To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the Government are taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises whose customers do not pay in accordance with agreed contractual terms. (285671)

The UK was one of the world's first countries to introduce late payment legislation in November 1998. It provides all businesses with the right to claim interest for the late payment of commercial debt, and where there are no pre-agreed payment terms, the legislation provides that the payment period is 30 days from the later of either delivery of goods or receipt of invoice.

Over half of UK business transactions are not covered by pre agreed payment terms so we are also equipping business to better manage customer relationships and cash flow management through a series of guides developed in partnership with the Institute of Credit Management, the CBI, IoD, FSB, FPB and BCC.

Further advice on this legislation and claiming interest for late payments can be found at:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file37581.pdf.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the Government have taken to encourage (a) private sector companies and (b) public sector organisations to sign up to the prompt payment code. (285672)

My noble Friend the Secretary of State and for Business, Innovation and Skills has written to over 1,500 UK businesses and the Minister for Economic Competitiveness, Small Business has hosted prompt payment events with businesses, supported by the Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses, Forum of Private Business and the British Chamber of Commerce.

All central Government departments have signed the prompt payment code and my officials are working with the regions to promote the code to the wider public sector and to businesses.

Regional Ministers are taking a strong lead in driving prompt payment. For example, the Minister for the West Midlands acted in March 2009 to encourage public sector organisations in the region to sign up to a 10 day payment pledge; 44 have done so thus far and further action is now being taken to encourage more to do so.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with representatives of further education colleges on the Building Colleges for the Future programme. (288229)

With regards to the Building Colleges for the Future programme, I have met and discussed the current issues with the sector body—the Association of Colleges and the 157 Group. In terms of the programme’s implementation, this is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC, in its work to resolve the current funding pressures with the programme, has consulted widely. This consultation has been in-line with the recommendations of Sir Andrew Foster, and has included the Association of College’s capital reference panel. I have subsequently been kept informed of progress.

My predecessor and I have held meetings to discuss the positions of individual colleges. Importantly, such meetings must be without prejudice to the statutory responsibility of the LSC for determining capital approvals.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1341W, on business: Government assistance, what assessment he has made of the likely effects on levels of borrowing by small businesses in the next 12 months of the operation of the Working Capital scheme. (261653)

We have taken steps to help improve cash flow, to increase the availability of the credit businesses need, and to encourage investment so that businesses come through the recession ready to grow.

In particular, we obtained bank lending commitments from RBS and Lloyds to lend £27 billion additional lending to businesses this year. This includes lending guaranteed under the Working Capital scheme.

In addition, we introduced a Trade Credit Insurance top-up scheme which provides protections for firms suffering a reduction in cover.

We have also taken steps to assist small businesses to overcome short-term cash-flow problems—for example the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and also measures to ensure prompt payment by both public and private sectors.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what support his Department is providing to small and medium-sized businesses in Milton Keynes. (280879)

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills support to small and medium-sized businesses in Milton Keynes is provided through South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

SEEDA provides a full range of support mechanisms to small and medium-sized businesses operating in Milton Keynes. The support falls into two broad categories:

1. Strategic Business Development and Engagement—comprising the Sub Regional Partnership and Employment and Skills Board (MKELP) and Milton Keynes Science and Innovation, for example.

2. Business support—primarily through Business Link, Manufacturing Advisory Service, Continuous Employment Support Service, and Financial Assistance.

More detailed information can be found in the attached SEEDA-produced background information.

1. SEEDA Specific Milton Keynes Strategic Business Development and Engagement

Sub Regional Partnership and Employment and Skills Board (MKELP)

SEEDA funds the Milton Keynes Economic and Learning Partnership (MKELP) with the purpose of bringing together business and the public sector in Milton Keynes to agree and align priorities and investment at local and sub regional level. MKELP is also financially supported by Milton Keynes Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

MKELP specifically:

Works to align regional and local economic strategy to benefit businesses and local stakeholders in Milton Keynes.

Understands employer issues in Milton Keynes and makes regional partners aware of these issues and challenges.

Identifies key growth/economically important sectors and works closely with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to help them raise employer demand and investment in skills and encourage employers to engage with and drive the work of their SSC.

Development of the Partnership's approach to the knowledge economy and the Science and Innovation agenda, encompassing, for example, the Innovation Growth Team, Electric Vehicle infrastructure for the city and inward investment, as well as supporting the bid for Milton Keynes to be a host city in the 2018 Football World Cup and developing a strong higher education offer for local businesses.

