Skip to main content

Written Answers

Volume 496: debated on Wednesday 16 September 2009

Written Answers to Questions

The following answers were received between Tuesday 15 September and Wednesday 16 September 2009

Business, Innovation and Skills

Billing

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.

Building Colleges for the Future Programme

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.

Business: Government Assistance

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 Businesses support interventions1

Number

2006-09

12,857

2006-07

4,118

2007-08

4,442

2008-09

4,297

1 Companies are able to receive the Business Link service as often as they need and are counted once per annum

MK intensive assists1

Number

2006-09

1,550

2006-07

409

2007-08

530

2008-09

611

1 Action plan agreed

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.

Perth and North Perthshire

Number of loans offered

5

Number of loans drawn

4

Value of loans offered (£ million)

0.85

Value of loans drawn (£ million)

0.42

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.

Corporate Hospitality

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.

Departmental Pay

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 SCS1Performance awards: below SCS1

Financial year2

Number of staff receiving

Total value (£)

Number of staff receiving

Total value (£)

2008-09

141

1,210,000

2,930

31,114,592

1 The annual performance awards are paid on a non-consolidated, non-pensionable basis and do not increase the Department’s pay-bill costs each year. For the SCS, the Senior Salaries Review Body determines the level of expenditure to cover bonuses.

2 Financial year running from 1 April to 31 March.

3 Includes staff who were transferred from BERR to DECC as part of the October 2008 machinery of government changes as these staff received a BERR pay award in 2008.

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.

Employment Agencies: EU Law

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.

Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme

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.

Meetings

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.

Overseas Trade: Libya

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.

Polly Toynbee

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.

Public Sector: Procurement

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.

Regeneration: Finance

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.

£ million

RDA

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

AWM

40

50

44

102

80

56

59

46

EEDA

1

13

21

24

37

25

11

EMDA

5

13

13

3

7

2

4

5

LDA

103

149

140

108

129

122

131

144

NWDA

20

23

20

18

15

6

17

39

ONE

22

20

14

3

2

5

2

0.6

SEEDA

6

1

21

11

40

17

11

5

SWRDA

1

1

32

21

17

27

22

32

YF

12

5

6

4

1

0.5

0.7

0.2

1 Due to a change in management recording system during 2002-03, producing figures before 2002-03 would incur disproportionate cost.

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.

Projects started

RDA

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

AWM

6

9

37

8

5

4

8

4

EEDA

5

2

16

15

4

8

13

2

EMDA

30

71

28

9

4

5

15

42

LDA

50

8

4

4

10

1

2

0

NWDA

56

49

52

43

20

12

28

33

ONE

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

SEEDA

5

9

13

12

13

0

0

0

SWRDA

A

A

1

0

4

2

4

7

YF

B

28

13

6

4

0

1

0

Projects completed

RDA

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

AWM

0

0

3

11

12

18

9

16

EEDA

2

4

9

9

6

6

7

12

EMDA

22

61

71

60

48

52

38

32

LDA

10

12

13

10

8

12

9

5

NWDA

9

15

27

36

36

30

28

36

ONE

23

27

21

21

0

2

0

6

SEEDA

3

2

6

10

0

3

4

6

SWRDA

A

A

2

0

5

3

1

1

YF

B

25

21

21

13

1

2

0

Notes:

1. A new programme management recording system was introduced. To separate out this data would incur disproportionate cost.

2. To separate out this data would incur disproportionate cost.

Support for Business: Finance

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.

Train to Gain Programme

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.

Media spend £ million

2006-07

2.24

2007-08

5.02

2008-09

5.01

Cabinet Office

Central Office of Information: Expenditure

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.

Charities Act 2006

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.

Charities: Fraud

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.

Death: Hypothermia

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).

Table 1: Number of deaths of persons aged over 65 years who died at home, where (a) hypothermia was the secondary cause of death, and (b) where hypothermia was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate1, 2, England and Wales, 1999 to 20083

Deaths (Persons)

(a) Secondary cause

(b) Any mention

1999

26

36

2000

15

21

2001

16

27

2002

17

21

2003

18

22

2004

18

26

2005

17

27

2006

15

20

2007

14

21

2008

21

23

1 Hypothermia was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 991.6 for the years 1999 to 2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code T68, for the years 2001 to 2008.

2 Deaths reported as (a) secondary cause are included in those reported as (b) any mention.

3 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Employment: West Sussex

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

Table 1: Number of persons resident in East Worthing and Shoreham and Worthing West claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance

East Worthing and Shoreham

Worthing West

Date

Number1

Percentage2

Number1

Percentage2

July 2007

670

1.2

630

1.3

July 2009

1,950

3.6

1,890

3.9

1 Data rounded to nearest five.

2 Percentage of working age (males 16-64, females 16-59) claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Source:

Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

Table 2: Number of persons aged 18-24 resident in East Worthing and Shoreham and Worthing West claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance

East Worthing and Shoreham

Worthing West

Date

Number1

Percentage2

Number1

Percentage2

July 2007

190

3.2

155

2.8

July 2009

590

9.8

505

9.1

1 Data rounded to nearest five.

2 Percentage of 18-24 year-olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Source:

Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

Government Departments: Consultants

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).

Government Departments: Standards

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.

Government Departments: Telephone Services

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.

Ministers: Visits Abroad

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.

Polly Toynbee

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.

Origin Marking: Israel

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.

Communities and Local Government

Conservatories

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.

Council Housing: Fire Prevention

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.

Council Housing: Waiting Lists

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)

Council Tax: Valuation

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.

Energy Performance Certificates

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.

Transaction type

Eastern region

East midlands

London

North-east

North-west

South-east

South-west

West midlands

Yorkshire and Humber

Wales

Marketed sale

88,562

65,951

86,443

37,573

99,442

130,358

90,312

73,427

73,155

44,606

New dwelling

5,514

4,901

4,521

1,782

5,168

7,711

6,054

3,856

3,703

2,945

Not recorded

2,156

1,868

2,460

1,009

3,064

4,841

1,946

1,206

1,598

610

Non-marketed sale

2,851

2,736

3,697

3,125

7,313

4,384

2,960

2,953

3,508

1,108

Not recorded

116,707

85,393

137,289

56,746

149,493

179,032

124,020

90,837

102,404

47,043

Not sale or rental

346

355

1,407

136

653

1,103

254

269

384

144

Rental (private)

75,217

57,340

142,702

27,946

75,997

123,075

72,038

53,772

62,049

26,092

Rental (social)

30,604

26,471

45,213

26,669

54,783

37,023

22,296

38,475

34,746

15,037

Note:

These figures exclude a small number of homes for which no postcode information was included at the time that the EPC was lodged on the register.

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.

Energy Performance Certificates: East Midlands

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.

Housing: Disabled People

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.

Housing: Low Incomes

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.

Housing: Public Participation

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.

Housing: Valuation

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:

(a) Dwellinghouse codes (group type)

Dwellinghouse code

Number of properties

01

291

02

313

03

266

04

701

05

61

06

36

07

110

08

236

09

362

10

131

13

<5

14

14

19

186

20

1,435

21

12,260

24

1,659

25

131

30

4,391

31

37,677

32

8,957

35

325

36

846

37

93

39

5

40

54

41

91

42

40

43

13

44

41

45

<5

46

38

48

41

50

<5

51

5,754

52

0

55

<5

56

8,016

60

714

61

16

62

662

70

<5

71

165

72

<5

80

43

81

20

82

24

90

0

91

0

92

0

94

0

95

0

96

0

97

0

98

0

99

37

(b) Value significant codes

Value significant code

Number of properties

A

9

AM

12

AO

6

AV

0

AW

<5

B

91

BA

11

BB

19

BC

16

BD

31

C

0

CB

<5

CH

<5

CI

0

CN

0

CO

<5

CP

18

CS

38

D

0

DS

5

EF

0

F

0

FC

0

FG

<5

FO

41

FP

0

GG

<5

GN

0

HO

<5

I

0

L

86

LE

<5

LF

14

LR

38

LS

11

LT

27

M

0

NA

0

OS

<5

P

0

PL

21

PS

<5

Q

<5

QA

0

QB

0

QC

0

QD

<5

R

0

RC

<5

S

0

SC

0

T

0

TM

5

TQ

146

TU

<5

U

0

UC

78

UL

<5

UN

0

UO

<5

UP

<5

UR

7

US

58

V

0

VC

0

VE

0

VH

0

VI

0

VL

<5

VM

0

VO

17

VP

16

VR

0

VS

<5

WK

6

X

14

YG

96

ZH

107

ZI

36

ZJ

1,373

ZL

21,278

ZN

35

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:

(a) Dwellinghouse Codes (Group Type)

Dwelling Codes

Number of properties

01

110

02

206

03

379

04

369

05

16

06

41

07

34

08

29

09

17

10

93

13

0

14

12

19

29

20

463

21

5,162

24

1,098

25

30

30

52

31

22,061

32

3,336

35

150

36

964

37

140

39

<5

40

20

41

0

42

27

43

<5

44

19

45

0

46

37

48

<5

50

28

51

2,606

52

0

55

70

56

6,460

60

557

61

25

62

91

70

20

71

140

2

0

80

14

81

6

82

99

90

0

91

0

92

0

94

0

95

0

96

0

97

0

98

0

99

12

(b) Value Significant Codes

Value significant codes

Number of properties

A

0

AM

<5

AO

<5

AV

0

AW

0

B

56

BA

74

BB

241

BC

14

BD

6

C

0

CB

<5

CH

<5

CI

<5

CN

126

CO

<5

CP

50

CS

27

D

0

DS

6

EF

0

F

0

FC

0

FG

<5

FO

0

FP

0

GG

<5

GN

0

HO

0

I

0

L

74

LE

0

LF

<5

LR

18

LS

6

LT

<5

M

0

NA

0

OS

0

P

0

PL

<5

PS

0

Q

0

QA

0

QB

0

QC

0

QD

<5

R

0

RC

0

S

0

SC

0

T

0

TM

<5

TQ

24

TU

0

U

0

UC

14

UL

0

UN

<5

UO

<5

UP

<5

UR

<5

US

<5

V

0

VC

0

VE

0

VH

0

VI

0

VL

0

VM

0

VO

<5

VP

<5

VR

0

VS

0

WK

171

X

0

YG

7

ZH

439

ZI

108

ZJ

2,399

ZL

21,722

ZN

5

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.

London City Airport: Public Consultation

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.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

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

Non-Domestic Rates: Empty Property

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.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to complete his review of retrospective payments of business rates from port businesses newly assessed for business rates. (291230)

Public Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what analysis of his Department's expenditure by parliamentary constituency has been commissioned in the last 12 months. (291151)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: No analysis of the Department's expenditure by parliamentary constituency has been commissioned in the last 12 months.

Culture, Media and Sport

Betting: Internet

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department takes to inform consumers of the jurisdiction in which individual betting websites are licensed. (291341)

Remote gambling operators licensed by the Gambling Commission are subject to strict operating conditions, including the requirement to display on their website their licensed status, licence number and a link to the Gambling Commission's website. Operators are also required to clearly distinguish which parts of their website or link from their website are regulated by the Commission from those which are not.

The Secretary of State currently has limited power to require websites run by operators licensed overseas to state the jurisdiction in which they are licensed.

My Department is currently conducting a review of the existing system of remote gambling regulation in Great Britain, and the review's findings will be announced to Parliament before the end of the year.

English Folk Dance and Song Society

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the English Folk Dance and Song Society on inclusion of England's traditional folk dances as an option within the dance programme to be promoted by the recently-appointed Dance Tsar; and if he will make a statement. (291287)

I have been asked to reply.

We have recently announced the establishment of the Dance Champions Group as set out in Physical Activity Plan, “Be active, be healthy” published earlier in the year. We are also planning to launch the group in the autumn.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society is represented by the Central Council for Physical and Recreational on the Dance Champions Group.

Horse Racing: Betting

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment has been made of the effects on the Horserace Betting Levy Board 49th Levy scheme of the location by betting operators of parts of their operations overseas. (291240)

No formal assessment has been made by my Department. The Levy Board's own assessment of the impact is in the region of a potential loss of £4.2 million to the 49th Levy scheme.

We support the Levy Board's aim of securing contributions from gambling operators to ensure the continued health of racing. The Department's Review of remote gaming, which is examining this issue along with many others, will report to Ministers by the end of the year who will report the findings to Parliament.

Swimming

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many local authorities are providing free swimming for over 60 year-olds; (291390)

(2) how many local authorities in England are seeking to introduce free swimming for under 16 year-olds.

259 local authorities in England have opted into the Free Swimming programme for those aged 60 and over; 190 local authorities have agreed to take part in both the aged 60 and over and 16 and under elements of the Free Swimming programme.

Defence

Armed Forces: Training

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2009, Official Report, column 743W, on armed forces: training, what the percentage shortfall of each type of armoured vehicle used for pre-deployment training was in the latest period for which figures are available. (289092)

Our priority is to get new equipment to the front line as quickly as possible for use by personnel facing the greatest danger. However, we look to ensure that whenever possible new equipment is also provided for troops during pre-deployment training so that they can use it safely and effectively on arrival in theatre. In practice, where shortfalls occur due to prioritising equipment to the front line, sufficient equipment is still made available for training to ensure personnel meet the minimum safety and operating standards. We have recently introduced measures to reinforce this, and all Urgent Operational Business cases now include a clear requirement that sufficient numbers of pre-deployment vehicles are procured and delivered for training before they are deployed operationally.

The last period for which figures are available was the Mission Rehearsal Exercise for 11 (Light) Brigade in July 2009. The availability of armoured vehicles for this period was as follows:

Snatch-Vixen: 100 per cent.

Ridgback: 34 per cent.

Mastiff: 54 per cent.

Vector: 53 per cent.

Warrior: 100 per cent.

Viking: 18 per cent.

CVR(T): 100 per cent.

Panther: 100 per cent.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures were used to establish the requirement for the future army dress; what the estimated cost of its introduction and procurement is; whether he has received any representations about the quality of tailoring of the dress; and if he will make a statement. (291412)

In 2003, the Army Board directed that the Army's orders of dress were to be reviewed with a view to updating the current suite of uniforms which had been designed in the 1960s. In 2005, the Army Board accepted the recommendations of the review and directed that the uniforms were to be produced.

Future Army Dress is funded from within the existing clothing budget and will cost approximately £9.7 million.

The uniform is produced in the UK, using modern manufacturing processes, and we have received no defect reports to date.

Guided Weapons: Testing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times UK forces undertook missile firing tests in the Falkland Islands in each of the last 10 years; and what missiles were fired on each occasion. (291292)

The MOD does not test missiles in the Falkland Islands. However, training exercises are conducted which include firing live missiles against aerial targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for deciding where missile testing is carried out. (291293)

Missile testing is conducted on behalf of individual project teams who have the opportunity to select the trial venue based on criteria such as suitability for the trial in questions, availability, and cost.

However, in order to secure value-for-money, projects are expected to use one of the facilities provided under the Long Term Partnering Agreement between MOD and QinetiQ and look elsewhere only if these are unable to meet their requirements.

NIDAR Radar System

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the NIDAR radar system on St. Kilda has been used in each of the last seven years. (290694)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: Details for NIDIR Radar usage on the island of St. Kilda during the past seven years are as follows:

Date

NIDIR radar runs

2003

69

2004

13

2005

32

2006

67

2007

50

2008

17

2009

114

1 To date

Nuclear Submarines

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 2 April 2009, Official Report, column 1400W, to the hon. Member for Moray, on nuclear submarines, on what nuclear submarines the 21 medium scale fires were reported; what the location was of each such submarine at the time of the fire; and when each fire occurred. (290794)

Royal Navy submarines are operated to the highest possible safety standards. Personnel are rigorously trained to deal efficiently and effectively with all safety incidents.

