is subject to an element of missing or unusable data. Nationally, this has been decreasing from around 9 per cent. in 2001 to 4 per cent. in 2006.
Company Liquidations
Companies House records show that the number of companies which entered into an administration or liquidation process more than 10 years ago and which are still shown as live on the register are:
(a) 4,921 companies where the administration or liquidation process began between 10 and fifteen years ago.
(b) 1,2571 companies where the administration or liquidation process began more than 15 years ago.
In practice, it is likely that the number of insolvency processes which began more than 10 years ago and remain ongoing is significantly lower than this. It would be unusual for an individual process to continue for as long as 10 years. The implication is that, in a significant number of cases, the administrator or insolvency practitioner may not have notified Companies House that a process is complete. Companies House is considering, in discussion with the Insolvency Service, what further steps it could take to clarify how many companies fall into this category. At present, it is not possible to say what the true figure is.
In addition to their obligation to keep the public record up to date, the relevant insolvency office holder is required to give regular updates to creditors and, where appropriate, members of the company.
Energy: Carbon Emissions
[holding answer 24 January 2008]: The following funding programmes announced by my Department are expected to continue spending over part or all of the next five years:
Bioenergy Capital Grants Scheme
Hydrogen, Fuel Cell, and Carbon Abatement Technologies Demonstration Programme
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2
Offshore Wind Capital Grants Scheme
Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study
Marine Renewables Deployment Fund
The Department has also announced its intention to fund a Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstration project.
Expenditure is demand-led and the Department does not make specific allocations for each year. These programmes have different expected lifespans: some will complete spending within five years and some will continue beyond that period. My Department’s budget for low-carbon energy technologies over the comprehensive spending review period (the three years from April 2008-March 2011) is £200 million, through the new Environmental Transformation Fund. Spend under the programmes listed will be met from this budget, as will the estimated £9 million cost for the Severn Tidal Power feasibility study whose terms of reference I announced on 22 January. My Department’s budget beyond March 2011 depends on the next central Government spending review.
Energy: EU Action
The United Kingdom, along with other EU member states, has been closely involved in the development of the European Strategic Energy Technology plan, and has engaged in discussions and commented and made suggestions on all aspects of the plan as it has developed over the past year. Industry participation has also been an important element of the process.
In broad terms the United Kingdom has advocated a SET plan that should set the strategic context and direction for EU policies and initiatives relevant to the development and deployment of new low carbon energy technologies, and that will add value to national policies and programmes.
The resulting SET plan, which is set to be adopted at the forthcoming EU Spring Council, reflects many of the issues raised by the UK in discussion. It is summarised in the Explanatory Memorandum to the ‘Commission Communication: A European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan)—Towards a low-carbon future’, deposited in Parliament by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on 16 December 2007.
Later this year, the Government will launch a full consultation on what more we should do to increase renewable energy use to meet our share of the EU 2020 renewables target. This will include consideration of how to remove barriers.
Energy: Prices
Data on energy prices are published by BERR in Quarterly Energy prices:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/prices/index.html
Domestic prices are available on a regional basis. Electricity prices for England and Wales are not available separately, as data are collected by public electricity supply (PES) area, and some of these areas straddle the England/Wales border. BERR does not publish average gas price data for Northern Ireland. Regional price data are not available for industrial consumers.
For 2007, average prices for gas and electricity for domestic consumers paying by standard credit in pence per kWh were as follows:
England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Electricity 11.55 12.15 11.42 — Gas 3.07 3.04 — 2.97
Energy: Russia
The energy charter treaty remains the only multilateral instrument providing a rules-based framework for trade, investment protection and transit of energy products and services, backed up by legally binding dispute resolution mechanisms. HMG supports the energy charter treaty as a valuable instrument in our objective of promoting open, competitive international energy markets.
Russia is a signatory to the energy charter treaty, and claims to apply the treaty provisionally. Russian ratification of the treaty remains our goal. Our bilateral and multilateral discussions with Russia, together with the regular meetings of energy charter treaty signatories, provide opportunities to demonstrate the continuing value of ECT ratification.