Milton Keynes Science and Innovation (MKSI)

Local partners in Milton Keynes are developing a vision to “create the most exciting habitat in the UK for knowledge intensive business” in Milton Keynes. SEEDA is a key stakeholder in this steering group, drawing on its ‘know how’ and expertise in developing and implementing science and innovation activity elsewhere in the region. SEEDA is also funding a full time project manager to drive the initiative forward.

Milton Keynes South Midlands (mksm) Growth Area

SEEDA (with East of England Development Agency and East Midland Development Agency) has been working with Local Authorities and stakeholders to support the mksm growth area. An Economic Development Plan is being produced focussing on supporting key growth business sectors across mksm with an underpinning skills strategy. The aim is to ensure the jobs target for mksm and Milton Keynes is achieved and includes high quality jobs in the knowledge economy and growth sectors.

Progress has been presented to the mksm local authority Leaders group and mksm is aiming to have a final Economic Development Plan by October 2009. This plan will feed into a developing Multi Area Agreement which will include Transport objectives and actions.

2. Direct Support to Businesses in Milton Keynes which is also available to all businesses in South East

Business Link and Enterprise Gateway

MK Business healthchecks since October 2008: 384

MK, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire businesses helped in 2008/09 through Enterprise Gateway scheme: 163

Business Link provides business support and advice for all individuals and businesses already trading or thinking of starting. Benefits include:

Free Business Health Checks, including maximising cash flow, marketing and business planning, debt management, new market and product development.

Access to finance advice, credit crunch presentations and finance clinics.

Guidance and events on how to survive and thrive in difficult times, including advice on reducing energy consumption and costs.

Access to the SEEDA funded Resource Efficiency programme.

Access to advice and signposting to skills and training opportunities through the ‘Train to Gain’ service.

Analysis and information on new business opportunities and markets.

In addition the Enterprise Gateway service (delivered through Business Link) offers impartial, professional advice to individuals from under-represented communities facing barriers to enterprise. Business Link also delivers sustainable business advice.

Investor Development Manager (IDM)

The SEEDA IDM is currently working with seven companies who are making redundancies, five companies linking to train to gain and a further 10 companies on a variety of other support needs.

SEEDA funds an Investor Development Manager (IDM), Guy Hawking, who works with strategically important companies in Milton Keynes.

Innovation and Growth Teams

Operational from summer 2009

On 1 June 2009 a new support service started in Milton Keynes aimed at providing tailored, specialist and technical business expertise to high growth businesses. This sendee will be delivered by an Innovation and Growth Team directed by a consortium of local partners and managed by the Open University. The aim of this service is to create communities of innovation and growth ultimately generating substantial local and regional economic benefits that improve the global competitiveness of the South East.

Continuous Employment Support Service

In the last nine months 12 companies were supported in Milton Keynes, 761 people were helped.

Companies thinking about making staff redundant or undertaking a redundancy programme can access the free ‘Continuing Employment Support Service’ run by Jobcentre Plus in partnership with SEEDA. CESS offers a free in-house package of support to all affected workers before they leave their employment, offering tailored advice on future options.

Inward Investment

In 2008/09 SEEDA referred 34 inquiries to Invest MK.

SEEDA has an inward investment team who aim to attract business from other countries to locate in the South East.

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)

Between 2006/09 40 companies were assisted through MAS

MAS South East aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturers in the region to create sustainable improvements. Businesses can access hands-on advice and tailored support from experts to suit the individual requirements of their business to produce real results.

Grants for Business Investment (GBI)

There has been one grant offered

The GBI scheme has recently been extended to be available to all South East eligible SMEs with long-term viability whose investment plans are being held up by current economic conditions. The scheme aims to assist businesses to increase productivity by funding capital investment in equipment and technology. It is for businesses looking to expand, modernise, rationalise, diversify and increase productivity in order to maintain or establish sustainable growth and provide skilled jobs.

Grant for Research and Development

There have been and grants for R&D in MK between 2006-09 (totalling £951,000)

The SEEDA managed grants for R&D are focused on encouraging businesses to carry out projects that they would not necessarily undertake without the grant and lever in to these projects finance from reluctant private investment sources.

Finance South East (FSE) Accelerator Fund

One company in Milton Keynes has been offered the accelerator fund

The accelerator fund is a loan fund which supports small and medium sized companies in the South East with the potential for significant growth (early stage or established companies). It is a response to the needs of entrepreneurial businesses who require the level of growth investment provided by risk capital, but which are reluctant to relinquish an equity stake in the company at an early stage.

