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Written Answers

Volume 472: debated on Monday 25 February 2008

Written Answers to Questions

Monday 25 February 2008

Leader of the House

Departmental Official Hospitality

To ask the Leader of the House how much was spent by her Office on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12 months. (187959)

Following the machinery of government changes in May 2007, the Leader of the House of Commons office forms part of the Cabinet Office. Information prior to May 2007 is available only at disproportionate cost.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be answering this question shortly on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Carbon Emissions: Business

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many FTSE 100 companies meet minimum reporting guidelines on greenhouse gas emissions; (187420)

(2) what steps have been taken to encourage FTSE 100 companies to include information on carbon dioxide emissions in their annual reports.

The Government require companies and industries to report on their Greenhouse Gas emissions, including CO2, in a standardised way. For example, all installations taking part in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme must monitor and report their CO2 emissions in accordance with guidelines produced by the European Commission.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment, which will come into force in 2010, will require companies involved in the mandatory trading scheme to monitor their energy use and report it annually in a standardised format. This will cover a large number of FTSE 100 companies.

In addition, from 1 October 2007, quoted companies have been required to ensure that their Business Review includes information on environmental matters to the extent necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the company's business. The first reports under this new regime will not be published until later this year.

The Government have also supported the work of the Carbon Disclosure Project. This is a voluntary investor-driven approach aimed at encouraging companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions data. In 2007, 91 per cent. of FTSE 100 companies disclosed to CDP. This is an increase from 83 per cent. in 2006.

Carbon Emissions: China

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will commission research to measure the level of carbon emissions resulting from the production of goods in China for the export market in 2007. (187791)

We have no plans to commission research to measure the level of global carbon emissions from the production of goods in China for the export market. Estimates of the carbon dioxide emissions from the Chinese economy as a whole are available from the International Energy Agency.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the carbon dioxide emissions from operation of their Departments’ computer hardware. (187902)

While I have had no discussions, DEFRA officials are fully engaged on a cross departmental basis in taking forward initiatives to reduce the carbon and energy footprint of the Government’s information technology estate.

The Chief Technology Officer’s (CTO) Council Green Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Delivery sub group was set up in December to review our needs and produce actionable toolkits for both Government and its industry suppliers. DEFRA participates in the CTO Green ICT working group promulgating and promoting best practice across Departments, including a “Top Tips list for Green ICT” shortly to be placed on the DEFRA website.

All central Government Departments are currently mandated to purchase IT equipment to minimum energy efficiency specifications. These specifications are continually under review and we are carrying out an analysis of more rigorous sustainable standards that we aim to recommend as best practice to all Government Departments in the near future.

Eller Brook Stream

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who is responsible for Eller Brook stream at the rear of the property on Ellerbrook Close, Heath Charnock, Chorley. (188563)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: Eller Brook at this location is classified as an ‘ordinary watercourse’. Managing flooding from ordinary watercourses is the responsibility of the local council, in this case, Chorley borough council.

Chorley borough council has permissive powers to address flooding issues.

Environmental Action Fund: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding has been budgeted for the biodiversity elements of the Environmental Action Fund/Countdown 2010 Fund in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; how much funding is available for biodiversity projects under the funds run by non-governmental organisations in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. (188725)

Natural England's budget for 2008-09 was announced on 21 February and final decisions on budget allocations for the Environmental Action Fund/Countdown 2010 have yet to be made. Figures for Natural England's budget in future years will be announced in due course.

I will ask Natural England's chief executive to write to the hon. Member when these figures have been confirmed.

Fuel Poverty: Standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the implications would be of the Government not meeting its target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016. (188717)

We remain committed to the eradication of fuel poverty. Our aim in England, restated in ‘Fuel Poverty in England: The Government's Plan for Action’, is to eradicate fuel poverty, as far as reasonably practicable, by 22 November 2016. The target for the UK as a whole is 2016-18.

Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Government. DEFRA will continue to discharge its duties and responsibilities under the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 with the aim of ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, that people do not live in fuel poverty by the set date.

As with any target with a statutory basis, failure to achieve this carries the risk of a legal challenge. We do not take this risk lightly and remain committed to achieving the 2016-18 target across the UK.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Crops

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to change arrangements for field trials for GM crops in relation to transparency of operations and identification of crops. (188456)

We have no specific plans to change the existing arrangements for publishing GM crop trial locations on the DEFRA website. We are, however, keeping this issue under general review, because there are a small minority of people who seem to be intent on destroying any GM trials. This is a concern if legitimate and potentially beneficial research is either being discouraged or not allowed to proceed.

Genetically Modified Organisms: EU Action

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of whether qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers will apply to UK policy on regulating growth of genetically modified crops in the UK. (187925)

[holding answer 21 February 2008]: Decisions on proposals for the commercial cultivation of GM crops are taken at European Union level. Consistent with the EU legislation, the UK voting position is based on what the scientific evidence indicates about the safety of each crop in question for human health and the environment. DEFRA consults the relevant authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before the UK position is finalised. There are no plans for the UK position to be determined on the basis of qualified majority voting.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with HM Treasury on the effects reducing the Warm Front grant will have on the move away from oil installed heating systems to low carbon systems or renewables. (187439)

DEFRA has had no discussions with HM Treasury regarding this issue. DEFRA is continuing to actively assess the suitability of alternative low carbon technologies to integrate into Warm Front.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Cost Effectiveness

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to ensure that Warm Front grants provide value for money. (186198)

DEFRA employs independent quality assessors, who have completed two reviews of Warm Front pricing. These reviews have shown that Warm Front charges provide value for money.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Heating

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the process is for servicing boilers installed under the Warm Front scheme; how often boilers and central heating appliances are serviced under the Warm Front scheme; what the response time is when boilers or central heating appliances are reported faulty under the Warm Front scheme; what the procedure is, under the Warm Front scheme, for those left without heating or hot water when appliances fitted under Warm Front break down; and whether there is a procedure for emergency situations when such boilers or heating appliances break down. (186981)

Gas boilers installed or repaired under Warm Front receive two annual service visits. These are carried out approximately 12 and 24 months after the date of installation.

Warm Front customers who have received a gas boiler have access to a 24 hour breakdown line, which operates seven days a week and 365 days a year. In the majority of cases this service provides either a same day or next day response. Temporary heaters will also be provided under certain circumstances.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Tamworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average size was of Warm Front grant approved in Tamworth constituency in each of the last three years. (187940)

Over the last three scheme years, the average cost of each grant approved is as follows:

Scheme year

Average spend (£)

2005-06

1,211.59

2006-07

1,030.75

2007-08

1,788.31

National Bee Unit: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much he has spent in the National Bee Unit in each year since 1997; how much he intends to spend over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. (188436)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 1089W.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average length of closed periods will be under the new regime for nitrate-vulnerable zones. (188228)

Manures and manufactured fertilisers cannot be applied in nitrate-vulnerable zones during defined closed periods. Proposals set out in the recent consultation for redefining the closed periods for organic manures have been developed using a targeted approach based on soil type, land use (arable or grassland) and rainfall. Under those proposals, the average length of the closed periods would be just over four months. There are no proposals to redefine closed periods for manufactured fertilisers.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether the public service agreement target to ensure that 95 per cent. of sites of special scientific interest are in favourable condition by 2010 remains in place; (188723)

(2) what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the public service agreement target to ensure that 95 per cent. of sites of special scientific interest are in favourable condition by 2010.