Export Credit Guarantees: Fraud
In order for any debt arising in relation to an ECGD-supported export contract to be considered for forgiveness, that debt must appear on the list of debts which form the subject of a debt rescheduling agreement between the UK and the debtor country, which would, almost invariably, be entered into pursuant to arrangements agreed in the Paris Club. The debts to be included in that debt list would have to be accepted by the government of the debtor country and, during this acceptance process, it would be open to the debtor country to raise objections to the inclusion of any particular debt on the grounds that the export contract to which it relates had been procured by corruption or is otherwise ineligible for inclusion in the debt list.
In addition, in 2000, ECGD first published new Business Principles and anti-corruption procedures and these (as updated from time to time) are applied to all new applications for ECGD support.
Natural Gas: Housing
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: As part of its regional and local energy statistics publication programme, BERR has published the number of domestic gas meter points in each region and local authority in Great Britain. The following estimates compare the number of domestic meter points with the estimates of the number of households in each area for 2004. Corresponding data are not available for the UK, as BERR do not have information relating to Northern Ireland.
Number England 2,509,000 East Midlands 202,000 North West Leicestershire 5,000 Sources: Gas sales and numbers of customers by region and area: 2004, BERR Mid-year household estimates for England: 2004, CLG
Figures for North West Leicestershire relate to the local authority rather than the parliamentary constituency. BERR do not have data at parliamentary constituency level.
Nuclear Power Stations: Construction
The Government fund Planning Aid which provides independent, free advice to hard to reach groups in order to help them to participate in the planning system. For 2007-08 the grant is 31.7 million. The Planning White Paper referred to increasing grant funding for bodies such as Planning Aid to ensure that members of the public get the advice and support they need to get involved in planning inquiries on major infrastructure projects. No decisions have been taken on future levels of funding for Planning Aid.
Nuclear Power: Carbon Emissions
The analysis of the potential contribution of nuclear power to reducing carbon emissions in annex A of the White Paper on Nuclear Power covers emissions arising at the point of generation. The issue of the full life cycle emissions from different electricity generation technologies is covered in the answer to question two from the consultation on nuclear power and is summarised in paragraphs 2.10 to 2.25 of the White Paper. The estimated full life cycle emissions from a nuclear power station (7-22gCO2/kWh) are equivalent to between 2 per cent. and 6 per cent. of those of a gas-fired station for every unit of electricity generated. These include all emissions from uranium processing, through construction and decommissioning to the management of radioactive waste.
The cost-benefit analysis of nuclear power published with the 2007 Energy White Paper included the full costs of nuclear, including those for waste and decommissioning.
Post Offices
Post Office Ltd. annually places in the Libraries of the House a list of all post offices in the network by parliamentary constituency. The list gives post office name, post town and post code.
Postal Offices: Rural Areas
(2) what minimum number of post office branches would be required to ensure that 99 per cent. of the UK population is within three miles and 90 per cent. of the population are within one mile of their nearest post office outlet.
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Home Department
Alcoholic Drinks: Young People
The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 came into force on 6 April 2007, statistics on court proceedings and cautions for 2007 will be published in the autumn of 2008.
Community Development
[holding answer 25 January 2008]: No assessment has been made of the effect that the implementation of the Respect Agenda has had in West Chelmsford. However, the Local Government User Satisfaction Survey 2006-07 showed that between 2003 and 2006 the number of people perceiving antisocial behaviour as a very or fairly big problem in Chelmsford fell from 35 per cent. to 15 per cent.
Through the Respect programme, we introduced new approaches nationally to tackle the root causes of antisocial behaviour. Key commitments in the Government's Respect action plan have now been met and mainstreamed locally.
We are committed to building on the excellent progress made across the country, working with local authorities and the police to tackle the problems on the ground but also to deal with the root causes through early intervention and prevention.
Three independent reports on the Government's strategy to tackle antisocial behaviour show that it is working: The Home Affairs Select Committee Report, the National Audit Office report (2006) and Public Accounts Committee Report (2007). Public perceptions of antisocial behaviour being a problem locally are down as shown in the British Crime Survey and the Local Government User Satisfaction Survey 2006-07.