Commercialisation Fund

One company has been offered the commercialisation fund (worth £29,000)

This new fund of up to £3 million supports businesses with high growth potential to bring new products and services to market.

Transition Loan Fund

The fund has not yet been allocated to any MK businesses

SEEDA is providing up to £3 million in a new Regional Transition Fund known as the Bridging Mezzanine Debt Fund to be directed at fully established, viable and growing businesses that are currently facing difficulties in obtaining credit through banks and other traditional routes.

Funding is provided at commercial rates for these unsecured loans, and interest is rolled up and paid at maturity, thereby making the Fund attractive to some businesses urgently needing to address liquidity problems.

Milton Keynes Area Programme

There were 87 businesses supported between 2006-09

The overall emphasis of interventions within Milton Keynes was capacity building, particularly in line with skills, learning and employability with a focus on NEET young people (not in employment, education or training). The largest project was ‘Routes to Success’ which was based on the development of transparent progression routes for residents, including outreach links, IAG in local communities, then leading to open days, short skills sessions and courses, finally moving to specialist training.

Rural

There were two Farm Diversification Grants between 2006-09

There were three businesses supported within the European Rural Development programme (ERDP) between 2006-08

£2.4 million has been allocated to the Leader area, however, projects are not yet operational

SEEDA funds rural programmes in Milton Keynes including Farm Diversification and Rural Redundant Building schemes. In addition SEEDA manages £60 million Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) EU Programme (previously termed ERDP).

The rural Leader programme for Milton Keynes is within the North Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes area. This wholly EU funded programme is aimed at farmers and forestry diversification with a strong element of community projects.

“Immerse” Initiative

Businesses not yet supported as a new programme

SEEDA is introducing and funding a new programme, Immerse, which provides intensive, extended design support to selected larger businesses. Immerse is part of the ‘Designing Demand’ programmes.

UKTI International Trade Sector Specialists

These are senior executives seconded to UK Trade and Investment from industry spearheading the Government’s export drive, helping small and medium-sized enterprises and larger companies to win business around the world. They are available for free consultations and can offer practical exporting advice, information on specific opportunities in markets and sectors.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in Perth and North Perthshire constituency (a) have sought access to funds under and (b) are receiving assistance from the Working Capital Scheme. (284202)

None. The working capital scheme provides guarantees to banks on portfolios of short-term loans: businesses cannot apply for guarantees under this scheme.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in Perth and North Perthshire constituency (a) have sought access to funds under and (b) are receiving assistance from the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme. (284203)

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee was launched on 14 January. Set out in the following table is the information for the constituency of Perth and North Perthshire as of 19 August.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire (i) have sought access to funding under and (ii) are receiving assistance from the Working Capital Scheme. (284562)

None. The Working Capital Scheme provides guarantees to banks on portfolios of short-term loans: businesses cannot apply for guarantees under this scheme.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps the Government have taken to assist small businesses to pay their business rates. (291299)

I have been asked to reply.

On 31 July 2009 the Non-Domestic Rating (Deferred Payments) (England) Regulations 2009 came into force to enable businesses to defer until 2010-11 and 2011-12 payment of 3 per cent. their total 2009-10 business rate bills and, additionally, 60 per cent. of the increase in bills caused by the ending of the transitional relief scheme for the 2005 revaluation period.

Billing authorities sent all ratepayers a flyer about these regulations. This also contained information about the Small Business Rate Relief scheme which allows eligible businesses to claim up to 50 per cent. relief on their rates bills.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the Secretary of State has received hospitality from representatives of the (a) automotive, (b) aerospace, (c) financial services, (d) fast moving consumer goods, (e) digital media, (f) mail service, (g) cleantech and (h) the music industries since his appointment to post; on what dates such hospitality was received; and who attended each such event. (291358)

My noble Friend the Secretary of State notifies his permanent secretary of any hospitality he receives and as necessary declares it in the Register of Peers’ Interests, in accordance with the provisions of the ministerial code.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies paid in end-of-year performance bonuses to (i) all staff and (ii) senior Civil Service staff in 2008-09; and how many such payments were made. (275263)

Performance-related pay is designed to help drive high performance and support better public service delivery. Performance awards reward high performance sustained throughout the year, and are non-pensionable and non-consolidated.

Based on the information available, the number of staff receiving these awards is shown in the following table.