We remain committed to achieving the public service agreement target to bring 95 per cent. of sites of special scientific interest by area into favourable or recovering condition by 2010. This target will become a departmental strategic objective under the new natural environment public service agreement.

Within the Major Landowners Group, my officials meet regularly with representatives of other organisations with a significant role in delivery of this target. This provides a mechanism for identification of emerging issues and ensures that they are discussed at the appropriate level.

Tree Preservation Orders: Guildford

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his Department will give consent to Guildford borough council for tree protection orders to be placed on its departmental land at Epsom Road, Guildford prior to its forthcoming sale and disposal to a housing developer. (186271)

As part of the preparation for a planning application at the Guildford site DEFRA has undertaken a joint survey with Guildford borough council of the trees and, under the guidance of the tree preservation officer has identified a number of trees that are worthy of retention (some having been identified as restricting the sustainable growth of others).

DEFRA has no objection to the principle of imposing a TPO but would not expect this to be undertaken while in the ownership of DEFRA, pending disposal.

DEFRA is awaiting confirmation from the council as to the identification of those trees to which an Order would relate.

Wildlife: Environment Protection

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals for a statutory regime to govern the adaptation of wildlife habitats in response to climate change; and if he will make a statement. (187553)

The Government believe that the current regime adequately covers any adaptation of wildlife habitats that may be required in response to climate change.

Last year we published “Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate: guidance on building capacity to adapt”, which is directed at those who plan and deliver conservation of terrestrial biodiversity.

The UK was also the first country to produce a national Biodiversity Action Plan in response to the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan comprises both species and habitats action plans. In 2007, the UK Biodiversity Partnership published a new list of priority habitats, containing 65 habitat types. These priority habitats are a focus for conservation during the next decade and the impacts of climate change will feature in conservation actions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what species are to be removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; what mechanisms will be put in place to monitor the effect on wild populations of such species; and what the expected cost is of such monitoring. (187844)

The list of species to be removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 has not been finalised and will be subject to further discussions with the devolved administrations. I hope the revised schedule will take effect from 1 October this year.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies support a range of bird surveillance and monitoring schemes in the United Kingdom, usually in partnership with specialist non-government organisations. Surveillance schemes may include annual or periodic assessment of population size and distribution and allow trends in both to be derived. Schemes are tailored to provide comprehensive coverage of common and rare species in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Monitoring is undertaken as part of the JNCC’s and Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies’ statutory obligations and would not incur any additional costs.

Transport

Dartford Tunnel

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of (a) daily and (b) annual crossings made at the Dartford Crossing, broken down by vehicle category, was in the last five years. (188868)

The figures requested are in the following tables.

Average daily traffic flows

Motorbikes

Cars

Vans

HGVs/PSVs

Total

2003

1,005

107,763

21,334

15,998

146,106

2004

981

109,430

22,420

16,795

149,631

2005

1,017

107,998

22,454

16,915

148,390

2006

1 ,024

107,101

22,689

16,607

147,426

2007

1,075

104,753

22,820

17,037

145,690

Annual traffic flows

Motorbikes

Cars

Vans

HGVs/PSVs

Total

2003

366,849

39,333,500

7,786,829

5,839,418

53,328,599

2004

358,908

40,051,354

8,205,557

6,146,979

54,764,802

2005

371,024

39,419,306

8,195,879

6,174,141

54,162,355

2006

373,639

39,091,736

8,281,632

6,061,508

53,810,521

2007

392,340

38,234,700

8,329,418

6,218,527

53,176,992

Dartford Tunnel: Tolls

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations she has received on the Dartford Crossing tolls. (188867)

The Department for Transport received several thousand representations in response to the consultation on the Dartford Crossing charges that finished in March last year. These included representations from local residents, trade associations, local government and local MPs. The views expressed in these responses have been taken into account in the proposals for a local residents’ discount scheme, issued for consultation on 15 February 2008.

Driving: Licensing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she plans to publish the consultation document on fitness to drive. (188252)

We intend to consult on options for change to health and driver licensing arrangements later this year.

Motor Vehicles: Lighting

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate her Department has made of the likely increase in annual fuel consumption resulting from the requirement to have daytime running lamps on motor vehicles. [Official Report, 3 March 2008, Vol. 472, c. 22MC.] (188257)

Research undertaken for the Department for Transport indicated that the requirement for new types of motor vehicle to be equipped with dedicated daytime running lamps would result in an increase of about 5 per cent. in fuel consumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, column 788W, on motor vehicles: safety, what provisions have been agreed with her EU counterparts on the exemption of vehicles registered for road use before the commencement of the relevant European directive from the mandatory use of daytime running lights or their equivalent. (188253)

Following EU decisions on daytime running lights (DRL) issues, a European Directive will require new vehicle types to be equipped with dedicated DRLs from early 2011 (cars, vans) and summer 2012 (other vehicles). Vehicles registered before these dates will not be required to be retro-fitted with DRLs or to use existing lights as an equivalent.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines her Department has issued to statutory authorities on (a) measuring the level of degradation of road surfacing and (b) the time scales for resurfacing each of the categories of degraded road surfacing. (188517)

Local highway authorities have a duty under the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways in their charge. As part of the Best Value regime, they are required to report annually on the condition of those highways. Guidance on the calculation of such Best Value Condition Indicators, including reference to the road surface condition parameters to be measured, is provided on the Department’s website.

Decisions on what maintenance should be undertaken, and when, is a matter for each individual highway authority. The Department endorses ‘Well-maintained Highways’ (TSO, 2005) produced by the UK Roads Board, which provides best practice guidance on maintenance management.

Sexual Harassment

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints of (a) sexual harassment and (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available. (184682)

Due to the low number of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination complaints in the Department for Transport and its agencies, this information is withheld on the grounds of confidentiality.

Transport: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the merits of ring-fencing local authority grants to community transport providers. (188055)

The conditions attached to the Department’s grants to local authorities, or other bodies, reflect the particular circumstances of each case. However, it is Government policy to reduce the proportion of total local authority funding which is given by means of ring-fenced grants to enable more decisions about local issues to be made locally.

The level and form of local authority support for community transport is a matter for local decision.

It is for each local authority to determine the conditions which apply to any grants they provide for community transport providers.

Travel: Concessions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it her policy to extend the concessionary travel scheme to (a) long distance coach travel and (b) other forms of public transport. (183107)

Since 2003 there has been a half-fare concessionary travel scheme for older and eligible disabled people on long distance coaches. It is a voluntary scheme but the major providers of long distance coach services take part. The scheme will continue following the introduction of the England-wide free off-peak local bus travel concession in April. There are no proposals at present to extend statutory concessionary fares to forms of transport other than local buses.

House of Commons Commission

Department of Resources: Pay

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what pay grades are applicable to members of staff working for the Department of Resources. (186170)

As at 31 January 2008, the Department of Resources employed 136.28 full-time equivalent staff (FTE), broken down as follows:

Pay band

FTE

Band SCS2

1

Band SCS1A

1

Band SCS1

4

Band A1

3.21

Band A2

14.79

Band B1

21.18

Band B2

19.2

Band C

42.4

Band D1

27.5

Band D2

1

Sandwich Student

1

Total

136.28

An organisational chart detailing individual pay bands for staff can be found on the Department of Resources intranet site.

Members: Allowances

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what percentage of the Department of Resources staff time is spent administering the allowances of hon. Members. (186171)

About one quarter of all departmental staff time is devoted to administering Members’ allowances. This equates to some 35 full-time equivalent staff.