Crime: Statistics
The Government have committed to making consistent, monthly, local information on crime available throughout the country. This will include data on crime and community safety issues but will also comprise other kinds of information of use to the local community, such as information about what local agencies are doing to tackle their community safety priorities.
The Home Office is working with ACPO, the APA and other stakeholders to identify how best this can be achieved.
Cybercrime
The Government believe that our current law effectively deals with incitement to racial hatred, and strikes the right balance between the need to protect individuals from violence and hatred and the need to protect freedom of expression. We will therefore not ratify the protocol as it does not allow us to maintain our criminal threshold for this sort of offence.
E-mail: Fraud
The Home Secretary has not had any discussions with the banking industry on this matter.
The Government have a dialogue with the banking and internet industries through our joint initiative, GetSafeOnline. This has the purpose of providing information to the public on protecting themselves against e-crime, such as phishing.
The UK banking industry also helps online banking customers stay safe while online through BankSafeOnline. org. Customers can also report scams through this site.
Firearms: Licensing
Controls on firearms are kept under close scrutiny and changes made where necessary to secure public safety. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 both included measures which further regulate the use and possession of air weapons and realistic imitation firearms. As recently announced, I will be consulting shortly on the introduction of stricter controls on deactivated firearms.
Immigration
48 women found were discovered to be in the country unlawfully.
Of the women discovered in this operation one had been identified as a victim of trafficking.
Operation Rampart led to the arrest of 42 people on suspicion of being in the United Kingdom unlawfully. Of these 37 people were removed from the country. Three people were also charged with document offences.
In a related operation three people were arrested and prosecuted for passport offences and on conviction were also removed from the UK.
Immobilisation of Vehicles
[holding answer 5 December 2007]: The Home Office is continuing to consider reviewing policy on the regulation of vehicle immobilisers. We have not reached any conclusion however, and therefore no decision has been made at this point about whether a review will proceed, or if it does, the likely timescale.
Macfarlan Smith
Work commenced on 5 October 2006 and continues. Completion depends upon finalising the data collection and assessment.
Offensive Weapons
(2) what consideration she has given to licensing the sale of domestic and non-domestic knives; and if she will make a statement;
(3) what restrictions are in place on the sale of (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic knives; and if she will make a statement.
There are a number of restrictions and controls on the sale of knives and other bladed instruments. The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 bans the sale of flick knives and gravity knives. The Criminal Justice Act 1988 prohibits the manufacture, sale and hire of 17 weapons specified in the Criminal Justice Act (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 including butterfly knives. The Government consulted in March 2007 on adding samurai swords and other offensive weapons to the Order, and has announced its intention to proceed with a ban on the sale of samurai swords, subject to exemptions for collectors and reputable martial arts groups, by April 2008.
While the Government do not currently have plans to license the sale of knives we have, as part of our commitment to tackling knife crime, made it an offence to sell a knife to a person aged under 18 in the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, which is an increase from the previous age of 16. The Knives Act 1997 also makes it an offence to market knives as suitable for combat, or in ways likely to stimulate or encourage violent behaviour.
Proceeds of Crime
The total value of confiscation orders and cash forfeiture orders made in each police force in England and Wales from January to December 2007 against criminals involved in drug crime is set out in the following table. The enforcement of confiscation orders is primarily the responsibility of the HM Courts Service.