Performance awards make up 1.8 per cent. of the Department’s pay bill of £127,434,847

I have approached the chief executives of the Department’s Executive agencies and they will respond to you directly.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans the Government has to implement the provisions of the EU Agency Workers Directive in the UK; and what timetable has been set for implementation of those provisions. (290707)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: The recent Consultation, which closed on 31 July, invited views on proposals for implementing the Agency Workers Directive in a way which meets the Government’s twin objective of ensuring appropriate protection for agency workers while maintaining a flexible labour market. The Consultation also invited views on when the implementing legislation should come into effect, and why. Following the Consultation, we will publish the Government’s response setting out how we intend to proceed, and invite views as appropriate, as well as consult on the draft regulations.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with trade union representatives on the EU Agency Workers Directive since October 2008; which trade unions were represented in each such discussion; and on what date each such discussion took place. (290708)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: I have had no meetings with trade unions on the specific topic of the EU Agency Workers Directive since October 2008, however, officials have spoken to both the TUC and business organisations in the development of our consultation document on this issue.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when the Government plans to announce its decisions following its consultation on the EU Agency Workers Directive. (291236)

Following the consultation which closed on 31 July, we are evaluating all the responses before any key decisions are taken. We will shortly publish the Government’s response to the consultation and seek views on draft implementing legislation.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications have been made to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme; and how many of these have met the eligibility criteria. (280004)

As of 12 August, of the over 6,600 cases which have been logged on the Enterprise Finance Guarantee web portal, more than 6,000 firms have been granted, being processed, or assessed, over £680 million. So far, over 4,500 businesses have been offered loans totalling over £450 million.

Businesses may apply for a loan from one of the participating lenders who will assess which form of lending, including the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), is most appropriate. EFG is open to small and medium enterprises with a turnover of less than £25 million and is designed to operate at the margins of banks' normal lending activity to SMEs, allowing lenders to provide additional loans to viable companies that are at the margins of commercial lending, because they have insufficient security or their proposal involves a higher risk of loss at default.

We do not hold figures for those businesses which are instead offered a normal commercial loan, or are rejected for failing to meet the lender's commercial criteria.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many discussions the Secretary of State has had with representatives of the (a) automotive, (b) aerospace, (c) engineering, (d) fast moving consumer goods, (e) cleantech, (f) mail service and (g) music industries since his appointment to post; on what dates such discussions took place; and who the industry representatives were on each such occasion. (291356)

My noble Friend the Secretary of State has frequent discussions with representatives of all kinds of business sectors.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the Secretary of State’s engagements are for the period 14 to 20 September 2009. (291357)

My noble Friend the Secretary of State has various internal and external engagements in this period.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate UK Trade and Investment has made of the number of occasions on which representatives or agents of UK business have had discussions with (a) the government of Libya and (b) Libyan businesses and their representatives in the last two years. (290820)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: The information requested is as follows:

(a) UKTI estimates such contacts with the Government of Libya would be in the region of 500 to 1,000.

(b) UKTI’s estimate is that such contacts in the last two years would be in the thousands. The British Business Group in Libya now numbers some 100 members, about half of which are resident in Libya. There have been a series of trade missions by UK business associations over the past two years.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions employees or representatives of UK Trade and Investment have had discussions with representatives or agents of (a) the Libyan Government and (b) Libyan businesses in the last two years. (290821)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: The information requested is as follows:

(a) There were UKTI organised visits to Libya by the Duke of York as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in November 2007, the then Lord Mayor of the City of London in March 2008 and the then Minister of State for Trade and Investment in May 2008, all involved various contacts with the Libyan Government. Mr Shokri Ghanem, Chairman of the Libyan NOC was hosted by UKTI during his visit to the UK in November 2008. UKTI arranged an event in London on 20 July 2009 where Dr Bashir Saleh Bashir, Chairman of the Libyan Africa Investment Portfolio and delegation addressed and met a range of British companies.

There have been regular UKTI visits to Libya, as well as meetings with representatives of the Libyan Government visiting the UK. There have been very regular contacts with the Libyan Government by the UKTI team in Tripoli. It is not possible to place a figure on the number of times there have been such contacts without a very detailed analysis, the costs of which would exceed the limit for answering parliamentary questions.