Three fires requiring both ship and external resources are recorded as occurring on Royal Navy submarines since 1 January 1987. Details of these are provided in the following table:

Vessel

Location where fire took place

Date of fire

HMS Renown

Clyde

17 February 1992

HMS Turbulent

Devonport

30 April 1992

HMS Trafalgar

Devonport

24 October 2003

In the same time period, there were 20 medium scale fires and details of these are provided in the following table.

Vessel

Location where fire took place, if known

Date of fire

HMS Courageous

Alongside

10 December 1984

HMS Sceptre

Not recorded

29 July 1987

HMS Conqueror

Alongside

26 August 1987

HMS Renown

Not recorded

15 November 1987

HMS Renown

Clyde

10 October 1988

HMS Valiant

Clyde

5 August 1989

HMS Valiant

Alongside

22 December 1989

HMS Trenchant

At sea

21 November 1991

HMS Superb

At sea

3 November 1992

HMS Tireless

At sea

11 January 1993

HMS Revenge

At sea

29 July 1993

HMS Tireless

Alongside

22 October 1993

HMS Sovereign

Rosyth

7 April 1994

HMS Sovereign

Rosyth

22 August 1995

HMS Victorious

Alongside

16 October 1995

HMS Talent

Devonport

18 January 1999

HMS Sovereign

Clyde

17 June 2001

HMS Victorious

At sea

22 April 2002

HMS Vigilant

Clyde

11 October 2006

HMS Tireless

At sea

21 March 2007

For those incidents where the vessel was either ‘alongside’ or ‘at sea’, the exact location of the vessel is not recorded centrally.

On behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence, I have written to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) to correct the previous statement made on this subject—2 April 2009, Official Report, column 1400W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reactor design has been selected by the Strategic Deterrent Programme Board for the successor submarine; what other decisions have been made by the Board in 2009; and what further decisions are scheduled to be made by the Board prior to May 2010. (291176)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: A decision on reactor design for the future deterrent has not yet been taken. Like other key decisions on the future deterrent, this decision will ultimately be taken by Ministers. The Defence Board will consider the work required during the Concept Phase later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the programme to build the successor to the Vanguard class submarine is on schedule; and when the initial gateway decision for the programme will be made. (291177)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The In Service Date is planned for 2024, as set out in the 2006 White Paper. The Defence Board will consider the work required during the Concept Phase later this year.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional unmanned air systems his Department plans to purchase with funds from the Urgent Operational Requirement budget for 2009-10. (290786)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: We have no current plans to purchase further unmanned air systems under the Urgent Operational Requirement mechanism in the current financial year.

Energy and Climate Change

Carbon Trust: Stoke-on-Trent

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what funding the Carbon Trust has provided to (a) local authorities, (b) NHS organisations and (c) higher and further education institutions in Stoke-on-Trent North constituency since its establishment. (290817)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: The Carbon Trust has worked with a range of public sector organisations in Stoke-on-Trent including schools, local authorities and NHS organisations to provide carbon management and energy efficiency advice.

The Carbon Trust has advised me that it is not possible to provide a funding breakdown at a constituency level.

Energy: Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations the Energy Saving Trust made for (a) an increase in council tax in respect of and (b) a prohibition upon the sale or rent of homes with an F to G energy efficiency rating. (291210)

The Energy Saving Trust have made no representations for an increase in council tax in respect of, or a prohibition upon, the sale or rent of homes with an F to G energy efficiency rating.

From autumn, the Energy Saving Trust will be able to contact people moving into homes rated F and G on the Energy Performance Certificate to give free, impartial energy efficiency advice. EST’s research shows home owners can move EPC grade by doing non-major energy saving improvements starting for less than £1,000. There are schemes such as council tax discounts already available to encourage householders to undertake energy efficiency improvements to their homes, a number of which are motivated by energy suppliers in support of their Government obligated carbon emissions reduction target.

Fuel Oil: Prices

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment has been made of the potential effects of a petrol embargo on Iran on the UK economy, with particular reference to oil prices. (291269)

As part of DECC’s responsibility for the security of energy supplies, we assess a range of supply disruption scenarios, including disruptions to Iranian petroleum exports. However, the content of this analysis is market sensitive and cannot therefore be made public.

Fuel Poverty: Pensioners

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of pensioners living in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement. (291374)

The Department’s latest estimates for fuel poverty are for 2006, available online at:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/consumers/fuel_poverty/strategy/annual_report/annual_report.aspx

These show that in 2006, there were around 2.4 million households in fuel poverty in England. Of those, around 1.3 million contained somebody over the age of 60, around 17 per cent. of all households containing somebody over 60.

Fuel poverty statistics are published at the household level and are not calculated at an individual person level. Figures on the number and percentage of individual pensioners in fuel poverty are therefore unavailable.

Nuclear Power

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency of high burn-up fuel used in nuclear power plants. (291346)

The Department has not assessed the efficiency of different burn-up1 levels for nuclear fuels.

The fuel and its burn-up efficiency is a matter for the commercial operators to address, whilst ensuring that regulatory requirements are met.

1 Burn-up is measured by the amount of energy extracted for a given mass of uranium-units GWd/tU.

Warm Front Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria are used under the Warm Front scheme to determine whether households are in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement. (291264)

To be eligible for Warm Front the applicant or their spouse must be a homeowner or tenant in the private sector and in receipt of a qualifying disability or income related benefit.

These qualification criteria were selected because they were considered to provide an effective proxy for assessing the likelihood of an applicant being at risk of fuel poverty.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Calor Gas: Canvey Island

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with Calor Gas on the designation and provision of a receiving tank as an overfill receiver for its Canvey Island liquefied natural gas terminals; and if he will make a statement. (290857)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: DEFRA has not had any discussions with Calor Gas on the designation and provision of a receiving tank as an overfill receiver for its Canvey Island LNG terminals.

The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the joint competent authorities for regulation of the Canvey Island Calor Gas site under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). I understand the hon. Member has had a number of recent discussions with the HSE about the safe operation of this site.

Cattle: Animal Welfare

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of dairy cows which are kept in zero-grazing conditions. (291386)

No official estimates are available, though previous industry estimates indicate about 5 per cent. of herds have some cattle that are housed all year round.

Departmental Public Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the (a) Committee of Investigation for Great Britain, (b) Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies, (c) Family Food Committee, (d) Financial Management and Policy Review of the Commons Commissioners, (e) Hill Farming Advisory Committee, (f) National Expert Group on Transboundary Air Pollution, (g) National Rural Development Forum, (h) National Statistics Quality Review on Sustainable Farming and Food Regulation Task Force, (i) Review of Fishing Vessel Licensing, (j) Review of Funding Mechanisms for Food and Coastal Defence, (k) Review of Marine Nature Conservation Working Group Science Advisory Group, (l) Sustainable Consumption and Production Business Taskforce, (m) Sustainable Development Taskforce, (n) Sustainable Farming and Food Implementation Group and (o) Sustainable Farming and Food Research Priorities Group in each of the last five years. (291099)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The following table sets out the costs of a number of the bodies listed. Officials are currently preparing figures covering the remaining bodies and I will write to the hon. Member with this information when it is available.

£000

Actual

Body

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

(a) Committee of Investigation for Great Britain1

0

0

0

0

0

(d) Financial Management and Policy Review of the Commons Commissioners2

0

0

0

0

0

(e) Hill Farming Advisory Committee3

0

0

0

0

0

(f) National Expert Group on Transboundary Air Pollution+

0

0

0

0

0

(h) National Statistics Quality Review on Sustainable Farming and Food Regulation Task Force5

0

0

0

0

0

(i) Review of Fishing Vessel Licensing6

0

0

0

0

0

(j) Review of Funding Mechanisms for Flood and Coastal Defence7

0

0

0

0

0

(k) Review of Marine Nature Conservation Working Group Science Advisory Group8

0

0

0

0

0

(l) Sustainable Consumption and Production Business Taskforce9

0

0

275

339

0

1 The committee was dormant before the start of the period covered by this table and was disbanded in 2006.

2 All costs were incurred prior to the period covered by this table.

3 The committee was dormant before the start of the period covered by this table and was disbanded in 2006.

4 The Group published its final report in 2001 and disbanded.

5 All costs were incurred prior to the period covered by this table.

6 The Fishing Vessel Licence Review Working Group (LRWG) published one report in the period covered by the table, in 2006. Costs to the Department were minimal.

7 All costs were incurred prior to the period covered by this table.

8 The final report of this Group was published in July 2004. Costs were minimal.

9 The Taskforce was established in February 2006. It completed its work and was disbanded in March 2008.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 98W, on domestic wastes, if he will place in the Library a copy of each document provided by Chelgate for the Waste and Resources Action Programme as part of its contract. (291306)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Jane Kennedy) gave to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) on 6 March 2009, Official Report, column 1880W.

The requested data concerns the detailed operational activities of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), and is not therefore held by DEFRA.

Flood Control: Sheerness

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the effectiveness of the sea defences at Sheerness was last assessed. (291239)

The Environment Agency carried out its annual inspection of the sea defences at Sheerness in late February. The rock groyne and rock face of the sea wall were found to be in good repair. The defences are designed to provide those living and working in the area with a 1 in 200 year standard of protection, a 0.5 per cent. chance of flooding in a year. This is the standard level of protection to which new sea defences are constructed.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011 of each non-departmental body it sponsors. (291098)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The following table sets out the budgets—comprising administration, programme and capital spend—of the Executive and Tribunal Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), Public Corporations and other bodies sponsored by the Department in the years (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Officials are currently preparing a set of figures covering the remaining NDPBs sponsored by the Department, including Advisory NDPBs. I will write to the hon. Member with this information when it is available.

£ million

Body

2008-09 Actual

2009-10 Budget

2010-11 Budget

Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales

0.16

0.20

0.20

Agricultural Wages Committee

0.01

0.01

0.01

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board1

0.00

0.00

0.00

Commission for Rural Communities

6.30

6.40

6.08

Consumer Council for Water2

0.00

0.00

0.00

Environment Agency3

715.70

762.60

799.90

Food From Britain4

10.70

0.00

0.00

Gangmasters Licensing Authority

3.12

4.29

4.02

Joint Nature Conservation Committee5

1.90

1.90

1.87

National Forest Company

3.60

3.60

3.51

Natural England6

223.74

213.46

168.23

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

26.60

28.50

25.50

Sea Fish Industry Authority

0.30

0.28

0.27

Sustainable Development Commission

2.88

3.06

2.00

Tribunal Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Agricultural Land Tribunal (England)

0.04

0.28

0.28

Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal7

0.00

0.00

0.00

Public Corporations

British Waterways8

62.65

58.34

48.55

Covent Garden Market Authority9

0.00

0.00

0.00

Other Bodies

British Wool Marketing Board10

0.00

0.00

0.00

National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority

46.72

47.58

48.89

1 The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is industry-funded.

2 The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is funded by water consumers through a charge to water and sewerage companies in England and Wales by Ofwat. The amount is then passed to DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government (joint sponsor) to fund CCW’s operations.

3 Excludes Closed Pension Fund. £20 million of capital grant was brought forward from 2010-11 to 2009-10 for flood risk management work as part of the Government’s fiscal stimulus initiative.

4 The body was closed on 31 March 2009.

5 Represents costs only of DEFRA-funded JNCC work on reserved matters such as marine work beyond territorial waters, overseas territories and international conventions. Further funding is received from the Devolved Administrations.

6 Represents DEFRA core funding including (other than for 2010-11 where these are not yet due to be addressed) annually agreed elements for cost neutral recharges for common services such as IT and HR support.

7 The Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal is not currently active.

8 £5 million of capital grant was brought forward from 2010-11 to 2009-10 for infrastructure projects under the Government’s fiscal stimulus initiative.

9 The Covent Garden Market Authority is industry-funded.

10 The British Wool Marketing Board is self-funded through the sale of graded wool.

Origin Marking: Israel

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable he has set for consultation on the labelling of goods originating in Israeli settlements. (291396)

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.

Water Charges

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the proposed charge allowed by Ofwat for water companies in the 2009 Price Review is for (a) staff costs and (b) other costs. (291352)

The table sets out what Ofwat has assumed in its draft determinations for water companies’ employment costs and other operating expenditure for all water companies in England and Wales for the period 2010 to 2015.

Costs (£ million)

Employment costs

2,194.9

Other operating expenditure

16,268.3

Total

18,463.2

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Afghanistan: Elections

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the recent elections in Afghanistan were free and fair. (291267)

The 20 August 2009 Presidential and Provincial Council elections in Afghanistan were the first Afghan-run elections for over 30 years. That the insurgents were unable to disrupt this important day is a tribute to the Afghan National Security Forces and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s International Security Assistance Force. The Afghan people want and deserve the right to decide the future of their country and we and the international community are committed to helping them achieve this. Credible elections, that represent the will of the people, demonstrate that the Afghan Government have the authority to rule.

We and the rest of the international community are following the elections result process closely. There have been allegations of fraud but it is important that we wait for the Election Complaints Commission to complete their investigation processes into allegations of fraud, and for the election observation missions to report their conclusive findings. In this intervening period, we call on all parties to exercise patience and respect the process for which so many Afghans made their support clear on polling day.

The UN, the relevant Afghan authorities and international observation missions have taken every possible measure to prevent fraud. The Afghan Independent Election Commission, the UN and the international community worked hard to ensure that there was a level playing field for candidates, and that these elections could be as credible and inclusive as possible. Multiple safeguards such as photographs and fingerprints were in place to minimise fraudulent registration and voting.

There were over 400 international observers on the ground, including 100 from the EU. 7,000 independent monitors were also registered with the Independent Electoral Commission by the Afghan Free and Fair Elections Association. The UK has helped fund election observation missions and 23 of our staff participated in the EU observation mission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on the subject of Mr. Al-Megrahi he has had with the Scottish Executive Justice Minister in 2009. (291327)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any discussions with the Scottish Executive Justice Minister on the subject of Mr. Al-Megrahi.

Africa: Armed Conflict

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the activities of the Lords Resistance Army in (a) Sudan, (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (c) the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement (291403)

On 28 August, the UN reported that an estimated 125,000 people had been displaced by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in the Haut Uele district of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the last three weeks. The LRA has also forced an estimated 8,000 Congolese to flee to neighbouring Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR).

There has also been a recent increase in LRA attacks in Southern Sudan, close to the DRC border, which have displaced thousands of Sudanese, adding to the severe humanitarian situation in the region. Since March 2008, mere have been reports of periodic LRA incursions into the South East of CAR.

UN teams are monitoring the situation and assisting the refugees and internally displaced people. The UN peacekeeping mission in DRC. MONUC, has increased its presence in the DRC region where the LRA is active and is helping the Congolese army with logistics. Regional cooperation on this issue is ongoing.

British Nationality: Torture

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department follows in response to reports of British nationals having been tortured abroad. (291421)

Consular staff are specifically trained on what action to take in response to any allegation of mistreatment, and there is clear guidance for such cases.

This guidance includes the identification of possible signs of torture and mistreatment, as well as the procedures to be adopted in such circumstances. The first step when a British national is detained overseas is to seek and secure access by our consular staff. Our staff are instructed to ask our nationals whether they have suffered abuse or mistreatment, and to look out for signs of mistreatment even where an individual does not raise it. They are required to follow up all reports of mistreatment whether they come from the individual themselves, from their friends, family or representatives, or from other sources. What form this follow up action will take will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Most obviously, we can raise our concerns with the relevant authorities. Whatever action we take the objective remains the same: to end the mistreatment, and have the incident investigated and the perpetrators of any abuse brought to justice.

