Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal Welfare
The UK Government’s vision for the marine environment is for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. To this end, the Government have taken steps within the past 12 months to protect sea life through a diverse range of initiatives and policies, including:
Developing the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is currently progressing through the parliamentary process; it had its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 15 December 2008 and started its House of Lords Committee stage on 12 January. It is expected to gain Royal Assent in the summer or autumn of 2009. The Bill will bring significant changes to the way the marine area is managed and protected, and will help us towards our vision for the marine environment.
Assessing the state of UK Seas
The Government make regular assessments of the state of the UK seas to evaluate the extent to which they are clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse. The first report, Charting Progress, was published in 2005 and is available on the DEFRA website at:
www.defra.gov.uk
The second report is currently being prepared and is expected to be published in 2010. The monitoring and assessment work and evidence collection is co-ordinated across the UK through the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS).
Designating further Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
In the last 12 months, DEFRA has designated five additional marine candidate special areas of conservation (SACs) in UK offshore waters, which takes the total number of MPAs in UK waters to 156. These new sites have also been added to the OSPAR (Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic) list of MPAs.
Furthermore, Natural England (NE) is currently carrying out pre-consultation discussions with stakeholders regarding a further eight marine sites in English waters.
Closing valuable areas to the most damaging activities
On 19 June 2008, my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Jonathan Shaw), made the decision to close an area 60 square nautical miles in Lyme Bay to the most damaging fishing practices. A statutory instrument was signed off by the Minister and laid in Parliament, and came into force on 11 July 2008. Lyme Bay is one of the most important areas for marine life in England, and the decision to close 60 square nautical miles to the most damaging fishing methods demonstrated the Government’s commitment to protecting the richness of our marine heritage as part of our goal of living within our environmental means.
On 6 March 2008, my hon. Friend announced his decision to ban scallop dredging and other towed bottom gear from the outer part of the Fal and Helford special area of conservation (SAC). The ban was implemented through a statutory instrument which came into force on 1 October 2008. Following DEFRA’s decision to ban scallop dredging, Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, with support from DEFRA, is considering introducing a byelaw in order to establish an experimental MPA in the outer SAC area for the purposes of assessing and managing the scallop stocks within it. The byelaw would prohibit all forms of scallop harvesting, including through diving. The public consultation on the draft byelaw was concluded on 15 February 2009. Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee is currently assessing the results of the consultation.
Working with Europe to protect species and habitats
At the 60th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) which took place in June 2008, the UK played an important role in the conservation and protection of cetaceans worldwide. We were able to defeat a Danish proposal for an annual take of 10 humpback whales in their Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling (ASW) hunt, thereby saving the needless slaughter of 50 humpbacks in the period 2008-12. We also made telling interventions on whale welfare; scientific whaling; the plight of the Western Pacific Gray Whale population; recent trade in whale meat from Iceland and Norway to Japan; and the Japanese Dall’s porpoise hunt. The UK will continue to strongly support the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling and oppose all forms of whaling, other than limited whaling operations by indigenous people for subsistence purposes to meet a defined and substantiated need.
Marine Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPS)
DEFRA has established a stakeholder group to drive forward the delivery of marine biodiversity. This group is chaired by NE and reports to the England Biodiversity Group.
Through the Countdown 2010 grant programme, NE specifically called for projects to help the delivery marine biodiversity targets. Three large projects were awarded funds totalling £286,000. These were:
The Isles of Scilly Marine Biodiversity Project;
British Elasmobranchs: building and applying knowledge for a sustainable future. This project aims to arrest, and where possible reverse, the decline in elasmobranch (shark, skate and ray) populations; and
Solent Seal Tagging Project.
NE also supported the Marine Conservation Society to produce the Marine Local Biodiversity Action Plan Guidance Manual for England published in 2008.
In addition, NE published a report, State of the Natural Environment, in 2008, a copy of which is available on their website at:
www.naturalengland.org.uk
This included a chapter on the marine environment and its biodiversity. Further progress on the delivery of marine BAP targets is being captured through the 2008 Biodiversity Action Plan reporting process. This information is still being collated and will be available shortly.
The welfare of circus animals is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a Duty of Care to animals—this means that anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the animal’s welfare needs are met.
During the last 12 months DEFRA has been investigating whether further regulation of the use of wild animals in circuses is required.
The welfare of domestic pets is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a Duty of Care to animals—this means that anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the animal’s welfare needs are met.
In November 2008, the Secretary of State launched a public consultation on the new code of practice for cats, dogs and horses. The main purpose of the codes is to provide practical guidance on pet owners’ responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act. The consultation exercise closed at the end of last year, and my Department is analysing the responses before the codes are approved by Parliament.
Flood Control
The Government are committed to effective management of flood and coastal erosion risk. Spending across central and local government has increased from £307 million in 1996-97 to some £650 million this year and will total £2.15 billion over three years to 2010-11.
As announced in the 2008 Pre Budget Report, £20 million has been brought forward from 2010-11 into 2009-10 as part of the fiscal stimulation package, which will mean earlier protection for 27,000 homes.
Floods: Sutton
The Environment Agency's Flood Map indicates that within the London borough of Sutton, 3,018 properties are within Flood Zone 3 and 2,578 properties lie within Flood Zone 2.
A flood map indicating the location of the Flood Zones and a list of the properties at risk have been placed in the library of the House.
Genetically Modified Organisms
Our general policy is that genetically modified (GM) crops should only be grown if the evidence shows that they will not have any adverse effect on human health and the environment. We therefore support the existing European Union (EU) controls which provide for a robust case-by-case safety assessment.
Only one type of GM maize seed is currently being marketed for cultivation in the EU. It is designed to be resistant to an insect pest that we do not have in the UK, and the GM trait has been bred into maize varieties that are not suitable for UK growing conditions. The GM seed is therefore not being sold here.
Pesticides: EU Action
The Government have generally welcomed the European Commission's thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides. However, throughout the negotiation process, the UK consistently argued that the proposals should be based on sound evidence and supported by an impact assessment. In particular, we remain opposed to the use of hazard cut off criteria which will have a detrimental agronomic impact, but have not been demonstrated to deliver a positive benefit for human health. In the absence of an impact assessment, it is impossible to judge whether there will be any positive benefit accruing from this element of the proposals.
Nevertheless, the regulation concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and the framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides are expected to be approved by the Council in the near future. They will then be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication. It will apply generally 18 months later, with specific timescales laid down for certain provisions and transitional measures for active substances already subject to approval arrangements under Council Directive 91/414/EEC.
The Directive will enter into force on the day following publication. Member states will have two years to develop any implementing legislation or administrative provisions, with specific timescales laid down for the implementation of certain provisions.
The Government are developing detailed plans for implementing the new legislation and will consult stakeholders on proposed measures where appropriate.
Redundancy
[holding answer 5 February 2009]: DEFRA has run two voluntary early departure schemes since 2006. The first of these ran from December 2006 to July 2007, and the second from September 2007 to January 2008. The material forecast core DEFRA paybill savings up to 2010-11 due to early departures via those schemes are:
£ million 2007-08 10 2008-09 17.2 2009-10 17.9 2010-11 18.6
Further analysis is not readily available.
Rights of Way: Coastal Areas
The line of the route will be proposed under the procedures set out in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and will be established and signed as the intended route for people who want to walk along the coast. However, the access rights for both the route and the wider margin will be provided for under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and will be subject to the provisions of that Act as amended by the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.
(2) whether land designated as coastal access land under the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill will have the same status as a public right of way where development or change of use of land is proposed.