(b) The UKTI team in Tripoli have several contacts daily with Libyan businesses in the course of their work to support British companies seeking business in Libya. Contacts by other members of UKTI would number around 50 to 100.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what contribution UK Trade and Investment has made to each ministerial visit to Libya in the last two years. (290822)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: The then Minister of State for Trade and Investment visited Libya in May 2008. UKTI arranged his programme, briefing and the follow up. For other ministerial visits the UKTI team in Tripoli assisted with arrangements for relevant parts of the programme and UKTI HQ in London provided standard written background briefing on trade and investment.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments his Department and its predecessors have made to Ms Polly Toynbee in the last five years; and for what purposes. (290997)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: A payment was made to Polly Toynbee in July 2007 in the sum of £587.50 for chairing the women's Entrepreneur Ambassadors Event at Lancaster House in London.

There are no other recorded payments to her in the last five years.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments regional development agencies have made to Ms Polly Toynbee in the last five years; and for what purposes. (290999)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: Ms Toynbee chaired the EEDA annual meeting in September 2006. The meeting is an open annual public meeting to report on the activities of the agency. The focus of the event was growth through successful partnerships. A payment of £2,500 was made to an agency.

She was a speaker at the 2007 Prowess Conference at Brighton Racecourse 7-8 February 2007, which was part sponsored by SEEDA. No direct payment was made to her by SEEDA.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress his Department has made in implementing the recommendations of the Glover Report on Accelerating the SME economic engine in its procurement processes. (287132)

The Department is working closely with the Office of Government Commerce, who are leading on implementation of the Glover recommendations, to ensure that all 12 are delivered on time and in a way that is effective for SMEs. We expect to deliver the majority of the measures later this year. The recommendation of a free, single, easy-to-search portal is on course to be delivered by 2010.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much each regional development agency spent on land reclamation projects in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement. (265242)

The following table shows RDAs expenditure on land reclamation projects in each year since 2000. Figures are not yet available for 2008-09.

The figures provided include funds allocated to the ‘Land Reclamation Programmes’ inherited by RDAs from English Partnerships and, following their conclusion, any new environmental improvement programmes which have succeeded them.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many land reclamation projects regional development agencies (a) started and (b) completed in each year since 2000. (265278)

The following tables shows land reclamation projects started and completed by RDAs in each year since 2000 to 2008. Figures are not yet available for 2008-2009.

The figures provided include funds allocated to the ‘Land Reclamation programmes’ inherited by RDAs from English Partnerships and, following their conclusion, any new environmental improvement programmes which have succeeded them.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the proposed budget is for each programme within the Support for Business portfolio in each year up to 2011. (291365)

Solutions for Business is the Government’s portfolio of support to business. 2009/10 is the transitional year during which all Government funded business support schemes must migrate to the Solutions for Business portfolio or be under notice of closure by 31 March 2010.

The amount of money spent on Solutions for Business products varies according to local and regional need for particular forms of business support and the wider economic context. The total spend on business support within the Solutions for Business portfolio in 2008/09 is estimated to be £2.3 billion.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much has been spent on the Train to Gain advertising campaign in 2009-10. (288844)

Figures for Train to Gain advertising spend are shown in the following table. These comprise national and regional spend, and include VAT. Figures for the current financial year are not yet available.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Central Office of Information spent on (a) office parties and (b) staff bonuses in the last 12 months. (291385)

I have asked the chief executive of the Central Office of Information to reply to the hon. Member.

Letter from Mark Lund, dated 14 September 2009:

As Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on how much the COI has spent on (a) office parties and (b) staff bonuses in the last 12 months (291385).

(a) The Central Office of Information (COI) does not hold office parties funded by the organisation, other than those listed below.

An event in the summer is held to coincide with the publication of the Annual Report and Accounts to review the year’s activity and to acknowledge any outstanding contributions from staff during the year.

An all staff event is also held at Christmas. This event is seen as an efficient way for the organisation to acknowledge the festive season.

The cost of these events is in line with guidance issued by the HMRC. This guidance states that no more than £150 per person, per year should be spent on such events. In the last 12 months COI spent £42.82 per person.

(b) The COI do not pay a corporate bonus to its employees.

COI paid eligible staff a non-consolidated performance pay award for the 2008/9. This amounted to 5.36% of the regular monthly salary.

This recognised that COI achieved its Ministerial targets for 2008/9 and COI also secured record savings for our government and public sector clients.