In many countries we also raise more general concerns around the mistreatment and abuse of detainees as part of our wider human rights dialogue.

Consular Posts

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to monitor the response of consular posts to reports of British nationals abroad since 2004. (291419)

There are a number of ways in which cases of British nationals alleging mistreatment are monitored. Since the rollout of an effective electronic case management system between 2002 and 2005, Consular Directorate in London has been able to monitor cases in real-time.

Posts have been required since 1 April 2005 to collate statistics on the number of cases where we have raised concerns with the detaining authorities over allegations of torture or abuse.

Finally, we are currently in the process of deploying Consular Regional Directors around the world, whose responsibilities include monitoring the performance of posts in their regions, including on the response of these posts to allegations of mistreatment.

G20: Public Relations

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what external (a) public relations and (b) public affairs firm were contracted to provide support for the London G20 Summit; and at what cost to the public purse. (289084)

No external public relations or public affairs firms were contracted to provide support for the London G20 Summit.

However, a temporary unit was created within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to support posts in their engagement with overseas media, help organise local events during the run up to the summit, as well as providing information for the London summit website.

This was staffed by FCO and externally contracted staff who acted as project co-ordinators and content developers, rather than in a public affairs capacity.

Indonesia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the Indonesian Government taking steps against former members of the Indonesian Kopassus Special Forces named in 2007 by the Coroner of New South Wales in her findings in relation to the deaths of British citizens Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters in 1975 in East Timor; and if he will make a statement. (291435)

The Australian Federal Police have announced their intention to launch an investigation on the basis of the findings of the 2007 inquiry by the Coroner of New South Wales. We shall consider our position carefully in the light of the results of the Australian Federal Police investigation. The British Government hopes that the investigation may succeed in shedding light on the circumstances in which Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters died, thereby bringing some comfort and greater certainty to their families. We do not intend at this stage to raise the issue with the Indonesian authorities.

Israel

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Prime Minister on issuing building permits for new housing in Gush Etzion, Ma'aleh Adumim, Givat Ze'ev and other Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in advance of a settlement freeze. (291394)

We are extremely concerned by the recent approval by the Israeli Government of new illegal settlement construction permits. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear in a recent telephone conversation with Ehud Barak.

The Government's position on Israeli settlements has been consistent and robust: they are illegal, a clear violation of international law, and an obstacle to peace. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made this clear during his 25 August 2009 meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister.

Libya

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official visits to Libya were made by officials from his Department in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009; and what the purpose of each such visit was. (291199)

There is no central record of the number of official overseas visits made by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials to Libya. However officials from various parts of the FCO, both in the UK and overseas, visit Libya regularly in the course of their official duties.

Senior officials hold an annual meeting with Libyan government officials which alternates between Tripoli and London. No senior officials meeting has taken place in 2009.

During the course of their visits officials work to deliver Government objectives in the fields of security, trade, co-operation in the UN and African Union, visas, consular matters and the safety, security and wellbeing of FCO officials and their families living and working in Tripoli.

Lockerbie: Bombings

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times he has discussed the case of Mr. Al-Megrahi with his US counterpart since Mr. Al-Megrahi’s conviction. (291198)

I hold regular discussions with my US counterpart, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a range of issues, such as the case of Mr. Al-Megrahi. The content of these discussions remains confidential as is normal practice.

UK and US officials worked closely together following the Lockerbie bombing to bring Mr. Al-Megrahi to justice. My officials have remained in close contact with US colleagues both before and since Mr. Al-Megrahi’s conviction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Ministers and officials from his Department have had with their Libyan counterparts since March 2004. (291251)

Since 2004 there have been a number of ministerial visits to Libya made by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers: two in 2004, one in 2005, two in 2006, one in 2007, one in 2008 and two in 2009. During the same period, Ministers from Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have visited the UK for meetings with their UK counterparts on a number of occasions: one in 2004, three in 2008 and six in 2009.

Ministerial discussions since 2004 have covered the full range of UK-Libyan bilateral relations, including co-operation in the fields of security, trade, at UN and with the African Union: as well as, visas, consular matters and the safety, security and wellbeing of FCO officials and their families living and working in Tripoli.

There is no central record of the number of official overseas visits made by FCO officials to Libya. However officials from various parts of the FCO, both in the UK and overseas, visit Libya regularly in the course of their official duties. Senior officials hold an annual meeting with Libyan Government officials which alternates between Tripoli and London. No senior officials meeting has taken place in 2009. Issues discussed since 2004 covered the full range of UK-Libyan bilateral relations.

Naheem Hussain: Rehan Zaman

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the reasons were for the time taken for his Department to respond to reports of Naheem Hussain and Rehan Zaman being tortured in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. (291418)

When consular staff from our High Commission in Islamabad first visited them in prison on 29 July 2004, Mr Naheem Hussain and Mr Rehan Zaman raised allegations that they had been mistreated while in initial police custody. This was reported back to London. We failed to seek an explicit view at the time from them as to whether they wanted us to raise their concerns with the local authorities.

Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London subsequently advised the High Commission in Islamabad to seek such a view on their next visit to Mr Hussain and Mr Zaman. However, once it was realised that this would not be until October 2004—prison visits to British nationals in Pakistan are usually done on a three monthly cycle—a decision was taken to seek their view via their lawyer which we did in early September 2004. As the right hon. Member will be aware, their lawyer subsequently confirmed that they did not want the matter raised with the local authorities.

It should not have taken five weeks from our first visit to Mr Hussain and Mr Zaman to obtain their view. Our consular guidance has developed since 2004 and we have taken steps to ensure such a delay would not happen now. This has included giving clear guidance to our consular staff both overseas and in London that where we have reason to believe a British national has been mistreated in detention overseas, this should be raised urgently with the relevant authorities. Our immediate objective in these cases is to have the allegations investigated and, if there is a possibility that mistreatment is continuing, to ensure that it is stopped. By reacting promptly in this way we also hope to deter abuse in future cases.

Pakistan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether guidelines were in place in British posts in Pakistan in July 2004 which set out procedures to respond to allegations of the torture of British nationals. (291420)

In 2004, guidance for consular staff made clear the importance of responding to such allegations, including the need to report such cases to the Consular Directorate in London, and to ask the individuals concerned whether they wished us to raise them with the relevant authorities.

Sudan: Peace Negotiations

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) progress in relation to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan and (b) the long-term outlook for Sudan, with particular reference to recent reports of resources from sharing oil revenues. (291402)

The UK welcomes progress that has been made in recent months towards implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). This includes acceptance by both the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) of the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in relation to the Abyei area and both parties’ commitment to implement the decision.

The UK also welcomes the signing by the SPLM and NCP. under the facilitation of US Envoy General Gration, of the “Points of Agreement” document on the outstanding CPA milestones. We are concerned however that further progress is required on several critical issues, including agreement of the census results, preparations for the elections in April 2010 and for the referendum on self-determination for South Sudan in 2011. The UK is working closely with both parties and with international partners to press for implementation of the outstanding issues.

Health

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the alcohol industry on reducing the availability of cheap alcohol. (291375)

No such recent discussions have taken place.

However, Government have just finished a consultation on a mandatory code for alcohol retailers. This proposed restrictions on very cheap alcohol sold below cost, and on irresponsible promotions such as “all you can drink” type offers.

The Government announced in May its decision not to proceed with any measures concerning a minimum unit price at a national or local level.

While there is good evidence that cheap alcohol is linked to people drinking more and the subsequent harm to their health, it is important that any Government interventions reduce harm without impacting unduly on the majority of adults who do drink responsibly.

Government will look to develop further the evidence base in this area with a view to identifying concrete proposals for action, which reduce irresponsible, harmful and/or binge drinking without impacting unduly on the majority of responsible drinkers.

Allergies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2009, Official Report, column 965W, on allergies: consultants, what steps he plans to take to inform primary care staff of the National Occupational Standards on Allergy developed by Skills for Health. (291337)

The National Occupational Standards on Allergy developed by Skills for Health are available on the Skills for Health website at:

www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Guidance setting out their use is also freely available to employers organisations and staff across the sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2009, Official Report, column 685W, on allergies, whether his Department has taken steps to increase the number of posts advertised in open recruitment for entry into allergy. (291338)

Pursuant to the answer given on 7 July 2009, no additional posts have been established by the Department for open recruitment into allergy. The Department created an additional five centrally funded allergy training posts and five immunology posts in 2007. The national health service and deaneries are responsible for establishing whether there is a local need to commission more local training posts.

Cancer: Prescriptions

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of cancer patients in (a) Leicestershire, (b) the East Midlands and (c) England have obtained the exemption from prescription charges since April 2009. (291344)

Cancer patients were able to apply for Medical Exemption (MEDEX) certificates (which entitle them to exemption from prescription charges) from 25 January 2009, although these certificates were not valid until 1 April 2009. From this date until 9 September 2009, the total number of valid prescription charge certificate applications processed by NHS Help with Health Costs in England, for cancer patients resident in England, where cancer was the only medical condition ticked on the FP92A application form, was 59,900. The Department is unable to provide the proportionate analysis requested in the question because data on the total number of cancer patients in England who could benefit from the exemption are not available. Nor is it possible to provide a sub-national breakdown of the number of MEDEX issued for cancer, as these data are not held.

Embryos: Storage

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on cases where parents wish to store embryos for their infertile offspring under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009; and what guidance his Department has provided on this matter. (291431)

The Department has not issued guidance on cases where parents wish to store embryos for their infertile offspring. The individual factors of each case would be taken into account by a registered medical practitioner when deciding if the criteria for extending storage periods for embryos or gametes on the grounds of premature infertility are met.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has produced guidance, including through workshops, on the various changes that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and its related regulations introduce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance his Department has provided on whether a couple whose gametes were used to bring about the creation of an embryo may extend storage of the embryo for 10 years as referred to in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009, where one of the couple is eligible for the extension on the basis of premature infertility, but the other person whose gametes were used to bring about the creation of the embryo is beyond natural childbearing age; (291432)

(2) what discussions his Department has had with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on the age at which infertility would no longer been deemed premature in (a) men and (b) women for the purposes of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009;

(3) with reference to Parts 2 and 3 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009, what guidance his Department has provided on whether a person who was prematurely infertile on the day of examination, but whose infertility would no longer be premature for the whole of the subsequent 10 years would be eligible for a full 10 year extension of storage of embryos and gametes, with the exception of the final extension to 55 years.

As far as guidance issued by the Department and discussion it has had with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes) on 9 September 2009, Official Report, column 1984W.

The purpose of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009 is to provide more scope for people who are prematurely infertile to have children. Decisions to provide treatment using any such stored gametes or embryos will be subject to the normal welfare of the child considerations.

Gender Identity Disorder

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that all primary care trusts provide accessible, timely and high quality gender identity services. (291225)

The Department is committed to the delivery of high quality national health service gender identity services. Primary care trust commissioning of gender identity services remains a matter for local prioritisation, with access to services determined by clinical need and local decision-making.

The Department is in the process of writing out to all NHS chief executives and their teams, via the weekly NHS leadership team bulletin the week, to reiterate this commitment to high quality gender identity services and the importance of considering such cases individually, according to clinical need.

Health Services: Travelling People

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is being provided to friends, families and Travellers for its work on access to healthcare for Travellers. (291305)

£55,355 funding was provided to Friends, Families and Travellers to support access to healthcare for Travellers. The grant has been made through the Third Sector Investment programme and supports our wider aim of reducing health inequalities and paying particular attention to groups or sections of society where improvements in health and life expectancy are not keeping pace with the rest of the population.

Hospitals

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days on average an in-patient in a hospital in England received treatment in each year since 1997; and how many such patients waited 183 days or more to receive treatment in each such year. (291315)

Data on the average (mean) in-patient length of stay is shown in the following table.

Average length of stay1 in days for in-patients in England, 1997-98 to 2007-08

Average length of stay (Days)

1997-98

8.8

1998-99

8.4

1999-2000

7.8

2000-01

8.2

2001-02

8.1

2002-03

7.9

2003-04

7.4

2004-05

7.1

2005-06

6.6

2006-07

6.3

2007-08

5.7

1 Length of stay (LOS) is calculated as the difference in days between the admission date and the episode end date (duration of episode) or discharge date (duration of spell), where both dates are given. LOS is based on hospital stays and only applies to ordinary admissions, i.e. day cases are excluded (unless otherwise stated). Information relating to LOS figures, including discharge method/destination, diagnoses and any operative procedures, is based only on the final episode of the spell.

Notes:

1. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and Social Care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.

2. Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.

3. This is the total number of eligible admissions from which the mean and median time waited are derived. Admissions contributing towards this total are waiting list and booked admissions, with planned admissions being excluded. A waiting list admission is one in which a patient has been admitted electively into hospital from a waiting list, having been given no date of admission at the time a decision to admit was made. Alternatively, booked admissions are those in which the patient was admitted electively having been given a date at the time it was decided to admit, determined on the grounds of resource availability. Planned admissions are excluded as they are usually part of a planned sequence of clinical care determined mainly on clinical criteria, which, for example, could require a series of events, perhaps taking place every three months, six months or annually.

Source:

Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES), the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.

Data on the number of in-patient admissions where time waited was 183 days or longer is shown in the following table.

Total admissions with eligible time waited information1 with a time waited of 183 days or longer in England, 1997-98 to 2007-08Total admissions with a time waited of 183 days or more1997-98603,7771998-99727,8121999-2000596,9062000-01591,2872001-02606,6012002-03673,6492003-04681,7532004-05512,7582005-06381,9122006-07261,5342007-08147,5221 A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.Notes:1. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and Social Care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 2. Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.3. This is the total number of eligible admissions from which the mean and median time waited are derived. Admissions contributing towards this total are waiting list and booked admissions, with planned admissions being excluded. A waiting list admission is one in which a patient has been admitted electively into hospital from a waiting list, having been given no date of admission at the time a decision to admit was made. Alternatively, booked admissions are those in which the patient was admitted electively having been given a date at the time it was decided to admit, determined on the grounds of resource availability. Planned admissions are excluded as they are usually part of a planned sequence of clinical care determined mainly on clinical criteria, which, for example, could require a series of events, perhaps taking place every three months, six months or annually.Source:Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES), the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.

Human-Animal Hybrid Embryos

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the statutory authority is for the granting of a licence to examine human admixed embryos which have been stored in licensed premises for the purposes of investigating a suspected offence under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; and whether regulations will be required to be made. (291430)

Human admixed embryos must be held at a centre licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority if they are being kept or used in connection with the investigation of, or proceedings for, an offence under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008). This requirement is provided for in section 4A(2)(c) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended). Using human admixed embryos includes examination of embryos.

There is no intention to make regulations concerning the keeping, examination or storage of human admixed embryos in connection with the investigation of, or proceedings for an offence under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended).

IVF

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of in vitro fertilisation treatment cycles available on the NHS in (a) England and (b) Leeds. (291265)

We are working with the national health service and the patient support group Infertility Network UK to encourage primary care trusts (PCTs) in the provision of three full cycles of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines.

In 2008, we set up an expert group on commissioning NHS infertility provision. Their interim report identified barriers to the commissioning of IVF by PCTs and the final report of the expert group will be published in the autumn.

In June this year, the expert group produced a commissioning aid to help commissioners understand the particular sensitivities and complexities of infertility and its treatment. Alongside the commissioning aid, we also published access criteria, which were developed by Infertility Network UK in discussion with the expert group. To launch both the commissioning aid and the access criteria we ran a conference for commissioners, to help raise awareness.