Security

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) how many persons who are not nationals of EU member states hold a parliamentary pass; (188572)

(2) how many non-European nationals hold a parliamentary pass.

There are currently 1,312 valid parliamentary passes issued to individuals whose nationality is other than British.

Records are not held in a form which distinguishes the number of non-European from European nationals.

Wales

Departmental Official Hospitality

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent by his Department on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12 months. (187952)

My Department spent a total of £12,631.87 on entertaining in the last 12 months. The figures for entertaining are not split between alcohol and food, and these could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by Senior Civil Service staff in his Department in the last 12-month period for which figures are available. (187548)

Departmental Property

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what property has been lost or stolen from his Department since 1997; and what the cost of replacement was. (187465)

The Wales Office was established in July 1999. Since 1999 our records show that we have lost:

£

Three mobile handsets

40

Ancillary cabling for a laptop

107

Two security passes

0

Digital camera

100

Train ticket

144

There have been no items reported stolen.

Departmental Sick Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost of sickness pay to staff within his Department was in the most recent year for which figures are available. (187507)

The cost of sickness pay is not readily available in the format requested, and obtaining this could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

However, in 2006-07, which is the latest year for which figures have been published, of all Government Departments the Wales Office had the lowest number of days lost due to sickness per member of staff, at just 1.6 days in the year.

Departmental Travel

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on first class travel in the last 12 months for which figures are available, broken down by staff grade. (187658)

My Department has spent the following amounts on first class travel in 2007:

£

Ministerial travel

2,836.32

Officials

89,606.73

The breakdown by staff grade can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

My Office is split over two sites, namely London and Cardiff, and staff are required to travel frequently between both offices. The Wales Office, however, makes good use of advanced ticket bookings to achieve value for money.

Fair Trade Initiative

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to promote Fair Trade Fortnight 2008 among staff within his Department; and if he will make a statement. (189500)

My Department does not have any in-house catering facilities. Where possible, taking account of value for money, fair trade products are used.

To support Fair Trade Fortnight 2008, an e-mail, alerting all staff to the event, and linking them to the Fair Trade website, has been sent.

Olympics

Humanitarian Assistance Unit

To ask the Minister for the Olympics what the cost of her Department's Humanitarian Assistance Unit was in each of the last three years. (186987)

The total cost of the unit and its work since it was established in 2005 is as follows:

£

2005-061

663,000

2006-07

659,000

2007-082

420,500

1 Not full year

2 To date

Olympic Games 2012: Gun Sports

To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether she has plans to move the 2012 Olympics shooting events to sites other than Woolwich. (188744)

There are no plans to move the shooting event to an alternative venue.

The Royal Artillery barracks at Woolwich was selected as the venue for Olympic and Paralympic shooting events in 2012 following feedback from the International Olympic Committee and consultation with the International Shooting Federation and British Shooting (the national governing body). Woolwich has the advantage of being close to the Olympic Park and Village, which will improve the athlete and spectator experience. The decision to stage the event at Woolwich is now part of the Host City Contract with the IOC.

Olympic Games 2012: Wildlife

To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent progress has been made on the relocation of (a) wildlife and (b) feral cats from the Olympic site at Stratford; and if she will make a statement. (187076)

In parallel with ongoing site clearance and preparation works, the Olympic Delivery Authority continues its comprehensive ecology programme to ensure the preservation and protection of wildlife in the Olympic Park. Where possible, habitats are being safeguarded and will remain in place but, where wildlife cannot be protected sufficiently on-site, the ODA is working with the nearby Waterworks Nature Reserve and Hackney council to create alternative habitats in the local area. The ODA is also preparing a small nature reserve at East Marsh to become home to a variety of wildlife including birds, frogs, spiders and beetles with planting scheduled to commence in the spring.

To date, thousands of newts and hundreds of toads have been translocated to specially created ponds on the Waterworks Reserve and aquatics experts have moved fish away from the clearance and dredging works on the Pudding Mill river to the nearby river Lea. New nest areas suitable for the breeding and feeding patterns of kingfishers and sand martins have also been created at the Waterworks.

The ODA is also working with the Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) to ensure the well-being and safe capture of any feral cats remaining on the site. To date, around 170 cats have been safely taken off site for re-homing by the trust. The ODA continues to work closely with the trust to allow access to those areas safe from construction activities.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Embassies: Industrial Disputes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings were given to staff at the British embassy in Dublin on local labour relations procedures and the treatment of industrial relations disputes. (187044)

Our embassy in Dublin has regularly informed staff that it is committed to handling labour relations in accordance with good employer practice, local employment law and the (non-binding) procedural agreement signed in 2003 between our embassy and the Unite trade union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to promote dialogue between the British embassy in Dublin and the Unite trade union within the framework of the Labour Relations Commission apparatus in Ireland. (187247)

Our embassy in Dublin and Unite, acting on behalf of the embassy's local Staff Association, reached a mutually satisfactory agreement on the consequences for staff of the restructuring of the UK Trade and Investment section on 21 February.

Embassies: Redundancy

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) voluntary and (b) compulsory redundancies of Irish employees are planned at the British embassy in Dublin; and if he will make a statement. (187249)

Three compulsory redundancies were made recently at our embassy in Dublin, as a result of UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) wider restructuring of their global network in line with their new strategic priorities.

Our embassy and Unite, acting on behalf of the embassy's local Staff Association, reached a mutually satisfactory agreement on the consequences for staff of the restructuring of the UKTI section.

Equatorial Guinea: Human Rights

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the record of Equatorial Guinea in (a) according fair trials to and (b) observing the human rights of individuals held captive in Black Beach prison. (188534)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: The Government have serious concerns over Equatorial Guinea’s human rights record.

We are aware of recent reports that express concern over the situation in Equatorial Guinea as regards individuals' right to a fair trial and the country’s observation of human rights. Such reports include the Amnesty International Report 2007 and the report of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, available at:

http://thereport.amnesty.org/document/15

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/E3F5F640A5C8217FC125731A002D604D?opendocument

While such reporting indicates that conditions in Black Beach prison are improving, following the introduction of a new block in 2005, the overall situation remains of concern.

Iraq: Asylum

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqi locally-employed staff were granted asylum in 2007; and how many he expects to be granted asylum in 2008. (185043)

[holding answer 5 February 2008]: I have been asked to reply.

The information on how many Iraqi locally employed staff were granted asylum in 2007 is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

It would not possible to speculate how many Iraqi locally engaged staff may be granted asylum in 2008 as every asylum application is considered on its individual merits in accordance with the criteria defined in the 1951 UN Convention relating to the status of refugees.

Kosovo

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in (a) Spain, (b) Cyprus, (c) Greece, (d) Romania, (e) Bulgaria and (f) Slovakia on the declaration of independence of Kosovo. (187789)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Kosovo's declaration of independence with his colleagues from EU countries, including from Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia at the 18 February General Affairs and External Relations Council.

The Council unanimously agreed conclusions setting out a clear EU response to developments in Kosovo. The EU has agreed a range of political and practical assistance to Kosovo (deploying a police and rule of law mission and special representative; assisting with economic and political development). The conclusions noted that member states could decide on their relations with Kosovo in accordance with national practice.

I also refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on Kosovo on 19 February 2008, Official Report, columns 20-22WS.

Simon Mann

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 180W, on Simon Mann, what the reasons are for his view that the (a) threat and (b) use of sanctions against Equatorial Guinea would be incompatible with securing the welfare of Simon Mann. (188532)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: As stated in my written answer to the hon. Member on 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 180W, the Government’s main concern is for Mr. Mann’s immediate welfare.