The coastal access provisions in part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill are designed to be flexible so as to minimise the impacts on property and business, and to take account of changes in use and of future developments. The line of the route and spreading room is not fixed permanently and the Bill enables Natural England to review these and propose changes to the Secretary of State (subject to the same system of consultation and representations as the original proposals) at a later date. Certain types of land are excepted from the right of access. The categories of excepted land are set out in Schedule 1 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and they include buildings and their curtilage and land used for the purposes of a statutory undertaking. Land can become excepted from the right of access at any time if some change or development occurs so that it falls into one of the excepted land categories in Schedule 1. Where development is carried out under the General (Permitted Development) Order 1995, the land will be excepted if it falls into an excepted land category. Public rights of way are governed by a separate and different legal framework.
Olympics
Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings
No members of staff in my private office have been disciplined or had their employment terminated as a result of poor sickness record in the last 12 months.
Annual sickness leave statistics are published on the Cabinet Office website in the “Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service”, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
Olympic Games 2012
[holding answer 6 March 2009]: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has scheduled a number of ceremony forums in every nation and region across the UK in February and March of this year.
Confirmed locations include Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Brighton, London, Newcastle, Wakefield, Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Cardiff and Plymouth. Each forum includes around 10-15 diverse creative industry experts selected by the creative programmers in each nation and region, and there will also be special ones for young people.
These are initial fora to scope the ambition of the ceremonies and how to get the whole country involved—they will not finalise the content of the four opening and closing ceremonies to take place in 2012. The results of the fora will inform LOCOG's decision-making processes on the creative brief for the ceremonies in due course.
Olympic Games 2012: Air Pollution
The Government have set out how the UK aims to meet EU air quality limits in their Air Quality Strategy. We have no plans to set targets outside that strategy specifically for the 2012 Games.
However, we recognise that good air quality could make the Games a platform for demonstrating long-term solutions for improving air quality. Measures being taken include: the Olympic sites aiming to meet the stringent requirements in the London Best Practice Guidance to reduce emissions from demolition and construction; energy efficient buildings acting to lessen emissions; and improved public transport services to reduce the need to travel by car.
Olympic Games 2012: Construction
Vacancies within the Olympic Delivery Authority will normally be advertised on the London 2012 website and recruitment decisions will be based solely on the basis of the applicant's abilities and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the job as set out in the person specification.
The vast majority of employment opportunities that will arise will be contractor's own vacancies. This recruitment is undertaken by the contractors who place vacancies with local job brokerage services across in the five host boroughs. Vacancies are offered exclusively and equally to each of the five host borough employment brokerages for a period of two days. The local brokerage services work in partnership with contractors and the on-site employment and skills managers who match candidates to vacancies.
If, after the first two days, vacancies are not filled, they are then made available to job brokerage services across London for a further two days via Relay London Jobs, and then nationally through the JobCentre Plus network.
Guidance for people interested in seeking work is available on the London 2012 website. The ODA and its partners are constantly improving the access for residents to training and job brokerage around the Games.
We are aiming for a 50 per cent. reduction in carbon emissions from the built environment of the Olympic Park, by 2013, through a number of initiatives including: making permanent venues 15 per cent. more energy efficient than 2006 Building Regulations standard; and making the homes in the Athletes' Village 44 per cent. more energy efficient than 2006 Building Regulations standard.
A Carbon Management Strategy for the Games is being prepared currently by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority and the London Development Agency, supported by a technical advisory group, which will look at the carbon impact of hosting the Games.
Olympic Games 2012: Tickets
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the ticketing strategy for the London 2012 games. The strategy is currently being developed and information about tickets will be made public in 2010. Tickets will go on sale in 2011.1 have held detailed discussions with the chairman, Chief Executive and Head of Ticketing at LOCOG about the developing strategy.
I am absolutely committed to making sure that there are tickets for sale at affordable prices for all. LOCOG is committed to this principle too, and I know they are looking carefully at ticket prices as they develop their strategy.
Leader of the House
Departmental Visits Abroad
Since 1999, the Government have published a list of all overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing over £500. Information for the financial year 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 102WS and for the first time, included details of overseas visits undertaken by all Ministers. All travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with the ‘Ministerial Code’.
No senior officials incurred costs in respect of overseas visits in 2008.
UK Youth Parliament
The issues involved are ones of principle rather than of practice. It is therefore right that the whole House should decide.
I understand that the House authorities would be able to make appropriate practical arrangements if the House were to decide to allow the Youth Parliament to use the Chamber.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Detainees
Conclusion of the Intelligence and Security Committee's Rendition Report of July 2007 notes that from April 2004
“assurances on humane treatment were properly and routinely sought in operations that involved any risk of rendition and/or U.S. custody.”
Detention issues are the subject of frequent and regular discussions with the US administration.
Because of the wide ranging nature of these exchanges we cannot provide statistics on this matter, but they include discussion of policy and processes in place to prevent any mistreatment, as well as detailed discussion of individual cases. Continued close co-operation with the US is absolutely critical to the UK's ability to counter the threat to the UK posed by global terrorism.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees, including when, how often and for how long they meet, is generally not disclosed; as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.
However, Ministers meet regularly under the auspices of the Ministerial Committee on National Security, International Relations and Development to discuss the United Kingdom’s policy towards Afghanistan, in light of the ongoing review of the Government’s Afghanistan strategy. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the International Development Secretary, and the Defence Secretary are kept regularly informed of progress in implementing the strategy.
I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1234W.
Burma: USA
We remain in close contact with the US and other like-minded international partners regarding the situation in Burma, bilaterally and in multilateral fora, including at the UN and EU. Recent discussions with the US administration have taken place at official level.
Our shared aim continues to be a credible transition to democracy in Burma that is inclusive. The US and the UK agree on the pressing need for the military regime to release political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi. We continue to work with the US and other partners to encourage the Burmese regime to engage with the UN Good Offices Mission.
Climate Change
The distribution of locally engaged and UK based staff in the priority countries for the Government’s objectives on climate change are as set out in the following table.
Country LE staff UK based staff Argentina 1 — Bangkok 1 — Beijing 12 8 Berlin 1 — Bolivia 1 — Brasilia 6 4 Canada 4 2 Chennai 2 — Columbia 1 — Hanoi 1 — Jakarta 2 2 Kuala Lumpur 1 — Kolkata 1 — Madrid 1.5 — Manila 1 — Mexico 7 2 Moscow 3 3 Mumbai 1 — New Delhi 2 3.5 Oslo 1 — Paris 1.5 — Peru 1 — Pretoria 2 1 Rome 1 1 Seoul 2 1 Singapore 1 1 St. Petersburg 1 — Tokyo 1 1 USA 9 2 Venezuela 1 — Warsaw 2 1 Total 73 32.5
Departmental Public Expenditure
As of November 2008 a total of 168 posts reported a decline in the purchasing power of their local budget. The total value of this reported decline was £44,176,397 (£27.9 million in April 2008 and a further £16.3 million as of October 2008).
Set out in the following table are the posts that reported a decline and the value of this decline.