We are monitoring IVF treatment provision across the country to help identify where further work is required to assist PCTs in assessing the needs of fertility patients and helping them to deliver those services in an equitable way.

The Yorkshire and the Humber strategic health authority (SHA) has advised that the Yorkshire and the Humber Specialised Commissioning Group is currently consulting on a region wide policy for fertility treatment. Further information is on their website:

www.yhscg.nhs.uk/consultation/fertility.htm

The SHA has advised that one of the issues being considered is the number of cycles of in vitro fertilisation treatment and it is expected that the policy will be in place by April 2010.

Learning Disability: Supported Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements his Department has put in place for monitoring and inspection of the quality of care in supported living accommodation for adults with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement. (291371)

Everyone living in supported living has a community care plan and increasingly a person-centred plan. The resources allocated to support them are based on these plans and are monitored through the care management assessment, and review process. These reviews take place at least once a year and ensure that arrangements set out in the plans are in place and that the person is receiving high quality support as agreed.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates health and adult social care services, whether provided by the national health service, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. CQC ensures that essential common quality standards are being met where care is provided and work towards the improvement of care services.

Domiciliary Care Agencies, who provide care support for people in supported living, must be registered with the CQC and they inspect them. Local authority commissioners of these care services will have contract management arrangements in place to monitor individual Agencies.

NHS: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department made of expenditure from the public purse on the NHS in England in respect of each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of gross domestic production and (c) as a percentage of all public expenditure. (291316)

Table 1 shows total net national health service expenditure in England in cash terms in each year since 1998.

Table 2 shows United Kingdom health expenditure as a proportion of (i) gross domestic product (GDP) and (ii) total managed expenditure.

Table 1: NHS total expenditure: England—1998-99 to 2010-11

Net NHS expenditure nominal1 (£ billion)

Cash2

1998-99

Outturn

36.6

1999-2000

Outturn

39.9

Resource Budgeting Stage 13

1999-2000

Outturn

40.2

2000-01

Outturn

43.9

2001-02

Outturn

49.0

2002-03

Outturn

54.0

Resource Budgeting Stage 24,5

2003-04

Outturn

64.2

2004-05

Outturn

69.1

2005-06

Outturn

75.8

2006-07

Outturn

80.6

2007-08

Outturn

89.3

2008-09

Estimated outturn

94.5

2009-10

Plan

102.7

2010-11

Plan

105.8

1.Figures are not consistent over the period (1998-99 to 2010-11), therefore it is difficult to make comparisons across different periods.

2.Expenditure pre 1999-2000 is on a cash basis.

3.Expenditure figures from 1999-2000 to 2002-03 are on a Stage 1 Resource Budgeting basis.

4.Expenditure figures from 2003-04 to 2010-11 are on a Stage 2 Resource Budgeting basis.

5 Figures from 2003-04 include a technical adjustment for trust depreciation.

Notes:

1. Expenditure excludes NHS (AME).

2. GDP deflator 30 June 2009.

3. Total Expenditure is calculated as the sum of revenue and capital expenditure net of non-Trust Depreciation and impairments. This is in line with HMT Guidance.

Table 2: UK health expenditure as a proportion of (i) gross domestic product, and (ii) total managed expenditure

UK public spending on health as a percentage of GDP

UK public spending on health as a percentage of total managed expenditure

1998-99

Outturn

5.3

14.2

1999-2000

Outturn

5.2

14.4

2000-01

Outturn

5.5

14.9

2001-02

Outturn

5.8

15.4

2002-03

Outturn

6.1

15.7

2003-04

Outturn

6.5

16.5

2004-05

Outturn

6.8

16.8

2005-06

Outturn

7.1

17.1

2006-07

Outturn

7.0

17.2

2007-08

Outturn

7.2

17.5

2008-09

Estimated outturn

7.7

17.8

Sources:

Calculated percentages use information on:

1. Health Public Spending—Table 4.2/Table 4.4 HM Treasury PESA 2009

2. ONS data for money GDP (not seasonally adjusted, BKTL)

3. Total Managed Expenditure: Budget 2009 Table C17

GDP and Public Expenditure are reported on a UK basis by HM Treasury. In order to avoid a misleading calculation, UK based figures for health expenditure have been used in the calculation and not England figures as shown in Table 1. This method is use in response to similar questions posed as part of the Health Select Committee’s Public Expenditure Inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been (a) agreed to be spent and (b) spent in each primary care trust under the national capitation formula in each year since its inception. (291317)

Revenue allocations under the national capitation formula were first made to primary care trusts (PCTs) in 2003-04. Tables showing the Revenue Resource Limit (RRL) and Net Operating Costs for PCTs for each year between 2003-04 and 2008-09 have been placed in the Library.

The Revenue Resource Limit sets the level of agreed revenue expenditure a PCT can incur in a financial year. The Net Operating Costs represent the net revenue expenditure actually incurred in a financial year.

Revenue allocations made under the national capitation formula constitute the majority of the Revenue Resource Limit, with the balance of that limit comprising central programme allocations and agreed inter-authority transfers.

Osteoporosis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the merits of piloting osteoporosis indicators for inclusion in the 2011-12 Quality and Outcomes Framework. (291212)

Under the new independent process for reviewing proposed changes to the clinical indicators within the current Quality and Outcomes Framework, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are responsible for making any assessment and recommendations for prioritisation. Details of indicators that NICE are currently considering for development were published on 8 September, a copy has been placed in the Library.

NICE will also make a facility available on their website for any organisation or stakeholder to submit proposals for new indicators or changes to existing indicators later this month (September).

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases there have been of individuals claiming exemptions from prescription charges to which they are not entitled in the latest year for which figures are available; what procedures are used by the NHS to reclaim monies owed when such individuals are (a) on benefit and (b) have a low income; and if he will make a statement. (291351)

Information on the number of individuals claiming prescription exemptions to which they are not entitled is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The NHS Counter Fraud Service undertakes exercises to measure losses due to false claims for prescription charge evasion. The last such exercise examined claims made in 2007-08. This showed that 2 per cent. of claims for exemption were fraudulent.

Since August 2001, a penalty charge system has been in place in respect of those wrongly claiming exemption to NHS prescription charges. This involves recovering the original charge plus a penalty charge. Recoveries and collection of penalty charges are made by primary care trusts, in the first instance through a civil legal process.

Trusts have discretion to waive the penalty charge if the patient is in a vulnerable group or if there are other relevant circumstances in individual cases. In cases where payment of a penalty charge is pursued, patients on a low income may seek an agreement to pay in instalments.

Patients in receipt of benefits that do not qualify them for exemption to prescription charges and patients on low incomes may be eligible to apply for exemption from prescription charges under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Home Department

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cautions were issued for public drinking offences in Suffolk in each of the last five years. (286270)

Information showing the number of offenders cautioned for public drinking offences in the Suffolk police force area from 2003-07 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table. Data for 2008 are planned for publication in the autumn of 2009.

The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time, the principal offence is the more serious offence.

The Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) Scheme was implemented in all 43 police forces in England and Wales in 2004 under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Offences relating to public drinking were included in the scheme.

Number of offenders cautioned1 for public drinking offences2, in Suffolk police force area, 2003-073, 4

Number

2003

240

2004

188

2005

81

2006

70

2007

48

1 From 1 June 2000, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These figures have been included in the totals.

2 Includes the following offences:

14001: (a) Being found drunk in a highway or other public place whether a building or not, or a licensed premises. (Licensing Act 1872 Sec 12.)

14011: (b) Contravene a community support officers’ requirement not to consume liquor. Penalty offence under S.1 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001—alcohol consumption in designated public places. (Police Reform Act 2002 Sch.4 Para.5 (Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 S.12). Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 S12.)

14101: (c) Any person who in any public place is guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour. (Criminal Justice Act 1967 Sec.91.)

3 The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time, the principal offence is the more serious offence.

4 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.

Source:

Evidence and Analysis Unit: Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Alcoholic Drinks: Unpaid Fines

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) penalty notices for disorder and (b) other fines for being drunk and disorderly remained unpaid (i) six and (ii) 12 months after issue in each of the last five years. (288427)

[holding answer 21 July 2009]: Information on paid, part paid and unpaid fines for offences of drunk and disorderly are not collected centrally. Information on the enforcement rate of financial penalties imposed by courts is held but cannot identify the originating offence.

It is therefore not possible to establish how many fines remain unpaid over the last five years for drunk and disorderly offences.

Departmental Billing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in June 2009. (288913)

The Home Department has invested significantly in its people, with the creation of a professional Shared Service Centre and Procurement Centre of Excellence complemented by the creation of new processes and upgraded Procure to Pay systems.

The Department has been putting a firm focus on paying its suppliers on time when it is in receipt of a compliant invoice. It has been working closely with colleagues in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills reporting on both our legislative obligations of 30 days as well as the 10 day PM’s commitment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for correctly presented compliant invoices.

The Home Office Headquarters and UKBA’s performance of paying SME compliant invoices within 10 days for June 2009 following the PM’s announcement is shown in the following table:

Home Office HQ and UKBA

Month: June 2009

Number

Percentage

Total number of all invoices paid

4,112

Percentage of total number of all invoices paid within 10 days

22

Number of SMEs’ compliant invoices, paid within 10 days

880

SMEs, percentage of compliant invoices paid within 10 days

99

Both the Criminal Records Bureau and Identity and Passport Service are working to identify SMEs and change their systems to pay compliant invoices within 10 days of receipt.

Entry Clearances

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2009, Official Report, column 666W, how many representations he has received from (a) hon. Members and (b) other agencies alleging the use of duress in obliging a spouse to sign an application for leave to remain. (288984)

The information requested on representations relating to this issue is not collated and could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual correspondence and case records at disproportionate cost.

However, the United Kingdom Border Agency is appraised of the seriousness of this issue and staff have been issued with policy guidance on this.

Offensive Weapons: Crime

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent assessment is of the effectiveness of the Tackling Knives Action programme in reducing the number of offences related to the possession of a knife. (287550)

[holding answer 20 July 2009]: I believe the scheme has been of benefit in supporting 16 forces to tackle knife crime.

Management information has been collected from a range of sources both before and during the TKAP period, defined as July 2008 to March 2009. This management information was published on 22 July; Tackling Knives Action programme (TKAP) Phase 1: Overview of key trends from a monitoring programme is available on the Home Office Crime Reduction website:

http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/violentstreet/violentstreet014.htm

Offensive Weapons: Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the engagement of police officers in education programmes in schools in reducing the number of offences related to the possession of a knife. (287552)

[holding answer 20 July 2009]: We are working with local partners in expanding the coverage of Safer School Partnerships (SSPs) to become the norm rather than the exception.

Through the Tackling Knives Action Programme we have invested more than £3 million on initiatives to keep children safe in and around schools, including Safer Schools Partnerships (SSP). There are now more than 5,000 Safer Schools Partnerships in operation.

In 2005, York university carried out an evaluation of Safer Schools Partnerships. The partnership is a formal agreement between schools and police to work together in order to keep people safe, reduce crime and the fear of crime and improve behaviour in schools and their communities. Key findings from the evaluation showed that SSP schools:

Have sought ways of identifying and working with children and young people at risk of becoming victims or offenders.

Have reduced truancy rates and helped total absence rates in relation to comparison schools.

Have an environment in which pupils feel significantly safer than their counterparts in comparison schools.

On 11 May 2009 the Home Secretary and Ed Balls, Secretary of State for the Department for Children Schools and Families, launched the new SSP Guidance and DVD to provide advice on what constitutes a Safer School Partnership, the benefits, how to set up and how to maintain an SSP.

Police

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets his Department has set for police forces for 2009-10. (290878)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: As part of the Policing Green Paper, “From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our Communities Together”, the Home Office stated that it would neither set nor maintain top-down numerical targets for individual police forces with the exception of one—to increase public confidence that the police and local councils are dealing with antisocial behaviour and crime issues that matter locally. Each police force will be expected to increase public confidence levels (to be measured by questions in the British Crime Survey) to achieve a 60 per cent. national average by 2012.

Police Act 1997/Data Protection Act 1998

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he plans to bring into force (a) section 112 of the Police Act 1997 and (b) section 56 of the Data Protection Act 1998; (291127)

(2) what recent representations he has received regarding the unavailability of a basic disclosure service from the Criminal Records Bureau.

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: Section 56 of the Data Protection Act 1998 will not fully come into force until Section 112 of Part V of the Police Act 1997, which relates to Basic Disclosures, is commenced for England and Wales. In its 2009-10 Business Plan, the CRB have committed to research how it can implement a Basic Disclosure service.

There are no records held of any recent representations made to the Home Office regarding the unavailability of Basic Disclosures.

Police Custody: Death

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have died in police custody in each year since 1990; and in respect of how many such deaths the coroner's court returned a verdict of (a) accidental death, (b) death by misadventure, (c) unlawful killing, (d) open verdict and (e) another verdict in each such year. (290620)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: The Home Office was responsible for publishing statistics relating to death following police contact which included the verdict from any coroner's inquest until 31 March 2004. Since 1 April 2004 the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been responsible for the collation and publication of such data.

The statistics between 1990-2000 are contained within Police Complaints and Discipline Bulletins and separately from 1997 on the Home Office and IPCC websites.

Police: Essex

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what qualifications relevant to his appointment the Chief Constable of Essex Police holds; what his career in the Police Service has been to date; what process was followed in his appointment; and if he will make a statement. (290642)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: Jim Barker-McCardle, brings extensive policing experience and a strong track record to the role of chief constable of Essex.

He joined the police in 1981 serving in a number of uniform and detective roles in Kent. He rose to the rank of assistant chief constable in 1999 and was subsequently the deputy chief constable of Kent Police. He was most recently Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of the National Policing Improvement Agency.

Chief Constables are appointed by police authorities subject to the approval of the Home Secretary and to police regulations.

An open competition is held by the Police Authority, who consider the suitability of candidates supported by reports from the applicant's chief constable (where they are not already at this rank), and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payments to (a) the current and (b) each previous Chief Constable of Essex Police (i) have been made during each of the last three years and (ii) are planned for each of the next two years. (290643)

[holding answer 9 September 2009]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 February 2009, Official Report, column 687W which referred to Home Office circulars on chief constable pay. The salary for the chief constable of Essex is currently £144,510

It is for police authorities to determine other payments to chief officers in accordance with legislative requirements.

Territorial Waters

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vessels of (a) the UK Border Agency and (b) the Royal Navy were on patrol in UK territorial waters on average at any one time for the purposes of the interception of (i) illegal immigration and (ii) drug smuggling in the latest period for which information is available. (288542)

The UK Border Agency operates five offshore patrol ships in UK territorial waters and adjacent seas. These ships provide operational coverage for 365 days a year. Smaller craft (Rigid Hull inflatable boats) can also be deployed from the patrol ships and are capable of operating independently.

UK Border Agency vessels work regularly in support of operations by other agencies including the Royal Navy.

International Development

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding for aid for Afghanistan has been (a) committed and (b) spent by his Department since 2001. (291369)

The Department for International Development (DFID) publishes future programme allocations and out-turn expenditure figures each year in its annual report which is available in the Library of the House and on the DFID website at:

www.dfid.gov.uk

Overseas Aid: Education

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much and what percentage of its budget his Department spent on overseas education projects in each year since 1997. (291312)

Details of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) expenditure in the education sector is published annually in “Statistics on International Development”, which is available online at:

www.dfid.gov.uk

The relevant figures are reproduced as follows:

DFID bilateral expenditure and imputed multilateral expenditure on the education sector and as a proportion of totals, 1997-98 to 2008-09 (£000)

DFID bilateral expenditure

Percentage of total DFID bilateral expenditure

DFID imputed multilateral share

Percentage of total imputed multilateral share

1997-98

139,550

13

51,151

9

1998-99

144,592

12

69,152

7

1999-2000

121,975

9

31,406

4

2000-01

162,678

10

64,831

6

2001-02

128,485

10

39,346

4

2002-03

179,963

10

55,594

5

2003-04

222,281

11

72,078

6

2004-05

286,269

13

67,329

5

2005-06

314,491

12

65,724

5

2006-07

372,775

13

104,194

6

2007-08

350,603

12

117,441

6

2008-09

450,973

14

Details are not yet available for DFID imputed multilateral share 2008-09.