Our objective in dealing with the Equatorial Guinean authorities is to maintain open lines of communication, with a view to regular access to Simon Mann and ensuring that he is treated in line with international standards.

We do not believe that sanctions would be conducive to facilitating dialogue with the Equatorial Guinean government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Equatorial Guinea declining to accept the legitimacy of any trial of Simon Mann by that government following his abduction to that country from Zimbabwe. (188531)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: The issue of the legality of Mr. Mann’s removal from Zimbabwe and its implications for any subsequent trial are a matter for Mr. Mann’s legal representatives to take forward in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.

We have expressed our concern to the Zimbabwean authorities following Mr. Mann’s transfer to Equatorial Guinea.

The Equatorial Guinean authorities have assured us that Mr. Mann will receive a fair trial, in accordance with international law, and that he will be free to appoint a lawyer.

We will make representations to the Equatorial Guinea authorities if Mr. Mann’s trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial.

Timor Leste: Politics and Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the political and security situation in East Timor; and if he will make a statement. (187938)

We were extremely concerned to learn of the attacks on President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao on 11 February and hope that Dr. Ramos-Horta makes a speedy recovery. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office official visited Dili last week and met with a variety of key interlocutors. He assessed the security situation to be calm, although outbreaks of violence could happen without warning.

There can be no justification for these attacks. We hope that law enforcement authorities will be able to bring those responsible for the outrage to justice and that stability will be maintained in East Timor. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to Prime Minister Gusmao, condemning the attacks.

We fully support the vital work of the UN Mission to East Timor and the International Stabilisation Force in their efforts to help bring about peace and stability.

UN World Conference Against Racism

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Libyan counterpart on Libya’s intentions in chairing the preparatory committee for the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188754)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed this with his Libyan counterpart. UK officials in Geneva are engaged in talks with other delegations on the preparatory process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has made to put anti-semitism on the main agenda of the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188755)

The Government believe that it is vital to avoid a repeat of the disgraceful anti-Semitism that occurred at the 2001 World Conference Against Racism.

We want the Durban Review Conference to assess how states have implemented the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme for Action. The agenda for the Conference is not yet clear. The UK was among a small number of countries that worked hard to ensure that the issue of anti-Semitism was included in the 2001 Declaration and Programme for Action. We will seek to ensure that anti-Semitism receives due attention at the Durban Review Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Ministerial involvement is planned in the preparatory committee for the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188756)

The United Kingdom will be represented at the preparatory committee for the Durban Review Conference by our Mission to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva. There are no plans for Ministers to attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Canadian government on its decision not to attend the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188757)

Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been in discussions with their Canadian counterparts on the Durban Review Conference. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed this with the Canadian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with European Union Ministers on the preparations for the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188758)

The Durban Review Conference has not yet been discussed at the level of European Union Foreign Ministers. It has, however, been a regular item on the agenda of meetings at official level.

Vietnam: Religious Freedom

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Government of Vietnam on the treatment of the Underground Church in that country. (187430)

Together with our EU partners, we regularly discuss human rights issues, including religious freedom, with the Vietnamese authorities. The biannual EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue is the main forum for raising our concerns. Our ambassador in Hanoi attended the last dialogue, which was held in Hanoi on 19 December 2007. We also discuss the issues with the Government of Vietnam, both bilaterally and with our EU counterparts.

We are aware of reports of the continued harassment of some religious groups in some areas. We have urged the Vietnamese authorities to increase awareness and capacity among local authorities, to guarantee the right of all religious groups to practise their faith freely in the community through full implementation of the appropriate legislation, and to adhere to their international human rights obligations. Regulations, in force since 2004, establish criteria for the recognition of hitherto non-sanctioned religious groups.

I raised our concerns on human rights with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister at the Association of South East Asian Nations summit in Singapore on 23 November 2007 and with the Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 29 November 2007. Additionally, I raised the issue with the Vietnamese ambassador on 9 October 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Government of Vietnam on the imprisonment of church leaders in that country. (187431)

We are concerned at the arrests and sentencing of a number of human rights defenders, including some campaigning for increased religious freedoms, in Vietnam and have made numerous representations to the Vietnamese authorities on the plight of these individuals.

We co-operate closely with our EU partners in Hanoi on human rights issues, including on the question of religious freedoms. The biannual EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 2003, is the main forum for raising our concerns. Our ambassador in Hanoi attended the most recent dialogue, which took place on 19 December 2007 in Hanoi.

I raised our concerns on human rights with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister at the Association of South East Asian Nations summit in Singapore on 23 November 2007 and with the Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 29 November 2007. Additionally, I raised the issue with the Vietnamese ambassador on 9 October 2007.

Northern Ireland

Departmental Correspondence

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed in his Department's ministerial correspondence unit in each of the last five years; and how much it cost to run the unit, including utilities and other expenses, in each year. (187050)

Although the Northern Ireland Office does not have a dedicated ministerial correspondence unit, there are staff within the Belfast and London private offices that act as correspondence clerks as part of their duties.

The measurement of the costs relating to the time spent completing correspondence duties could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Stationery

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on stationery in each of the last five years. (187057)

The following table shows the amount the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its Agencies and non-departmental public bodies, has spent on stationery in each of the last five years.

Financial year

Stationery costs (£)

2002-03

315,435

2003-04

299,858

2004-05

297,183

2005-06

320,590

2006-07

314,784

Departmental Temporary Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what average hourly rate his Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 1999, broken down by employment agency. (187795)

The average hourly rate paid to employment agencies for agency staff used by the Department is not readily available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Historical Enquiries Team

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases the Historical Enquiries Team are investigating; and how many staff there are currently associated with the team. (187833)

The Historical Enquiries Team is to examine all deaths attributed to "The Troubles" from January 1969 to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998; this equates to 3,268 deaths which occurred in 2,516 incidents (an incident is described as a case). To date 1,039 cases have been allocated to the HET business process.

HET currently have a total of 175 staff.

Honours

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the senior civil service in his Department have received an honour. (187121)

International Development

Departmental Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by senior Civil Service staff in his Department and its agencies in the last 12-month period for which figures are available. (187542)

The total claimed in reimbursable expenses by senior civil servants in DFID in the last 12 months was £111,005.

This figure relates to claims made directly through our UK systems. It is not possible to include reimbursable costs claimed through our local accounting sections overseas without incurring disproportionate cost.

All reimbursable expenses are made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Visits Abroad

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries have been visited by officials from his Department in each year for which information is available. (187581)

A list of countries visited, for years which information is readily available, has been placed in the Library of the House. The data reflect all overseas visits for UK-based officials. It is not possible to provide information on visits carried out by staff based overseas other than visits back to the UK, without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Honours

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many members of the Senior Civil Service in his Department have received an honour. (187123)

Of the 96 senior civil servants currently employed by the Department for International Development, four have received an honours award.

Overseas Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the compatibility of programmes funded by the European Commission on the Millennium Development Goals with (a) the Global Business Plan on MDGs 4 and 5 and (b) the International Health Partnership. (188720)

Both the Global Business Plan on MDGs 4 and 5 and the International Health Partnership aim to deliver more effective aid in support of national health plans and priorities. The European Commission is a signatory to the IHP and the UK continues to work closely with the Commission in ensuring the aid it provides is consistent with these principles. The EC does not have specific MDG ‘programmes’. Our main interest with regard to their support for the MDGs is at the country level.