£000 Post Total overseas price movement impact as of October 2008 Abu Dhabi 252.8 Abuja 751.2 Accra 98.0 Addis Ababa 83.4 Algiers 310.2 Amman 405.7 Amsterdam 119.4 Anguilla 12.4 Ankara 501.7 Ashgabat 52.0 Asmara 11.6 Astana 146.2 Athens 546.6 Atlanta 70.5 Auckland 15.3 Baghdad 601.5 Bahrain 61.2 Baku 304.8 Bandar Seri Begawan 55.9 Bangkok 241.0 Banjul 66.9 Basra 251.0 Beijing 940.5 Beirut 148.5 Belgrade 443.6 Belmopan 92.7 Berlin 751.9 Berne 400.3 Bogota 297.1 Bordeaux 15.1 Boston 77.2 Brasilia 564.2 Bratislava 149.5 Bridgetown 135.3 Brisbane 39.3 Brussels 1,481.4 Bucharest 170.0 Budapest 375.5 Buenos Aires 534.3 Cairo 297.0 Canberra 444.1 Cape Town 50.6 Caracas 426.7 Castries 12.7 Chennai 17.0 Chicago 105.5 Chisinau 94.6 Chongqing 79.2 Colombo 389.9 Copenhagen 40.4 Dakar 76.5 Damascus 66.6 Dar Es Salaam 111.9 Dhaka 263.2 Doha 220.2 Dubai 467.3 Dublin 416.9 Dushanbe 63.3 Dusseldorf 505.5 Ekaterinburg 61.4 Freetown 82.0 Gaborone 21.8 Geneva 557.3 Georgetown 61.2 Grand Cayman 15.3 Grand Turk 26.1 Guangzhou 338.1 Guatemala City 101.1 Hanoi 152.6 Havana 83.9 Helsinki 293.4 Ho Chi Minh City 68.5 Hong Kong 375.9 Honiara 16.0 Houston 100.6 Islamabad 176.1 Istanbul 474.2 Jakarta 189.0 Jerusalem 312.8 Johannesburg 51.3 Kabul 818.2 Kampala 110.2 Karachi 6.4 Kathmandu 10.2 Khartoum 303.6 Kiev 390.7 Kigali 53.3 Kingston 361.7 Kinshasa 211.2 Kolkata 8.2 Kuala Lumpur 165.5 Kuwait 348.0 La Paz 92.4 Lagos 1,008.9 Lille 16.7 Lilongwe 47.2 Lima 175.4 Lisbon 283.9 Ljubljana 121.0 Los Angeles 151.1 Luanda 72.3 Lusaka 204.2 Luxembourg 79.1 Lyon 13.3 Madrid 1,202.1 Manila 265.1 Maputo 131.8 Marseille 0.4 Melbourne 70.2 Mexico City 348.2 Minsk 57.1 Montevideo 205.6 Montreal 17.1 Moscow 314.3 Mumbai 24.8 Munich 131.6 Muscat 196.2 Nairobi 576.8 New Delhi 158.6 New York BCG 272.1 New York UKMIS 59.6 Nicosia 347.4 Osaka 202.5 Oslo 157.4 Ottawa 279.4 Panama City 59.6 Paris 1,615.9 Perth 32.2 Phnom Penh 136.4 Plymouth 13.2 Port Louis 92.5 Port Moresby 69.1 Port of Spain 172.8 Prague 453.9 Pretoria 169.1 Pristina 141.9 Quito 66.9 Rabat 278.1 Rangoon 173.3 Riga 145.1 Rio de Janeiro 276.4 Riyadh 543.4 Rome 1,135.6 San Francisco 89.8 San Jose 62.5 Sanaa 192.7 Santiago 199.0 Santo Domingo 29.9 Sao Paulo 357.2 Sarajevo 166.4 Shanghai 369.6 Singapore 339.5 Skopje 250.2 Sofia 266.3 St. Georges 3.4 St. Johns 4.1 St. Petersburg 217.0 Stockholm 281.4 Strasbourg 3.5 Suva 51.0 Sydney 126.5 Taipei 150.1 Tallinn 145.5 Tashkent 127.4 Tbilisi 203.1 Tehran 643.8 Tel Aviv 523.4 The Hague 331.5 Tirana 64.1 Tokyo 923.7 Toronto 108.5 Tortola 15.3 Tripoli 302.5 Tunis 125.0 Ulaanbaatar 33.5 Valletta 113.9 Vancouver 39.5 Victoria 7.5 Vienna 568.5 Vilnius 108.0 Warsaw 615.9 Washington 617.9 Wellington 49.6 Yaounde 97.5 Yerevan 107.6 Zagreb 213.8 Total OPM Uplift 44,176.4
Deportation: Terrorism
We have secured framework arrangements on assurances with Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Algeria and Ethiopia.
The Government are pursuing possible arrangements with other countries, but it would not be appropriate to identify them until negotiations have been concluded. Copies of any new arrangements will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
EC Labour Policy
There are no EU job centres in non-EU states, and there are no plans to open any such offices.
Elections: Monitoring
Our approximate spending on UK secondees to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in each of the last five years is as follows:
£ 2008-09 11,337,751 2007-08 2,038,104 2006-07 2,235,012 2005-06 2,249,164 2004-05 4,498,264 1 Up to 28 February 2009
We currently have 14 UK secondees to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), none of whom are Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff.
Over the last five years, we have seconded the following numbers of civilian staff to the OSCE:
Number 2007-08 26 2006-07 36 2005-06 41 2004-05 66 2003-04 68
The cost of the UK's contribution to Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election observation over the last five years is as follows:
£ 2008-09 625,075 2007-08 657,458 2006-07 281,735 2005-06 1,086,832 2004-05 1,165,539
Details on OSCE funding prior to 2004 is held only in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office archives and is not readily available. To find this information would incur disproportionate cost.
The European Commission funds EU election assistance and observation. The UK contributes through its overall payments to the EU, which means that we cannot provide a breakdown for each of the last 10 years. Similarly, we pay for Council of Europe election observation through our assessed contributions, and as such cannot provide a detailed indication of our costs.
Gulf of Aden: Piracy
The information is in the following table.
Number November to December 2008 29 2009 to 5 March 2009 23
India
Indian media coverage of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s recent visit was extensive and varied.
India: Christianity
We have received reports of churches in Karnataka being temporarily closed from 24 December 2008 to 4 January 2009 following allegations of forced conversions made by groups including the Hindu Jagarana Vedike. However, on 24 December 2008, the Karnataka High Court permitted some of these churches to conduct prayers during this period. The churches have now been re-opened.
An EU delegation, which included a representative from our high commission in New Delhi, visited Orissa between 9 and 12 December 2008 to assess the latest situation. They observed that Orissa remained tense and unsettled and that some of those affected by the violence had still not returned to their homes. The Orissa state authorities advised the delegation that all measures had been taken to prevent any repetition of the widespread violence that took place in 2007 and 2008.
My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, discussed the situation with Anand Sharma, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, and Mohammed Qureshi, Chairman of the Indian Minorities Commission, when he visited New Delhi on 17 October 2008. Our high commission in New Delhi also raised the issue of religious minorities at the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue on 27 February 2009.
Iran: Baha’i Faith
We have called repeatedly for the Iranian Government to release the seven leading members of the Iranian Baha'i community. We issued a statement on 16 February 2009, backed by an EU statement on 17 February 2009, expressing our concern and calling for the Iranian Government to ensure that any trial is fair and to allow independent observation of the judicial proceedings.
The Iranian authorities are reluctant to engage with the international community, and refuse to receive formal representations on human rights issues from the EU. In this context we believe the most significant impact we can have is by ensuring that international attention remains focussed on the human rights environment in Iran. Alongside our EU partners we repeatedly express our firm opposition to all forms of discrimination and oppression, and urge Iran to respect and protect its religious minorities and free all prisoners held due to their faith or religious practice.
The statement issued on 16 February 2009 is available for viewing at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=PressS&id=13644191
Kashmir: Diplomatic Service
We are not aware of any plans for the US to appoint a special representative for Kashmir. There are no plans to discuss the issue.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
We are very concerned about reports that unexploded ordnance has gone missing in Gaza. We fully support the UN call for the unexploded material to be returned so that it can be safely disposed of by professionals trained to do so.
The UK has been very clear about the danger this sort of material poses. For this reason we moved quickly to fund the mines advisory group to assess and clear unexploded ordnance and have called on the Israeli government to allow mines clearance personnel entry to Gaza.
The reconstruction of Gaza needs more than pledges of aid. The aid needs to get in; it needs to be well spent; and then it needs to be sustained. The Government continue to call on the Israeli government to improve access and to relax tough restrictions on the type of goods that are allowed across the border.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated this message during the reconstruction conference in Sharm El-Sheik on 2 March 2009 as did the International Development Secretary during his visit to Gaza on 1 March 2009. Both have raised the issue directly with Israeli Minister of Welfare and Social Services, Isaac Herzog.