Scotland

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department plans to make a submission to the Scottish Executive’s National Conversation consultation on Scotland’s constitutional future. (288959)

The Department for International Development (DFID) has not submitted evidence to the Scottish Government’s National Conversation. The Department did, however, submit evidence to the Commission on Scottish Devolution during its first phase of evidence gathering.

Justice

Children: Remand in Custody

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children were detained in custody with adults in each of the last five years. (287686)

Information on the number of young people under 18 years old who have been required to share accommodation with adults is not collected centrally.

Young people are not routinely required to share accommodation with adults. They will only do so in a small number of cases where there are exceptional circumstances, such as the need to manage disruptive and violent behaviour, and where this is considered to be the preferred course of action.

Community Orders: Publicity

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been placed on the high visibility payback scheme in each of the last 12 months. (287944)

Distinctive high visibility jackets have been worn by offenders sentenced to Community Payback since December 2008. The number of work projects on which distinctive clothing is used and the number of hours worked by offenders wearing distinctive clothing is monitored by the National Management of Offender Service. The number of offenders allocated to high visibility Community Payback work projects is not recorded. This is because the existing data provides a clear indication of the proportion of work undertaken in probation areas using distinctive clothing. The number of Community Payback work projects on which distinctive high visibility clothing was worn by offenders and the number of hours worked on these sites since December 2008 is shown in the following table.

Month

Number of projects operated

Number of hours worked

December

2,560

210,974

January

2,538

321,853

February

2,422

326,618

March

2,938

401,680

April to June

6,822

1,177,176

In the year April 2008 to March 2009 over 62,000 offenders successfully completed Community Payback sentences and approximately 8.4 million hours were worked.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people who have been placed on the high visibility payback scheme have not completed the scheme. (287971)

In the period April to June 2009 75.3 per cent. of offenders sentenced to Community Payback successfully completed their sentences. All community sentences are rigorously enforced and following more than one absence without good reason, National Standards require that offenders are returned to court. If there is wilful refusal to comply with the sentence, the court may impose a prison sentence. Offenders may fail to complete their sentences for a number of reasons, including revocation of the Community Payback sentence and the imposition of an alternative sentence following failure to comply, revocation as a result of illness, or revocation following the imposition of a custodial sentence for other offences.

Information relating to successful completion of sentences by offenders allocated to high visibility work sites is not available separately from the overall successful completion rate for offenders sentenced to Community Payback, not all of whom will have been allocated exclusively to high visibility work sites.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of the funds made available by the Criminal Injuries Board has been paid to (a) UK, (b) EU and (c) other citizens in each of the last three years; and if he will take steps to ensure that the country of origin and residence of those individuals who have received Criminal Injuries Compensation are (i) recorded and (ii) made available to the public. (291329)

Eligibility to apply for compensation under the criminal injuries compensation scheme (CICS) is open to blameless victims of violent crime occurring in Great Britain, regardless of their nationality. Accordingly, as an applicant’s nationality has no bearing on the assessment of his/her application for compensation, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which administers the CICS, does not maintain statistics on the citizenship of compensation applicants. The information sought is not therefore available and for the same reason CICA has no plans to record this information.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Convictions

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) prosecutions were brought and (b) convictions were secured for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each local authority area in the North West in each of the last five years. (291311)

Information showing the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act in the north-west region by police force area from 2003 to 2007 (latest available) is shown in the following table. The Ministry of Justice do not centrally collect data by local authority area.

Data for 2008 will be available towards the end of 2009.

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act in the north-west region, by force, 2003 to 20071,2

Proceeded against

Found guilty

Force

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Cheshire

25

15

7

14

20

16

11

2

8

16

Cumbria

16

18

17

24

24

11

13

12

18

12

Greater Manchester

65

53

56

60

60

48

33

40

45

44

Lancashire

28

27

31

41

40

16

11

18

28

25

Merseyside

17

25

18

18

40

5

14

12

8

27

North-west region

151

138

129

157

184

96

82

84

107

124

1 The statistics relate to persons 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.

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.

Source:

Evidence and Analysis Unit, Ministry of Justice

Departmental Information and Communications Technology

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much the Probation Service has spent on information technology since May 1997. (290977)

It is not possible to answer the question without incurring disproportionate cost as it would be necessary to request information from each of the 34 local area probation boards and eight probation trusts that make up the current National Probation Service (NPS). Furthermore, the NPS was established on 1 April 2001 as a central government service and prior to this it was a local authority service that was organised on a different basis.

Elections: Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance has been produced on whether the office and staffing costs of hon. Members, as Members of Parliament are included in the new pre-candidacy election spending limit. (291211)

Section 21 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 introduces pre-candidacy limits on individuals’ election expenses where a general election is held after 55 months of a Parliament have elapsed. The pre-candidacy spending limit will operate in the same way as the limit on post-dissolution candidate expenses. In order to be regulated by either limit, spending must be: (i) used during the relevant regulated period; (ii) on one of the matters listed in part 1 of Schedule 4A of the Representation of the People Act 1983; and (iii) used for the purposes of the individual’s election.

The Electoral Commission has produced initial guidance on candidate expenses should the next UK parliamentary election be held in 2010, when the pre-candidacy spending limit would operate. The Commission is seeking feedback on that initial guidance and intends to publish final guidance in December 2009.

Staff and office costs incurred by hon. Members’ in respect of their parliamentary duties are not for the purposes of election and therefore would not be counted against the spending limit.

Electronic Communications

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were (a) prosecuted for and (b) convicted of each offence relating to the illegal use of electronic communications media in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. (288180)

Information showing the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under the 1990 Computer Misuse Act in England and Wales from 2003 to 2007 (latest available) is shown in the following table. Data for 2008 will be available towards the end of 2009.

Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, England and Wales, 2003-071, 2

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Offence

Statute

Proceeded against

Found guilty

Proceeded against

Found guilty

Proceeded against

Found guilty

Proceeded against

Found guilty

Proceeded against

Found guilty

Unauthorised access to computer material.

Section 1

7

1

5

3

5

4

7

4

8

3

Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences.

Section 2

9

3

6

2

11

7

5

4

2

Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of computer etc

Section 3 and 3A

3

1

10

7

8

5

13

10

9

7

Total

19

5

21

12

24

16

25

18

19

10

1 The statistics relate to persons 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.

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.

Source:

Evidence and Analysis unit—Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Fines: Surcharges

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which organisations in each county have received grants made from the Victims Fund containing the surcharge on fines pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Surcharge) (No. 2) Order 2007. (291428)

The following organisations have received funding from the Victims Fund for third sector organisations supporting victims of sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse; homicide and hate crime.

2007-08

Sexual Abuse/violence

Homicide

Hate Crime

National

CIS'ters

Voice UK

Survivors UK

London

Respond

Victims of Crime Trust

Greenwich Action Committee Against Racial Attacks

One-in-Four

Victim Support London

Stonewall

Lilith Project Eaves Housing

Hounslow Community Safety Partnership

Step Forward

Galop

East Midlands

Derbyshire Rape Crisis

Northamptonshire Hate Crime Forum

Nottingham Rape Crisis

Sexual abuse and Incest Line (SAIL)

Northamptonshire Rape and Incest Crisis

Crisis Point

Walsall Street Teams (The Jigsaw Project)

West Midlands

Sexual and Domestic Abuse and Rape Advise Centre (SARAC)

Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre

Coventry Rape Crisis

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Violence Project (Birmingham)

North East, Humberside and Yorkshire

Women's Support Network

National Victim's Association

Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership

Redcar and Cleveland Women's Aid

Victim Support and Witness Service

Inclusion North

Bradford Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Survivors Service

SAMM South Yorkshire

Bradford Hate Crime Allowance

Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre

West Yorkshire Police

Grimsby and Scunthorpe Rape Crisis

Sheffield Women's Counselling and Therapy Service

North West

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside (Previously Warrington Rape Crisis)

Greater Manchester Police

Liverpool Culture Company

Manchester Rape Crisis

SAMM Merseyside

Rochdale Borough Council

Victim Support Greater Manchester

South East and East

RASAC- Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (Winchester)

Barnardos

North Herts People First

SurvivorsNetwork

Victim Support Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Hate Crime Partnership

Southampton Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre

The Child Bereavement Trust

Partnership Community Safety Team

No Limits

Victim Support Kent

South Essex Rape and Crisis Centre (SERICC)

Gender Identity Research and Education Society

HEAL (Helping Everyone Abused Live)

BMEYPP

Colchester Rape Crisis Line

South West

WomanKind (Bristol Women's Therapy Centre)

Winston's Wish

The Intercom Trust

Survivors Swindon

Plymouth Rape and Sexual Abuse Line

Twelve's Company

Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Cornwall (WRASAC)

Wales

New Pathways

Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (North Wales)

2008-09

Sexual Abuse/violence

Homicide

Hate Crime

National

CIS'ters

Child Bereavement Charity

Voice UK

Voice UK

Survivors UK

London

Respond

Victims of Crime Trust

Greenwich Action Committee Against Racial Attacks

One-in-Four

Lilith Project Eaves Housing

Step Forward

Galop

East Midlands

Derbyshire Rape Crisis

Nottingham Rape Crisis

Sexual abuse and Incest Line (SAIL)

Northamptonshire Rape and Incest Crisis

Crisis Point

Walsall Street Teams (The Jigsaw Project)

West Midlands

Sexual and Domestic Abuse and Rape Advise Centre (SARAC) .

Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre

Coventry Rape Crisis

The Rape and Sexual Abuse

Violence Project (Birmingham)

North East, Humberside and Yorkshire

Women's Support Network

National Victim's Association

Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Redcar and Cleveland Women's Aid

West Yorkshire Police

Bradford Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Survivors Service

Victim Support Teesside

Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre

Grimsby and Scunthorpe Rape Crisis

Sheffield Women's Counselling and Therapy Service

North West

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside (Previously Warrington Rape Crisis)

SAMM Merseyside

Greater Manchester Police - Bury Division

Manchester Rape Crisis

South East and East

RASAC- Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (Winchester)

Victim Support Bedfordshire

North Herts People First

SurvivorsNetwork

Gender Identity Research and Education Society

Southampton Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre

No Limits

South Essex Rape and Crisis Centre (SERICC)

HEAL (Helping Everyone Abused Live)

Colchester Rape Crisis Line

South West

WomanKind (Bristol Women's Therapy Centre)

Survivors Swindon

Plymouth Rape and Sexual Abuse Line

Twelve's Company

Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Cornwall (WRASAC)

Wales

New Pathways

Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (North Wales)

2009-10

Sexual Abuse/violence

Homicide

Hate Crime

National

CIS'ters

Voice UK

Survivors UK

London

Respond

Damilola Taylor Trust

Community Security Trust

One-in-Four

Stonewall

Lilith Project Eaves Housing

Age Concern Camden

Step Forward

Galop

East Midlands

Derbyshire Rape Crisis

Voice UK (Derby)

Nottingham Rape Crisis

Sexual abuse and Incest Line (SAIL)

Northamptonshire Rape and Incest Crisis

Crisis Point

Walsall Street Teams (The Jigsaw Project)

West Midlands

Sexual and Domestic Abuse and Rape Advise Centre (SARAC)

Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre

Coventry Rape Crisis

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Violence Project (Birmingham)

North East, Humberside and Yorkshire

Women's Support Network

National Victim's Association

Stop Hate UK (Leeds)

Redcar and Cleveland Women's Aid

Royal Mencap Society (Kirklees Involvement Network)

Bradford Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Survivors Service

Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre

Grimsby and Scunthorpe s Rape Crisis

Sheffield Women's Counselling and

Therapy Service

North West

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside (Previously Warrington Rape Crisis)

SAMM Merseyside

Manchester Rape Crisis

South East and East

RASAC- Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (Winchester)

Mothers Against Murder and Aggression

Gender Identity Research and Education Society (Surrey)

SurvivorsNetwork

North Herts People First

Southampton Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre

Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (Essex)

No Limits

South Essex Rape and Crisis Centre (SERICC)

HEAL (Helping Everyone Abused Live)

Colchester Rape Crisis Line

South West

WomanKind (Bristol Women's Therapy Centre)

Winston's Wish

Survivors Swindon

Advocacy after Fatal Domestic Abuse

Plymouth Rape and Sexual Abuse Line

Twelve's Company

Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre

Cornwall (WRASAC)

Wales

New Pathways

Torfaen People First (South Wales)

Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (North Wales)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been raised by the surcharge on fines, pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Surcharge) (No. 2) Order 2007 in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009. (291429)

The following table shows the total annual receipts from the Victim Surcharge from 1 April 2007. Receipts for 2009 are not yet available.

£ million

Date

Receipts

2007-08

3.8

2008-09

8

Magistrates: Diversity

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent to increase diversity among magistrates in each of the last three years. (287961)

101 local advisory committees recruit and select magistrates in England and Wales. Recruitment funding is provided on the basis of local need and the committees are encouraged to target recruitment at under-represented groups in their areas. The Ministry of Justice also funds the Magistrates’ Shadowing Scheme, run by Operation Black Vote, which aims to promote ethnic diversity among Magistrates. The following amounts have been spent on recruitment funding and the Shadowing Scheme in each of the last three financial years:

2006-07 Recruitment: £89,945 Shadowing Scheme £90,000

2007-08 Recruitment: £214,738 Shadowing Scheme £70,000

2008-09 Recruitment: £187,677 Shadowing Scheme £70,000

National Offender Management Service

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what timetable he has now set for the appointment of directors of offender management in (a) the regions of England and (b) in Wales. (288803)

HM Prison Service has had 13 area managers who have been responsible for the prisons within those areas and then regional offender managers were appointed in 11 areas who dealt with both prisons and probation areas. In 2008, two areas, London and Wales, piloted the new approach of a director of offender management.

It was decided to extend this to the other areas and an advert for the remaining nine director level posts was launched in November 2008. Appointments were made in eight of the nine regions in England and the one in Wales. The successful candidates took up post in late March and during April 2009.

There is currently an interim appointment in place in the North East. This post is due to be advertised in September with a view to filling it substantively by the end of the calendar year.

Prison Sentences

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many indeterminate sentences for public protection have been handed down in each (a) region and (b) police force area in each year since their inception. (291308)

The requested information is shown in the following tables.