£ Police force January February March April May June Avon and Somerset Constabulary 1,185.00 5,902.51 63,889.81 4,480.20 92,549.07 13,974.51 Bedfordshire Police 25,925.37 3,493.29 2,130.00 5,120.00 6,980.75 1,158.61 Cambridgeshire Constabulary 894.54 19,138.36 5,934.25 14,802.50 554.37 2,827.29 Cheshire Constabulary 0.00 42,588.73 94,527.25 8,514.75 0.00 6,247.40 City of London Police 0.00 0.00 29,944.18 22,243.83 0.00 0.00 Cleveland Police 4,937.31 30,280.54 101,913.00 8,161.46 3,314.00 1,260.00 Cumbria Constabulary 14,940.00 9,213.37 3,579.24 40,000.00 7,546.94 10,170.74 Derbyshire Constabulary 1,261.53 285,182.83 32,973.81 55,902.56 12,568.63 13,049.00 Devon and Cornwall Constabulary 1,400.00 5,600.56 11,444.00 0.00 12,961.50 6,139.37 Dorset Police 1,791,737.00 43,133.30 12,560.00 788,657.00 2,680.00 5,679.00 Durham Constabulary 4,875.00 1,800.00 4,830.00 414,168.49 1,100.00 1,240.43 Dyfed-Powys Police 21,506.30 7,321.65 24,442.03 13.89 2,343.80 445,671.05 Essex Police 19,019.76 19,052.00 44,818.14 21,204.57 36,797.27 35,464.31 Gloucestershire Constabulary 90,295.00 14,764.43 9,705.00 16,803.20 42,665.55 2,360.00 Greater Manchester Police 30,779.43 47,318.49 15,146.32 292,957.86 518,271.76 141,654.04 Gwent Police 0.00 3,501.92 12,288.33 76,633.04 384,336.93 1,170.00 Hampshire Constabulary 8,000.25 56,425.00 14,305.55 69,499.33 34,865.00 121,859.63 Hertfordshire Constabulary 88,365.00 0.00 91,004.75 168,359.87 155,980.00 4,064.71 Humberside Police 56,232.04 0.00 3,000.00 1,180.00 6,657.16 23,719.91 Kent Police 1,978.28 103,561.45 459.44 97,502.06 14,786.60 62,332.82 Lancashire Constabulary 25,079.49 498,383.00 2,786.00 12,791.37 61,159.53 85,564.06 Leicestershire Constabulary 736.00 9,327.91 18,179.68 31,953.87 9,884.17 23,460.55 Lincolnshire Police 4,104.00 2,010.00 0.00 15,000.00 3,996.10 50.00 Merseyside Police 862,908.75 73,878.43 108,514.98 556,462.21 113,821.25 41,965.30 Metropolitan Police Service 213,468.48 120,328.31 420,992.70 472,352.67 345,291.84 297,026.85 Norfolk Constabulary 4,912.47 8,243.90 350.00 0.00 279,880.23 55,029.68 North Wales Police 0.00 531.59 25,650.41 0.00 47,621.14 9,885.50 North Yorkshire Police 1,202.25 45,199.51 1,140.00 20,315.00 12,518.23 6,963.02 Northamptonshire Police 6,350.00 21,448.99 13,036.41 11,334.86 167,934.21 17,438.29 Northumbria Police 23,592.52 8,747.51 51,619.97 7,335.00 0.00 326,921.28 Nottinghamshire Police 20,928.68 37,464.85 129,850.44 4,649.86 3,704.97 10,136.54 South Wales Police 11,202.63 82,861.44 53,817.62 603.54 22,385.10 10,721.10 South Yorkshire Police 128,393.42 3,937.19 13,003.97 17,409.82 22,233.76 46,580.68 Staffordshire Police 32,133.50 11,497.72 68,019.07 21,072.96 19,651.43 10,379.38 Suffolk Constabulary 29,017.77 32,141.68 4,693.00 5,669.40 121,852.79 19,262.05 Surrey Police 1,100.00 36,280.00 0.00 3,040.00 1,650.01 1,555.86 Sussex Police 4,163.11 233,245.35 9,206.27 29,061.69 28,125.00 7,571.69 Thames Valley Police 23,161.50 23,039.49 15,806.32 19,500.47 430,080.30 87,868.79 Warwickshire Police 150.00 0.00 4,571.16 1,000.00 111,358.88 3,805.00 West Mercia Constabulary 19,474.45 905.00 67,951.44 24,376.55 836.59 10,191.62 West Midlands Police 23,020.70 51,938.70 73,649.34 27,011.09 548,649.87 40,750.18 West Yorkshire Police 37,993.28 132,372.68 64,004.35 30,201.05 48,150.21 46,270.42 Wiltshire Constabulary 3,574.37 9,187.00 81,608.88 1,092.01 75,184.65 19,195.43