Palestinians: Overseas Aid
We are very keenly aware that the reconstruction of Gaza needs more than pledges of aid. The aid needs to get in; it needs to be well spent; and then it needs to be sustained. The Government continue to call on the Israeli Government to improve access and to relax tough restrictions on the type of goods that are allowed across the border.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated this message during the reconstruction conference in Sharm El-Sheikh on 2 March 2009 as did the International Development Secretary during his visit to Gaza on 1 March 2009. Both have raised the issue directly with Israeli Minister of Welfare and Social Services Isaac Herzog.
Palestinians: Politics and Government
We receive regular reports from the UN detailing the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
My right hon. Friend the International Development Secretary visited Gaza on 1 March 2009 and called for improved access and urged the Israelis to relax tough restrictions on the type of goods that are allowed across the border. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reinforced this message during the reconstruction conference in Sharm el-Sheikh on 2 March 2009.
Russia: Press Freedom
The BBC World Service and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have had a number of discussions about Russia at working level over the last year, including on the media environment and the BBC World Service’s proposals to maximise its impact in this challenging market. I also had discussions on Russia with the BBC World Service senior management at the annual ministerial meeting with the BBC World Service on 11 December 2008.
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Our high commission in Colombo continues to lobby strongly for the UN guiding principles on internal displacement to be upheld for all the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka. The Department for International Development (DfID) and other donor organisations are prioritising messages around protection, access, safety and freedom of movement of IDPs. DfID and other donors are only considering support to projects that are temporary in nature and will review their continued collective involvement after three months, in light of the Government’s progress with the other key principles.
As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear to the House on 24 February 2009, Official Report, column 140, the recent military advances by the Sri Lankan government and the subsequent humanitarian crisis is of continuing serious concern.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire and has made clear our view that a political solution addressing the legitimate concerns of all communities in Sri Lanka is the only way to bring a sustainable end to the conflict.
Given our concerns, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister appointed my right hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Des Browne) as his special envoy for Sri Lanka on 12 February 2009. He has attended briefing meetings with Ministers, parliamentarians and officials. He has also met with international partners who share our concerns on the situation in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government has yet to accept the appointment.
We are in regular contact with the government of Sri Lanka. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wrote to President Rajapakse in January. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken to both President Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Bogollagama on a number of occasions regarding the situation in Sri Lanka, most recently on 16 February 2009. Officials at our high commission maintain regular contact with the Sri Lankan government.
It is not possible to obtain accurate information on the number of casualties killed in recent fighting, due to the ongoing military hostilities and the lack of independent information emerging from northern Sri Lanka. Various reports estimate that over 70,000 people have died in the Sri Lankan conflict since it began in 1983.
Terrorism: Finance
The £80 million allocated to tackle radicalisation and promote understanding overseas will be £20 million, £23 million and £37 million over three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11 respectively. We expect spending to be focused on south and south-east Asia, the middle-east, north and east Africa. Allocations depend both on the priority accorded to that country and the quality of project proposals submitted for funding.
Projects include work to strengthen institutions, counter grievances and increase the resilience of communities to radicalisation.
Criteria for allocating funding to counter radicalisation work in specific countries are based on an assessment across Government of the threat to the UK and UK interests overseas from and in that country. Individual projects are assessed on the contribution they can make to reduce the threat. Project impact is carefully monitored through a process agreed with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and the National Audit Office.
Thailand: Missing Persons
We are concerned by reports of mistreatment of ‘boatpeople’ from the Rohingya ethnic group by the Thai authorities. We have raised the issue with the Thai Government at the highest levels on a number of occasions. Most recently, my noble Friend, the Minister for Asia, Africa and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, discussed the issue with the Thai Prime Minister during his visit to Thailand on 27 February 2009.
Working with EU partners, and in close consultation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), we will continue to press the Thai authorities to establish the facts and hold those responsible for any wrongdoing to account.
We welcome Prime Minister Abhisit's assurances that the Thai authorities are working with the UNHCR on a regional response to the increasing number of ethnic Rohingya people fleeing Burma. To be effective, any solution must address the root causes of the problem: poor governance in Burma, discrimination, human rights abuse and extreme economic deprivation in Northern Rakhine State.
Tony Blair
The UN Development Trust Fund consists of US dollars (USD) 10.4 million and is used to fund the Office of the Quartet Representative. The UK contribution to this fund in 2007 was £400,000, which by the exchange rate of that date was equivalent to approximately USD 800,000. Therefore, the UK contribution represented approximately 7.7 per cent. of the total Trust Fund.
Western Sahara: Fisheries
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 January 2009, Official Report, column 382W.
The EU-Morocco Fisheries agreement sets fishing priorities for EU Community vessels in the Moroccan fishing zone or, as defined in article 2 of the agreement, “in the waters over which the Kingdom of Morocco has sovereignty or jurisdiction”. This approach is in conformity with international law and with the legal opinion of the UN as of 29 January 2002.
Morocco is the administrative authority of Western Sahara and it is the obligation of the Moroccan side to assure the full application of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement in accordance with its obligations under international law. There are no references to the Western Sahara in the agreement and this was already the case in the previous agreement between the EC and Morocco.
Western Sahara: Human Rights
Our officials visited Western Sahara in February 2009 and met with representatives from across the spectrum of interested parties. During the visit civil society organisations made representations on human rights monitoring in Western Sahara and the refugee camps in Tindouf.
The UK has a strong interest in human rights issues in Western Sahara and in Tindouf and continues to monitor the situation carefully. Our official will be visiting the camps in Tindouf in March 2009.
Western Sahara: Politics and Government
Western Sahara was discussed during the EU-Morocco Association Council on 13 October 2008. During the meeting the EU stated its regret at the lack of progress towards settlement of the dispute over Western Sahara and reaffirmed that the next Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General must resume and continue the work of their predecessor.
Written Questions: Government Responses
The right hon. Member’s question was answered on 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1238W.
The right hon. Member’s question was answered on 2 March 2009, Official Report, column, 1239W. The delay in replying was due to administrative error.
The right hon. Member’s question was answered on 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1237W.
Defence
Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
Professor Tim Morris BVM PhD MRCVS, Director of Equine Science and Welfare for the British Horseracing Authority, was a member of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) but has now stood down. Membership of AWAC is currently under review.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Information is not available for the whole period mentioned, or in the form requested because reasons for cessation of pension are not routinely recorded. The principal reason for the cessation of a war disablement pension is death.
The following table provides the information that is available.
Total Death Reason not recorded Reduction in assessment2 2003 13,630 10,560 3,050 20 2004 13,055 10,240 2,800 15 2005 12,275 9,840 2,415 20 2006 11,535 9,535 1,985 15 2007 11,050 9,295 1,745 10 January to September 2008 8,125 6,840 1,280 5 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 for data protection purposes. Due to rounding, figures may not add to totals. 2 The claimant was originally awarded at a disablement percentage of 20 per cent. or more and the disablement percentage decreased to below 20 per cent. following re-assessment on review or appeal.
In addition, rounded to the nearest five, five beneficiaries under the War Pension Polish Forces Scheme have lost their pension on return to live in Poland.
Armed Forces: Qualifications
The information on academic qualifications of recruits is not held in the format requested and differs between the three services. However, the available data for the Navy and Army is provided as follows: the Navy section providing a breakdown of the academic qualifications overall, while the Army section offers a summary split by officer and other ranks. Unfortunately, due to IT problems within the RAF it is not currently possible to extract the necessary data. I will write to the hon. Member with information for the RAF when this is available and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Navy
The following table reflects the numbers of each qualification held by all new recruits who joined between 1 January-31 December 2008.