In 2007, the EC published the majority of its country strategy papers for the period to 2013. Many of these were completed before donors agreed the GBP and the IHP. DFID considered these CSPs against a range of criteria, including their adherence to the legal and policy base and alignment with the priorities of the partner country as set out in their national plans—this is in line with the principles of the IHP. Our assessment is that those which have so far been presented have generally met these criteria.

Senegal: Mauritania

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the UK plans to contribute to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ appeal for funds to help repatriate black Mauritanians who have been in exile in Senegal. (187405)

Scotland

Children: Poverty

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Third Report of the Scottish Affairs Committee Session 2007-08, on Child Poverty in Scotland, (HC 277); what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Report; and what steps his Department plans to take to implement recommendations set out in the Report. (187314)

The Government are considering the recommendations contained within the Committee’s report on Child Poverty in Scotland, and will respond in full in due course.

Ministers at the Department for Work and Pensions are aware of the report, and my officials are in regular contact with counterparts in DWP who are contributing to the content of the Government response.

We will work with other Government Departments to implement any necessary actions identified in our response.

Departmental Official Hospitality

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12 months. (187956)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 October 2007, Official Report, column 1363W. The Scotland Office maintains records for expenditure on hospitality in each financial year but does not distinguish that part spent on alcohol.

Departmental Translation Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on translation services by his Department in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06, (d) 2006-07 and (e) in 2007-08 to date. (188001)

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what documents his Department translates for people in the UK who do not speak English. (188002)

Honours

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of the senior Civil Service in his Department have received an honour. (187120)

Electoral Commission Committee

Departmental Accountancy

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission (a) conducted or (b) commissioned work into incomes and expenditures of below-threshold accounting units for the accounts for 2003. (186153)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it wrote in 2004 to all registered party accounting units to inquire as to whether their total income or gross expenditure was greater than £25,000 for the 2003 financial year; and to ask those whose income or expenditure was under this threshold to confirm this in writing. The purpose of the exercise was to confirm which accounting units should be submitting accounts to the Commission and which should not. No further work was carried out.

Departmental Visits Abroad

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Taunton of 25 January 2008, Official Report, column 2277W, on departmental visits abroad, what the purpose of each foreign visit was, other than those listed as election or referendum observation. (186099)

The Electoral Commission informs me that the purpose of the visits in question was as follows:

Countries visited

Reason

2001

Australia

Study visit to the Australian Electoral Commission

Canada

Elections Canada (Annual Conference)

Croatia

Association of Central and Eastern European Electoral Administrators (Annual Conference)

New Zealand

Study visit to the Electoral Enrolment Centre, Chief Electoral Office, and Electoral Commission

Republic of Ireland

Study visit on Referendum planning and working practices

Spain

Preparatory meeting for the Conference on European Electoral Management Bodies

Sweden

International IDEA Conference

2002

Mauritius

Commonwealth Secretariat seminar on voter registration

Poland

OSCE/ODIHR Human Dimension Implementation Meeting

Republic of Ireland

Study visit on Referendums

Russia

Association of Central and Eastern European Electoral Administrators (Annual Conference)

Spain

Conference on European Electoral Management Bodies

Sweden

International IDEA Workshop: Toward the Development of Standards of Law and Practice to Promote Electoral Access for Citizens with Disabilities

2003

Australia

Work placement: Department of Local Government and Regional Development, Western Australia

Belgium

European Parliament: Disability Intergroup Meeting

Canada

Conference on the State Funding of Political Parties

Germany

Study visit on voting Age

India

International IDEA Election Management Bodies conference

Mexico

Second Conference of the global electoral organisations network

Switzerland

IFES/IDEA/IPU/Inclusion International Conference on electoral rights for people for disabilities

USA

Study visit on political party funding

2004

Albania

Study visit on voter turnout and first time voters

Austria

FCO-organised study visit on electoral standards and commitments

Canada

Study visit on political party funding

Elections Canada Conference on monitoring the Iraqi elections

Chile

British Council Conference on election administration and political party funding

Germany

Study visit on political party funding

Netherlands

Study visit on political party funding

2005

Austria

OSCE/ODIHR Human Dimension Implementation meeting

Canada

Meeting with Elections Canada

France

Second European Conference of Electoral Management Bodies in Strasbourg (Venice Commission)

Hungary

ACCEEEO-organised meeting of EU election experts

India

Commonwealth Secretariat Conference of Chief Election Officers

Mexico

Federal Electoral Institute Seminar on the Media and Elections

Poland

OSCE/ODIHR Human Dimension Implementation meeting

Russia

OSCE/ODIHR expert meeting on election observation

USA

International Mission for Iraqi Elections meeting

Study of US Govt bodies

COGEL (Council on Govt, ethics and law) Conference

2006

Canada

IFES conference—Making Electoral Reform Real: Best Practices for managing an electoral system transition

Latvia

Association of Central and Eastern European Electoral Administrators (Annual Conference)

Poland

ODIHR Roundtable on election issues

2007

Canada

Study visit to Elections Canada

COGEL Conference

Poland

OSCE/ODIHR conference on e-voting

Republic of Ireland

Meeting with the Department for Foreign Affairs

Meeting with the Standards in Public Office

Russia

Study visit to the Independent Electoral Commission

South Africa

Conference hosted by The Electoral Commission of South Africa on Democratic Momentum

Sweden

International IDEA Working Group

USA

Global Electoral Organization (GEO) Conference

Efficiency Savings

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission what efficiency savings the Electoral Commission plans to make over the next three years. (186096)

The resource budget agreed by the Speaker’s Committee for the Commission covering the four years 2007-08 to 20010-11 is a ‘cash flat’ amount of £23,995,000 (including the £2 million annual Policy Development Grant budget) in each of the four years. The Commission is required to absorb all pay and non-pay inflation over this period and to do so it will have to deliver efficiency savings of on average at least 2 per cent. or £480,000 in each year.

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has already secured recurrent savings of £625,000 in 2007-08 and as the first stage of its efficiency plan for 2008-09 has identified specific savings of £250,000.

Gershon Review

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the effect of the Gershon review on its activities. (186097)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it takes into account the Gershon principles and findings when reviewing its expenditure and efficiency plans, which are discussed with the Speaker’s Committee.

Labour Party: Elections

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance that was sent by the Electoral Commission to participants in the Labour Party deputy leadership campaign in relation to reporting donations given towards their campaign. (186162)

The Electoral Commission informs me that its guidance to participants in the Labour party deputy leadership campaign was contained in the letters sent to candidates on 18 May 2007, copies of which are already in the Library.

Political Parties: Finance

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1084W, on political parties: finance, whether the Electoral Commission plans to commission consultants to assist it in its research on the operation of the political levy and political funds. (186069)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has no plans to commission consultants to assist this research, which is limited to considering the existing legislative framework and background information on how the political levy and political funds currently operate.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008, Official Report, columns 181-2W, on political parties: finance, if he will place in the Library copies of the letters sent by the Electoral Commission to the (a) Labour leadership and deputy leadership candidates in May 2007 and (b) Liberal Democrat leadership candidates in October 2007. (186071)

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission how much expenditure the Electoral Commission incurred in severance and redundancy pay in each year since the Commission was established. (186072)

The Electoral Commission informs me that the cost of severance and redundancy pay incurred in each calendar year since its establishment was as follows:

Expenditure (£)

Number of individuals

2001

0

0

2002

68,524

1

2003

0

0

2004

0

0

2005

61,642

2

2006

59,826

1

2007

203,905

11

2008

19,065

1

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1085W, on political parties: finance, what the timetable is for the Electoral Commission’s planned research into the political levy and political funds. (186100)

The Electoral Commission informs me that the research into trade union funding is limited to considering the existing legislative framework and background information on how the political levy and political funds currently operate.