Persons sentenced to IPP's by region and year, 2005-07, England and Wales

Number of persons

Region

2005

2006

2007

London

29

208

290

North West

95

269

298

North East

71

241

264

Midlands

44

139

198

Eastern

47

178

193

South East

60

215

272

South West

28

100

86

Wales

52

98

106

Total

426

1,448

1,707

Note:

These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Source:

OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice

Persons sentenced to IPP's by force and year, 2005-07, England and Wales

Number of persons

Force

2005

2006

2007

Avon and Somerset

2

34

25

Bedfordshire

7

11

18

Cambridgeshire

3

18

27

Cheshire

23

33

30

Cleveland

4

17

13

Cumbria

5

6

8

Derbyshire

5

25

25

Devon and Cornwall

5

22

19

Dorset

5

15

17

Durham

5

10

14

Essex

14

33

25

Gloucestershire

4

17

15

Greater Manchester

42

135

157

Hampshire

12

55

45

Hertfordshire

6

16

22

Humberside

10

12

27

Kent

1

32

46

Lancashire

14

39

54

Leicestershire

9

23

32

Lincolnshire

4

14

10

Merseyside

11

56

49

Metropolitan Police

29

208

290

Norfolk

3

18

16

North Yorkshire

5

16

23

Northamptonshire

5

17

19

Northumbria

9

71

55

Nottinghamshire

11

45

47

South Yorkshire

19

60

54

Staffordshire

4

23

26

Suffolk

7

18

17

Surrey

2

9

25

Sussex

3

20

22

Thames Valley

15

39

69

Warwickshire

3

12

17

West Mercia

9

19

27

West Midlands

28

85

128

West Yorkshire

19

55

78

Wiltshire

12

12

10

Dyfed-Powys

10

11

10

Gwent

6

11

24

North Wales

7

13

19

South Wales

29

63

53

Total

426

1,448

1,707

Note:

These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Source:

OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice

Prisoner Escapes

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful attempts were made to escape from HM Prison Lancaster since June 2007. (288562)

There have been no successful escapes or unsuccessful escape attempts from HMP Lancaster since June 2007. Escapes from prison have been falling for over a decade and 2008-09 saw the lowest level of prison escapes since records began.

Figures on escapes and a range of other prison performance statistics are available at:

http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/abouttheservice/prisonperformance/performancestatistics

Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners held on their own in cells designed for more than one prisoner have been assessed as (a) high risk and (b) very high risk. (287873)

The Cell Sharing Risk Assessment process provides a risk category of low, medium or high risk to prisoners when they enter custody. The category ‘very high risk’ is not used. Data is not held centrally on the number of prisoners allocated to each category.

Prisoners: Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the average weekly rate of unemployment pay paid in each prison in England and Wales was in 2008; (288192)

(2) what the standard rate of weekly prisoner pay for each job or other purposeful activity was in each prison in England and Wales in 2008.

The information requested is not centrally available and could be collated only by manual checking with individual establishments, which would incur disproportionate cost. However, Prison Service Order 4460 (Prisoners’ Pay), a copy of which has been placed in the House Library, sets out minimum rates of prisoner pay which includes allowance levels for unemployment and for work (enabling prisoners to obtain life skills), education and other duties or activities. The PSO sets a minimum unemployed rate of £2.50 per week and an employed rate of pay of £4.00 per week. However Governors have devolved authority to set rates of pay for their particular establishment and these will reflect the particular regime priorities of their establishment.

Prisoners: Wales

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) women and (b) men with a home address in Wales were serving custodial sentences in each prison outside Wales at the latest date for which figures are available; and what lengths of sentence such prisoners were serving. (291171)

The following tables show the total number of sentenced females (table A) and sentenced males (table B) with a home address in Wales who are held in a prison in England as of May 2009. The tables include the sentences these prisoners are serving and in which prisons in England they are held.

The figures in both tables include sentenced juveniles and young offenders.

Home area is taken as a prisoner’s home address. If no home address is recorded the court of first committal is used as a proxy address for recording purposes.

Table A

Prison

Less than 6 months

6 months to less than 12 months

12 months to less than 4 years

4 years or over

Total

Askham Grange

1

2

3

Bronzefield

1

1

2

Downview

2

6

1

9

Drake Hall

1

3

10

3

17

East Sutton Park

1

3

4

Eastwood Park

19

9

27

6

61

Foston Hall

1

4

6

11

Holloway

1

1

Low Newton

1

2

3

Morton Hall

1

1

New Hall

1

1

2

4

Peterborough

1

1

2

Send

1

2

8

11

22

Styal

1

2

7

6

16

Total

23

20

67

46

156

Table B

Prison

Less than 6 months

6 months to less than 12 months

12 months to less than 4 years

4 years or over

Total

Acklington

1

4

5

Albany

19

19

Altcourse

43

29

150

89

311

Ashfield

3

8

17

2

30

Ashwell

3

3

Aylesbury

10

10

Bedford

2

2

Birmingham

1

1

2

4

Blundeston

3

3

Brinsford

1

2

1

4

Bristol

4

4

Brixton

1

1

Buckley Hall

1

6

7

Bullingdon

1

4

5

Camp Hill

2

2

4

Canterbury

8

1

9

Channings Wood

1

42

54

97

Coldingley

2

2

Dartmoor

1

24

49

74

Deerbolt

1

1

Doncaster

1

1

Dorchester

1

1

2

Dovegate

3

50

53

Elmley

1

3

4

Erlestoke

21

52

73

Everthorpe

2

2

Exeter

2

3

5

Featherstone

4

10

14

Ford

3

1

4

Forest Bank

1

1

2

Frankland

23

23

Full Sutton

15

15

Garth

1

39

40

Gartree

14

14

Glen Parva

4

1

5

Gloucester

2

7

4

13

Grendon

4

4

Guys Marsh

1

27

32

60

Haverigg

6

9

15

Hewell

5

7

12

Highdown

2

3

5

Highpoint

1

4

5

Hindley

1

1

2

Hollesley Bay

1

1

Hull

1

1

Huntercombe

2

2

Kennet

1

1

13

7

22

Kingston

9

9

Kirkham

6

9

15

Kirklevington Grange

1

1

Lancaster

1

1

Lancaster Farms

1

2

3

Leyhill

8

26

34

Lincoln

1

1

Lindholme

4

4

Littlehey

1

9

10

Liverpool

2

5

3

10

Long Lartin

11

11

Lowdham Grange

2

4

6

Maidstone

1

1

2

Manchester

3

1

4

Moorland

2

2

Mount

1

1

North Sea Camp

1

1

2

Northallerton

1

1

Norwich

2

2

Onley

2

2

Parkhurst

4

4

Peterborough

1

2

3

Portland

9

3

12

Preston

1

1

Ranby

2

2

Risley

21

29

50

Rye Hill

26

26

Shepton Mallet

12

12

Shrewsbury

1

1

1

3

Spring Hill

1

2

3

Stafford

1

7

8

16

Stocken

2

10

12

Stoke Heath

13

19

31

8

71

Sudbury

6

6

Swaleside

11

11

Swinfen Hall

5

18

23

Thorn Cross

2

7

1

10

Verne

2

7

9

Wakefield

41

41

Wandsworth

2

4

6

Warren Hill

2

2

Wayland

3

3

Wealstun

1

1

Wellingborough

4

4

Werrington

2

1

3

Wetherby

1

1

Whatton

2

13

15

Whitemoor

3

3

Winchester

1

1

Wolds

1

2

3

Woodhill

1

1

Wymott

1

20

25

46

Total

63

76

509

871

1,519

Prisons: Manpower

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison officers at each (a) prison and (b) young offender institution have been suspended in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many of those suspended were subsequently (i) convicted of an offence, (ii) disciplined and (iii) dismissed. (290754)

The disciplinary process in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), including authority for suspending staff from duty, is devolved to a local level.

While historical information concerning the outcome of formal disciplinary cases is held centrally within NOMS, these records do not indicate whether or not the member of staff concerned was suspended from duty during the course of the disciplinary proceedings. A summary of the numbers of centrally recorded dismissals and other disciplinary penalties for each of the last five years is provided in the following table:

2004-051

2005-061

2006-071

2007-081

2008-091

Total

Dismissal

73

80

88

44

32

317

Other penalty

223

311

360

254

222

1,370

Total

296

391

448

298

254

1,687

1 Covers the period 1 September through 31 August 2009.

Information about staff suspensions has only been recorded centrally since October 2007. In order to provide the detailed information requested, we would need to contact all public sector Prison Service establishments and ask them to check their paper records. This would incur disproportionate cost.

Prisons: Violence

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) prisoner-on-prisoner and (b) prisoner-on-staff assaults involving weapons of each type there were in 2008. (291410)

The administrative IT system holding this data is currently being reconfigured and I therefore will write with the information as soon as possible.

Probation

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of offenders under probation supervision were (a) in employment and (b) living in settled and suitable accommodation at the end of their order or licence (i) in total and (ii) in each of the smallest geographical areas for which figures are available in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement. (291189)

The figures requested are available for 2008-09 and 2009-10 only and are shown in tables.

Employment is known to be a key factor in helping to reduce re-offending. The Government’s aim therefore is to improve the quantity and quality of offender learning to provide more offenders with the skills and motivation to turn away from crime, improve their employability, and become productive members of society.

NOMS is actively engaging with employers to create employment opportunities for offenders both in prison and on release. The Government are committed to expanding this programme significantly.

The Government recognise the contribution that having a stable home makes to the rehabilitation of offenders and the reduction of re-offending. The National Offender Management Service is working in partnership with other Government Departments, local authorities and housing providers to deliver public service agreement (PSA) 16, which includes a commitment to raising the proportion of offenders under the supervision of the probation service that are in suitable and stable accommodation at the end of their supervision.

Performance against employment targets in 2009-10 has shown a decline compared to 2008-09, but this must be seen in the context of the economic downturn. The current economic climate has exacerbated the disadvantages already faced by offenders in the jobs market. However, we remain committed to maximising employment opportunities for offenders and we are working with probation areas to ensure they retain their focus on performance.

Table 1: Offenders in employment at termination of order/licence 2008-09

Probation area

Number of offenders in employment

Number of terminations (orders and licences)

Percentage in employment

Target (percentage)

Avon and Somerset

713

1,714

42

40

Bedfordshire

405

781

52

40

Cambridgeshire

276

543

51

40

Cheshire

666

1,389

48

40

Cumbria

325

639

51

40

Derbyshire

595

1,259

47

40

Devon and Cornwall

627

1,518

41

40

Dorset

449

879

51

42

Durham

534

1,175

45

40

Dyfed Powys

313

668

47

40

Essex

1,040

1,963

53

40

Gloucestershire

568

1,180

48

40

Greater Manchester

2,856

6,670

43

40

Gwent

404

914

44

40

Hampshire

1,105

2,239

49o

40

Hertfordshire

666

1,153

58

40

Humberside

717

1,725

42

40

Kent

1,198

2,466

49

40

Lancashire

1,175

2,713

43

40

Leicestershire

829

1,633

51

40

Lincolnshire

397

777

51

40

London

3,015

7,896

38

40

Merseyside

1,001

2,713

37

40

Norfolk

270

738

37

40

North Wales

335

730

46

40

North Yorkshire

429

817

53

40

Northamptonshire

412

838

49

40

Northumbria

780

1,809

43

40

Nottinghamshire

672

1,690

40

40

South Wales

511

1,551

33

40

South Yorkshire

756

1,944

39

40

Staffordshire

818

1,658

49

40

Suffolk

334

732

46

40

Surrey

469

850

55

40

Sussex

865

1,773

49

40

Teesside

423

1,363

31

40

Thames Valley

1,170

2,183

54

40

Warwickshire

335

663

51

40

West Mercia

663

1,359

49

40

West Midlands

2,205

5,518

40

40

West Yorkshire

1,218

2,782

44

40

Wiltshire

365

685

53

45

National total

32,904

74,290

44

40

Table 2: Offenders in employment at termination of order/licence 2009-10 (April-July)

Probation area

Number of offenders in employment

Number of terminations (orders and licences)

Percentage in employment

Target (percentage)

Avon and Somerset

214

584

37

40

Bedfordshire

108

227

48

46

Cambridgeshire

94

236

40

46

Cheshire

145

376

39

50

Cumbria

81

197

41

50

Derbyshire

161

409

39

42

Devon and Cornwall

161

385

42

40

Dorset

94

254

37

40

Durham

152

385

39

40

Dyfed Powys

61

174

35

40

Essex

265

569

47

43

Gloucestershire

112

253

44

40

Greater Manchester

1,006

2,630

38

40

Gwent

111

310

36

40

Hampshire

361

823

44

45

Hertfordshire

207

416

50

46

Humberside

179

549

33

40

Kent

260

691

38

50

Lancashire

340

888

38

42

Leicestershire

192

440

44

42

Lincolnshire

84

209

40

46

London

1,298

3,861

34

40

Merseyside

249

802

31

40

Norfolk

69

217

32

40

North Wales

101

280

36

40

North Yorkshire

104

235

44

40

Northamptonshire

137

290

47

42

Northumbria

313

862

36

40

Nottinghamshire

200

513

39

40

South Wales

186

535

35

40

South Yorkshire

205

609

34

40

Staffordshire

215

511

42

45

Suffolk

88

218

40

40

Surrey

140

258

54

40

Sussex

186

438

42

40

Teesside

95

400

24

40

Thames Valley

278

615

45

45

Warwickshire

99

238

42

45

West Mercia

192

482

40

40

West Midlands

736

2,156

34

40

West Yorkshire

379

1,044

36

40

Wiltshire

79

174

45

40

National total

9,737

25,743

38

42

Table 3: Offenders in settled and suitable accommodation at termination of order/licence 2008-09

Probation area

Number of offenders in settled and suitable accommodation at termination

Number of terminations of orders and licences

Percentage in settled and suitable accommodation

Target (percentage)

Avon and Somerset

1,495

2,044

73

70

Bedfordshire

729

898

81

75

Cambridgeshire

518

642

81

76

Cheshire

1,314

1,643

80

70

Cumbria

704

837

84

70

Derbyshire

1,256

1,510

83

70

Devon and Cornwall

1,381

1,859

74

70

Dorset

810

1,055

77

70

Durham

1,293

1,554

83

80

Dyfed Powys

648

813

80

80

Essex

1,823

2,314

79

75

Gloucestershire

1,028

1,387

74

70

Greater Manchester

6,597

8,430

78

70

Gwent

859

1,108

78

75

Hampshire

2,036

2,695

76

70

Hertfordshire

1,064

1,332

80

76

Humberside

1,581

2,028

78

70

Kent

2,194

2,850

77

70

Lancashire

2,664

3,342

80

70

Leicestershire

1,523

1,848

82

70

Lincolnshire

778

946

82

70

London

6,089

8,599

71

70

Merseyside

2,704

3,327

81

70

Norfolk

677

893

76

70

North Wales

704

915

77

75

North Yorkshire

720

937

77

70

Northamptonshire

741

950

78

70

Northumbria

2,062

2,494

83

82

Nottinghamshire

1,658

2,072

80

70

South Wales

1,494

2,050

73

70

South Yorkshire

1,833

2,340

78

70

Staffordshire

1,629

2,069

79

70

Suffolk

677

851

80

72

Surrey

772

970

80

74

Sussex

1,661

2,203

75

70

Teesside

1,279

1,659

77

80

Thames Valley

1,944

2,514

77

70

Warwickshire

591

750

79

70

West Mercia

1,229

1,562

79

70

West Midlands

4,854

6,169

79

70

West Yorkshire

2,556

3,223

79

70

Wiltshire

651

821

79

70

National total

68,820

88,503

78

71

Table 4: Offenders in settled and suitable accommodation at termination of order/licence 2009-10 (April-July)

Probation area

Number of offenders in settled and suitable accommodation at termination

Number of terminations of orders and licences

Percentage in settled and suitable accommodation

Target (percentage)

Avon and Somerset

479

692

69

71

Bedfordshire

224

260

86

77

Cambridgeshire

208

280

74

77

Cheshire

359

444

81

75

Cumbria

200

243

82

75

Derbyshire

450

524

86

80

Devon and Cornwall

374

497

75

70

Dorset

254

324

78

75

(Durham

431

525

82

82

Dyfed Powys

165

219

75

80

Essex

557

687

81

77

Gloucestershire

245

319

77

73

Greater Manchester

2,654

3,347

79

75

Gwent

310

404

77

75

Hampshire

792

1,000

79

70

Hertfordshire

369

469

79

76

Humberside

510

631

81

73

Kent

611

826

74

70

Lancashire

877

1,095

80

75

Leicestershire

437

504

87

80

Lincolnshire

199

253

79

80

London

2,978

4,247

70

70

Merseyside

820

1,011

81

80

Norfolk

216

272

79

73

North Wales

246

341

72

75

North Yorkshire

218

271

80

73

Northamptonshire

275

325

85

75

Northumbria

951

1,178

81

83

Nottinghamshire

536

673

80

76

South Wales

611

776

79

70

South Yorkshire

549

725

76

75

Staffordshire

529

636

83

75

Suffolk

196

252

78

77

Surrey

256

303

84

75

Sussex

416

546

76

75

Teesside

376

491

77

81

Thames Valley

548

719

76

70

Warwickshire

205

276

74

75

West Mercia

465

563

83

75

West Midlands

1,884

2,431

77

75

West Yorkshire

948

1,207

79

75

Wiltshire

182

211

86

74

National total

24,110

30,997

78

75

Probation : West Yorkshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) probation officers and (b) probation service officers were employed by West Yorkshire Probation Area on 31 March of each of the last five years. (288667)

The following table shows the numbers of Probation Officers and Probation Service Officers in post in the West Yorkshire Probation Area on 31 March in each of the last five financial years:

Probation officers1

Probation service officers2

2003-04

314

307

2004-05

332

302

2005-06

363

276

2006-07

375

294

2007-083

371

272

1 Probation officer figures include Senior Probation Officers, Senior Practitioners, Practice Development Assessors and Probation Officers.