Number Level 7 Masters 2 Level 6 Bachelors 46 Level 5 BTEC HNCs, HNDs, Foundation Degrees and HNDs 14 Level 4 CHE 1 Level 3 A levels 436 AS Levels 282 GNVQ Advanced 9 BTEC National Certificate 27 BTEC National Diploma 59 NVQ Level 3 24 Key Skills Level 3 30 VCE Double award 1 VCE A Level 1 VCE AS Level 1 Level 2 GCSEs A-C 5250 BTEC First Diplomas 29 BTEC First Certificate 7 NVQ Level 2 112 GNVQ Intermediate 61 Key Skills Level 2 387 Level 1 GCSE D-G 484 GNVQ Foundation 8 Key Skills Level 1 183 NVQ Level 1 49
In addition, here are the figures for the Scottish qualifications framework.
Number Scottish Advanced Higher 3 Scottish National Certificate 1 Scottish Higher 89 Scottish Intermediate 1 48 Scottish Intermediate 2 97 Scottish Standard A-C 590 Scottish Standard D-G 37
Recruits were also recorded as having 658; Basic Skills’, 39 ‘GCEs’, two ‘CSEs’ and three Modern apprenticeships.
Army
Basic Skills Levels—The Army reflects the national basic skills picture (within 1 per cent.). Roughly 45 per cent. of all soldiers joining the Army are below Level 1 (GCSE D-G) but since August 2003 80 per cent. of soldiers achieve LI literacy and numeracy within three years. Since 2002, 21,874 national literacy and numeracy qualifications have been awarded to soldiers.
Apprenticeships—65 per cent. of soldiers (4,800) embark on an apprenticeship at either Level 2 (GCSE A*-C) or 3 (A Level) either within Phase 2 training or the Field Army. The Army's achievement rate of apprenticeships is 75 per cent. compared to the national average of 60 per cent. Apprenticeships also include support for literacy and numeracy and as part of the apprenticeship soldiers gain Level 1 literacy and numeracy qualifications.
Accreditation—The majority of training within the Army is accredited to nationally recognised qualifications (March 2007 to April 2008 there were 15,451 Awards). These awards range from Level 1 qualifications through to masters degrees.
Learning credits—All soldiers are entitled to claim learning credits to support their elective educational courses which include academic and vocational qualifications.
Officers
In 2007-08, 585 cadets who commenced training at the Royal Military academy Sandhurst (RMAS) were graduate entrants this represents 82 per cent. of a total of 715 who began the standard career courses.
Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to Sally Keeble:
I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 19 January 2009, Official Report, column 1867W, about levels of academic qualification reached by recruits joining the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.
This data for the RAF is now available and is set out in the table below.
The information shows the total number of RAF recruits who hold specific qualifications for 2008. Many recruits will be counted more than once since they have more than one type of qualification.
Number Sec/FE qualification type Advanced Extension Award 2 Advanced Placement 1 Advanced Subsidiary Vocational Certificate of Education 2 Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education Double Award 4 Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education Single Award 3 Basic Skills 293 BTEC First Certificate 8 BTEC First Diploma 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate 14 BTEC Intermediate 18 BTEC National Certificate 33 BTEC National Diploma 21 Certificate in Management Studies 2 Certificate of Secondary Education 8 Certificate of Sixth Year Studies 3 City & Guilds Level 1 9 City & Guilds Level 2 4 City & Guilds Level 3 2 City & Guilds Level 4 1 Diploma 2 Diploma in Higher Education 2 Diploma in Nursery Nursing 1 Foundation Course 1 Free Standing maths 1 GCE Advanced Level 398 GCE Advanced Level 2 25 GCE Advanced Level (Special Papers) 2 GCE Advanced Subsidiary 225 GCE Advanced Supplementary Level 15 GCE Alternative Ordinary Level 2 GCE Ordinary Level 24 GCSE Double Award 72 GCSE short course. 91 General Certificate of Secondary Education 576 General National Vocational Qualification 2 GNVQ Advanced 2 GNVQ Foundation 1 GNVQ Intermediate 16 Institute of Financial Services CIB Level 3 Certificate 1 International Certificate of Education 1 International GCSE 12 Key Skills Level 2 7 Key Skills Level 3 2 Modern Apprenticeship 6 New Zealand Higher School Certificate 1 NVQ Level 1 2 NVQ Level 2 16 NVQ Level 3 23 NVQ Level 4 4 Open University 60 pt course 1 Royal Society of Arts Stage 1 6 Royal Society of Arts Stage 2 3 SA Year 12 Certificate of Achievement 1 SCE Advanced Higher Grade 12 SCE Higher Grade 51 SCE Higher Still 2 SCE Intermediate 1 1 SCE Intermediate 2 9 SCE Standard Grade 49 Scottish Certificate of Education 0 Grade 7 Scottish Higher Unit 2 SQA Higher National Certificate 3 SQA Higher National Diploma 1 SVQ Level 3 1 West African Senior School Certificate 1 Uni/Higher/Prof Qual qual type Bachelor 1 Bachelor of Architecture 1 Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) 1 Bachelor of Arts 26 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) 48 Bachelor of Dental Surgery 3 Bachelor of Education 1 Bachelor of Education (Hons) 3 Bachelor of Engineering 29 Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) 19 Bachelor of Law 4 Bachelor of Law (Hons) 4 Bachelor of Medicine 10 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 2 Bachelor of Medicine (Hons) 2 Bachelor of Music 1 Bachelor of Science 48 Bachelor of Science (Hons) 73 Bachelor of Science in Economics 3 Bachelor of Social Science 1 Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) 1 Bachelor of Surgery 1 Bachelor of Surgery (Hons) 1 Bar Vocational Course 1 BTEC Higher National Diploma 4 Certificate of Education 1 Degree 3 Diploma of Higher Education 6 Master of Arts 9 Master of Biological Studies 1 Master of Education 1 Master of Engineering 28 Master of Science 3 Masters in Chemistry 1 MBChB 2 Postgraduate Certificate in Education 5 Post Graduate Diploma 2 Post Graduate Diploma in Law 1
I will place a copy of my letter in the Library.
Armed Forces: Transsexuality
The tri-service policy for the recruitment and management of transsexual personnel in the armed forces was prepared as part of the Department’s normal business; accordingly no additional staff costs were incurred. The policy was drafted by staff in the armed forces’ diversity team in consultation with personnel from the single-service equality and diversity teams, legal advisers and medical staff. Advice was also sought from a:gender, the support network for staff in Government Departments and agencies who have permanently changed their perceived gender, but no meetings were held with them.
Colombia: Drugs
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 January 2009, Official Report, column 737W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Mrs. Moon).
Defence: Procurement
The information is shown in the following table, which includes the cost of the assessment, demonstration and manufacture phases.
31 March 2007 31 March 2008 Direct Resource DEL 13 18 Indirect Resource DEL 39 34 Capital DEL 436 428 Total 488 480
Departmental Postal Services
I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 23 July 2007, Official Report, column 683W, to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins).
Departmental Public Appointments
The number of persons appointed to executive positions in the senior civil service in the Ministry of Defence since 1 April 2004 who previously had careers in the banking industry is four. Information for grades below the SCS is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Rail Travel
I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 3 September 2007, Official Report, column 1620W.
Departmental Surveys
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Outside contractors are employed to conduct staff surveys only where the necessary work cannot be undertaken in house and where there is a clear value for money benefit for the MOD.
Departmental Training
All current Defence Ministers have received mandatory briefings on safety and security and survival, evasion, resistance and extraction prior to visiting operational theatres. The training took place in central London. Details of the small additional costs, relating only to travel and subsistence for the trainers, are not held centrally.