The research will be completed following a meeting between Commission staff and the Certification Officer, expected to take place next month.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1085W, on political parties: finance, if the Electoral Commission will request Sir Hayden Phillips to submit his background work into trade union funds and political funds to assist the Commission's research into trade union political funds and political levies. (186183)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has made arrangements to meet officials who performed research on trade unions for the review of party funding recently completed by Sir Hayden Philips.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1085W, on political parties: finance, if the Electoral Commission will seek to obtain copies of constituency development plans made between the Labour Party and trades unions to assist its research into trade union political funds and the political levy. (186184)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not plan to obtain copies of constituency development plans made between the Labour party and trade unions as this is beyond the scope of the research.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 25 January 2008, Official Report, column 2280W, on political parties: finance, if he will name the accounting units of the Labour Party which had accounting units below £25,000 in (a) 2004 and (b) 2007. (186286)

The Electoral Commission informs me that 578 out of 690 accounting units of the Labour Party responded in 2004 to confirm that their total income and gross expenditure for the 2003 financial year were below the reporting threshold of £25,000. A full list of those who responded has been placed in the library.

The Commission has reviewed the canvass of registered accounting units performed in 2007. The results of the canvass are incomplete and the Commission intends to update its records by working with the parties and undertaking a new canvass of accounting units in 2008.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 25 January 2008, Official Report, column 2280W, on political parties: finance, if he will place in the Library copies of the accounts provided to the Commission by associations under the threshold. (186287)

The Electoral Commission informs me that these documents are held in paper form and copies can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the accounts are available for inspection in the Electoral Commission’s London office on request.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1084W, on political parties: finance, if the Electoral Commission will be inviting evidence from interested parties to assist the research into trade unions political funds and the political levy. (186288)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has no plans to invite contributions from interested external parties.

Trade Unions: Constituencies

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission holds copies of Labour party trade union constituency development plans. (186161)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not hold copies of Labour party trade union constituency development plans.

Trade Unions: Finance

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission if the Electoral Commission will undertake research into funding of trades unions through (a) the Trade Union Modernisation Fund and (b) other public funding. (186185)

Work and Pensions

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have received written warnings for breaching standards of behaviour or attendance in each month in the last five years. (181267)

The Department introduced a new personnel computer system incrementally from November 2006, being fully implemented by April 2007. The following information reflects the number of staff with a written warning for (a) breaching standards of behaviour; or (b) unsatisfactory attendance recorded on that system from April 2007 in each month to December 2007.

Information prior to April 2007 is held on a number of legacy systems. The cost of extracting this information in the format requested from these, and clerical records, for the period prior to April 2007 would be at a disproportionate cost.

The percentage of DWP staff receiving written warnings is calculated on the total number of staff employed by DWP in each month.

As at 2007:

Unsatisfactory attendance written warning issued

Number of written warnings for unsatisfactory attendance as a percentage of all DWP staff

Standards of behaviour written warning issued

Number of written warnings for standards of behaviour as a percentage of all DWP staff

April

137

0.11

46

0.04

May

165

0.13

34

0.03

June

167

0.14

41

0.03

July

175

0.14

47

0.04

August

172

0.14

29

0.02

September

165

0.14

32

0.03

October

167

0.14

41

0.03

November

185

0.16

42

0.04

December

114

0.10

33

0.03

Total

1,447

345

Pension Education Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how his Department plans to measure the performance and efficacy of the pension education fund. (183535)

DWP has commissioned an independent case study evaluation to:

Explore the impact of the fund initiatives on individuals’ knowledge and attitudes towards planning for retirement and on savings behaviour;

Provide evidence to help assess the potential role that a trusted third party can play in delivering pensions information; and

Explore providers’ experiences of setting up and running the initiatives.

Research has been conducted with 14 Pension Education Fund schemes selected to ensure coverage of a range of different types of initiatives. In-depth interviews were the main research tool in this study, through which the research organisation have collected detailed information on providers’ experiences of setting up and running particular initiatives, on employers’ experience of participating, and on the influence that funded activities have had on individuals’ attitudes to retirement planning and saving for retirement.

In addition, all 26 schemes are being monitored through contract management processes and PEF funded organisations are conducting their own evaluations to understand their perspectives on delivery.

A DWP research report on the evaluation will be published in spring 2008.

Notes:

1. The PEF offered funding to local and national not-for-profit organisations (such as trade unions, charities, trade associations and the voluntary sector) to use innovative ways to increase financial awareness and encourage working people to provide for their retirement, especially among those that might be at more risk of undersaving.

2. The principle is to provide impartial and accurate information on pensions and retirement planning via trusted third parties to individuals (employees and self-employed people) in the workplace, where practicable.

3. The projects are running between January 2006 and March 2008.

4. Closing date for applications was 2 September 2005.

5. 55 applications were received and examined against financial and quality criteria and the process overseen by an Independent Decision Panel.

6. 26 were accepted, covering all Government Office regions and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and a range of organisational types including charities, trade unions, employer groups and the voluntary sector.

7. Information is being delivered by the projects using a variety of methods including group events, one to ones, websites, CDs, information booklets/packs and by training intermediaries and union members who return to the workplace and cascade information.

Social Security Benefits: Offenders

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what state benefits offenders in England and Wales are eligible for while serving (a) community service sentences and (b) custodial sentences. (178705)

[holding answer 29 January 2008]: Convicted offenders serving community service sentences are entitled to any benefits for which they qualify, in the same way as any other person.

In general, DWP benefits are not payable to convicted prisoners in custody. However, since 1995 and subject to certain qualifying conditions, those serving short sentences of 13 weeks or less may continue to receive housing benefit and council tax benefit. This ensures that people with very short sentences do not become homeless upon release.

Tax Allowances: Pensioners

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on administering the 25 pence old age allowance in each year since its introduction; and how many people over 80 received the allowance in the most recent year for which figures are available. (173446)

The age addition is an automatic payment made to eligible pensioners. The cost of administering the age addition is a relatively small element of the administration costs of The Pension Service and is not separately available.

The latest available information as at March 2007 is that there are around 2,693,300 pensioners in receipt of the 25p age addition.

Notes:

1. Data is taken from a 5 per cent. extract of the Pension Service Computer System, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

2. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

3. This figure includes everyone who is eligible to receive the age addition in GB and overseas, not everyone who is aged 80 or over.

Source:

DWP Information Directorate

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the cost of paying the over 80s age-related allowance is expected to be in 2007-08; (180976)

(2) how many people receive the over 80s age allowance.

[holding answer 25 January 2008]: The age addition is an automatic payment made to eligible pensioners. The cost of administering the age addition is a relatively small element of the administration costs of the Pension Service and is not separately available.

The latest available information as at March 2007 shows that there are around 2,693,300 pensioners in receipt of the 25p age addition. The estimate of the 2007-08 expenditure is £33 million.

Notes:

1. Data relating to the number of pensioners are taken from a 5 per cent. extract of the Pension Service Computer System, therefore the figure is subject to a degree of sampling variation. It is also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

2. The figure relating to the number of pensioners is rounded to the nearest hundred.

3. The figure relating to the number of pensioners includes everyone who is eligible to receive the age addition in GB and overseas, not everyone who is aged 80 or over.