2 Probation services officers figures include Probation Services Officers and Treatment Managers.

3 The information provided has yet to be made public and may therefore be subject to minor amendment upon publication.

Note:

Figures are shown as full time equivalents.

Figures for the year 2008-09 are not yet available.

Prosecutions

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions were commenced under section 123(2) of the Police Act 1997 in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many such prosecutions resulted in a conviction. (291126)

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for an offence under section 123 of the 1997 Police Act are shown in the table below. Section 123(2) of the 1997 Police Act states that it is an offence to “Make a false statement to obtain a criminal record or conviction certificate”. Centrally held data do not separately identify under which part of section 123 court proceedings took place.

Data for 2008 will be available towards the end of 2009.

The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts under section 123 of the Police Act 1997, England and Wales, 20071,2

Number

Proceeded against

1

Found guilty

1

1 The statistics relate to persons 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.

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.

Source:

Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit

Sex Offenders

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what advice, training and support is given to staff in the National Offender Management Service in ensuring that sex offenders operating (a) in online forums and (b) in other areas do not pose a danger to children. (288878)

Probation Officers in the National Offender Management Service are trained to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all sexual offenders prior to sentence, using evidence based assessment tools, including Risk Matrix 2000 which has been designed specifically to assess the likelihood of reconviction for a sexual offence. The assessments are used to create a risk management plan for the offender, and, if online offending was assessed to be likely, this would be addressed in the risk management plan. For the most serious sexual offenders, the risk assessment and risk management will be undertaken within the context of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Within MAPPA, the Police Probation and Prison Services work together to assess and manage the risks presented by the most serious sexual offenders.

For sexual offenders subject to licensed release from custody, licence conditions may prohibit them from, for example, using the internet or may exclude them from places where they might pose a risk of harm to children. If they breach their licence conditions, they are liable to be recalled to custody. In addition, the most high risk offenders will be required to reside in approved premises on release from custody. In approved premises, offenders are subject to strict conditions of residence and additional monitoring.

The National Offender Management Service provides guidance, in the form of prison service orders, instructions and manuals, to prison and probation staff to ensure sex offenders do not pose a danger to children while in custody. In addition, specific training and support is given to staff who deliver sex offender treatment programmes.

Young Offender Institutions

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what disturbances have been reported at (a) HM Prison Lancaster and (b) HM Young Offender Institution Lancaster Farms since June 2008. (288563)

The data in the following table shows the number of disturbance-related incidents recorded on the Prison Service Incident Reporting System from HMP Lancaster and HMPYOI Lancaster Farms between June 2008 and May 2009.

Breakdown of disturbance-related incidents at HMP Lancaster and HMPYOI Lancaster Farms June 2008 to end May 2009

Establishment

Barricade

Concerted indiscipline active

Concerted indiscipline passive

Hostage

Incidents at height

HMP Lancaster

1

0

0

0

0

HMPYOI Lancaster Farms

7

1

2

0

6

Note:

These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Young Offenders: Sentencing

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of (a) 10 to 12, (b) 13 to 15, (c) 16 and 17 and (d) 18 to 20 year olds convicted of a non-violent offence were given a custodial sentence in each year since 1997. (291255)

The requested information is shown in the following table.

Data for 2008 will become available once ‘Sentencing Statistics 2008’ is published.

This data are presented on the principal offence basis, where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed, where the same sentence has been imposed for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.

Percentage of offenders sentenced to immediate custodial sentences for non-violent indictable offences1 1997-2007

Age group

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

10-12 years old

1.00

0.80

1.00

2.50

3.30

1.70

1.30

2.00

1.40

0.90

0.80

13-15 years old

6.90

6.30

6.70

8.20

9.00

9.20

7.90

7.30

6.50

7.10

6.00

16-17 years old

16.90

15.70

15.60

14.60

14.20

14.80

12.90

13.10

12.50

13.00

11.40

18-20 years old

21.60

21.50

21.60

23.20

23.30

23.10

20.90

22.20

22.40

22.50

22.50

1 Non-violent indictable offences includes all indictable offences not included in the violence against the person offence group. Summary offences have not been included as they are not categorised into violent and non-violent offences.

Source:

OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice.

These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems.

Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Prime Minister

Diamond Jubilee 2012

To ask the Prime Minister whether (a) special (i) coins and (ii) postage stamps will be produced and (b) the status of city will be awarded to one or more towns to mark in 2012 the 60th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty The Queen; and what other proposals the Government has to mark the anniversary. (291289)

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

To ask the Prime Minister what criteria he used to select the experts appointed to the Iraq inquiry; and what discussions he has had with Sir John Chilcot on the merits of inquiry witnesses giving evidence on oath. (291252)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) and my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) on 13 July 2009, Official Report, column 106W.

Israel: Prime Ministerial Discussions

To ask the Prime Minister what sanctions against Iran the Israeli Prime Minister proposed at his recent meeting with him; and what response he made to those proposals. (291268)

To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed the matter of Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament in his meeting with his Israeli counterpart in London on 25 August 2009. (291250)

I discussed a wide range of issues with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the press conference I held with the Prime Minister on Tuesday 25 August 2009, a transcript is available on the No. 10 website:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page20427

A copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Solicitor-General

Information Commissioner's Operation Motorman

To ask the Solicitor-General whether there are plans for further prosecutions arising from the Information Commissioner’s Operation Motorman. (291368)

I have been asked to reply as the Minister responsible for the Information Commissioner’s Office.

In 2004, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) brought four prosecutions on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service for offences related to the unlawful obtaining of personal data using information from the Information Commissioner’s Operation Motorman. It has no plans at present to bring further prosecutions.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also has no plans to pursue further prosecutions as a result of Operation Motorman. This information has been provided by the ICO.

The Government take matters of data protection very seriously. We keep data protection legislation under constant review to ensure that the framework is adequate and work with the ICO closely to ensure that the Act is working well.

Transport

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether he has made an assessment of the effect on journey times, congestion and pollution at the Dartford River Crossing of the suspension of the tolls in July 2009; and if he will make a statement. (291353)

The charges were suspended on 21 July 2009 for about six hours between the busy rush hour periods due to the failure of the crossing's standby generator during the power cut. As the traffic counting systems also failed we have no measure of the traffic flows but staff on site reported light flows below normal expected levels. The operator considered that flows in the area were lighter because a significant part of the local network including shopping centres and businesses did not have power to operate.

There was some congestion around 10.30am as the systems failed and the operator switched to manual charge collection.

The crossing was operated manually with staff placed in each lane to control traffic and the additional staffing helped to ensure that there were no significant incidents that would have disrupted traffic in the toll plazas.

The effect on journey times, congestion and pollution cannot be measured but the light traffic levels combined with additional staffing levels operating the crossing appears to have avoided significant delays and stationary traffic.

London Midland: Standards

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects of the West Coast Main Line infrastructure on London Midland's recent performance. (291231)

London Midland's performance has been affected in recent months by various failures of Network Rail's infrastructure. Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail and London Midland to address these issues, with Network Rail committing additional engineers and trouble shooters during the busiest times of the day at around 20 locations. Network Rail is also accelerating the replacement of less reliable equipment, including points, power and signalling cables. Overall recent performance has improved.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether he plans to review the level of subsidy provided to London Midland in light of its recent performance. (291232)

There are no plans to review the level of subsidy provided to London Midland in light of its recent performance.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment he has made of London Midland's ability to meet the terms of its franchise commitments. (291233)

The Department for Transport continues to assess London Midland's ability to meet the terms of its franchise commitments. Where an operator does not meet its contractual commitments, the Department follows the processes which are set out in the enforcement policy. A copy of the enforcement policy can be located on the Department's website at

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2008/rfaandccmain/results.pdf

London-Peterborough Railway Line

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many services on the Peterborough to London rail line were (a) cancelled, (b) late and (c) overcrowded in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. (291286)

The Department for Transport does not hold the specific information requested. The principal train operating company operating on the East Coast is NXEC (previously GNER). The Department does not hold information on trains cancelled by NXEC/GNER, between Peterborough to London.

The operator's total cancellations are listed for the last 10 years in the following table:

GNER/NXEC total cancellations

Annual totals

2000

306

2001

1,007

2002

615

2003

736

2004

661

2005

559

2006

546

2007

805

2008

997

2009

625

Motor Vehicles: Registration

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many vehicles in each category were registered with a statutory off road notification classification in each of the last three years. (291288)

The following table shows the number of vehicles by category which were registered as SORN during the last three years.

Cars

Motor cycles

Light goods

Heavy goods

Buses and coaches

All other vehicles

Total

2006

1,055,256

369,659

180,702

35,264

11,394

39,196

1,691,471

2007

1,040,936

392,270

181,817

35,179

11,690

43,008

1,704,900

2008

1,072,025

426,992

197,544

40,795

12,173

47,807

1,797,336

All other vehicles includes vehicles like tractor excavators, forklift trucks, rollers, ambulances, taxis, three wheelers and agricultural vehicles.

Motorway Service Areas

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will publish the valuation his Department made of motorway service areas owned or partly owned by the Government. (291415)

A detailed valuation study of the Government’s freehold interest in motorway service areas was commissioned by the Highways Agency in April this year. This is being undertaken by property consultants with specialist sector knowledge and their report is expected in October.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport which motorway service areas are (a) wholly and (b) partially owned by his Department. (291416)

There are 67 Motorway Service Areas (MSA) across the Strategic Road Network in England. The Secretary of State wholly owns the freehold of 20 sites as listed. The Secretary of State has no partial ownership in any MSA.

Birch

Birchanger Green

Burtonwood

Cherwell Valley

Clackett Lane

Corley

Keele

Knutsford

Leicester Forest East

Membury

Newport Pagnall

Northampton

Sandbach

Strensham (Northbound)

Thurrock

Toddington

Trowell

Warwick

Watford Gap

Woodall

Public Transport: Internet

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of providing free wifi access on all buses and trains in England. (291393)

No such assessment has been made. The Department for Transport is supportive of the objective of the recent Digital Britain report to provide ubiquitous mobile coverage throughout the transport networks. This is a commercial matter for rail franchisees and bus operators a number of whom have chosen to provide Wifi services to their customers.

Speed Limits: Cameras

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how long on average elapses between the installation of an average speed camera and it becoming operational; and what percentage of such cameras installed in the last 12 months have not become fully operational within this period. (291387)

This information is not held by the Department for Transport. Since 1 April 2007 the deployment of safety cameras has been the responsibility of individual local road safety partnerships. The partnerships are entirely responsible for the installation and operation of all cameras within their area.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of (a) average and (b) fixed speed cameras installed in England and Wales on (i) motorways, (ii) A roads and (iii) B roads in the last 12 months. (291388)

The Department for Transport does not routinely assess the effectiveness of speed cameras, although the Department's guidance does recommend that speed and collision data are collected by road safety partnerships and the contribution cameras make to casualty reduction monitored and reviewed, at least annually. Cameras that operated under the National Safety Camera programme, which ended on 31 March 2007 proved to be very effective. Fatal casualties reduced by an average of 43 per cent. at fixed camera sites and killed or seriously injured casualties reduced by an average of 51 per cent. At mobile camera sites fatal casualties reduced by 42 per cent. and killed or seriously injured casualties reduced by an average of 22 per cent.

Traffic Management Act 2004

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport on what occasions highways authorities have been found in breach of the duty to ensure the expeditious movement of traffic under the Traffic Management Act 2004 since the legislation came into force. (291413)

Section 20 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 enables the Department for Transport to issue an intervention notice to a local traffic authority in England, giving an opinion that the authority is failing to perform its Network Management Duty under Sections 16 and 17 of the same Act. No such intervention notices have been issued.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many resurfacing notices have been issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004 since the legislation came into force. (291414)

Currently there is no provision in secondary legislation for street authorities to issue resurfacing notices, consequently none have been issued.

Treasury

Bankruptcy

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of bankruptcy claims arising from the application of the provisions of section 58 of the Finance Act 2008; (289115)

(2) what recent estimate his Department has made of the effect on small businesses of the application of the provisions of section 58 of the Finance Act 2008.

Section 58 of the Finance Act 2008 will apply to a small number of individuals who have used a highly artificial tax avoidance scheme seeking to avoid paying UK tax on their UK income.

Section 58 clarifies understanding of the law to give taxpayers certainty in completing their tax returns. It puts beyond doubt that the scheme users are chargeable to UK tax on their share of the partnership income. The Government believes its action was entirely justified and fair to the majority of taxpayers.

Banks: Government Assistance

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which banks have made use of the Guarantee scheme for Asset Backed Securities announced on 19 January 2009 to date; (291405)

(2) what the monetary value is of the agreements with banks signed under the Guarantee scheme for Asset Backed Securities announced on 19 January 2009.

The ABS guarantee scheme was made available at Budget 2009, extending funding options open to banks and building societies alongside other Government support schemes, including the existing Credit Guarantee scheme. Demand for the guarantees will depend on eligible institutions' access to alternative sources of funding and demand for mortgage credit in the economy.

A list of eligible instruments guaranteed under the scheme will be made available by the DMO at:

http://www.dmo.gov.uk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which banks have signed up to final contracts under the Asset Protection scheme announced on 19 January 2009. (291407)

The announcements made in February and March set out an in-principle agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Lloyds Banking Group with regard to their participation in the Asset Protection scheme. These agreements were subject to further due diligence, negotiation on the details of the scheme terms, and state aid and shareholder approval. The final agreements remain under negotiation.

Banks: Loans

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to prevent banks targeting loans and remortgaging packages to people approaching state retirement age. (291349)

For some people approaching state retirement age, mortgages can be an appropriate way of helping to manage their finances. The Government are determined, however, that lenders treat all customers fairly.

In 2004, the Government extended the scope of Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation to include mortgages. The FSA’s regime requires lenders to treat customers fairly, and offers consumers protection by requiring that, for example, firms satisfy themselves that a mortgage commitment is affordable.

The FSA publishes guidance for lenders on how they should deal with mortgages that will run into retirement. This guidance is available on the FSA’s website at:

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/other/mortgage_lender.pdf

Contracts: Goldman Sachs

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts the Government holds with Goldman Sachs Bank; and what the monetary value of such contracts is in 2009-10. (288567)

Goldman Sachs were engaged in autumn 2007 to work for HMT on issues surrounding Northern Rock. To date, Goldman Sachs have been paid £3.8 million in respect of this contract. There are no other contracts in place with Goldman Sachs.