European Defence Agency
The UK financial contribution to the European Defence Agency running costs and operational budgets in 2007-08 was £1.95 million. The UK Ministry of Defence provides five members to the permanent staff of the EDA, paid from the Agency’s staff budget, and seconds one further officer at national expense.
Helicopters
None. UK military helicopters are not currently painted a specific colour for operating in desert conditions.
HMS Superb
It is planned to publish the Board of Inquiry report into the grounding of HMS Superb in the Red sea in May 2008 once all parallel investigations are complete.
Naval Bases
The scope of work carried out at the three naval bases (Portsmouth, Devonport and on the Clyde) is currently being considered as part of the Maritime Change Programme. This work is now reaching its conclusion, although we need to ensure that final decisions are fully aligned with the changes to the equipment programme announced in December 2008. An announcement on the Maritime Change Programme will be made as soon as is practicable.
Navy: Deployment
We are currently exploring a number of contingency options directed at countering arms smuggling into Gaza.
As part of this process, the UK participated in a conference on the 4-5 February in Copenhagen discussing how the international community might strengthen its efforts to help prevent the illicit flow of weapons into Gaza and agreed to meet again to explore further the measures discussed.
The UK will host the next conference in London on 13 March.
Nimrod Aircraft
The acquisition and through life costs of the three options being considered (the Nimrod R1 and the Nimrod MRA4 platforms with a bespoke mission system and the US Rivet Joint system) to meet the Helix requirement are being assessed as part of the preparations for a main investment decision expected in 2009.
Key dates for a successor to the Nimrod R1 system and any necessary transition arrangements between the two will be agreed at the main investment decision point which is expected in 2009.
Nuclear Weapons: Research
The Atomic Weapons Establishment undertakes research to ensure the continued safety, security, and performance of the United Kingdom's nuclear stockpile. Additionally, it is currently assisting the Ministry of Defence in reviewing the optimum life of the existing warhead stockpile and analysing the range of replacement options that might be available. This work, some of which is being undertaken with the United States under the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement, will inform decisions likely to be necessary in the next Parliament on the need to refurbish or replace the current warhead. The funding for this work is met by the UK Defence budget.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Since 2003 there has been one study commissioned by the Ministry of Defence into the latency of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) conducted by University College London. The purpose of the study was to determine the existence or otherwise of delayed-onset PTSD and its prevalence among veterans in receipt of a war pension. The findings of the study are due to be published later this year.
Public Opinion
The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, records are available of the amounts spent on polling and focus groups by the central media and communications organisation dating back to 2001-02. Earlier records are not available.
It is not possible to split out the costs of opinion polls and focus groups, the figures provided will include both these elements.
£ 2001-02 81,928 2002-03 24,639 2003-04 130,983 2004-05 79,320 2005-06 274,056 2006-07 252,983 2007-08 185,272 2008-09 1144,000 1 Spend to date
These costs relate to polling carried out by our central media and communications division to establish attitudes of the public to various aspects of defence activity.
Trade Unions
The MOD currently recognises the following trade unions and staff associations which represent staff in a wide range of grades, trades and professions.
Non-Industrial Trade Unions:
FDA
Prospect
PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union)
Industrial Trade Unions:
Unite (Amicus Section)
Unite (Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) Section)
GMB (General and Municipal Boilermakers)
UCATT (Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians)
Staff Associations:
CPOA (Chief Police Officers Association)
DPF (Defence Police Federation)
ROA (Retired Officers Association)
Maritime Trade Unions:
Nautilus UK
RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers)
Medical Grades and Civilian Practitioners:
BMA (British Medical Association)
Teaching Grades:
ATL (The Association of Teachers and Lecturers)
NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers)
NASUWT (The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers)
NUT (National Union of Teachers)
ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders
Locally Engaged Civilians Overseas:
Germany:
Ver.di (Vereinigte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft)
Gibraltar:
Unite (TGWU Section)
Unite (TGWU Section)—ACTSS (Association of Clerical Technical and Supervisory Staff)
Prospect—GGCA (Gibraltar General and Clerical Association)
Gibraltar Services Police Staff Association
Cyprus:
SEK (Federation of Government, Military and Civil Service Workers)
PEO (Pan Cyprian Federation of Labour—Government/Military and Social Institute Servants)
PASYDY (Pancyprian Public Servants’ Trade Union)
TURK-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Trade Union Federation)
SBA (Sovereign Bases Abroad) Police Association.
Justice
Court of Protection
The average cost of a fee paying application to the Court of Protection between 1 April 2008 and 28 February 2009 was £390.00. This average is based on all applications made whether a fee was due, was exempted, or was remitted.
Prior to October 2007, when a receiver was appointed by the then Court of Protection to manage the financial affairs of a person who lacked capacity, the court had the option of directing funds to be lodged into court. Those funds were held in the name of the Accountant General of the Supreme Court and administered by the Court Funds Office.
Since October 2007, when the Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into force, deputies appointed by the new Court of Protection have been able to choose to lodge funds similarly in court.
As at 31 December 2008 the Court Funds Office held approximately £3.2 billion of funds on behalf of Court of Protection clients.
Between 1 February 2008 and 31 January 2009, the average time taken to process a court application was 14.5 weeks. This figure represents all of the orders made and dispatched by the court during this period, including cases where the court decided the matter by holding a hearing attended by the parties.
Debt Collection
A commitment was given during the parliamentary passage of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act—31 January 2007, Official Report, column 283—that no such regulations will be introduced unless consultations with all sides of the enforcement and debt advice industries has taken place and shown such powers to be desirable and necessary.
Departmental Data Protection
(2) what auditing his Department undertakes to ensure that IT security policies are being followed; and on how many occasions (a) IT security policies have been breached by employees and (b) a member of staff has been sanctioned for a breach of such policies in the last 12 months;
(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's IT security hierarchy;
(4) what scanning for vulnerabilities his Department conducts of each of its IT devices; what method is used for IT device scans; and how many vulnerabilities have been detected as a result of such scans in the last 12 months;
(5) what IT security policy his Department has; what procedures are in place to ensure the policy is being followed; what his Department's policy is on encryption of data when it leaves departmental premises; and what sanctions are in place for failure to comply with this policy.
Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
Because of the potential security threat, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific technical measures deployed to protect the Departments IT networks.
Compliance arrangements comprise a system of self assessment, accreditation, assurance reporting, audit and review.
There have been no reported breaches of the Department's IT systems in the last 12 months. Central records show that, for this period, 41 staff have been subject to disciplinary action for breaches of IT security policy. The types of incidents involved would have included, but not exclusively, mis-use of email, internet browsing, incorrect use of passwords and login details. None of the incidents compromised the integrity of the Department's systems.
The Department's security governance arrangements are consistent with the mandatory requirements set out in the HM Government Security Policy Framework (SPF). The Permanent Secretary, as Accounting Officer has overall responsibility for all aspects of security. The Departmental Security Officer (DSO) supports the Permanent Secretary by providing advice on policy and procedure. The IT Security Officer (ITSO) supports the DSO by developing, implementing, reviewing and advising upon IT security policy. There are currently separate ITSOs working in the major business units brought together as the Ministry of Justice.
It is not in the interest of the security of the Department, or that of the public, to disclose detailed information pertaining to electronic breaches of security of Department's IT systems. Disclosing such information would enable criminals and those who would attempt to cause disruptive threats to the Department to deduce how to conduct attacks and therefore potentially enhance their capability to carry out such attacks.
Depending upon the circumstances, a range of sanctions are available for failure to comply with the policies, including disciplinary or administrative action, and in extreme or persistent cases, termination of employment/services and, if appropriate, criminal proceedings.