4. The figure relating to the value of age addition payments covers payments made to those in Great Britain and overseas.

5. The figure relating to the value of age addition payments has been rounded to the nearest million.

Source:

DWP Information Directorate; Comprehensive Spending Review 2007

Vocational Guidance: Carers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure that (a) effective advice and support is available to those who wish to return to work after undertaking caring responsibilities and (b) that his Department’s staff are trained to provide that advice and support. (188990)

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 25 February 2008:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what advice and support is available to those who wish to return to work after undertaking caring responsibilities and also that Department for Work and Pensions staff are trained to provide that advice and support. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.

Everyone returning to work, and who is claiming jobseeker’s allowance, will discuss and agree the steps that will offer the best chance of finding work. This information is recorded in the jobseeker’s agreement, which is reviewed at regular intervals. Customers are given information and advice about the range of Jobcentre Plus services, including our telephony based job-matching service (Jobseeker Direct) and our internet job bank, and how to make best use of these and other vacancy sources.

People are usually required to attend their nearest Jobcentre Plus office on a fortnightly basis to discuss what they have been doing to find work and to see what further support, if required, can be offered in terms of jobsearch or training/re-training.

To continue to receive jobseeker’s allowance, people must usually be available for work for a minimum of 40 hours per week. However, restrictions on hours/days are allowed for customers who have caring responsibilities, which can be restricted to a minimum of 16 hours a week.

People who are particularly disadvantaged in the labour market can access additional help through early entry to the new deal, providing more intensive help through the support of a personal adviser and a range of opportunities to help overcome more significant barriers to employment. Similarly, early access is available to Programme Centre provision, which can provide additional help for those people who need to improve motivation and confidence, and their basic jobsearch skills.

With regard to staff training, Jobcentre Plus has a diverse customer base and a comprehensive programme of learning designed to equip advisers with the full range of knowledge and skills required to support all our customers. A new Adviser Skills Learning Routeway was introduced in September 2005, which is supported by an efficient learning routeway providing advisers with key knowledge and skills.

We work closely with external partners in the development of learning products and in the up-skilling of our advisers, ensuring that additional modules are designed and delivered when required to deal with specific customer needs. These partners are professionals and are recognised as experts in their field and are able to provide the specialised knowledge and understanding of specific customer groups.

I hope this information is helpful and assures you of our intent to provide people with the best possible service, aimed at helping them into work as soon as possible.

Defence

Advertising

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2008, Official Report, columns 963-64W, on advertising, what his Department's marketing costs were in each year for which figures are available; and what percentage of his Department's overall expenditure those figures constituted. (187805)

While marketing activity occurs across the Department this is not as a discrete function, but rather as an integrated element of strategic communications, press, PR, internal communications or e-media.

As a result, information on departmental expenditure on marketing alone is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: World War II

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the compensation scheme for former civilian internees of the Japanese in the Second World War, on what date the qualification requirement that recruitment of applications had to have taken place in the UK was introduced in relation to service abroad with the Government counting towards the 20- year residency qualification; and if he will make a statement. (186105)

The then Under-Secretary of State announced on 26 June 2006, Official Report, columns 9-10, that the detailed rules of the Far Eastern Prisoners of War Scheme 20-year residence criterion, which allow applicants to demonstrate the required close link to the UK on the basis of post-January 1945 residence in the UK, were being published and implemented that day. The rules, which were the subject of consultation with the Association of British Civilian Internees—Far East Region, allow periods employed outside the UK—whether with the British Government or otherwise—to count towards the 20 years providing there is reasonable evidence of an intention to return to this country; this will most likely be the case with postings from the UK. There is, however, no requirement that the individual should have been in the UK when recruited; if a person’s employment was contracted on the basis that they would otherwise have been resident in the UK and that they would travel to the UK at its termination, that would qualify.

Armed Forces: Health Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the new facilities of (a) a swimming pool and (b) a gymnasium at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court will be funded. (184707)

There are currently a hydrotherapy pool and five separate gyms (four in current use) at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court. One of the gyms needs to be refurbished. The unit also makes regular use of a local authority swimming pool at Leatherhead. These facilities are publicly funded.

A new charity, Help for Heroes, has offered to raise funds to build a swimming pool and gym, as part of a new rehabilitation complex at Headley Court. We warmly welcome this generous offer to enhance the unit's existing facilities. The rehabilitation of military patients on the site, which is itself owned by a charitable trust, has for many years benefited from charitable donations and it is entirely appropriate that such funding should be blended with public funding in this way. We shall work closely with the charity as its proposals are developed.

We would expect Headley Court to take charge of the management of the new rehabilitation complex, including the provision of military or civilian staff to man it.

We are also continuing to invest significantly from public funds in new buildings. We opened a new 30-bed ward annex last year (costing £1.7 million). Work is now starting on a 58-bed accommodation block for patients and staff (costing about £4 million). We are also considering a longer term development plan to improve accommodation and clinical facilities across the site, and thus maintain the first-class capability that Headley Court currently offers.

Armed Forces: Manpower

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of each of his Department's (a) trained officer target structures, (b) trained soldier target structures and (c) Army Output Map produced since 2005-06. (185721)

Targets for trained officers and soldiers, by capbadge, are given in the Army Monthly Manning Report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Two Army Output Maps have been produced since 2005-06. I will place copies in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces: Military Decorations

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute the practice of wearing a wound stripe or other honour award for soldiers wounded in action. (188631)

We currently have no plans to introduce the practice of wearing a wound stripe or other honour for soldiers wounded in action.

Today all servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan receive a medal once they have met the qualifying criteria, which reflects the risk to life and limb of the servicemen and women and the rigour of the operations upon which they are deployed. The medals are issued automatically in the event of death or injury that leads to evacuation from theatre, regardless of how long individuals have served on the operation.

In addition, a number of those wounded on operations have also received gallantry awards.

Our primary aim must be to provide the injured with the medical care that they require and to support them where appropriate via the War Pensions Scheme and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

This is a complex issue which is kept under constant review by the Military Chiefs of Staff and they are the best placed to make the appropriate recommendations.

Capita

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials have held with (i) directors and (ii) senior executives of (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2001; what the (1) location and (2) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; and if he will make a statement. (180702)

Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not the usual practice of Government to disclose details of such meetings.

Departmental Contracts

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) objective and (b) value was of each contract placed with (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting by his Department and its agencies in each year since 2004-05. (179021)

The information available from centrally held records is shown in the following table. Some information could be held under other names or outside central records. In addition, the information on objectives missing for a few of the older contracts quoted has been archived and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Contractor name

Objective

Maximum current contract value (£000)

Financial year 2004-05

Deloitte and Touche LLP

130

KPMG LLP

40

KPMG LLP

40

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

1,500

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

125

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Provision of consultancy support to a restructuring project

3,900

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

49

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

11

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

2,000

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

194

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

123

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

67

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

94

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

37

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

123

Financial year 2005-06

Deloitte and Touche LLP

Provision of secretariat support to reviews of non-competitive government contracts

830

Ernst and Young LLP

Independent project assurance

145

KPMG LLP

43

KPMG LLP

5

KPMG LLP

3

KPMG LLP

70

KPMG LLP

42

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

153

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Consultancy support to an acquisition programme

280

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Provision of training modules

Enabling Arrangement

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

The provision of consultancy support for catering, retail and leisure guide

74

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

250

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

150

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Use of a framework agreement by the MOD

2,000

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

External Assistance for independent financial advice

100

Financial year2006-07

Deloitte and Touche LLP.