Police force July August September October November December Avon and Somerset Constabulary 139,951.64 76,715.45 102,202.77 50,630.76 4,356.57 20,900.74 Bedfordshire Police 1,126.19 0.00 1,093.60 65,724.16 57,993.66 500,910.13 Cambridgeshire Constabulary 4,813.43 43,634.90 18,920.09 14,368.76 79,835.80 36,939.92 Cheshire Constabulary 0.00 5,250.00 9,347.00 4,209.91 3,192.20 2,727.00 City of London Police 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Cleveland Police 5,716.36 11,022.54 2,054.90 4,710.00 21,101.45 7,252.96 Cumbria Constabulary 8,132.34 48,528.29 4,149.80 4,794.28 1,640.00 13,957.19 Derbyshire Constabulary 11,828.01 4,682.76 285.33 63,335.12 1,557.23 942.52 Devon and Cornwall Constabulary 13,110.20 12,934.18 58,475.15 13,524.00 6,025.00 4,707.25 Dorset Police 69,744.00 5,562.71 2,800.00 114,745.73 3,656.51 4,925.00 Durham Constabulary 5,823.01 8,158.00 5,880.65 164.02 4,337.51 10,954.50 Dyfed-Powys Police 10,157.25 801.22 18,335.10 560.54 219.71 446.00 Essex Police 1,800.00 5,865.00 20,887.57 10,972.89 9,790.00 8,418.55 Gloucestershire Constabulary 7,709.57 4,287.81 710.09 9,358.00 25,053.13 1,674.80 Greater Manchester Police 101,540.15 57,741.46 33,483.56 119,001.44 171,882.46 99,944.08 Gwent Police 4,145.11 21,978.29 43,373.81 112,616.26 0.00 42,077.36 Hampshire Constabulary 5,737.56 118,741.99 159,707.00 53,761.00 15,644.52 13,253.17 Hertfordshire Constabulary 217,201.35 67,945.54 5,101.00 28,090.56 10,528.83 3,060.00 Humberside Police 39,600.00 78,589.35 466,673.04 19,069.74 51,186.19 0.00 Kent Police 164,865.31 499,610.00 0.00 903,893.08 9,028.00 2,955.00 Lancashire Constabulary 6,178.55 45,621.43 117,330.52 28,239.44 67,681.01 15,405.92 Leicestershire Constabulary 9,840.79 9,244.98 16,326.89 14,144.51 18,898.42 12,445.37 Lincolnshire Police 2,400.00 17,248.86 0.00 7,156.30 13,894.00 1,025.00 Merseyside Police 60,809.70 224,288.72 371,160.72 244,948.67 171,469.93 304,140.24 Metropolitan Police Service 161,986.74 285,234.49 169,676.87 792,029.98 533,093.45 1,104,138.14 Norfolk Constabulary 40,486.99 785,976.84 5,510.00 8,590.55 23,106.16 143,075.29 North Wales Police 12,792.75 2,324.90 20,043.60 2,695.00 5,574.50 16,864.00 North Yorkshire Police 40,167.83 6,955.06 5,767.08 0.00 14,193.86 24,120.00 Northamptonshire Police 33,050.98 2,625.98 670.00 9,258.32 6,423.95 0.00 Northumbria Police 340,980.94 5,199.77 16,570.36 8,380.54 3,692.37 6,320.00 Nottinghamshire Police 2,256.00 55,851.45 180,531.59 11,190.46 114,904.99 9,626.52 South Wales Police 43,441.05 14,365.62 14,628.99 24,954.02 16,671.07 24,853.34 South Yorkshire Police 336,500.94 22,770.29 84,275.00 37,296.84 16,732.93 8,664.54 Staffordshire Police 54,313.35 44,725.88 5,160.50 1,317,246.29 25,952.88 6,945.00 Suffolk Constabulary 3,292.59 1,996.95 25,530.88 7,101.94 0.00 2,220.00 Surrey Police 3,240.00 323,896.95 0.00 7,100.00 8,059.34 6,391.48 Sussex Police 35,076.29 40,496.65 20,629.33 5,485.00 52,374.96 149,939.53 Thames Valley Police 45,107.06 37,700.26 17,978.34 42,166.82 19,706.01 84,125.60 Warwickshire Police 2,427.87 7,115.00 86,254.81 10,657.69 4,524.23 4,227.10 West Mercia Constabulary 1,415.39 16,360.00 2,229.72 27,040.00 11,215.00 32,610.59 West Midlands Police 17,326.37 72,620.10 45,602.58 91,192.82 66,700.89 761,322.05 West Yorkshire Police 65,838.75 22,343.73 100,804.96 105,113.51 55,588.44 214,166.83 Wiltshire Constabulary 4,800.54 0.00 8,805.00 0.00 461.00 1,219.09
Proceeds of Crime: Durham Police Force
A total of £115,501 of recovered criminal proceeds was paid to Durham police authority in 2007 under the asset recovery incentive scheme. A further payment to reward the force's performance in the final quarter of 2007 will be made shortly
Road Traffic Offences: Fraud