Its payment, together with the achievement against the targets, is audited by the National Audit Office.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Charity Commission plans to undertake a review of the implementation of the provisions of the Charities Act 2006. (291332)

Section 73 of the Charities Act 2006 requires the Minister for the Cabinet Office to appoint a person to review the operation of the Act within five years of Royal Assent, and for a report of the review to be laid before Parliament. The review will take place in 2011.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment the Charity Commission has made of the effectiveness of the distribution of the Give With Care leaflet in reducing donations to bogus charities. (291333)

The “Give with Care” campaign was an initiative of the Office of the Third Sector which the Charity Commission supported, along with other key stakeholders. 500,000 leaflets were printed for distribution to households. Neither the Office of the Third Sector nor the Charity Commission plans to formally assess the effectiveness of the distribution of the leaflet.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate her Department has made of the number of people over 65 years who have died of hypothermia in their homes in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. (291372)

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Jil Matheson, dated September 2009:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what estimate has been made of the number of people over 65 years who have died of hypothermia in their homes in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. (291372)

Although hypothermia may be mentioned on a death certificate as contributing to the death, according to International Classification of Diseases rules it cannot be recorded as the underlying cause. An event that led to the death such as ‘Exposure to excessive cold’, or ‘Accidental fall’ may be recorded as the underlying cause, with hypothermia recorded as a contributory factor. If hypothermia were considered to be the main contributory factor, it would be reported as the ‘secondary cause’.

The table attached provides the number of deaths where (a) hypothermia was the secondary cause of death, and (b) hypothermia was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, for persons aged over 65 years dying at home, in England and Wales, from 1999 to 2008 (the latest year available).

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of (a) people and (b) young people were unemployed in (i) East Worthing and Shoreham and (ii) West Worthing constituency in (A) 2007 and (B) at the latest date for which information is available; and what estimate has been made of the number of employees in each of those constituencies who have moved from full-time to short-time working in the last 12 months. (291340)

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Letter from Jil Matheson, dated September 2009:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of (a) people and (b) young people were unemployed in (i) East Worthing and Shoreham and (ii) West Worthing constituency in (A) 2007 and (B) at the latest date for which information is available; and what estimate has been made of the number of employees in each of those constituencies who have moved from full-time to short-time working in the last 12 months. (291340)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.

However, estimates of unemployment for the requested geographies are not available. As an alternative, in Table 1 we have provided the number and percentage of persons claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in July 2007 and July 2009. Table 2 contains the number and percentage of persons aged 18-24 claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the requested geographies.

Estimates of the number of employees who have moved from full-time to short-time working are not available for parliamentary constituencies.

National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance her Department provides to government departments on the appointment of non-party political policy advisers to Ministers who are not special advisers. (291334)

Recruitment into the civil service is based on the principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the civil service recruitment principles (known previously as the civil service recruitment code).

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009, Official Report, column 475W, on Government departments: standards, if she will place in the Library a copy of the handouts and presentations produced for the participants in the avoidable contact workshops. (258670)

I have been asked to reply.

The workshop meetings in question were part of a process of dialogue between Cabinet Office officials, representatives of central Government. It is judged that publication of these materials would be prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs. It is the intention of the Cabinet Office to publish baseline figures for the four Departments present at this meeting before the end of summer 2009 along with a statement relating to progress in meeting the Service Transformation Agreement commitment of a 50 per cent. reduction in avoidable contact.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will meet representatives of mobile telephone companies to discuss reducing the cost of calling Government services from a mobile telephone. (283824)

I have been asked to reply.

The Government recognise that the issue of fair and easy access to public services is a very important one, and the Cabinet Office has already worked with Ofcom to establish the 0300 telephone number range which offers a fairer tariff regardless of the line from which citizens call (including mobiles).

The Cabinet Office, through the Contact Council, is currently conducting a comprehensive survey of the different number types, such as 0845, 0870 or 0800, used by central Government Departments and agencies, including consideration of their mobile telephone access. The Council intends to use the results of its survey to steer a future cross-Government approach to the use of phone numbers that ensures fair and easy access to public services for all, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Officials leading this work are already engaging with mobile telephone providers. A meeting with Ministers may be appropriate once the Council's research is complete.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons (a) paragraph 10.7 and (b) paragraph 10.8 of the 2005 Ministerial Code, on overseas visits, were removed when the Ministerial Code was revised in 2007. (291056)

The Ministerial Code published in July 2007 focuses on the key principles that should govern Ministerial conduct so that Ministers and others can be clear about the standards required.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what payments Ms Polly Toynbee has received from her Department in the last five years; and for what purposes. (291215)

There is no record in the Department’s accounting system of any payments made to Ms Toynbee over the last five years.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if her Department will publish the voluntary guidance issued by her Department on the labelling of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. (291395)

I have been asked to reply.