Under the agreement with Northern Rock, certain fees are recoverable and this sum does not therefore represent a net cost to the Treasury.

Council Tax: Scotland

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (a) Ministers in his Department, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of HM Revenue and Customs have had with (i) Members of the Scottish Parliament and (ii) the Scottish Executive on options for the replacement of council tax in Scotland with a local property tax following the publication of the Burt Review of local Government finance; and if he will make a statement (291404)

The Burt Review of local government finance in Scotland was commissioned by the Scottish Executive and was a devolved matter.

Departmental Billing

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10-days of receipt in June 2009. (288921)

The Treasury paid 99.84 per cent. of invoices not in dispute within 10-days of receipt in June 2009.

Holiday Homes

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of holiday lets in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) England which will be affected by the decision to reclassify income from holiday lets as unearned income; (288114)

(2) what the revenue to the Exchequer from taxation on holiday lets was in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) England in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007 and (iv) 2008.

The estimated taxable profit for those who made a net profit on furnished holiday lettings was £90 million, which would be subject to taxation at the marginal rate of the taxpayer. This estimate relates to 2006-07 which is the latest year for which full data is available; estimates for the preceding year are thought to be similar. An impact assessment for the withdrawal of the furnished holiday lets concession will be published at the pre-Budget report, alongside the draft regulations. HM Revenue and Customs do not have information on the number or location of furnished holiday lettings.

Members: Correspondence

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the letter from the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire of 21 April 2009 on Kaupthing Bank and its effect on his constituent, Mr. Stephen Nix. (288793)

Mobile Phones

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what HM Revenue and Customs’ policy is on finalisation of historic unused credit received by mobile telephone companies from consumers. (291370)

HM Revenue and Customs’ policy is to follow the commercial accounts as prepared under generally accepted accounting practice (GAAP). It is normal accountancy practice as part of GAAP to draw up accounts on the accruals basis. Under this practice, credit purchased by consumers that remains unused and is not repaid is a taxable trade receipt.

Private Finance Initiative

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many private finance initiative contracts have been re-negotiated since September 2008; and whether the public sector liability has increased as a result of such re-negotiations. (291417)

We are not aware of any PFI contracts which have been re-negotiated since September 2008, this would be a matter for the relevant procuring authority in the first instance.

Public Expenditure: Armed Forces

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what payments to the Ministry of Defence have been made out of Treasury reserves to pay for equipment for military operations in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. (288561)

Treasury expenditure on the net additional cost of military operations, including equipment, are broken down by theatre in the Ministry of Defence's annual report and accounts. For the most recent 2007-08 accounts the relevant table is listed under Operations and Peacekeeping (RfR2), sub-para 2.3 on page 292.

Public Expenditure: Banks

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of expenditure from the public purse in 2010-11 expected to be spent on Government (a) loans to and (b) purchase of equity or shares in banks. (288183)

As set out in Budget 2009, the Government projects that the net effect of financial sector interventions on the central Government net cash requirement (CGNCR) will be zero in 2010-11.

Royal Mail

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on services provided by Royal Mail in each of the last two years. (288738)

The Treasury's spending with the Royal Mail in 2007-08 and 2008-09 was £57,058 and £61,310 respectively.

Scotland

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department plans to make a submission to the Scottish Executive's National Conversation consultation on Scotland's constitutional future. (288954)

The Treasury has not submitted evidence to the Scottish Government's National Conversation.

The Commission on Scottish Devolution was established by majority vote in the Scottish Parliament and with the full support of the UK Government. UK Departments submitted evidence to the Commission during its first phase of evidence gathering.

The Commission recently published its final report, which can be found here:

http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2009-06-12-csd-final-report-2009fbookmarked.pdf

A Steering Group has been established under the Chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Scotland to help the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament plan how to take forward the Calman recommendations and deliver stronger devolution within a stronger United Kingdom.

Social Security Benefit: Fraud

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if HM Revenue and Customs will take steps to investigate instances of suspected benefit fraud perpetrated by EU nationals from former Soviet bloc countries. (291237)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) takes all instances of suspected fraud seriously and is stepping up its work in this area. The Department is increasing its use of data matching using information from a wide variety of sources to identify those who attempt to abuse the system. HMRC also shares intelligence and investigates cases jointly with other Government agencies.

Those who are caught may face prosecution or in less serious cases, being charged a penalty and interest in addition to repaying the amount they defrauded.

To help prevent fraud from occurring in the first place, child benefit customers must provide HMRC with documentary evidence of the child being claimed for, such as a birth certificate, adoption certificate or passport.

All claims for child benefit are then subject to a wide range of checks throughout the life of each claim. It would be inappropriate to disclose a complete list as to do so may provide assistance to those attempting to defraud the system.

Details of suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline (0800 854 440), the Child Benefit Helpline (0845 302 1444) or the tax credits Helpline (0845 300 3900).

Tax Credit

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many tax credit cases payments have been affected by technical difficulties in the last year for which figures are available; and what the average length of time taken to resolve such cases was. (291350)

The information is not available. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) works with its IT provider to identify and resolve tax credits claims affected by technical difficulties.

Where necessary, HMRC maintains affected tax credits claims by sending manual cash cheque payments to its customers. At the end of August 2009, less than 9,500 households’ tax credit claims were being processed clerically.

Taxation: Developing Countries

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to implement the G20 London Summit commitment to develop proposals by the end of 2009 to make it easier for developing countries to secure the benefits of a new co-operative tax environment; and whether discussion of such proposals will be on the agenda for the forthcoming G20 Summit in Pittsburgh. (291399)

The UK is working with its international partners to drive forward the G20 agenda to ensure that developing countries benefit from the new co-operative tax environment.

Earlier this month, G20 Finance Ministers lent further support to the proposal that developing countries should benefit from the new tax transparency, possibly through a multilateral instrument for information exchange, which would allow a wider group of countries—including developing countries—to access relevant tax information.

The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes has agreed to report to the next meeting of G20 Finance Ministers in November on how multilateral tax information exchange agreements (TIEAs) work and what steps are necessary to accelerate full implementation of the international standard on tax information exchange. The UK will be pressing for early implementation of such an instrument. We expect this issue to be discussed at the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers in November.

UK Financial Institutions

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what stakes the Government holds in UK financial institutions; how much each cost to purchase; what the present value of each is; what the earliest date is on which each could be repaid; and on what date it is anticipated each will be repaid. (291318)

Details of the Government’s market investments in RBS and Lloyds Banking Group, including valuations and the Government’s strategy for managing the investments over time, are set out in UK Financial Investments’ Annual Report, available at:

www.ukfi.gov.uk

Bradford and Bingley and Northern Rock were transferred into public ownership under the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008 and independent valuers have been appointed to decide what, if any, compensation is payable to former shareholders.

Further financial information about the banks in which the Government have a stake is available in the Resource Accounts in the Treasury’s Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09, available at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/annual_report_2009_full.pdf

UK Financial Investments: Training

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what training courses have been provided to staff of UK Financial Investments since its inception; and at what cost to the public purse. (289082)

UK Financial Investment (UKFI) is a limited company wholly owned by HM Treasury. UKFI’s costs are set out in their annual report and accounts, in line with Company’s Act reporting requirements and FReM accounting standards. The annual report and accounts can be found on their website at:

www.ukfi.gov.uk

UKFI staff have undertaken various training to ensure that staff are well trained to deliver UKFI’s remit to manage the Government’s shareholdings commercially and create and protect value for the taxpayer as shareholder.

Valuation Office Agency

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency treats bedsits (a) with and (b) without self-contained toilet and washroom facilities separately for the purposes of council tax valuations. (291335)

In deciding whether a property should have a single assessment or several, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will consider whether the property contains self-contained units “constructed or adapted for use as separate living accommodation”.

Individual flats or bedsits may be allocated their own council tax band, even though some of the facilities and accommodation may be shared with other residents of the same building. The VOA’s judgment will depend on the specifics of the property in question and the nature of the occupation.

Further guidance on the treatment of bedsits for council tax is available at:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/multiple_property.htm

and

http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/public_fact_sheets/self-contained-units.html

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 1036W, on Valuation Office Agency, how many reports of convictions and related offences the Valuation Office Agency has received from the Cabinet Office in respect of its staff each of the last three years. (291339)

The Valuation Office Agency has received fewer than five reports of convictions and related offences from the Cabinet Office. All reports have been received within the period April to September 2009.

Valuation Office Agency: Publications

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the referencing guidance and manuals produced by the Valuation Office Agency for the inspection and valuation of (a) advertising rights and stations and (b) licensed property. (291243)

The manuals used by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are routinely updated to reflect changes and new information. They are published online at:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/instructions/Index.htm

The section of the VOA’s Rating Manual relevant to advertising rights and stations can be found at:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/instructions/chapters/rating_manual/vol5/sect20/frame.htm

Licensed property is covered in the following section of the VOA’s Rating Manual:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/instructions/chapters/rating manual/vol5/sect825/frame.htm

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to page 33 of the Valuation Office Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09, HC 521, in which six process areas the Agency fell below minimum target standards in its information security high level assessment. (291244)

The six process areas are those related to the HMG information Assurance Maturity Model and Assessment Framework, specifically:

Leadership and Governance

Training, Education and awareness

Information Risk Management

Through-Life Information Assurance Measures

Assured Information Sharing

Compliance

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to page 33 of the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09, HC 521, if he will place in the Library a copy of Deloitte’s report on its high level assessment of the maturity and effectiveness of VOA information security, redacted for security reasons as necessary. (291245)

The Deloitte report assesses the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) security maturity and identifies the areas for improvement to enable full compliance with the Poynter review, with the HMG Security Policy Framework and Minimum Mandatory Measures and ISO 27001—the industry standard measure for information security compliance.

The report has therefore been classified as restricted, and cannot be published. Redaction of material, which may aggravate security risks if published, would render the report meaningless.

Working Capital Scheme

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the monetary value of the agreements with banks signed under the Working Capital scheme is. (291408)

I have been asked to reply.

£2 billion of guarantees have been provided to banks under the Working Capital scheme to free up regulatory capital for new lending to UK companies. As a result of action by the Government and the regulatory authorities, leading to improvements in the capital position of the UK banking system since the introduction of the WCS, the Government have been able to allocate resource provision for the WCS to other measures to support businesses, including as announced at the Budget 2009 a trade credit insurance top up scheme and a possible new letters of credit scheme in the Export Credit Guarantee Department.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which banks have signed up to the Working Capital scheme to date. (291409)

I have been asked to reply.

Guarantees have been provided to Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (RBS), National Westminster Bank PLC (NatWest), and Lloyds TSB Bank PLC and Lloyds TSB Scotland PLC (Lloyds Banking Group) under the Working Capital scheme to free up regulatory capital for new lending to UK companies. As a result of action by the Government and the regulatory authorities, leading to improvements in the capital position of the UK banking system since the introduction of the WCS, the Government have been able to allocate resource provision for the WCS to other measures to support businesses, including as announced at the Budget 2009 a trade credit insurance top up scheme and a possible new letters of credit scheme in the Export Credit Guarantee Department.

Wales

M4: Newport Gwent

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the M4 relief road. (291213)

I have regular meetings with the First Minister to discuss a range of issues relating to Wales, including transport matters.

Women and Equality

Polly Toynbee

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what payments (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission have made to Ms Polly Toynbee; and for what purposes. (291000)

The Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have made no payments to Polly Toynbee.

Work and Pensions

Children: Maintenance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in respect of how many child maintenance cases her Department has overridden payment schedules agreed in court in each of the last five years. (282543)

I have consulted with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission who are now responsible for child maintenance. They have confirmed that the information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how long on average the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission takes to recalculate from the point of notification child maintenance liabilities for non-resident parents who return to work after a period of unemployment under the (a) old and (b) new scheme. (291132)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) on 14 July 2009, Official Report, column 282W.

Housing Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much housing benefit has been paid to people born outside the UK in each year since 1994. (291208)

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Hemsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Hemsworth constituency have benefited from changes to industrial injuries disablement benefit since 1997. (288788)

Jobcentre Plus: Chelmsford

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job vacancies were notified to Chelmsford Jobcentre Plus in each of the last six months for which figures are available. (290994)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The information requested is in the following table.

Notified and live unfilled vacancies in West Chelmsford in the last six months

Date

West Chelmsford parliamentary constituency

Chelmsford local authority

Chelmsford Jobcentre Plus

Live unfilled vacancies

February 2009

629

707

768

March 2009

442

531

649

April 2009

484

540

629

May 2009

565

640

667

June 2009

655

715

757

July 2009

711

816

861

Notified vacancies

February 2009

1,019

1,132

1,208

March 2009

548

643

740

April 2009

652

724

772

May 2009

738

854

891

June 2009

762

868

951

July 2009

735

903

967

Notes:

1. Data are unrounded and will include overlaps between the areas provided for this answer.

2. Changes to Jobcentre Plus vacancy handling procedures have led to a major discontinuity in the vacancy statistics pre and post May 2006. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data.

3. These are not whole economy figures. Coverage relates just to vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus and as such represent a market share of vacancies throughout the whole economy. This proportion varies overtime, according to the occupation of the vacancy and industry of the employer, and by local area. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.

4. Notified vacancies. Monthly data on the inflow of newly notified vacancies to Jobcentre Plus.

5. The stocks of live unfilled vacancies reflect more accurately job opportunities available via Jobcentre Plus. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended (i.e. excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open.

6. To provide a geographic breakdown, in most cases the postcode of the vacancy is used to allocate the vacancy to a local area. Where this is missing or invalid, the employers' postcode or the postcode of the local Jobcentre Plus office is used.

7. These figures are published at:

www.nomisweb.co.uk

Source:

Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System

Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged (a) 16 and (b) 17 years were in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in each of the last 10 years. (291003)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: The information requested is shown in the following table.

Number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants aged 16 and 17 in Great Britain in each of the last 10 years

As at July each year:

Aged 16

Aged 17

1999

2,465

11,720

2000

2,195

11,230

2001

2,035

10,060

2002

2,030

10,040

2003

2,100

10,575

2004

1,975

9,460

2005

1,725

10,260

2006

1,740

10,195

2007

1,020

7,695

2008

770

6,030

2009

825

7,030

Notes:

1. Data is rounded to the nearest five.

2. Data is published at:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Source:

100 per cent. count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.

Minimum Wage: Young People

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment she has made of the merits of providing the adult national minimum wage rate to 18 year olds. (290987)

[holding answer 14 September 2009]: I have been asked to reply.

The effects of the NMW on younger workers need to be considered carefully to avoid damaging incentives between education and work and ensure the employment prospects of younger workers are not adversely affected.

We know that young workers experience substantially worse unemployment and employment rates than adults. Both are more sensitive to the economic cycle. That is why the Low Pay Commission recommended a separate youth rate from the outset in 1999 and continues to believe there is a case for retaining them. Government and the LPC are concerned that removing the youth rates could adversely affect employment levels for this group. Earlier this year, the LPC recommended that 21-year-olds be entitled to the adult minimum wage. We have accepted this recommendation but, given the current economic conditions, stated that this change will be implemented from October 2010.

Pension Credit: Morecambe

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency were in receipt of pensions credit on the latest date for which figures are available. (287996)

As at November 2008, there were 5,240 households in receipt of pension credit in Morecambe and Lunesdale parliamentary constituency.

Notes:

1. The number of households in receipt are rounded to the nearest 10.

2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.

Source:

DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.