Fixed Penalties: Richmond Park
The offences of littering, dog-fouling and illegal cycling committed in Royal Parks, such as Richmond park, are included in a proposed list of offences which could attract a penalty notice for disorder (PND) on which the Government intend to consult shortly. Regulations currently preclude the use of fixed penalties for these offences inside the Royal Parks.
The consultation period will last three months from the date of issue of the consultation paper. Subject to the response of the consultation, the Government intend to lay an order adding new offences to the PND scheme before Parliament before summer recess. New offences are added by means of secondary legislation under the affirmative resolution procedure.
Freedom of Information
I placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of the criteria used in considering the first exercise of the veto when I made my statement to the House on this matter on 24 February 2009, Official Report, column 153. These criteria apply to cases engaging section 35(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The criteria are also published on the Ministry of Justice website.
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History Month
Over the past five years, the Ministry of Justice has run events for staff in different parts of the country and produced facts, posters and magazines.
In 2005, the cost was £2,350.00;
In 2006, the cost was £2,375.00;
In 2007, the cost was £5,798.00;
In 2008, the cost was £1,734.00; and
In 2009, the cost was reduced to £470.00.
National Offender Management Service: Finance
The following table provides a breakdown of the actual expenditure for the National Offender Management Service Headquarters (NOMS HQ) for 2007-08, which is more up to date than the planning figure shown in the NOMS Strategic and Business Plan. Many of the functions delivered by NOMS during 2007-08 transferred to the new NOMS Agency as part of a restructured Ministry of Justice on 1 April 2008.
Although the item in the plan is described as NOMS HQ it is not simply the headquarters function. The following table shows that the majority of the expenditure was related to centrally managed front line services, including electronic monitoring, prisoner escort services and prison and probation property. Other services at the centre of NOMS such as the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, HM Inspector of Prisons and Public Protection are directly related to front line services.
NOMS HQ administration costs (as used in the Supply Estimates and MoJ Resource Accounts), in 2007-08 were £76 million; or £151 million if HM Prison Service's administration costs are included. This is 1.6 per cent. or 3.2 per cent. respectively of the total NOMS resource expenditure.
NOMS HQ expenditure for 2007-08 can be analysed as follows:
£ million Prison and Probation Property and Estates and Capacity Planning 557 Electronic Monitoring 84 Prisoner Escort Service (includes Operation Safeguard) 212 Other Programme expenditure 185 Administration Costs expenditure 76 Total resource expenditure 1,114
The £557 million expenditure on Prison and Probation Property and Estates and Capacity Planning relates to costs associated with the custodial and the probation estate including: capital charges; estate management including major maintenance; and, where applicable rent, rates, insurance and utilities.
Prisoner Escapes
Research was undertaken in 2004 by the Home Office research development and statistics department into the types of prisoner most at risk of absconding. Open prisons now routinely assess risk of prisoners absconding when they arrive at the prison and take a variety of other actions to help reduce absconding. The rate of absconding continues to fall and the number of absconds are at their lowest level since centralised reporting of this type of incident began in 1995.
Prisons: Mental Health Services
I have been asked to reply.
We do not hold this information centrally.
Prisons: Organised Crime
The identification of ‘gangs’ in prison is not always straightforward given the loose nature of some affiliations and the inherent difficulties of defining a ‘gang’ separately from other group affiliations. NOMS is currently undertaking scoping work to provide a strengthened response to gangs.
Historically, gang-related issues have been and continue to be managed within the overall framework to manage prisons and provide a safe and decent environment. In some establishments, where gang-related issues are more problematic, governors have started work with local police forces to share information on gang members and gang affiliations. Studies have also commenced into extremist gang-related activities and HMCIP (along with HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Probation) has commenced a thematic review into juvenile gangs, encompassing juvenile gangs in prison and the wider community.
Prisons: Young Offenders
(2) which prisons have extended their designation to include a young offender institution in the last 10 years.
Once it has been decided that the role of a prison should be changed to include the holding of young offenders, a revised designation is prepared and signed by the Director-General of the National Offender Management Service.
It would be difficult and could be attempted only at disproportionate cost to identify which prisons have extended their designation, as many designation certificates may have changed a number of times over the past 10 years. As set out in the Ministry of Justice, NOMS Agency (HM Prison Service) annual report and accounts 2007-08, there are 14 closed male young offender institutions (YOIs) and one open YOI.
Reoffenders
The national offender management service holds information on the number of offenders charged with serious further (violent) offences whilst under probation supervision for the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and for the first six months of 2008-09. However, this does not include all types of violent offence and it is not broken down by town or city. To provide the full information requested would require manual checking of files, which could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.
The following table contains data on the number of offenders who were charged with certain violent offences, where there was a requirement initially to notify the national offender management service, in line with the serious further offence probation circulars 06/2006 and 41/2006.
The offender management caseload statistics, which are published annually, include data on the number of offenders under probation supervision who are charged with serious further offences and whose cases proceed to review, as defined by the relevant probation circulars. Those data are updated to show outcomes, that is, convictions, acquittals, convictions for lesser offences and charges dropped.
The number of offenders convicted of a serious further offence is around 0.35 per cent. of the caseload of the probation service nationally.
2006-07 2007-08 1 April 2008-30 September 2008 Serious violent offence description West Yorkshire initial notifications England and Wales initial notifications West Yorkshire initial notifications England and Wales initial notifications West Yorkshire initial notifications England and Wales initial notifications Aggravated burglary (section 10 of the Theft Act 1968) — — 1 26 1 75 Aggravated theft — 75 5 59 — — Aggravated vehicle-taking involving an accident which caused the death of any person (Section 12A of the Theft Act 1968) — — — — — 1 Arson (section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971) 1 90 3 93 2 42 Attempt to cause explosion, or making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property (section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883) — — — — — 1 Attempt to commit murder or a conspiracy to commit murder 1 47 3 62 1 21 Attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle in order to commit or assist in committing an indictable offence (section 21 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861) — — — 1 — — Burglary with intent to- (a) inflict grievous bodily harm on a person or (b) do unlawful damage to a building or anything in it. (section 9 of the Theft Act 1968) — — — 11 — 17 Carrying a firearm with criminal intent (section 18 of the Firearms Act 1968) — — — 2 — 1 Causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult, also called 'familial homicide' (Section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004) — — — — — — Causing death by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs (section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988) — 1 — 2 — 2 Causing death by dangerous driving (section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988) — 14 — 8 1 6 Destroying or damaging property other than an offence of arson (section 1(2) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971) — — — 1 — — False imprisonment 3 56 2 60 3 35 Kidnapping 5 65 4 76 1 39 Manslaughter 2 7 1 9 — 4 Murder 6 129 9 107 4 64 Other explosives offences — 2 — — — — Other offences against the person 2 22 — 15 — 1 Other serious violent offence 1 92 2 65 — 5 Possession of firearm at time of committing or being arrested for offence specified in Schedule 1 to that Act (section 17(2) of the Firearms Act 1968) — — — 5 — 10 Possession of firearm with intent to endanger life (section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968) — — — 4 4 20 Robbery or assault with intent to rob (section 8 of the Theft Act 1968) — 1 — 11 2 18 Soliciting murder (section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861) — — — — — 1 Use of firearm to resist arrest (section 17(1) of the Firearms Act 1968) — — — — — — Serious firearms offences (SFO) 4 55 6 96 — — Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861) 24 454 27 567 16 352 Total 49 1,110 63 1,280 35 715
The number of offenders that were charged with offences whilst being supervised by the probation service is not available. This is because the extract of the police national computer held by the Ministry of Justice does not provide comprehensive coverage of charges. Data relating to the offending of offenders under probation supervision is based on proven reoffending—offences which have led to a conviction or a caution.
Secure Training Centres: Restraint Techniques
Between January and December 2008 (the latest data available), handcuffs were used in secure training centres on eight occasions, as shown in the following table.