There is no specific offence of illegally clamping a vehicle on private land or fraudulently issuing a penalty ticket for parking on private land. The Private Security Industry Act 2001 provides for the regulation of vehicle immobilisers carrying out licensable activities and for a range of offences which include using an unlicensed wheel-clamper. The most common offence prosecuted under the Act is “conduct prohibited without a licence”. This would include carrying out, without a licence, not only wheel-clamping and related activities but also the other types of activity which are licensable under the 2001 Act, such as manned guarding and door supervision. Numbers of prosecutions and convictions for 2004 to 2006 for these offences and for the offence of carrying out conduct prohibited without a licence are shown in the following table. The data for the second and third categories do not break down further the licensable activities to which the prosecutions are related.
2004 2005 2006 Offence Statute Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Offence of using unlicensed security operatives Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.5(1)(4) — — 3 — 13 8 Offence of using unlicensed wheel clampers operative Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.6(1)(4) — — 2 — — — Right to use approved status Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.16(2)(a)&(4) 5 4 1 1 1 1 Imposition of requirements for approval Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.17(2)(a)&(4) 6 6 159 65 141 84 Conduct prohibited without a licence Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.3(1)(6) — — 1 — 1 — Powers of entry and inspection Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.19(5)(a)(b) & (c) & (7) — — — — — — False information Private Security Industry Act 2001 S.22(1)(b)(2) — — — — — — Total 11 10 168 66 156 93 1 These data are on the principal offence basis. 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.
Security Industry Authority: Scotland
This information is not available.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Bangladesh: Elections
Credible elections in 2008 that can sustain democracy in the longer term are essential for Bangladesh. The UK is playing its part and offering practical support. Through the Department for International Development (DFID), the UK has contributed £10 million to the voter registration programme in Bangladesh and we have seen encouraging progress to date. A further £1.1 million from DFID is being spent, through the Asia Foundation, on the promotion of accountability, issues-based campaigning and non-violence. This is in addition to our funding of a country-wide scheme to motivate vulnerable groups to register to vote.
We support a return to healthy and sustainable democracy in Bangladesh, through the creation of the conditions for credible elections. When he met the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK (Mr. Shafi U Ahmed) on 22 January, my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, welcomed the Caretaker government’s assurance that elections will take place in 2008 and underlined the need to adhere to the election roadmap. We also welcome remarks by the Chief Adviser and the Chief Election Commissioner that those elections could be brought forward should voter list and electoral reforms be completed earlier than planned.
Bangladesh: Human Rights
There are legitimate concerns about human rights in Bangladesh. The caretaker Government's announcement of a Human Rights Commission is a step in the right direction. We welcome the separation of the judiciary and the Executive. We continue to urge the Government, army and law enforcement agencies to act impartially and proportionately, with respect for public safety, human rights, media freedoms and the rule of law.