Provision of financial advice and related services to the MOD and its Agencies in support of PFI and Partnering Projects

6,900

Deloitte and Touche LLP

Review of structural options for an MOD Trading Fund

42

Deloitte and Touche LLP

External Assistance for the Maritime Industrial Strategy

2,100

Deloitte and Touche LLP

Provision of financial advice in support of a commercially owned military registered company

2,000

Deloitte and Touche LLP

External assistance to the Maritime Industrial Strategy Team

60

Deloitte and Touche LLP

External assistance to the Project Rehabilitation Unit

13

Deloitte and Touche LLP

Consultancy Support for the UK White Fleet

100

Ernst and Young LLP

Provision of financial advice and related services to the MOD and its Agencies in support of PFI and Partnering Projects

6,900

KPMG LLP

Provision of financial advice and related services to the MOD and its Agencies in support of PFI and partnering projects

6,900

KPMG LLP

External Assistance for a Lines of Development Review

966

KPMG LLP

External Assistance to the Maritime Industrial Strategy

654

KPMG LLP

Pilot agreement: use of a framework agreement by the MOD

950

KPMG LLP

Provision of Support for the Maritime Industrial Strategy

210

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Consultancy support to HQ army recruiting group

77

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Consultancy support to a programme management office

176

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

External Assistance support for the development of the commodities cluster framework strategy and future business model

92

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

External Assistance to submarine support

205

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Provision of financial advice and related services to the MOD and its Agencies in support of PFI and partnering projects

6,900

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Feasibility Review for an MOD Trading Fund

48

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Subscription for access to and use of a global best practices system

32

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Provision of advice and consultancy support on the potential sale of part of an MOD Trading Fund

921

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Specialist Negotiation Advice

78

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Use of a framework agreement by the MOD

950

Financial year 2007-08

Deloitte and Touche LLP

Employment of consultant to assist a PFI Project

75

Deloitte and Touche LLP

External assistance to the Project Rehabilitation Unit

51

Ernst and Young

United Kingdom Military Flying Training System Change Management Programme Scoping Study

157

KPMG LLP

External Assistance for streamlining

4,000

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Provision of catering, retail and leisure training and coaching

143

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

External Assistance to support Naval lean transformation

699

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

External Assistance to support the financial workstream for a future logistics project

34

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

External Assistance for breakthrough and personal coaching

45

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Programme Management Delivery Improvement and Programme Assurance Management

48

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Programme Assurance and Technical Support to Defence Information Infrastructure implementation

232

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Programme Assurance and Technical Support to Defence Information Infrastructure implementation

252

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Support to embed Project Management Controls

127

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Support on support contracts

97

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Support on support contracts

100

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Inter-Modal Transportation Technology Demonstrator Programme

2,500

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Project Assurance

94

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Services to support the Defence Information Infrastructure

106

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Support for support contracts

288

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

Technical Support for the Defence Information Infrastructure

248

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

External Assistance to the Defence Information Infrastructure

162

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

External Consultancy Assistance for a review of MOD Employers Pension Contributions Payments

17

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

External Assistance for blueprint consultancy

550

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Modular Open Systems Architecture enterprise model study

420

Note:

Excluded are contracts placed on behalf of Other Government Departments, joint venture/alliance contracts, contracts placed through collaborative projects such as the Typhoon/Euro fighter and those awarded by the Ministry of Defence’s Trading Funds.

Departmental Data Protection

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether personal data for which his Department is responsible is (a) stored and (b) processed overseas; and if he will make a statement. (176022)

Personal data, mainly on MOD employees and their dependents, for which the Department is responsible are stored and processed in permanent and deployed units overseas, but within UK jurisdiction. Similar data are also held on overseas based and locally employed staff by Defence Attachés in British embassies. The volume of personal data held outside the Defence overseas footprint is not currently held centrally. As part of the departmental response to the Cabinet Office-led Review into data handling procedures in Government, an internal review is currently establishing a more comprehensive assessment of personal data held and accessed overseas.

Departmental Hospitality

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12-month period for which information is available. (187783)

Information on alcohol expenditure is not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 April 2007, Official Report, column 1014W, to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson).

As regards expenditure on hospitality and entertainment, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 October 2007, Official Report, column 11W, to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson).

Expenditure on official entertainment is subject to departmental regulation and compliance with the principles of propriety set out in Managing Public Money and in the Treasury's handbook on Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money.

Departmental Manpower

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of his Department’s Main Building staff were uniformed staff in each of the last 10 years. (186781)

Individual defence installations do not routinely publish personnel data, as different organisations and agencies are responsible for the same location or site. Figures for the stationed location of UK Regular Forces and civilian staff are only available at local authority level using centrally held data.

The number and percentage of military personnel stationed in MOD Main Building prior to 1 April 2007 are not centrally held and could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30 April 2007, Official Report, column 1462W, to the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper).

Departmental Official Hospitality

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2008, Official Report, column 368W, on departmental official hospitality, if he will arrange for copies of the Hospitality Books kept by Ministers, members of the senior civil service and commanding officers to be placed (a) in the Library and (b) on a publicly accessible page on his Department's website. (187025)

[holding answer 20 February 2008]: The Government are committed to publishing an annual list of hospitality received by departmental board members. Information for 2007 will be published in due course. Hospitality received by Ministers over the registrable limits are declared as appropriate in the Registers of Members' or Peers' Interests. All Hospitality Books are subject to external compliance testing by the National Audit Office.

Departmental Official Residences

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministerial residences were available to his Department’s Ministers in each of the last 10 years. (183183)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Watson) on 19 February 2008, Official Report, column 688W.

Departmental Property

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department’s properties in Scotland have been declared unfit for habitation. (182536)

The information requested is not held centrally and it will take time to determine what information could be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

I will write to my hon. Friend at the earliest opportunity.

Substantive answer from Derek Twigg to Jim Devine:

I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 30 January 2008, (Official Report, column 368W), about the number of Ministry of Defence (MOD) properties in Scotland that have been declared unfit for habitation.

I should explain that properties can be uninhabited for various reasons, such as they are awaiting demolition or undergoing major repair, modernisation or upgrade work. All occupied properties are regarded as being of a habitable standard. A record of all MOD property in Scotland that is uninhabitable is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what property has been lost or stolen from his Department since 1997; and what the cost of replacement was. (187406)

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. A summary of Losses and Special Payments has been published in the Notes to the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts since 2001-02 and, before then, in the MOD's Appropriation Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Reports

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the most recent briefing team reports from (a) the Chief of the General Staff, (b) the Chief of the Air Staff and (c) the First Sea Lord. (186052)

The Army is the only one of the three services that currently operates a briefing team—the Chief of the General Staff’s Briefing Team—and a copy of its most recent report, that for spring 2007, is available in the Library of the House. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 27 November 2007, Official Report, column 308W, to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry).

Departmental Road Traffic Offences

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of parking tickets paid by his Department and its agencies was in 2007. (187582)

Drivers are liable for payment of any fines while driving service vehicles and there is therefore normally no cost to the Department. There may, exceptionally, be cases when recovery of fines proved to be impossible, but these records are not held centrally.

Departmental Travel

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what percentage of his Department's expenditure was spent on officials’ travel costs in each year for which figures are available. (187583)

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All travel is conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out in the civil service management code.

Guided Weapons