YJB guidance to all secure training centres (STCs) is that handcuffs should only be used in exceptional circumstances, as set out in the contracts.
Any use of handcuffs must be approved by the director of the establishment. In 2008, handcuffs were used on only eight occasions: that represents a reduction of over 80 per cent. since 2006.
March June July October December Hassockfield — — — — — 14, white, male — 1 — — 1 14, other, male — 1 — — — 15, black, male 2 — — — — 15, other, male — — — 2 — Oakhill — — — — — 14, white, male — — 1 — — Source: This information has been provided by the Youth Justice Board.
Shoplifting: Fixed Penalties
Further to the reply given on 9 February, the guidance is designed to help with the exercise of a police officer's discretion in issuing a penalty notice for disorder. No specific time period is set after which a further PND may be issued, but the guidance to forces makes clear that it will not be appropriate to do so where there has been another shoplifting offence in the recent past.
No means testing is involved in the issue of a penalty notice for disorder for a first or subsequent offence. The success of the scheme depends on the speed and simplicity of issuing a ticket. The existing guidance states that a penalty notice for disorder will not be appropriate where no satisfactory address exists for enforcement purposes, possibly because the suspect may be homeless or sleeping rough.
Television: Licensing
Data showing defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for TV licence evasion in England and Wales, from 2005-07 are shown in the following table. The Criminal Statistics data for 2008 are due to be published in November 2009.
The statistics relate to defendants for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
Number 20053 122,961 20063 130,130 20074 135,548 1 These data are on the principal offence basis. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 As well as television licence evasion, these data include proceedings for summary offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to 1967. 4 These figures relate to the offence television licence evasion—Communications Act 2003.
Witnesses: Disabled
In the criminal courts statements from disabled adults who use non-formal methods of communication are treated in the same way as statements from a witness whose first language is not English.
When taking a statement from a witness who requires assistance with communication, the police interview is conducted with necessary assistance, such as an accredited deaf signer, an intermediary, or communication aids or relay interpreters where more than one form of communication is required. The statement is written by the police officer following the witness interview and then communicated back to the witness, with any necessary assistance to check its accuracy before the witness is invited to sign it.
So far as the admissibility of the statement is concerned, this is a matter for the court to determine in each case. Written statements are admissible in certain circumstances but normally a witness would give evidence orally in court, again with any necessary assistance with communication.
In the civil courts there are no plans to change the current arrangements in respect of witness statements. Each court has a customer service officer who is able to assist users by providing services such as hearing loops, sign language or lip speakers. When required, arrangements may be made to give evidence outside the court room, for example in a hospital. The judge, parties and court staff adopt a flexible approach to allow each case to be dealt with individually according to the circumstances of the person concerned and to accommodate any special needs.
Written Questions: Government Responses
The question was transferred to the Solicitor-General on 4 February 2009. The Ministry of Justice's parliamentary branch wrote to the hon. Member on that day informing him of the transfer.
Youth Custody
Establishments operate a policy that young adult remands (18 to 21-year-olds) do not cell share with adult remands. Remanded young adults are either placed into dedicated young offender institutes or into local 'adult' prisons. Where accommodation is within the main adult estate, young adults would not share with adults.
House of Commons Commission
Meat
The situation has changed little since my previous reply on 13 May 2008, Official Report, column 475.
In the 11 month period from April 2008 to February 2009, approximately 35 per cent. of all fresh chicken meat purchased by the House of Commons was approved under the RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme. No other fresh meat purchased over the same period was Freedom Food approved, but all fresh meat was sourced only from producers demonstrating high levels of animal welfare under other recognised quality assurance schemes, such as the Assured Food Standards Board’s ‘Red Tractor’ scheme.
Lack of availability is the main obstacle to the House of Commons increasing the proportion of Freedom Food approved meats purchased. The Freedom Food organisation acknowledges that supply is not always available in the food service sector due to the demands of retailers and the House of Commons catering service is working closely with the organisation to try to address this issue.
Millbank Systems
The parliamentary service is engaged in providing greater electronic access for the public to parliamentary material and as part of this work it has developed digital access to historic Hansard data. Millbank Systems is the name used for the experimental web domain on which the historic Hansard digitisation content is being piloted. The cost of web hosting, which is funded by the Commons alone, was £2,500 in 2007-08 and will be £14,550 in 2008-09.
Security
We currently have actual figures to the end of December 2008.
Between April 2008 and December 2008 the actual spend on the Palace of Westminster security contract (including armed police) was £22,417,500 against a budget of £22,989,900 (an underspend of £572,400). The budget for the full year is £30,902,400. These figures are the total costs for the Palace of Westminster, which are shared between the House of Commons and the House of Lords on a 69 per cent./31 per cent. basis.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Art Works
I do not have any Government Art Collection works of art on display in my office. The following artworks are on display in my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Paul Goggins) private office:
“Strand on the Green” by Rodney Joseph Burn;
“Tours” by Bernard Kay;
“At the Ebb” by Tom Mackenzie;
“Three Window Views” by Christine Wilkinson;
“Battersea River-Scape” by Michael Halliday;
“Castle Rigg I” by Susan E. Jameson; and
“Castle Rigg II” by Susan E. Jameson.
Departmental Telephone Services
The Department maintains the use of one 0845 number for use by members of the public. This line allows members of the public to request information on the Mentally Disordered Offenders Victim Information Scheme.
No 0844 or 0845 telephone numbers have been used by service providers under contract to my Department.
No revenue-sharing telephone numbers for calls from members of the public have been used by my Department or service providers under contract to my Department.
There are currently no plans to introduce 03-prefixed telephone numbers for calls to my Department.
Culture, Media and Sport
10 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance
I am arranging for copies of English Heritage’s non-intervention letter of 7 February to Westminster city council, with regard to repairs and maintenance to 10 Downing street, to be placed in the House Libraries.
However, I am informed by officials at 10 Downing street that for security reasons, it is their policy not to release any information about the floor plans or the layout of the Downing street complex.
Arts: South West
Government funding for the arts is made through Arts Council England according to the arm’s length principle. Decisions about which arts organisations to fund are therefore, a matter for the Arts Council.
Arts Council England advises that it provides the following grant in aid funding through its Regularly Funded Organisation programme. These figures do not include funding from the ‘Grants for the Arts’ initiative.
£ South West Wiltshire 2003-04 11,165,267 1,322,700 2004-05 12,850,250 1,472,053 2005-06 14,388,251 1,583,939 2006-07 15,143,175 1,682,272 2007-08 15,599,030 1,728,685 2008-09 16,292,393 1,775,357 2009-10 17,067,300 1,873,875 2010-11 17,544,491 1,924,469
Art Council England’s predecessors, the regional arts board, were independent bodies and maintained records according to their own systems and requirements. Consequently, Arts Council England is unable to provide compatible figures for the RFO portfolio in the years before 2003-04.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
(2) what progress has been made in reducing the carbon footprints of (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) its non-departmental public bodies.
In order to set a benchmark for carbon emissions reduction, DCMS calculated a carbon footprint for the Department; the Royal Parks Agency and 16 non-departmental public bodies in 2008. Progress is being monitored by individual organisations and will be followed up by DCMS after March 2010 once an appreciable amount of data is available. Specific operational examples of reduction carried out by DCMS are the replacement of existing gas boilers with more energy efficient models and the installation of improved energy efficient light fittings, variable speed drives (systems for controlling the rotational speed of an alternating current electric motor) and air handling units. Our sponsored bodies are making similar adjustments to their operational procedures. Further examples of their actions are available in the Pathways to Sustainability section of the Department website.
Departmental Finance
The Department’s next annual corporate plan is due to be published in spring 2009.
Departmental Public Expenditure
I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 12 February 2009.
I refer the hon. Member to the written statement of 12 February 2009.
National Lottery
The information requested is as follows.