On 22 January 2008, three teachers from Dhaka university were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for taking part in protests that contravened the emergency rules. On the same day, the teachers were released following a Presidential decree of clemency. Throughout our engagement with the caretaker Government, we have consistently emphasised that, in creating the conditions for credible elections and sustainable democracy, it is necessary to retain respect for individuals’ rights and democratic and judicial processes.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made any representations to the Government of Bangladesh on this case. Mr. Ahmed is currently in detention pending a procedural court ruling in relation to the charges laid against him on 16 September 2007 by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh.
We welcome the recent separation of the Judiciary and the Executive in Bangladesh, and continue to urge the Caretaker government, the army and law enforcement agencies to act impartially and proportionately, with respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Bangladesh: Politics and Government
We support the restoration of full democratic processes in Bangladesh at the earliest opportunity. We believe that the lifting of the ban on indoor political activities was an important step towards this. We would like to see a dialogue between the caretaker Government and the political parties that includes discussion of further moves towards lifting the remaining restrictions.
Cyprus
The issue of Turkish troops in Cyprus is raised during regular bilateral discussions with the Turkish government, where we encourage Turkey to work hard towards the normalisation of relations with Cyprus.
We believe that a reduction in the number of Turkish troops in northern Cyprus would build trust on the island, and inject momentum into the UN's efforts to make decisive progress towards a comprehensive settlement in 2008. The wider issue of security in Cyprus is one of a number of crucial issues that can only be fully solved through a comprehensive settlement.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict
The conference resulted in commitments on a cease-fire in the region, the creation of demilitarised zones, an amnesty for combatants who have committed acts of insurrection, the liberation of political prisoners, the lifting of road blocks and the return of refugees. This was possible because of the constructive and co-operative approach taken by the groups represented there. All parties will need to continue to work together to ensure lasting peace.
The UK firmly supports the outcome of the conference as a constructive step towards stability in the region.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Peace Negotiations
I congratulate the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all the participants on the successful outcome of the Conference on Peace, Security and Development in the provinces of north Kivu and south Kivu. The agreements reached offer a good opportunity for peace and stability in the region. All parties will need to continue to work together to secure a lasting peace.
I strongly support a political solution to issues in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The constructive approach of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards General Nkunda has allowed his organisation, the National Congress for People's Defence, to contribute to efforts towards such a solution.
Departmental Internet
Collating the information requested by the hon. Member would incur disproportionate cost. Even then it would not be possible to guarantee a complete answer because lists of IP addresses for Government Departments are not readily available.
Diplomatic Service: EU Nationals
From 2003 onwards, as part of our annual survey of consular operations overseas, we have collected information from overseas posts on the number of unrepresented EU nationals who have received assistance from consular services (not including general inquiries and requests for advice). We do not break this information down by nationality.
We are unable to provide figures before 2003, as between 1996 and 2002 figures for EU and Commonwealth nationals were collated together.
The following table shows the number of these assistance cases where support was given to EU nationals with comparative figures against UK missions globally.
EU cases Total cases 2003-04 147 24,761 2004-05 366 26,691 2005-06 120 27,772 2006-07 98 34,874
EU Reform: Treaties
The Lisbon treaty shall enter into force only after being ratified by all 27 member states in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements, and not before 1 January 2009.
India: Christianity
While such incidents remain an internal matter for the Indian government, we continue to seek out opportunities to raise UK human rights concerns in India, including incidents of religious intolerance. We urge the Indian authorities to uphold the right to freedom of religion and bring to justice those responsible for attacks against people on account of their religion.
India: UN Security Council
The UK is a long-standing supporter of India's candidacy for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. We also support Brazilian, German, Japanese and African permanent representation.
The eventual size and form of an enlarged Security Council requires agreement from the UN membership, as set out in the charter of the UN. The UK has consistently championed the need for a reformed Council to represent emerging powers in the modern world. The UK continues to engage actively in debate over Security Council reform both in New York and with UN partners world-wide, and we have voiced our support for initiatives by the President of the General Assembly to drive forward the reform process.