The Government have been exploring the possibility of improving the clarity of labelling of produce from the West Bank. Earlier this year, the Cabinet Office held a meeting with a group of interested parties to discuss the possibility of introducing some voluntary guidance, so that consumers could better understand which products came from occupied Palestinian territories. The Government are carefully considering the next steps following that discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many dwellings in England have a conservatory. (291274)

The latest data available is from the 2006 English House Condition Survey, which estimates there are 3.4 million dwellings (16 per cent. of the total stock) in England with a conservatory.

To count as a conservatory in the survey, the roof must be at least 75 per cent. glass or plastic and the walls must be at least 50 per cent. glass or plastic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assistance has been provided to local authorities for expenditure on fire safety measures in council housing following the Lakanal House fire in Camberwell. (291159)

The resources local authorities receive for management and maintenance and major repairs should enable them to implement necessary fire safety measures in council housing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of people on local authority housing waiting lists had been born outside the UK in each year since 1994. (291207)

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under what circumstances the Valuation Office Agency classifies a garden shed as an outbuilding for the purposes of its value significant and dwellinghouse coding system for council tax valuations. (291052)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The Valuation Office Agency does not classify a garden shed as an outbuilding for the purposes of its value significant and dwellinghouse coding system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 1 September 2009, Official Report, columns 1837-8W, on housing: energy, how many energy performance certificates in respect of properties (a) of each tenure type and (b) in each region have been issued to date. (291114)

The number of energy performance certificates (EPCs) registered for all homes in England and Wales up to and including 9 September 2009 (the latest date for which figures are available) and broken down by tenure type and region is as set out in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to page 41 of his Department's proposed recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, how many individual energy performance certificates have been checked and verified for accuracy to date; and how many and what proportion of such checks identified an inaccuracy in the certificate. (291152)

Accreditation schemes are responsible for conducting quality audits of the energy performance certificates (EPCs) produced by the energy assessors (EAs) they accredit in accordance with CLG requirements—we recommend that a minimum sample of 2 per cent. of all EPCs should be assessed. Accreditation schemes are required to report on the outcome of their quality audit procedures in the annual reports they submit to CLG and which can be viewed online at the following address:

https://www.ndepcregister.com/schemeAnnualReports.html

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to paragraph 64 on page 41 of his Department’s publication on Recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, what procedures are used to verify the accuracy of energy performance certificates. (291266)

Accreditation Schemes are responsible for conducting quality audits of the energy performance certificates (EPCs) produced by the energy assessors (EAs) they accredit in accordance with CLG requirements as set out in the guidance document which can be viewed online at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/doc/newlyconstructeddwellings.doc

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library a copy of the response sent by the Energy Saving Trust to his Department's consultation The Next Steps: EPCs and the establishment of the Green Homes Service. (291273)

A copy of the Energy Savings Trust's response to the Consultation Paper "The Next Steps: EPCs and the establishment of the Green Homes Service" has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many energy performance certificates have been issued in relation to buildings in the East Midlands; how many accredited energy assessors there are in the East Midlands; and how many properties in the East Midlands do not meet required energy performance standards. (291051)

Up to and including 9 September, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of:

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) lodged in relation to buildings in the east midlands region is 250,707; and

Accredited energy assessors whose primary postcode information is listed on the EPC Register as being in the east midlands region is 1,214.

The Government have not set minimum energy performance standards other than for new buildings, all of which are required to meet the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of newly-built, disability-adapted properties; and if he will make a statement. (291373)

The National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society last year stated that all new publicly funded homes will be built to Lifetime Homes Standards from 2011. We will be reviewing the take-up of accessible housing standards, such as Lifetime Homes Standards, across all sectors in 2010. We will decide at that time whether further measures may be required to increase the supply of accessible and adaptable properties in new build housing. In the meantime, we continue to promote the Lifetime Homes Standards as a part of the Code for Sustainable Homes where they are currently mandatory at Code level 6.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homebuyers have received assistance under the HomeBuy Direct Scheme. (291235)

Provisional estimates put completed sales under the HomeBuy direct scheme at over 600 sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the hon. Member for Meriden of 21 July 2009, Official Report, column 1662W, on LLM Communications, in which (a) regions and (b) localities the regional housing debates were held. (291272)

The regional housing debates were held in the following regions and locations:

An East of England debate took place in Cambridge on 26 October 2006;

A South East of England debate took place in Reading on 22 February 2007;

A South West of England debate took place in Bristol on 29 March 2007;

And the final debate took place in London on 24 July 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties with each (a) dwellinghouse and (b) value significant code in the local authority area of Solihull are recorded on the Valuation Office Agency's electronic records. (291087)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The number of domestic properties with the codes requested, as at 2 September 2009, in the local authority area of Solihull is as follows:

For both (a) and (b) above, where a value of ‘<5’ is displayed, this is to prevent individual properties being identified.