Iran: Oppression
We remain concerned about the treatment of religious minorities in Iran, including Baha'is. The EU presidency raised our concerns over the treatment of the Baha'i minority in Iran during a meeting with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 January, and called for the release of the three individuals imprisoned at the Ministry of Information. In addition, the UN General Assembly Resolution on human rights in Iran, adopted in December 2007 and co-sponsored by all EU member states, expressed very serious concern over the treatment of Baha'is.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns about the treatment of the Baha'is with the Iranian authorities, both bilaterally and through the EU.
Iraq: Weapons
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently considering the Information Tribunal's judgment in this case and the legal options available to it. It would therefore not be appropriate to place a copy in the Library of the House at this stage. If, and when, the document is released a copy will be made available for the Library.
(2) whether both the Government's June 2002 and September 2002 sources of intelligence that Iraq sought to purchase uranium from Africa, referred to in paragraph 89 of the Intelligence and Security Committee Report, Cm 5972, of September 2003, were either passed to or discussed with the International Atomic Energy Agency the information they had on that issue.
It is the long-standing policy of the Government not to comment on intelligence matters.
Jordan: Animal Welfare
While my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to raise this specific issue with the Jordanian Ambassador, officials will discuss this matter with the Jordanian authorities.
Kenya: Politics and Government
The Government recognise states, not Governments. However, we share the concerns of the international community over the conduct of the presidential election. Concerns were highlighted in independent Election Observer Mission reports, including those from the Commonwealth, the East African community, domestic observers, as well as in the initial findings of the European Union's mission.
Given that none of the independent international observers to the elections believe the tallying met international standards it is difficult to have any confidence in the announced result. Against that background, we are pressing for negotiations between the two sides to ensure agreement on a government that can enjoy Kenyan and international confidence.
Lebanon: Politics and Government
The security situation in Lebanon remains volatile and precarious, with tensions running high over the election of a new President. Since December 2007 there have been three bomb attacks in Beirut, two of which have killed senior members of the Lebanese army and security forces as well as bystanders. On 27 January 2008 serious civil disturbances killed seven people in Beirut.
The UK continues to support efforts by the international community to resolve the crisis. Bilaterally, my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East (Dr Howells) visited Beirut in December 2007 to highlight to all sides the need for compromise. Our ambassador in Beirut continues to be active on the ground, encouraging all sides to come to an agreement. I refer the right hon. Member to the detailed statement my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East made to the House on the current situation in Lebanon during the end of day adjournment debate on 28 January 2008, Official Report, columns 141-46.
Serbia: EU External Relations
[holding answer 28 January 2008]: The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) conclusions of June 2007 recalled that the pace and conclusion of the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) would depend on Serbia's full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
This Government and the EU are committed to signing a SAA as soon as the necessary steps have been finalised. We remain convinced of the benefits that the SAA will bring to both sides and of the positive effects this will have for the region. With a view to achieving this, the EU has agreed to set up a task force to examine ways of delivering rapid progress. The work of the task force started on 28 January 2008, with a view to formulating recommendations to Serbia and the Council of the EU as quickly as possible.
The GAERC of 28 January 2008 agreed to invite Serbia to sign an interim Political Agreement on co-operation between the EU and Serbia, providing a framework for making progress on political dialogue, free trade, visa liberalisation, and education co-operation, to be signed on 7 February.
Serbia has a crucial role to play in the Western Balkans, both for ensuring stability and as a motor for the economic development and prosperity of the region. The EU expressed its commitment to deepen its relationship with Serbia, which draws on a rich and diverse range of cultural, historic, economic and people to people ties.
Somalia: Politics and Government
The International Contact Group for Somalia most recently met at senior official level in Rome on 10 September 2007. The next Contact Group meeting is due to be hosted by the African Union in Addis Ababa, although a date has yet to be set. The Government continue to be in close contact with our key Contact Group partners, for example my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown’s meeting with UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ould Abdalla in London on 7 December 2007.
Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement
The UK has not been invited to observe the Sudan People's Liberation Movement convention in Juba. We understand that it will be held in April and no formal invitations have so far been issued. We have been invited to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of previous party conventions.