Of the dwelling house codes, only group type has been provided. Information about the number of domestic properties recorded against other dwellinghouse codes is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties with each (a) dwellinghouse and (b) value significant code in the local authority area of Welwyn Hatfield are recorded in the Valuation Office Agency's electronic records. (291150)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The number of domestic properties with the codes requested, as at 2 September 2009, in the local authority area of Welwyn Hatfield is as follows:

For both (a) and (b) above, where a value of '<5 is displayed', this is to prevent individual properties being identified.

Of the dwellinghouse codes, only Group Type has been provided. Information about the number of domestic properties recorded against other dwellinghouse codes is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will undertake an investigation into whether Newham Council followed appropriate procedures for consulting residents affected by proposals to increase the number of flights using London City Airport. (291367)

It is for Newham council, as local planning authority, to decide the extent to which local residents are consulted about planning applications. This is set out in their Statement of Community Involvement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households are participating in the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme; and how many households have used the scheme since 3 December 2008. (291224)

Homeowners Mortgage Support was launched in April 2009 as part of the range of support available at every stage for households struggling with their mortgage. We aim to publish information on households who have been helped through Homeowners Mortgage Support later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households have received assistance under the Mortgage Rescue Scheme. (291234)

The Mortgage Rescue Scheme has been operational across England since January 2009. As part of the monitoring arrangements for the scheme, headline data provided by local authorities operating the scheme and broken down by Government Office Region, are available on the Department’s website. The figures can be assessed using the following link:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/mortgagerescuestatistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will undertake a cumulative impact assessment on business rates in 2010-11 of the 2010 rates revaluation in empty property rates threshold changes supplementary rates in respect of Crossrail with post-revaluation rateable values and deferred increases from 2009-10. (291086)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: There are no plans to undertake a cumulative impact assessment. Impact assessments relating to individual policy changes to the business rates system will be published alongside the implementing regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will publish instructions given by Ministers to the Valuation Office Agency since 1999 on the separate business rating of port businesses; and in cases where separate rating was introduced, on what date (a) that separate rating took effect and (b) the existing system of paying business rates for those businesses was stopped. (291226)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2009, Official Report, column 824W. Ministers at Communities and Local Government or its predecessor departments have not given any instructions to the Valuation Office Agency on the separate rating of properties within or outside of Ports.

The principles concerning separate rateability of properties where there is “exclusive occupation” and “paramount control” are long established and have not been recently introduced by the Government. The leading case on the subject is a House of Lords decision from 1936—Westminster Council v. Southern Railway Company and W.H. Smith and Son.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations he has received on retrospective payments of business rates by port businesses from (a) foreign governments, (b) ferry operators, (c) car importers, (d) port businesses, (e) hon. Members with ports in their constituencies and (f) local authorities with ports in their areas. (291227)

The Department for Communities and Local Government has received correspondence from:

(a) no foreign governments;

(b) no ferry operators;

(c) one car importer;

(d) four port businesses;

(e) 12 hon. Members; and

(f) no local authorities with ports in their areas,

concerning the issues arising from the rating review of ports since 1 July 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications have been made by port businesses for a fast-track review of their new business rating assessments; how many reviews have (a) been begun and (b) completed; and what changes have been made as a result of each completed review. (291228)

As at 9 September 2009, the Valuation Office Agency has applied the fast track arrangements to 703 appeals made by port businesses, 355 of which relate to new business rating assessments with an effective date of 1 April 2005.

Of the 355 appeals, 154 have now been settled, 48 by agreement and 106 withdrawn. Where agreement has been reached this has resulted in a reduction in the rateable value. The outstanding appeals are in various stages of discussion depending on the facts of each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many port businesses have (a) made and (b) not made payments towards (i) their new rating assessments and (ii) their retrospective payments back to 2005; and how many in each case have applied to use the scheme for staging retrospective payments. (291229)

The Government do not hold information on individual payments of ongoing business rates liabilities. With regard to the backdated business rates liabilities for the port properties affected by the Valuation Office Agency review of rating, local authorities have reported that businesses occupying 209 properties within ports have fully paid their backdated liabilities and that businesses occupying a further 201 properties have been granted a schedule of payments.